Curiosity

'I was wondering when I'll see him but I didn't expect it to be here.'

Looking at the man who had an irritated expression alongside a lofty gaze that drifted off him for a few seconds. 

Yuuto shrugged his shoulders seeing the man's cold attitude towards him but knowing he was a bit different than what he lets off—especially considering his actions during this time involving Duke Inferno.

He felt a tug gradually appear at the corner of his lips.

"Avoid looking at me with such an idiotic expression." 

"You got it, Mr. Tsun–..."

"...Tsun?"

"You don't need to worry about it~"

The man furrowed his eyebrows seeing his nonchalant attitude but a hint of curiosity appeared on his face.

'Has Herta ordered for him to be here or was it another party?' Dr. Veritas Ratio or Dr. Ratio for short, thought for a second as he assessed the sudden appearance of Yuuto.

Willing to probe the waters, he was about to ask a question but feeling a shift within the back of his pocket. Dr. Ratio decided to save that idea for later.

As he still had another task at hand that needed his attention than this simple thought.

"This guy sure has a temper."

Feeling the rise in temperature within the space around them. The two stood firmly as Duke Inferno's ember grew brighter and seemed to twist the space around it.

Yuuto clicked his tongue and raised his hand towards the Wubbaboo. Thick shards of mist flowed past his arms and quickly enveloped the Astral Spirit who seemed stunned at the rapid change of events.

The heat tried to flow into the Wubbaboo. Trying to quickly consume the spirit but unfortunately was a second late as the Wubbaboo escaped its grasp.

Yuuto knelt and brought the Wubbaboo to his chest. Dodging the blue flames that flickered intensely and pushed his feet to create distance from Duke Inferno.

However, as he pulled energy from his Stellaron to increase his speed, the blue flames took a sharp turn and converged towards his chest.

The ember willing to consume him turned dim as it reached just a hair away and retracted back towards Duke Inferno. Leaving behind a strange feeling that made him frown.

"What the hell was that…?" He backpedaled after and narrowed his eyes at Duke Inferno's ember.

{..Why are you here?}

"What?"

An inquisitive tone which he didn't expect appeared in his mind which he deduced was Duke Inferno. 

{An individual who carries such a dense ambiance of Destruction is not only saving such a pathetic creature but is also working alongside a human preventing this one's plan of destruction.} 

His voice was sharp and filled with discontent.

{… Has the Antimatter Legion lost its—!!!}

Before Duke Inferno could utter another word it disappeared from its spot and teleported to an area just a few meters away.

And in the spot where it disappeared, a metallic cube morphed and expanded to create a cage. Locking onto nothing, making the person who deployed it scoff in annoyance.

"Just when I thought it was a perfect opportunity."

{How despicable. It will take more than just a simple contraception to capture this Duke.}

"Surely you jest. I'm willing to bet that your ignorance will soon turn into something most people call foolishness." Dr. Ratio raised his hand and a metallic cube shrunk.

The ember narrowed its eyes at the cube that seemingly wanted to devour it. 

'I must not get caught in that.' It thought. 'I want to learn more about that surprising presence but I still have a goal I want to complete.'

Duke Inferno looked at Yuuto and the Wubbaboo and felt the dark feelings of anger, frustration, and jealousy flare up inside him. However, he pushed those feelings down.

{May we meet again.}

The blue ember that burned fiercely in the air suddenly exploded and faded into the space around it.

Dissolving and leaving the two people behind in a stream of darkness.

Yuuto had his eyes glued to the spot, Duke Inferno disappeared and continued to repeat the words he said. Focusing on some parts that caught his attention.

'Carrying a dense ambience of Destruction? And why did he bring up the Antimatter Legion here…'

He honestly felt like a headache was going to arrive soon. 

This was even more so when he thought of the possibility of Duke Inferno bringing in forces of the Antimatter Legion back onto the Station based on his words.

However, he soon doubted that possibility considering the lack of evidence that conveyed any sort of connection Duke Inferno had with the Antimatter Legion. 

At most, he could teleport a few enemies from that faction. But going forward with a large pre-assembled army was something he didn't see happening.

