Chapter 34: Results

Ein and Mei were staring intensely at something behind protective glass. Mei squinting her eyes, hoping for success.

"We've been trying to make a good material for a couple of months now. This is getting very frustrating Ein." Mei frowned, remembering all the time they poured for the project.

He patted her on the shoulder. "I have a good feeling about this. The alloy we made is approximately 100 times better than steel against wear. Its core is made of tungsten composite with graphene as well so it is extremely strong and resistant to high temperatures too."

In their months of research for a good material. They finally made the best all purpose metal they could make, a tungsten core coated by platinum and gold alloy. It was also patented for industrial purposes, making Mobius happy with all the money they got.

"It's extremely hard to make into nano bots though, the patent we had was honestly a god send." Mei sighed, seeing a hard future ahead in making enough for a weapon or invention.

Ein laughed "Don't worry, I got the honkai energy covered and it's only natural that the best discoveries will take time." Unearthing the secrets of the herrscher cores are still in a slump. His face tightened for a brief moment.

While they were conversing, the sample that was being saturated by honkai energy suddenly glowed and the energy levels in the testing room dropped significantly.

They both froze "I-is that it? Did we do it?" Mei asked in disbelief.

"Yeah... I think we just did it. FUCK YEAH! I don't have to procure absurd amounts of honkai energy anymore." Ein cheered, euphoric about getting less work.

They then took a look at it and examined it extensively. "Please work, please work, please work." Ein prayed vehemently.

Mei hit him on the head "Shut up! I can't concentrate if you keep on praying like a cultist." She glared daggers at him.

They scanned it and there was a significant decrease in mass. "The intense amount of honkai energy must have eroded some." Mei concluded and she wrote it down.

"The hardness, tensile and compressive strength of it increases though. This won't be viable for industrial use because it costs an absurd amount but this technically the strongest material on earth right now." He added his observations.

Mei looked at the small amount of material left and smiled widely. "We made something new and it's quite impressive, now we just need to process this and make nano bots out of it." She high fived Ein.

"Yeah, it will have more versatility that way and it can be repurposed for other things, unlike if it's just a hunk of metal." He then decided to call Mobius about the success.

"I'll make the report then and you focus on the herrscher cores. We need to know if they really are the source of their physics bending powers, not just a battery." Mei said while typing out a report.

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"Mr. Einheri, Dr. Mobius has been expecting you. Please give your tribute 1st as you've been out of the lab for some time." Klein held out her hands and stared intensely at him.

Ein smiled and patted her head "Thanks for working so hard Klein. Here, it's a special bubble tea that's made with the highest quality leaves and boba." He gave a big container to Klein with two smaller ones for Fuxi and Nuwa.

"Ein! So you've made a breakthrough for your part of the project?" She squinted her eyes at him. "You've been helping Mei a lot... It seems you have your favorites. Hmmm?" She pouted.

Ein patted her head. "Sorry Moby-chan, we just haven't been able to make a breakthrough in the herrscher cores. I decided to focus on the other side first. Don't worry, I'll be in the lab more often now." He apologized sincerely.

"Hmph! Making us do the majority of the work. You evil bastard, overworking us all the time." She glared at him.

He laughed boisterously "You just look cute Mobius, oh and we haven't had our little date too. I'm gonna cash on that soon when we're done with all this." He grinned.

"Dr. Ein, you've been absent for majority of the experiments. Please be more mindful of us in the future. We've worked overtime everyday for a month now." Fuxi complained with a sleepy face.

"That's right! I haven't been able to go out and buy any figurines! I can't watch any episodes of the new animes coming this season as well!" Nuwa huffed and sulked.

"You guys will have a vacation when I take out Mobius, she won't let you guys have a day off after all. I'll make her let you... Isn't that right Mobius?" He squinted his eyes at her.

"Uhh, I guess they've been working a bit too much lately. I will allow it for a few days at least. Be grateful of my generosity." She crossed her arm under her chest and pointed at the assistants.

