A good story is fine and all, but there's still a potential problem—Vya might scare people.
This child was like an uncut diamond, pure but capable of unintentionally scratching others.
If Vya "ate" freely in front of others... well, that would be bad.
The image of Vya swallowing a Honkai beast whole flashed in Elysia's mind. An ordinary person witnessing that would probably be traumatized.
So, Elysia decided some proper guidance was in order.
"Vya~ Big sister needs to teach you one more thing, okay?"
"Sister, what is it?"
"It's... when you eat from now on, remember to do it somewhere private. Don't let other people see."
"Ah... Why?" Vya was puzzled.
"Because it wouldn't be very cute~ If Vya stuffs all that into her mouth at once, it might frighten people."
Elysia's voice was gentle and patient as she gave Vya's little cheek a soft pinch.
"Oh... Then..." Vya stammered, "Did Vya do something wrong before...?"
"Not at all, it's fine around us~ Because we know Vya is a good girl~"
"Vya, don't listen to her. Eat if you want to. If those people get scared... that's their problem, not yours."
"Ah... Dr. Mobius?"
"Mobius~ How can you say that... This is for Vya's sake."
Hearing this, Mobius let out a dismissive 'tch' and turned to walk a few steps away.
"It's really nothing~ You just have to be mindful around people, okay~"
"So that's how it is... Vya will remember~"
With a smile, she extended her pinky finger. "Vya will be good and listen! Let's pinky promise~"
A bright smile bloomed back on Vya's little face.
"Mhm, Vya really is a good girl~"
Elysia dotingly patted Vya's head and sealed the promise with a linked pinky.
...
Night fell quickly. Mobius was alone in the lab, her green hair gleaming under the surgical lights as she reviewed the experimental report in her hands.
The crystallization ability Vya displayed was truly unusual. The molecular structure of those pink crystals was completely different from traditional Honkai energy crystals, resembling some form of living tissue instead.
High adaptability, high regenerative properties...
While MOTH had made some progress in harnessing Honkai energy, weapon development based on it was still a work in struggle...
What Mobius had always believed was that the forms life could take should not be limited. For humanity, that meant not being confined to being 'human.'
In her view, even if humanity existed in another form of life, even if the essence of being human was lost, it was no great issue.
Evolution was, by nature, a process of breaking shackles. Why cling to a single form?
Vya's appearance offered a new line of thought.
If everyone could exist in a state like Vya's, then the Honkai would cease to be a disaster for humanity.
Mobius opened the file labeled the "Stigmata Project."
Of course, this merely provided another angle for the Stigmata Project.
Even though that project would only begin to show modest results years later, and was far eclipsed by the MANTIS Project perfected by Mei.
In Elysia's room that night, she once again covered Vya's damp little face with kisses.
The two of them sat on the bed.
"Vya~♪ Guess what surprise is coming later?" Elysia wore a mysterious smile.
"There is one!" Vya cheered.
"My, you guessed correctly. Vya is so smart~♪"
"Ta-da~! A present!"
Elysia produced a crystal ball from behind her back. Inside was a sculpture of a golden harp.
But... the intricate mechanical base gave it away—this was a music box.
"Wow~ Such a pretty ball!"
Vya stared excitedly at the crystal ball in Elysia's hands, her little hands unconsciously reaching for the beautiful object. Her eyes practically gleamed with golden light.
"Here, for you~"
"Thank you, sister!"
Vya took it with both hands, cradling the crystal and studying it curiously.
"This is a souvenir Eden gave me~!"
"Ah...?"
Vya remembered that name. It had appeared in Elysia's sleep-talking.
When Vya wasn't sleeping, she listened carefully. In her impression, this name came up quite often.
"So another sister gave this to Big Sister Elysia... Isn't it bad for Vya to have it...?"
"It's fine~ I have another one. And that sister is very kind too. She'd definitely like Vya a lot~"
"She might even give you lots of presents later~"
Elysia happily explained to Vya.
"Really? That's great! Thank you, Big Sister Elysia, and that Sister Eden!"
"Mhm~"
Elysia couldn't help but pat Vya's head. "Press here, and there will be a very beautiful song inside~"
Guiding Vya's hand, Elysia flipped the switch. A melodious tune slowly filled the air.
The harp inside the crystal ball began to rotate gently...
"Alright~ Vya should get to sleep early~ I'll take you to meet Sister Eden tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay~!"
Elysia drifted off to sleep amidst the music, but Vya didn't need sleep.
So the entire night, Vya sat staring at the crystal ball in her hands.
The next morning, Elysia opened her eyes to the surprising sight of Vya already sitting up, holding a book she'd fetched from who-knows-where.
Elysia rubbed her eyes, realizing she wasn't mistaken.
This child really does love reading!
Smiling, Elysia reached over and ruffled Vya's snow-white hair.
"Wow, sister, you're awake~"
"Vya had nothing to do, so she just read a book, waiting for sister to wake up."
"Alright, alright, let's get ready to go!"
Getting dressed, washing up, and off they went!
...
In a small square in a certain city, Vya looked curiously at the ice cream in her hand. Her pink tongue cautiously gave it a lick. It tasted wonderful... sweet. Delighted, she then took a bite.
While it couldn't satisfy her hunger, it was genuinely delicious.
"Can Vya have more?"
Vya finished the ice cream in two or three bites...
"You may~"
"Sister... is it not cute~?"
Elysia suddenly realized her earlier words might make Vya self-conscious every time she ate now...
So Elysia said with a smile:
"It's fine~ Having one or two more is no problem."
"Yay~"
Seeing such a lively little child, the young woman selling ice cream also reminded her kindly:
"Little miss, be careful not to eat too much or your tummy might hurt~"
Hearing this, Vya hesitated.
"Ah... then Vya will have just two more... um, one!" She gestured with her little hands, like a tiny merchant haggling.
"Okay, here you go. Just one more is best~"
"Thank you, sister!"
The ice cream seller was quite happy too, after all, it was such an adorable child.
"Alright~ Let's go~"
Elysia led Vya away from the little square.
…
I have completed the author to TL pipeline, 2 chapters per day. Advanced chapters available on patreon.
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