"There's no need to rush. Even I'm not rushing, Ruan Mei isn't rushing, and Screwllum isn't rushing, so you don't need to either."
"Little Grey hasn't arrived yet, and the Simulated Universe currently lacks testers. Even if you rush, it won't make a difference."
"With your Emanator-level strength, you're not the ideal candidate for testing the Simulated Universe. In fact, you'd likely attract the Abundance Aeon's attention far too easily."
"That's why I told you from the start: take your time, don't rush..."
Having uttered these words, Herta, feeling slightly uneasy, promptly kicked Lumina out of her office.
"That Herta is infuriating! Dismissing me with just a few words..."
"When has Lumina ever endured such humiliation!"
"Just wait, Little Herta. The shame of today will be repaid a hundredfold in the future!!!"
Outside Herta's office on the Herta Space Station, Lumina glared at the tightly sealed door, her eyes blazing with fury as she silently vowed vengeance...
One day, in some distant corner of the future, I'll give that wretched Little Herta a proper lesson!
Lumina scoffed, then pulled out her phone and sent a message to another young woman on the Space Station.
[Lumina: Asta, are you free right now?]
[Asta: What's up, Sister Lumina? I'm free.]
The girl's response arrived in the very next second after Lumina sent her message.
She must have set "Special Attention" for Lumina's contacts, Lumina thought, a smile creeping across her face. The resentment that had been building in her heart due to Herta's actions instantly dissipated like smoke.
Her fingers tapped across the screen, typing out a message without concealing anything from Asta:
[Lumina: I've arrived at the Space Station at Herta's invitation.]
[Lumina: I'll likely be staying here for the foreseeable future.]
[Lumina: Could you please reopen my old room for me, Asta?]
[Asta: Really?! Sister Lumina, you're on the Space Station!]
On the other side of the screen, Asta, at her console in the Master Control Zone, was immersed in her daily tasks.
Suddenly, a melodious voice startled her, breaking her concentration.
"Huh... what's this... Ah!"
At first, Asta was puzzled, wondering when she had set this ringtone.
But the next moment, realization dawned, and she sprang to her feet, her face flushed with excitement as she clutched her phone.
"Young Miss, are you alright?" Arlan, who was passing by on his patrol, rushed over, his face etched with concern. "What's wrong?"
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Asta replied, slightly flustered. "Just a little overexcited."
Hearing Arlan's voice, Asta realized she had lost her composure. She quickly replied to the message from Sister Lumina, calmed herself, and settled back into her seat.
"Ah, I see. Then I'll get back to my patrol." Seeing that his Young Miss was merely excited and not in any real distress, Arlan nodded and turned to leave.
But before Arlan could take more than a few steps, or even leave the control platform, Asta suddenly leaped to her feet, letting out a shriek, a squeal of pure, starstruck excitement.
"Aaaahhhh! Sister Lumina is actually at the Space Station!!!"
Seeing the message from her beloved Sister Lumina on the screen, Asta's mind instantly went into a giddy whirl.
For a long time, Sister Lumina hadn't initiated any conversations with her, leaving Asta feeling a bit hurt and sulky.
But the moment this message appeared, all those hurt feelings and sulkiness vanished in an instant.
Because Asta knew she no longer had to settle for being the Vice President of the Saintess Support Club online. She could finally meet the Saintess in person!
That's right. Even though Asta had only joined the club recently and lacked any special qualifications... her relentless, approachable charm, her "million-watt" personality, had swept away all obstacles.
[Asta: Sister Lumina, where are you? I'm coming to find you right now!]
[Lumina: I'm at the door of Herta's office. I just finished talking with her.]
[Asta: Okay, I'll be there right away!!!]
[Lumina: There's no need to rush. Aren't you still working? You can come after you're finished.]
[Lumina: I'll be staying on the Space Station for a while, and Herta is still waiting for another invitee to arrive... So I'll have plenty of free time to spend with you, Asta.]
Seeing the three exclamation marks in Asta's message, Lumina smiled and sent a reply, explaining briefly to ease Asta's urgency.
But when Asta didn't reply and her avatar went dark, Lumina guessed she had hastily put her phone away and was already hurrying toward her location.
"Such a hothead," Lumina murmured, shaking her head helplessly. She put her phone away and quietly waited for Asta to arrive.
"Sister Lumina!"
Since the control console in the Master Control Zone wasn't far from Herta's Office, Asta quickly appeared before Lumina.
"Asta, it's been a while," Lumina said, feeling a sense of healing wash over her as she looked at the familiar pink-haired girl before her.
As expected, compared to the petty and hard-to-manipulate Herta, Asta is so much more comforting.
But no matter... That mere Little Herta will one day be completely under my thumb!
Lumina thought to herself with unwavering conviction.
"Sister Lumina, why didn't you tell me you were coming to the Space Station a few days in advance? I haven't had time to prepare anything."
Unaware of Lumina's inner thoughts, Asta looked at the warm, comforting face before her and voiced her mild complaint with a hint of affection...
"Because I only received the message during the previous Hour System Time," Lumina replied. "If you want to blame someone, go blame Madam Herta."
Although Lumina had indeed forgotten to inform Asta about her visit to the Space Station...
But setting aside the facts, doesn't Herta bear some responsibility too?
Herta: ?