The door to Herta's office slid open with a soft hum.
The design of the place was exactly what Aleph expected from Herta: functional, devoid of unnecessary decorations, and giving off the impression that everything existed solely for her personal convenience.
At the back, lounging in a recliner, Herta herself rested with an expression of absolute boredom as she spun a miniature model of herself between her fingers.
"They're here," she murmured without even bothering to look at them.
Stelle crossed her arms and leaned against the wall.
"Herta, you already know why we're here."
The scientist yawned and finally looked up.
"Yeah, yeah. The Simulated Universe. Blah, blah, blah."
Aleph raised an eyebrow.
"That level of enthusiasm is impressive."
Herta ignored his comment and pointed at the machine in the center of the room.
A circular structure glowing purple, looking more like a portal than anything else.
Aleph couldn't help but wonder.
"Is this really safe? I won't end up a vegetable if I mess up in there, right?"
"This is the main interface of the Simulated Universe," she explained in a monotone voice. "An experiment designed to uncover the secrets of the Aeons, allowing us to interact with their simulated versions and analyze their behavior."
Aleph observed the machine with interest.
"So, it's basically a testing ground to study the Aeons without getting obliterated in the process?"
Herta looked at him and nodded slowly.
"Exactly. Or well, that's the goal… But honestly, it's also an excellent tool for assessing combat skills and testing different strategies."
Stelle nodded.
"That's why Herta offered me a chance to test it, and I became its user during the beta versions. As part of the experiment, I was given the identity of Akivili, the Pathstrider Aeon, inside the simulation."
Aleph blinked and looked at her.
"Seriously? You have a custom identity?"
Herta nodded.
"Obviously. It makes interacting with the simulation easier. To study the Aeons, we need a reference point within the system. And with a 'familiar' identity, it might be easier for the Aeons to appear before her—though, of course, there are sometimes… unexpected results."
Aleph looked at Stelle with curiosity.
"Nanook obliterated me the moment he saw me."
Aleph looked surprised, then grinned.
"That sounds intense! I want to try it! What's my identity?"
Silence filled the room instantly.
Herta stared at him as if he had just said something stupid.
"…What?"
Aleph tilted his head.
"I mean, if Stelle has the identity of an Aeon in the simulation, what do I have?"
Herta narrowed her eyes and rested her head on one hand.
"Do you have any idea how much of a hassle it would be to prepare something like that out of nowhere for an idiot who showed up unannounced?"
Aleph opened his mouth to respond… but stopped.
Herta's logic was undeniable.
"…Ah. Yeah. That makes sense."
Stelle let out a small sigh as Aleph scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.
"Yeah, sorry. That was a dumb question."
Herta nodded, unfazed.
"Glad you realize that."
Aleph crossed his arms and turned his head in annoyance.
"Just put me in the simulation."
Herta shrugged.
"Whatever."
He pressed a few buttons on the floating interface, and the screens began to flicker.
"World 3 is available. It's a scenario based on your memories of Jarillo-VI (Belobog). The enemies may seem familiar because their data will be taken from your memories and used to generate them."
Aleph rolled his eyes. Amazing game, confusing explanation.
"What's next? A Cocolia cameo?"
Herta ignored his comment and activated the system.
"Get ready."
The machine began to glow, and a circle of light surrounded Aleph and Stelle.
Aleph felt a slight dizziness as his body was pulled into the simulation. The last thing he heard before everything turned white was Herta's indifferent voice.
"Don't die. Resetting the data would be a hassle."
Then, the world changed.
****************
As the simulation's light faded, Aleph and Stelle found themselves in the middle of a city engulfed in cold.
The sky was covered in gray clouds, and snow fell gently over the tall, worn-down buildings. The streets were deserted, except for a few mechanical figures patrolling in the distance.
Aleph exhaled, watching his breath condense in the freezing air.
"Definitely Belobog."
Stelle looked around with her arms crossed.
"The simulation is pretty accurate."
Aleph leaned forward and kicked some snow, watching it scatter.
"It almost feels real."
[Indeed, Master, the simulation has an incredible level of realism. It not only replicates Belobog's physical conditions but also precisely mimics physical sensations.]
"So if I get hit, it'll actually hurt."
[Correct.]
He clicked his tongue.
"Fantastic."
[By the way, new Apps have been unlocked. Would you like to check them?]
Aleph nodded slowly.
[Virtual Gain I.]
[Cost: 40 App Points.]
[Description: Levels and experience gained in the simulated universe will be partially retained upon returning to the real world. Example: If you gain two levels in the simulation, you'll return with one extra level, but you'll only receive three stat points and zero App points. If you gain one level, you'll return with half the EXP needed to level up.]
[Virtual Gain II.]
[Cost: 80 App Points.]
[Energy Control Improvement I.]
[Cost: 90 App Points.]
