Muelsyse / Muir Sais, the head of Rhine Lab's Ecology Department.
In Columbia, she was already considered a prominent figure; even council members and other corporate executives treated her with respect.
Her resume, like those of other Rhine Lab researchers, showed she was a Genius who had skipped grades in university.
However, unlike most research fanatics, she wasn't a pure researcher; she wasn't as zealous as Parvis, the deceased head of the Structure Department.
This Liberi woman desired many things; truth was just one of them—she cared deeply about power, wealth, and strength.
But ultimately, these things were not paramount to Muelsyse / Muir Sais.
What she desired most… was probably amusement.
Muelsyse / Muir Sais knew that many researchers considered her "the leader they feared most to meet."
After all, when a high-ranking leader, second only to one and above thousands, suddenly approached with a smile, asking strange questions, it always made people a little nervous.
However, Muelsyse / Muir Sais enjoyed seeing others' flustered expressions.
Of course, these mischievous antics ultimately wouldn't cause any substantial harm to those young people, but Muelsyse / Muir Sais still savored the process.
Naturally, bullying subordinates wasn't much of an accomplishment; what truly gave her a sense of achievement was irritating the heads of other departments.
Especially Ferdinand, the head of the Energy Department, who had been at odds with her from the start; every time she saw him exasperated, Muelsyse / Muir Sais was delighted.
However, there was one target Muelsyse / Muir Sais had never managed to breach—the most formidable fortress in Rhine Lab.
And recently, Muelsyse / Muir Sais found an excellent point of entry.
Goki, a new employee recruited by the Defense Department.
Muelsyse / Muir Sais wasn't very familiar with the man in front of her; she had only briefly checked his information after hearing that the Defense Department had a rare new employee—an unremarkable fresh graduate.
As someone with a slight mischievous streak, Muelsyse / Muir Sais enjoyed teasing Saria, that perpetually serious and uninteresting woman.
If she could make this fortress-like woman drop her guard even a little, she would surely achieve immense satisfaction.
For example… snatching Saria's subordinate right in front of her?
"Following Saria, that blockhead, in the Defense Department won't give you many opportunities to take on major projects, explore truth, or secure research funding—if you're willing, I can sign a transfer for you to the Ecology Department right now; we have many interesting research projects here."
Looking at Researcher Goki's rather handsome face, Muelsyse / Muir Sais blinked, appearing exceptionally sincere.
"I heard that your purpose in coming to Rhine Lab was to improve your Originium Arts skills. Saria must have told you that she's willing to guide you in Originium Arts, right—but actually, I'm a little bit stronger than her."
With a casual flick of her wrist, Muelsyse / Muir Sais conjured a small, purely water-composed sphere that floated in the air, swaying from side to side, and tossed it towards Saria.
"Directly manipulating water molecules is far superior to merely playing with a single element—water and fire, don't you think they're a perfect match?"
Poof—smack.
"I don't think so, Director Muelsyse / Muir Sais—"
Mid-air, the water sphere was enveloped by silvery-white smoke, transforming into a small metal ball that clattered to the ground.
This was Saria's Originium Arts—controlling elemental calcium and its compounds.
And with her clever application, this seemingly simple Originium Arts had many excellent uses.
However, Saria's words elicited a scoff from Muelsyse / Muir Sais.
"Is that so? Director Saria, I actually think that the moment you engaged in such a natural conversation with me, you had already lost."
After uttering a remark Saria didn't quite understand, Muelsyse / Muir Sais took another step forward.
"Moreover, just having flab like Director Saria isn't enough; perhaps a small and delicate size would be even more alluring."
Clasping her slender arms tightly across her chest, subtly pushing out a slight bulge from the nearly flat expanse beneath her research uniform, Muelsyse / Muir Sais's expression shifted, revealing a hint of alluring charm.
"How about it? If you agree to come to the Ecology Department, I, the esteemed head of the Ecology Department, wouldn't mind giving you a gentle massage, you know?"
Muelsyse / Muir Sais was confident in her adorable appearance; this young man, who seemed as rigid as Saria and exceptionally proper, couldn't possibly be completely unaffected by her.
Such a Genius-type young man fresh out of school, coupled with his grand ambition to seek truth, must have been a bookworm and a 'grass-eating' male character during his academic years; let alone becoming a playboy, he probably wouldn't even have dated.
Even more so for Goki, this Defense Department employee recruited by Saria—people in the Defense Department were all rigid and taciturn.
Therefore, this fellow named Goki would definitely not dare to actually touch her, but would instead show a shy expression, allowing Muelsyse / Muir Sais to have a good laugh.
[Although I can't see Saria's shy expression, perhaps making her subordinate abandon his reserve isn't bad?]
And just as Muelsyse / Muir Sais confidently approached Goki step by step, almost pressing against him.
