Honkai Transformations - 1
--+--
"Mother."
"I... I'm not your mother! Who on earth are you?!"
Early in the morning, Raiden Mei found herself staring at someone in her own room who looked almost exactly like her.
The only difference was the woman's cold, elegant demeanor and the fact that she was clad in what looked like the armor of an ancient general. Mei felt like she was about to have a heart attack.
After all, there was an old legend in the Far East: if you ever met your own doppelgänger, you were destined to die.
But to her complete bewilderment, the first thing this stranger did upon seeing her was call her "Mother."
"No, it was you who crafted me with your own hands. Therefore, you are my mother."
Raiden Ei—or rather, the transmigrator Xia Qi—was currently sitting in a formal seiza position before Raiden Mei. Her expression was dead serious as she spoke.
Watching Mei's world crumble into a mess of shock and confusion, Xia Qi felt a surge of secret delight, nearly bursting into laughter.
Just yesterday, Xia Qi had failed a challenge involving a "civilian-grade dual-vector foil" and ended up crossing over into the world of Honkai Impact 3rd.
Along with the trip came the ability to randomly transform into characters from the HoYoverse, and...
She had randomly turned into Raiden Ei—or more accurately, the Raiden Shogun.
However, rather than calling Raiden Mei "sister," she found the idea of calling her "mother" far more entertaining.
So, she was currently putting on an act, pretending to be the Shogun puppet who hadn't yet merged with Ei's consciousness.
"I... crafted you with my own hands?" Mei looked at the woman before her. Aside from a small beauty mark under the right eye, the resemblance was uncanny. The whole situation felt utterly absurd.
"Yes." Ei sat with perfect, upright posture, her violet eyes locked onto Mei with solemn sincerity.
She spoke softly, "I am the puppet you created to prevent your will from being eroded by the passage of time. You used your own body as the material, wishing to protect Inazuma for eternity. This is a fact I could not possibly misremember."
"Using my own body... to make a puppet?" At this point, Mei was looking at Ei as if she were a complete lunatic.
She instinctively started backing toward her phone, convinced that the person in front of her was mentally unstable and needing to call for help.
But in the next heartbeat, a flash of purple lightning flickered before her eyes.
The version of herself that had been sitting primly on the floor vanished instantly. Before Mei could even blink, the woman reappeared right in front of her, calmly holding the phone out in her palms.
"Were you looking for this object?" Clad in her ornate robes, Ei gazed at Mei with a stoic, detached expression.
"..."
Mei's eyes widened in sheer shock. She couldn't help but rub them vigorously, trying to make sure she wasn't hallucinating.
"Are your eyes uncomfortable?" Ei's brow furrowed slightly as she watched Mei.
She lowered her hands, took a step forward, and leaned in to inspect the corners of Mei's eyes with an intense, serious gaze.
"Would you like me to blow on them for you?"
"No... no need," Mei stammered, shaking her head hurriedly. She took a deep breath, trying to force her heart to stop racing.
Slowly, cautiously, she reached out for the phone.
Ei handed it over smoothly, her gaze remaining fixed on Mei with that same unwavering earnestness. In that moment, Ei—or Xia Qi—was experiencing a level of amusement she had never known before.
"What... what just happened?" Holding her phone and realizing the stranger truly meant her no harm, Mei finally managed to ask the question in disbelief.
"Just now?" A hint of confusion touched Ei's eyes, but she answered dutifully. "As the puppet crafted by your hand, even before I have fully shouldered my divine mission, I possess power akin to that of an Archon. Therefore, I also possess a portion of your authority, Mother."
"Stop calling me mother..." Mei groaned, covering her face with one hand and taking another deep breath.
Thump, thump!
Suddenly, a loud knocking came from the bedroom door, followed by Kiana's voice from the hallway: "Mei! What's going on? It sounded like you were arguing with someone!"
"It's—it's nothing, Kiana!"
"I'm coming in! Whoever you are, don't you dare hurt my Mei!"
Before Mei could stop her, the door was practically burst open. A figure came charging into the room.
Vroom—!
With a cold, sharp flick of her wrist, Ei summoned the Engulfing Lightning into her hand. An invisible, crushing pressure radiated outward, crackling with arcs of electricity.
The air in the room suddenly turned heavy and stagnant. Kiana, who had just stormed in, didn't even have time to get a good look at Ei before her body felt like it was being weighed down by a mountain.
"Presumptuous."
Ei's voice wasn't loud, but it sent a chill straight through Kiana's heart.
"Entering without permission, destroying property, and speaking the name of the Divine so casually." Ei slowly planted the butt of her polearm on the floor, her eyes icy as she stared Kiana down.
She was fully prepared to give Kiana a proper scare.
What Kiana was feeling right now was that exact, suffocating pressure the Traveler felt when stepping out of Tenshukaku.
"This is... a grave disrespect toward 'Mother'!"
At those words, Mei—who had been desperately trying to intervene—felt her composure break once again.
"Stop it!"
Mei rushed forward, spreading her arms to shield Kiana. Her eyes were filled with urgency as she shouted, "Kiana is my family! She's not an enemy!"
"Family?" Ei stared at Mei for a moment, then slowly lowered her weapon.
"I see. I understand."
Her gaze shifted to the girl behind Mei. Kiana was swaying on her feet, her eyes locked onto Ei's face in a state of absolute, bug-eyed shock.
"Since you are Mother's family, your actions no longer count as an intrusion."
After a brief pause, Ei continued, "Forgive my earlier offense. I am Raiden Ei, the puppet crafted by Mother's own hand. From this day forward, you are also one I shall protect."
"I..." Mei felt a wave of sheer exhaustion wash over her.
She was only sixteen, and she was being called "Mother." And no matter how she tried to correct it, it just wouldn't stick!
"Kiana!"
"Unidentified energy signature detected!"
At that moment, several more figures burst through the doorway. They stopped dead in their tracks, staring at the two "Raiden Meis" in the room, paralyzed by shock.
"Wait, what is this? Did a Herrscher get loose?" Himeko stared at Ei, her body tensing as she reached for her weapon.
Beside her, Bronya had already summoned Project Bunny. Only Fu Hua remained silent, her body subtly shifting into the opening stance of the One-Inch Punch.
"Mother." Ei looked at Mei, and her first word made Himeko and the others freeze in disbelief. "Are these people also your family?"
"Wait! Just wait! I am not her mother! Kiana, Himeko, don't listen to her!" Mei wailed, desperately trying to explain the situation to them.
But by now, Kiana's eyes were starting to sparkle with an odd light. "Mother? Mei... gave birth to another Mei? Does that mean... I'm an aunt?!"
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 2
--+--
"Kiana!" Raiden Mei whipped her head around, letting out a sharp, hysterical shriek. "I didn't give birth to her!"
—Hahahaha!!!
Watching the scene unfold, Raiden Ei struggled to keep a straight face. She was practically bursting, her inner self rolling on the floor in fits of laughter.
"Alright, alright, that's enough." Himeko sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead in exasperation as she surveyed the chaos. She forcibly calmed the room down before turning her gaze toward Raiden Mei. "Now, Mei, tell us exactly what's going on here."
"I... I don't know either." Mei shook her head, looking at Raiden Ei with eyes full of distress and confusion. "I just woke up this morning and there she was..."
Well, of course.
Raiden Ei stood there with a detached expression, her posture regal and upright.
The moment I crossed over and became Raiden Ei, I tracked down St. Freya Academy. I spent all night slipping past security just so I could stand by your bed and watch over you in silence.