"Yes, yes, thank you very much oh great Dr. Mobius." Klein rolled her eyes.

"Okay, now that's out of the way. We'll now commence with the experiments, we have a vehicle for the core now. Let's get this over with." He said with steel in his voice.

They then compared the data from all the previous experiments and decided to use a subject that was exposed to honkai energy and didn't succumb to the corruption.

After inserting the gem of the 3rd herrscher they waited silently and observed intensely. "The vitals are going high, but still relatively stable. This might be the big break." Mobius stared at the monitors intensely.

"Let us see, I just hope that we can finish this quickly." Ein said solemnly. Many lives have already been forfeit with these tests. Lady luck, don't fail us now.

After 30 minutes the subject twitched. "The subject's waking up. Let's see if all our hard work bares fruit today." Mobius licked her lips.

A burst of small current then suddenly appeared in the room. "Quick! Shut down any electricity inside the testing room. Set up the conducting rods and loops to detect electromagnetic waves." Ein ordered quickly as the assistants follow.

I can feel it. My body is picking up on the heat. This just might be it. Ein thought, eyes peeled. Analyzing every information with precision like an eagle.

The conductors then detected electromagnetic waves, it wasn't as strong as the 3rd herrscher but the phenomena was damning evidence. Herrscher cores are the source of their power.

"We observe the subject for now. We then take it out later, don't want an eruption here in the heart of the base." Mobius stated while typing vigorously.

The test subject emitted pulses of EM waves, it varied in strength, but it didn't exceed the 1st one. "Put the subject to sleep. We've gathered enough data, Ein will take out the herrscher gem." Mobius ordered.

Ein then entered the room after the subject was unconscious. He quickly took out the herrscher core. "Klein, Nuwa, Fuxi, stabilize their condition and get a sample of blood. They probably have a lot of antibodies for an anti honkai serum."

The assistants stabilized the patient and they all returned to the large table in the lab. "Whew, it seems that we've got the necessary data to proceed. Thank you everyone, it wasn't easy. But now we'll make a contribution that will go down in history books." Ein gave everyone some sweets to calm down.

"Kekeke, finally! We've made great strides on our research. I can imagine all the funds that will be funneling to our lab. Not that it isn't the highest performing department anyway." Mobius snickered.

"Haaah, we can finally relax for a bit. Give me some cash Ein! I need to buy some merch!" Nuwa demanded.

"Sorry Dr. Ein." Fuxi hit Nuwa on the head. "Ow! What the hell was that for!?" She rubbed her head.

Ein took out a wad of cash and caressed Nuwa's face with it. "You want it?" She nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with greed. "Then clean up, we'll have a meeting so make a report too." He grinned smugly.

"Tsk! I should've known you were gonna do something like this." Nuwa glared at him.

"A meeting huh? Damned higher ups. I just can't stand meeting with those plebians. They don't know anything about science, why do they have a lot of say in things we do anyway?" Mobius said in disgust.

"That's just how the world works Moby-chan, don't worry. Mei's probably mass producing our side of the project, now we just need to pitch it on those bastards and we'll basically be untouchable after we finish it." Ein patted her shoulder.

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"Hah, we can finally take a break. Eden did say that she can request a week off, maybe we should go for a little retreat again." Ein called Eden.

"Hey Ein! How are you? You've been busy for some time, let's go on a vacation~ I want to go for a swim in Hawaii."

"I'll talk about it with the others first then, though that's a good idea. I think they'll love the idea, we haven't gone to the beach yet after all." Ein agreed.

"Tell me then, good luck with your research. I love you, contact me soon okay? I miss you guys, it's been too long." She whined.

"We just made major breakthroughs and we'll get a pretty sweet vacation. I matched it with yours as well which is 1 week. I'll get back to you soon. Though there's a low pressure area in New Zealand. It practically won't go near Hawaii, just some slightly stronger winds."

