In the video, Tesla stared at the arm she had injected with the Honkai energy solution.
Her skin began to turn a deathly, bloodless pale. A network of fine veins glowed with an ominous red light, spreading from her wrist all the way to her shoulder.
This was not an unfamiliar sight to Tesla; she had witnessed such a horrifying state countless times before. However, this was the first time it had happened to her own body.
She had done everything she could.
Tesla was certain that she had not made a single mistake in her procedure. If that damn Otto hadn't tampered with the experiment logs, then what she held in her hands was the genuine God-Slaying Spear.
But that wasn't enough.
Every experiment required results as validation. A theory, no matter how perfect, was nothing but empty talk without experimental proof.
And right now, there were no volunteers.
So, Tesla could only step up herself. She would take responsibility for the serum she had created.
This was her pride as a genius scientist.
It was about time.
Tesla switched to a new syringe, drew a small amount from the sample serum, and injected it into her own arm once more.
"Ngh..."
The crimson veins did not change. It would be a few more seconds before the serum took effect, but for Tesla, those few seconds felt like an eternity.
It'll be fine. My theory is absolutely flawless.
She thought this to herself, but she couldn't help but shut her eyes tightly.
In the silent, dark void of those few seconds, she imagined many different endings for herself.
Finally, the time was up.
Tesla slowly opened her eyes.
What greeted her was a fair, slender arm. Beneath the smooth skin, a few delicate blood vessels were clearly visible.
Tesla had never felt that her own arm was so beautiful.
The mental fortitude she had been holding up so forcefully suddenly gave way, and her body slumped to the floor. She gasped for air in huge gulps as a cold sweat, born from the relief of surviving a near-death experience, beaded on her forehead.
But her face bore a smile of immense relief.
"S-Success! Hahaha! Nest-head, did you see that? This genius succeeded!"
She waved her arm excitedly, like a child who had just been given candy.
"I—am a true genius!"
---o---
Watching the on-screen Tesla, who was so激动 she was on the verge of tears, everyone in the room could understand her feelings. They were all filled with admiration for her courage and confidence.
Not just anyone could use themselves as a test subject, especially when failure meant certain death.
"Phew... That scared me to death. But I knew it. This genius is never wrong," the Tesla in the room said, letting out a long sigh of relief. Although she was watching her future self, seeing the tension on the screen made her feel as if she were experiencing it herself.
"Dr. Tesla, you are the bravest scientist I have ever met," Himeko said sincerely.
"Heh heh, this genius is super brave!" Tesla puffed out her chest with pride.
"Dr. Tesla, I hope this future never comes to pass. Do you understand what I mean?" Einstein's expression was stern as she looked at Tesla.
"I-I know... It's not like I would've done that if there was any other choice..."
Wilting under Einstein's glare, Tesla's bravado immediately deflated, making her look like a child being scolded by a parent for doing something wrong. She knew that Einstein was just deeply worried about her, afraid that she might do something so dangerous again in the future.
Despite their constant bickering, their decades of companionship had forged a bond between them as close as family. Neither Tesla nor Einstein could imagine what they would become if they lost the other.
---o---
At this moment, the video shifted its focus to Himeko.
Himeko walked down a long flight of stairs, finally arriving at the lowest level of the laboratory.
A beam of light shone in, gradually illuminating the contours of the entire space.
The place resembled a solemn sanctuary.
On both sides of the room, various types of battlesuits were displayed, each with its own model number and name. However, many of the displays were empty.
And at the end of this corridor, a crimson suit of armor was held in containment.
"Is this what you wanted me to find, Fu Hua?" Himeko murmured, dragging her weary body to the end of the hall as she gazed at the crimson armor.
A single feather drifted down lightly, and a fiery red projection of Fu Hua appeared beside Himeko.
"That's right. This is Otto's other trump card—the prototype for the God-Slaying Armor, the Vermilion Knight: Eclipse."
"This is the only means we currently have to resist a Herrscher. It is not a product of this era, but a legacy left behind by the Previous Era."
"After Schicksal obtained it, they used it as a basis to develop the current Valkyrie battlesuits. But Otto was not satisfied with that. He initiated an even more insane plan."
"He sought to connect the Gem of Pestilence to this armor, creating an ultimate weapon capable of recreating the power of the Herrscher of Fire."
"Before Kiana's experiment began, that man Otto ordered all S-rank Valkyries to don this armor and fight her, should the situation spiral out of control."
"...But I cannot use it now. You are the only one who can. However, you still have a choice."
"Don't be ridiculous," Himeko said calmly. "My choice was already made the moment I started walking here."
"...Then, I will help you put it on."
Fu Hua walked to the front of the armor and reached out her hand. As the authentication succeeded, the armor officially initiated its equipping sequence.
"Go. When you wear this armor, the Herrscher gem will begin to erode your mind. I will do my best to stop it, but what matters most is whether you yourself can endure."
"Fu Hua, who exactly are you?" Himeko looked deeply at Fu Hua. She could sense that Fu Hua was hiding many secrets, but unfortunately, she had no time to investigate them.
"I am just a failure. Someone who, just like you, wishes to change the way things are."
"Is that so..."
Himeko took a deep breath and stepped into the armor's cockpit.
The world before her eyes turned into a sheet of white. Light, like falling snow, drifted down upon her.
Finally, Fu Hua's voice reached her ears.
"Major Himeko, I am grateful for your guidance all this time. If fate allows it, we shall meet again in the future..."
When Himeko opened her eyes again, the crimson armor was fully equipped. Its vibrant red color was just like the conviction she had always held onto—as scorching and brilliant as a flame.
"Thank you, Fu Hua."
With that, the video ended.
---o---
"Teacher Himeko..."
Kiana's eyes were red as she looked at Himeko. Everyone knew that when she decided to wear that armor, she had done so with the conviction that she would die.
"Silly girl, what's there to cry about? Aren't I still here, perfectly fine?" Himeko smiled gently and reached out to pat Kiana's head.
"I know, but... I just can't help it..." Kiana bit her lip, her voice choked with emotion.
"Himeko, you are also the best teacher I've ever seen," Tesla said, looking at Himeko with a serious expression.
"Thank you."
Himeko smiled warmly.