...
Aleph groaned in frustration at seeing so many useful apps while the points required to buy them kept getting more absurd.
Stelle pulled out her bat and rested it on her shoulder.
"Stop complaining. You didn't come here to relax."
Aleph rolled his eyes and summoned his ice bat.
"Yeah, yeah. But before we start smashing faces, tell me—what's our objective here?"
Before Stelle could answer, a voice echoed in the air.
It was Herta's monotone voice, transmitted from the simulation.
["Tsk. Didn't I already explain this?"]
Aleph looked up with a grimace.
"You can talk to us from here now?"
["I'm a genius. Did you think I couldn't?"]
Aleph sighed.
"Of course."
Herta continued, ignoring him.
["The simulation is programmed with multiple possible scenarios. The objective of this world is simple: survive and advance to the final location, where you'll have to defeat this world's boss."]
Stelle nodded.
"So we just have to fight our way through."
Aleph grinned.
"That sounds easy."
The moment he said that, a metallic sound rumbled in the distance.
Both of them quickly turned to see several figures moving through the snow.
Robots.
Large, heavy, with glowing red eyes.
Aleph recognized the designs instantly.
"Svarog's robots."
But before they could prepare for battle, a second wave of figures appeared.
This time, they weren't machines.
They were humanoids dressed in black and white armor—one even had green accents and looked like a centaur.
Aleph narrowed his eyes.
"We must be getting popular if so many are showing up just to greet us, Stelle."
Stelle spun her bat with a calm expression.
"Of course. It's only natural when it's me and my loyal sidekick. Why wouldn't they come to welcome us?"
"Hey! Who are you calling a sidekick?"
Herta spoke again.
["Correct. This simulation doesn't follow real-world rules. Here, you might encounter combinations you'd never see in reality."]
Aleph clicked his tongue.
"Great. I love nonsense. What's next, an enemy made from humanity's most evil creation—pineapple pizza?"
The enemies started moving, advancing toward them.
Aleph exhaled and gripped his bat.
"Well... at least this will make for a good warm-up."
Stelle glanced at him and smirked slightly.
"Let's see if you can land more hits than missed shots."
Aleph shot her a sharp look.
"Hahaha. Very funny."
The enemies closed in.
"Let the party begin..."
The sound of metal clashing against the ground echoed through the air as the first robot approached with heavy steps.
Beside it, members of the Anti-Matter Legion advanced with weapons ready, forming a circle around Aleph and Stelle.
Aleph spun his bat, feeling the cold of his power course through his body.
A smile crept onto his face as excitement filled him completely. At this point, he didn't care if he was a battle maniac or not.
The only thing that mattered was that… hitting things is fun, and if they can move or hit back, even better!
Stelle leaned slightly forward, ready to move in any direction.
"So, how do you want to do this?" Aleph asked without taking his eyes off the enemies.
Stelle spun her bat over her shoulder.
"We split up and smash everything that moves."
Aleph nodded. He could completely agree with that plan.
"I like the way you think."
The first robot charged at them, its metallic arm rising to deliver a crushing blow.
Stelle reacted instantly.
She jumped to the side and, with a quick spin, struck the robot's leg.
The impact was enough to make it stagger, but not to bring it down.
Seizing the opening, Aleph activated Bufula and slammed his bat against the ground.
A blast of ice engulfed the robot, freezing its joints for a brief moment.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, he jumped and delivered a downward strike with all his strength.
The bat hit with a crunch, shattering part of the robot's torso and sending it crashing to the ground with a heavy thud.
Before he could celebrate, a member of the Anti-Matter Legion appeared at his side, slashing at him with the blade attached to their arm.
Aleph swung his bat to block the strike, but the impact forced him back.
He clicked his tongue.
"Damn it, they're fast."
[Master, don't you think this would be a good opportunity to experiment more with the uses of Bufula and Zio instead of fighting the way you always do? You could also try using Ebony & Ivory to improve your aim.]
Aleph rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll keep that in mind."
Stelle, on the other hand, was tearing through enemies at an impressive pace.
With every swing of her bat, members and robots fell one after another.
Aleph watched her for a moment before letting out a light chuckle.
"Are you always this brutal?"
Stelle shrugged as she took down another enemy.
"I don't like wasting time."
Aleph snorted.
"Alright, then let's try something different."
He took a few steps back, pulled out Ebony & Ivory, and aimed at the remaining members.
The grip of the guns still felt awkward, but he ignored the sensation and pulled the trigger.
BANG!
The first bullet missed.
BANG!
The second hit a soldier's armor but didn't bring them down.
Aleph clicked his tongue.
"Damn it, this is harder than I thought."
Stelle rolled her eyes as she struck another member with her bat.
"Maybe if you practiced more and missed less, that would help."
Aleph sighed.
