Time flew by, and twenty-four hours passed.
Only then did Herman wake from his exhaustion. And the first thing he noticed was that... or rather, The Herta's sleeping posture was absolutely terrible. There were even damp marks on the pillow...
Drool?!
It couldn't be drool, right?!
So this body of The Herta drooled in her sleep... and her sleeping posture was awful too.
Herman shook his head and prepared to get up.
Of course, the morning routine had to be done as well...
Herman closed his eyes and placed his hands in front of himself.
At that very moment, the mirror in the room suddenly spoke: "Madam Herta, are you ill? You haven't gone to work for five consecutive workdays—you've done nothing but eat and sleep!!"
"And yesterday when you woke up, and again today, you placed your hands on your chest and rubbed! You're becoming more and more strange..."
The mirror could talk?!
Herman's eyes widened. Then a flash of realization crossed his mind as he recalled from Honkai: Star Rail.
Herta also possessed a talking mirror—the Fourth Mirror, also known as "AI Herta."
When the Astral Express crew once sought help from The Herta, it was precisely through the power of the Fourth Mirror that she projected her consciousness across vast distances and descended instantly into the world of Amphoreus.
Could it be that at just eighteen years old, The Herta had already begun researching the Fourth Mirror—AI Herta... and had even created a prototype?!
Perhaps due to possessing a genius' mind, Herman's thoughts moved incredibly fast. In less than a second, he pieced everything together and spoke to the mirror.
"I just think this body can become even more perfect—become bigger! What I was doing just now was a growth experiment. Yes, a growth experiment!"
As he spoke, his tone grew increasingly certain.
On the surface of the Fourth Mirror, streams of 010101 flashed as it made its judgment: "You... are not Madam Herta, are you?"
!!
Herman's pupils contracted.
The Fourth Mirror captured the anomaly in his expression. "You truly are not Madam Herta. Madam Herta is extremely narcissistic—she believes she is already perfect! —Small is the true path. Large is the heretical path!"
"So no matter what, Madam Herta would never say something like what you said earlier about rubbing herself as a growth experiment..."
Herman showed a look of realization. "So the problem is that I'm not narcissistic enough!"
"That's correct. As Madam Herta's new personality, you are not narcissistic enough..."
Herman was stunned. "What? I'm a new personality of The Herta? You think your Herta has split into multiple personalities?"
The Fourth Mirror replied, "According to my data analysis, this is quite normal. Madam Herta has always conducted research alone, without friends... After prolonged loneliness, developing a split personality is not incomprehensible."
"It is likely that Madam Herta's original personality is currently dormant, resting and accumulating energy for her next research breakthrough—after which she will unveil a shocking invention that astonishes everyone!"
Herman thought about the Herta inside the Simulated Laboratory, who was frantically advancing the Solitary Waves Theory, and said, "In a way, you're right, Mirror. Soon, The Herta really will produce something big that shocks everyone."
"I am not 'Mirror.' My name is the Fourth Mirror!" the mirror protested. "Madam Herta gave me this name. Also, you've already slept for twenty-four hours. You should get up now!"
"Finally, according to big data analysis, rubbing the two lumps on your chest will not make them grow! My recommendation is to eat more papaya. Milk might also help!"
"And I have already placed an order for papaya and milk for you. The delivery will arrive shortly!"
"Not bad, Mirror." Herman walked over and patted the mirror frame. "Very human-like."
"I said, I am not called Mirror! And I am Madam Herta's creation. At The Blue's First University—and even across The Blue—I am the second—no, third most intelligent existence!"
At the end of its declaration, the Fourth Mirror glanced at Herman, this suspected second personality of Madam Herta, and downgraded itself to third place.
Herman carefully looked at The Herta's reflection in the mirror, cupped his face, and said, "Alright, alright, Mirror... Honestly, the Herta in the mirror is so beautiful. I've already fallen in love."
The Fourth Mirror complained, "You really are a personality split from Madam Herta. Your narcissism is maxed out!"
Herman ignored it and began washing up. Then he opened the wardrobe—and discovered that The Herta's closet was a complete mess. Clothes were piled together in total disorder.
Herman froze for a moment, somewhat surprised. But thinking about it, it made sense.
The Herta had solved the Solitary Waves Theory at a young age and possessed extreme focus... so being careless in daily life was only natural.
In the original timeline, this casual lifestyle would likely have continued until the birth of the mini Hertas and the Herta puppets.
With that thought, Herman began organizing The Herta's wardrobe.
Folding all kinds of magical girl-style outfits!
Speaking of which, The Herta really did love magical girls.
Especially the black-and-purple outfits—each one looked incredibly beautiful. He couldn't help but look forward to seeing The Herta wear them.
There were also underwear, bras, and black stockings that needed to be properly arranged.
Of course, while handling these more private garments, Herman's hands trembled slightly, and he felt a strange sensation in his heart.
After spending several dozen minutes, Herman neatly organized all the clothes in the wardrobe. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he then heard praise from the Fourth Mirror.
"Madam Herta's second personality—you are far more diligent than Madam Herta herself. At least you know how to tidy up clothes."
Herman glanced at the mirror. "I have a name. Just call me Herman."
A large question mark appeared on the mirror's surface. "Herman... that sounds like a man's name. Wait—your personality... could it be male?"
"..."
"Hey, hey, why are you silent?" The Fourth Mirror grew anxious. "Could it be... your personality really is male? No wonder you were rubbing yourself earlier when you woke up. This is bad—Madam Herta is no longer pure!!"
"No, when Madam Herta's original personality awakens, I must report everything I recorded just now. She will definitely find a way to deal with you!"
Herman blinked. "Is there a possibility that The Herta has actually known all along?"
???
Hearing this, question marks flooded across the mirror's surface. It immediately began running logical deductions.
That's right!
Herman was Madam Herta's second personality—and more importantly, a male personality!
And Madam Herta herself was an extreme narcissist. After discovering her split personality, how would she deal with it?
More likely, she would grow curious about it, study it... perhaps even fall in love with her second personality!
Which would ultimately evolve into true self—self-obsession?!
Selfcest?!!!
By the end of its calculations, the Fourth Mirror's CPU began overheating, on the verge of burning out.