And I spent the whole night admiring your sleeping face...
Wait...
It suddenly dawned on Ei. Was that... a bit creepy?
"Is that so?" Himeko turned her attention to Ei, her golden eyes sharp with suspicion. "In that case, why don't you tell me your name, who you are, and why you're here."
"I am the Raiden Shogun." Ei's gaze swept over the room with cold indifference, her voice solemn.
"This body is a puppet, crafted by the ruler of Inazuma, Beelzebul, using her own form as the medium. It was created to resist erosion and to protect Inazuma for eternity."
"Inazuma?" Himeko's brow furrowed at the name. "Where is Inazuma? And you're saying... you're a puppet? Made from someone else's body?"
"You ask too many questions."
Ei stared at Himeko, her brow slightly pinched, though internally she was so giddy she wanted to do victory rolls on the floor.
"However... this world does not seem to be Inazuma, nor is it Teyvat." Ei turned toward the window, a hint of genuine confusion flickering in her violet eyes.
"And who is this Beelzebul? I'm not her. You... you must have mistaken me for her," Mei said, stepping forward to look at Ei with a questioning gaze.
Ei turned back to her, her eyes filled with unwavering conviction. "No. You are Beelzebul, my mother. I can feel the resonance between your soul and my physical form."
"But..." Mei took a deep breath, fighting to stay composed. "I have absolutely no memory of... ever making you."
"Besides, there is no country named Inazuma in this world," Himeko added. "And definitely no Teyvat."
"Bronya believes..."
Bronya finally spoke up, her voice cool and analytical. "You... might not be from our world."
"Huh? Not from our world?" Kiana blurted out, stunned. "Bronya, what kind of nonsense are you talking about?"
But then, Kiana's expression turned uncharacteristically serious. She squinted at Ei, theorizing, "But if you really aren't from here, but from another world... and you really were born from Mei..."
"I DID NOT GIVE BIRTH TO HER!!!"
Mei's indignant scream nearly blew the roof off the building.
"Another world?" Ei frowned, her eyes clouded with thought. "If that is the case, then this situation is not so strange. Even if you are the 'Mother' of another world, you are still the one I serve. Since you used your own body as material to grant me life and purpose, that fact remains beyond doubt."
As she spoke, Ei's gaze was so earnest and steadfast it seemed as though she had anchored her entire existence to that single truth.
"..."
Mei's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of crimson. Seeing her like this, Ei felt that even if she died right now, the price of her "isekai" ticket would have been well worth it!
"Wait, wait, wait!"
Himeko raised a hand, rubbing her temples as she tried to untangle the logic.
"So you're saying you're a puppet made by the Mei of another world, using her own body? And that's why you call our Mei 'Mother'?"
"That is so."
"But... even if our Mei isn't the one from your world?"
"Yes." Ei nodded silently, her gaze sharp and resolute. "For the value and meaning of this body is to carry out the will of Inazuma's ruler, even if this form is currently incomplete."
"Then... what about the other Mei? If she used her body to make you, where is she now?"
"...Tenshukaku," Ei said after a moment of silence. "Just moments ago, I was meant to merge with Mother, who had cast aside her physical form. I was to rule Inazuma in her stead, while she entered the Plane of Euthymia to combat Erosion. But in a flash, I found myself here."
"Merge?" A chill ran down Mei's spine at the thought.
"And what the heck is 'erosion'?" Kiana asked, looking utterly lost.
As the questioning continued, Ei gradually revealed the details of Teyvat, Inazuma, and the Archons.
Hearing these stories, Mei and the others were left in a state of absolute shock.
Meanwhile, Ei felt a sense of pure, cathartic relief—as if she'd just stepped out of a sauna and downed a massive gulp of ice-cold cola.
"So... you don't know why you're here, and you don't know how to get back. Is that right?"
Himeko rubbed her forehead, her headache worsening. "What a mess... things are chaotic enough in our world, and now we've got a parallel-world Mei popping up?"
"She is not lying..."
Bronya spoke up seriously from the side. "Furthermore, the power within her body does not match any energy signature currently in Bronya's system records."
"Yeah." Himeko nodded, looking at the silent Ei with a hint of helplessness. "Besides... Ai-chan is screaming her head off over the comms... saying there's an energy source in St. Freya equivalent to a nuclear warhead."
"..." Ei listened to them in silence. Her cold, detached demeanor made it look as though their conversation had absolutely nothing to do with her.
"So... what do you plan to do now?" Himeko asked, her tone slightly testing. After all, she didn't want a puppet made from the body of a god running amok in her academy.
"I shall fulfill my duty."
Ei turned her gaze toward Mei with absolute certainty.
Mei immediately took a frantic step back, shaking her head even more vigorously. "I am not Beelzebul! So, I am definitely not merging with you!"
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 3
--+--
Ah~
Watching her firm, unwavering rejection, Ei felt a sudden surge of pure satisfaction wash over her.
It was that exact brand of bliss one feels after pushing a friend's buttons with peak commitment, only to finally be rewarded with a heartfelt, "Are you actually insane?"
Beside them, Kiana wore a look of utter gravity. "That's right! Mei is Mei—she's not going to go 'merging' with you or whatever!"
It would have been a lot more convincing, however, if she hadn't followed up that righteous declaration by audibly slurping back a bit of drool.
"..."
Ei fell into a heavy silence. In her violet eyes, that sharp, composed edge bled away, replaced by a look of total blankness. In that moment, she looked less like a person and more like a true doll—one starting to crack and fade into grey.
Watching her like this, Raiden Mei felt a pang of pity stir in her chest. She couldn't help but speak up.
"You... for now, you can stay here with us. You can live with us."
"Stay here?"
Ei looked toward her, a hint of lost wandering in her purple gaze. She remained silent for a long time before asking in a daze, "But... if I am no longer the Narukami who carries her own will to resist Erosion... if I no longer act as the Proctor of the Gods to protect Inazuma... what is the point of my existence?"
Mei bit her lower lip as she took in the hollow look in Ei's eyes.
To her, Ei looked exactly like she herself had back in Nagazora City—when her father was imprisoned, her friends turned their backs, and her classmates began their relentless bullying.
That look of being utterly lost regarding the future...
"I... I will help you find a way back to your world," Mei promised softly, her gaze turning incredibly tender and resolute. "Until then, just live here with us. How does that sound?"
"..." Ei went quiet for a moment before nodding. The confusion cleared from her eyes, replaced once more by steady resolve. "Fine. For now, there is no better way. Thank you for taking me in... Mother."
Mei had just begun to breathe a sigh of relief when that final "Mother" hit her. Her composure shattered instantly.
"No—please, stop calling me Mother! Just call me Mei..." she cried out in a weak, powerless wail, her face a frantic mask of helplessness and burning embarrassment.
Ei nodded, readily agreeing. "Very well. I understand, Mei."
Perfect!
Ei cheered inwardly. She had successfully secured a spot at St. Freya Academy!
From now on, she could finally live out the cozy life she'd seen in Cooking with Valkyries!
"So that means... there are two Meis in the house now?" Kiana stared at Ei, her mouth watering again as a blissful, lovestruck grin spread across her face.
"Ki! A! Na!!!"
Mei immediately pivoted toward her with a "gentle," radiating smile of pure floral menace. Kiana felt an instant chill run down her spine, almost as if the word DANGER were flashing in bright red letters above her head.
Thump!
Following a dull smack, Kiana clutched her head, noodle-like tears practically streaming from the corners of her eyes.