"You know, your sarcastic comments really don't help. They're just like March 7th when she suggested we should all wear matching uniforms. Remember that?"
Before Stelle could reply, Herta intervened from the simulation.
["What a mess. I should have made you face something harder."]
Aleph snorted.
"Yeah, well, maybe you should have sent more hordes or a mid-boss instead of just generic enemies."
Herta yawned.
["Oh, sure. Want me to get you a coffee and a pillow too?"]
Aleph clicked his tongue.
"For the love of—Forget it! Just watch."
He holstered his guns, tightened his grip on the bat, and activated Mabufula.
The air around him turned icy as frost spread across the ground, trapping several enemies in its range.
Seizing the momentary paralysis, Aleph and Stelle attacked simultaneously.
Stelle charged at the frozen Anti-Matter Legion members and shattered them with a series of swift strikes.
Aleph, meanwhile, focused on the remaining robots.
"Come on, it's in my blood. Shooting shouldn't be this hard. Work, damn it."
He pulled the trigger.
This time, the bullets hit the enemies' weak spots, destroying their energy cores.
Aleph grinned.
"Finally!"
Herta clicked her tongue.
["Yeah, yeah. Not bad, but don't get too excited."]
[Congratulations, Master. At this rate, you'll only need about 500 more attempts to become a decent marksman.]
Stelle took down the last one with a clean strike, sending it crashing to the ground.
The battlefield fell silent.
Aleph let out a sigh, holstered his pistols, and rested his bat on the ground.
"Well… that was a good warm-up."
Stelle shot him a bored look while searching for items among the destroyed bodies that had started to fade.
"That was a warm-up. What's coming next will be much worse."
Aleph smirked in amusement.
"Then let the real game begin."
He was starting to like this place.
****************
The simulation didn't give them much time to breathe.
Just as the last echoes of battle faded, the ground beneath their feet began to tremble.
Aleph frowned.
"That's not a good sign."
Stelle calmly spun her bat.
"It never is."
The simulation lights flickered, and a loud metallic rumble echoed through the air as a massive steel door slowly opened before them.
The air filled with a deep, heavy hum, like a machine coming to life.
And then they saw it.
From the darkness, a massive figure emerged.
A mechanical colossus, similar in design to Svarog's robots, but much larger and heavily reinforced.
His eyes gleamed with an intense red glow, and his body was covered in black metal plates engraved with inscriptions from the Anti-Matter Legion. He had six arms and wielded massive ice weapons.
In his chest, a pulsating energy core throbbed with alarming intensity.
Stelle turned to look at Aleph.
"My imagination is a little wild…" she commented, scratching the back of her head.
Aleph let out a deep sigh.
Herta chimed in, her tone filled with amusement.
["Ah, yes, I forgot to mention that. This simulation has a final boss."]
Aleph closed his eyes for a moment.
"God, give me patience…"
Stelle, on the other hand, looked excited.
"So this is going to get interesting."
The Legion Guardian moved with surprising speed for its size.
It raised one of its massive arms and slammed it into the ground with a deafening boom.
The shockwave forced Aleph and Stelle to jump back to avoid being crushed.
Aleph landed with ease and tightened his grip on his bat.
"Well, looks like this is going to be a real fight."
Stelle nodded, positioning herself to attack.
"Let's break it."
Stelle was the first to move.
She sprinted at full speed, dodging debris and swinging her bat with force against one of the Guardian's legs.
The impact made the metal tremble, but it barely dented the armor.
The colossus reacted immediately.
One of its mechanical arms came down like a hammer, trying to crush her.
Stelle leaped to the side, dodging it by mere inches.
Aleph, meanwhile, channeled Bufula into his bat.
The weapon became coated in a thick layer of frost, and with a swift motion, he struck one of the Guardian's joints.
Ice spread across the metallic surface, slowing the enemy's movement.
Immediately after, he unleashed a Zio on the frozen area and the surrounding parts, taking advantage of the damage boost.
The Legion Guardian roared, releasing a surge of energy that melted part of the ice and pushed Aleph back.
Stelle frowned.
"We need another strategy."
Aleph landed with a controlled slide and quickly switched tactics.
He drew Ebony & Ivory and aimed at the Guardian's energy core.
"Let's see how resistant you are to this."
He pulled the trigger—Ebony fired a freezing bullet, while Ivory shot an electric one.
BANG! BANG!
The bullets didn't hit the colossus's core directly, but the energy shield protecting it failed to absorb most of the damage.
Aleph clicked his tongue.
"Great. It has projectile defense too."
Stelle glanced at him.
"What now?"
Aleph took a deep breath, analyzing the situation.
"If this follows video game logic, then there has to be a power source nearby… or a ridiculously exposed weak spot."
Aleph grinned.
"Perfect."
He turned to Stelle.
"Listen, I need you to distract it. I'm going to try getting to its back."
