Taking care of Ozma and Salem

As Rimuru and the others exited the chamber, Adam lingered for a moment, his gaze locked onto the city of Atlas, visible through a nearby viewport. 

The sprawling technological marvel floated high above the rest of the world, a symbol of humanity's innovation and desperation to stay above the chaos below. 

His blue eyes narrowed.

He had already seen enough. Atlas's advanced technology was intriguing, but there was something deeper—a mystery that had kept him interested in this city for longer than usual. 

Something that hadn't yet been uncovered, even by the most ambitious minds of Remnant.

That is exactly why, when his companions deemed this war finished, he stayed behind to do one final thing

-To solve one final enigma

The answer to that mystery lay in its technology and, more specifically, the system controlling it all. 

Atlas wasn't just a city; it was a machine, run by artificial intelligence, highly classified networks, and advanced cybernetic systems. 

He had heard of Penny Polendina, the android with a human soul, and that was where his interest truly lay. 

How had they managed to create a soul for her? How had they bridged the gap between machines and humans? 

Adam let his energy flare briefly, just enough to activate a power he had kept deactivated until the right moment—the Power of Corruption. 

With a deep breath, he let the corruption seep into the digital networks of Atlas, his mind reaching out and sinking into the city's core systems.

Perhaps the power of a Herrscher was nerfed in other worlds, and having a significant output was too inefficient energy-wise….

- But still, the silver-haired boy was now in the middle of the city of Atlas. 

He had obtained all the Relics, and nobody stood in his way

[Initializing access to Atlas mainframe...]

Within moments, Adam was in. 

His consciousness spread like a virus, corrupting, assimilating, and controlling every piece of technology he touched. Streams of data flowed into his mind, vast amounts of knowledge unfolding before him. 

Military designs, energy systems, defense protocols, and even communications. 

He could see it all.

But he didn't care about the mundane aspects of the city's governance. No, he sought something much more specific.

"Show me your secrets…" 

He muttered under his breath, a shiver of excitement coursing in his veins as he focused his thoughts on the creation of Penny Polendina.

[Accessing Project P.E.N.N.Y. files...]

The screen in his mind changed, and there it was—highly classified documents detailing how Penny had been granted a soul. 

Adam's expression brightened as he sifted through the information. 

The Polendina family had used a combination of highly advanced aura transfer technology and experimental techniques to imbue a machine with life. 

They had essentially injected a human aura into a synthetic body, creating a unique blend of consciousness and artificial intelligence.

-A soul where none had existed before.

It was far more intricate than he had imagined. 

Aura was only a piece of the puzzle. 

The key was how they stabilized it, ensuring Penny's soul wouldn't degrade or dissipate over time. 

They had used a type of energy transfer…

This could work. 

No—it would work.

With his new [Aura Control] skill, this would be a piece of cake

His lips curled into a faint smile as he pieced the puzzle together.

"So that's it… imbue a construct with Aura or magic to give it life," Adam whispered to himself. "Not a new soul, but a modified extension of one's own."

The idea sparked a plan in his mind— one that had been forming ever since his powers of corruption had begun to grow. 

He could use his Aura, or even his magic, to breathe life into any creation, be it a golem or android, and grant it a soul. 

Penny's existence proved that it could be done. But with the power of the Herscher of Corruption and [Aura Control], he could do it on a much grander scale. 

He could control it all. And unlike the Polendinas, he wouldn't just make one.

Ideally, it would be great to make one that could grow and evolve

Adam pulled out of the network as quickly as he had entered it, the data from Atlas's mainframe now embedded in his mind. 

…

He could feel the new knowledge melding with his power, improving the power of corruption's influence and strength

The Herrcher of Corruption is one of the more unique Herrschers

The more she corrupts, the more she grows in strength. 

And though that power can't be shown properly in the real world…. It is a different matter in the digital realm and the internet

If a Herrscher of Corruption corrupts enough data and grows enough, she might have power equivalent to Finality in the digital realm

…. At least theoretically 

….

"I've got what I needed…" 

He said, his voice low and satisfied.

With a flick of his hand, Adam deactivated the Corruption and turned toward the door, where Rimuru and the others were waiting. 

…

Now, he actually had the ability to create life

If he had the power of the Herscher of Reason… Or Truth….

With the power to analyze and reconstruct anything, the power to corrupt, and the power to imbue individuals with a soul….

Just thinking of those implications made him happy

Though… For now, he shouldn't get ahead of himself

Convincing Welt to give up his Herrscher core would be next on the agenda

….

As he walked down the corridor, catching up to Rimuru and her group, there was a glint in his eyes

"So, Adam" 

Rimuru called back as she walked ahead, her casual tone masking the undercurrent of curiosity. 

"You finally wake up back there?"

Adam smirked. "I wasn't sleeping. Just… thinking."

Rimuru's eyebrow raised. "Thinking about what?"

He didn't answer right away, but instead, he glanced toward her with a knowing smile. 

"You'll find out soon enough."

"Now…"

"Let's go to that Grimm Mommy"

…

..

.

In a barren, forsaken land, a solitary figure sat upon a throne sculpted from ice, her regal posture only accentuated by the chill surrounding her. 

Opposite her stood a similar throne, equally cold and grand, yet conspicuously vacant. 

Between the two frozen seats, an icy table stretched, supporting a chessboard, its pieces perfectly poised for a game yet to be played.

The figure rested her chin upon her hand, her scarlet eyes gleaming with quiet contemplation, the weight of unspoken thoughts filling the silence.

Suddenly—

Crack.

The stillness was shattered.

Crack... Crack…

The very fabric of space began to fracture, splintering as if reality itself had broken under unseen pressure.

Twisting and distorting, the air folded inward, a vortex of swirling, kaleidoscopic colors materializing where there had been nothing but frozen stillness.

