As if expecting this scene, Aleph took a towel placed on a metal counter. His figure disappeared, only to return to Mobius' side a second later. It soon fell on her naked body.
Seeing her surprised looks, he had the urge to mess around.
"What? Even though it's rare to see you like this, I'd rather save you from embarrassment."
"Heh. So you're actually a gentleman?"
"By definition, yes. I can cook, do my own laundry, clean the house…"
The two had seemingly forgotten Klein's existence beyond the window. Numerous "hows" wanted to get out of her, yet she chose not to disturb the two.
Be it Aleph's ability to instantaneously reappear somewhere or being unbothered by the spiking honkai energy without any protective gears, they were some points to be asked.
For now, however, she let the two have their fun…
'This is different.'
…just like a true friend.
*****
Once again, Aleph arrived in the moonlight shrine. He started from the bottom of the mountain until he arrived near the top.
"You have changed."
The first thing that went into his ears were Sasaki's words. Noticing Aleph's slight surprise, he proceeded to explain:
"When you repeat some things to a certain extent, you will easily notice some differences."
Sasaki practiced with a sword thousands of times in an attempt to create a blade that could cut down a swallow. That was the origin behind his Tsubame Gaeshi.
"What do you want to learn this time?" He asked.
Aleph recalled the things he planned to do now. Unlike Kashimo who continued introducing new ideas to him regarding the "Sorcerer World", Sasaki's training primarily consisted of practical training as well as recalling some principles. These principles were the statements included in several manuals, such as the "the world is I" from [Sphere Boundary].
Meaning to say, he has a vacant time slot with Sasaki.
"You see, I know someone who practices the blade…"
Aleph continued telling him about Sakura.
During the last few months, they met dozens of times. Most of it was to inquire about some "confidential news", but there are also things related to her sister. That, and a few bouts.
From them, he could immediately tell that her skill when it comes to swordsmanship was superb. Even he doesn't have that high of a skill, simply because he relied on his [Deathly Intuition] and combat experiences more. He is accustomed to doing numerous things to take his chances at victory.
Sakura, on the other hand, was more disciplined. She was using her sheer skills to fend him off. Although it was a bout without much cursed energy usage, it was more than enough to overwhelm the majority of humanity.
Moreover…
"A skill to increase reaction time? You might be talking about the result of our training."
Sasaki explained the principles behind swordsmanship. It was quite 'abstract', so as to say, but it was all about disciplining oneself that leads to qualitative physical changes.
"That girl has the talent to reach that state. Given enough chances, she should be able to achieve something similar to my blade."
'Sakura… Her power to stop time…'
Sakura was one of the few who could stop time. In the far future, she would have the power to stop time through her swordsmanship, making it so that all of her sword slash strikes at the same time.
It was akin to another sword-wielder in a game who could cut through space so fast it only "happens" when he sheathes his blade. Both he and Sakura were equally motivated, to boot.
"Can I teach something to her?"
"If it's passing down a few lessons…"
Sasaki listed down some of his experiences.
*****
Mobius' reputation inside Fire MOTH is akin to a sunken boat—there's no saving it. In her earlier years as the fifth's director, she did several human experiments on subjects who volunteered. However, once all of them failed, she became a crazy doctor who threw lives for her own selfishness.
Coupled with the difference in life level back when she integrated a chariot-class genome in her body, many people feared to be around her.
In turn, not many people could keep pushing her buttons (i.e., annoy her).
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
"Ooh? What's this sudden call?
In the midst of the silent hallway, Mobius was being kept company by a pink-haired girl.
"Still noisy, as always. Wait for a while. We'll reach our destination soon."
Hearing Mobius' normal retorts, Elysia didn't stop at all.
"Was it related to Aleph? Hm?"
"Partially, yes."
Unfortunately, Mobius wasn't to be played like that. She was adept in hiding her reactions, thus the fun in teasing should've gradually lost its meaning. Nevertheless, Elysia continued acting as usual.
Their dynamic then slowly became the unstoppable force and the immovable force.
Soon, they reached a medium-sized conference room. Aside from them, there were three other people present.
Kevin, the crowned prodigy of MOTH's armed forces.
Sakura, the elusive second-in-command of MOTH's "unaffiliated" hidden force.
Finally…
"Hm? Everyone's finally here."
Aleph swiftly glanced at Mobius before his gaze stayed with Elysia for a while. Unlike before, he didn't bother scanning her anymore.
"It's been a while." He greeted her.
"Yes. The last time was during the Night."
Unexpectedly… or as expected, Aleph chose for it to remain as a polite greeting. He invited everyone to their seats before opening the projection, revealing a girl with ponytailed purple hair.
"For everyone's knowledge, today's meeting isn't recorded. Treat it as something under the table."
"So, what will the surprise be?"
Elysia asked as she playfully looked at Aleph.
As she had expected, Mei confirmed her doubts.
"They will be better at explaining it."
Aleph and Mobius looked at each other for a while before the former nodded.
"In simplest terms… the Project Soldier succeeded. I, along with Mobius, have successfully used an emperor-class honkai beast's genome and integrated it into the human body."
""...""
Aside from Elysia, Kevin and Sakura were left processing that shocking information. While they did so, Mei took back the "microphone".
"We are planning to hide this for a while. As Aleph mentioned, there aren't any records of it on MOTH's orbital equipment."
Gradually, Mei's words led in a certain direction.
"Do you want to use this to uproot them?"
"Yes."
Sakura looked at Mei's projection wordlessly. As a member of Fire MOTH's 'unaffiliated' force, she knew how it was to work in the shadows. She couldn't even be considered as MOTH's official employee, but more like a contractor specialized in doing dirty jobs.
In a sense, she was part of the hidden cards the councilors tacitly agreed on.
"As early as his attempted abduction… and some threats on my side, I realized we weren't only fighting the honkai."
Today marked the creation of a new group.