Watching the scene unfold, Ei felt a wave of genuine joy. This was exactly what she came for!
Before crossing over, she had watched the stories of Cooking with Valkyries and Golden Courtyard over and over again. After her arrival, her only wish was to join in. Now, the dream finally felt real.
"Heh."
Himeko had a feeling life was about to get a lot more interesting. She stepped forward, arms crossed over her chest.
Dressed only in a strappy nightgown, her soft, ample curves were pressed together so tightly they looked ready to pop right out of her neckline at any second.
"Ei, from today on, you'll be living with us. Later, walk over to the lab with us for a quick physical."
"A physical?" Ei's brow furrowed slightly.
Before she could object, Mei stepped in to soothe her. "Ei... it's for your own safety as well as the Academy's. After all, we... don't really know anything about you yet."
"I understand. I will cooperate," Ei nodded immediately, looking very much like she would do whatever Mei asked of her.
"Wow, Mei, she really listens to you, huh?" Kiana said, clutching Mei's arm while looking at Ei with wide eyes.
Of course, Kiana hadn't forgotten the sheer pressure Ei had exerted just moments ago. Even now, she felt a lingering sense of dread whenever she looked at the newcomer.
"Mei is my..." Ei hesitated, then corrected herself, "She is my Creator. Therefore, I shall follow her commands."
"Creator..." Mei looked at Ei, her expression wavering before she added softly, "If possible... I'd prefer it if you could think of me as family. Or a friend."
"As you wish, Excellency." Ei's expression turned instantly solemn.
"That's not what I meant..." Mei let out a tired, troubled sigh. She felt like the number of "handfuls" in her house had just doubled from one Kiana to two.
Afterward, Ei followed Himeko and the others to the laboratory for a comprehensive battery of tests.
During the process, Theresa arrived after hearing the news. Her cute, youthful appearance was a sight for Ei's sore eyes. Mature women are great, but this? This is peak! If you like Theresa, we are officially soulmates!!
Theresa looked over Ei's medical report, clicking her tongue at the long string of "UNKNOWN" results.
"Ahem!"
After a couple of forced coughs, Theresa looked at Ei—who was sitting bolt upright on the sofa—and put on her most serious face. "Ei... can I call you Ei?"
"You may." Ei nodded slightly, meeting her gaze with a solemn expression.
However, her hands, resting on her knees, twitched uncontrollably.
She wanted so badly to pinch Theresa's cheeks—she looked incredibly adorable! Especially that "super serious" look on a face still holding a bit of baby fat; it was unfairly cute.
"No need to be so stiff," Theresa said gently, her eyes softening like a kind mentor. "Until we find a way to send you back, just stay with us."
"Mm." Ei nodded. After a moment of silence, her own stern expression softened just a touch. "...Thank you."
By the time evening rolled around, Ei was lugging bags and packages, following Theresa, Mei, and the rest of the gang through the dormitory door.
Surprisingly, Ei found that this body—a physical form forged from the remains of a god—was actually feeling a strange, irrepressible wave of exhaustion.
--+--
T/N: Warning, for the innocent readers of this fiction. The main character is a playgirl freak who is a godly actor, so there will be a lot of sensual moments between girls.
T/N: Plot is fine if you skip those parts so you can if you want.
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 4
--+--
The only thing more exhausting than going shopping with a girl is going shopping with a whole group of them.
Raiden Ei stood there with arms full of shopping bags—lingerie, pajamas, toiletries, and a mountain of other essentials—clutching them as a sudden doubt flickered in her mind.
Where exactly am I supposed to sleep tonight?
"That was so much fun!" Kiana said, letting out a massive yawn and a long stretch. She'd spent the entire day out with the two Meis, and she still looked like she hadn't had enough.
"We hit the Homu Amusement Park, the Homu Supercenter, and then that stroll along the beach with everyone... man, if only every day could be like this!"
"Keep dreaming. Tomorrow, you're getting your butt to class," Himeko said, rolling her eyes playfully at Kiana before turning her attention to Ei.
"Ei, once you're done... well, after you shower, get ready for bed. I've already had someone set up a bed for you in my room."
"I see. Thank you."
A tiny spark of excitement flared in Ei's chest at the mention of sharing a room with Himeko. After all, in the comics, Himeko was notorious for lounging around in—let's just say—very skimpy outfits.
There were even stories of her getting so wasted she'd crash in Kiana's bed without a stitch of clothing on!
"However, I do not require sleep," Ei added, her expression turning dead serious as she looked at Himeko. "I am not human; therefore, I have no biological need for rest."
"When you say you don't 'need' to sleep, do you mean you can't, or you just don't have to?" Himeko asked, her gaze softening with a mix of curiosity and genuine concern.
The rest of the girls in the living room shifted their attention to Ei, their eyes filled with interest.
"...I do not know."
Ei went silent for a moment before answering. "I have never attempted to sleep. It was only today that I attained... self-awareness."
"Hold on a second!" Kiana shouted, jumping on the most shocking part of that sentence. Her jaw practically hit the floor. "You mean to tell me you were basically born today?!"
"By mortal standards, yes," Ei nodded, completely unbothered by the admission. It was the simple truth; she had indeed manifested as Raiden Ei earlier that day.
"Whoa..." Kiana muttered, her eyes widening as she scanned Ei's striking, elegant figure—one that was, arguably, even more perfect than Mei's.
Thump!
Raiden Mei, face flushed bright red, retracted the hand she'd just used to smack Kiana. She turned to Ei, her gaze turning even more tender.
"If that's the case... Ei, before you have to go back... why don't you try living like a mortal for a while?"
"..." Ei looked at her, a hint of confusion clouding her eyes.
"There are no burdens for you to carry here," Mei said, stepping forward to take Ei's hand in hers. "And besides... if you truly wish to protect Inazuma, you need to understand the people you're protecting—how they live, and who they really are."
"I... understand."
Ei nodded slowly, though the confusion didn't entirely vanish. "I will attempt to experience what it means to live as a mortal."
"Good," Mei said, a warm, joyful smile breaking across her face.
"Wait a minute..." Kiana grumbled, a sudden wave of indignation washing over her. "Expecting Ei to protect an entire nation when she's only a day old... that's just totally irresponsible!"
"It sounds like we have a big responsibility on our hands, too," Theresa sighed, resting her hands on her hips. "It's a good thing she ended up with us right after she was 'born.' We can actually teach her things so she doesn't try to run a country without knowing the first thing about life."
"That would be a total disaster," Himeko agreed with a nod, looking relieved. "Alright, everyone, let's get cleaned up."
Raiden Mei began ushering everyone toward the bathroom like the organized head of a large household. However, she paused and looked back at Ei with a questioning tilt of her head.
"Ei, these modern appliances... do you know how to use them?"
"I do not," Ei answered bluntly. Deep down, however, her heart began to race with anticipation.
As expected, a look of realization dawned on Mei's face. She spoke softly, "In that case, I'll show you how everything works."
"Understood," Ei replied with a solemn nod, as if she were accepting a high-stakes military mission.
"You don't need to be so serious. Like I said, try to treat this place as your home. You can do what you want, and you can say no to things you don't like."
"Very well."
Ei nodded again, but the bewildered look remained. She looked like a robot experiencing a glitch in its core logic.
"Mei! Mei! Let me take Ei for her bath!" Kiana interjected, practically huffing with excitement.
"Kiana, you dummy! Stop trying to take advantage of Mei!"
"Hey! I... I'm not! And besides, Ei isn't Mei!"
"But she looks exactly like her!"
It's fine, it's fine, I really don't mind, Ei thought to herself. She was so giddy about what was coming next she almost burst out laughing.
"Honestly, you two..."
After giving Kiana a light scolding, a flustered Raiden Mei led Ei toward the bathroom.
Is it finally happening?!
Ei was internally cheering as she followed closely behind, empty-handed. She only got a few steps before Mei stopped and turned around with a helpless smile.
"Ei, you need to bring a change of clothes if you're going to shower."
"A change of clothes?"
Ei thought about it for a second, looked down at her current outfit, and shook her head seriously. "It is unnecessary. These garments were crafted by the Narukami herself; they do not gather dust or stain."
"Even so, girls should change their clothes regularly," Mei laughed softly. "Consider it... part of the 'mortal experience'." She gently nudged Ei back toward the bags of new clothes.
"I see. Then I shall do so."
Like someone with zero life experience, Ei solemnly followed Mei's instructions, picking up a set of clothes and a towel. Her movements were a bit stiff, as if she were trying to calculate the deep philosophical meaning behind holding a bath towel.
"Let's go."
Mei took her hand again and led her into the bathroom.
"I'm so jealous..." Just before the door clicked shut, Ei caught the sound of Kiana's voice, thick with envy. "I wish I could take a bath with Mei and Ei too."
I'm looking forward to it too!
For a split second, Ei felt a tiny pang of guilt.
Sorry, Kiana, but I'm the one going for a soak with your Mei!
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 5
--+--
There are joys in this world that make you forget home entirely.
Amid the hazy steam, Raiden Ei stood barefoot in the bathtub, staring at Raiden Mei, who had already slipped out of her clothes outside the tub. Her expression remained calm and serious as ever.
But inside…
I can't take this anymore… Why is it that even with a puppet body now, I still feel like I'm about to get a nosebleed?!
"They really are exactly the same…"
Raiden Mei muttered under her breath, clearly troubled as she looked Ei over.
"Because Lady Narukami created me using her own body as the template." Ei looked at Mei with utmost seriousness. "So naturally, my body should be identical to yours as well."
"But…"
Mei's face flushed crimson as she glanced toward certain more private areas.
"Why would anyone making a puppet… include those parts too?"
"Those parts?" Confusion flickered through Ei's eyes, and she immediately prepared to give a serious explanation.
"No, no need. I already know what you're about to say, Ei, so please don't."
Mei hurriedly cut her off before letting out a long sigh, forcing herself to regain composure.
"Ei, next… I'll teach you how to bathe properly. And which places you're supposed to wash carefully…"
Under Mei's practically hand-over-hand guidance, Ei nearly ascended straight to heaven.
And later that night…
Ei sat quietly on her bed. On another bed not far away sat Himeko.
"Looks like it's just the two of us tonight." Himeko reclined lazily against the bed, propping her head up with one hand while gazing at Ei with a gentle smile.
"Mhm."
Even hearing the slightly teasing tone in Himeko's voice, Ei's expression barely changed.
"Feeling sleepy yet?"
"No."
Ei lightly shook her head and answered seriously, "As a body personally crafted by Lady Narukami—"
"Alright, alright, I know already." Himeko sighed helplessly.
"Ei, then… try closing your eyes and thinking about nothing. Or…"
"Or?"
Ei looked at her curiously.
What exactly was Himeko planning?
"Or try some of this!" Himeko pulled a bottle of vodka from the bedside cabinet. Under the warm light, the amber liquor shimmered softly inside the glass.
"What is that?"
Even though the sight of it already made Ei's head hurt a little, she still kept up her innocent, puzzled expression.
"It's alcohol. Helps people drift off before they even realize it." Himeko's golden eyes remained warm and earnest.
"I figured instead of struggling to experience sleep for the first time, we might as well just drink ourselves silly. Maybe you'll pass out immediately."
"Understood."
Ei agreed, though internally she was already mourning her fate.
Looks like there's no escaping this tonight. She really didn't like drinking. The dull ache afterward was awful.
"Then give it a try." Himeko pulled out a couple of small glasses, had Ei sit beside her, and poured them each a drink.
"See how it tastes."
"Mmh… cough, cough… What a strange taste."
Ei had only ever tried beer, rice wine, baijiu, and sparkling wine before. Vodka was completely new to her. The moment it went down, it felt like a line of fire burned from her throat straight to her stomach.
"You'll get used to it if you sip it slowly." Himeko casually downed her own glass in one go.
Watching Himeko tilt her head back to drink, Ei noticed the elegant line of her neck and the subtle movement of her throat as she swallowed. A faint blush spread across Himeko's cheeks afterward, and Ei found herself staring blankly before nodding.
"Okay."
So the two of them sat on the bed, drinking glass after glass together.
Except…
As time passed, empty bottles began piling up near the foot of the bed.
Himeko's entire face was flushed red now, her usually cool and dashing beauty softened into a drunken, almost seductive charm.
Meanwhile, Ei's cheeks were only slightly pink.
"Hic~" Himeko let out a drunken hiccup and wrapped an arm around Ei's neck, grinning hazily. "Never thought… your alcohol tolerance would be this good…"
"The taste of alcohol… is quite unusual," Ei murmured softly, pretending as though she truly had no experience with it.
There was no way she actually believed Himeko was drunk.
Even she wouldn't get completely wasted in front of someone she'd only just met, especially someone with such a special identity.
"Haa…" After nearly eight bottles of vodka shared between them, Himeko's head slowly drooped.
Then, without warning, she casually stripped off all her clothes.
Ei watched calmly, though her eyes now held a trace of confusion.
"Himeko, what are you doing?"
"What am I doing…? Obviously getting ready for bed…"
As she spoke, Himeko slipped off the last of her shorts, then immediately wrapped her arms around Ei's neck and pushed her down onto the bed.
"?!"
Ei struggled to lift her head in shock, staring at Himeko, who was now clinging to her like an oversized body pillow.
Those soft, snow-white curves squished directly against her face.
A sweet scent mixed with alcohol flooded her senses.
For the first time all night, the alcohol finally hit Ei.
"Himeko?"
She tried to stay calm and call back some shred of Himeko's awareness.
But Himeko's breathing had already evened out.
"She fell asleep…"
Ei's face grew hotter and hotter, especially with Himeko hugging her tighter by the second and one leg draped possessively over her body.
Neither of them had bothered covering themselves with a blanket.
Meaning Ei had a completely unobstructed view of Himeko's entire body.
That entire night, Ei never managed to fall asleep.
She had never imagined her first night staying in the Valkyrie dorms would turn out this scandalously intimate.
Until the next morning.
The moment Ei sensed a shift in Himeko's breathing rhythm, she opened her eyes.
Only to find Himeko hugging her tightly face-to-face, wearing an amused smile full of anticipation, clearly eager to see whether her prank had worked.
"Honey~ Gimme a kiss."
As she spoke, Himeko leaned in directly, lips approaching Ei's as though she truly intended to kiss her.
"…."
Ei stared back at her in confusion.
Just before their lips could meet, Himeko stopped, leaving less than half an inch between them. Ei could even feel the warmth of Himeko's sweet breath brushing against her face.
Then instead, Himeko planted a kiss on her cheek.
"Mmm… So soft~"
…That's it?
Ei felt deeply disappointed.
She'd already mentally prepared herself to lose her first kiss.
Next time, could you just commit already?!
