"Hmm... it's actually developed self-awareness. That's quite unexpected."
After resolving the situation in the Containment Zone, Lumina led Stelle and the Little Swarm to the platform to find Ruan Mei.
Ruan Mei's striking appearance and distinctive aura made her easy to spot. Within moments, they located her amidst the bustling crowd.
As the trio approached, Ruan Mei immediately noticed the Little Swarm floating on Stelle's shoulder. A rare flicker of surprise momentarily disrupted her usual calm expression and tone.
Ruan Mei had witnessed many creations develop self-awareness, but the emergence of consciousness in a Simulated Starcrusher Swarm King like this was entirely beyond her expectations.
After all, this time she had created an Emanator...
Emanators were nothing like those "cat cakes." Moreover, judging by the Little Swarm's expressions and emotions, its self-awareness seemed remarkably complete.
Ruan Mei scrutinized the creature from head to toe, thinking to herself, This self-awareness appears quite comprehensive.
Ruan Mei certainly didn't believe she was responsible for the Emanator's remarkably developed self-awareness.
"Lumina..."
She murmured the name, silently elevating its significance in her heart.
Though she couldn't fathom how Lumina had achieved this, Ruan Mei suspected it might be connected to the power of Abundance bestowed upon her.
"Ugh... so scary, so scary, so scary..."
Sensing Ruan Mei's intense gaze, the Little Swarm instinctively hid behind Stelle, trembling with fear.
This cold-blooded Creator isn't nearly as gentle as Lady Lumina...
"Ruan Mei? Ruan Mei? Ruan Mei!"
Seeing Ruan Mei staring blankly at the Little Swarm, Lumina gently called out to her.
Meanwhile, Lumina chuckled inwardly. After all... Ruan Mei's dazed expression was quite adorable.
I wish I could just pat her head right now, Lumina thought, and ruffle her hair a bit. o(* ̄▽ ̄*)ブ
"Hm? My apologies, I lost my composure there." Hearing Lumina's call, Ruan Mei snapped back to herself.
Her gaze settled on Stelle, and a faint smile graced her lips as she offered her thanks. "Stelle, thank you for helping me resolve a major problem."
"Well... now it's more like a minor inconvenience," Stelle quipped, glancing at Little Swarm, who was cowering behind her like a child afraid of their parents.
"Hm, you're right," Ruan Mei chuckled, appreciating Stelle's humor.
Yet the laughter seemed forced, as if merely a response to Stelle's words, lacking any genuine warmth.
"Is its name really 'Little Swarm'?" Ruan Mei asked softly, her gaze returning to the creature hiding behind Stelle.
"Yup! I named him myself. Isn't it a cute name?" Lumina nodded proudly, a hint of pride in her smile.
[Oh, that's just... perfect. Just take one word and add "little," and you've got a great name, right? Little Stelle, Little Lumina...?]
The long-dormant System quietly resurfaced, making its presence known.
"No, no, no," Lumina chuckled, explaining. "Taking a single character and adding 'Little' in front is usually for naming animals or pets. Like Little Swarm, and... Little System."
Staring at the words on the screen, Lumina chuckled again and elaborated.
[So you see me as a pet, huh?! (╯▔皿▔)╯]
"Hmm~ Guess?" Lumina smiled, offering no further explanation.
After glancing at Little Swarm and then at Stelle, Lumina suggested, "Stelle, I've named it Little Swarm, but it's yours now. Do you want to give it a different name?"
"No need," Stelle replied, shaking her head. "Little Swarm is fine."
But after a pause, she added, with a touch of "considerate" mockery, "Something not even worth as much as a trash can doesn't deserve a proper name from me!"
[Little Swarm: (╯▔皿▔)╯ When will this ever end?! Trash can, trash can—that's all this idiot ever talks about!]
Little Swarm mentally muttered a silent retort, but refrained from speaking aloud due to Lumina's presence.
"Alright, alright! From today on, Little Swarm is your companion, Stelle~"
Hearing Stelle's words, Lumina shook her head and chuckled softly.
Though she had outwardly claimed she was making Little Swarm Stelle's tool, Lumina harbored no such intention.
From any perspective, Little Swarm was a genuine Emanator. While he might not possess the full power of an Emanator blessed directly by an Aeon, he could effortlessly dominate any opponent below that level.
Thus, entrusting Little Swarm to Stelle also served to protect her...
"Companion, huh..." After a moment's contemplation, Little Swarm's gaze toward Stelle softened slightly upon hearing his Creator's words.
But then...
"Ha? A companion? No way, he's too weak." Stelle's expression turned disdainful.
"Only a trash can deserves to be my companion. He's not even worthy!"
Stelle struck a haughty pose, hands on her hips, nose in the air, her face radiating smug confidence.
Little Swarm: You fucking bastard! ╰(╯▔皿▔)╯
"You ****, I ****, fu- ****..."
At this point, the long-suffering Little Swarm finally snapped. A torrent of "beautiful" words spewed from his mouth, nearly rendering Stelle completely brain-dead.
Hmm... Come to think of it, Stelle is kind of an idiot already...
So, he almost turned her into an even bigger idiot!