Watching the place where Polka Kakamond had disappeared, The Herta silently thought to herself:
With Polka Kakamond's research capabilities, she would soon discover that the Soul Gem only achieved its maximum Pathstrider Energy Amplifier effect when paired with beautiful magical-girl-style clothing.
One day in the future... would she see the Lord of Silence carrying out an assassination mission while dressed as a magical girl?
Just imagining Polka Kakamond wearing a red, or perhaps yellow, or even blue magical girl outfit while performing an assassination made it nearly impossible for The Herta to keep a straight face.
At that very moment, The Herta caught a whiff of fragrance in the air—it did not come from the library, but from somewhere else...
Her nose twitched slightly. Following the scent, she made her way to the cafeteria of this genius outpost and saw a woman dressed in a jade-green qipao, leaning over a table as she prepared pastries.
That is Ruan Mei?
She doesn't seem like a proud genius at all. She looks more like a cook.
And more importantly... she's beautiful.
"No need to doubt. That is Ruan Mei," Herman's voice sounded in The Herta's mind. "To be fair, Ruan Mei truly is beautiful."
The Herta immediately asked in her thoughts, "Then tell me—who is more beautiful, me or Ruan Mei?"
Herman's lips twitched slightly at the deadly question.
"Herta, didn't you always treat me as a pet? Why are you suddenly asking me which of you is more beautiful?"
The Herta sneered inwardly. 'Heh... Didn't you always claim to be male? Then answer my question from a male perspective.'
Herman fell silent for a moment before speaking again. "I believe that as a genius, Herta, you are better at answering your own questions rather than asking others to answer them for you.
"Therefore, whether you or Ruan Mei is more beautiful is not something you need to ask me. You should already have the answer in your heart."
"Cunning pet."
"..."
Herman immediately went silent.
At that moment, Ruan Mei, who had been making plum blossom cakes in the kitchen, finally stopped what she was doing. She lifted her head and said, "You've arrived, Miss Herta, 83rd Seat of the Genius Society. Would you like some plum blossom cake? I just made it."
After speaking, Ruan Mei looked at The Herta expectantly.
Smelling the sweet fragrance in the air, The Herta felt a stir of temptation in her heart. But in the next instant, she recalled Herman's earlier reminder.
Ruan Mei was a genius specializing in biological research. She was not as harmless as she appeared. On the contrary, she was dangerous.
If she ate something Ruan Mei made, she might very well be taken away—escorted straight into an underground laboratory.
"I'm not hungry, Miss Ruan Mei," The Herta refused firmly.
"What a pity." Ruan Mei's expression did not change. She personally picked up a plum blossom cake and took a bite. "Sweet and delightfully chewy. Are you truly not tempted to try it, Miss Herta?"
The Herta shook her head again. Compared to the newly acquainted Ruan Mei, she trusted Herman's intelligence more.
Seeing this, Ruan Mei did not press further. Instead, she walked to the dining table and sat down. "In that case, let's get straight to the point and exchange some techniques."
The Herta nodded, pulled out a chair, and took a seat.
In the next moment, Ruan Mei's voice echoed through the room. "Miss Herta, I heard your conversation with the Lord of Silence just now. You are someone whose fate even Nous cannot foresee. That makes me increasingly curious about you."
A trace of surprise appeared on The Herta's beautiful face. "The library is quite far from the cafeteria. Is there surveillance installed there? But that can't be right. When I examined the energy circuits earlier, I confirmed that this Genius Society outpost has no monitoring systems."
A faint smile curved Ruan Mei's lips. "The entire outpost indeed has no surveillance. But I have my own methods."
Hearing this, The Herta immediately thought:
Ruan Mei was a genius in biological research—a true master.
In that case, had she biologically modified the Genius Society outpost itself?
After all, Herman had mentioned before that this reclusive genius once caused an entire planet to develop life and self-awareness.
After considering this, The Herta asked Ruan Mei the crucial question.