"Let's just spoil his plans for now," Yuuto said. "I'll just see if I can get some answers later but first…"

He nodded before looking down and dissolving the small shield he made around the Wubbaboo.

"Wuu… you saved me.."

"You bet I did. But I had quite the adventure trying to find you."

"Wuu?"

"Where are all the crystals you took from that room?"

"!!!!"

The Wubbaboo shivered facing the cold smile Yuuto sent it and lowered its eyes to avoid his gaze. Its beady eyes began to shake as it thought about the item it took without permission.

'Wow. Why is it so cute when I bully it like this?'

A bad feeling grew inside Yuuto but fortunately stopped himself as it seemed like the Wubbaboo would burst into tears soon.

He raised his hands and imbued a small portion of energy from his Stellaron and rubbed his hand over its soft head. The Wubbaboo jumped but eventually surrendered itself to the warmth it greatly missed.

"Just tell me where you hide it and I'll prevent that scary lady from going after you."

"Wuu…"

"Don't worry. If she tries to take you I'll teach her a lesson she won't forget."

After hearing his words, the Wubbaboo looked at him with bright eyes and Yuuto began laughing seeing such an interesting reaction from it.

"The ability to converse and appease an Astral Spirit… Does it require similar wavelengths that match its childish nature…?"

"Hey, spectators have no need to say anything right now."

Yuuto turned his head and sent Dr. Ratio a glare after hearing his faint mumbling. True to his character, he ignored the look he received.

"So do you have a plan to deal with that guy? I can help."

Dr. Ratio was silent when Yuuto asked. "No need. I have my methods so continue getting familiar with that Astral Spirit."

He waved his hand across his nose and suddenly an alabaster head shrouded his face. Yuuto was amazed at the sudden appearance of this and wondered how he was able to wear something so fast.

Dr. Ratio pulled out a small device and a faint beep came from it which Yuuto caught.

–BEEP

–BEEP

–BEEP

Walking towards the spot Duke Inferno escaped from, he eventually kneeled and rubbed his fingers onto the cold metal floor. He tapped at spots Yuuto found to be random but he knew that it was more significant than what it appears.

After tapping the floor one last time, the sound from the small device he held became more frequent. 

Matching the rhythmic sounds of the device came a faint but noticeable light that gradually floated upwards and Dr. Ratio was quick to act.

"Mhm, a faint spark but it's good enough…"

Capturing the small light that appeared, he placed it into a small container he held before leaving Yuuto behind. 

Thinking that this brief encounter with this person would meet a quick end.

"Oh? How did you know that a spark was left behind there?"

However, that proved to be just wishful thinking. 

"A flame like that seems to be too little to leave behind a spark so I guess you did something. Maybe gathering the pieces left behind?"

"....."

"Did the device do all the work or was it merely a tool to assist you… I guess it might be both."

Yuuto continued to talk while he walked beside Dr. Ratio who ignored him but despite all that, he gradually felt like his ear was going to fall out.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"I'm surprised you have the gall to ask even after all this time." Dr. Ratio said with his face looking forward.

"How versed are you with biology?"

Dr. Ratio glanced to the side at the sudden shift in topic and saw Yuuto chewing on a cookie while offering some to the Wubbaboo resting by his chest.

Feeling a slight falter in his steps, he wondered how someone could be so carefree and unconcerned. Going by his own flow, it reminded him of a certain acquaintance but that made the frown under his alabaster head grow.

"I have some knowledge but not as much as my subjects of choice." Dr. Ratio said curtly.

Yuuto took his words in and contemplated deeply. "Then do you mind teaching me some biology?"

"Teach? You?"

Dr. Ratio was a bit surprised at the unusual request and wondered why he requested to teach him.

'He has connections to better individuals than me. Especially when it comes to biology.'

He thought back to the information he managed to gather about the person to his right. Dr. Ratio may have hidden it but he was not a stranger to Yuuto who's quite a topic on the Space Station.

Yuuto may not know but the researchers he managed to save during the invasion have garnered him quite a bit of fans. 

