Returning to the entrance certainly wasn't backtracking on purpose. [Id] Vill-V planned to rent a Homu sightseeing cart here.
Originally, she had intended to stroll through the park on foot. But she had to admit that she was no longer as physically robust as in her previous life. After walking only a short while, she could already feel her stamina failing.
Better not push it. Admit it—you are now a delicate, soft-bodied beautiful girl...
The Homu sightseeing carts resembled go-karts, each seating two people. They came in three styles: Homu, Hoola, and Homei.
The six of them naturally split into three groups. [Id] Vill-V and Hua took the Homu cart. Zofia and Kirsch chose the Homei cart. Su and Huck got the Hoola cart.
Huck felt somewhat reluctant. No matter how he looked at it, the Homu sightseeing carts were meant for children—or couples. He was a mature old man. Driving a cute little cart like this felt downright embarrassing.
And yet, the broad-shouldered, burly Uncle Huck eagerly swung himself onto the Homu sightseeing cart.
Too childish for kids. Just right for an uncle.
"Wait... Vill-V, doesn't your group's Homu cart look a bit... off?"
The vehicle beneath Vill-V was forged from heavy steel, its surface inlaid with countless gears and pipes forming a complex mechanical structure. Its wheels were enormous and thick, radiating a crushing presence, as if capable of flattening anything in its path.
At the rear was a massive steam exhaust nozzle. Bursts of steam shot out, generating tremendous thrust that allowed the machine to accelerate instantly. Along its sides lined rows of weaponry—rocket launchers, cannons, and machine guns.
Su reached out and touched the cold metal surface.
This was the real deal...
"Miss Vill-V... I also think we should exercise some restraint..."
[Magician] Vill-V patted the machine she had just pulled out of her hat and declared proudly, "This [Heavy Armed Gear Steam Locomotive Type-03] is a loyal companion for young audiences. It's made from environmentally friendly materials, non-toxic and odorless, completely harmless to children's health."
"Just look at these round and adorable cannons, and the rows of gear machine guns. It even makes a charming clank-clank steam sound. I'm sure the little viewers will absolutely love it..."
The dazzling, over-the-top armed locomotive instantly drew envious stares from nearby children.
"Mom, I want to drive that one!"
"Kids aren't allowed to play with that!"
"Why does an amusement park even have something like this?"
"This park is corrupting children!"
Halfway through her boast, Vill-V abruptly changed her tone.
"Eh?! Mr. Mad Hatter, you're absolutely right."
It wasn't because of the parents' murmurs. [Magician] Vill-V had spotted something unclean and hurriedly withdrew the armed locomotive.
"Mm-hmm, I'm very obedient. Let's go, let's go. Time to drive my beloved little cart~"
[Magician] Vill-V shoved Hua into the standard Homu cart and eagerly started the engine, launching forward in a burst.
Meanwhile, she cursed inwardly.
Damn it, something unclean... Dr. Lobster—no... Mentor Tesla, why is she actually here? [Id], you jinx...
...
"Ah-choo—"
"What's wrong, Dr. Tesla?" Dr. Einstein asked upon noticing Tesla's distracted expression.
Tesla rubbed her eyes and looked toward the Homu cart rental area. "Ein, I think I just saw a gigantic, ridiculously cool heavy armed gear steam locomotive... It was right by the park entrance. Then I sneezed, and it vanished."
Einstein followed the direction Tesla pointed. There were only Homu-style children's vehicles.
A tiny UFO cart barely half a meter tall certainly had nothing to do with any heavy armed steam locomotive.
Other than that, there was only a coin-operated rocking ride.
Surely Tesla wasn't referring to that chibi steam train rocker?
Einstein placed a hand against Tesla's forehead. "Dr. Tesla, the probability of heavy weaponry appearing in a children's amusement park is negligible. Are your lenses underpowered? Or have you become so obsessed with mechs that you're experiencing delusional fixation?"
Tesla was now an honorary professor at Harvard Academy. Although funding was ample, restrictions were numerous. There was no way the school would permit her to build armed mechs or heavy artillery.
Tesla slapped Einstein's hand away and adjusted her red-framed glasses, planting her hands on her hips. "Hey, chicken-head, my mental state is excellent. Ever since I left my job, I've been eating well, sleeping well, and feeling fantastic."
"Unlike you—dark circles under your eyes, buried in quantum data all day, mumbling academic theories even in your sleep."
"Just wait. Once my nearsightedness is cured, these glasses will end up on your face instead."
Einstein's face bore the marks of excessive exhaustion.
Her cheeks had grown slightly hollow, faint eye bags swelling beneath tired eyes devoid of sparkle. Fine wrinkles lined her features, traces of time prematurely etched into her skin. Her once-neat blue hair had devolved into a tangled bird's nest.
It was clear that endless research had drained both her body and spirit.
"You're not even thirty yet, and you've already become this haggard. If I hadn't dragged you out for a walk, I would worry about you dropping dead in the lab one day."
If Tesla had not left MOTH, she might still have been able to shoulder part of Einstein's burden.
But now that she had departed—and bound by MOTH's confidentiality agreements—Einstein could not disclose even the slightest detail of her research.
Tesla could no longer offer suggestions for the problems Einstein faced.
All she could do now was fabricate an excuse to sneak Einstein out of the ivory tower for a bit of fresh air.
Einstein understood this perfectly well. Yet her rational nature found little value in it. Rather than spending a day relaxing at an amusement park, she would prefer to invest that time into her work.
"I do not believe visiting an amusement park will yield any research breakthroughs..."
"Look over there. That Homu statue—couldn't it serve as a potential appearance model for an ELF?"
Tesla pointed toward the proud Hero Homu statue standing in the distance.
"Equipment · Living Forms do not require appearances. They are merely weapons," Einstein corrected.
"Dr. Tesla, to be clear—I did not come here to play with you. You claimed the Homu comics contained substantial Honkai-related information that might provide inspiration. That is why I agreed to accompany you."
"Oh, please, chicken-head. That line might work on your rigid superiors. But since we're already out here, we should at least go somewhere fun and actually relax."
"Indeed. Without work, people tend to spiral into self-abandonment..."
"Chicken-head, who exactly are you implying that about? I have a perfectly respectable job!"
After exchanging a volley of insults, the distance that had grown between them over the years softened somewhat, as though they had returned to their competitive student days at Mu Continent Academy.
When they had both worked in research and development for MOTH, they had often been together—until a certain incident led to Tesla leaving MOTH. Since then, their meetings had been few and far between.
Now, having regained a trace of their old rhythm, they were just about to properly reminisce when an unwelcome voice interrupted them.
"Oh? I didn't expect to encounter the two doctors here. What luck... Fate truly is fascinating."
"By the way, regarding the proposal we previously submitted—have you reached a decision?"