"Ohhh, perfect! I'm expecting a lot for this. We'll have so much fun, I can hang out with Ellie and Himeko too!" Her excitement through the roof.

"Bye Eden, take care. I'll iron out the plans then, we're doing fine here. I'll let them know you said hi."

He then told the gang about the supposed vacation. "Ooh, we're having a nice vacation! When will we go? Let's go soon okay!?" Elysia shouted excitedly.

Himeko sighed "I understand your excitement Elysia, but don't be too loud." She scolded.

"Muu, you're too strict Himeko! It's a 1 week vacation you know? I mean, it's good and all to work hard. But you have to stretch your wings." She nodded sagely.

Kevin nodded as well "Mei's agreed to go as well! Isn't that right Mei!?" He grasped her hands tightly and looked at her with puppy dog eyes.

Mei adjusted her glasses "Yes, it's a good opportunity to unwind. We've left production to other departments and Ein did tell me to go or he'll cut me off from the project." She muttered.

"Okay, we nearly have enough material to make something, It'll probably take at least 2 weeks for everything to be in place. After that, we're going to the beach!" Ein raised his hands.

Everybody shouted excitedly. Impatient for a nice vacation.

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After a week, enough nano bots were made to house a herrscher core. "What are we going to make 1st? We have the 3rd core. Maybe we should make something more offensive?" Mobius suggested, thinking that electromagnetism can atomize targets.

Mei nodded, "We do have the 3rd core in hand. Why not start with it 1st? Ein, any suggestions on what the weapon will be?" Mei agreed, thinking that it's more efficient to start with what's there already.

"How about a weapon that can morph? It will be more versatile, like a gun for long range? Then other melee weapons like spears and swords, for blunt a hammer or something." Ein's chuuni senses were tingling.

Mei hesitated "I mean, why not just use it as a gun? Humans can't fight herrschers or emperor honkai beasts and above with melee weapons you know?"

Mobius scoffed "This guys has been fighting huge templars and chariots with mass produced melee weapons. Of course he'd want it to be close range. Besides, I don't think anyone can use it for now except him." She pointed at Ein.

Mei pondered for a bit "I honestly forgot, this is going to be a tactical weapon for special individuals isn't it?" She stared at Ein for an uncomfortable amounts of time.

"I don't know what you're talking about... It's not like I want to look anime as fuck wielding a weapon that fires beams or shits out lightning or something." He whistles innocently.

Mobius gave a heavy sigh "Alright, alright. We'll program the nano bots to assume different weapon types. You make the designs Ein, we have no idea on how you'd want it to be anyway."

Ein clapped his hands and rubbed them vigorously "Hehe, let's make 3 for now. I've had ideas for months now. A spear, great sword, and gun form will do for now."

Mobius and Mei left him to his own devices. Sure that he'll make something that looks 'cool'.

He then programmed the nano bots to take on the forms of the weapons he designed with every inch of his chuuni dreams. He was holed up in his room for 3 days before he even went out again.

"Ahh, I can feel it. I will achieve a dream of mine today." He took a look on his blueprint one more time, a simple looking black spear with a long tip and silver engravings. A huge sinister looking sword with a 3 pronged tip And a rail gun with a somewhat spiral and sleek design.

He called Mobius and Mei into a fortified testing area with the materials. "So you called us to finally make your weapon? Go on with it, this will be interesting." Mobius was curious on what will happen.

"I'll be sure to observe this carefully. This is a moment that will be minted in history... Humans using herrscher powers." Mei took out a camera and started to film the event.

Ein then inserted the program for the nano bots. It slowly morphed into the shape of a long spear. It looked like a plain jet black spear. "You look dull right now, but I wonder what will happen when I insert this." He took out the gem of the 3rd herrscher and put it in a notch on the weapon.

