"Yet another leaf has fallen."
A sigh echoed throughout this enclosed space as the tattered leaf fell into the man's hand once again
Behind him was an ancient tree with an archaic aura. Its name was Bodhi
How long has it been?
As a survivor from the Previous Era, Su was given the responsibility of upholding Project Valuka by the world's most brilliant scientist- Dr. MEI.
And, for the past 4.500 years, he has been upholding this very duty.
Day by day, he observes the infinite parallel worlds and possibilities through the Second Divine Key, Cosmic Juggernaut
-All in hopes of finding a miracle- a world that has defeated honkai, or a world upon which honkai doesn't exist
"..."
He looked at the fallen leaf in his hand, with his eyes closed.
One would wonder about his ability to actually see…But for one such as him, who has achieved 'enlightenment' and surpassed normality, such trivialities weren't of importance.
His entire focus was on this crumbled leaf
Each leaf symbolized a possibility- a world in itself.
"...Alas, this world has also failed."
Looking at the echo of a foregone world contained within the leaf, he sighed once again.
Civilizations destroyed by the Honkai can only wither quietly.
Like leaves that have fallen from their tree, they die gradually, sinking into the ground that is called the Sea of Quanta, and turn into bubbles
"For thousands of years, I have seen the same phenomenon over and over again."
He clenched his fist, enveloping the leaf within as he silently mourned for yet another failed world.
"Unfortunately…. I have yet to find a leaf that won't wither."
Su opened his hand and released the fallen leaf, letting the breeze carry its dissipated fragments.
"Dust to dust, earth to earth, ashes to ashes. All shall eventually wither away with the passage of time."
When he looked up, the tree was still lush and verdant.
Leaves fell to embrace a transformation that was no different from death, but new ones would still sprout again.
It was an eternal cycle, remaining unchanged for thousands of years. And it shall be so for eternity
Compared to that, human life is but a fleeting moment.
The finite cannot comprehend the infinite. And the limited life cannot understand the eternal leaves
"Fortunately, I have already found my answer. And I have already seen hope."
Su stood up from under the tree and looked at the clear water surface beside him.
-In it, the figure of an expressionless, cold, white-haired youth was reflected.
"My dear friend, countless years have passed. Have you also found your answer?"
The white haired man didn't reply, but the gray-haired man continued:
"Or… Are you bound by the past? Are you still caught up in the ghosts of a bygone era?"
Sighing yet again, Su already knew the answer.
Thousands of years ago, he had deceived his best friend and imprisoned him in the Sea of Quanta.
To atone for this grave sin, Su had willingly chosen to seal and imprison himself inside the Second Divine Key.
This wasn't just mere guilt, it was simply….Karma
Every time he witnessed a fallen leaf and bore the disappointment of yet another destroyed world, he would come to the riverbank to take a look at his best friend.
Of course, Su, who had betrayed Kevin, didn't dare say a word to him. He only observed and kept him company
…
Leaves floated over and fell into the water's surface, suddenly causing ripples to form.
"This…."
The gray-haired man, who had returned to his previous cross-legged position, looked at this phenomenon and was stunned.
"Has that variable made a big move this time?"
He frowned, muttering to himself
Unlike Aponia, Su's 'predictions' and foresight came from observing infinite possibilities to reach a conclusion
In addition to implementing Valuka of project S.A.V.E, he also paid attention to his main world.
Based on all his observations of other worlds and possibilities, he concluded that….As long as he took a gamble at the right time, all his effort would ultimately be meaningful and make a 'change'
But….As early as a few months ago, he noticed an…anomaly, a variable that hasn't appeared in any other possibility he observed
The ripple this anomaly caused wasn't large- the 3rd eruption still occurred. That cause was the same, and the final result was also the same. Only the process differed slightly
However, now, the significant ripple caused by this variable made the enlightened one's expression somewhat uncertain.
Su couldn't determine what consequences this ripples will cause.
He didn't even know if this presence would throw his original intention completely off course.
"In the end, fate still played a trick on me…."
Location: Saint Freya Academy
The place where countless fates intersected, whereas a single one of them overturned the original thread and pushed the future in an entirely different direction
"...I only hope that this variable can lead to a better result."
Su sighed helplessly, again.
Even with his heart filled with worry, he could do nothing but observe and hope for the 'right time'
…
..
.
"Um... Adam... are you awake?"
Adam looked towards the source of the sound.
….
After finishing his 'transformation', Mei and Adam exchanged a few words and parted ways.
Though she wanted to stick with him-
The purple-haired girl, as the 'victim', had to report what had happened to the rest of the St. Freya 'crew'.... while he had to 'digest' his 'gains'.
…..
"Mei? Why are you here?"
He raised an eyebrow
The purple-haired girl had hovered over to the window of his room, pushing her head and her upper body through it
"And…Why are you being so sneaky?"