Stelle nodded without hesitation.
"Got it."
Aleph holstered his guns and ran to the side, looking for an angle to flank the enemy.
Meanwhile, Stelle increased the pressure.
She launched a series of swift, precise attacks, repeatedly striking its limbs.
The colossus, irritated, tried to crush her with its mechanical arms, but Stelle was too fast to be caught.
Aleph took advantage of the distraction.
Jumping and propelling himself with a Bufula-created ice platform, he landed on the Guardian's back.
There, just as he suspected, he found a glowing red spot.
Wasting no time, he activated Zio and struck the area with an electric surge.
Sparks lit up the simulation as electricity coursed through the Guardian's body.
The colossus roared in pain, its energy core flickering with instability.
Herta let out an intrigued "Oh, interesting" as she observed.
Aleph shouted.
"Stelle, now!"
Without hesitation, Stelle jumped and delivered a direct, full-force blow to the weakened core.
The impact shattered the energy barrier, and the Guardian fell to its knees.
Aleph landed in front of it, a satisfied smirk on his face.
"Guess what, buddy."
He raised his bat, now coated in a mix of ice and electricity.
"You're out of defenses."
With one final strike, Aleph and Stelle ended the fight.
The Guardian collapsed with a metallic crash, and its core exploded into a shower of simulated data.
Silence filled the simulation for a moment.
Then, a notification appeared before them.
[Objective completed. First stage of the simulation cleared.]
Herta clicked her tongue.
["Tsk… They survived. I thought they'd put on a better show."]
Aleph turned, raising an eyebrow.
"Were you hoping we'd lose?"
Herta shrugged.
["No, but I didn't expect you to finish so fast. Well, I suppose it wasn't too bad."]
Stelle looked at Aleph.
"What did you think?"
Aleph smiled.
"It was fun. Maybe it was worth it after all."
.....
The simulation gradually faded. The digital world of Belobog swirled into a vortex of lights and data before collapsing into a white void.
A blink later, Aleph and Stelle found themselves back in Herta's office.
Aleph took a deep breath, feeling the sudden shift between the virtual environment and reality.
His body was still pumped with adrenaline from the battle, but his mind was already processing what had happened.
Honestly, it had been a while since he'd had that much fun. And how long had it taken?
According to the clock on the wall, about 40-50 minutes—almost an hour.
Stelle stretched slightly, rolling her neck with a faint crack.
"That was nice."
Herta, reclining in her chair, looked at them with an expression of boredom mixed with mild curiosity.
"Well, I didn't expect you to be that efficient. I suppose you're at least somewhat useful. Then again, that first section was designed for a single person, so it makes sense that you'd take less time than expected."
Aleph rolled his eyes.
"What a great compliment. I'm about to cry from joy."
Herta ignored his sarcasm.
Stelle looked at Aleph.
"What did you think?"
Aleph crossed his arms, pondering for a moment.
He let out a huff and smiled slightly.
"Not bad."
Herta raised an eyebrow.
"That's it?"
Aleph looked at her.
"I guess I could say the Simulated Universe is incredible."
Herta snapped her fingers.
"Exactly. The amount of data that can be analyzed here is infinite, and the possible scenarios can replicate even the worst imaginable events. In a way, it's the perfect testing ground."
Aleph nodded slowly.
"Then I think I'll come more often."
Stelle looked at him approvingly. Having a companion would be better—the bot partners weren't bad, but they were terrible.
"Good."
Herta, on the other hand, smirked mischievously.
"That means I can assign you even more complicated experiments in the future. After all, you don't expect me to let you use it for free, do you?"
Aleph felt a chill.
"...I'm going to regret this, aren't I?"
[Most likely.]
Before Aleph could respond, Burroughs cut in.
[Master, I have analyzed your performance in the simulation. Your reaction speed has slightly improved. You have also become more accustomed to using Ebony & Ivory, though your accuracy is, at best, questionable.]
Aleph sighed.
"Yes, yes. I know."
Burroughs continued.
[However, the Simulated Universe has proven to be a perfect environment for training your skills and equipment. It can also help you increase your strength at a considerable pace.]
"So, are we done for today?"
Herta floated in her chair and sighed.
"Yes, yes. Go do whatever you want. I have more interesting things to analyze."
Aleph and Stelle headed for the exit.
Before crossing the door, Aleph glanced back.
The Simulated Universe machine flickered with a dim light.
And he couldn't help but wonder.
During the fight, he had felt something watching them.
Something different from Herta. Was it just his imagination—or something else?
"Let's go."
With that, he left the room alongside Stelle.
**************************************************************************
These are Aleph's current stats. (I don't show them often, and I've toned down the system's presence since I figured it might be annoying to look at.)
[Level: 26] (At the end of the battle with Cocolia, he was level 20. Zero gave him a level, and the rest came from killing mobs and the bug king.)
