As soon as the cooldown time was over, Chen Ran eagerly entered the simulation scene.
It wasn't because he enjoyed the simulation, but because reality was too cold.
After Elysia's training session, he still had to face numerous other trainings, which made him feel like he wanted to die.
Becoming a qualified warrior was too difficult.
Right now, it was just basic physical training and firearms training; next, he would have to get acquainted with various modes of transportation. One could say that as long as one became a Fire Moth warrior, the training would never end.
So, AI custody was a great invention.
"Hopefully, this time it can last a bit longer."
When he entered the simulation scene again, Chen Ran found himself by the seaside with Wendy.
It was like a game restarting from a saved file; Wendy had no idea what had happened to Chen Ran.
Chen Ran also restrained his emotions at the right moment, trying hard to keep her from noticing anything unusual.
The two did not approach the sea but strolled along the sandy beach. Tourists had started to increase in this season, and they naturally noticed Wendy in her wheelchair.
Some showed sympathy, while others were indifferent.
Wendy didn't care about the gazes of others; instead, she entertained herself by watching the crabs on the beach, moving from one hole to another.
The summer sun was scorching, making her feel a bit hot. At that moment, she heard Chen Ran behind her seemingly applying something.
She turned her head to look back and saw that Chen Ran had taken out a bottle of sunscreen.
"Don't look at me like that; it's aloe vera gel. The UV rays by the sea are too strong, so I need to apply some sunscreen." Chen Ran winked, "Do you want me to put some on you?"
"Sure."
Wendy did not refuse.
Instead, Chen Ran hesitated a bit.
Wendy was still young, but her figure was already developing, which made him feel somewhat guilty.
He had always been a smooth talker, but...
"What's wrong?" Wendy's gaze fell on Chen Ran's face as she asked, "Is there a problem?"
What she meant was for him to give her the sunscreen so she could apply it herself.
"Ah, no, no problem."
Chen Ran squeezed some sunscreen into his palm and then gently applied it to Wendy's face, spreading it evenly.
The girl's eyelashes fluttered slightly, instinctively wanting to tilt her head away.
But she restrained herself and closed her eyes.
She didn't feel much of the coolness from the aloe vera gel because her cheeks were warmed by his hot palm.
And as Wendy closed her eyes, she naturally didn't see Chen Ran's forehead temperature rising sharply.
"What to do, what to do, I actually did something like this?"
"She'll hate me, right? She'll despise me, right? She'll look down on me, right?"
"Officer, please listen to my defense... ah, no, my explanation."
"Wendy's face is really so smooth, soft, and fragrant~"
For a moment, Chen Ran's thoughts were drifting.
Until Wendy could no longer bear it: "Hey, how long are you going to take?"
"Ah, sorry, sorry."
He quickly bowed in apology, doing it all in one breath.
Wendy was both angry and amused, then said helplessly, "Forget it, forget it, I won't hold it against you."
"Let's go back."
"Don't! The sunscreen is all done." Chen Ran didn't want to go back so soon.
Wendy rolled her eyes at him: "Is it wrong for me to want to go back?"
Chen Ran had not considered at all the physical inconveniences of a disabled person.
Faced with Wendy's request, Chen Ran could only obediently comply.
...
...
After returning to the Ocean Branch, Chen Ran first took Wendy for a physical examination.
This is a requirement from the Ocean Branch. Every day, Wendy has to undergo a physical examination, mainly to measure the degree of rejection between the Herrscher Core and her body.
Facing the examination, Wendy feels a bit anxious yet hopeful.
According to the lead researcher of the experiment, the current Herrscher Core is rejecting her body. Only by resolving this rejection can the experiment be considered a success.
Not everyone can become a Herrscher.
Generally speaking, every human who faces a Herrscher is actually a container that carries the Herrscher Core. Only when the container completely abandons its own thoughts and aligns with the Herrscher's consciousness can it become a complete Herrscher.
The experiment that the Ocean Branch is conducting aims to allow the Herrscher to retain her own thoughts while also gaining the authority of the Herrscher.
This is not impossible; however, those who can achieve this are called Divine Keys.
Humans who steal powers akin to those of gods must pay a great price, and what the Ocean Branch is studying is how to eliminate this cost.
Thus, the Herrscher Core infusion experiment at the Ocean Branch also has another name: the Divine Authority Project.
Chen Ran is watching as Wendy is pushed inside by an A.I. robot at the door.
He waits for the results.
Before long, someone comes to inquire: "How is Wendy's condition? Is there anything abnormal?"
"None, her condition is very good," Chen Ran replies. "It's similar to an ordinary Valkyrie, nothing noteworthy."
"That's good."
After the person finishes asking, they leave directly.
Chen Ran watches the person's departing figure, his brows furrowing slightly.
The importance of the experiment being conducted on Wendy is beyond doubt. However, this person's questioning seems a bit... too rough.
His mind subconsciously begins to ponder.
Wendy's situation is almost identical to Raiden Mei's; both have been artificially infused with a Herrscher Core, but the difference is that Mei succeeded while Wendy failed.
However, Wendy's failure is somewhat unclear, merely a background that has been cast aside.
"Perhaps I really should find some time to meet Raiden Mei."
At this moment, the Third Honkai Eruption has yet to occur, and he does not intend to stop it.
But the situation with Mei might be the key to preventing Wendy's Herrscher transformation.
The key to clearing this simulated scenario is the Fourth Herrscher, but as long as the Fourth Herrscher does not appear, it can be completed.
While he is pondering outside.
At this moment, inside the Ocean Branch, everyone is marveling at the changes in Wendy's body.
"Good news."
A researcher looks at Wendy, who is lying in the experimental pod, and communicates with the lead researcher: "Although we don't know what happened, the rejection symptoms between the host and the Herrscher Core have lessened."
"This can be considered an anomaly in the data; the reason for this occurrence is currently unknown."
The lead researcher instinctively furrows her brows: "What has the host been doing during this time?"
"Living normally like other Valkyries. The robot taking care of the host has logs and observations, and there are no differences."
"The only time she was away from robot observation was today when a researcher named Chen Ran took the host to the seaside. According to the Valkyries tracking them, their relationship is quite good, and the host is in a good mood."
"Mood?" The lead researcher's eyes reveal contemplation.
"Although emotional changes could be a reason for the data anomaly, the physiological structure of the host should not change due to emotions. There must be something we don't know."
She says: "Continue to have researcher Chen Ran take care of her, and then observe the host's physical condition."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advanced chapters in patreon (45 blocked, 5 free)
https://www.pat reon.com/ThatGreatStuff