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 6
--+--
"Why did you... kiss me?" Raiden Ei looked at Himeko, a trace of confusion in her eyes as she played the part of a pure, innocent little lamb.
"Uh..." Himeko choked on her words, her gaze flickering as a bashful flush crept across her cheeks.
Could she really say she'd just gotten used to it after joking around with Kiana too much?
She had completely overlooked the fact that Ei didn't know the first thing about the world. After all, Ei was a puppet who had been born barely a day ago...
"It's a way of showing affection," Himeko blurted out, forcing herself to use that excuse to gloss over the moment.
Hearing this, Ei's expression turned solemn. She gave a small, knowing nod. "Is that so? I understand."
Phew...
Himeko couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh of relief, wiping away imaginary sweat from her forehead in her mind.
Smooch.
Ei leaned in and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. It was a fleeting touch, landing in the exact same spot where Himeko had just kissed her.
"!"
Himeko froze instantly, her eyes widening in stunned silence as she stared at the girl in front of her.
"I like you, too," Ei said, her gaze steady and serious. She seized the opportunity to express the genuine fondness she felt for this responsible, hardworking, and deeply kind Valkyrie.
Because her feelings were so sincere, her gaze was incredibly piercing, striking Himeko right in the heart.
"!" In a split second, Himeko's face turned beet red. Her brain short-circuited, and it looked as though steam was practically venting from her head.
Hahahahaha—!!!
Watching her reaction, Ei couldn't help but roar with laughter internally. Seeing the usually composed Himeko this flustered was a rare treasure indeed!
At that moment, Himeko's lifelong obsession with finding a good man felt a sudden, slight shift in direction.
However...
Ring! Ring!
Suddenly, the phone on Himeko's nightstand began to vibrate violently, letting out a sharp, piercing alarm.
"Huh?!"
In an instant, Himeko's brain snapped back into gear. Her expression sharpened immediately as she let go of Ei.
"What happened?" Ei asked, frowning slightly. She watched with confusion as Himeko turned around and scrambled across the bed to grab the phone.
The thing was... with Ei sitting right behind her, the blanket had already slipped off Himeko's smooth, pale back.
"..."
Ei burned that image deep into her memory.
"What? Another massive Honkai energy spike in Nagazora? And a suspected Herrscher? How is that possible!" Himeko spoke with urgent disbelief.
Oh? A new Herrscher? Is it Yuna?
Listening to Himeko, Ei immediately thought of the Honkai Impact 3rd manga chapters regarding the aftermath in Nagazora—the Herrscher of Poison who had nearly become the Fourth Herrscher.
"Right, I understand. I'll head to the Overseer's office immediately."
It was only after Himeko hung up the phone that she realized the position she was in. The lingering flush on her cheeks deepened until she was glowing red once more. She turned her head back stiffly.
She was met with Ei's dead-serious face.
"Has an enemy appeared?" Ei's purple eyes flashed with a cold, sharp light as she locked eyes with Himeko. "Please, leave it to me."
"..." Himeko realized that Ei had no concept of modesty. The girl didn't feel a shred of embarrassment about seeing her exposed like this.
Himeko breathed a sigh of relief, though a small part of her found the situation strangely thrilling.
"Alright, come with me to Theresa's office." Considering Ei's capabilities, Himeko decided it was best to bring her along.
Once the two had changed and stepped out of the room, they found Mei in the kitchen, wearing an apron and preparing breakfast. Miso soup bubbled in the pot, and the rich, savory aroma of grilled fish filled the air.
"Himeko, Ei, breakfast is almost ready." Raiden Mei turned slightly, offering them a gentle, warm smile.
"Mei, Ei and I won't be eating at home today."
Himeko hurried toward the door, her expression grave. Ei followed close behind, offering only a brief explanation.
"An enemy has appeared. I am going to eliminate them. Do not worry."
"What?" Mei's expression turned to one of pure bewilderment.
"The Logistics Department detected an abnormal Honkai reaction in Nagazora. It has nothing to do with you girls. Go to class after you eat," Himeko called back as she opened the door and stepped out.
"Wait for my return," Ei said to Mei, making sure to maintain her "mother-daughter" persona before following Himeko out of the dorm.
A few minutes later, they arrived at Theresa's office.
"Oh? Ei came too?" Theresa asked, already seated behind her desk and looking a bit puzzled.
"Ei is very powerful; she might be able to help us," Himeko explained. She then asked urgently, "Theresa, what's the situation in Nagazora?"
"The Logistics Department says the residual Honkai energy in Nagazora is coalescing. It's attempting to manifest a new Herrscher," Theresa said, turning back with a grim look. "The energy is gathering slowly, so the Herrscher might not fully awaken for a while, but it's a threat we can't ignore."
Ei listened quietly, mentally retracing the events of the original plot. Himeko hadn't fully recovered from her last battle with the Third Herrscher, so Theresa was supposed to go alone.
However, Theresa would be caught off guard and severely wounded by the Herrscher of Poison, Yuna, only to be saved by Yae Sakura sacrificing herself.
Hmm...
But now, Ei was here. She had no intention of letting Yae Sakura turn into Theresa's Stigmata like in the original story—even if that ending wasn't necessarily "bad" for Sakura.
"So, do you need me to go clear it out?" Himeko was already prepared for deployment.
Theresa shook her head slightly. "No, you haven't recovered yet. Leave it to me this time. Besides..."
Theresa looked toward Ei.
Ei met her gaze, her face cold and resolute. "And me."
"Ei... with her there, it should be foolproof." Himeko's tense expression softened slightly.
During yesterday's testing at the Research Department, Ei's strength and energy readings had already hit the standards of an S-Rank Valkyrie.
Of course, if S-Rank wasn't the hard ceiling—if there weren't "Durandal-level" benchmarks—Ei's rating would have been even higher.
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 7
--+--
"Where do we start?" Raiden Ei looked around, her voice tinged with a hint of curiosity.
"Just follow me."
Theresa led the way, her cute little face a mask of confidence and focus, wearing the proud expression of someone itching to show off her skills.
"Ei, once we reach Nagazora, you just stay back and watch me handle things~"
"Watch you handle things?" Hearing Theresa's boastful words, a bit of playfulness stirred in Ei's heart. She maintained a look of feigned confusion and asked, "Are the enemies... very weak?"
"Ahem! Of course not! The enemies are actually quite formidable!" Theresa spun around quickly, trying her best to look solemn and serious. "We're talking about the kind of threat that A-Rank Valkyries like Himeko and Fu Hua have to give a hundred percent just to take down!"
"Is Himeko... very strong?" Ei continued her act, tilting her head slightly as she spoke in a soft voice.
"Naturally! Himeko is easily among the top three of all A-Rank Valkyries!" Theresa declared with absolute certainty.
By then, they had arrived at the St. Freya High School docking bay where the warships were moored.
"But, I am technically rated as an S-Rank Valkyrie," Ei remarked earnestly as she followed Theresa onto the Valkyrie-class airship.
"Uh..." Theresa's face froze. She suddenly remembered Ei's evaluation scores from yesterday, and a flush of crimson crept up her cheeks.
"Ehehe... I totally forgot. But don't you worry about this fight, just leave it to me. I'm an S-Rank Valkyrie too, you know!"
"Alright."
Watching Theresa's blushing face, the corners of Ei's mouth quirked up into a tiny smile, and she gave a small nod.
"Eh? You laughed? See, that's the spirit! You should smile more; it makes you look way cuter~"
Theresa nodded with satisfaction at Ei's smile, but then it suddenly clicked.