Crack... Crack... Crack…

With a final rupture, a portal tore open, spilling out three figures.

A silver-haired boy, his expression veiled in calm indifference. 

Beside him, a blue-haired girl radiating boundless energy, and following them, a voluptuous redhead, her presence intimidating.

"You've lost"

The silver-haired boy- Adam- stated to the figure sitting on the throne

"I suppose so"

The figure- Salem- remarked calmly, no trace of defeat on her face

It was as if the one who had lost all the Relics and her subordinates wasn't her

"That's it?" Adam raised an eyebrow, confusion marring his face "Do you have nothing to say? You won't even resist?"

Truly, he hadn't expected this

At least, he thought that Salem would make one last stand, where she would go all out, and use all the power she had accumulated from living all these years

And yet, the reality was different from what he expected-

"Indeed" The Queen of Grimm closed her scarlet eyes calmly, her body relaxed as ever "You won fair and square. It is only my fault that I wasn't strong enough and didn't take into account outsiders meddling in my plans"

"...."

Adam frowned

….

To be honest, he doesn't trust this surrender one bit

Salem was a cunning woman… Would she actually give up so easily?

Maybe she had a secret trump card…. 

-Or maybe his long-forgotten Unique Skill [Chosen One] was finally coming into play?

….

Regardless–

He raised his arm, palm facing the witch in front of him

…

But instead of devouring her directly with [Gluttony], he opted to do something else

He could devour her and that would be it… However, he was still wary, and he had one last objective besides her to complete

There was also a faint temptation to use his love Geass on her…. But who knows how that would affect her?

Salem loved Ozma, and yet has been trying to kill him and destroy what he loves the most

The silver-haired boy will never use a love Geass on such a crazy woman

… Unless he could tame her

But he had a better plan….

Since they had sat down on these Icy Thrones, Adam had been ejecting Corruption particles

He used MA energy to do that, as using any energy source similar to magic would likely be noticed by Salem

Again, Herrscher powers were nerfed in worlds that were not under the Cocoon's, and by extension the Imaginary Tree's jurisdiction 

The Cocoon of Finality… 

The thing that directly transforms Imaginary Energy into Honkai Energy. 

But before that, it also bestows Herrschers with Imaginary Singularities, which are tears in reality that allow Honkai Energy to pass through directly to the Herrscher from the Imaginary Space

Adam does not have an Imaginary Singularity. 

When he used [Gluttony] on RIN, the power of the Herrscher of Corruption, and the Imaginary Singularity within it was directly devoured and became a part of him

So, he can't draw upon almost infinite honkai energy, but this also allows him to use Herrscher's powers on other worlds with his own energy reserves… Albeit at a lower efficiency

That is why, for so long, he has been emitting Corruption Particles in this area with MA energy. Not only because he had to make up efficiency with time, but also to make sure that Salem would be actually affected as she is quite strong

…

Adam summoned the power within, unleashing it with precision. 

The particles in the air responded to his will, seeping into Salem's body like a creeping virus, carrying with them the corrosive force of corruption.

And then—

Plop.

The Queen of Grimm collapsed to the ground, her once formidable strength visibly draining from her body, leaving her motionless.

"..."

She raised her gaze to meet Adam's, her expression unsettlingly calm. There wasn't even a flicker of fear or surprise in her eyes. 

Not a flinch, not a tremor—only the cold, unwavering stare of someone who had seen far worse.

The silver-haired boy stepped forward, his expression cold and unforgiving as his power bore down on Salem. 

Without a word, he reached out, his hand wrapping around her throat. 

Her pale skin was cold to the touch, like marble, but he could feel the faint pulse of life beneath it.

The Queen of Grimm didn't resist. 

She remained calm, her eyes, a deep scarlet, locked onto his. 

There was no fear, no anger, no struggle—just acceptance. 

The corruption continued to flow through her, gnawing at her insides, but Salem showed no sign of pain. 

She stood still, unyielding, even as his grip tightened around her neck.

Her feet barely touched the ground now, her body limp in his grasp, but her gaze never wavered. 

The Queen of Grimm looked at him as if she had already known this moment was coming. 

Perhaps she had.

Adam's brow furrowed. He squeezed harder, feeling the bones in her neck shift under the pressure, yet Salem remained eerily calm.

Her lips parted slightly, and for a moment, it seemed like she might say something, but no words came. 

"..."

She simply exhaled, a quiet breath that seemed more like a sigh of release than anything else.

There was no fear in her eyes—only a quiet, resigned peace, as if she had long since accepted her fate. 

As if she had been waiting for this.

The silver-haired boy's grip shook, his fingers digging into her flesh- he could feel it now. 

Salem wasn't fighting. She wasn't resisting. She was simply letting go.

And that unnerved him more than any scream ever could.

With one last squeeze, the Queen of Grimm's body went still in his grasp, her head tilting slightly, those crimson eyes slowly closing as if she were falling asleep. 

She didn't flinch. She didn't break.

She accepted her end with a calm that sent a chill down Adam's spine.

….

Adam's eyes swept over to the horizon

This victory was….. kind of bland

He didn't feel like he had won

Salem just calmly accepted her defeat without even resisting

On one hand, it was better for him as his Corruption power fully took force with swiftness

…. On the other hand… Well, he didn't know what to say. His current emotions were complicated

Did this woman hope to go through death by his hands?

There was a faint doubt flickering within Adam at that answer. 

If it was so, then why didn't she simply admit it from the very beginning?

And-

"...."

He looked at the limp body of Salem that he was still holding from her neck

Adam did not kill her

Why would he? The silver-haired boy was already (kind of) immortal, so he didn't need her immortality and regeneration so desperately

Any knowledge she has, he can simply extract it directly from her brain

And of course, a Grimm Queen like her is also a good experimental subject. 

