A month and a half.
That was how much time had passed since Aleph's meeting with Mei. Their separation was still fresh in his mind. Nobody expected for a 'mutant' Seraph-class beast to screw things for them.
Due to her extremely tight schedule, the best they could do was to exchange contacts and talk through mobile phones. Through that, they managed to set up a meeting place.
Of course, it wasn't that simple for the two of them. Unlike their previous identities, they are now respected researchers within Fire MOTH. Their value was extremely high, thus requiring them to have a corresponding security team whenever they go out.
It was through many efforts did the two manage to meet up in a "normal way".
"You went here early."
"Yes?"
Mei briefly fell into deep thoughts.
"That aspect of yours hasn't changed."
"I see."
When Aleph heard this, he had a better image of himself. The Aleph of the past was silent, direct, and punctual. He should be someone who is rigid yet keeps his principles.
Since he currently didn't have any form of records on himself, Aleph could only learn more about himself through his friends. He found it strange that he couldn't completely recall his memories, though he has some guesses as to why this happened.
"So, let's grab some lunch first? Then we'll go to the cafe."
"We talked this over before. It's fine by me."
Somehow, Aleph could see the same traits that his previous self had on Mei. It wasn't evident before, but when Mei started 'working' in the truest sense, it somehow overlapped with his image of himself.
'Was this the reason why things are like that?'
Aleph's thoughts were destined to be unanswered for now.
He didn't let these thoughts appear on his face as he continued talking with her. Their topics were quite random. It spanned from theses up to daily life occurrences.
It continued even after they had their lunch. As planned, the two are now staying at the cafe they chose. This city was located on the farther side from the center of the Mu Continent. It allowed them to feel some sort of peace, even though the two knew about the matters regarding honkai.
"Each institute had their focused research." Aleph said as he took a sip of his coffee. "But the funding's tilted to the second and third institutes."
"It's politics. The council isn't as united as I thought. There are even disputes when it comes to disbanding the fourth institute."
Despite the bad news, Aleph saw no change in Mei's expression. The latter continued explaining her findings.
"They are eager to increase their hidden personal armies. The fifth's status is unshakeable, but the higher-ups always stole their fundings." She said. "Fire MOTH is no different from other groups."
Mei was the one who felt this 'distinction' the most. At first, she started as a girl who wanted to contribute to humanity—to fight against those beasts who killed many. However, as she went on, she slowly discovered the hidden side that Fire MOTH has.
One good example was the fifth institute's situation. Its director, Doctor Mobius, was one of the oldest members of Fire MOTH. She was part of the individuals who reached a cooperation with world leaders and corporate giants when it came to Fire MOTH's fundings. The steady stream of supplies used to develop technology regarding honkai required a lot of money.
Unfortunately, bad things were bound to happen. As Fire MOTH grew, these parties saw the benefits it brought. Harnessing the power of honkai held great temptation for them to further their interests.
In the end, it reached this point when they no longer focused on the honkai, but of their own interests.
The only one who kept the balance is the strongest combatant within the group, Elysia. She alone was the reason as to why Fire MOTH remained as it was.
Her personal strength to go against a Herscherr alone is a huge deterrent akin to several nuclear bombs.
Thus, those parties and Elysia continued to mutually restrict each other, maintaining a fragile balance that resulted in the current situation.
Aleph fell silent from Mei's words. He looked at her—to be specific, her eyebags.
"You changed a lot within a month and a half. It wasn't just Kevin, after all." He calmly stated. "You haven't been catching up on sleep, too."
"You really… It's the same words back then."
Mei recalled a memory. Most people called her 'diligent', but she would sometimes overwork herself to the point of exhaustion. She believed it was normal.
Yet, when Aleph saw through her, he immediately reprimanded her actions.
"You haven't been catching up on sleep. Take a break. It won't take much of your time."
Nearly every acquaintance of his considered him cold and frank. Nobody would've described him as caring, yet Aleph said those words.
At that time, Mei saw an empathetic look from him. It was as if he went through the same things as her, a comrade, so as to speak.
That was how their vague relationship began. The two should've been more than friends, yet they didn't attempt to step to the next level.
By the time Mei seriously considered taking the first move, the Third Eruption happened.
"There's no need to remind me. I will try to rest well."
"No, trying isn't enough. You will rest well."
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Mei's lips.
"You'd pull off something." She said. "Will you now call me every night?"
"Yes."
Aleph said those words as if nothing was wrong. He continued sipping on his second coffee as he waited for her response.
"Alright."
In the end, Mei gave in willingly.
******
By the time Aleph returned to the third institute, it was already nighttime. He had his usual pondering session as he sat on his bed.
"A way to get out…"
He looked at his remaining rewards from the achievements.
[Random Box]
[Blank Sephira Crystal Fragment]
[Unlimited Magazine — M9]
[Amicable Charm]
[Electric Toothbrush]
[Ten Feet Rope]
[Levitating Cup]
[Invisible Blanket]
…
Aleph's time at the institute was fruitful. His biggest gains were his technical knowledge prior to his amnesia. These achievement rewards were secondary compared to it.
For starters, he regained his knowledge on mixed martial arts, swordsmanship, and gunmanship. The amount of reflexes Aleph had regarding these subjects are extremely high.
Aside from that, the most valuable knowledge was his innovations. These are the miniature nuclear reactor as well as the dark energy reactor. He could tell at a glance that these two, especially the latter, were extremely valuable.
Further on, he recalled theories about a series of exoskeleton armors. They weren't that advanced compared to the units used by Fire MOTH, but their threshold was far lower.
Every exoskeleton in Fire MOTH uses the energy derived from honkai, dubbed as honkai energy. Its advantage was its power, but it always eroded its pilot with honkai. People eroded by honkai could only become undeads.
It was the reason why the exoskeletons used were either extremely simplified or specialized for a specific person. Since there are people with said resistance towards honkai energy, the latter case appeared.
As for his blueprints…
Everyone could use it. That alone could warrant how important it was.
However, the dark energy reactor was far more valuable compared to it. Aleph could tell that this world was somewhat close to discovering the miniature nuclear reactor. But, harnessing the dark energy is another matter.
In his memories, it was said to be a result of extreme luck. Its output was far higher compared to nuclear energy. It could be compared to the difference between a normal engine and a nuclear reaction, multiplied dozens of times.
Moreover, Aleph didn't only recall exoskeleton suits. There are also blueprints of thirty-meter-tall robots that utilize these two reactors.
Simply put, Aleph's arsenal would become far stronger the moment he turns these blueprints into reality.
"To come out and fight… and to see if I could gather some of the materials outside."
Ultimately, his pondering session failed to threaten his sleep time.