"Wait! Hold on! Why are you laughing now?! I—I'm telling you, I'm actually super strong!"
"Yes, I believe you. You are definitely very powerful." Ei nodded gently, her gaze toward Theresa turning incredibly sincere and focused.
This, in turn, made Theresa feel a bit bashful. She couldn't help but scratch her head, laughing sheepishly. "Hehe~ actually, I'm not that amazing. It's been too long since I went on a field mission, so my official Schicksal rating has actually dropped from S-Rank to A-Rank..."
"But Himeko and the others believe in you deeply."
Ei looked at Theresa and spoke softly. "And Mei's group as well. I may not fully understand this world yet, but... I know that Mei and her friends are among the most exceptional humans in existence. And someone who can bring them all together—you must be truly, truly incredible."
It was true. A school full of Herrschers, MANTIS soldiers from the Previous Era, and even the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy was there working as a teacher.
If Himeko hadn't run out of time, she could have become the Herrscher of Flames herself. In a certain sense, Theresa really was a legend.
"..." After a momentary daze, Theresa broke into a bright, happy grin.
"Mhm! Exactly! This Principal is just that awesome!"
The Valkyrie-class ship soared through the clouds, racing toward Nagazora.
Ei stood by the edge of the deck, staring absently at the scenery blurring past below. Land, sea, and islands scattered across the water like green pearls.
She had been at St. Freya for over a day now; Fu Hua had surely informed Otto of her existence. And since Welt was a teacher at the school, he definitely knew she was there too.
If those two knew, then that pervasive, scheming old fox from World Serpent probably knew as well. Ei was curious: what moves would they make against her?
However, in her current state, she didn't believe Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, or World Serpent could easily best her.
"What's on your mind?" Theresa, now fully geared up for combat, walked over and asked curiously.
"Thinking... about the future."
Ei turned to meet her eyes, telling a calm lie. "I was wondering what kind of impact my disappearance will have on Inazuma."
"It'll definitely be a huge deal," Theresa said, her tone laced with worry. "You're a creation of the Narukami. To her... you're the future of Inazuma. She must be frantic right now..."
"Mhm." Ei nodded, her brow furrowing slightly, though her expression betrayed no actual panic.
"Don't worry! We'll find a way to get you back as soon as we can," Theresa promised softly.
"Thank you."
Ei nodded again, her face remaining serene, as if she didn't realize the urgency of the situation at all. Watching her, Theresa couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Is it really a good idea to let a newborn... god govern a nation? She had a feeling things might descend into chaos.
Maybe after we get back, I should find some books for Ei to read. It might give her some experience for when she has to rule later.
"Principal, we are ten kilometers out from Nagazora."
A message from the bridge command crackled through their headsets. At the news, Theresa's spirit surged. She put on a stern face and looked at Ei. "Alright, Ei. It's time to move out!"
"Understood."
Ei followed Theresa to the lower deck. As the rear hatch hissed open, Ei looked down at the miniature-model-like city of Nagazora below. She couldn't help but think of the opening scene from the Honkai Impact 3rd game—Kiana standing on the Hyperion, getting ready to dive.
It was exactly like this.
"Do you need a jetpack?" Theresa asked, looking at her seriously.
"A jetpack? No, that won't be necessary." Ei didn't forget to maintain her "clueless" persona, shaking her head gently. "Flight is but one of my many abilities."
"I see," Theresa nodded.
Ei looked at her, curious. "And you, Theresa? Will you not use a jetpack? Or is it that the mortals of this world possess the power of flight?"
"Humans can't fly," Theresa shook her head immediately. Then, she proudly showed off the golden cross pendant in her hand. "But I have Judah! Hehe~ Judah will carry me!"
"What is... that? I can sense an ancient aura emanating from it..."
"It's the Oath of Judah. They say it's a weapon left behind by the Previous Era—humanity's civilization from tens of thousands of years ago."
"Tens of thousands of years?" Ei feigned a look of stunned amazement.
"Yep! I'll tell you all about it when we get back~" Seeing Ei's surprised expression, Theresa felt a rush of smug satisfaction. She then turned her burning gaze toward the city below.
"Now, let's go deal with this newly born Herrscher!"
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 8
--+--
"Is this the catastrophe your world is facing?"
Walking down the street, Raiden Ei gripped her naginata tightly, her expression cold and sharp. Beneath her feet lay the remains of hundreds of Zombies and Honkai Beasts, piled into a silent graveyard of hushed carnage.
"Yeah. This is the Honkai," Theresa replied, her small face tight with a somber intensity. "It's born alongside human civilization. The stronger we become, the stronger it grows."
Ei scanned the city—a place that once held millions of souls. A flicker of silent rage ignited in her eyes.
Even as a transmigrator from another world, the sheer scale of the loss, the millions of lives snuffed out in an instant, stirred a deep resentment within her.
"Compared to the Abyss, the Honkai is far more terrifying."
"The Abyss? What's that?" Theresa asked, curiosity breaking through her grim mood.
"An existence not unlike the Honkai. It erodes living things, twists the mind, and drags everything into darkness." Ei paused, looking down at the broken husks of the Honkai creatures.
"But the Abyss... it simply wishes to devour. You say the Honkai scales with civilization. That means every step forward, every spark of prosperity, is merely fuel for this calamity. This is... a curse."
By the time Ei finished, her gaze had turned incredibly solemn. Theresa fell silent for a moment before giving a bitter, knowing nod. "A lot of people say the Honkai is God's judgment on humanity."
"Judgment?" Ei let out a cold, sharp laugh. "If a god truly hands down such a sentence, then that god is not one worth following."
She raised her naginata, pointing the blade toward Chiba Academy. She could already sense it—the distinct, pulsing ripple of a Herrscher.
"Though I am not of this world, this blade shall strike for its sake!"
CRACK-BOOM!
The sky turned bruised and dark in an instant. Heavy, charcoal clouds swallowed the blue, and thick serpents of purple lightning began a wild, frenzied dance across the heavens.
SHAAAAAA—!!
Raindrops the size of beans began to pour, cascading down in a spectacular, waterfall-like deluge.
"Ei?" Theresa's eyes widened in shock. She could feel an overwhelming, suffocating pressure radiating from the woman beside her.
Electro-Charged status: Applied.
Ei looked out over the crumbling city with cold eyes and swung her naginata downward with a violent grace. Countless lightning bolts began to tear through Nagazora.
One after another, Zombies and Honkai Beasts were reduced to charred husks under the weight of this celestial wrath.
"Rest now," Ei murmured, her voice as indifferent as the winter wind.
"That's incredible!" Theresa couldn't help but gasp in awe.
Hearing the praise, Ei's lips twitched slightly. Her cold features softened just a fraction. "It was nothing more than a small trick."
"A small trick?" Theresa's expression turned hopelessly complex. She looked like she wanted to argue or perhaps cheer, but she eventually settled for a helpless sigh. "It seems you really don't have a clear grasp of your own power, Ei. But still—"
Theresa perked up again, her spirit returning. "With you here, this operation just got a whole lot easier!"
The rain continued to hammer down from the blackened sky. Ei's gaze drifted toward Theresa and lingered. The girl was soaked; her once-puffy nun's habit was now plastered to her body.
She's so small, but she's actually got a bit of a figure, Ei thought privately.
"My apologies," she said softly. "This rain has drenched you as well."
"Yeah... it is getting a bit chilly." Theresa rubbed her nose and suddenly let out a loud sneeze. "A-choo!!"