He will find the time to collect some Grimm pools, so he can perform some… experiments

He was not Mobius, and although he wanted to respect this woman and grant her a graceful death….

-She was too valuable

The silver-haired boy indeed has some morals…. 

-That was proven the moment he didn't decide to make Remnant his own personal Semblance and Aura farm

But still, he was curious about the origin of magic in this world, and he was also especially interested in Salem's power and immortality

Yes, the simple answer was… The dark god did it

-But he wanted to find out the how

He wanted to delve deeper into this mystery, and explore its complete essence

But before he finishes and leaves this world, he needs to visit one final person 

…..

….

…

..

.

The room was heavy with silence, the kind that pressed down on everyone present, thick with the weight of impossible choices and unspoken fears. 

They had gathered here— four teenagers and one boy—for one reason: to stop Salem, the immortal witch who had brought ruin to Remnant for as long as anyone could remember.

The boy, Oscar—Ozma—stood at the center of the group, feeling the weight of his past lives pressing down on him. 

The cycle of reincarnation, of endless war against Salem, had worn him thin. Though he remains stable, he has long grown tired of fighting against his ex-wife

…

Ruby, a reddish-black-haired girl with silver eyes, was pacing around the room nervously. She had an impatient expression on her face

Yang, the blond-haired girl with two normal arms had her eyes closed. But if one looked closely, they would surely see that her face was stiff, and her fists were clenched 

Blake, the black-haired cat girl was sitting calmly, staring silently at the weapon she placed on her thighs

Weiss, the white-haired girl had an emotionless expression on her face. She betrayed no emotion, as if she was uncaring about this whole situation

They were some of the best students of Beacon Academy, and each of them had a unique skill set that would make them a unique hunter 

And yet-

The weight of their new mission—to prevent Salem from destroying the world—had pressed down on them for what felt like an eternity. 

The looming threat of Salem's immortality and relentless pursuit of destruction hung over their heads, leaving them wondering how they could possibly end the cycle of conflict- especially when so many previous generations tried and failed

Oscar, the young boy whose body housed the soul of the ancient wizard Ozma, stood at the center of the group. 

His eyes reflected both his own apprehension and the burden of Ozma's centuries-long struggle against Salem. 

The room was quiet, the only sound the occasional soft sipping sound of Oscar drinking his coffee from his favorite mug

But that uneasy silence shattered when a figure appeared in the doorway.

Adam.

He strode into the room with a quiet, casual confidence, his footsteps echoing on the cold floor. 

Team RWBY immediately tensed, their hands moving instinctively toward their weapons. 

But what made them freeze in place wasn't just Adam's sudden appearance— it was what he carried in his hand.

Salem. 

Though they didn't actually know what she looked like… They could just feel it

The very embodiment of evil in Remnant, the immortal being who had hunted them all for so long-

-Was dangling limply from Adam's grasp. 

He held her by the neck as if she were nothing more than a broken doll, her once terrifying form reduced to a weakened, pitiful state. 

Her pale skin was cracked, her eyes glazed over with dullness, and dark-red tendrils of corrupted magic flickered weakly around her body, like the last dying embers of a fire.

Thud

Adam tossed her onto the floor like she was nothing, her body hitting the ground with a dull thud. 

The four teenagers and the boy stared in disbelief. 

The unstoppable force that had haunted their minds was….. reduced to this.

"You…." Ruby was the first to speak, her voice wavering between shock and confusion. "What… w-what did you do?"

Adam's flat, nonchalant eyes scanned the room, lingering on Oscar for a moment before turning to Ruby. 

"I took care of the problem," He said simply, his voice tinged with a casual tone, as if he didn't do anything impressive "Salem won't be a threat to Remnant anymore."

Weiss, who had been gripping her rapier tightly, narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about? Salem is immortal! There's no way—"

"I have my methods," 

The silver-haired boy interrupted, his gaze shifting to Oscar once again. 

"But I didn't come here to explain that." He took a step closer to the group, his presence overwhelming. "I came to offer a trade."

Oscar, standing at the center of the room, felt a wave of unease wash over him as Adam's eyes bore into him. 

"A trade?" 

He asked cautiously, Ozma's ancient voice mingling with his own.

The visitor nodded simply 

"Salem is done. She won't be a threat anymore. But in return, I want something from you, Ozma."

Oscar stiffened at the mention of his true identity. "What do you want?"

"I want to put an end to your cycle of reincarnation." Adam's expression didn't change as he spoke, his voice as neutral as ever. "I want to devour your body and soul. No more coming back. No more starting over."

The words hung in the air like a death sentence. 

The four huntresses' eyes widened in shock, and Yang stepped forward, fists clenched. 

"You want to kill him? After everything? You're insane!"

"No. I want to end his cycle." 

He didn't flinch- in fact, he didn't even spare a glance at her 

"Ozma has been trapped in this loop of reincarnation for lifetimes, cursed to fight Salem over and over. It's a cruel existence. I'm offering [Deliverance]"

"You…" Oscar's face paled, his hand trembling as he gripped his mug tighter "You want to devour my soul?"

"Yup." 

Adam's tone was as matter-of-fact, as if he were discussing the weather. 

"I'll devour your body and soul, and your essence will become a part of me. You won't suffer anymore- your cycle will end"

"You can't do that! " Ruby, always the first to act, stepped protectively in front of Oscar, her silver eyes flashing. "We're not letting you hurt him!"

"This isn't about hurting him." Adam's dull gaze turned toward Ruby. There was no malice in his eyes—only calculation. "It's about ending this war. With Salem gone, Remnant can have peace. But Ozma… Ozma needs to be put to rest."

Oscar's heart pounded in his chest, the voices of Ozma and his own thoughts swirling in his mind. 

He had always known that his fate was bound to this ancient war, that his life was continuing for the sole reason of stopping Salem

But now, here was this powerful stranger whom he had never seen before, offering to sever that chain once and for all.

