Listening to Sparkle's solemn oath, Herta couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
Swearing by the Aeon of Elation? Ha. Do you really think I know nothing about you Fools?
With a dismissive wave, a miniature simulated universe—a microcosm of experimental space—materialized in Herta City.
"In this world, space and time are mine to command. One day outside is a millennium within. Your consciousness will learn to become Yu Qingtu."
"Your physical body will remain here. Peppy and Herta Ninety-Nine will guard it. Live as Yu Qingtu until you've mastered the role."
Sparkle's eye twitched. She tried to refuse. Herta sent her away.
Her final conscious thought, as Sparkle, was pure shock and despair.
These geniuses... they really don't follow the script.
---
Within the Simulated World.
A distant frontier planet.
[The birth of Yu Qingtu, Genius Society member #55.]
[The first eighteen years: learning mixology from her master. Becoming a renowned cocktail artist throughout the cosmos.]
[Nineteenth year: leaving home, wandering the stars, seeking knowledge. In three days, she interpretes the Dalthus Theory. Solves countless world难题 in astrokaburistics and more.]
[Twentieth year: a single glance from Nous. Every scholar in the Intelligentsia Guild begged her to join.]
[She walked away without a word. Became a member of the Genius Society.]
[That same year, she met Ruan Mei for the first time. Soon after, she met Herta.]
[One was too cold, too aloof. One was too proud, too tsundere.]
[One was too cheerful—could chat with a passing True Sting and offer it a cocktail.]
[Three geniuses. The worst, most ridiculous personalities in the universe. Thus assembled.]
[Soon after, with Yu Qingtu's help, Herta and Ruan Mei met for the first time. Came to know each other.]
["Hello. I am Ruan Mei."]
[Herta glanced at her coldly. Another aloof one? She dismissed her with a contemptuous, arrogant sidelong glance.]
["I'm Herta. Spare me the formalities. Don't waste Madam Herta's precious time."]
["I want to create a universe that can simulate audiences with Aeons. I need other geniuses' help."]
[Ruan Mei ignored her proposal. She calmly sipped her tea, then asked softly,]
["Yu Qingtu. The cocktail you made last time?"]
["Here. Try it."]
[Herta glared at them both, indignant.]
["Hey!! Can you not ignore me?! Have some manners! Listen when I'm talking!! Honestly. Such strange personalities!!"]
---
Herta Ninety-Nine stared at the simulated world. She never knew Madam Herta possessed such power.
Herta yawned, gazing at the memories of the past.
"Don't be impressed. Just a simulated world. A reconstruction of memories. Madam Herta can do this easily."
"Herta Ninety-Nine. Stay here. Watch over Sparkle until she fully adapts to being Yu Qingtu. I'm going to rest."
With a casual wave, six Herta puppets lifted her throne and carried her away.
---
At the same time, Ruan Mei resumed her long-interrupted experiment.
If this fails... will Herta come see me tomorrow?
The moment she got distracted, the Abundance Aurumaton data—obtained from Stelle—drifted toward the Starcrusher Swarm King.
Bam.
Conflicting Paths. Experiment failed.
---
The next morning.
Two tiny Herta puppet sprites flew before Herta, phone in hand.
Herta opened her eyes. The first thing she saw: news of Ruan Mei's failed experiment.
"Hmm? Ruan Mei's experiment failed? I should congratulate her personally."
A nearby sprite, Herta #31540, reminded her gently.
"Madam Herta. You're going to see Madam Ruan Mei again. Shall I contact Herta Ninety-Nine and Wisteria Cake?"
Normally, Herta would have refused with arrogant disdain. But after everything, she had to admit their advice helped.
"Herta Ninety-Nine is watching Sparkle. You contact Wisteria Cake."
"Understood, Madam Herta."
When Wisteria Cake appeared on screen, Herta froze.
Ruan Mei Cake was teaching Forgotten Cake to make mousse. Wisteria Cake could only stare, wide-eyed, completely helpless.
Wisteria Cake met Herta's gaze and sneered coldly.
"Heh! See this, Madam Herta?!"
Herta feigned composure with a cough.
"Are you alright, Wisteria Cake?"
Wisteria Cake's expression darkened. She glared at Herta with resentment.
"Alright?! Look at me! Do I look alright?! I'm not alright!"
"And I inherited your 'talent' for blowing up kitchens! All I can do is watch Ruan Mei Cake and Forgotten Cake!!"
"Do you have any idea how much rage this cat-cake is feeling right now, Madam Herta?!"
"This is all because of you!!"
Seeing Wisteria Cake's unstable, out-of-control emotions, Herta found herself unable to offer a rebuttal. Guilty, she quickly ended the call.
Fine. I'll just see Ruan Mei myself. Congratulate her on her failed experiment.