[St: 41]
[Vi: 48]
[Ma: 60]
[Ag: 40]
[Lu: 11]
Current Skills:
Bufula (Enhanced by Stellaron energy, its power has been boosted to Bufudyne level.)
Mabufula (Power equal to Mabufudyne.)
Zio (Power between Zionga and Ziodyne.)
Mazio (Power between Mazionga and Maziodyne.)
Illusionist (Magic obtained from a 4-star essence belonging to Loki):
Aleph has a low mastery of this magic. Since it's only a 4-star essence, it doesn't contain complete knowledge.
He only has the minimum knowledge and experience to make it functional and has yet to unlock its full potential.
After all, the illusion magic of the God of Lies and Deception wouldn't be simple, right?
Lord of the Flies Swarm (5-star essence belonging to Beelzebub):
Aleph gains the ability to summon a swarm of demonic flies that act as extensions of his power.
Effects:
Drain enemy energy and transfer it to Aleph temporarily (he cannot store it and must use it immediately).
Lower opponents' resistances if exposed to the swarm for too long.
Act as pseudo-clones that attack independently.
Stellar Ace (The original Trailblazer's ultimate skill):
Aleph requires a bat and must channel Stellaron energy while using the power of the Destruction path.
He coats his bat in pure energy, making it glow and release golden and blue sparks.
His attack power is quintupled, but only for the first strike.
Aleph has yet to obtain an ultimate skill for the Nihility path.
Current Equipment/Weapons:
Demonica Black
An advanced suit designed for exploring hostile environments and combating unknown threats.
Reinforced with a durable alloy, and its internal system enhances the wearer's physical and energy capabilities.
[Set Effects]
Helmet: +10% Resistance to Status Effects.
Chestplate: +15% Defense and elemental damage reduction.
Gauntlets: +10% Skill Damage.
Boots: +5% Speed and Evasion.
Full Set Bonus → Dimensional Suppression:
Increases resistance to Fragmentum corruption.
Grants immunity to control effects from mechanical enemies.
Resistances: Ice (+30%), Wind (+10%), Quantum (+10%)
Weaknesses: Physical (-10%), Fire (-10%)
Ebony & Ivory – Description
Custom semi-automatic pistols originally wielded by Dante Sparda.
Designed for rapid-fire shots infused with demonic energy.
Capable of charging shots for more powerful attacks.
This version can create bullets using Aleph's energy (his spells) to generate special effects:
Bufula + Ebony & Ivory → Ice bullets that cause freezing and ice damage.
Zio + Ebony & Ivory → Electric bullets that deal lightning damage or inflict paralysis.
Using Ma-versions (Mabufula or Mazio) to create bullets →
Converts them into AoE attacks but reduces status effect chances.
Stellaron-Charged Shot →
Fires a highly destructive energy bullet.
*******
HSR Stats (Not sure how accurate this is—just for fun, I asked ChatGPT to convert Aleph's stats to Star Rail numbers, and here's the result):
Aleph's Star Rail Stats (Approximate Conversion Based on SMT Stats):
HP: 3500
DEF: 700
Physical ATK: 900 - 1000
Elemental ATK: 1400 - 1550 (Focused on Ice and Lightning)
Speed: 108
Crit Rate: 1.5%
Effect Hit Rate: Medium
**********************************************************************************************
Omake: Mei, the Unbeatable - Part 1
Act 1: The Siege
The story of great conquests always begins with a plan. A master plan, meticulous and executed with inhuman precision.
And Mei… Mei had a plan.
A plan she had devised after a sleepless night, carefully considering which of her targets she should attack first.
Thus, her first Tuna Plan was born.
Objective: Conquer Kiana Kaslana and Aleph Avesta.
Method: Through the three pillars of seduction: food, romantic moments, and "accidental" fanservice.
The battlefield was set.
The kitchen of St. Freya's base had become her personal fortress. Mei had spent hours preparing the ultimate feast—a display of delicacies capable of breaking the will of any living being.
A katsudon so crispy it could bring a samurai to tears.
A ramen with a broth so perfect that even the gods would envy it.
A strawberry tart so sweet it could heal broken hearts.
All for Kiana.
...
The first phase of the plan was underway.
When Kiana entered the kitchen, her radiant smile and eyes full of energy, Mei felt her moment had come.
"Mei! That smells delicious!"
The Thunder Strategist nodded calmly, projecting an image of perfect serenity with nothing more than a soft smile gracing her lips.
"I made it especially for you, Kiana. Come, sit. I want to see you enjoy it."
Kiana, suspecting nothing, happily sat down and attacked the food like a wild animal that hadn't eaten in days.
Mei, with a charming smile, rested her cheek on her hand and waited for the perfect moment.