Oscar swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper. "What will happen to me?"

"Simply put, you'll be at peace." Adam's expression didn't change in the slightest "The burden of fighting Salem, of carrying the weight of Remnant's fate, will be lifted."

"And…" He dramatically spread his hand outwards "You'll get to experience the dark yet peaceful embrace of death"

The room fell into a tense silence as Oscar contemplated Adam's offer. 

….

The weight of Ozma's past lives hung heavily on his shoulders. Memories of all his hundred years of living surfaced on his mind

Saving Salem from that tower, marrying her, having children with her…

Then her madness, the rampant killing of their children, her transformation and descent into darkness

And also his hundreds of years of fighting her, looking over his shoulder and watching out for an attack from her

And for the first time, he considered the possibility of an end—a true end.

Simply put, he was tired. Before this, he had simply been holding off, trying to combat Salem and make sure that humanity remained standing

And it was only an idealistic yet unrealistic part of him that hoped for victory over Salem. 

As impossible as it might have been, he could only keep moving forward with that mindset

And now-

….

"I-"

Before anyone could respond, Adam reached into his cloak and pulled out something that caught everyone's attention. 

In his hand was the Relic of Creation. 

But it wasn't the golden, shimmering staff they had come to know—it had transformed, now a silver and blue color, pulsating with a soft, almost ethereal light.

"I'm not asking for nothing in return," 

Adam said, his voice calm but resolute. He turned his gaze toward the four girls. 

"Take the Relic of Creation. Recast Penny's body with it."

"Recast Penny's…" Ruby's breath caught in her throat. The mention of Penny's name brought a flood of emotions crashing down on her." … body?"

"I have changed it, and infused some of my power into it" 

He nodded, holding the Relic towards them 

"Now it should be a bit easier to use it- even if it would be creating life"

"...."

Weiss stepped forward, her eyes wide with hope and disbelief. 

"You're saying we can bring her back?"

Though she seemed like an ice queen, she was quite emotional. 

And it would be a lie to say that she was not attached to the innocent android

"That's exactly what I'm saying." Adam's expression remained stoic. "….But only if the deal is made."

Oscar's hand trembled, the significance of this decision pressuring him. 

….

On one hand, the thought of finally ending the cycle was a tempting relief. 

But on the other, the fear of losing himself—of being devoured, consumed—sent chills down his spine.

"Headmaster Ozpin…" The girl with red tips at the end of her black hair stepped closer to Oscar, her voice trembling but determined. "...You don't have to do this."

Adam remained silent, watching as the group struggled with the difficult choice laid before them. 

The fate of Remnant, the chance to bring Penny back, and the end of Ozma's curse—all were being decided right this instant

"If I agree…" Oscar looked up, his eyes meeting Adam's. "Will it really be over? No more reincarnations? No more fighting Salem?"

"It will be over."

Adam gave a simple nod along with his short response

The silence that followed was heavy, the weight of the decision pressing down on everyone in the room.

…

Finally, after what felt like an eternity-

"Do it."

Oscar nodded, his voice barely above whisper. 

"Headmaster, no—!"

Ruby gasped, her heart shattering. 

But it was too late-

The silver-haired boy stepped forward, his hand glowing with a dark, ominous energy as he reached for Oscar. 

The air crackled with power as Adam's hand touched Oscar's chest, and in that moment, Oscar felt a strange, cold sensation wash over him. 

His body went limp as Adam began to pull his soul from his physical form.

Team RWBY could only watch, frozen in silence as Adam devoured the ancient soul of Ozma, ending the cycle of reincarnation once and for all.

When it was over, Oscar's body slumped to the ground, lifeless. 

But the moment was broken by Adam, who calmly handed threw the silver-blue [Relic of Creation] to Ruby.

"Go," Adam said quietly, hands on his pockets as if nothing happened "Recast Penny's body. Make her whole again."

Tears streamed down Ruby's face as she took the Relic, her hands shaking. 

…..

She couldn't believe what had just happened. Headmaster Ozpin… Ozma… gone. 

But the Relic of Creation, now in her hands, pulsed with a faint warmth, as if offering hope amid the tragedy- as if telling her that this exchange was worth it

…..

Adam stood over Oscar's lifeless body, his expression unreadable. 

The silence in the room was deafening, the four young huntresses grappling with the weight of the sacrifice they had just witnessed. 

Ruby's tears fell freely, staining the floor as she clutched the Relic tighter. 

The shimmering silver and blue light was a stark contrast to the seriousness of the moment.

"He chose this…" Blake was the first to break the silence, her voice soft but filled with resolve. "He wanted peace."

"That doesn't make it right! You—" 

Yang, fists clenched in anger, took a step toward Adam, her eyes blazing. 

"You-! Even though you saved me at that time, you still took our Headmaster away from us!"

Her voice cracked with emotion as she shouted at him with reckless abandon, not caring about the consequences 

"I gave him what he wanted." Adam's gaze shifted to her, his expression still calm. "….Freedom."

Yang's eyes narrowed, her Aura flaring, but Blake gently placed a hand on her shoulder, holding her back. 

"Yang… stop. He's right. It's over."

"But still…. We should do what he asked " 

Weiss, still in shock, glanced between Oscar's body and the Relic in Ruby's hands. 

"We can bring Penny back."

Ruby's head snapped up at the mention of Penny, the thought breaking through her grief. 

Penny—her friend- could come back

But the cost… the cost had been so high. 

"I… I don't know if I can do this."

She muttered, body trembling once again

"Don't worry" 

Adam said plainly, his voice devoid of the cruelty they had come to expect from him. 

"This world doesn't need Ozma anymore. But it does need the hope to recover from Salem- It needs Penny."

Ruby's tears slowed as she looked down at the Relic, feeling its gentle hum in her hands. 

