As she spoke, a light shone in Tesla's eyes. No one understood the function and importance of this potion better than they did.
As long as this potion could be popularized, ordinary people would no longer need to worry about simple Honkai energy outbreaks. The survival rate of the populace would rise drastically.
It could even reduce the birth of some Deadwalkers. Although most Deadwalkers were born spontaneously from high-Honkai environments, reducing their numbers even by a little was still a victory.
"We still don't know the specific composition of the potion," Welt said with a smile, looking at the somewhat excited Tesla. "I hope the manufacturing cost won't be too expensive."
"You guy, you just aren't happy unless you're making snide remarks, are you?" Tesla rolled her eyes at Welt. "Can't you hope for something better? Maybe the materials for this potion are actually very easy to synthesize."
"Alright, alright, alright." Welt smiled at Tesla. The long-lost feeling of ease in his body put him in a great mood, even enough to crack a joke or two.
"However, the quantity of the potion is so small. Is there really a way to research it?"
Although Welt did not understand research, he had been influenced by what he saw and heard. He knew that for things like reverse engineering, one usually needed a certain quantity of the sample. The amount Irene had just given them was truly pitifully small; it didn't even fill the bottom of the test tube. With such a small amount, could they really figure it out?
"You have to believe in me," Tesla said, looking at Welt. "And you have to believe in Chicken Nest Head. Even if only this little bit remains, as long as there are no issues with the composition and the effect, we can definitely figure it out."
Tesla's words were filled with the confidence of a top-tier scientist. Although she specialized in various mechanics, she had also dabbled in potions and biology. Moreover, with Einstein and her joining forces, could they really fail to crack a single potion?
However, speaking of potions, Tesla thought of that detestable Irene again. How on earth did that guy know so many things? Every time she thought about it, Tesla felt a chill run down her spine.
"But speaking of Chicken Nest Head, what's taking her so long?" Tesla looked toward the academy with some worry. "It couldn't be that Theresa got stubborn and forcibly captured Chicken Nest Head, right?"
"Thank you for your concern, Tesla." Just then, Einstein's voice came from the nearby bushes. "Though if Dr. Tesla could think of me in a slightly more positive light, I would be even happier."
Einstein walked out. "But it seems that Miss Irene indeed discussed matters with you two earlier?"
"...Did you meet Miss Irene as well?" Welt frowned. "It seems that Miss Irene indeed knew you went to discuss cooperation with Principal Theresa."
"Mn? What do you mean?" Einstein frowned. "It seems you weren't the ones who told her? Tell me exactly what she said to you. I am quite curious."
Welt and Tesla nodded. Chimeing in one after another, they recounted everything about their encounter with Irene to Einstein.
At first, Einstein managed to maintain her calm. But when she heard that Irene had rattled off their secrets as if counting family treasures, even Einstein could no longer stay composed.
After a long silence, Einstein finally asked, "Are you two really sure she has no connection with Otto?"
This understanding was too clear. Logically speaking, even Otto shouldn't know these things so completely. Einstein quite agreed with Tesla's earlier description; to be able to know about such places, she might truly be a ghost.
Under circumstances where no one saw her and no one knew of her, she had been watching from the side all along. A person who couldn't be seen—wasn't that just a ghost?
"This guy even knew about the Rocky Mountain Oysters." Tesla crossed her arms. "Otto would have to be extremely bored to go and learn about that thing."
"Correct. Even if Otto knew, he couldn't possibly know it this clearly." Welt nodded as well. "And I don't think he would be kind enough to hand the potion over to us for research."
"Mn, exactly. That is the strangest point." Einstein crossed her arms, her brow furrowed tightly. Clearly, the various anomalies Irene displayed left even Einstein scratching her head.
There was simply no way to explain it. Why did she know so many things? As well as that potion.
"As for her warning to be careful of the 'white' in the sea—the Sea of Quanta—we still need to pay more attention to that side."
Einstein sighed, finally choosing to give up thinking about it. They could only take it one step at a time. If what Irene said was true, then it would likely come to pass.
