Knock knock knock—!
"Who is it?"
Hearing the knocking, Elysia went to open the door.
"Oh, it's you, Chang Yuan. What's up? Come on in."
Elysia made way for Chang Yuan and invited him in.
Chang Yuan didn't refuse.
After entering the dorm, Chang Yuan sat on Elysia's bed.
Elysia thoughtfully brought him a glass of water.
"Tomorrow, come with me to Vill-V's place for a check-up."
"Huh? Why the sudden check-up?"
Elysia was very confused.
Their bodies were perfectly healthy. Why would they need a check-up?
"Just because there's no problem now doesn't mean there won't be hidden issues. It's always good to be thorough."
"Alright, if you say so, then I'll go."
Elysia didn't doubt him at all.
After all, during the early days of becoming a MANTIS, Vill-V would occasionally check on them.
Going for another check-up now wasn't a big deal.
"Then see you tomorrow."
With his goal achieved, Chang Yuan didn't stay long.
However, just because he didn't want to stay didn't mean others felt the same.
Elysia grabbed the back of his shirt.
"You're leaving without a goodbye kiss? Do you not love me anymore?"
"Huh?"
"I don't care, I don't care. No kiss, no leaving."
Since accepting Chang Yuan, Elysia had become more and more like a girlfriend.
She would act cute, demand hugs, and show all the clingy behaviors of a normal couple, but even more so.
Chang Yuan knew the reason.
Elysia was worried that the future she foresaw might come true, so she wanted to create as many beautiful memories as possible, leaving him with as much as she could.
"Alright, alright, kisses, hugs, and lifting you up."
Turning around, Chang Yuan kissed Elysia's peach-colored lips.
Click!
"Uh, did I come back at a bad time?"
Himeko, who had just returned from training, saw the scene in her dorm and felt like her timing was off.
Elysia hadn't expected Himeko to return so early today.
Her face turned red with embarrassment.
"Himeko, you never come back this early."
"Well, I decided to take a break today. But it seems my timing wasn't great."
Himeko smacked her lips, her eyes turning red as she watched the scene.
Showing off their love was one thing, but doing it in the dorm? Bullying a single person like her?
Sure, shipping was sweet, but having it happen right in front of her was just jealousy-inducing!
"Ahem, I'll take my leave now."
Being seen by an outsider for the first time, Chang Yuan felt a bit embarrassed and left after saying his goodbyes.
Not long after, he heard the voices of the girls chatting in the dorm.
"Ahhh! Himeko, couldn't you have come back later?"
"How is that my fault? How was I supposed to know you'd be doing... that in the dorm? Maybe give me a heads-up next time?"
"A heads-up? How am I supposed to say that?"
"Then go to a hotel. Who does this kind of thing in the dorm?"
"Ugh, Chang Yuan, my Chang Yuan, wuwu."
The next morning...
"Vill-V, we're here for the check-up."
"Got it. You first. Just lie down on the operating table."
Seeing Elysia enter her operating room, the 'Expert' Vill-V pointed to the operating table.
Although she was confused about why a check-up required lying on an operating table, Elysia didn't question it out of trust.
Soon, Prometheus brought over a glass of water.
"Elysia, have some water first. The check-up process is lengthy, and you might not have time to drink later. Hydrate now."
"Hehe, thanks, Prometheus. I'll buy you a pink dress next time."
"..."
Hearing Elysia mention buying her a dress, Prometheus chose to remain silent.
So far, several people had received pink dresses from Elysia. Without exception, they were all pink.
Taking the glass, Elysia drank the water in a few gulps.
Not long after, she started feeling drowsy.
"Elysia, the preparations will take a while. If you're tired, take a nap. We'll wake you when it's time."
"Hmm, alright. This is the first time I've felt this sleepy. Just a little nap, just a short one."
As she spoke, Elysia closed her eyes and fell asleep.
This was a special sleeping pill created by the 'Expert' Vill-V.
Even a MANTIS couldn't resist its effects.
After confirming that Elysia was truly asleep, the 'Expert' Vill-V called in Mobius and Mei.
The three of them began their division of labor and cooperation, while Chang Yuan stood by with the Black Abyss and White Flower, ready to heal in case of any emergencies.
"Wait, no, it's not here. How is this possible?"
About five minutes into the surgery, the 'Expert' Vill-V exclaimed in disbelief.
She had checked all the possible locations where a Herrscher core might be, but there was nothing.
Hearing this answer, Chang Yuan nearly lost his balance.
The worst-case scenario had come true.
Elysia's authority wasn't maintained by a Herrscher core.
She was the most special Herrscher, her authority residing within her, impossible to strip away.
"...Then the plan changes. First, heal Elysia and collect some DNA and blood samples. Then, we'll devote all our efforts to replicating her authority."
After a moment of silence, Chang Yuan had no choice but to activate the second plan.
If Otto from the Second Eruption could create artificial Herrschers, why couldn't they create one with the authority of Origin?
Following his words, the others collected Elysia's blood and some DNA without disturbing her.
Then, they stitched up the wound and used the Black Abyss and White Flower to erase all traces of the surgery.
They also removed the effects of the sleeping pill.
"Hmm, how long did I sleep?"
"Ten minutes. Now we can proceed with the check-up."
"Okay, but I feel a bit weird."
Elysia touched her stomach, feeling as if something had been stirred inside.
After completing the routine physical examination, Elysia was told she could leave.
The remaining few began discussing the feasibility of the plan.
"Prometheus, based on your calculations, what's the probability of success?"
"...The probability is less than 1 in 100 million. And that's only because nothing is absolutely impossible. Otherwise, I'd say the probability is zero."