While Dystopia and Kosma were picking out gifts, Dystopia let Kosma choose first.
The result went without saying. His chosen gifts couldn't be called a mismatch of epic proportions, but they were utterly unrelated to the occasion.
"Kosma..."
"Do you really think these are appropriate presents?"
"But I thought they were all very practical..."
Kosma argued back.
"Alright, alright. From now on, I'll handle picking the gifts. You will just be in charge of carrying and delivering them."
After criticizing Kosma's rather off-the-mark gift-selection logic, Dystopia could only say this.
Kosma nodded woodenly, unsure of what he had done wrong.
On the way back, Dystopia casually handed him a harmonica.
No particular reason, she just thought the color suited him, that's all.
Kosma was puzzled at first, but accepted it in the end.
Seeing Kosma decide he'd learn a few tunes, Dystopia knew her goal was achieved.
'Once you've practiced them, let Vya and Griseo judge your performance.'
'I just hope they won't laugh at me then.'
Kosma said.
'Well, I can't promise that. We'll laugh if we feel like it.'
Her tone was light, tinged with a bit of mischief.
Looking at the girl's vibrant, utterly unclouded smile, the last bit of awkwardness in Kosma's heart suddenly dissipated.
So what if he was laughed at? After all... wasn't he laughed at by everyone (especially Dystopia) all the time anyway?
It seemed... it really wasn't that big of a deal.
...
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the Spiral Workshop was completely different.
Looking at the rather peculiar pair of pistols before her, Mei turned her gaze to Vill-V beside her, who wore an expression full of pride.
"The Judgement of Shamash..."
"How were its test results?"
Mei had heard from Mobius that the test subject was Vya.
"Exceptionally good!"
Vill-V snapped her fingers, her voice brimming with pride. "Firepower far exceeded expectations. Stability is acceptable, though it varies from person to person."
She walked over to the nearby console and operated a few controls. A huge screen on the wall lit up, beginning to play a recording.
The figure in the footage was none other than the adorable little Vya.
She held a pistol in each hand.
Mimicking an adult, she aimed at distant targets and pulled the triggers.
Basic shooting naturally wasn't a problem; the little one was having a great time.
Things changed when Vill-V instructed Vya to combine the two pistols.
The moment the two guns made contact, a sudden transformation occurred!
The fragments of the Herrscher of Flame core, cleverly split and embedded separately within the two guns, instantly reunited.
A blinding crimson light erupted. The two small pistols morphed within the glow, extending and transforming into a greatsword.
But in the very next instant, the greatsword began to fission.
The spine of the blade split open, torrents of flame surged forth, and its form became even more twisted...
...
"See!"
Vill-V paused the footage, pointing excitedly at the further-mutated form of the colossal sword. "With the injection of excessive Honkai energy, the Judgement of Shamash enters this form—I call it the 'Might of An-Utu '! As for its power... tsk tsk... enough to vaporize an entire city block in an instant."
She turned to Mei, her eyes sparkling with the light of discovery. "This is where we must praise little Vya's enormous Honkai energy reserves. They're practically a bottomless pit!"
Vill-V wasn't surprised by matters concerning Vya. She had long since realized this little doll was no ordinary child.
Mei focused intently on the frozen image of the Might of An-Utu greatsword and Vya's tiny figure on the screen, her gaze profound. She remained silent for a few seconds before speaking.
"Mhm. We'll have Kevin test this weapon again later."
"Mei, I was just thinking about something else."
"?" Mei looked at her.
"I suddenly think 'Red Sword' suits it better as a name. What do you think? Vya came up with it. How fitting!"
Vill-V stroked her chin, her gaze falling back on the screen, on Vya's innocent, smiling face as she held the pistols.
Mei: "..."
She thought it was something important...
"That's... not really important, is it?"
"You're right. A name is just a label after all."
...
"Still, back to business. Regarding the matter of you becoming a MANTIS..."
Vill-V looked up at Mei, the corner of her mouth lifting into a knowing smile. "...Mobius should have already spoken to you about it."
Mei gave a slight nod.
'My, my. There aren't many things that would prompt the green-haired auntie to seek me out on her own. To think there'd be two at once this time.'
"So, are you willing?"
Mei asked directly, her voice steady.
"Of course not. Even if this surgery could make me even more intelligent, I'm still unwilling to discard my current self."
Vill-V considered herself plenty smart already.
"Vill-V, your symptoms of dissociative identity disorder are becoming increasingly severe."
Mei stated this fact calmly.
"So what?"
"Genius, lunatic... in my eyes, there's no real difference."
"Isn't that so?"
Vill-V fiddled with an octahedron in her hand. The light in the Spiral Workshop reflected off it onto her face.
"Just like this polyhedron, every face is a part of it..."
"However..."
"Mei, why don't you try changing yourself a bit?"
Vill-V leaned closer to Mei as she spoke.
But her words clearly carried another meaning.
"Because I cannot change."
Mei looked at her and said.
This sentence contained too many meanings—her responsibilities, her position, and the hopes she carried.
"Alright, alright."
Vill-V took a step back, spreading her hands. Her face regained that careless, flippant smile, as if the previous conversation had never happened.
She picked up the pistol form of the Heaven-Scorching Flame Emperor again, hefting it in her hand as if making a casual decision. "How about this? Give me the first Herrscher's core, and I'll agree to the MANTIS surgery. Deal?"
She stated her terms.
"Agreed."
This time, Mei didn't hesitate.
"Such a quick agreement this time?"
Vill-V was taken aback. The playful smile vanished from her face, replaced by genuine surprise. "Oh? You agreed just like that?"
She narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Mei. "Aren't you afraid I might... take the Herrscher core and create an enemy for all of humanity?"
Mei adjusted her glasses. The gaze behind the lenses was as calm as still water.
"Perhaps it could become a friend instead?"
She made a rare joke.
Vill-V froze for a moment. Then, a brighter, more genuine smile blossomed in her eyes.
She straightened up and, like an actor on stage, performed a slightly exaggerated bow towards Mei.
"As you wish, my friend."
She lifted her head, her eyes sparkling with excitement and challenge. "So then... pleasant cooperation?"
Mei did not bow. She merely gave a slight nod...
…
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