The moment when Kiana, moved by her efforts, would look at her with shining eyes and say:
"Mei, you're amazing. I can't imagine my life without you."
And then…
"Mei, you're amazing!"
Mei smiled in satisfaction.
The plan was working!
But then…
"I can't imagine my life without you…"
Yes, YES, YES!
"Because you're the best Mei-Mom in the world."
Silence.
Mei felt her heart stop for a few short seconds.
Kiana, completely unaware of the tragedy she had just unleashed, hugged Mei tightly and rubbed her face against her shoulder.
"You're the best, Mama Mei! You always give me delicious food and take care of me! You're the number one mom!"
Mei's hopes and dreams shattered into a thousand pieces.
This was not the reaction she had expected.
Her mental image of a seductive femme fatale had just been destroyed and reduced to that of an adorable mom who provided food.
How… HOW did it end up like this?!
Mei was speechless. Her once brilliant and strategic mind went blank.
"Ah… yeah… of course…"
"Thanks, Mama Mei!"
And with one last hug, Kiana ran off, completely happy.
Mei, in complete shock, collapsed onto the table.
Completely defeated in mere minutes.
*********
Act 2: Take the Demon by the Horns
If the Kiana Plan had failed miserably, then the Aleph Plan had to succeed.
Mei had taken her time to analyze it. While Kiana was innocent and carefree, Aleph was a different story.
Physically imposing but kind and somewhat goofy (for some reason, that made him even more attractive).
Zero sense of danger (which made him exasperating).
Charismatic in a weird way (though he seemed completely unaware of it).
Dense. VERY dense.
This last point was the key.
Mei understood that Aleph wouldn't pick up on subtle hints. She would have to be direct.
Her plan was quite simple:
1. Invite him on a "friendly date."
2. Use her feminine charm to make him see her differently.
3. Get him to see her as a woman, not just another acquaintance.
…
Mei found Aleph in the academy courtyard, training with his fists covered in ice.
At that moment, he was fighting a tree.
Literally.
"Die, damn oak! Your wood shall serve as my future legendary bat!"
The tree, clearly innocent, had no comment on the matter.
Mei sighed.
"Yeah, this man needs a woman to straighten him out… and I will be that woman."
With confidence, she approached and smiled.
"Aleph, do you have plans tonight?"
Aleph stopped his assault on the tree and looked at her curiously.
"Huh? Plans for what?"
"Well, I thought we could… go out together."
Aleph blinked.
And then, with a look of pure surprise and excitement—
"You want to train together?!"
Mei felt her soul crack a little.
"No, Aleph, I mean—"
But he was already excited.
"That sounds great! I didn't know you wanted to improve in combat! I thought you only fought with swords, but if you want to learn hand-to-hand combat, I can teach you! Though, fair warning, my training is extreme!"
"What? What? WHAT?!"
Before Mei could correct him, Aleph grabbed her wrist and took off running toward the training grounds.
Mei felt like something was terribly wrong.
"Why are you taking me to the dojo?"
"Because if you want to train with me, we're going all out! Don't worry, I'll start you off easy! Just 50 laps, 200 dodges, and blocking 10 of my attacks at 80% power."
Mei paled—she had seen this idiot casually slap Beasts to the ground before.
"Aleph… wait, no—"
"Don't worry! If you survive, I might even teach you my legendary secret technique!"
"What the hell are you talking about?!"
And so, before Mei could refuse, Aleph subjected her to hell on Earth.
First hour.
Mei was gasping on the ground after 50 laps, while Aleph… and strangely Kiana, chased her with a clown costume to put on her if she was caught.
Second hour.
Mei dodged 10 hits… out of 200.
Third hour.
Mei blocked one hit. Aleph celebrated like it was a huge achievement.
Fourth hour.
Mei lay motionless on the ground, soulless.
Aleph looked at her with pride.
"Wow, Mei! I didn't expect you to last this long! You're stronger than I thought!"
Mei, her face pressed against the floor, felt her spirit leave her body.
"Why… Why does everything go wrong for me?"
"Alright, let's move on! Now for hand-to-hand combat. Remember, don't hold back—I want to see your full potential."
Mei looked at him with empty eyes.
"…Just kill me."
Aleph laughed.
"Ha! That's the spirit! But first, take a break! I don't want you passing out before the fun part."
"You say that like I'm going to survive…"
Aleph crouched beside her, wearing a warm smile.
"I'm really glad you're willing to train with me. Not many people have the courage to do it. If you keep this up, I'm sure you'll improve in no time!"
"It's not training, you idiot, it was a date!"
"Seriously, thanks for trusting me."
Mei looked at him.
He looked so honest.
So sincere.
So damn stupid and adorable.
Mei let out a sigh.
"There's no way this guy understands what I was trying to do."
However… there was an important lesson to learn here.
If Kiana was dense…
Aleph was a black hole of density.