"Also, focus on observing Cocolia recently. She gave me two suggestions as well."
Brows still furrowed, Einstein relayed the two suggestions Irene had given her. After listening, Tesla scratched her head.
"Speaking of Siegfried, has Siegfried finished chatting with his daughter yet?"
"I imagine not yet." Einstein shook her head. Since they were out this time, they certainly wouldn't come alone. After all, they were just two scientists; they didn't possess such powerful strength. If Cocolia harbored malicious intentions, it would be very dangerous.
Furthermore, in case Theresa got stubborn and insisted on arresting them, they needed someone for support. So, they had dragged over a certain Siegfried who wanted to see his daughter.
But after so long, why hadn't the man returned?
Welt shrugged. "Give him a little more time. It's rare for him to meet this daughter; he probably has a lot he wants to say in his heart."
"True enough." Tesla nodded. "In that case, we'll head back first. Welt, you be responsible for bringing Siegfried back. We'll go back first to research this potion."
"Oh, right, one more thing. While you're at it, go find that Himeko's medical report. Preferably the most recent one. If her Honkai Resistance has risen, the bodily damage caused by Honkai corruption previously should be significantly improved."
"As long as we can prove this matter, the authenticity of this potion can be largely confirmed."
"Alright, I got it." Welt nodded. "You two be safe on your way back. Cocolia certainly won't let this go easily."
"Actually, she has already started contacting me, asking if I have evacuated yet." Einstein waved the communicator in her hand. Of course, Cocolia was definitely not asking out of the kindness of her heart.
If she were that kind, things wouldn't have devolved into the current situation where the two factions were split.
"Mn. Ein, Tesla, be careful after you return." Welt nodded. "I don't think Cocolia only has one clone. She likely has other backup plans."
"Understood." Einstein nodded. "In addition, you'd best greet that Irene more often recently. If you can receive more treatment from her, the better your physical condition is, the more likely you can deal with the upcoming so-called 'white crisis' in the sea."
"And it would also serve to test her attitude, correct?"
"You are the Sovereign; you decide." Einstein patted Welt on the back, preparing to leave with Tesla. "Do not fail her expectations of you."
Listening to Einstein's final words before leaving, Welt nodded firmly in the direction of their departure. He turned back, looking at the academy in this moment.
"I absolutely will not disappoint her."
*
"Mn-mn, finally done." Irene stretched her waist and pressed her hand to her chest. Accompanied by a glow, Irene deactivated her transformation state. She then turned her head to see Theresa, who had a face full of things she wanted to say but didn't know how to start.
"Theresa, if you have something to say, just say it." Irene smiled at Theresa. "There's no need to hide things between us."
"Really?" Theresa looked at Irene, taking a deep breath before asking, "Is our cooperation this time really okay? Won't Grandpa find out?"
"What do you think?" Irene spread her hands.
Otto not knowing? Maybe. But for Otto to be completely unaware was unlikely. This was St. Freya, after all. It was the location of his obedient granddaughter. How could Otto not have set up numerous backup plans here to monitor Theresa at all times? especially now that Kiana was here too.
Otto's attention on this place would only increase. Furthermore, Fu Hua was here this time; Fu Hua would certainly inform Otto about the Anti-Entropy invasion.
And right now, Himeko must be commanding the Valkyries to guard against a possible large-scale invasion by Anti-Entropy. These mission briefs would definitely become known to Otto.
But what did that matter? Otto only cared about his plan. As long as it was beneficial to the plan, then Theresa possessing her own team was something Otto wanted to see.
At least later on, when he abducts Kiana and Theresa comes to attack, if she didn't have suitable backup, just how much would he have to hold back to let Theresa break in?
Moreover, afterwards, Theresa would definitely have to take over Schicksal and replace him in continuing the control of the organization. If Theresa's capabilities weren't outstanding enough, she wouldn't be able to suppress the subordinates of Schicksal.
So Otto was eager for Theresa to have a few little secrets of her own. The Anti-Entropy invasion belonged to the category of little secrets that Otto could know about, but wouldn't interfere with.
