Welt didn't go back on his word.
Once Shiraha and Mei had obediently finished their meal, he put on a "sci-fi film."
The picture quality was terribly blurry. It looked like a monster brawl with a superhero, and in the end, the beautiful warrior with purple hair and golden eyes got pummeled to the ground by some half-beast in just a few punches.
Just a joke.
The image quality really was that bad. But thankfully, Tesla talked a lot. She never stopped chattering, narrating every detail on the screen.
"This world does have superheroes and monsters. And that purple-haired girl in the footage is the Second Herrscher, the one who nearly succeeded in destroying the world six years ago."
Shiraha watched with intense focus. After all, no manga's dramatic tension could ever compare to the gut-punch of reality.
The footage wasn't light or bland like a comic, either. Blood. Blood everywhere. And bodies. The fighting had torn through the snowy landscape around them, exposing the cracked, barren earth beneath.
Mei's little face had already gone pale. She didn't want to watch anymore. She didn't want to become a superhero after all. The price was too heavy, far too heavy for a nine-year-old girl full of innocent fantasies and an occasional streak of chuunibyou.
Sure, fighting evil was exactly the kind of thing she'd always imagined. But she'd never pictured it being this bloody.
"Looks like little Mei's going to have nightmares again."
Elysia muttered under her breath. And honestly, were this Einstein, this Tesla, and that First Herrscher uncle... just bad at teaching children?
"The war six years ago cost humanity a truly devastating price. But it's over now. Don't carry too much of that weight on your shoulders."
Tesla ruffled both children's heads.
The First Herrscher had emerged in 1953. The Second in 2000. Even if the Third arrived earlier than expected, Shiraha and Mei would surely be grown by then.
Humanity would only grow stronger by that point... assuming no infighting.
Shiraha blinked, forcing his voice to stay steady. "In the future, I'll surpass them! At the very least, fight them to a draw!"
Yes. If Shiraha in the future couldn't flatten Siegfried in five moves, then he'd face the tragic judgment of: Unqualified.
And unqualified meant no right to participate in the final story.
"Surpass Siegfried, huh?"
Welt didn't know what to say. He wanted to tell the boy there was no need to put that kind of pressure on himself... but after Shiraha's performance that morning, the words wouldn't come out.
He really wanted to save some face for his friend. But Siegfried... honestly, he might actually fall short.
"You will surpass him."
Einstein's voice was calm, as if she were simply stating a fact.
"Yeah, no kidding! How could us Anti-Entropy folks possibly be worse than Schicksal's?!"
Tesla didn't dwell on the discussion. Once the footage ended, she slid her mouse across the desk. "The viewing experience earlier probably wasn't great so, Mei, Shiraha, want to watch the latest sci-fi blockbuster with your doctor here?"
2006
The world had settled into a rare peace.
Schicksal still hadn't recovered from the blow six years ago. Anti-Entropy... Anti-Entropy was in even worse shape. Anti-Entropy had taken another hit just last year from the Sky People.
This year, Himeko graduated from UC. Shiraha had wanted to make contact, but the campus was simply too vast. He'd tagged along with Welt to a few classes but never once caught sight of that red-haired figure.
Apparently, after pulling herself out of last year's ordeal, Himeko had already entered the phase of "skip all electives, selectively skip the required courses."
"America is no fun at all."
Another early morning. Elysia hadn't slept in today. She leaned against the window, chin resting on her folded arms, gazing blankly at the dawn breaking on the horizon.
"Shiraha, I want to go back to the Far East. Classes over there were way more fun."
Certainly more fun than the two children, under the pretense of "recuperation," embarking on daily "adventures" all over the UC campus.
"You just like little kids!"
Shiraha ruthlessly exposed her. The UC campus had plenty of handsome young men and beautiful young women too. But for an invisible person like Elysia, observing those adults fell just slightly outside her comfort zone for idle flirtation.
She was just a poor, helpless big-talker.
"Shiraha... America is so boring..." Elysia turned her head, her voice drifting and mournful. "We've only been here a month, and you've already gotten so sharp-tongued."
It wasn't that Elysia liked little kids. She just believed that emotional bonds needed to be cultivated early. That's why she enjoyed playing with children. That's all.
Shiraha finished dressing and glanced at the wistful Elysia-nee, offering some comfort. "Actually, it's about time for us to leave anyway. Just bear with it a little longer, Nee-chan. Soon."
He pushed open the door. The sound of conversation drifted up from the living room. There seemed to be a guest today.
"Goodbye, Professor Welt. Professor Ein."
The young Himeko was perfectly polite. She stood at the entryway, suitcase in one hand, a canvas bag in the other.
This past year, buried in her studies, she simply hadn't had the time to pay attention to anyone else around her. It was only yesterday, while packing up her things, that it suddenly struck her, she really ought to visit Professor Einstein, Professor Welt, and Dr. Tesla.
Shiraha stood on the second floor, his expression unchanged. His small hands, tucked behind his back, tapped lightly against the doorframe, trying to catch Elysia-nee's attention.
"Eh? Professor, is that your kid?"
About to turn and leave, Himeko noticed the tiny figure on the second floor, a little surprised.
"A friend's child."
Welt didn't elaborate. He had no intention of dragging Himeko into the world of Honkai. Her Honkai resistance was far too poor. He believed his student deserved a more ordinary and happier future.
At that moment... Elysia was still sprawled at the window, lost in thought. Or rather, admiring the morning light.
Watching Himeko's retreating back, Shiraha blinked, then quickly scurried downstairs. "Uncle Welt, I think my psychokinesis got better again."
Himeko's steps faltered. What was that?
Welt's expression remained gentle. "Just some playful talk. Humoring the child."
Himeko fell silent for a moment, then pointed at the book floating just above Shiraha's palm. "Professor... are you sure I'm not the one being humored?"
Thud!
Without changing his expression, Welt discreetly exerted a sliver of his Authority. Gravity seized the book, pulling it down at a perfectly standard rate of acceleration. Shiraha instinctively withdrew his hand. The book hit the floor, making the earlier levitation height all the more obvious.
Shiraha lifted his small face, looking up at Himeko standing in the doorway. In 2006, Himeko was only nineteen, just at the cusp of adulthood. Her fair, youthful face was frozen in a daze, mouth slightly agape.
"Is she one of your students too, Uncle? How come I've never seen her in the classroom?"
Shiraha asked with genuine curiosity. Welt stayed silent, and could only ruffle Shiraha's hair to cover his own embarrassment.
Fortunately, Himeko wasn't the shy, standoffish type. Sure, she'd already turned to leave but no rule said she couldn't turn right back around.
She retraced her two steps, crouched down, and met Shiraha's eyes at level.
"That's because I'm Dr. Einstein's student. I already graduated from Professor Welt's classes." Her tone was natural, but her gaze lingered on Shiraha a moment longer than necessary.
Himeko's thoughts were somewhat tangled. She recalled the incident from a year ago, investigating aliens, running into Professor Welt by chance, and ultimately returning empty-handed.
That whole affair still felt vivid in her memory. Looking back now... she'd been way too easy to fool!
Shiraha met her gaze without a trace of timidity, eyes wide. "Big sister, are you part of Anti-Entropy too?"
Welt sighed. Out of the mouths of babes. Out of the mouths of babes!
It was time to teach this kid a thing or two about confidentiality.
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Read advance chapters on [email protected]/Lost_moon