Genius Society members were equivalent to existences recognized by Nous the Erudition.
Unlike other Aeons' Emanators, Genius Society members, whether or not they directly obtained Emanator-level power from Nous the Erudition, could all possess Emanator-level treatment.
Even hegemon-level forces like the Interastral Peace Corporation showed great respect to the geniuses.
Because these epoch-making geniuses could truly create weapons comparable to or even surpassing Emanator-level with mortal bodies.
Just like Genius Society #79 member Calderon Chadwick—though individually weak in combat, the Imaginary Collapse Pulse Weapon he invented could display power to destroy large stellar systems.
For these geniuses, wisdom's power far exceeded simple violence.
From the perspective of advancing civilization, these geniuses' value even far exceeded ordinary Emanators.
The Interastral Peace Corporation even gave up plans to exterminate the entire intelligence race simply because Screwllum was selected by Nous the Erudition and became a Genius Society member.
Precisely knowing these various deeds, Asta deeply understood how world-pattern-changing Nous the Erudition simultaneously issuing invitations to two people could be.
Bluntly speaking, this was even more capable of changing universal structure than the previously evolved Machina legion.
"Wow, Genius Society member sounds so impressive!"
March 7th looked at Ryuga with admiring eyes.
Though not quite understanding how impressive, seeing Asta's appearance, it was definitely very praiseworthy.
After sighing, she also curiously looked at Holou beside Ryuga, following along obediently.
"I know Lord Ryuga is amazing, but is Holou also this strong? She could also receive an invitation?"
In her eyes, Holou was just a child-like little girl full of questions.
Looking at her cute confused appearance, shouldn't she be silly like herself?
How did she suddenly receive Nous the Erudition's invitation and become numbered among geniuses?
Regarding March 7th's confusion, before Ryuga could explain, Himeko beside them couldn't help holding her forehead.
"March 7th, did you forget this child is the Machina's creator?"
Though Holou always looked vacant, they never dared underestimate this Machina master.
An existence capable of creating such precise, continuously evolving species—how could it be simple?
"Ah? Oh right!"
March 7th glanced at the Machina legion overhead, only then reacting.
"So Holou was actually very impressive from the start?"
Her tone still carried some surprise.
"That's natural."
Ryuga patted Holou's head and nodded.
"Though she neglected herself for many years, on the path of implementing Quintessence, her talent is definitely not inferior to the Artosh you've seen."
As the oldest Divine Spirit Species in the No Game No Life world, Holou's actual combat power was probably only at Forest God Kainath's level.
However, this didn't mean she was truly weak.
Forest God Kainath and Forge God Ocain could only become upper-level Divine Spirit Species because their talents topped out at this strength. Holou was still an upper-level Divine Spirit Species because after committing suicide and slumbering countless years, upon waking she was still this strong.
Holou created the Machina only to answer her own questions. Combat had always been the Machina's additional function.
Yet precisely this race not born for battle was one of only two races during the Great War period that could accomplish god-slaying miracles. Moreover, their challenge target was a BUG-level existence like Artosh.
With the Machina's talent for continuous learning and evolution, if they truly intended to increase strength, they'd probably have evolved to extremely powerful levels long ago.
As the God of Doubt, Holou lacked desire to grow stronger—this was the reason she hadn't displayed extraordinary strength.
Ryuga was certain if she truly intended to research imaginary energy, her achievements would definitely exceed the former War God Artosh.
"As for why Nous the Erudition invited her, besides talent, it's probably also because of her Quintessence?"
Ryuga analyzed thus.
"Quintessence?"
March 7th tilted her head, not quite understanding.
"Quintessence is the core concept of deities, similar to Paths for Aeons."
Ryuga patiently explained.
"Holou's Quintessence is the concept after exaggerating doubt and trust. You can understand it as the contradictory spiral of belief and doubt. So though her mind works very well, she rarely obtains answers—only continuously raises questions."
The side effect of excessive cleverness was easily doubting everything, even doubting existence itself.
Being half a step ahead makes a genius; being a full step ahead makes a madman. That's why Holou could do things like piercing her own Quintessence.
The reason this child wasn't crazy anymore: first, the suicide experience confirmed her own existence; second, Ryuga as Main God played the responder role.
This completely stabilized her.
"Aba aba aba, didn't understand."
March 7th's eyes showed spiral patterns, feeling her brain getting dizzy.
Others beside them listened very seriously.
After contemplating, Dan Heng showed a slightly enlightened expression.
"According to database records, Nous the Erudition doesn't give answers, only gives questions. This seems somewhat similar to Miss Holou's situation."
"You can think of it that way."
Ryuga nodded.