...
The training continued.
And when it finally ended, Mei was on the ground, defeated.
Aleph, suspecting nothing, extended his hand to her with a smile.
"Great job! I'm sure that with more training, you'll become much stronger! Let me know whenever you want to do this again!"
Mei didn't respond.
She was on the ground, her soul floating outside her body.
Absolute defeat.
...
Act 3: The Crusade of the Desperation
"Enough."
Mei had failed twice.
Twice.
This was unacceptable.
If Plan Kiana and Plan Aleph had crumbled into ruin, there was only one option left.
"I'll take them on at the same time."
This would be her trump card.
Her last move.
If she managed to get both of them together in a setting ripe for romance, she could attack from two fronts.
Kiana would lower her guard.
Aleph would have no escape.
A double strike.
A perfect checkmate.
Mei smiled confidently.
"I won't fail again."
.....
THE MASTER PLAN
Mei devised the perfect strategy.
1. Create a situation where Kiana and Aleph would be alone with her.
Something relaxed, intimate.
No interruptions.
2. Activate her maximum charm.
Seductive eyes.
A soft voice.
Strategic "accidents" (like tripping and falling into their arms).
3. Make them see her as a desirable woman.
....
Mei organized a picnic at a nearby park.
A peaceful setting.
Perfect weather.
Nothing could go wrong.
"This is unbeatable."
Kiana and Aleph arrived, suspecting nothing.
Aleph stretched his arms with a smile.
"Whoa! It feels great to be outside! Great idea, Mei."
Kiana laughed.
"Yeah, Mei-Mei always thinks of amazing things."
Mei smiled confidently.
"Ha. Everything is going according to plan."
The perfect moment was approaching…
And then.
Everything went to hell.
Mei had forgotten that few plans survive first contact with the enemy.
Just as she was about to make her first move…
Bronya appeared.
"Greetings, peasants. Bronya has detected unusual activity and has come to investigate."
Mei felt a twitch in her eye.
"Why…? Why now?"
Kiana smiled.
"Bronya! Come, sit with us!"
"Don't invite her, you idiot!"
But Bronya was already pulling out a notebook.
"Bronya will analyze this situation."
Mei felt her success rate drop by 20%.
Mei tried to ignore Bronya and continue with her plan.
"There's still a chance."
She approached Aleph with a soft expression.
"Aleph… would you like—?"
PAFF.
Fu Hua fell from the sky. Literally.
Mei blinked.
"...What?"
Aleph clapped.
"Nice landing, Hua!"
Fu Hua stood up calmly.
"Apologies for the interruption. I'm on a training mission."
Mei felt her success rate drop by 50%.
Mei refused to give up.
But then…
A squad of Valkyries arrived, shouting.
"Miss Raiden! We have questions for you!"
Mei froze.
"God, no."
Aleph grinned.
"Wow, Mei! You're really popular, huh?"
Mei felt her success rate drop by 90%.
***********
Mei, completely defeated, could only watch as her entire plan collapsed.
She had lost all control.
The universe was against her.
Mei looked at Kiana and Aleph together.
Laughing.
Happy.
Aleph was handing food to Kiana.
Kiana was sitting in his lap, eating what he gave her, occasionally patting his back while teasing him.
They looked… perfectly comfortable.
As if they were—
"A happy couple."
Mei felt a pain in her chest.
Critical damage.
"No."
"This isn't what I wanted."
But…
There was no turning back.
She had failed.
**************
Act 4 - The Last Attempt: Plan "Mei, Queen of the Harem"
"Enough."
Mei refused to accept defeat.
The subtle tactics had failed.
The carefully crafted plans were ruined.
But…
"If stealth doesn't work..."
"Then I'll do it BIG!"
The Final Operation was about to begin.
Mission: Perfect Paradise.
Mei designed the ultimate plan.
Option A: A trip to the beach.
The perfect setting for romance.
Strategic swimsuits.
"Accidents" with the waves, slipping, heroic rescues.
Option B: A summer festival.
Beautiful kimonos.
Night games and romantic lights.
Kisses under the fireworks.
Option C: A 'casual' sleepover.
A close and intimate atmosphere.
Kiana and Aleph, relaxed and unsuspecting.
And she would end up with the absolute advantage.
"No matter which one they choose… I will win."
...
"Hey, guys! How about doing something fun this weekend?"
Mei smiled confidently.
Kiana and Aleph exchanged glances.
"Like what?" Kiana asked.
Mei presented her options in a seductive tone.
"We could go to the beach… or a festival… or have a movie and game night in my room."
Aleph crossed his arms.
"Hmm…"
Kiana scratched her head.
"Well, the beach sounds great, but…"
Before Mei could celebrate, a voice interrupted.
"Beach? What a coincidence! We just planned a trip with the entire academy today!"
Mei froze.
