"You want to dance with me? Of course, Mei."
Elias looked at the girl before him—her face identical to Mei's—and instinctively couldn't refuse her wish.
(Alright, success!)
On the other side, Dr. Mei clenched her fist slightly. She might have appeared calm and collected, but it had taken her quite some time to work up the courage to invite Elias.
Her lips curved upward. This person was just as before—holding an inexplicable fondness for her. She didn't know where it came from, but as long as she could max out Elias' favorability toward her, she wouldn't care who exactly it was directed to.
She pulled Elias into the dance floor.
With graceful, melodious music playing, the two began to dance. However…
(Ah… just kill me now.)
Barely a few seconds in, Dr. Mei's face went pale with embarrassment. She wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and never come out again.
She had stepped on Elias' foot…
Focused entirely on how to invite him and how to prevent that pink elf from interfering, Dr. Mei had neglected one very important fact—
Her dancing was terrible!
As a scientist, she had no use for advanced social skills like ballroom dancing. Any free time was better spent on experiments.
Elias, in contrast, moved with calm elegance.
"It's fine, just leave it to me."
"Eh?"
"Relax, don't tense up. Let me give you an unforgettable experience," Elias said confidently.
He had every right to be confident. Just a few steps in and the more knowledgeable guests could already tell—this white-haired boy was a master on the dance floor.
The moment his steps once again touched the floor, it became his domain.
Guided by him, Dr. Mei performed countless advanced moves she never thought she could do. Her steps were entirely under his control, and the surrounding guests applauded in amazement.
No one had expected the heroic young man and the genius girl to possess such skill. Truly worthy of the title of prodigies—they excelled at everything.
(Ah… this feeling… it's wonderful…)
Dr. Mei's eyes narrowed happily. It was the first time she had felt this kind of joy in being led.
(Elysia, you truly monopolize something enviable. I'll just steal a tiny taste—you won't mind, will you?)
When the dance ended, Dr. Mei quickly pulled Elias aside, giving up the central spot of the dance floor. Clearly, she was still a bit embarrassed.
"Thank you, Elias. I had a great time."
"Mm, as long as you're happy, Mei."
Elias nodded. But before he could start another conversation, Dr. Mei leaned close to his ear, her voice low, cold, and urgent.
"Be careful, Elias. The higher-ups might be planning to make a move against you."
This was her real purpose for coming to the banquet—to warn the white-haired boy that his situation was becoming dangerous.
"Your influence and popularity are too high, and you don't follow their arrangements. On the surface, they're friendly, but in the shadows, they want you gone."
"Heh… a bunch of parasites. I really don't know where they find the courage to come after me."
Elias smirked coldly, full of disdain.
If the Fire Moth higher-ups could actually succeed against him, what face would a certain golden-haired, green-hatted fool have left?
Otto might be shameless, but what he could pull off was far beyond the reach of ordinary people. To truly oppose Elias, you had to at least be on Otto's level. And these so‑called Fire Moth higher‑ups thought they were qualified?
Truly a case of unfounded confidence.
"Elias, have you heard of 'Cocoon'?"
"Mhm, vaguely. Fire Moth's assassination division, set up to silence dissenting voices. I've heard that everyone in it carries… ah, no, is accused of some crime, and they specialize in fighting humans."
"You seem to know quite a bit." Mei covered her mouth in mild surprise at his knowledge. Elias only shrugged—if not for his past‑life memories, he wouldn't know a thing about Cocoon.
"I've found out the higher‑ups recently hired a powerful assassin from there. Codename: Forget‑Me‑Not."
"Mei~ you worry too much. What, do you think I'd actually get taken out by some assassin?"
"Well… true, that's hard to imagine." Mei smiled faintly. She realized she was overthinking. After all, this was someone even Herrschers couldn't touch—she couldn't imagine Elias being defeated, or even wounded, by mere small fry.
Meanwhile, Elias' lips curved.