Her mind raced with memories of Penny's kindness, her innocent optimism, her unwavering courage. 

A future without Penny had felt so bleak, but now… maybe there was a way forward.

She took a deep breath, her hands trembling as she spoke, her voice soft but resolute. "Okay…. I will definitely do this!"

"You've got what is needed" 

Adam turned his back on the group, stepping away from the scene. "This world… will figure itself out now. But this constant war and destruction? It is over."

"Where will you go?" 

Weiss asked cautiously, her voice still trembling from fear

"Wherever I need to"

Adam stopped at the doorway, the flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. 

"This world doesn't need me anymore, either."

He said quietly, before casting one look at Salem who had once again found herself pinched by the neck from his hand

With that, Adam disappeared into the shadows, leaving Team RWBY standing amidst their conflicting emotions and the faint glow of the Relic of Creation.

Ruby, wiping away the last of her tears, turned to her team—her friends, her family. "Let's bring Penny back."

…..

….

…

..

.

Adam found himself once again walking through the cold, metallic corridors of Merlot's laboratory. 

The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting a sterile glow on the polished floors. 

Tap…Tap….Tap

His boots clicked with a rhythmic sound, but his mind was elsewhere.

Truthfully…. He was ready to get back to the honkai world

[Mission:

World: RWBY

Objective: 5/1 Kill one of Salem's agents

Optional: 1/1 Defeat Salem]

The mission was… over

The silver-haired boy had nothing to do now. He was no longer needed in this world

Perhaps he would have stayed a bit longer to travel around more…. But unfortunately, he has no real ties to Remnant, and he can't view this world as a home, like the honkai world

And…. He kind of misses Kiana and Mei

…Just a bit though, not a lot

Rias and Rimuru are also likely lounging in some corner of a distant world, waiting for him to finish his business and return

And indeed, he was planning to do that, but-

Adam was reminded that he still hasn't collected that Grimm he asked Merlot to create

Adam could have left this world by now, but this was the final loose end: the Grimm he had asked Merlot to create. 

The twisted scientist had been eager to prove his worth, fascinated by the idea of artificially crafting a creature of destruction under his guidance.

He went through quite a bit of trouble to get it done, so why wouldn't he now enjoy the fruits of his (Merlot's) efforts?s

…

The doors to the laboratory slid open with a hiss. 

Inside, the walls were lined with screens displaying data, while strange devices blinked and hummed in the background. 

In the center stood Merlot, adjusting parameters on a glowing terminal, his hunched frame bathed in the eerie light of his machinery.

"Have you completed what I asked you?" 

The silver-haired boy's voice was calm, but there was an undeniable hidden curiosity behind his tone

"Ah, Adam…." 

Merlot turned slowly, his eyes gleaming with scientific fervor. 

"You've come at the perfect time! It's ready, just as you requested."

Stepping forward, Adam's gaze scanned the room. 

In the far corner of the lab sat a large, translucent egg. 

It pulsed faintly with an ominous, dark energy. 

Black veins crisscrossed the surface, and within, something writhed, its form barely visible through the thick membrane.

"I used a combination of Grimm essence, Faunus DNA, and Dust-infused compounds that were enchanted with magic to manipulate the cellular structure, forcing an evolution beyond natural limitations." 

Merlot gestured toward the egg, his voice filled with pride.

"This... creature is no ordinary Grimm. It has the potential to adapt- to evolve rapidly. Its power will grow exponentially over time, fueled by the Aura and negativity from the world around it."

"...."

Adam nodded but said nothing, his eyes narrowing as he examined the egg more closely.

…

Though inwardly, he could hardly contain his excitement

That is why scientists are the best!

Give them some resources and a unique new direction, and they will create miracles!

What a pity…. Merlot isn't a woman. Otherwise, it would have been even better

But he is not sad at all. After all, in the honkai world, there are plenty of beautiful scientists

Dr. Mei, Mobius, Vil-V, Einstein, Tesla, Nagamitsu….

Don't get Adam wrong, he has no bad intentions…..

- But in his own personal opinion, he believes that a scientist who is also beautiful woman is definitely more pleasing to the eye than a decadent old man

….

With these thoughts passing through his mind, he finally focused back on that egg

Through his [Aura Control], a new skill he had recently obtained and trained, he could feel something within. 

Not just a creature... but a soul. Faint, undeveloped, yet unmistakably alive.

"I have seen your abilities. And by observing them, I had an idea- your own genetic helped massively with that" 

Merlot continued his explanation, oblivious to Adam's internal thoughts.

"By isolating the Grimm's core energy and binding it to an artificial circulatory system powered by Dust and the Magic you provided, I've effectively created an entity capable of siphoning Aura and Negativity. Once it hatches, it will—"

Adam raised a hand, silencing him. 

With a violet five-pointed star spinning rapidly around his emerald Iris, Alpha Stigma activated, and the sub-skill [Analysis] and [All of Creation] from [Great Sage] run rapidly in order to comprehend and analyse the creature in front of him

His mind was now focused on what lay within the egg, his [Aura Control] skill allowing him to sense something beyond the physical form of the Grimm. 

For the first time, the silver-haired boy could realize that this Grimm possessed a nascent soul, a remnant of life, perhaps, struggling to exist within a creature that was meant to be soulless.

He reached out, placing his hand on the egg. 

A surge of energy shot through him, connecting him to the being within. 

His control over Aura was absolute now, a power that allowed him not only to manipulate his own Aura but also to bend the Aura of others to his will-

"With this creature, you'll have power—"

Merlot's voice cut through his thoughts. 

"Enough," Adam interrupted him, getting tired of his yapping "I don't care about your scientific musings, Merlot."

Before Merlot could respond, he made his move. 

With a swift motion, he lifted the egg, his grip firm but controlled. 