The more Theresa did, the better it was for Otto. Because aside from resurrecting Kallen, Kallen's goal was ultimately to save the world. Otto wanted to save Kallen, and the duty of saving the world would naturally be handed over to his obedient granddaughter and Schicksal.
"So... Grandpa knows?" Theresa opened her mouth. "Then he..."
"He won't interfere, because this aids his plan." Irene looked at Theresa. "As of right now, everything is within the scope of his plan."
"If I say it like this, can you understand?"
"What exactly does Grandpa want to do?" Theresa stared tightly at Irene, attempting to glean even a few words from her. "And those two suggestions you mentioned to Einstein earlier, Irene... what is behind them?"
"Is it something that will happen in the future?"
Theresa no longer wanted to play charades with Irene. In Theresa's heart, Irene's identity already had an explanation: she came from the Sea of Quanta, from a world almost identical to theirs, yet completely different—a sorrowful world.
Irene surely knew many things. What she was doing now was helping them bypass numerous detours, helping them achieve what Irene couldn't do in that world, at a smaller cost.
"Yes." Irene looked at Theresa and nodded firmly. She could tell that Theresa seemed to have misunderstood something, but Irene didn't intend to explain.
After all, Irene was certain that her identity as a Transmigrator would be harder to understand than the setting Theresa had now concocted in her brain. So, she might as well go along with Theresa's imagination.
"Those suggestions are things that will happen in the future." Irene looked at Theresa, speaking each word deliberately. "But it is already too late to completely correct them from a timeline perspective. I can only correct them bit by bit. I just want to reduce the sacrifices."
"...Irene, what exactly happens in your future?"
"A story that I want to change, to make it more beautiful." Irene patted Theresa's head. "I want to protect all of you. I want to salvage everything, the tragedies that I can redeem. That is why I am here."
"That is why they are here." Irene pointed to her own head, then patted Theresa's shoulder. "Please believe me, okay?"
"Everything I do is to protect you all."
Theresa looked up at Irene. "Then why not tell me? I could at least share the burden with you. Two people doing things is better than one person, right?"
"Just me alone is enough." Irene crouched down and pinched Theresa's cheek. "This isn't bravado. The more people there are, the more problems might arise."
Not everything was better with more people, at least not in this matter. Furthermore, Theresa had always been under Otto's key observation. If she asked Theresa to help do things, she'd probably be exposed to Otto the very next second.
Otto was truly a severely unstable factor. Irene didn't think that talk of the future, helping out, or even the Kallen in her head would be enough to stop Otto from doing his thing.
In fact, if Irene were exposed to Otto right now, and he learned his plan would succeed—that he would save the Kallen he wanted to save—that man would definitely only double down, perhaps even accelerating the execution of his plans.
If everything were thrown into chaos by then, Irene would only have a harder time. So for now, she just needed to adjust things slowly by herself.
A weak moth, wanting to stir up a whirlwind, wanting to withstand the approaching storm—she could only do her best to ensure no mistakes occurred.
She had to at least avoid a second moth appearing on the field, especially one beyond her control. How would that moth blow the wind? How would it alter the original events?
She had no way of knowing. So she had to remain cautious until the storm descended. When all the moths could only fly with the storm, she would let everyone know, and together they would change the direction of that storm.
"I just need to change some pivot points. And if there really is something Theresa needs to help with, I will definitely speak up, okay?"
Theresa looked at Irene, who was close at hand. Her cheeks rapidly flushed red, and her head felt a bit dizzy. "I-I know. Then about tonight's matter, regarding Grandpa..."
"If he asks, just fudge it over." Irene stood up and patted Theresa's head again. This time, Theresa didn't swat Irene's hand away.
"Anyway, today's events end here~" Irene's hand continued to stroke Theresa's head. "It's time for good children to go to sleep."
"..." Theresa fell silent looking at Irene. Seeing the smile at the corner of Irene's mouth, she sighed after a moment of silence. "I got it."
"Also, how long are you planning to keep patting my head?!"
________________________________________
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