(Forget‑Me‑Not, huh? Perfect. So she's finally here. I've long wanted to meet that pink‑haired donkey‑eared crybaby.)
Forget‑Me‑Not was Sakura's codename.
Elias was eager for his upcoming encounter with the Flame-Chaser known as "Setsuna."
Ding~! Ding~! Ding~!
Just then, the chimes rang out. Mei's face changed, like Cinderella realizing the magic was about to end. Reluctantly releasing Elias' hand, she said:
"Sorry, Elias, I have urgent business. If you run into trouble, contact me—don't hesitate."
"Mei?"
"Hope Kevin does his job… Ow! Shouldn't have worn such high heels. No… no time—every extra second is dangerous. I'm no fusion warrior, I can't beat that elf. Gotta run." (muttering)
"…You really are Cinderella." Elias watched her hurry away—no, bolt—losing one heel in her rush.
Picking up the shoe, Elias mused it was a shame it wasn't crystal. He tossed it into Imaginary Space, planning to return it next time they met.
"Wonder what she was panicking about. Not like her at all… Whatever. Better think about how to deal with our soon‑to‑arrive Miss Forget‑Me‑Not."
Meanwhile, on the other side, Mobius' eyes lit up when she saw Mei leave, and she immediately headed toward Elias.
Normally she'd much rather stay in her lab, but seeing Elias in a rare formal suit made the snake restless enough to join in.
She wasn't here angling for a dance—just felt that defeating a Herrscher was worth celebrating. With the whole base present, skipping it would seem unsociable.
(Klein, still stuck working overtime in the lab, was less than amused.)
And Mobius hadn't been idle.
She was very busy—promoting her lab to the new recruits, coaxing—er, recruiting—volunteers, all while keeping an eye on Elias' interactions with other women.
(Didn't expect both Mei and Hua to be people to watch… The latter… mm, no threat at all. The former, though, definitely one to be wary of.)
Her gaze slid over Hua's eternally flat chest before turning back toward where Mei had been. Mobius, after all, knew Elias' tastes well.
Some people may say, "If the chest isn't flat, how can you bring peace to the world," but in the end, they still prefer to gather hearts…
Mobius: (Hmph~ men. I really need to get back to my original form… and size.)
Seeing Elias dance with Mei earlier had filled her with such jealousy that she crushed her wineglass—thankfully, it had only been filled with juice, given her terrible alcohol tolerance. At least it suited her current petite, loli-like appearance.
Now, watching Mei leave in a rush, Mobius' eyes gleamed. She didn't know why Mei had left so suddenly, but she certainly wasn't going to waste the opportunity.
She subtly adjusted her gown and moved toward Elias—
BANG—!
The closed hall doors suddenly swung open.
"Miss Pink Elf, sparkling debut!"
"Elysia!" Mobius nearly ground her teeth to dust. Now she understood why Mei had bolted—it was because she knew this pink elf was on her way back.
The rule for inviting someone to dance was first come, first served. Mobius was just about to grab Elias and drag him onto the dance floor when—
"Oh my, whose adorable child is this~?"
"Elysia, what are you doing—put me down!"
Mobius found herself scooped up from behind in a tight hug. With her reduced loli form, her feet dangled helplessly above the ground, completely immobilized.
"Nope~ It's grown-up time now. Little kids shouldn't be wandering around here. Miss Mobius—cough, I mean, little sister—go find your mommy and daddy, okay? Bye-bye~"
With a bright smile, Elysia opened a window and promptly tossed the petite scientist out.
"Elysia, you—*******"
Thrown out of the banquet hall, Mobius was seething. She hadn't even managed to make her move yet! And if Elysia had any guts, she should have gone after Mei instead of picking on a poor, weak, defenseless little snake.
"Tch, let Mei-chan get away, did I?" Elysia scanned the hall but couldn't find her dear friend. She clenched her tiny fists.
"Ah, did something delay you, Ely?"
