Kevin entered the lab, feeling a mix of apprehension and determination. Mobius was already staring at him with an unsettling intensity, her eyes gleaming with scientific hunger.
"You wanted to talk to me? I'm Kevin," he introduced himself.
"I'm Dr. Mobius. Quick on the uptake, aren't you? I like that. I believe you'll be a great asset to MOTH. I saw your fight against the Emperor rank Honkai beast," Mobius said, her voice tinged with excitement.
Kevin realized he had underestimated the advanced technology of this world. Mobius reassured him, "No one else has seen the footage except Mei, my subordinates, and myself."
Kevin breathed a sigh of relief but remained wary. "This woman is a little bit crazy," he thought.
"Thank you. So, I'll be working under you, correct?" he asked.
Mobius's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "I need some answers about your abilities. Are you some kind of Honkai beast!?" she asked frantically.
Kevin smiled, sensing an opportunity. "Well, before I answer, I know all about your dreams. You aspire to achieve human evolution. My answer might help you reach that goal."
Mobius was taken aback. "Are you psychic? Did you read my mind?"
"Not psychic, but I have a lot of experience reading people by looking into their eyes."
Mobius felt a bit uncomfortable, realizing Kevin might see through her deepest secrets. "So, what are your conditions?" she asked.
"Why don't we talk alone?" Kevin suggested. Mobius instructed her assistant to leave the lab.
After the assistant left, Kevin explained, "My bloodline originates from a previous civilization." Kevin now start making a convincing story.
"Previous civilization?" Mobius echoed, her interest piqued.
"Yes. I don't know exactly how it works, but after the Honkai defeat a human civilization, somehow time moves backward, resetting to several thousand years before. The Honkai have already destroyed various past civilizations," Kevin explained.
Mobius was taken aback. "Time moving backward? That's not possible," she said, more to herself than to Kevin. "What's the purpose?"
"I don't know the reason," Kevin admitted. "But some people from the previous era managed to resist the time rewind."
"So, about your abilities. How did you get them, and how can you manipulate Honkai energy?" Mobius pressed, leaning forward with an unsettling intensity.
"In desperation people from that era incorporated the genes of Honkai beasts into their bodies, granting them access to Honkai energy and respective abilities," Kevin explained.
Mobius's eyes widened, and a predatory smile crept across her face. "Changing genetic coding," she murmured, her mind racing with possibilities. "This might be game-changing. I will readily work on it," she said, her excitement palpable and unnerving.
"Well, if the genetic change is perfect, and we have enough Honkai reserves, it might be possible to live for eternity," Kevin said, dropping another bombshell.
"Living eternity?" Mobius repeated, her voice barely a whisper. Her eyes sparkled with a dangerous mix of fascination and ambition.
Kevin nodded. "When I consume the flesh of a Honkai beast, my dormant genes activate, granting me the ability to use Honkai energy and enhance my physical capabilities."
Mobius leaned back, processing the information. "So, that's how you gained your abilities and your strange physical capabilities," she mused, looking at Kevin like a lab rat ready to dissect.
Kevin's gaze hardened slightly. "One more thing. I want to be sure that Mei is fully protected and involved in any relevant research. She's important to me."
Mobius's eyes gleamed with understanding, but there was a sinister edge to her expression. "I will ensure her safety and involvement. Now, if you're ready, we can start the integration process. Welcome to MOTH."
Mobius's smile grew more sinister as she leaned closer. "Oh, and Kevin, I'll need some blood samples and a bit of tissue for analysis."
Kevin felt a shiver run down his spine, her words sending goosebumps across his skin. He quickly asked for the system's help.
He then heard a mechanical voice in his head. "Don't worry, host. Your blood sample will only show traces of Honkai energy and some genes of the Honkai beast you defeated earlier."
He nodded reluctantly. "Alright, you can take the samples."
Mobius's eyes lit up with a twisted delight. She collected the samples with an almost reverent touch, her smile widening into an evil grin. As she finished, she let out a chilling laugh that echoed through the lab, making Kevin's skin crawl.
"Excellent, Kevin," Mobius said, her voice dripping with malice. "This is only the beginning."
Kevin watched her warily, fully aware that he was in the hands of a mad scientist who saw him as nothing more than a fascinating specimen.
---
After securing Mei's protection and arranging a potential internship for Su at a prestigious hospital, Kevin left Mobius's lab. She had sighed and agreed, albeit with complaints about the headaches it might cause her with the higher-ups.
Kevin walked towards the quarters where his friends were staying, deep in thought. The information he had provided to Mobius would ensure that the MANTIS operation would be successful before the arrival of the Fifth Herrscher.
He entered the room where Mei and Su were waiting. They looked up, relief and anxiety mingling in their eyes.
"Kevin!" Mei exclaimed, rushing over to him. "Are you okay? What happened?"
Kevin gave a reassuring smile. "I'm fine. Mobius was... intense, but we came to an understanding. Mei, you'll be working on some crucial research here, and Su, I've arranged an internship for you at a top hospital."
Su's eyes widened. "Really? That's amazing! Thank you, Kevin."
Mei, however, seemed more concerned. "And you? What about you?"
Kevin sighed, trying to keep his tone light. "I'll be working closely with Mobius while being a soldier in MOTH.
Su's eyes widened. "Working as a soldier? Kevin, that's dangerous!"
Kevin placed a hand on Su's shoulder. "There's no place that's truly safe from the Honkai. At least here, we can make a difference. Besides, with the training and resources they have, I'll be better prepared.
"Mei nodded, though her worry was evident. "I trust you, Kevin. Just promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise," Kevin said firmly. "We'll get through this together."
Kevin met with the MOTH soldiers the next day, ready to start his training. The soldiers led him to a spacious training room filled with state-of-the-art equipment designed to push soldiers to their limits.
"Alright, let's see what you can do," the drill instructor said, handing Kevin a training manual.
Kevin skimmed through it and nodded. "Got it. Let's get started."
As the session began, Kevin quickly realized that the standard equipment couldn't handle his abilities. With every punch and kick, he shattered targets and sent training dummies flying. Within minutes, the room was filled with the sounds of breaking machinery and alarms blaring.
The instructor's eyes widened in shock. "What the hell?!" he yelled, rushing to stop the session. "Kevin, you're breaking everything!"
Kevin stepped back, looking at the wreckage around him. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize my strength would be too much for this equipment."
A soldier ran off to report the damage to Mobius, who soon received the complaint. Furious, she stormed into the training room.
"Kevin!" she shouted, her voice echoing in the destroyed room. "Do you have any idea what you've done? This equipment is expensive and critical for training our soldiers!"
Kevin hung his head. "I didn't mean to, Dr. Mobius. I'm still adjusting to my abilities."
Mobius's eyes blazed with anger, but not because of the damage itself. "Adjust faster! Your recklessness has consequences. If you can't control your power, you'll jeopardize my research budget. The higher-ups won't be happy about this!"
Kevin, realizing the gravity of the situation, nodded earnestly. "I understand, Dr. Mobius. I'll work harder to control my strength."
Mobius's expression softened slightly. . Remember, lab rat, you are a key part of my research. Don't make me regret recommending you to the higher-ups..".