Nothing happened at first, then it started to glow brightly, a violet light engulfed the surroundings. The silver highlights emphasized the soft glow. The gem was slowly being assimilated. (Insert pic)

"Hehehe, HAHAHA! Now what would be your capabilities. He grasped it and stared at it with dazed eyes. As he laughed like a mad man.

Mei stepped back a bit. "Uhh, E-ein? You okay there?" She asked nervously.

Mobius gulped "He won't suddenly kill us or something right? I'll be honest, he looks kinda scary right now." She slowly backed away.

He then shook his head and looked their way. "Sorry, I just got a bit carried away you see. I've imagined a good weapon for some time now. I lost myself for a moment. Now, you guys should probably step away, behind a reinforced shield with insulators preferably."

They then walked to an area with insulation everywhere that they prepared earlier. After seeing that they're nice and cozy inside, he then started to feel the energy of the spear.

I can feel something from it, the energy is violent, but it feels like it can be directed through the weapon. "Ohh, you're excited to fuck things up aren't you? I can feel your enthusiasm, ready to explode."

The spear shone brightly as he coaxed the energy inside it and swung the spear horizontally. With a deafening thunderclap, violet energy appeared with the slash and went through the wall of the building like butter, with lightning raining down everywhere.

"Wowwwie! You're as beautiful as I thought you'd look." He stared at the weapon with awe. He then looked at the surroundings, molten metal and glassed sand and earth were everywhere, the immense heat of the lightning melted the surroundings.

"Fuck! Are you trying to kill us you bastard!?" Mobius screamed at the top of her lungs. As she sat, her body sweating bucket loads.

"E-ein, that was very dangerous wasn't it?" Mei stood up with shaky legs and fell down, her knees weak.

"Sorry, sorry, she was a bit excited you see? I didn't let her rain lightning on your position though. She's quite reasonable." He put his hands together and winked at them.

Mobius glared at him with tears on her eyes "You should've warned us! You fucking bastard! I seriously thought I was going to die." She tried to calm down with breathing exercises.

Ein laughed, "Hehe, sorry about that Moby-chan, Mei-chan. Forgive me okay?" He said, clearly not sorry. "Now, for the other two."

He then coaxed it to change forms. The spear started to morph into a huge sword. It's glow a bit different. It shined a brighter, almost pink violet. As the sword looked alive, pulsing honkai energy in intervals like it's breathing. (Insert pic)

"No you don't! You better not swing that thing anymore or we'll definitely report you!" Mobius shouted with urgency.

"Um, please don't do that again. For our sake, I beg you." Mei bowed her head.

Ein puffed his cheeks "Fine, this building won't hold up anyway if I swing it another time. You hear that baby? We'll just check your other form for now, the building will collapse after all." He caressed the evil looking sword like a lover.

"Shut up! Stop talking to the sword! Are you going crazy or something!? It's just a weapon." Mobius huffed.

Ein gasped "Don't listen to her. You're not just a weapon okay? You're special, and you'll be my personal armament from now on, we'll have so much fun killing things." He caressed the sword.

He then changed it to the gun form, and it had a neat little scope made out of honkai energy. Its barrel, glowing as well, brimming with violent energy.

"I'll be no scoping scrubs with this. I can't wait to test you out." He hugged it to his chest, with a loving expression on his face.

"Hey, Ein? Can you put that thing down? You might pull the trigger accidentally or something you know? That clearly feels dangerous, I can feel the hairs on my body standing up looking at that thing." Mei shivered. Imagining a misfire from the gun.

"Alright. I'll put you in a pretty quiet place for a bit. You'll see some action later." He stored it in his inventory.

Mobius sighed in relief "You crazy guy. What the hell were you thinking? Unleashing that thing out of nowhere. I mean, it's clearly impressive, but that was uncalled for." She pinched his side.

Mei nodded, now calmed down after the weapon was stored "It really was awe inspiring. It's like seeing the lightning of the third herrscher again. Honestly, that thing is a weapon of mass destruction in your hands. We can't let others handle it."