Ruan Mei's lips lifted slightly. "A swift reaction. Miss Herta, you are a qualified genius—perhaps even quicker to realize that I modified the outpost biologically than my friend Yu Qingtu was.
"Yes, I have indeed transformed this outpost."
The Herta frowned slightly. "Which means my conversation with Polka Kakamond was all heard by the outpost itself... Wait..."
Halfway through speaking, she realized something.
If Ruan Mei had modified the outpost, then other geniuses had likely done so as well.
This outpost might already have become a testing ground for the geniuses.
The Herta voiced this suspicion directly to Ruan Mei.
Ruan Mei did not conceal anything. She nodded. "After I completed the biological transformation of the outpost, the information it provided me indicated that there are indeed many traces of modifications left by other geniuses here.
"For example, in the library lies research material on universal degeneration left by the 64th Seat, Dr. Primitive. Of course, it is not only knowledge—there is also a memetic book about a sleepy banana monkey...
"Anyone who reads it will become infected with the meme. It is Dr. Primitive's method of determining whether a successor possesses the genius necessary to break the memetic virus through their own effort.
"And it is not only the library. Even the kitchen where we were just standing contains such things. My friend, the 55th Seat, Yu Qingtu, left behind specialty cocktails—Thalan Toxi-Flame and the Pinkest Collision. Whoever drinks them will immediately comprehend the art of mixology. Naturally, there are hidden risks as well.
"Beyond that, the 77th Seat, Puzzle, left something special in the library as well... It is an electronic document meant to guide later geniuses.
"Of course, the effect of her invention is entirely the opposite. Anyone who reads that beginner's guide will acquire completely erroneous knowledge about the outpost... and may even become lost within it, truly lost."
Ruan Mei paused before asking, "Miss Herta, how do you plan to modify this outpost?"
"I have no interest in something so boring. Compared to altering this outpost, I have far more important research to conduct." After saying this, The Herta looked at Ruan Mei seriously. "Now that we've met, you may simply call me Herta."
"Then, Herta, you may call me Ruan Mei as well." Ruan Mei continued gazing at the sharp-hatted girl before her. "You just asked me about the outpost, and I shared everything openly. Now it is my turn to ask. You don't mind, do you?"
"Of course. Ask away."
"I want to understand the secret of the Soul Gem. Is it truly related to the soul?" Ruan Mei asked, staring directly at Herta.
Herta nodded without hesitation. She took out a Soul Gem she had completed in her dormitory and said, "That's right. However, its operating principle is not to extract a person's soul from the body, turn it into a gem, and then make the body a vessel for the gem.
"Rather, it requires a drop of blood to acknowledge its master. Or more accurately, the gem becomes an extension of the soul's consciousness. According to... a friend of mine, once the Soul Gem recognizes its master, it is as though it gains a spirit of its own—a companion artifact absolutely loyal to its owner."
"A companion artifact?" Ruan Mei nodded thoughtfully. "In my homeland, there are indeed myths about such companion artifacts. I roughly understand."
"So let's make an exchange. I want a Soul Gem. In return, I can offer my knowledge." Ruan Mei paused here, gazing steadily at The Herta.
The Herta smiled. "Of course. When the time comes, you can change into a set of magical-girl-style attire."
A trace of confusion appeared on Ruan Mei's face. "I understand the concept of magical girls. But why must I do that?"
"Because the Soul Gem can only fully unleash its internal potential when the host wears the most splendid magical-girl-style ceremonial outfit."
"I see. Then I agree."
Ruan Mei nodded in understanding.
A smile appeared on The Herta's face as she thought to herself: It would not only be Polka Kakamond, the Lord of Silence, who had to change into magical girl attire. Ruan Mei would not be exempt either.
At that moment, Herman's delighted voice echoed in Herta's mind. "Well done, Herta. Well done!"
Herta's thoughts stirred. 'You're very happy?'
"Of course. I feel joy imagining Ruan Mei wearing magical girl attire in the future. And that feeling isn't mine alone... I can sense your happiness as well, Herta."