RUMBLE—
Ei went quiet for a second, and the dark clouds and lightning began to dissipate. It was enough. About eighty percent of the Honkai creatures in the city had been wiped out by that last barrage.
The children in the 'nest' should be safe now when they head out to scavenge for supplies. Ei hadn't forgotten the group of kids Raven had gathered in that skyscraper.
"Do you want to change clothes first?" Ei asked gently.
"No, no need." Theresa shook her head, a determined, confident smile blooming on her cute face. "It's just a bit of rain! I've faced much worse than this while hunting Honkai Beasts!"
"I see." Ei felt a secret pang of disappointment. She had been thinking of some rather... adult-themed scenarios. Besides, she really wanted to try her hand at playing a real-life dress-up game. A 'loli-mama' vibe didn't seem so bad either.
"Then let us move on." Ei started toward Chiba Academy.
Along the way, the Zombies and Honkai Beasts had vanished, leaving behind only materials ripe for the taking. Within moments, they stepped onto the academy grounds.
"We're here."
Passing through the foyer and the fountain garden—now overgrown with wild, silent greenery—they entered the school building and headed for the second floor.
"Leave the next fight to me!" Theresa declared with a proud, confident grin. "Heh heh, I'll show you exactly how strong I am in a second!"
"..." Ei remained silent. Remembering how Theresa had famously 'tripped up' twice against the Herrscher of Poison in the original story, she felt a wave of playful irony. "Very well. I will watch your back and ensure you aren't harmed."
"Deal!" Theresa nodded, though she found herself feeling inexplicably shy under Ei's steady, serious gaze. Honestly, is she treating me like a child?
They stepped directly into the classroom where the Herrscher signature was strongest.
"Ngh..."
Inside, a girl with green hair and matching eyes was entangled in thick, thorny vines. The thorns were massive and sharp, coiling around her entire body. Around her, several other girls lay scattered on the floor, their life force already extinguished.
"So this is... a Herrscher." Ei looked at the girl, a strange emotion flickering in her eyes.
"Yes." Theresa nodded softly. She watched the girl, who was staring back at them with a gaze full of confusion and agony.
The Oath of Judah grew in size, deploying beside her. Theresa pulled a spear from the golden cross.
"I'm sorry... we're late." Theresa's eyes clouded with a heavy, guilty sorrow as she walked slowly toward her. "I've come to end your pain."
"Is there no saving her?" Ei asked in a low voice.
"I don't know..." Theresa shook her head. Thinking of Raiden Mei, her resolve wavered. Could another miracle happen?
However...
Ei sensed the thorns. In the blind spots of their vision, the vines were already crawling and spreading silently across the floor. She let out a quiet, internal sigh.
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 9
--+--
"Watch out!"
Just as Theresa was about to thrust her spear, Raiden Ei's warning cut through the air.
"What?"
Theresa froze, a look of brief confusion crossing her face.
In the next heartbeat, she realized the brambles at her feet were writhing like a nest of vipers, lunging toward her shins. They were too close. Even though she'd spotted them, there was no way she could pull back in time.
What a little dummy.
Ei let out a silent, weary sigh. In a flash of violet lightning, she blurred across the space to Theresa's side. Her polearm swept out in a clean arc, severing the encroaching thorns in a single stroke.
"Has she already been completely consumed by the Honkai?!" Theresa cried out, her own spear swinging into a defensive rhythm.
"Help... me... save... me..."
Yuna's lips moved ever so slightly, the words a fractured plea for salvation. Yet, the surrounding thorns didn't slow their assault for a second. It was as if the Herrscher was weaponizing the girl's lingering humanity just to buy more time.
Sensing something was off, Ei scanned their surroundings. She noticed that wherever her blade had cleaved the vines, faint wisps of pale green mist were rising from the scorched, blackened ends.
Is this what the Herrscher is waiting for? Does she hope to choke us out with miasma?
A touch of scorn rose in Ei's heart. Lightning shall purge all filth.
Still, even with the purification, the lingering traces of the tainted air would likely hit Theresa with some side effects... something akin to a nasty bout of the flu.
"We can't let this drag on!" Theresa charged forward, desperation fueling her intent to drive her spear through Yuna's heart.
The girl was beyond saving.
Ei's expression hardened. She had harbored a flicker of hope that the girl could be rescued, but she could see now that Yuna's soul had already been ground into shards by the Honkai's corruption.
This girl wasn't like Kiana; she didn't possess the indomitable will required to suppress a Herrscher's consciousness. And there was no Class Monitor here to give everything to pull her back from the brink.
"I have felt your agony."
Ei vanished. Before Theresa could reach her target, Ei appeared directly in front of Yuna.
The surrounding brambles went into a frenzy, lashing out with a speed and violence they hadn't shown against Theresa. It was as if the Herrscher knew that Ei, and only Ei, possessed the power to truly end her.
"Rest in peace."
With a steady hand, Ei thrust her blade forward. Yuna's body went rigid.
Another life—a vibrant, living soul—withering away by her hand. Ei lowered her head, meeting Yuna's gaze. Seeing the twisted, manic light in those eyes, a pang of pity stirred within her.
"Cough... you... you think... this is the end...?" The Herrscher glared at Ei, her voice dripping with venomous spite. "My toxins... they were vaporized by your lightning... they've already filled this entire room!"
"What?!" Theresa's heart skipped a beat, her face pale with sudden helplessness.
She didn't know the exact nature of the poison, but she knew one thing for certain: a Herrscher's toxin was nothing short of a death sentence.
"My lightning purifies all evil," Ei said, her voice calm and detached. "Your poison is no exception to its strike."
"How...?"
The Herrscher's face contorted in shock just as the lightning surged through her, incinerating the last of her life force. But in those final moments, Ei saw a glimmer of clarity return to the girl's eyes.
It was a final flicker of humanity, a brief moment of lucidity before the end, much like the tragedies depicted in the old stories.
Ei watched in silence for a moment before her voice softened, turning gentle and soothing, though it still carried that sharp, regal edge she could never quite shed.
"It was only a nightmare... Wake up now, Yuna. Your mother is waiting for you to come to breakfast... she made your favorite miso soup..."
As the words fell, the confusion in the girl's eyes vanished. Her lips curled into a small, happy smile of anticipation. Then, her body crumbled, drifting away like ash in the wind.
Only then did Ei quietly lower her weapon.
"Ei?" Theresa walked over, looking at Ei's stoic, silent profile. She spoke softly, trying to offer comfort. "She... she won't blame you. Controlled by the Herrscher, she was nothing more than a puppet."
"I know," Ei replied, turning to meet Theresa's gaze, her expression unreadable. "I could feel it. Her will was already shattered, leaving behind nothing but fragments. The only thing I could do was give her a peaceful end."
"Yeah. I suppose that's for the best." Theresa nodded slowly.
But a moment later, her legs gave out. With a small gasp of confusion, she began to collapse, only for Ei to catch her instantly, pulling her into a firm embrace.
"What's happening? Is it the poison?!" Theresa's cheeks were flushing a deep crimson, and panic began to cloud her eyes.
"Do not worry."
Holding the small, dainty Theresa in her arms, Ei vanished, reappearing a second later on the roof of the school building.
"I have already purified the Herrscher's toxin. However, you inhaled some of the residual tainted air. You will likely experience symptoms... similar to a common mortal flu for a short while."