Ein frowned for a moment "Yeah, those higher up bastards might put their grubby hands on this. Well, technically. They probably can't, I felt its energy flow into me for a bit. It's very violent, if an ordinary person wielded it they probably would try to control it, instead of letting it flow. It felt like electricity honestly."

Mobius pondered "So it has some kind of personality? Maybe we should let them try it instead. See them get fried like the plebians they are kukuku."Mobius laughed with a smile on her face.

Mei deadpanned at Mobius "It probably picks its wielder. That weapon is too powerful, it needing a proper user makes sense. You need to understand how to use it or it backfires on your face." Mei wrote on a clipboard she brought.

"Anyways, we'll report it to be incredibly dangerous and will only be used in emergencies. With a qualified soldier as its user." She pointed at Ein. "You."

"Okay, we'll do just that. Now let's all have a well deserved rest shall we? We've worked hard for this project. This will be a promotion for me and Mei, and a very good record on Mobius' lab."

Mobius chuckled "Yeah, that's right. I'll have more room for our other projects, nobody will go and ask too because of this massive achievement." She gave a face splitting grin.

They then went back to their own places and rested for the day.

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After a few days, the gang is now all ready to go. "Yahoo! We'll go on a trip to Hawaii. Isn't it so exciting? I wonder what's in store there." Elysia exclaimed.

"We have Su right here too. You damned workaholic, you have to relax sometimes." Kevin put his arm on Su's shoulder.

Su sighed "Well, you guys were all agreeing to this trip. I'll feel bad if I was the only one left working you know?" He gave a wry smile.

Himeko slapped him on the back "Don't work too hard Su, it's good to see you again." She smiled.

Mei looked at the time "Come on guys, let's go! We'll be late, we have to meet up with Eden too."

They then all then took off, all smiles. Excited for the vacation.

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Omake: Operation Horns Touching.

"Nee~ Ein, aren't you curious on what Mei-chan's horns feel like?" She tilted her head and asked innocently.

"Hah, we're close friends but she just refuses to let me touch it. Isn't she mean? I even offered to let her touch my ears in return." She puffed her cheeks as she sulked.

Ein laughed and caressed her ears "I think she's just a shy girl Elysia. I don't see anything wrong with someone touching your horns. Nobody's ever asked me to, but you, Eden, and Mobius."

She perked up "Right!? I mean, your horns are thick and spiky. You don't even take it out most of the time!" She pouted. "It's just too different with Mei. Yours is like a crown and hers looks super cute~"

Ein pondered for a bit "It does look cute on her. She looks like a little oni with them, it's probably smooth too, like well polished ivory. Yosh, I have an idea Elysia, let's try to touch her horns when she comes back, kukuku." He grinned and laughed like a villain.

Elysia's eyes widened "Really? You'll make a plan for me to touch them?" She tackled him and hugged his waist tight. "You're just the best! But how will you let her touch them though?" She asked curiously.

"This is how it'll go." He whispered the plan and then Elysia hid in plain sight.

Mei returned from the Elysian realm with thoughts about Ein swirling inside her head. I didn't get any useful information from him the last time, maybe if he's alone. I'll talk to him then. She walked to the lounge, trying her luck on finding Ein.

He was sitting on the couch with a glass of wine on his hands, swirling it around while listening to some music. "Odin-san, hello." Mei greeted succinctly.

He looked up and looked at her in the eye. Making her nervous instantly. "Oya? It seems you have been trying to look for me? Raiden Mei~" He spoke in a playful voice.

She gulped a mouthful of saliva as she nodded "Umm, I've been wanting to ask you some things you see. And you've been accompanied by someone every time I saw you."

"Then come and sit here beside me. Ask all the questions you want, I don't bite." He gestured to sit right next to him.

