Takumi: [@Raiden Mei, I'm back.] [What's up, Chef Mei?]
Bronya: [What's up, Chef Mei?]
Sagiri: [What's up, Chef Mei?]
Chika Fujiwara: [Submit to me, pots and pans ┗|｀O|┛ awooo~~]
Sagiri: [Roar, pressure cooker!!]
Raiden Mei: [!!!!] [Enough, you all!!]
What kind of people were these? Mei, sitting in her room, saw the messages and sparks almost leapt from her body. But she quickly regained control, and the purple light in her eyes flashed and vanished. Mei was now steadily mastering the Herrscher of Thunder's power. The bomb in her body had even been removed—that was her progress so far.
Takumi had taught her a lot. The Herrscher personality had completely merged with her. Now, she was a perfect Herrscher. When Theresa learned about it, she'd been totally stunned. But once she confirmed Mei was okay, she helped remove the bomb. While Takumi was in the DxD world, a lot had happened here too.
Now that Takumi was back, Mei naturally had questions. But what did she get?
Everyone was calling her Chef Mei again! Was this meme never going to die? When would she, Raiden Mei, finally get her dignity back?
Takumi: [Mei, did you need something?]
Takumi grinned as he watched the group chat. Everyone had too much free time.
Mei, seeing Takumi's reply, was even more exasperated.
Raiden Mei: [It's nothing. I just wanted to ask.]
Takumi: [Oh, I thought things were about to start over there.] [That's all?]
Takumi was a little speechless. He thought Mei needed something important. But this?
Raiden Mei: [.....] [Nothing's started yet. I've fully mastered the Herrscher of Thunder's power. Theresa has me training Kiana now...]
Though frustrated, Mei explained the situation to Takumi. She had no idea how to handle Kiana's case—it was much trickier. Kiana was both the real Kiana's clone and a continuation of the Second Herrscher, Sirin. Sirin was still inside her. Training Kiana to master the Herrscher of the Void's power and take control would be difficult.
Otto had done so much, and Himeko's final sacrifice had helped Kiana grow. But Mei wasn't good at this sort of thing. All she could do was help Kiana train to control Honkai energy. Still, she doubted it would be enough to suppress Sirin.
Next time Sirin awakened, they'd probably fight again. But Mei was no longer afraid—she wasn't the person she once was. Knowing the future, she'd grown a lot. She wouldn't accept that kind of ending.
Her future was in her own hands! With that conviction, Mei was able to fully merge with the Herrscher of Thunder and master its core.
Takumi was amazed by Mei's progress.
Takumi: [That's really great. As for Kiana… things are complicated! But you could just extract Sirin's personality and build her a new body.]
Takumi suggested. Kiana, Mei, Bronya, and Seele were all stand users. And so was Fu Hua. Kiana's stand was Sirin. Mei's was Herself. Bronya's was Project Bunny. Seele's was Black Seele. Fu Hua's was the great Herrscher of Sentience.
Mei was speechless at Takumi's suggestion.
Raiden Mei: [How could I possibly do that!!]
No way—she couldn't separate personalities like that.
Chika Fujiwara: [The great Herrscher of Sentience believes you need help and has submitted a support request!]
Takumi: [Exactly, the great Herrscher of Sentience can do the separation. Then Bronya, with her driver's license, can build a new body. It's just carbon-based life—no problem! So, Mei, shout it out!]
Sagiri: [Answer my call, great Herrscher of Sentience!!]
Bronya: [Image] [Bronya with a license says she can't do it!]
Takumi: [I wasn't talking about you, Big Duck~!!!]
Bronya: [(???) ]
...
Raiden Mei: [Cut it out, the Herrscher of Sentience hasn't shown up yet.]
Honestly, these silly groupmates—none of their suggestions were helpful!
Chika Fujiwara: [Actually, Mei, I think you should just join World Serpent! Why not go ask the almighty Snake in the Elysian Realm?]
Takumi: [Like a mouse delivered right to Snake—he'll be thrilled!!]
Wow, what an idea. Send Mei to Snake? What did he find? A wild, weak Herrscher! If they took her out, they'd get a fresh core.
Raiden Mei: [Aaaargh!!] [Seriously, can you all act normal for once!!]
Mei was about to lose it. Why did the topic always go off the rails? That was the power of silly groupmates. No wonder the group had that name.
Takumi: [Whatever, I'll step in!] [Relax!!] [When the time comes, I'll check out how the Imaginary Tree reacts in your world. And maybe score some loot! Who knows, maybe I'll even find a path to Teyvat through the Imaginary Tree. Then I can visit the Old Man!]
Takumi was serious about saving points, too—Mei was the one giving him those points! Not only would he earn points, but he might get to visit the Old Man, and if he could, even drop by Honkai: Star Rail. Bring Bronya along to see all the turbo ducks!
Now Takumi had a wonderful idea—bring all the ducks together: Milk Duck, Silver Wolf, Board Duck, Logic Duck, Big Duck, and Star Rail's Herta! Just thinking about it made him happy.
Takumi: [When the time comes, I'll definitely come over. I'll bring Bronya along for a honeymoon!]
Takumi declared with a perfectly straight face in the group.
Bronya: [←_←]
What kind of date was that supposed to be?
Raiden Mei: [Alright… looking forward to your visit. I've earned plenty of points by now.]
Lately, Mei had been diligent about checking in. She'd saved up enough points to invite Takumi over for a mission.