He stared at the pulsing shell for a long moment, then, in a move that shocked even Merlot, he devoured it whole with his mouth.

"W-What are you doing?" The scientist's eyes widened in horror. "That is—"

Adam ignored him, feeling the raw power of the Grimm surge through his body. 

His [Aura Control] skill flared to life, and he grasped the soul within the Grimm, bending it to his will. 

The energy coursed through him, primal and wild, yet utterly subdued by his absolute command over Aura. 

He felt the creature's soul devoured by the abyss that was [Gluttony], merging with his own essence, amplifying his strength.

[Skills [Negativity Sense], [Negativity Absorption], and [Aura siphon] have been acquired]

[RWBY World Magical Reserves increased]

[Genetic material of countless sub-humans and Grimm has been acquired. Sorting them to the Genetic Database…. Done]

[Using [Degenerate] to merge [Negativity sense] under [Magic Sense].... Success]

[Intergrating the effects of [Negativity Absorption] with [Gluttony]…. Success]

[Intergrating the effects of [Aura siphon] with [Aura Control]... Success]

[Using [Degenerate] to merge [Negativity Sense] and [Negativity Absorption]... Failure]

[Failure….]

[....]

[Incoporating individual Salem in the process….Success]

[Skill [Negativity Manipulation] has been obtained]

….

So many skills from only one creature…

He had to say, Merlot did a fantastic job!

But beyond these obvious gains, there was one more thing…..

Because in fact-

It was…. a joyful experience- Actually feeling a soul clearly for the first time

Before that, he had to move someone to his [Stomach] first, and do some wacky stuff with the Psionics he got from Jean Gray in order to interact with the target's mind, and then the soul so that he can devour it with certainty

But now…. Things were much simpler

….

As the last remnants of the Grimm's power were absorbed into him, Adam exhaled, his eyes glowing with a cold, crimson light. 

 "Y-You've… consumed it?" Merlot, still frozen in shock, could only stammer, "Why would you—"

"Your experiment is over." Adam turned to him, his expression unreadable. "I don't need a Grimm; I just need its power."

"But…" The old man took an involuntary step back. "You could have used it to—"

"No" 

The silver-haired boy shook his head in denial

"I will eventually leave this world. I only did this experiment so I could see the limits and the power ceiling of this world….. And maybe also to see how far you could progress you research"

Casual as ever, he put his hands back in his pockets, squinting his eyes at the mad scientist in front 

"But this was….."

Merlot wanted to refute him, but he closed his mouth in the end. 

It seemed that this old man was quite observant. 

Besides, the silver haired boy never intentionally concealed his intentions, so it isn't surprising that this old scientist didn't know how to argue when he was already aware of something like this happening

"...."

Adam stopped for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he delved deeper into the creature's essence. 

His control over Aura allowed him to access more than just the Grimm's physical strength—it gave him insight into the very nature of the beast. 

The soul, though young and undeveloped, carried with it the intricate patterns of its genetic makeup, the way its body processed Dust, Aura, Negativity, and magic 

In short, the very blueprint of its evolution.

As he closed his eyes and focused, the patterns began to unfold before him. 

The Grimm's body had been engineered to adapt and evolve from the cells he had given to Merlot that contained the ability of Incursio's adaption. 

But still, something deeper lay within its structure—something primitive. 

It wasn't just a monster; it was a complex fusion of organic and Aura-based energy systems, designed to draw power from its surroundings and evolve based on stimuli.

"Why…." Merlot's voice broke the silence, his tone laced with both confusion and curiosity. "Why did you do that Adam-?

Adam raised a hand, silencing him. 

"Quiet,"

He said, his voice calm yet commanding.

He took another breath, pushing further into the intricacies of the creature. 

The longer he focused, the more he realized that Merlot's creation had been brilliant—but flawed. 

The Grimm had immense potential for growth, but the way it was engineered limited its full capacity. 

It relied too heavily on the artificial systems Merlot had built into it, preventing it from tapping into its true evolutionary potential.

Finally, Adam opened his eyes, a strange gleam of understanding reflecting in them. 

He turned to the scientist, who stood a few steps back, watching with a mix of fear and reluctance

"You were close," Adam began, his voice taking a more analatical tone. "This Grimm was impressive in theory—its design, its potential to evolve rapidly—but you failed to grasp one crucial aspect."

…..

Now, he entered the Adam the 'Scientist' mode

Though he wasn't a genius, he was truly keen on exploring the topic that sparked his curiosity. And besides, he likes knowledge

….

Merlot blinked, his curiosity piqued. "And that is?"

"You tried to force its evolution."

Adam stepped closer to the scientist, his aura still crackling faintly with the residual power of the creature. 

"You wanted to control its growth with artificial means—Dust infusions, controlled Aura absorption, all carefully regulated. But Grimm aren't designed to be controlled that way. Their evolution is a product of chaos, of survival. The more you try to impose structure, the more you limit their potential."

 "But if I don't regulate the process, it could lead to unpredictable mutations." Merlot furrowed his brow. "The creature could lose control, and become a danger even to its creator."

"I know"

Adam nodded slightly, showing his understanding.

If there wasn't a powerful enough person to control and subdue this beast- it would obviously be a stupid move to create such an overpowered creature

"-But unpredictability is key. Grimm are creatures of destruction—they thrive on chaos. Their evolution should be guided by that principle." The silver-haired boy half closed one eye, the Alpha stigma being still active "Instead of trying to control every step, you should focus on enhancing their ability to adapt naturally. Let them evolve based on their environment, not your parameters. You have to nurture that chaos, not cage it."

Merlot's eyes widened slightly as he processed Adam's words. 

"But, again…"

He paced for a moment, muttering to himself as he reconsidered his approach.

"If I let them evolve naturally… I risk them going rogue. The Aura and Negativity siphoning could spiral out of control."