"Most of the time, the very way people ask questions is wrong. Wrong questions naturally can't obtain correct answers. But when people possess the ability to correctly ask questions, the answer becomes self-evident."
In scientific fields, correctly asking questions itself was an ability, even more important than verifying the question.
Though Holou hadn't directly displayed any talent, in thinking at this level, she perhaps stood at the same height as Nous the Erudition.
According to Nous the Erudition's past selection patterns, talent had never been the only standard for measuring geniuses. Lives possessing talent matching geniuses yet failing selection were never few.
After all, with Nous the Erudition's power, most geniuses' inventions were just information stored in their database for unknown years. They'd already traversed everything, just hadn't spread it.
Hearing Ryuga's explanation, everyone showed impressed expressions.
Asta had long been accustomed to these conclusions that required much mental effort to deeply investigate. She simply cast them aside and spoke.
"Lord Ryuga, could you please temporarily remain at the space station?"
"You and the train crew saved our space station in crisis and greatly reduced our losses. Both emotionally and logically, we should properly host you."
"Besides, since you and Miss Holou both received Nous the Erudition's invitation, regarding audience with Nous the Erudition, perhaps you could obtain some intelligence from Ms. Herta. As a fellow Genius Society member, Ms. Herta should possess many materials you might be interested in."
Asta's attitude was very enthusiastic and sincere.
Publicly and privately, keeping Ryuga was a good thing.
Not only establishing good relations with both Ryuga and Holou, for Herta it definitely wasn't bad either. Herta's Simulated Universe project itself had four geniuses participating. Adding two more would definitely yield even better results.
Besides, regarding Ryuga's life-saving grace, Asta thought it over—only the space station's master Herta could give equivalent repayment. Even for gratitude, there was no reason to let him go.
Hearing Asta's words, Ryuga shook his head slightly.
"There's something I didn't have time to mention before, but correcting it now isn't too late."
"That is—I won't become a Genius Society member."
Hearing this, everyone present froze. Those researchers' jaws dropped even more, unable to believe their ears.
Clearly receiving the invitation yet saying he wouldn't become a Genius Society member—what did this mean?
In this beyond-common-sense scene, March 7th actually reacted first.
"Lord Ryuga, you mean you're refusing to become a Genius Society member?"
She very easily spoke words others couldn't even dare imagine.
For most people, obtaining Nous the Erudition's active invitation was already an unimaginable dream-level great joy. If it actually happened, no amount of celebration would be excessive.
Power, status, recognition... the genius seat represented all these and more.
Such a good thing—would someone actually refuse? How could anyone refuse?!
They couldn't believe it, couldn't understand it.
Everyone stared tightly at Ryuga, awaiting his answer.
"You could say that."
Ryuga's attitude remained calm.
"If Nous the Erudition's purpose is only inviting me to become a Genius Society member, I have no interest. However, their purpose probably isn't this simple."
Though Nous the Erudition's active invitation was publicly recognized as the Genius Society invitation, Ryuga didn't think so.
"Actually... truly refused!"
Hearing Ryuga's answer, everyone present was shocked.
They'd all seen Herta, knew geniuses' eccentricities and arrogance, absolutely disdained lying.
In other words, the Ryuga before them truly disdained the Genius Society position.
They'd heard of many wanting to join the Genius Society but couldn't obtain it, but this was the first time seeing someone who could join the Genius Society yet refused.
Just as everyone struggled to digest this explosive news violating common sense—
Looking the least intelligent, March 7th first understood Ryuga's meaning and asked without burden.
"Why is Lord Ryuga refusing? Isn't this position very good?"
Regarding the girl's question without scheming, purely concerned, Ryuga gave an equally simple and clear answer.
"No need to subordinate myself for these minor benefits."
Becoming a Genius Society member was similar to joining under Nous the Erudition, nominally dropping a tier. Best case scenario was just becoming an Emanator.
If the price was high, it wasn't non-negotiable. But Nous the Erudition seemed the stingiest at giving power—sharing with Emanators wasn't even half as generous as the Hunt.
This kind of unbalanced transaction, Ryuga naturally wouldn't make.
"That's true too!"
Associating with Ryuga's One True God identity—
Among those present, only March 7th alone accepted and agreed with Ryuga's reasoning without burden.
"Lord Ryuga has always been the strongest!"
Wrong—among those present, one more person or god also agreed with this.
"[Acknowledge], Holou agrees. Main God is the most amazing."
The young goddess seriously raised her hand, agreeing with March 7th's statement.
Watching two girls have a house-playing-like conversation, everyone present fell silent, suspecting they were dreaming.
Even waking at midnight, they'd probably have to ask the mirror—
Why would someone refuse the Genius Society seat?
To be continued…