I Am Honkai

13th District, Advanced Education Bureau.

Kihara Gensei watched the battle footage of Selene and Accelerator, letting out a fit of maniacal laughter. His eyes widened with excitement as he hysterically exclaimed, "Yes, yes, that's the power, the potential of an absolute ability user..."

As for why he hadn't demanded Selene's DNA, you must think Kihara Gensei is a fool. Selene is not someone to be trifled with, and she's neither naive nor easily deceived. He wants to live a few more years, so there's no need to court death.

After a while, Kihara Gensei returned to normal and asked, "How's Accelerator doing?"

"He's out of danger but hasn't regained consciousness."

"Hmph, once he wakes up, resume the Absolute Ability Evolution Plan immediately!"

...

The next day, the entire Academy City knew about the second-ranked challenging the first-ranked and getting beaten half to death.

The first-ranked defended her position with an overwhelming battle.

Although the General Council had considered covering up the incident, the huge explosion, the earthquake, and the massive crater couldn't be hidden. They couldn't just claim it was a meteor strike, could they? Do they think everyone is a fool?

There was no choice but to make it public.

Thus, the ability users throughout Academy City marveled at the first-ranked's powerful superpowers. At this time, a rumor surfaced, seemingly from nowhere, that the third-ranked also challenged the first-ranked and was severely injured. People were talking about it, sighing over how the gap in abilities was so vast, like they weren't even living in the same world.

Originally, the rankings in Academy City were thought to be based on the practicality of abilities, but perhaps due to Selene, after several fights, the rankings now seemed to many to be more like a power ranking.

...

Every hot topic gradually fades over time.

As time passed, the hype around Selene gradually got replaced by other news, and she finally returned to a normal life. When the news first broke, wherever she went in the School District, someone would greet her, and the enthusiasm from her classmates at Tokiwadai was so overwhelming that it scared her into staying at Destiny Research Institute recently.

But thinking back to the fight with Accelerator, it was truly exhilarating. No matter what happened to Accelerator, Selene thoroughly enjoyed it. She didn't understand why, but once she entered battle mode, Selene always felt a particularly strong urge to destroy.

This should be considered a major flaw of hers, presumably influenced by the fusion of Sirin's DNA, Honkai, and her soul, which, while giving her special abilities, also instilled in her a strong urge to destroy and contempt for life. Normally it's fine, but once in battle, she tends to overdo it, ending up with either death or severe injury, utterly failing to hold back.

In fact, when the battle was interrupted that day and Selene gradually returned to normal, she was somewhat dazed.

Seeing the destruction she caused, she was actually a bit scared. Kihara Amata's inquiry made her heart skip a beat, and she was stunned on the spot (in Kihara Amata's eyes, she appeared expressionless and filled with murderous intent), fearing that she would be asked to pay for the damages.

Upon learning that Accelerator would be responsible for the compensation, Selene immediately sighed in relief. But she maintained her act, fully expressing her anger, and then quickly slipped away without even treating Accelerator.

However, there is both good news and bad news. During her time hiding at Destiny Research Institute, through Selene's continuous direction (as a slacker), and with Shuji Matsuzaki's efforts (as the main contributor), the Destiny Research Institute finally created the initial version of the human body repair agent, named T-R1.

The only downside is that, being the initial version, T-R1's effects are a bit too strong. Normal people might not need or understand the value of this drug, but Selene can guarantee that once it's released, patients with serious illnesses, research institutions, and wealthy individuals will undoubtedly flock to it.

Although this drug lacks the body-strengthening function, its repair capabilities are extraordinarily potent. Setting aside minor injuries and ailments, what's truly important is that it addresses terminal diseases like AIDS, cancer, Alzheimer's, etc., without discrimination!

This is quite remarkable. These diseases, once contracted, could potentially destroy a family, casting a shadow over human society. But before T-R1, these issues are negligible.

However, this won't do. The effects of T-R1 are too strong and must be weakened. Ideally, it should be broken down into several series, with different drugs corresponding to different ailments. Even within cancer treatment, drugs should be categorized according to different cancer types to maximize profits.

