Chapter 10: Bonds

A few months have passed now and Mei has been regularly been going here about 3 times a week. Just us talking and reading books, playing board games like chess and the like, discussing topics 5 year olds shouldn't understand yet. I'm quite impressed really, Mei is really intelligent and has been stacking knowledge upon knowledge. With her still pliable brain she soaks it all up pretty easily too. Then one day I asked her a pretty important question.

"Mei-chan, don't you want to use our knowledge for something? Maybe become a researcher or scientist?" I probed.

Mei internalized the question "Hm, probably, I think that being a researcher would be fun. What kind though?" She asked curiously.

"Well, how about research pertaining to honkai? It's been decades but we still don't know a lot about it after all, won't it be quite the challenge and enlightening topic to discover?" I gave a small suggestion, I would need to weaponize or introduce honkai to my body. Those hax would certainly be a key factor for survival or the upcoming fights in the future.

As if she has been hit by a realization her eyes twinkled "Oh yeah. I've forgot about honkai life forms and energy, good idea Ein. Maybe I would like to research about those one day. One thing though, Fire moth basically is the only option and I don't think I have the backing to enter the organization." Her excitement dimmed down at her conclusion.

Noticing this I quickly interjected "Hm, that won't be a problem Mei-chan. My parents are Fire moth researchers ya know." I smirked, I guess my friend will be a big contribution for my development, and we would be working on it side by side.

Gasping at the surprise "I didn't know your parents work at Fire moth Ein!?" She said shocked.

"Well you didn't ask now did you?" I said laughing. "I'll talk to my parents about this Mei-chan. I think if we show them our knowledge we can get in after we probably graduate high school? At the rate we're going we will have mastery over a lot of topics pertaining to science when we go to college." I concluded.

"Really? You believe that I can go work there with you? You'll truly help me?" She said, touched by my words.

"Haha of course Mei-chan, we'll be the best researchers of fire moth. Besides, it will be quite boring without you there no? How about when we grow up a bit more you also talk about this with your parents. After that I'll let my mom and dad convince yours."

"Un, I'll be sure to talk to them later."

Giddy about thinking of entering Fire moth.

"It's about time you'd go home Mei-chan, it's already 6:30 PM. I know you're excited but don't stay up too late thinking about it okay?" I teased her.

She rolls her eyes "Of course baka, you''ve told me that hundreds of time by now probably." Irritated by his teasing.

"Umu, good girl haha. Oh there's the doorbell, your mom is here, goodbye Mei-chan say hi to her for me okay? I'm gonna talk about our aspirations with mom and dad."

"See you next week Ein, thank you as always. Tell your parents thanks as well." As she packs her bag and goes to the front of the house.

Now then 1st I will see my progress to my stats.

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Stats:

STR: 15

END: 17

INT: 50

DEX: 13

STA: 20

Skills:

-Lesser resistance lvl 5

resist stimuli i.e. heat, cold, pain, fatigue, toxins, chemical irritants slightly.

-basic neural signal acceleration lvl 20

the brain of the skill bearer's neural pathways are more efficient and faster than average due to increase in synaptic activity, neurotransmitter production, dendritic spines for more neuron connections, and increase myelin in axons for faster electrical signals. Gives 20% more calculating power to the brain and increase to reflexes.

Enhanced Memory lvl 15

-due to the massive information dump that the skill bearer has put himself into, data can now be more compartmentalized easily leading to less forgetfulness and difficulty recalling.

Metabolic Control lvl 8

-due to minor manipulations to eating habits and physical activities, the skill bearer can now increase or decrease basic metabolic processes slightly i.e. Hunger, digestion, cell energy production.

1st my stats have increased quite nicely for a couple of few months. I did use our gym, although mom said not to do resistance training yet until I reach puberty, I sure can use the resistance bands there and calisthenic equipment like pull up bars. Embarrassingly, I do have to use stools haha.

2nd I now have a synthesized skill! Probably because I've been having either an ice bath or a 45°c one, for me it's pretty hot, don't judge me. For chemicals I saw some bleach and decided to smear it all over my self in the bathroom, of course I would have a water source nearby, I also found some poison Ivy at a park then tried to rub it on my limbs to see if I was allergic. Unfortunately, no. For toxins, my dad typically keeps some alcohol on a shelf in the kitchen, I secretly chugged some of the clear ones and watered it down just like the old days haha.

As I was analyzing my new stats and skill, my parents are finally home. Quite surprising as they are researchers. Probably doesn't go over time due to me. Welp gotta ask about Fire moth then.

As I walked to the living room where they are I greeted them "Welcome home mom, dad." My mom immediately hugged me, I hear her mutter recharging her einium or something.

After mom hugged me, I then looked at them dead in the eye. "Mom, dad, I think I found what I want to do." They flinched and waited for me to speak.

"I'm interested in working at Fire moth." I waited for them to internalize what I said.

Eric: "Sigh, son. Aren't you a bit too young to be thinking about what you want to do in life? I know you're smart and all, I've seen you burn through books like nothing after all. Why don't you relax a bit and unwind before making a decision?" He told me after thinking for a bit.

Frey: "Yeah honey, why all of the sudden?"

Ein: "You guys already know that I am quite intelligent, not to brag or anything but as dad said, I'm already trying to break through bioengineering, evolution, and genetics. Even college students will struggle at that no?"

Mom sighed "Alright honey, I think me and your dad can already accept this outcome. If what you say is true, you can probably go to college already. But! You'll find another hobby 1st young man, you've been just exercising and reading all day how about something other than those? Like music, I'm a musician ya know? Just not professional, and playing music just have this calming feel to it. I just don't want you to burn out like a candle, you're still so young after all.

That got me thinking, I might not be having bug hurdles right now, but when I start to see walls in my path burn out might just do me in and send me to a spiral of failures due to frustration. Hm, I did quite like music in my past life, I was classically trained as well with the violin. It will train my brain and dexterity as well anyway.

After a solid minute of thinking, I decided. "Okay mom, I think music is quite interesting too. How about you teach me?"

Excited she almost shouted "Why yes of course! We're gonna have so much fun honey."

Ein: "Mom, dad, by the way. What are your specialties as a researcher?"

Eric: "Oh, now that I think about it you don't know that. I am an expert in mathematics Ein."

Frey: "I specialize in physics, you name it I know it. I am a genius after all just like you honey ahem." Giving me a smug look

Perfect, a branch that I do not focus on that much. "Can you guys teach me about your expertise in your spare time?" Here comes the unbeatable shota puppy dog eyes attack.

Frey: "Ahk, you're too cute honey I just can't say no to that face." Holding her chest like she was having a heart attack.

Eric: Sure thing son. What father won't like to discuss his work to his child, I've been thinking about it actually when I saw you so obsessed reading."

"Thanks mom, dad. You guys are the best you know that, I love you." As I hugged them.

Frey: "You really tryna kill me Ein? Come here sweetie."

Eric: "Hah, my son sure is growing up too quickly. You might just make your old man cry."

As we bask in the hug, I thought that I am really lucky in this life.