A Study and Consideration on 'Geniuses' – this was a topic 'Jingliu' and Ruan Mei had discussed at length.
As for the software-side development, that relied heavily on Screwllum's expertise.
Although 'Jingliu' couldn't match either of them in specialized knowledge in any single field, her greatest strength was her ability to keep pace with the research direction of both.
It wasn't the first time, but Screwllum still found immense joy in collaborating with 'Jingliu' on research.
Screwllum even felt that, when working alongside 'Jingliu', he consistently performed beyond his usual capabilities.
And when he later asked Ruan Mei about it, he realized he wasn't the only one who felt this way.
Ruan Mei shared the same sentiment, which was precisely why she was willing to indulge in 'Jingliu's' seemingly whimsical endeavors.
Time flew by.
The final design result had, indeed, preliminarily met their expectations.
The entire device was an integrated, single-piece structure, appropriately sized—a halo-like ring that could float above one's head, similar to the Halovians' own halos.
Its shape featured various unique designs, ensuring it didn't simply resemble an angel's halo or the Halovians'.
Instead, it was more reminiscent of the halos from that mobile game about students and teachers from a past life.
The core concept was convenience and speed; simply place it over your head, and it would automatically connect.
Its most fundamental function?
To simulate the thought processes of a genius.
Just as the Scepter System was built to simulate the thinking patterns of Nous.
This Halo System, painstakingly developed by 'Jingliu' and the others, allowed Herta puppets to achieve 'self-coronation' when operating the system at full capacity.
They could transform into various different iterations of Herta!
Theoretically.
With the Halo System fully perfected, operating it at maximum power would enable connected puppets to complete their self-coronation, coalescing into a veritable genius through their combined force.
Of course, that was merely a theoretical, idealized scenario.
After all, they couldn't conjure up an infinite number of Halo Systems.
Relying on algorithms and programs to fill the vast chasm of 'infinity' would inevitably leave loopholes.
The end result would most likely be a discount version of a genius—the question was, how deep the discount would be.
Because, ultimately, they still couldn't comprehend the definitive dividing line between a genius and an ordinary person.
Computational power? IQ?
But as long as you could throw enough money at it, making a mechanical lifeform's computational power rival Screwllum's wasn't impossible.
Yet, the universe had never seen a mechanical genius forged by sheer computational power alone.
Rappa's intellect could keep pace with the puppets' rhythm, proving her hardware was adequate.
But Rappa also showed no signs of ever becoming a genius.
She just... didn't manifest that special quality.
The only one who had risen from an ordinary person to rival a genius was 'Jingliu'.
But that was the overwhelming power of the System – she herself had no idea exactly what ingredients were added to make it work.
And, ultimately, without the official certification from Nous, it was merely a private consensus among Herta, Ruan Mei, and others that she could be considered a genius.
Outside that circle of Geniuses, everyone would simply think, 'Bai Ming is the scholar closest to being a genius,' not that she actually was one.
In short.
This layer of uncertainty was the biggest hurdle.
For 'Jingliu', however, this hurdle wasn't something that needed immediate solving.
Right now, 'Jingliu' was simply looking forward to the Puppet Hertas using the Halo System to become this or that kind of Herta.
They didn't need to fully rival her; just being able to keep up with Herta's thoughts would be enough to give Madam Herta a run for her money!
As for Ruan Mei and Screwllum, they were anticipating that the prank's outcome would meet, or even exceed, expectations.
This way, perhaps they could truly use this project as a foundation to touch upon the essence of genius.
And then, using that essence, attempt to understand Nous.
After all, geniuses themselves are incorporated as an extension of Nous's thought. Conversely, isn't this system itself a kind of reverse-engineered Halo System?
--+--
The entire development process took over half a month.
By the time the Halo System was nearing completion, 'Jingliu's' character playtime was also just about up.
As for why she didn't end the playthrough early, it was mainly because Ruan Mei still wanted to study that Propagation Lightning Lord more.
So she dragged it out until the very last moment before switching the character card.