She slowly turned around.
Theresa was there.
And behind her…
The entire damn student body.
"It's going to be an amazing trip!"
Mei felt her plan crumble.
"This can't be happening."
...
Mei had expected a romantic atmosphere.
But…
Kiana and Aleph wouldn't stop causing chaos.
Aleph got into a fight with a crab.
Kiana was dragged away by a wave…
… and instead of a romantic rescue, Aleph accidentally used her as a surfboard.
Worse yet.
"Mommy Mei, help ussss!"
The younger students from the academy surrounded her, begging her to take care of them.
Mei looked at Aleph and Kiana having fun together…
And felt her heart break once again.
...
"At least there's still the festival…"
But the universe hated her.
Kiana and Aleph…
Forgot about the festival.
"How the hell do you forget about a damn festival?"
Worse yet…
The only one who did attend was Otto.
And when Mei saw him…
Otto winked at her.
"Enough."
"I'm going home."
...
Emotionally destroyed, Mei prepared for the sleepover.
"If this fails too, I'll give up."
Kiana and Aleph arrived, suspecting nothing.
Mei smiled with fake calmness.
"This can work… if I manage to control the situation."
But then…
The door exploded.
And the rest of the academy girls barged in!
"Bronya came by invitation of Kiana."
Fu Hua walked in, carrying a bag of snacks.
"I was just passing by."
Himeko eyed the bottle Aleph was trying (and failing) to hide with interest.
"I heard 'alcohol' and got curious."
Durandal looked around with curiosity.
"A captain's duty is to watch over her team."
Mei froze.
Nothing made sense anymore.
But the worst part…
Was when Mei saw Aleph and Kiana together on the futon, smiling and hugging like the best friends in the world…
Her last hope died.
...
Act 5 - The Surrender of the Thunder Empress
"Sometimes… fate is cruel."
Mei lay in her room, staring at the ceiling with an empty expression.
Absolute failure.
The beach: Ruined.
The festival: Forgotten.
The sleepover: A total disaster.
Nothing had gone as planned.
"Maybe… it really is impossible."
Maybe Kiana would never see her the way she wished.
Maybe Aleph would never notice her intentions.
"The universe is against me."
Her eyes welled up with tears as she recalled her fantasy.
Ahhh, sitting on Aleph's lap, wrapped in his strong arms, with Kiana nestled in her own lap acting all spoiled… Well, more than usual.
She sighed.
"Maybe it's time to accept defeat…"
...
In the following days, Mei became a ghost.
Few words.
Vacant gaze.
Constant sighs.
Kiana noticed immediately.
"Is something wrong with Mei-Mei?"
Aleph noticed too.
"Did she eat something bad?"
Both grew concerned.
And then… fate played the cruelest trick on Mei.
....
One afternoon, Mei was alone in the hallway.
Her mind was lost in thoughts of defeat.
Then…
Kiana and Aleph appeared.
"Mei-Mei!"
Kiana hugged her tightly, rubbing her cheek against hers.
"I missed you! Why have you been so quiet lately?"
Aleph nodded. He didn't seem like his usual energetic self—he looked genuinely worried.
"Yeah. Even your energy feels lower than normal. If you're sick, you should tell us."
Mei stared at them in silence.
Her heart pounded.
"Why are they so damn cute?"
"Mei-Mei is always so good to us. It's like… you're the most important person in our lives!"
"Yeah. In a way… you're like the glue that holds us together."
Silence.
Mei felt like she had been hit by a nuclear strike.
"M-Most important person…?"
"Glue that holds them together…?"
Her face turned completely red.
"What did they just say? What was that?"
Her heart was collapsing.
She clutched her chest, staggering.
"No… not like this."
"Why now, when I had already given up?"
"Why does the universe do this? Why!"
Mei collapsed emotionally.
She dropped to her knees, unable to respond.
Kiana and Aleph grew even more worried.
"Mei! Are you okay?"
"Does something hurt?"
Mei could only nod weakly.
"I give up… for now."
But deep in her heart…
"This isn't over."
"I may have lost the battle…"
"But not the war!"
Eventually, someday…
I WILL make them both fall into my hands!
*********
That very night, Mei sat on her bed, thinking about her new strategies.
"I need to find a new approach…"
"I can't give up yet…"
Her phone vibrated.
It was a message from Kiana.
[Kiana: "Good night, Mei-Mei! 😘 Love you lots! 💖💖💖"]
Mei froze.
Then her phone vibrated again.
[Aleph: "I love you too, Mei."]
Silence.
Mei collapsed face-down on her bed, using the pillow to cover her face.
"…I'm going to die."
THE END?
************************
I don't know why, but writing Mei in a situation similar to Firefly's from a couple of Omakes ago was really fun. Before I knew it, I had already written a part two, which I honestly think turned out much better than this one.