"That's where one of my skill comes in." He nodded thoughtfully, agreeing with the old man once again "You need to implement a system that allows someone with good Aura control to anchor the creature. It needs a tether—a point of reference that prevents it from becoming completely feral."

"A living organism that evolves autonomously…" Merlot's eyes lit up with excitement. "- But with a guide..."

"I could adjust the circulatory system to create an Aura-reactive feedback loop!" 

He rushed to a nearby terminal, feverishly typing notes into his database with a crazy smile of pure excitement on his face 

"Instead of directly controlling the evolution process, it would respond to environmental stimuli while still being anchored to the controller's Aura. Yes, this... this could work!"

"Indeed…." Adam crossed his arms, watching the scientist work. "But you should tie its development to the influence of a skilled Aura user. This way, the creature will still grow in ways you can't predict, but it will remain useful and under control when necessary."

"I could use your own genetic material as a base for a more flexible cellular structure, something that allows for faster mutations but also integrates a feedback mechanism through Aura" Merlot continued typing with fervor in his eyes, his mind clearly racing with new possibilities "It would require constant adjustments based on the controller's input... but this could lead to the perfect adaptive organism."

"..."

He remained silent for a moment, allowing Merlot to lose himself in his work before speaking again. 

"One more thing."

Merlot paused, looking up from his terminal. 

"Yes?"

"The Grimm you created had a soul, however faint. I could feel it. That's not something Grimm are supposed to have."

"A soul?" The old man blinked, confused. "But Grimm are soulless by nature."

….

Huh, he thought that Merlot out of all people would already know

But well…. This reminded him that people of different worlds have different values and standards

In Remnant, it is common sense that Grimm have no souls

So, even for a mad scientist as crazy as Merlot, it would still be a bit difficult to change his preconceived values and surpass the common sense of this world

….

"Not this one." Adam shook his head out of these thoughts "Whatever you did, you created something more. it had the beginnings of sentience, a consciousness buried deep within it. If you're going to continue down this path, you need to be careful. Giving a Grimm a soul is dangerous."

"A Grimm with a soul…" The crazy old man seemed to freeze for a moment, processing the weight of Adam's words. 

Then, a slow, almost wicked grin crept across his face. 

"That would open entirely new doors of research….."

The old man licked his lips- but that could be just Adam's imagination

Maybe not…. He just wants this image banished out of his head

"Don't get too ambitious" 

The silver-haired boy narrowed his eyes, hands still crossed

"Souls are tricky things to control. If you create something with a will of its own, you may find it harder to manipulate than you think."

"Of course, of course." Merlot waved a dismissive hand. "But the possibilities… a Grimm with the capacity for independent thought… I must study this further."

Adam gave a low grunt of acknowledgment. 

He had given Merlot enough insight to improve his creations, but the crazy scientist's obsession couldn't be easily reduced

Oh well, it is not in his place to meddle in an old guy's affair. 

This guy might just die out of a heart attack because he was too excited. He is in his old age, and most people get senile at that age

 "Just remember, Merlot. If you lose control of what you create, it will consume you."

The silver-haired boy sighed, warning the mad scientist who seemed to have barely heard him, 

It seemed as though he was already lost in his calculations and potential modifications for his next experiment.

Adam turned away, heading back toward the exit. 

As he left the lab, he could still feel the lingering presence of the Grimm's soul within him- consumed and integrated into his own Aura. 

'Is it so easy to give souls to soulless things in Remnant?'

He couldn't help but have this thought

Penny, a robot, had a soul.

And now, this crazy old guy gave a soul to a Grimm out of all things…

Is the act of infusing souls so easy nowadays?

…

..

.

Sitting once again on an icy throne, Adam looked at the horizon, hands under his chin with fingers interlocked

They were on a beach. Gentle waves came from the sea, which failed to reach them

"What's up with you and ice thrones?"

A questioning, female voice interrupted his appreciation of the natural environment

He shifted his gaze toward the person who interrupted him-

There was a voluptuous, red-haired girl wearing a school uniform, sitting on another similar icy throne

"I like them cause they are cool"

The silver-haired boy replied to her question with a non-commital answer

"Tch…."

Rias clicked her tongue, putting her hands under her chest, further accentuating her curves

"Well…. It is indeed cooler than a normal chair, Adam" cool

A blue-haired girl, sitting on another ice throne came out to support him

"Uh…."

The redhead was a bit speechless at her other companion's words

"Yeah…. Sitting on an ice throne and watching the horizon like an anime character is indeed very cool…."

Muttering to herself with a thoughtful expression on her face, the red-haired devil agreed after a bit of contemplation

…

After that, the conversation ended

All three of them watched the beautiful sunrise of this world. The broken moon giving way for the sun to rise once again on this planet called Remnant

This world was a unique experience. Though they truly weren't in any life-threatening danger, it was still somewhat of a struggle as it was their first experience

And also…. They weren't efficient in the slightest. 

In this world, they took time to crack some jokes, train, explore, fool around, but also just enjoy themselves

It was not the peak of efficiency, and they certainly didn't try their hardest for this mission

But….

Who said that they couldn't enjoy themselves in the process of accomplishing the mission of the Chat Room?

….

…

..

.

"You know…. I would have said goodbye, but with the Chat Room, I don't think that's needed"

The gentle waves of the beach lapped against the shore as the silver-haired boy stood with his hands clasped behind his back, staring out at the endless horizon. 

The sun was beginning to dip toward the sea, casting long shadows over the sand.

"Mhm…" Behind him, Rias, the crimson-haired devil, placed a delicate hand on her cheek, her eyes glinting with amusement. "You and that gender equality guy will just keep bothering me and the others."

She replied as she stared at his back and the gentle waves of the sea in front of him

"Ehem!"