'I'm not the same as you,' Herta replied inwardly with seriousness. 'I simply think that someone like Ruan Mei—whose looks and intelligence can rival mine—would look very good in magical girl attire.'
She added with a faint snort, 'As for you, you're probably just excited because Ruan Mei will be wearing a pretty magical girl outfit... Hah. Men.'
Herman fell silent for a moment before saying, "So you admit I'm a man now?"
Herta bristled. 'You're just a pet. Don't get carried away. That's enough nonsense. I'm going to discuss biological knowledge with Ruan Mei.'
"Of course," Herman replied. "But remember my original warning. Do not eat the pastries. Otherwise, the next time your consciousness awakens, you might find yourself in a basement laboratory."
'Who do you think I am? I'm the genius Herta. I won't fall for something so easily!' Herta huffed inwardly.
She then raised her head to look at Ruan Mei, preparing to ask about biological knowledge to lay the groundwork for creating the Herta Puppet.
However, before Herta could speak, Ruan Mei slowly spoke first, a hint of puzzlement in her expression. "Herta, were you just conversing with someone invisible? Or perhaps with your companion artifact?"
!!
Herta's heart jolted. She immediately realized that the person before her was an expert in biological research. Even the slightest abnormal emotional fluctuation or expression change would be observed by Ruan Mei.
Without surprise, her mental conversation with Herman had been detected.
Thus, Herta nodded openly and grasped the small key hanging at her neck. "Come out."
As her words fell, the small purple-black key resting against her fair neck transformed into a short magic wand about the length of a forearm. It floated in the air, spinning slightly from side to side.
"Greetings, Madam Herta and Miss Ruan Mei. I am the Herta Magic Wand—the wisest and most handsome magic wand in the universe."
Upon hearing this, Ruan Mei stared intently at the wand for several seconds, letting out soft exclamations. "How fascinating. It is neither biological nor mechanical, yet it possesses self-awareness and speech. Truly worthy of being called a companion artifact."
"Naturally. I am the genius Herta Magic Wand." The wand spun proudly in the air.
This only deepened Ruan Mei's desire to obtain a Soul Gem and conduct research on biological souls and companion artifacts.
Noticing this, Herta directly tossed a Soul Gem into Ruan Mei's hand and spoke seriously. "Ruan Mei, I have a highly special research project—Project Herta Sequence: Herta Puppet. I hope you can provide biological assistance."
"Of course." Ruan Mei smiled and nodded.
The two immediately began discussing biological research topics.
The skeletal structure design of a fourteen-year-old human body—what shape would be most perfect?
The golden ratio of the human form—fine details.
...
They continued their discussion. The sharp-hatted Herta gradually gained clarity on how to design a younger version of herself—a Herta Puppet.
The only remaining problem was how to grant the manufactured Herta Puppet self-awareness and intelligence.
Hopefully, when Screwllum arrived at the genius outpost later, he could help solve this issue.
If even Screwllum could not solve it, then only she—the genius Herta—would have to devote herself fully to overcoming it.
At that moment, Herman's voice echoed again in her mind. "Don't worry. Screwllum is a mechanical genius. Even if he cannot directly solve it, he can certainly provide inspiration."
'I hope so. If even Screwllum cannot do it, then I'll handle it myself. As long as I truly want to, I will succeed. It will only take more time,' Herta replied inwardly.
"Yes. You definitely can."
Herman recalled the countless miniature Hertas scattered throughout Herta Space Station in the game and nodded in deep agreement.
Meanwhile, seated across the table, Ruan Mei raised her head and glanced at Herta, then at the white pearl necklace device at her own neck. She gazed at Herta thoughtfully.
It appeared again.
Two distinct brainwave patterns had emerged within Herta.
Judging from the way the Herta Magic Wand was currently circling above the plum blossom cakes, it was clear that the one Herta had just conversed with was not the wand itself.
It was another consciousness residing within Herta...