I Am Honkai

"Aoki, you follow up on the research progress. I'll see if I can do something, but don't get your hopes up..." Determined to act since there wasn't much time left, Selene snapped her fingers.

The next second, she found herself once again inside the "Windowless Building."

"Selene?"

In the same dimly lit room, with the same giant luminous container, Aleister remained suspended upside down. Seeing Selene appear once more, his previously calm eyes now showed a hint of curiosity.

He hadn't summoned Selene. What was her motive this time? Based on Aleister's extensive experience in judging people, there was no doubt Selene was a sophisticated egoist, someone who wouldn't act without personal gain. If she came to him now, she likely had something to ask of him.

"Chairman Aleister," Selene greeted with a respectful bow, then walked over to the glass container with a smile.

Aleister nodded slightly in return, and then asked, "So, Miss Selene, what brings you here this time?"

"Chairman, I have some documents for you. They include information about several products currently designed and produced by my subordinates." With that, Selene handed over a hard drive.

At this point, as if lifted by a mysterious force, the hard drive floated from Selene's hand and inserted itself into a designated slot beside the glass container.

Beep, beep!

Quickly, dozens of projections appeared in front of the glass container.

"Hmm? Let me see..." In seconds, each projection's documents scrolled rapidly. This was beyond speed reading, making one wonder if Aleister truly comprehended it all. "Oh, Miss Selene, it seems your experiments are progressing swiftly."

"If I'm not mistaken, you came to me about the humanoid robot's intelligent operating system!" Clearly, the information Selene provided included not only military robots but also detailed, clearly priced data on numerous pharmaceutical products. Based on this, Aleister confidently said.

"Yes, exactly. Do you have a solution, Chairman?" Selene asked with a demure expression, a hint of caution in her voice.

"I can give it a try, and there's a significant chance it can be completed. But, Selene, why should I help you? What's in it for me?" Aleister replied unemotionally, looking at Selene acting before the glass container.

"This can effectively enhance Academy City's strength and maintain city security."

"Not enough."

"Then what are your terms, Chairman?"

Okay, Selene realized that Aleister didn't truly care about Academy City or the lives within it. His sole aim remained: [Destroy all phases, end all mysteries].

His objective was crystal clear. The most valuable thing Selene could offer was herself.

"Actually, I don't have specific terms. I just hope you always stand on the side of science." Seeming to see through Selene's emotions, Aleister, with a hint of a smile, said as he saw her freeze in place.

"You don't need to play dumb. I believe you know about the magic side, right...?"

Faced with Aleister's directness, Selene couldn't continue feigning ignorance. Reading between the lines, standing on the side of science essentially meant standing with Aleister. Her demeanor turned slightly serious, "Yes, I understand. You want me to stand with science—does that mean you're planning something?"

"You don't need to know about that for now. Do you agree to this condition?" Aleister didn't answer directly, instead posing the question again.

"Alright, I agree with you."

"So, it's settled. As for the intelligent operating system you need, it will be delivered by tomorrow, and you won't need to bear the research costs yourself—I'll cover them."

The promise was merely a verbal agreement with no tangible binding force. Aleister's straightforwardness slightly surprised Selene, "Aren't you afraid I might break my promise?"

"Break your promise? The same question could be asked—aren't you afraid I might do something tricky..." Aleister tilted his head slightly, no longer hiding his emotions, and laughed lightly as he countered, "We are the same kind of people, both believers in power, each with a firm goal. So, Selene, what is your ultimate goal?"

Selene didn't speak; her eyes gradually turned cold, exuding a sense of foreboding.

As time passed, Aleister's expression remained unchanged, silently observing Selene, becoming even more certain.

Indeed, this power, although currently weak, had an essence not inferior to the [Twisted Phase]'s Magic God... perhaps even slightly surpassing it. Was this a mere illusion? No, it was a fact!

[I'll shatter all phases, end all mysteries.] This was his sole reason for living.

Facing the Magic God, Aleister needed to amass enough strength. Previously, he had only one option: to single-handedly challenge the Magic God. But after meeting Selene, he discovered another possibility—a ready-made ally.