A sudden cough interjected in their touching moment

"I think that's a bit harsh on Kazuma-san, don't you think?" 

Rimuru, the blue-haired slime in human form, stepped forward, a slightly awkward smile on her lips.

"Tch, who cares about that guy" The redhead shot back, pouting angrily "He is all about gender equality, and yet he didn't even give me a chance to be a (wo)man of culture myself!"

"Hn…"

Adam nodded cooly, imitating a certain emo bro-con kid with black hair

"Uh…"

…

The slime didn't have any retorts for that

She is also a woman in mind, so she can't really support Kazuma at this time

…Even if Rimuru didn't admit it, she also considers herself a (wo)man of culture!

But still, Kazuma probably didn't do it intentionally

…

"Okay, okay, we get it" 

The silver-haired boy rolled his eyes at Rias' words- even though she could not see that gesture because his back was still turned

"Kazuma is a bad guy for not mentioning that letting women join the 'cultured' ranks is possible."

He turned his head slightly, casting a glance at both Rias and Rimuru

"But still… I don't see you two being sentimental about this parting"

"Hah?!"

Rias instantly responded, crossing her arms under her chest as she stared at him with 'indignation'

"Bold of you to assume that I will miss you!"

"..."

The corners of Adam's mouth curled upwards-

"When did I imply that?"

He smiled teasingly

"You-! Wha-!?"

Rias spluttered, her eyes widening

"Hm, what do you mean, Rias-san?" Rimiru tilted her head at the devil who lost her composure "He was just talking about the feelings one has when he eventually separates from his companions"

"What else did you think he meant?" 

A small, barely noticeable mischievous grin rose on the slime girl's face

"...."

"Hmm?" Adam blinked, feigning innocence. 

"You guys-!"

Rias angrily stomped her foot on the ground

"Hmph!"

She once again crossed her arms under her chest

"Well, it is not my fault you misunderstood my words"

He said, hands now raised in a show of mock surrender, with his expression completely nonchalant.

"Still though…."

He continued, raising his head upwards and staring at the bright sun over the sea

"We can chat every day, and if it comes to it, we can also visit each other's worlds, but…." Adam once again turned to look at them "I will still miss you guys"

"...."

"Hey! I will miss you too Adam!"

Rimuru gave him a bright smile, cheerfully sending a thumbs up his way

"And don't forget, Tempest is always open for you to visit!" She continued with a smile still on her face "Though it is not much, I'm sure you'll be amazed by the city of monsters and humans I have created"

She puffed out her chest, hands on her hips with pride, a sparkle in her eyes.

"Sure, I'll visit when I deal with the immediate problems of my world" Adam smiled warmly at the blue-haired girl

"Ne, Adam?"

Just then, Rias, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, straightened up. Her usual aura of confidence returned, but there was something… different about her

Eyebrows twitching, her turned his gaze over to the Japanese-obsessed girl

"Yeah…?"

Looking at the girl in front of him, Adam couldn't help but be surprised 

She had a… majestic air around herself. As if currently, she was truly the Heiress of her devil bloodline

"Thank you"

Hands folded in front of her, Rias bowed- it was a standard 90-degree bow used only by nobles

Her manner were graceful- her presence regal

"...."

He didn't react- only staring at her

"Thank you for training me," She continued, smiling at him as her emerald-blue eyes glowed with gratitude. "And for helping me become a better version of myself."

"...."

The weight of her words hung in the air between them

….

The person in front of him didn't look like the tsundere busty devil he had come to know- no, it was the person that she would grow into after experiencing many things in the span of a few years

….

The silver-haired boy slowly turned his head back to the sea, staring at the gentle waves cascading towards the shore, being the only sound in this prolonged quiet moment

"You're welcome"

He murmured, the words barely audible over the breeze. 

Putting his hands in his pockets, his coat swayed in the wind as he remained silent for a couple more seconds

"And…" 

Adam looked up to the blue sky, closing his eyes for a brief second and feeling the wind shift as he opened his arms wide, as if reaching for the endless sky.

"Both of you, don't get lazy. Don't become complacent."

He turned his head for the last time, his gaze on the people who had been his companions for the past few days

[Completed]

"Goodbye"

In a burst of light, he disappeared from everyone's view, leaving behind only a final mutter of farewell

…

..

.

----------

A/N:

The RWBY arc is finally over!

Can I get a big <Congratulatioooooonssss! > in the comments?

.....

Anyway.....

8700 words in a single chapter.....

And so, I can safely say that I have truly cooked on this one.... at least in terms of length alone.

And yeah, I will most likely not upload a chapter the next week... Or maybe even the week after that.

As I have said before, except for a Mei interlude, I have not written anything else. And I also haven't planned anything else

Please give me some suggestions on what to do before the 3rd eruption.

Since, you know, most of my brainpower is being spent on school.... mostly calculus and economics, out of all things

Though, in the end, how was this Arc? I know it was too drawn out and kinda boring, but I tried to focus on development and interactions

.... Which, admittedly, I didn't manage to do a good job, but well, that is why I want criticism, so nothing like this happens next time

My excuse is that Finality in Honkai Impact will arrive earlier, so I wanted to flesh out and develop the character while it is still possible

.... But again, I didn't do a good job at that, and there was surely a better way to go about it

Anyway, I want to thank everyone who stuck with this fanfiction and managed to endure going through this arc.

I truly appreciate you guys.

Honestly, If it weren't for you and your continuous comments, I would have probably already lost the motivation to continue writing this fanfiction

But I believe it is fine now, since I am going to write about honkai impact.... And I am sure it would be quite refreshing to write and read about something different except for RWBY after all this time

....I still like comments though.

Except for reading back one's own fanfiction, the next best thing about being an Author and Writer is reading the comments

... Especially the paragraph comments, which often have memes

...

Anyway, sorry for the long yap, but once again, thank you and goodbye