She sat and went silent for a bit. "I'm really curious about this. Just how strong are you Odin-san? You feel... Dangerous if I put it simply. And you're just a sim too, I don't wanna even imagine the real you."

"Hmm, relative to what exactly? Let's start with a comparison so you'll understand it better." He sipped some wine and seemed to reminisce.

"How about Kevin? He's unanimously 1st in the rankings of power and strength after all. Everyone seems to agree too." She remembered the other flame chasers talking about Kevin's strength.

He sighed "Kevin huh? He was always an energetic one that guy. Too bad he's been changed by war and expectations. Well, that's irrelevant to what you want. How about we spice things up? If all the flame-chasers fought and ganged up on me, I could pop their heads like a watermelon before you could blink, without even touching them. Oh, with my most basic ability too!" He said it like he forgot something simple.

Mei's back was drenched in sweat and her hands were trembling. "Even when they're in their other forms? Kevin told me that the world would end if he unleashed it though?" She asked, dumbfounded.

"Oh, that form huh? Well, they do get a pretty big power boost from it so Kevin will probably end the world in a few days. But I'm different you see. And we're not close enough to tell you why." He put a finger on her nose and he chuckled.

She blushed. He's treating me like a kid! "Ahem! Do you have any tips in how I could use my powers?"

He pondered for a bit. "Asking for favors now huh? You're quite greedy aren't cha? If you want something, you'll have to return the favor. That's basic etiquette Raiden Mei."

Mei scratched her head in nervousness "Um, what would you like in return though? I don't think I can do anything that you want."

He grasped her chin and turned her head to him as he looked her in the eyes. "Well it's something simple really, you can provide it easily I reckon~"

Mei froze. W-what could he possibly want from me? I honestly don't know what it is... And I feel that I can't refuse. "P-please tell me what is it?" Her voice cracked.

"Close your eyes and I'll be done in a jiffy." He said with a husky voice.

She nodded and closed her eyes tight, waiting for something to happen. Does he... Want that!? Her mind running a mile a minute.

She then felt hands touching her horns. "Hmm, my conjectures were correct. They are like polished Ivory, very nice to the touch and smooth."

Mei didn't move, confused out of her mind. "Um, what are you doing? Odin-san?" Her voice a bit shaky.

"What do you mean? Just touching your horns of course. Elysia! Now!" A wild Elysia then appeared and caressed her horns.

"Ooh! They are nice and smooth, you should let us touch it more often, Mei-chan~" Elysia spoke in a satisfied voice.

Mei then panicked and stood up abruptly. "W-what's happening right now, really?" Her brain still resetting from the serious conversation earlier to touching her horns.

Ein snickered "Want to touch my horns too? I heard that everyone who saw it wanted to touch it you know? They were just a bit shy."

No, they probably were scared and just imagined how it felt. "No, thank you." She said immediately.

On his head, two thick horns appeared. Jutting upwards with multiple spikes on it. "Ooh, you're in luck Mei-chan! He doesn't show those often. It looks majestic doesn't it? We call it the skypiercer." Elysia excitedly ranted.

Mei observed his convoluted horns, calling it skypiercer is pretty fitting. Considering that it looks intimidating. "No thank you Elysia. And please tell me how to use my powers Odin-san, you already had your fun." She pouted.

Ein laughed "I guess so huh? Elysia just wanted to touch it very much you see? Now, for your powers. Aren't you just too dumb? Like earlier, if you can use it properly then you would've noticed Elysia. With you controlling electromagnetism, you should have perfect 3d spatial awareness. And at the pinnacle of your power, you can just look at someone and strip the electrons from their chemical bonds, turning them into goop." He shrugged.

Mei was confused "You mean I have to read up on my power?" She then face palmed really hard. "Why didn't I think of that!?" She then ran away, blushing like a tomato.

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Thanks for reading guys. The 1st divine key is the key of sanction. I wanted him to use it because it's very versatile. Perfect for a person that can use multiple weapons.