--+--
[Character Role-Play System]
[Name: Bai Ming (Little Herta)]
[Lifespan: 1200 years (Paused) + 30 days (Character Role-Play)]
[Transformable Characters: Big Herta (Available), Acheron (Available), Celenova (Available), 'Jingliu' (Available), Ruan Mei (Charge: 92.1%), Sparkle (Charge: 82.8%), Hess (Charge: 42.5%), Cyrene·Fuli (Charge: 1.6%), Destruction·'Jingliu' (Charge: 3.0%), Little Herta (Role-Playing)]
[Available Draws: 0 (35.3%)]
[Reward Settlement: Contributed to the creation of the swarm, altered the fate of the Xianzhou Fanghu, made a decisive contribution to the birth of the Eighth Lord Ravager. Can acquire partial talents from this character card.]
--+--
"Wait, hold on... what do you mean, 'contributed to the birth of the Eighth Lord Ravager'?"
Compared to the intertwined powers of Propagation + Hunt + Destruction flooding into her body, and the control over the swarm, 'Little Herta' was now more concerned with the second half of that system evaluation.
What was that supposed to mean?
Are you telling me Nanook actually found inspiration in this and is now seriously planning to cook up an Eighth Lord Ravager?
No way, dude. Are you for real?
A corner of 'Little Herta's' mouth twitched.
What exactly did Nanook see in this?
Last time she played this role, THEY hadn't reacted at all. 'Little Herta' had assumed Nanook wasn't interested in this particular potential Lord Ravager.
But not only were THEY interested, THEY were apparently raring to go and create one?
Good grief.
How was Nanook planning to mold it? Would THEY directly attack the Xianzhou and snatch something crafted by the Hunt to use as a base?
That didn't seem likely either. The Lightning Lord plus Propagation combination didn't seem particularly special.
And if it lacked the power of Remembrance infused by 'Little Herta's' involvement, the swarm's proliferation ability might not even compare to the Antimatter Legion's.
Wait, no!
Could it be that what Nanook was really after was the combination of Propagation + Remembrance?
A unique proliferation ability, plus Destruction, making it part of the Legion.
If, in the future, merely seeing or hearing about the Antimatter Legion would cause Voidranger bugs to crawl out of your mind...
What kind of chaotic, hellish scene would that be?
"Tch..."
Imagining this possibility, 'Little Herta's' mouth twitched again.
A sense of dread washed over her.
Don't tell me... if that's how it's going to be.
Wouldn't the Antimatter Legion become even more rampant?
No, she'd have to keep an eye on this later.
If there really was any sign of movement...
She'd need to formulate countermeasures early.
--+--
Pushing aside the worries in her heart for the moment.
'Little Herta' snapped back to reality.
She met Ruan Mei's inquisitive gaze.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, just remembered something."
'Little Herta' shook her head.
Then, she spun around gracefully in front of Ruan Mei on her pretty little leather boots.
The adorable, dark-colored dress skirt fluttered in the breeze.
A bright smile, uniquely Bai Ming's, bloomed on her young but equally beautiful face.
For a moment, Ruan Mei seemed captivated.
Stripped of Herta's awkward personality and replaced with Bai Ming's disposition, the lethality of that face seemed to have subtly increased.
Ruan Mei smiled and reached out to pinch those soft, plump cheeks:
"When Herta was little, she really was a bit cuter than the puppets. She wasn't lying about that."
"Right? Hey, if Herta ever de-aged, why wouldn't she pick this age? So adorable."
'Little Herta' became engrossed in pinching her own cheeks.
The outfit, styled similarly to Herta's puppet attire, looked exquisitely cute on her.
Like a doll.
After admiring the cute little face of young Herta in Ruan Mei's mirror.
'Little Herta' finally bid farewell to Ruan Mei and Screwllum.
Then, secretly pocketing the Halo System, she slipped away to Herta City, eager to set up the prank before Herta lost interest.
'Little Herta' didn't even stop to rest; she set off immediately!
As usual, she landed beside Noa using Phase Flame.
After greeting Noa, she enthusiastically grabbed a passing Herta puppet.
"Wow, it's Madam Herta as a little kid this time! Lady Bai Ming, your taste is absolutely the best in the universe!"
The moment the Herta puppet saw Herta's face, it launched into full-on praise mode.
It even leaned in close, staring wide-eyed to examine every detail.
"Such a rare sight of Madam Herta as a child! I must perfectly preserve this visual record! Truly, Madam Herta is perfect!"
She didn't even get a chance to speak.
Almost every puppet in the vicinity that spotted 'Little Herta' came rushing over.
It was starting to feel like she might be drowned in a sea of puppets.
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL