Honkai: Strijder (Honkai Impact 3 Male MC)

In the underground laboratory of the orphanage, the girl's body slowly passed through a row of long detection machines.

Sigurd and Einstein sat side by side on the control panel nearby, and after a series of dazzling cooperative actions, Sigurd handed over a paper report.

"How is Mei's body?"

Ryoma leaned in, trying to maintain a serious expression but unintentionally furrowing his brows.

Sigurd glanced at him calmly and opened the report.

"Well, there are some issues."

"What!?"

"Her body fat percentage is on the low side. Has she been on a diet lately? I mean, she's just a kid, and she doesn't have much of a chest or butt yet, and she's still growing in height. Why would she diet at a time like this? Can't she distinguish between long-term health, development, and the short-term importance of being slim? And who said being skinny is always attractive?"

Sigurd glanced at Mei.

The shy girl, wearing a thin white dress, instinctively looked down, and through the contours of her top, some size was noticeable.

At least, compared to the children at the orphanage, there was a significant difference, definitely not a lack of development. Then she covered her face, even her ears turned shyly red.

Ryoma was visibly taken aback and said through gritted teeth, "Is that what I asked about!?"

"Overall, she's fairly healthy. The Gem of Conquest is quite well-behaved. Although it causes her internal Breaker intensity and activity to be on the high side, it has limited effects, and there won't be any issues in the short term."

"Well, that's good- You could have just told me this directly!"

"Seeing you so nervous, I thought I'd crack a little joke. Besides, it's the truth. You, as a parent, should pay more attention to her diet during her growth period. Look at my daughter, She eats everything I tell her to and is very healthy."

Sigurd pointed to the side, where Kiana sat cross-legged on a chair, leaning back and forth on the chair, in an unladylike manner.

Kiana: "!!!"

Realizing that she had been noticed, Kiana quickly turned the chair around, sat properly with her legs together, gently rested her hands on her thighs, and gave a ladylike smile without showing her teeth - she had just been scolded on her butt, so she had to act submissive now, and she'd jump again tomorrow.

Sigurd gave a light huff, and it was unclear whether he was satisfied or had added another item to his mental checklist.

Ryoma forced a smile towards Kiana.

He also knew Siegfried, though they didn't meet often, but they were somewhat close comrades.

For a friend's child, he was willing to show friendliness.

Then, he turned to Sigurd and Einstein.

"So, Mei won't have any problems for now, right?"

Sigurd remained silent and instead turned to Einstein.

"Dr. Einstein, did you design the implant experiment plan?"

"...More or less."

"No wonder, the effect is very good. The quality of the host is one aspect, but your considerations must also be very comprehensive. Otherwise, the Core of the Herrscher is not so easy to keep in check. Ryoma, relax, she's fine."

Ryoma breathed a sigh of relief.

Sigurd went around him and approached the timid Mei.

"Mei, do you know the current situation?"

"Am I... sick?"

"More or less, but it's not a natural illness. In simple terms, someone has implanted something very dangerous into your body, hoping that you can master its power to fight for humanity. Your father and the beautiful lady over there are also contributors behind the scenes. If you're angry, you can scold or even hit them; I think they won't dare to resist."

Sigurd pointed to Ryoma and Einstein. His straightforward words left both of them speechless.

Mei looked at her father, who hung his head, unable to meet her gaze.

She then turned to Einstein, who seemed much more composed and calmly looked at her.

She had already mentally prepared for this, just as Sigurd had said, she was indeed owed an explanation.

Taking a deep breath, the innocent Mei had already prepared some excuses for both of them. She looked up and said softly:

"It's... okay. I believe my dad wouldn't harm me."

"Mei..."

Ryoma raised his head with a touch of emotion, about to express his paternal feelings, but Sigurd let out a disdainful hum.

"Hmph! He does have good intentions, perhaps wanting you to have the ability to protect yourself in the future. But don't overestimate adults, sometimes they're quite unreliable. Just like that young lady with the improper posture over there, her dad throw his own daughter outside to become a street kid."

Kiana hastily adjusted her posture, which had unconsciously slipped again, and looked obediently at Sigurd, blinking her eyes.

Ryoma blushed slightly, feeling stung.

Wasn't it too harsh to compare him with that giant, incombustible block of junk, Siegfried?

However, he had no words in response.

Sigurd continued to address Mei, saying:

"And another thing is, you don't fully grasp the seriousness of the situation. Maybe you'll get angry when you understand it better. In any case, you'll be staying here from now on. Dr. Einstein and I will be responsible for your treatment and for guiding you to master this power..."

"Wait! This is different from what you said earlier! The Herrscher's power is too dangerous. How can you let a child try it?"

Welt, who had been observing, stepped forward and voiced his disagreement, his face filled with disapproval.

Sigurd cast a sidelong glance at him.

"Mastering it is also one method of treatment. Removing the gem from her body is even riskier. Also, when you first acquired the Core of the Herrscher, you were even younger than she is now. Don't think that you alone can do it and underestimate the potential of the younger generation, Welt."

Who do you think you are to casually underestimate the future Raiden Shogun? Whether she can do it or not, Sigurd understands better than anyone here.

"That's not what I meant... Einstein, is what Sigurd said true?"

Welt turned to Einstein.

Einstein nodded in agreement.

Indeed, as Sigurd had said, removing the Core of the Herrscher was an unprecedented challenge, with a higher difficulty than implanting it.

If Mei could master the core and become an entity like Welt, it would be much safer than removing the core.

Einstein already had experience in nurturing Herrschers twice, and Welt, as the person himself, had plenty of reference material.

"I understand your concerns, so how about we ask the person involved for their opinion?"

Everyone's gaze turned to Mei.

Mei was left bewildered, her face showing a confused expression.

"This world is not safe, to say the least. The entire human race faces an increasingly terrifying threat, and the slightest mistake could result in the collapse of civilization and the extinction of races. Now, you have the chance to master a powerful force that might influence the outcome, but it comes with great risks. Even with our full assistance, there is still a threat to your life, and even the risk of distorting your consciousness and turning into a monster."

"You have two choices. The first is to give up, fret not, no one will blame you of you give up. We will still do everything in our power to safely remove that power. But, as I mentioned, that path is equally dangerous. The second choice is to summon all your courage and will, challenge unimaginable pain and torment, overcome it, master it, and fight for the future of humanity."

"Make your choice. However, there's no rush. You can talk to your father or Welt, or even take three to five days, or three to two months. I'm not in a hurry, but I hope your decision is resolute and irreversible."

As Sigurd finished speaking, he closed the report he had been examining and tossed it onto the table.

"Alright, this side is done. Next."

Sigurd clapped his hands and waited for the long-awaited Bronya, who was pushing a wheelchair.

Sitting in the wheelchair was a black-haired girl with a bewildered and anxious expression, gripping the armrest tightly, her troubled look tinged with a sense of hopelessness.

Sigurd unconsciously patted Wendy's head, prompting her to raise her head blankly.

Then, he turned to Mei, who was still confused, and said, "Get down."

Sigurd waved his hand casually, looking expressionless but clearly impatient, as if he were ushering someone out.

Mei silently descended from the examination table – this was the first time the admired Miss Mei had been so disdainfully dismissed by someone her age, and a boy at that.

All in all, it was quite an uncomfortable experience.

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