Seeing his Miss Pink Elf finally appear, Elias felt as if he'd found something precious he'd been missing. They instantly closed the distance between them, forming a private two-person world.
"Mm, got held up by a little trouble, but it's been taken care of. Sorry to keep you waiting, Elias."
"No worries~ By the way, you look stunning, Ely."
"Thanks—and you're the most handsome, Elias!"
They gazed at each other without blinking, memorizing the image of the other in their platinum suit and pink-white gown.
Elias immediately noticed Elysia had expended energy. Using the Herrscher of Rebirth's power, he checked for injuries and transferred his own Honkai energy to her.
Her face softened with sweet contentment, the earlier frustration fading away.
During their earlier fight, Kevin had immediately dropped his weapon and surrendered the moment the clock struck midnight. But of course, Miss Pink Elf wouldn't let him off so easily. A flurry of crystal arrows later, Kevin—now resembling a porcupine—was floating in the small river outside the base.
Elysia decided then and there: even if she ever kept a pet at home—whether a Judgment-level Honkai Beast or a Vipralopa-class one—she would never keep a husky.
(Well, I may have arrived a little late, but not too late. At least I got to stop—er, torment—Mobius. Besides, the heroine always shows up last. Hehe~ My Elias was just too handsome tonight!)
Elysia couldn't help but be entranced by the boy before her. Even in his usual uniform, Elias was someone she never tired of looking at. But now, dressed in a white suit with gold trim, he looked like a prince stepping straight out of a fairy tale… and she herself was no less stunning.
A pale pink knee-length dress paired with white silk heels, light makeup carefully applied, and those pointed elf ears—she was every bit the vision of a pink fairy from a blissful paradise.
…
Standing together, they were like a beautiful illustration come to life.
The sight inspired no jealousy—only pure admiration and heartfelt blessing. They matched perfectly. Too perfectly. If these two didn't end up together, it would be a crime against nature. Someone should fetch the marriage office right now.
Elias glanced at the time.
It was nearly the finale.
Placing one hand over his chest, he extended the other toward Elysia and invited, "My dear Ely, would you honor me with a dance?"
"It would be my pleasure, my dearest Elias~"
Without hesitation, she took his hand.
They walked together to the very center of the dance floor, moving in time to the enchanting music.
Elysia loosened her hair tie, letting her pink hair cascade down like a waterfall.
She was more captivating than the fullest bloom of cherry blossoms, a crystal flower both strong and fragile, radiating an indescribable allure with every step.
In that moment, everyone was spellbound.
But no one dared feel possessive.
They all knew—this fairy-like girl belonged only to that equally extraordinary boy.
And Elias, at that moment, was like a musical prodigy who had finally found the perfect instrument to express his full talent.
His steps were stronger and more forceful than before, each one striking the hearts of the onlookers.
Yet his gaze was so gentle, so warm it could melt millennia-old ice.
Every woman present could have fallen for him—but they all knew he belonged only to Elysia. All they could do was watch in envy.
"You know… ever since we were kids, it's always been like this. I sing, Ely dances, and somewhere along the way, you pull me up to dance with you."
Elias' eyes were full of fond remembrance as he looked at the girl in his arms.
"Yes… every time I hear you sing, I just can't help but dance. And this Miss Pink Elf is your dance partner alone, Elias~"
Elysia's expression was one of pure bliss. She wished this moment could become eternal, that she could dance with him until the end of time.
Everyone present instinctively stepped back, giving the entire stage to Elias and Elysia. Just watching the two of them dance filled their hearts with beauty and longing.
How could they not envy them? Look at that flawless coordination—it was as if they had rehearsed a thousand times.
How many times must you have held her waist, taken her hand, to spin her so effortlessly? How many times must you have locked fingers, felt his breath, read his gaze, to follow his every step?
It was a perfect dance.
Just as they themselves were perfect.
In that moment, everyone could only offer their blessings.