However, just as Elysia's smile bloomed, the wry twist on Durandal's lips still hadn't faded.
"Sorry, it's not that I don't want to talk about some things—I really can't."
There was nothing she could do, Durandal explained.
Hearing this, Elysia studied Durandal's face for a long, quiet moment.
Then she stood up abruptly.
"Fine!"
With those two words, Durandal watched as Elysia turned and stormed out, the door slamming shut behind her.
But…
Durandal hadn't caught even a flicker of real anger on the other girl's face.
If anything… she'd looked almost eager?
The moment that possibility crossed her mind, a chill crept down Durandal's spine. She had a feeling something completely unexpected was about to happen.
Yet, just as Durandal was worrying about what grand stunt Elysia might pull, Mei showed up a few days later.
She slid an invitation across the table toward Durandal. "The academic center on the Mu Continent actually invited me."
As she said it, Mei's voice held a mix of disbelief and unmistakable excitement.
After all, that place was the holy temple of Earth's scientific community.
And she—only seventeen years old—had not only been invited to attend, but she hadn't been asked to just sit and listen. She'd been allotted a full forty minutes to present her own research.
In other words, she wasn't just going to learn; she was going there to share her own academic findings.
For an established scientist, this would be remarkable recognition. For Mei, an ordinary high school girl, it was staggering.
Kevyn had come along too.
Even though Mei had been rather cold toward her these past few days, Kevyn hadn't been discouraged in the slightest. If anything, she seemed more determined than ever.
So, seeing Mei go to see their leader, of course she had to tag along.
"This weekend?"
Durandal glanced at the date on the invitation and suddenly asked, "Miss Mei, I assume you wouldn't mind a few more people coming along?"
Friday evening, at Nagazora Airport, Mei stared at the sizable crowd assembled before her, her eyelid giving a slight twitch. "This is what you meant by 'a few more people'?"
Hearing the heavy emphasis on 'a few,' Durandal scratched her cheek, a little embarrassed.
"Well, Dr. Mobius was invited too, so she brought her assistants and Emile. Ato and Blanca stayed home to look after little Griseo."
"On my end, I originally planned for just me and Kevyn to go. But the others said they had things to take care of on the Mu Continent as well. Eden wants to network for management and specialized talent to help start a company, Vill-V wants to source a batch of rare materials, and as for Connie and Elysia…"
Alright, Elysia hadn't been up to much lately, but Durandal could tell the girl's attention on her had intensified.
Before, Elysia would chat with classmates between classes, but that had become rare lately.
So, this time, she was definitely coming along no matter what.
As for why Connie had to come… shouldn't she be seizing this chance to hammer out the Flame-Chasers' preliminary groundwork all at once?
What was she doing, tagging along to the Mu Continent for the fun of it?
Didn't she realize she'd just have to work overtime later to catch up?
Connie's thoughts: The boss just doesn't understand a gossip-loving heart!
Mei pinched the bridge of her nose and waved a hand.
"Since everyone's already here, fine. But let me be clear: one invitation only allows three people into the conference hall. So, you all need to sort that out among yourselves."
Three people. That didn't require any sorting. It would naturally be Durandal, Kevyn, and Elysia going in.
Connie, as the group's manager, could go handle other business with Eden and Vill-V.
Wait… Durandal suddenly understood why Connie had insisted on coming.
So it was because… right now, she was everyone's wallet!
Eden and Vill-V were both heading to the Mu Continent to spend money. Wouldn't it be ridiculous for the wallet not to follow?
Connie: …?
And so, the group boarded that night's flight, departing from Nagazora for the Mu Continent.
The next morning, stepping out of the airport, they found themselves standing on the soil of the Mu Continent—the heart of Earth's technology and industry 50,000 years ago.
In the future, the Ninth Herrscher would emerge here.
The pseudo black hole conjured during the Ninth Honkai Eruption would swallow the entire continent whole, its last remaining structures sinking into the Mariana Trench—what would be known 50,000 years later as the Anti-Entropy discovered city of The Deep.
There, Anti-Entropy would unearth the technology for the Selene, and in the post-Second Eruption era, develop and refine it into the groundbreaking Moon Ring system.
Of course, Durandal had already obtained both the Selene technology and the Moon Ring system through the rewards from the Gnius and handed them over to Vill-V.
This trip to the Mu Continent was precisely for Vill-V to purchase the instruments and materials needed for her related experiments.
"The first conference session starts at nine this morning. Even though my presentation is in the afternoon, I'll be attending every single one. Are you all sure you want to come with me?"
Mei looked at Durandal and the others, her gaze lingering pointedly on Kevyn, who was in the middle of a wide, jaw-cracking yawn.
She'd specifically reminded her to get some proper rest after boarding the plane. How was she still sporting such heavy dark circles?
If Kevyn could have heard that, she'd have had plenty to say.
How could she possibly sleep, sitting right next to Mei, buzzing with excitement?
In that moment, it had felt like they'd already progressed to sharing a bed, or like they were newlyweds on a honeymoon trip.
In short, with her incredibly active imagination, Kevyn insisted there was no way she could have slept under those circumstances!
Durandal and Elysia, on the other hand, looked fresh and alert.
Their physical stamina was far beyond ordinary to begin with; staying up all night wouldn't have fazed them.
Plus, they had actually gotten some sleep, so they were in fine form.
Meanwhile, unnoticed by Durandal and the others, Connie was exchanging meaningful looks with Fuxi and Nuwa further back.
The latter two caught on immediately, giving a discreet 'okay' sign.
It turned out Connie knew full well she wouldn't be able to follow into the conference hall.
But Fuxi and Nuwa were different—they could go in with Mobius.
So, her gossip-gathering mission, which she couldn't carry out herself, would have to rely on their 'eagle eyes.'
"What are you two still dawdling for?"
Mobius turned her head, frowning at the sight of Fuxi and Nuwa lingering behind.
"Coming, right away!"
The two jolted and hurried after Mobius.
They were quite afraid of this Doctor. Within Fire Moth, the rumors about her were numerous, and mostly… not positive.
"Shall we get started too, Miss Connie?"
Eden turned to Connie with a smile.
"Mhm."
Connie nodded. "Let's go book hotel rooms for everyone first!"
The mention of booking rooms made Connie's eyes light up.
Should she book separate rooms for Durandal and Elysia? One double room? Or perhaps… just one big bed?
So many deliciously difficult choices!
--+--