This is also the fundamental reason Aleister was willing to provide various forms of support to Selene. Her potential was immense, capable of better aiding his objectives.

As for the source of Selene's power, Aleister didn't bother to investigate deeply. The world naturally contained many anomalies. Each era ushered in new powers—divine offspring, saints, fantasy killers, magic gods, and so on.

To him, besides Selene's essence being somewhat elevated, she was just another naturally occurring sacred entity of this era, which seemed normal.

"I admit, what I value is your power, Miss Selene. I need your assistance to enhance the success rate of my plans... Candidly, I'm willing to offer the entire Academy City in exchange. Do you accept?"

"Sure, I agree!" Selene withdrew her power, shrugged, and put on a smile.

"Oh, no need to think it over?" Surprised by Selene's straightforward agreement, Aleister asked.

"No need! But, Chairman, keep in mind that you only get one chance."

"That's enough!"

"Is there anything else to convey..."

"..."

"Then the deal is sealed!" Having acquired everything she wanted, Selene gave Aleister a long, thoughtful look, smiled, bowed slightly, and then teleported away.

...

Back at Destiny Research Institute, Selene took a deep breath.

She knew Aleister was offering empty promises to use her, but wasn't she also using him? Mutual exploitation was normal.

Selene needed the time and resources for steady development, whereas Aleister was investing in her future. As long as the plan to shatter the phase and eradicate magic succeeded, why not have Academy City handed over to her? After all, its existence was just a product of Aleister's advancing plans.

If they failed, well, no worries—it would just mean mutual destruction!

Besides the mutual understanding of their core plans, Selene and Aleister's discussion also involved several additional terms.

Clearing threats to Academy City... defending against the magic side's attacks were Aleister's requests.

Expanding the arms factory production... supporting Destiny Research Institute's research... placing orders, etc., were Selene's conditions.

Disregarding Aleister's motives, Selene felt that besides having her foundational influence, she also needed to establish a backing interest community behind her research institute, with the Board of Directors being an excellent choice.

By sharing a small portion of profits, she could draw the power and money-holding directors onto her interests' bandwagon, ensuring that her influence wouldn't encounter significant obstacles in its future growth.

In the future, this community of interests might not be limited to Academy City but could also involve other major financial groups worldwide. However, the top priority now was—steady development.

Regarding this community of interests, Selene naturally had enough confidence, with the core product being the T-R series of pharmaceuticals.

For this product, Selene believed that those with aging, decaying bodies yet sitting at the pinnacle of power and wealth would be quite willing to pay the price, right?

The longer they live, the wealthier they become, the more they value their lives. No one would mind living longer, regardless of whether they are inherently greedy or despicable.

Are those billionaires who extend their lives using various exorbitant life-prolonging medications, even if it turns them into something inhuman, not ubiquitous?

Even if they harbor malicious intentions, what of it? Even if Selene shares the technical data, how could they produce it without the materials she provides?

Selene's sole objective has always been to exploit every available resource within the game's rules and continually grow stronger—not the strongest, but ever stronger!

Selene never considered herself a good person. On the contrary, her actions could be seen as villainous. She wouldn't hesitate to employ any means necessary to achieve her goals. She possessed ample ambition, strength, and perseverance to fulfill her aspirations.

Her kindness and gentleness are based solely on others not "blocking her path."

...

Inside the "Windowless Building."

"So, tell me, what do you think... Aiwass." After Selene left the building, Aleister uncharacteristically did not resume his slumber but asked the empty, dark room.

"If I'm not mistaken... she had long noticed... my presence and chose not to expose it... interesting." At this moment, a blurry figure appeared directly before Aleister's glass container. A voice, intermixed with static and of indeterminate gender, spoke with an unmistakable tone of curiosity and joy, akin to a child discovering something intriguing.

Upon closer inspection, Aiwass had golden long hair, a radiant, tall figure, and wore loose white garments draping the limbs and body. While one could not determine the gender, at least outwardly, Aiwass appeared female.

Emitting a faint golden light, Aiwass floated gently beside Aleister, speaking with a hint of delight, "... Even I cannot perceive her limits... If she can mature, Aleister, your plan might indeed succeed..."

"... Regardless, the age of the Magic God should come to an end!"