Benefactor. Hero. Even some calling him their 'daily dose of energy' for the day.

He didn't know what they meant by the last bit but Dr. Ratio knew for certain that they had a respect for this Nameless that saved the Station from the Antimatter Legion attack a while back.

But the information that made him even more curious was the unexpected connection he had with the infamous Herta who even called him by his name.

A feat that only a few were able to have knowing Herta's peculiar personality.

All in all, he knew that Yuuto had a way of being connected to the universe's brightest minds if he were to request it or even become familiar with them.

There was even a big chance presenting itself in the form of an individual who can be seen as one of the top minds when it came to biology on the Space Station right now. 

So the request felt a bit odd.

"There are people more knowledgeable to teach than me on this station right now so you can request to be taught by them."

"No need for that. I asked since I felt like I could learn better from you than her."

"Really now? You might be the first person to reject the thought of learning from someone hailed as a genius." Dr. Ratio retorted.

Yuuto just smiled and bit down on the snack he was eating. Finishing it quite quickly.

"An obsessive pursuit of knowledge tied to their goals may sweep up the people who wish to follow them."

Dr. Ratio noticed how his smile turned wry and continued to listen. 

"I would like to satisfy my curiosity without the chance of someone else's curiosity destroying mine. Getting hit by a chalk also seems to be a better alternative to me."

Yuuto said while thinking about the potential of being dissected if Ruan Mei found the few things he could do.

"It seems like you already have a vague idea of who I am."

"Eh, so those stories were actually true? I thought they were just rumors." 

Yuuto moved back and placed the Wubbaboo in front of him. Using the helpless Astral Spirit as a shield.

"Wuu… don't hurt me.. Wuu…"

"I won't. If anything, I would like to silence the individual talking behind you instead."

"Wuu.. okay…"

"I got betrayed that fast…" Yuuto was in disbelief and began squishing the tiny Wubbaboo in his hands as an act of revenge.

Hearing the soft cries coming out of the Wubbaboo, Dr. Ratio did his best to ignore it and went into deep thought.

Thinking about the various implications that came from Yuuto's request, he managed to reach a conclusion fairly quickly. 

"I'm willing to teach you a few things. However, a full course may be out of my reach. Lecturing in front of a full hall is my preference but judging by your status as a Nameless, I doubt you have the time to enroll."

"It's just a few concepts I want to learn so no problem. Think of it as just being tutored but I may ask you for some… feedback.. in certain topics."

Dr. Ratio looked skeptical hearing the last part of his sentence but he abruptly stopped when he felt a light nudge by his side.

"I was expecting a complete shutdown but you accepted quicker than I thought~" Yuuto was smiling and patted Dr. Ratio on the shoulder.

Feeling his touch, he quickly pushed Yuuto's hand aside and brushed his shoulder as if it was dirty and the corner of Yuuto's mouth flinched.

"...The disease known as ignorance is certainly a hard one to cure."

The two continued to walk down the Seclusion Zone where faint sounds of arguing could be heard but it slowly faded as they entered a room where a large elevator became visible.

Dr. Ratio went ahead and scanned the front of the elevator and wrote down something in a book he carried before settling in a spot just by the stairs.

'I guess this is the time he plays chess.'

Recalling the cutscene of when he first encounters Dr. Ratio in the game, Yuuto sent him an odd glance before pulling something out of his library.

He handed Dr. Ratio a small palm-sized crystal that resembled the shape of a pin and wondered what this object was.

"If you encounter a person with gray hair and golden eyes then give this to her."

"I presume it must be your fellow Nameless." 

"Ah, you did your research!"

"It would be hard not to when the Nameless created a large commotion just a few weeks prior."

Yuuto eventually nodded as he recalled the impact they made when they fought the Doomsday Beast and many more. So he wasn't that surprised that there would be a few eyes on them.

"It's just a lucky charm to help her when needed."

His eyes flashed a faint white as he noted the few fragments imbued within that pin. Even knowing that the 'false' emanator Ruan Mei created would last a tiny 56 seconds, Yuuto wanted to be sure nothing too dangerous would happen.

