The first to arrive at the Space Station was Ruan Mei.
Her arrival was silent, like ink dropping into water, spreading a cool and focused aura.
Upon arrival, she went directly to Herta's office.
As for the welcoming party Bai Luan asked Asta to prepare, it predictably went unused.
Bai Luan had anticipated this.
He had already mentioned it to Asta beforehand:
For Ruan Mei, the most appropriate welcome would be a few meticulously prepared pastries.
Any other pomp or fanfare would likely be mere background noise to her, not worth paying attention to.
Therefore, beyond the pastries, no excessive preparations were needed.
The greatest significance of this welcoming party was perhaps to announce the arrival of a genius to the Staff of the Space Station.
However, it was, after all, arranged to welcome a genius, and its form could not be too simple—even if the genius herself didn't care—lest others feel the Space Station lacked courtesy and respect.
This was the most difficult part of being the Station Master; many things required careful judgment.
Fortunately, Asta was good at handling such matters, and Bai Luan only needed to focus on making pastries.
Inside Herta's office, the two geniuses began a small tea party.
They conversed while enjoying tea and snacks, and their discussion quickly delved into the vast data analysis of the Swarm Disaster.
Bai Luan wasn't unable to understand the abstruse terminology and deductions, he just didn't want to listen.
So, he cleverly stayed on the periphery of the conversation, using the pretense of preparing pastries and pouring tea, wholeheartedly playing the role of a quiet and attentive waiter.
He constantly hovered around them but never intervened in the discussion.
Soon, in the span of an afternoon tea, the two had essentially shared all the valuable data from the Swarm Disaster tests up to that point.
Ruan Mei also obtained the data she desired, and combined with her previous research on The Swarm living samples, she now lacked nothing and could begin the creation of the Propagation Aeon.
Ruan Mei wasted no time, stating directly that she wished to go to the section of the Space Station allocated to her.
Evidently, the task of leading the way fell to Bai Luan, who had been pretending to be a waiter earlier.
Who said leading the way was a bad job?
This leading job was fantastic!
Any job not related to the simulated universe was a good job.
Bai Luan, in a relaxed mood, led Ruan Mei, introducing her to the experimental section specifically built for her in a light tone.
The cheerful Bai Luan didn't notice that as he spoke, Ruan Mei's gaze towards him gradually changed.
Logically, the construction of an experimental section wouldn't require materials of such high strength.
This section, as a laboratory, was a bit too sturdy, almost as if... it was specifically built to contain some dangerous item.
Of course, Ruan Mei didn't believe this dangerous item was herself, but rather her upcoming project: replicating a Propagation Aeon.
But... why would he know her thoughts?
Her request for collaboration with Herta was merely for a laboratory where she could research life.
Ruan Mei hadn't told Herta what kind of life she intended to create.
So, no matter what, Bai Luan had no way of knowing her intentions.
He shouldn't have known her objective.
Yet, everything she saw now pointed to Bai Luan knowing her thoughts.
This laboratory was clearly built to contain a Propagation Aeon.
"Herta once mentioned to me that you seem to possess the ability to foresee the future."
Ruan Mei's voice remained calm and gentle.
"I didn't fully believe it then. But now... I'm starting to."
Bai Luan looked at her in confusion, subconsciously scratching his head:
"Why bring that up suddenly?"
"The specifications of this laboratory far exceed the norm. You are perfectly clear about the research I will be conducting here, aren't you?"
"...Yes, I am very clear."
Bai Luan didn't deny it.
"Do you intend to inform Herta about what I'm going to do?"
"I usually don't proactively report things she doesn't care about."
Bai Luan's answer was natural and fluent, as if he had rehearsed it countless times.
"I prefer to handle things quietly first. If she asks, I'll tell her 'it's done'—that's an assistant's duty."
Upon hearing this answer, a faint yet meaningful smile appeared on Ruan Mei's face:
"I'm beginning to understand why she is so fond of you now."
Bai Luan shrugged indifferently:
"After all, this is my job."
"Would you be willing to be my assistant for replicating the Aeon?"
"No, please allow me to refuse."
Bai Luan answered decisively.
"Reason?"
"You know, I am Ms. Herta's assistant."
This reason was simple and sufficient.
"It seems I'll have to find another assistant."
"Oh! Speaking of that,"
Bai Luan's eyes lit up, and he seized the opportunity to recommend.
"I do have an excellent candidate in mind."
"Who?"
"Her name is 'Stelle'. Believe me, that child's abilities are absolutely top-notch."
"Stelle... Herta seems to have mentioned her."
Ruan Mei was silent for a moment, finding relevant information in her memory.
"Is she at the Space Station?"
"That's right. I believe her participation will greatly benefit your experiment."
"I will seriously consider it."
Ruan Mei nodded slightly.
"Oh, and this."
Bai Luan took out the bullet containing the mara-struck and handed it to Ruan Mei.
"This is the bullet loaded with the mara-struck."
Ruan Mei reached out and took it, looking at the substance contained within the vessel:
"Incomplete Abundance blessing?"
"You could say that."
"Using your things usually comes with conditions, after all, I'm not Herta."
Ruan Mei's gaze returned to Bai Luan, carrying a hint of inquiry.
"What is the requirement this time?"
Bai Luan pondered briefly, then said:
"The requirement is simple. At least during your time at the Space Station, do not use it on your own 'creations'. That's all."
With a Propagation Aeon imbued with the mara-struck, he wondered if Stelle could still handle it.
Presumably, after adding the Abundance blessing, the copied Propagation Aeon's survival time might exceed 56 seconds.
Hmm... if he extracted not the mara-struck, but a complete Abundance blessing... and combined with Ruan Mei's techniques, after a bit of research, it seemed truly possible to perfectly replicate a Propagation Aeon... Forget it, he wasn't interested in such things.
Things he wasn't interested in, even if he could do them, there was no need to.
Only a fool would create more work for himself.
"Well, that concludes my introduction to this section."
Bai Luan bowed slightly to Ruan Mei.
"I hope your project progresses smoothly, Miss Ruan Mei."
Bai Luan took the elevator and left the experimental section.
Ruan Mei looked at the bullet in her hand.
Presumably, the technology contained within this bullet was far more valuable than the skill of making pastries.
It seemed he had grown quite a bit these days.
Herta's assistant was truly not simple; every time she thought he had reached his limit, he would always produce something else to prove he was far from it.
There was a reason he could always stay by Herta's side...