But then, Muelsyse / Muir Sais saw a helpless smile appear on Goki's face.
"Director Muelsyse / Muir Sais, you are indeed very cute, but if you want me to be interested in you… at least come to me in person, right?"
The next second, amidst Saria's and Muelsyse / Muir Sais's somewhat surprised expressions and the twilight, Goki extended his hands and unhesitatingly slapped Muelsyse / Muir Sais's chest.
"…Ah!"
No strange or unusual sensation came; in an instant, Muelsyse / Muir Sais transformed into cool ripples, and Goki's hands passed directly through her body—this was not an internal organ strike.
This was not some euphemism to bypass censorship, but truly… water.
"Wh—Originium Arts?"
Amidst Saria's somewhat astonished expression, Muelsyse / Muir Sais's incredibly real body suddenly transformed into a three-dimensional mass of clear water.
Her perception of Originium Arts was extremely keen; even the slightest fluctuation in Originium energy would be detected by Saria.
But… Muelsyse / Muir Sais had fooled her!
However, Muelsyse / Muir Sais herself was clearly more shocked than Saria, and had no intention of continuing to maintain her Originium Arts.
With her arms, now clear streams, covering her chest, Muelsyse / Muir Sais's head was the only part that remained in its complete form, as she struggled to maintain her composure.
"You, you—you actually dared to touch me! You found out long ago?!"
She hadn't expected her Originium Arts Incarnation disguise to be seen through by this newcomer, and… he even touched her!
"…When you are willing to come yourself, I might consider switching departments, Director Muelsyse / Muir Sais."
Goki smiled as he retracted his hands, savoring the real sensation from that brief moment—he had long since realized that the Prodigy in front of him was not human.
Firstly, Goki, knowing the plot, already knew that Muelsyse / Muir Sais was skilled at using water-based Originium Arts to create her Clone.
Secondly, there were subtle differences in the gaze and posture between living people and inanimate objects.
Saria might be strong, but her experience in hunting prey and observing various creatures was definitely not as extensive as Goki's.
"However, your Originium Arts are truly amazing; the touch just now was exceptionally real. If I have time, I will ask you for guidance on Originium Arts."
Originium Arts, could it really achieve such a level, even creating an almost perfect Incarnation with water?
Goki felt that if possible, he would also like to learn it.
"Dream on, no chance, you—see you in the conference room, Director Saria, remember to attend the meeting on time!"
Her tone filled with embarrassment, Muelsyse / Muir Sais snorted, preparing to dispel her Originium Arts.
"Wait a moment, Director Muelsyse / Muir Sais."
However, Goki's voice made her pause, and she looked at Goki with some anticipation.
"Your cuteness is undeniable, but I think Director Saria is also a sufficiently cute woman—therefore, Director Muelsyse / Muir Sais, please allow me to refuse your request."
Giving a thumbs-up to Saria beside him, Goki's words were exceptionally firm.
Compared to a satellite whose landing time was uncertain and who was full of mischief, it was definitely the familiar Saria, known inside and out by Goki, who was more adorable!
Hearing this, Muelsyse / Muir Sais's light yellow eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief.
"She, Saria, that blockhead, is cuter than me? Your eyesight must be failing! You just wait!"
Immediately after, the lifelike Incarnation dissolved into a puddle of ordinary clear water, falling to the ground.
— — — — — — — —
In a greenhouse with lush greenery, at an office desk surrounded by plants, Muelsyse / Muir Sais opened her eyes.
"Ugh—ah!"
Her real, human face instantly flushed a deep red; Muelsyse / Muir Sais's composed expression vanished, her pale, pointed ears twitched up and down, their tips also covered in a blush.
"He, he actually dared to touch me! What happened to the promised bookworm?!"
Muelsyse / Muir Sais extended her small hand, covering her chest with a red face, trying to dispel the strange sensation that had been transmitted from her Clone in the Defense Department moments ago.
The use of an "Incarnation" had conditions; to create a lifelike water Clone that even Saria couldn't detect, Muelsyse / Muir Sais needed to open her five senses and imitate her main body with her consciousness.
So… Muelsyse / Muir Sais had felt every single bit of that sensation just now, one hundred percent!
Although she enjoyed teasing these researchers who had absolutely no romantic experience, she… never intended to actually sacrifice her charm!
This outing for fun had been a complete loss; she hadn't found any amusement, and instead, she had become Goki's amusement.
It wasn't Goki who had been broken, but herself!
"Goki, your name is Goki, right… Interesting, I'll remember you! Just you wait!"
With a flushed face, Muelsyse / Muir Sais was shy for a moment, but finally, she curled her lips into a smile and looked out of the greenhouse.
"The Ifrit Project, originally I just didn't want the Energy Department to take it over, but now it seems I'll have to get involved and see."
Work at Rhine Lab had become much more interesting.
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