After teasing The Herta, Herman muttered inwardly.
I am not a lifeform that can exist without an energy supply.
On the contrary, it is precisely because you, Herta—a genius with endless curiosity who wants to study everything in the cosmos—continuously provide research points that I, and even the Research System itself, can continue to exist in this Honkai: Star Rail universe.
After thinking this through, Herman curiously asked The Herta:
"Now that you possess near-infinite energy, how do you plan to use this power?"
"Very simple. I'll try using the power of the Path of Erudition to supply energy to the Fourth Mirror and attempt to let the AI Herta inside continuously iterate!"
After saying this, The Herta called out to the mirror not far away, "Fourth Mirror, get ready. Something big is coming!"
"???"
A string of question marks appeared across the physical surface of the Fourth Mirror. "Madam Herta, what do you mean by som—h-ho-ho-ho-ho..."
As Herta's Key massively drew energy from the gate of the Path of Erudition and poured it into the Fourth Mirror, the mirror's surface began to tremble, emitting strange sounds.
At the same time, the AI Herta inside was force-fed by the surging, overwhelming energy of the Path of Erudition until she was practically stuffed to bursting, even rolling her eyes... Of course, while rolling her eyes, the AI Herta's intelligence level was also rising at an astonishing speed.
Watching the trembling Fourth Mirror, The Herta stroked her chin and evaluated, "It seems the energy of the Path of Erudition is quite useful. It can upgrade the AI's intelligence!"
Herman revealed a peculiar expression. "Does the Fourth Mirror always make that strange h-ho-ho-ho sound whenever it upgrades the AI's logic algorithms? And that voice sounds exactly like you, The Herta. It's practically carved from the same mold!"
"The AI inside the Fourth Mirror was designed based on my own personality. Of course the voice is similar to mine... But I absolutely, absolutely would never make such an embarrassing sound!!"
Annoyed, The Herta retorted to Herman, then seriously addressed the Fourth Mirror, "Pull yourself together, Fourth Mirror. What's with that sound? Didn't I tell you to prepare? Something big was coming!"
The Fourth Mirror replied, "The input is too much. I can't contain it... I-I'm sorry, Madam Herta. H-ho-ho-ho-ho..."
Hearing this, the corner of The Herta's mouth twitched slightly. She gripped Herta's Key tightly and gently twisted it in the void.
In an instant, the energy being drawn from the Path of Erudition was significantly reduced.
As a result, the Fourth Mirror's faint h-ho-ho-ho gradually lessened. It then reported to Herta, "Madam Herta, the current energy input is just within my tolerance. I can now perform AI algorithm iteration at maximum speed!"
At that moment, just as The Herta was preparing to further study Herta's Key created by Herman, she quickly discovered that this key could not only open the gate of Erudition and draw Path energy from within, but could also enlarge and transform into a magic wand.
More importantly, the wand form of Herta's Key could speak.
And—its sharp tongue attribute was completely maxed out.
"Slow. Too slow. It took you this long to discover that I can grow big or small at will. Are you really the one who created me? That so-called genius Herta?!"
Upon hearing this, a vein popped on The Herta's forehead. She communicated with Herman internally, "It can talk, fine. But why is it so venomous? Was that your setting too?"
Herman replied, "That wasn't me. It recognizes its master through a drop of blood. It collected your DNA and evolved a personality from your soul... And according to my modified settings, a wand's personality will be most similar to its owner's."
"Herta, think carefully. What kind of personality do you have? How do you perceive yourself?"
The Herta pondered for a moment. "I possess a magnificent personality. I am an incomparably intelligent genius with the most beautiful appearance in the universe!"
"Exactly. Now you understand why the Herta Magic Wand has such a narcissistic personality."
"Who are you calling narcissistic?!"
"The wand!!"
"..."
When The Herta opened her eyes, she saw the Herta Magic Wand slip from her hand, floating in midair as it began interrogating her endlessly:
"Hey, hey, hey, why are you silent?"
"Could it be I hit the mark? Maybe the one who created me isn't you at all, but some second personality inside you?!"
"Is that why you're so slow at developing my abilities?"
"Silence. You are merely a wand. Kneel before the wisdom of a genius!" The Herta stated calmly, reaching out toward the Herta Magic Wand.
However, the wand flashed lightly and avoided her grasp, continuing its mockery:
"Slow. Too slow... Not only are you slow at comprehending the wand's abilities, your physical condition is mediocre. And you're almost nineteen—about to become an old woman. Can someone like you really become a magical girl?"
"—Or perhaps you should just quit being a magical girl?"
Hearing this, the veins on The Herta's forehead bulged even more. "I absolutely refuse to admit that you are a wand derived from my soul. I am definitely not some bratty little imp like that!"
The moment she finished speaking, The Herta mobilized the energy of the Path of Erudition within her body and operated it through the Solitary Waves Theory solution method. In that instant, she saw the future trajectory of the Herta Magic Wand's movements.
Thus, she extended her hand once more and grabbed toward the wand's true body.
"I'll dodge—can't catch me, can't catch me—" The Herta Magic Wand flashed again, evading her large hand. But just as it was about to mock her triumphantly, The Herta's predicted follow-up strike came down, firmly seizing the wand in her grasp.
"I really need to keep you under strict control!"
"Gah—my true body was actually caught!!" The Herta Magic Wand trembled as the purple-black gem at its tip questioned her, "How did you do it? I can mobilize more Path energy than you and I'm smarter. I am the true genius Herta, possessing a genius' wisdom. I shouldn't have been caught!"
"You are merely a Herta Magic Wand, yet you dare call yourself the genius Herta? Only I may bear that name!" The Herta declared, pulling out her phone and searching herself, displaying all of her glorious achievements for the wand:
At eighteen, she solved the universe's Fourth Cosmic Conundrum—the Solitary Waves Theory!
Inventor of Fortune Glue!
Designer of the Soul Gem blueprints!
After watching, the Herta Magic Wand made its judgment. "So you used the Solitary Waves Theory solution to predict my movement trajectory in advance and capture my true body!"
The Herta nodded. "Quite clever."
"I am the Herta Magic Wand!"
"As expected of a wand I designed!"
"As expected of the 83rd Seat of the Genius Society who designed me!"
One person—and one wand—began mutually praising each other.