Such is the thinking of the capitalist and exploiter, Selene. She's currently very satisfied with her tool, Shuji Matsuzaki, as he has proven to be exceptionally handy.

"Using this drug as a prototype, we'll keep it for internal circulation for now and not release it to the public. Matsuzaki, I have another task for you: dilute its effects..." Sitting at her desk, Selene handed her blueprint to Shuji Matsuzaki, instructing, "Burn this after reading. You know what to do."

"Yes!" Shuji Matsuzaki stood obediently, accepting the blueprint with both hands and studying it carefully, a look of difficulty on his face. "Boss, breaking down the drug's repair functions to such a detailed level is highly complex. It's impossible to achieve in the short term..."

"You seem to have forgotten my abilities? These drugs are essentially based on Honkai energy for body enhancement. Although diluted and weakened, I can still control their enhancement effects within a certain range."

Regarding the drug's effects, as long as the core raw material remains Honkai energy, Selene can manipulate it to enhance, suppress, or adjust the drug's efficacy range.

To draw an analogy, the drug is antivirus software, diseases are viruses, and Selene is the sole designer and administrator. She can modify the software's applicable range at will, even dividing the master software into multiple specialized sub-software, each targeting a specific virus.

Listening to Selene's explanation, Shuji Matsuzaki's eyes reflected contemplation and a bit of confusion. "Boss, do you mean that you will personally be involved in every production process?"

"Personally involved?" Selene was taken aback, shaking her head immediately. "How could that be possible? What I mean is granting you partial control over Honkai energy (equivalent to the group leader giving him an admin role). Are you willing?"

"Boss! Really?" Hearing that he would be granted control over Honkai energy, Shuji Matsuzaki's eyes lit up with excitement, his entire demeanor becoming exceptionally spirited. Startled by the news, he struggled to maintain composure, cautiously noting the latter part of the statement, "What's the cost?"

Shuji Matsuzaki always believed that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and that what is free might be the most expensive.

Gazing intently at the cautious Shuji Matsuzaki, Selene tapped the table with a finger and couldn't help but laugh softly, "The price is that you'll work for me for life, with your life and death entirely at my discretion... Any breach of contract means death! Are you still willing?"

Shuji Matsuzaki contemplated for a long time, finally seeming to make up his mind, nodding firmly, "Alright, Boss, I accept!"

Shuji Matsuzaki understood well that, with his current knowledge and resources in Academy City, he had neither the money nor the influence to make a name for himself. He might toil for thirty or forty years without making progress, and did he even have the right to refuse? Refusing would only lead to being marginalized, if not outright eliminated.

Moreover, since the Boss was willing to give him a chance, both publicly and privately, Shuji Matsuzaki had no reason to refuse. He also harbored ambitions, hoping to entrust his aspirations to Selene's growing power for realization.

"Good, I won't shortchange you. You'll receive plenty of benefits..." As she spoke, Selene extended her right hand, condensing a cube emitting a mysterious red glow and tossed it to Shuji Matsuzaki, "A wise choice indeed."

As he prepared to catch it, Shuji Matsuzaki suddenly noticed that the cube gradually seeped into his skin upon contact with his palm. "Huh?" The anticipated pain never came; upon careful sensing, he felt no changes in his body.

As he was about to check for anomalies, Selene's voice came through, "Okay, fusion complete!"

"So fast?" Shuji Matsuzaki couldn't believe it; the fusion was over in less than ten seconds?

Of course, it was quick. The "cube's" function, besides placing Shuji Matsuzaki's life and death in Selene's hands, was merely to grant him a limited sense of control over Honkai energy.

Moreover, the permission granted to Shuji Matsuzaki was pathetically small, confined to a specific scope of control without the ability to extract Honkai energy independently—essentially, a mere tool for drug production.

Regarding Honkai energy, Selene exercised extreme caution, implementing layer upon layer of restrictions.

"Yes, that's right. You should be able to lightly control the activity of Honkai energy, enhancing or suppressing it as you explore." With that, Selene passed by Shuji Matsuzaki, opened the office door, and said, "Remember! Your task has been assigned..."

Having said that, without waiting for Shuji Matsuzaki's response, Selene left the office and didn't return to the School District; instead, she headed to another research project's experimental center...