"The... the flu?" Theresa murmured the words, her mind drifting back to the days when Cecilia was still around to nurse her through illness. "But... this feels like way too much! I feel... like I can't move a muscle..." Her voice trailed off into a weak whisper.
"I will use my power to cleanse the impurities from your body," Ei told her earnestly. "Until you recover, I will protect you. But we..."
"What is it?" Theresa asked, her tone puzzled.
"We likely won't be able to return to St. Freya Academy immediately." Ei looked toward the horizon in the direction of the school, a hint of melancholy in her voice.
"I'm sorry... Ei..." Theresa said, her voice thick with guilt. She knew how badly Ei wanted to get back to Mei.
Look at that, she's even thanking me! Ei felt a surge of secret amusement.
Feeling the small, soft, and—thanks to the fever—very warm body of Theresa in her arms, she found herself rather enjoying the moment.
"It is fine. Your safety is far more important than returning to Moth—to Mei's side," Ei whispered, looking down at Theresa.
She held the girl in a bridal carry, her gaze so focused and sincere it was as if Theresa was the only thing that mattered in the entire world.
Theresa couldn't help but blush, feeling a wave of shy embarrassment wash over her.
Goodness... Theresa thought. I didn't realize the Mei from the other world was this stunning too. No wonder that idiot Kiana was so head-over-heels for her.
Meanwhile, Ei's mind was already wandering toward a different problem: How on earth was she going to find Yae Sakura?
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 10
--+--
Things have already come to this; might as well eat first.
Before crossing over to this world, as a native of Wuhan, Raiden Ei had already mastered a rather impressive set of culinary skills.
Of course, that was before the transmigration...
"This... doesn't exactly look edible, does it?" Theresa lay weakly on the hospital bed. Her gaze was fixed on the bowl held in Ei's hands—a soup of deep violet and black, swirling with occasional, ominous streaks of crimson. Her expression was one of pure, unadulterated resistance.
"True. It does look a bit... questionable."
Ei nodded slightly, a flicker of distress crossing her features.
"Why is it that simple ingredients turn into this after being cooked?"
She couldn't wrap her head around it. She wasn't the real Raiden Ei, after all. She had followed the recipe to the letter, used the proper proportions of seasonings, and kept a careful eye on the heat.
And then, there was that tiny spark of "inspiration" at the end.
How did a perfectly normal, nourishing vegetable soup meant to ward off the cold turn into this... thing radiating an aura of pure misfortune?
"Ma—maybe you're just not cut out for the kitchen?" Theresa's expression turned subtle as she burrowed deeper into her blankets. "Ugh... I mean, maybe this just isn't your forte?"
In that moment, she realized something far worse than having a heavy cold.
The Mei from another world couldn't cook!
"Mastering human crafts is unexpectedly difficult..." Ei let out a soft sigh. Then, looking at Theresa, a mischievous idea began to take root in her mind.
After her sigh, she adopted a look of unwavering determination. "However, I shall keep trying."
"Please, let's not..." Theresa coughed twice, her eyelids growing heavy.
"I'm so tired... I feel like... I'm going to..."
Before she could finish, Theresa had already drifted into a deep sleep.
"Asleep?" Ei felt the steady but weak pulse of energy within Theresa's body, her brow furrowing slightly.
She had originally intended to give Theresa some nutrients before slowly purging the impurities she had inhaled while she slept.
"Fine then..." Ei sighed helplessly and reached out, gently taking Theresa's right hand.
Electro energy began to gather in her palm—wild and violent, yet focused with surgical precision. It surged into Theresa's body, seeking out the lingering filth and incinerating it.
However, the process was still a burden on Theresa's physical form, triggering a few side effects.
For instance...
"So... thirsty..."
Theresa's lips grew parched. She let out an unconscious whimper, her eyes darting beneath her lids as if trying to wake, yet she remained trapped in the depths of a heavy nightmare.
"Thirsty..."
Hearing her voice, Ei's eyebrows twitched.
Her mind immediately flashed to a scene from the manga where Yae Sakura helped Theresa drink medicine by passing it from her own mouth.
Ahem.
I'm a respectable person!
Ei struggled to suppress the corners of her mouth, which were twitching upward despite her best efforts.
No, I really shouldn't. I'm not that kind of person!
But Theresa looked so incredibly thirsty. Oh well.
She stood up, found some bottled water, heated it in a clean pot, and returned to the bedside.
Except...
The spark of excitement in Ei's expression suddenly vanished, replaced by a profound, icy calm.
She set the now-lukewarm cup on the nightstand and turned toward the bedroom door.
"She is unconscious. Forcing her to drink now will only make her choke." Yae Sakura stood there, clad in her classic, alluring shrine maiden vestments that somehow commanded respect despite their style.
She watched Ei with a guarded gaze.
"Yae Miko?"
Ei stared at Yae Sakura, her voice laced with confusion. Then, her brow knit with certainty. "No, you aren't her."
"Yae Miko?" Sakura murmured the name, shaking her head. "No, I am certainly not."
"Are you the one who has been keeping that Herrscher in check within this city?"
"Yes."
Sakura nodded. Glancing at the naginata already gripped in Ei's hand and feeling the overwhelming pressure radiating from her, she began to softly explain her origins.
During their exchange, however, Theresa's dry coughing and incoherent mumbling repeatedly broke the flow of conversation.
"You said earlier that feeding her like this would cause her to choke?" Ei suddenly felt as though she had found an opening—a perfect excuse.
And a wonderful person to take the fall!
"Then, what should I do?" Ei asked coldly, her hand still firm on her weapon.
"It's simple."
Sakura looked worriedly at Theresa, whose lips were so dry they were beginning to crack. She whispered, "You only need to..."
"Mmm... ah..."
Through the haze of her fever, Theresa felt a sweet, warm trickle of water slowly flowing into her mouth, soothing her parched throat.
And her lips felt... soft... like marshmallows...
Faint, blurred voices drifted into her ears.
"Right... have to... use the tongue... to prevent..."
Following that voice, something soft and sweet pushed into her mouth.
It felt exactly like eating a marshmallow.
Her tongue instinctively tangled with it, pressing against the soft sweetness, wanting to draw it all in. She swallowed every drop of the warm, sugary water without a second thought.
As the water went down and the last of the impurities were purged from her system, Theresa's consciousness began to clear. Her eyes fluttered open.
And then...
She saw Ei's face, mere inches from her own.
"Mmph... MMMPH!"
Her eyes snapped wide, her entire face flushing a brilliant crimson.
"Are you awake?"
Having finished transferring the water, Ei straightened up. Seeing Theresa instinctively swallow, a glint of genuine joy appeared in her eyes.
"Wait... wait! You! What do you think you're doing?!"
As Ei pulled back, Theresa clutched her burning cheeks, her mind in a total panic. She looked at Ei, completely flustered and at a loss for words.
"Giving you water," Ei explained softly.
"Giving me water? But! Why did you have to give it to me like that!"
"My apologies, that was my suggestion."
Yae Sakura spoke up softly from the side of the bed.
Yes, exactly like that!
Ei's expression remained calm and serious, but internally, she was practically gloating.
That sweet taste just now, Theresa's subconscious cooperation, the way she swallowed...
That was amazing!
"What? Wait, who are you?" Theresa looked at the stranger by her bed, her eyes wide with bewilderment.
"My name is Yae Sakura."
As she spoke her name, a flicker of hope danced in Sakura's eyes.
But Theresa's gaze remained vacant and confused, before turning back into embarrassed indignation: "You! Just what on earth have you been teaching Ei?!"
--+--