Y/N, THE 14TH MEMBER OF THE FLAMECHASERS: An [Honkai Impact 3rd] Mini-Story

35. BACK TO REALITY [7], A CERTAIN SPECIAL PERSON

Mei: "...I guess that's a no."
Mei: "Then why are you here?"

Klein: "...It's my job."
Klein: "I'm an ELF designed and made by Dr. Mobius."
Klein: "I'm just as real as you."
Klein: "But you don't have to address me like your senior."
Klein: "You can simply call me Klein."

Mei: "...Hi, Klein."
Mei: "I'm Raiden Mei."

Klein: "There's no need to introduce yourself."
Klein: "I was alerted the moment you entered the realm."

Mei: "..."

Klein: "No one foresaw the coming of a Herrscher as a successor."
Klein: "I had to run emergency maintenance on the realm, otherwise..."
Klein: "You might have experienced its various defense mechanisms by now."

Mei: "...Sounds like I should thank you."

Klein: "You're welcome."

Mei: "..."

Klein: "Unless you have more questions, test subject, let's talk about your next job."

Mei: "My next job?"
Mei questions in a suspicious manner.

Klein: "My best guess is that the anomalies you just experienced were part of the realm's rejection against Herrschers."
Klein: "It's more of a biological term, but I think it applies to your situation."
Klein: "To fix these anomalies, I hope you can gather more observation data in the realm for me."

Mei: "...And why should I help you?"
Mei questions sternly.

Klein: "Because you're now the only successor in the realm."

Mei: "Still, my answer is no."
Mei: "I didn't sign up for this."

Klein: "..."
Klein: "...Huh?"
Klein: "...You refused?"
Klein: "Why?"
Klein: "How can you turn down a request?"

Mei: "Hm?"
Mei raises an eyebrow in question.

Klein: "Shouldn't you... accept the request and finish it on time?"
Klein: "Even if the requestor changes their mind and asks you to start all over again..."
Klein: "You're still supposed to say yes, aren't you?"

Mei: "Do you live in hell?"

Klein: "..."

Mei: Anyway, these anomalies didn't disturb me, and I have no reason to help you."

Klein: "If your exploration is limited to the current area, I guess you're right."
Klein: "Alright it's fine."
Klein: "I'll try to think of a way to gather data myself."

Klein was about to leave.
When suddenly, the herrscher's voice stopped her in her tracks.

Mei: "Wait, Klein."

Klein: "?"

Mei: "You just mentioned the 'current area'..."
Mei: "Which means there are other areas in the realm that I haven't been to?"

Klein: "Yes, but the realm is becoming more and more unstable."
Klein: "Maintaining the stability of the current area is difficult enough, not to mention fixing all the anomalies throughout the realm."

Mei: "..."
Mei: "If that's the case.."
Mei: "I can help, Klein."

Klein: "Huh?"

Mei: "Getting to the deeper reaches of the realm is one of the reasons why I came here."
Mei: "But if I find out resolving these anomalies doesn't help me in any way, I can help no further."

Klein: "Alright, that's good enough for me."
Klein: "Thanks."

Mei: "So, how do I help?"

Klein: "Ah, about that..."

Klein reached out her hand to Mei, trying to attach something to Mei's belt.
But due to their huge height difference, Klein attached it to Mei's leg instead.
A blue stream of data flashed for a brief moment at the location of contact and then dispersed.

Mei: "What's this?"

Klein: "Uh..."
Klein: "It's alright."
Klein: "Where you wear it doesn't matter."
Klein: "It's functioning properly."
Klein says, as if she didn't listen to Mei's question when putting her attention on this certain device, now attached to Mei's leg.

Mei: "..."

Klein: "It's hard to explain..."
Klein: "Just know that it's accessory used exclusively in the realm."
Klein: "During an anomaly, you can use it to communicate with the outside world."
Klein: "I'll answer your call as soon as possible."