Knowing how certain things may go off course compared to what he remembers. An example being that time on Jarilo-VI. Being a bit cautious wouldn't necessarily hurt. 

"By the way, has that ember acted out yet? It seems like he wants to create a bit of trouble."

Passing the pin to Dr. Ratio, he thought about the Duke Inferno's plan to target certain individuals discontent within the Space Station and wondered if he should do something when he goes back to the Base Zone.

"As I stated before, I already have my methods."

"Is that so."

Yuuto hummed to himself as Dr. Ratio became engrossed in a chess match against himself and wondered if he really had it under control.

Thinking about the ember, Yuuto wanted to know the reason behind that strange feeling he had when it came close to his chest. Alongside a few questions that were yet to be answered by Duke Inferno.

'I only know that Adler was a victim at one point. So if he hasn't been captured yet then I can pay him a quick visit…'

He brought his finger to his mouth and made a brief idea of what he wanted to do.

"Now let's return. I still have to get those crystals you hid."

"...I don't like… scary lady…" 

***

"Incredible! I didn't think you would find them so quickly even after all those failed attempts I had!"

Back in her office where Herta began inspecting the various boxes laid out in front of her. She had a genuine look of satisfaction seeing that all the missing crystals had returned and her eyes looked at Yuuto with delight.

"I guess you're happy with the results."

"More than happy. Are you sure you're not interested in handling my affairs alongside Asta? I can probably focus more on my research if I had someone like you—-"

"I would rather not. Thinking about it is enough to give me a migraine." Yuuto shook his head and shivered.

"Also it wasn't all my hard work, Mr. Screwllum helped me find the piece that led me to where this little one was hiding."

The Wubbaboo in his arms closed its eyes feeling the intense gaze Herta was giving it and was giving Yuuto a helpless sob to make him stop her. Yuuto smiled and hid the Wubbaboo behind him to shield it.

"Correction: I merely played a small role. Sir Yuuto did the majority of the task himself which shows his remarkable competence to the task given to him."

"Mr. Screwllum… " Yuuto had a touched expression hearing the praise given to him. 

"Why do you react so differently when you get compliments from Screwllum compared to me?" Herta looked dissatisfied but ignored it as she noticed the smile Yuuto was giving her.

Herta scoffed. "Anyways now that these components have been retrieved I want to set up these parts quickly. Let me know if you need anything as payment for helping me and keep your phone on for updates."

She turned away and entered the Simulated Universe leaving behind Yuuto and Screwllum watching her back.

"How rare, it seems like she can't contain her joy."

"Really? I thought that's how she always acts."

"It may seem like that but her subtle acts show something else completely different. But just take it as my interpretation as a friend of hers."

Yuuto eventually agreed as he took it as an observation from someone who has worked with Herta for a long time. 

Saying a few words with Screwllum who was going to join Herta in the installation of the components. He eventually asked Yuuto if he wanted to join them in a meeting regarding the Simulated Universe but he declined saying that he had something else to do.

Thinking about Alder and Duke Inferno who were still on the loose, Yuuto said goodbye and hurriedly left the office to find Alder.

However as he opened the door to leave, a fragrant scent suddenly entered his nose and he was faced with the appearance of a woman who had her eyes locked on a tablet in her grasp.

Feeling the presence of a person in front of her, she took her gaze off the tablet and her turquoise eyes stared at Yuuto.

No ripples in her pupils and no shift in her expression. But her eyes seemed to inspect the appearance of Yuuto who stood just a few centimeters away. 

Yuuto managed to put on a relaxed look but he was pretty surprised to be suddenly faced with the person he wanted to avoid at all cost. Especially sensing the deep stare she was giving him.

He silently nodded and moved to the side to leave but a voice quickly spoke out to him.

"Do you mind stopping for a bit?"

***

Uh hi? Don't know what to say but here's a chapter lol.

This arc will probably end in the next chap or the one after as it was supposed to be a short one before the Luofu.

On a side note I may need to get back into Genshin after seeing the 5.0 livestream and regions but I need to complete so many archon quests…