Fortunately, he had detected her earlier and stopped his 'love-making session' with Olivia in time.
…Otherwise, the scene right now would be really embarrassing
…
She rubbed her eyes gently before looking at him with concern.
"I…" Her cheeks flushed slightly. "Just wanted to check up on you…."
….
She just wanted to see him more.
They didn't speak much after Adam became a Herrscher, so Mei still craved some more interaction.
[You're just thirsty]
'.....'
….
"Ah…" Adam smiled at her. "Then come on in."
He gestured her, making way for her on the bed
"Okay…."
The purple-haired girl nodded, controrting her body so she could fit all of herself through the window
"I've reported everything that happened to Himeko and the Class President…" She said hesitantly as her body fully entered his room. "Um…I've also told them that you had gone to take care of another clone."
Though the fact that he became a Herrscher might be noticed in the future….But even so, Mei had no plans of exposing him.
She didn't have the right; If Adam wanted to tell the others, he would. It wasn't her place to bring it up.
"Aw…." Expression softening, Adam's smile widened. "Thank you, Mei."
….
Secrets….Well, he didn't really care. In terms of priority, him being a Herrscher was definitely the least shocking secret that he held
And it will eventually come out. He will not intentionally conceal this. After all, he doesn't intend to devour this core like the core of corruption.
….He will put it in his [Stomach] for analysis, yes. But that was the most he would do
After all, it would make a splendid gift for Bronya.
To him, it's just a convenient tool that suits him. Once he no longer needs it, he'll naturally pass it to Bronya- someone who's worthy of this core
….
"I hear you calling Kiana an idiot and a Tuna every day, but it turns out you're also an idiot yourself."
As the purple-haired girl softly sat down on the bed beside him, she pouted.
"Why were you so reckless??"
Mei scolded, chiding him directly as she put up the sternest expression she could master
…
Naturally, she was referring to the fact that he became a Herrscer.
No prior warnings, no hints, no preparations- He just straight up embraced honkai and became its apostle.
…..
"Erm…." Adam's lips twitched, his expression turning awkward "Why not? I knew I'd be fine."
With a sigh, he raised his hands as he continued:
"Besides, you know me, Mei. I would never waste such a precious Herrscher core."
"....."
At that, the purple haired girl remained silent.
….
She didn't know what to say.
Mei still feels frightened when she recalls those cold emotionless eyes that seemed to pierce through her very soul.
But…Berate him? No, that would be extremely selfish. He knew what he was doing, and she had no right to say anything against his decision just because of her worry
…Isn't he powerful enough?
This so called magic, a strong body, threads, control over machinery and technology, regeneration, telekinesis, some sort of illusions….
Isn't this enough?
And yet, looking at Adam's expression, he still seemed unsatisfied.
[Keep in mind, he can travel to other worlds]
'....'
Raiden's reminder still didn't allow her to fully understand
Were these other worlds so dangerous?
Mei has indeed read and enjoyed Far Eastern media….Yet she hasn't seen anything too absurd in that media that would warrant such caution
[...]
'...I know, you don't have to say it.'
Maybe the worlds Adam is travelling are very dangerous- that would make his desire logical
…And, there was that 'Cocoon'.
She had a lot of questions to ask-
But compared to that, Mei would prefer to enjoy Adam's company more. These concerns can come later
…
"Adam, you really are obsessed with becoming stronger…."
On the bed, she shifted closer to him, leaning lightly in on the silver haired boy's arms.
Even though they haven't been apart for long, Mei still longed to be close to him and felt attached to his presence
"Power brings peace of mind. And only with power can you truly protect what you hold dear."
Adam clenched his fists slightly, eyebrows furrowing
…
In his previous life, he wasn't one to take the initiative, and neither was he a man of action.
But in this life, it's entirely different
Why shouldn't he strive for more power? Yes, he wouldn't recklessly seek it out, but if he can obtain it, he won't hesitate.
He didn't reincarnate in a Rom-com world where he could simply enjoy a classical sweet love on campus
…Even if he did, he could still die due to accidents- or well, due to an eldritch entity suddenly appearing and devouring the world like a snack?
….
"I'm not a helpless heroine."
Mei's face puffed up slightly as she refuted him.
She was a Herrscher!
Even if she wasn't that strong, she at least wasn't a burden!
"Heh." Adam chuckled, reaching his hand towards her head "I know, Mei. But….Right now, I don't want you to take any risks."
Sure, he could take her with him to other worlds- but no, Adam couldn't even protect himself. So how would he protect Mei?
"....Alright." With a sigh, the purple haired girl nuzzled into his hand as he stroked her head "But…Promise me that you'll take me with you once I become strong enough, okay?"
Mei looked into his eyes, her gaze serious and determined
"Of course."
Adam smiled softly as he returned her gaze.
"I will"
He cupped her cheeks and leaned down-
…
..
.
-----------
A/N:
There shall be smut next chapter