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When Ana awakened again, her surroundings had completely transformed.
She found herself on a basketball court, dressed in a matching jersey. Seeing the nearby basketball, a peculiar expression crossed her face.
Indeed, she was reminded of someone from her past life, wondering if that person managed to clean up their mess yet. In the background, she heard the panting breaths of young players.
Although Ana herself had never played basketball, during her previous life, she often joined her roommates in games. Moreover, this new body carried innate memories related to the sport.
Without conscious thought, Ana effortlessly leaped and scored a basket with the ball.
In that moment, she instinctively glanced towards the distant stands and spotted a composed girl dressed in a maid outfit—Rita.
Instantly, Ana wore an expression reminiscent of an elderly man on the subway engrossed in his phone.
She knew this was all part of Su's constructed illusion, a test, but... Rita, renowned for her scholarly pursuits, dressed as a maid? Isn't that quite abstract?
Without a doubt, Ana now understood the role she was playing and experiencing—the strongest Fusion Warrior from the previous civilization, also the progenitor of half her bloodline: Kevin Kaslana.
"This scenario effectively conceals many issues," Ana murmured softly as she landed steadily on the ground. The surrounding teammates cheered for her, and even girls outside the court shouted encouragement, their gazes filled with admiration. This was how Kevin had been during school days, seen as everyone's prince.
However, the problem was—Ana didn't want to become Kevin.
This world no longer needed Kevin; Kiana would be this era's "Kevin." As for Ana, being the hero for just a few individuals was more than enough.
Heroes save the world, but Ana aimed to save the heroes themselves.
Surrounded by her teammates, Ana walked off the basketball court. In the stands outside, another figure awaited her—indeed, it was Durandal, playing the role of Su.
This was an illusory realm created by Su, and both Ana and Bianka found themselves immersed within it, naturally experiencing the same shared illusion.
However, the trials they faced were different.
In essence, Durandal represented the world's anchor point, while Ana embodied the element of unpredictability. That's why Durandal portrayed Su, and Ana took on Kevin's role.
Su's original intention was to have Ana and Bianka relive their pasts, observing the choices they would make.
But there lies the problem: Ana already knew the beginning and end of this scenario, and moreover, this wasn't reality. Here, personality did not dictate fate, nor could predetermined destinies be defied.
Therefore, Ana naturally wouldn't follow the path meticulously planned by Su.
So—
As Ana approached Bianka, she extended her hand.
"I shall be crowned as queen. Will you be my consort?"
Bianka looked at Ana, somewhat bewildered. This version of Ana seemed different from the one in her memories, and...this just didn't seem right! It felt like a declaration of love!
Deep within Bianka's heart, there indeed existed a stirring sensation. In countless observed worlds by Su, one version of him ultimately saved the world—but not quite as imagined.
Moreover, that particular Su bore fundamental differences from the current Bianka.
Additionally, considering Kevin's clumsy nature, he would never have been as bold and assertive as Ana.
Outside the illusory realm, Su frowned slightly before breaking into a smile.
"Intriguing! Truly intriguing! As expected from a wildcard variable! This is utterly surprising!"
In response to Ana's invitation, Bianka chose to take her hand.
"Of course!"
On that day, the two young girls forged a pact to protect each other, forever altering this world—at least, this illusory realm—in profound ways.
Although the world had already undergone significant changes, as the creator of this illusion, I chose to intervene, ensuring things wouldn't spiral out of control. At least, it mustn't affect Bianka's trial.
Through various twists and turns, Bianka ultimately became a doctor, following the path Su once took. Her mentor, Ragna, died from Entropy Sickness, and then came Otto, who owed her greatly...
On the other side, Ana's identity also underwent numerous shifts, aligning with Otto's original script. She was close to becoming the ruler of the world, but Su intervened, causing her plans to crumble.
Ana still transformed into Kevin of the original timeline, however, perhaps as a balancing compensation for Su's actions, she gained even more power than Kevin - specifically, political influence.
In the previous civilization, Mei and her allies faced immense challenges precisely because they lacked political leverage. Their authority stemmed from Mobius, Mei, and Eden.
However, two were scientists, and one was an artist; none could effectively navigate the political sphere. Politicians constantly guarded against these scientists, only allowing Mei to finally assume leadership after the Mu Continent's destruction.
Now, amidst the remnants, survival rather than victory over Honkai became the primary concern.
However, with the Mu Continent's demise, the focus now shifted from defeating Honkai to merely surviving it.
"That Su guy, truly ungrateful," Ana sighed, roughly assessing her current power base.
Originally, she was on the verge of success. By securing resources before Honkai fully erupted, she could have gained advantages and influence, much like Otto did back then.
But now, Honkai has become severely widespread. Despite still holding some power, the situation is fundamentally more challenging than even starting with just a bowl, akin to rebelling during Hongwu era with Liu Xiu himself - not even he could win this scenario. And as for Emperor Hongwu... why would he rebel against himself?
"The position you hold in her mind is indeed quite peculiar."
A voice sounded near Ana, and when she turned around, she found everything had transformed once again, becoming a hospital corridor. There stood Su behind her.
"Really? How so?" Ana chuckled lightly, showing no hostility. Having full knowledge of Su, there was no need for concern.
"It's hard to explain," Su whispered softly, shaking his head and closing his eyes.
"In the illusory realm, aside from unique cases like you, most individuals reveal their true selves."
As he spoke, Su stepped aside, allowing Ana to glimpse through the window at the scene inside.
Within the room, Bianka leaned over a critically ill little girl, desperately striving for any last-ditch effort. Unfortunately, both Bianka and the two outside knew it was futile.
However—
"I believe there's no need to subject her to such despairing experiences; they were never meant for her to bear." Ana crossed her arms, speaking calmly.
"As representatives of the new generation, we understand your pain, but that doesn't justify imposing everything from the past upon us," she continued, each word measured as she looked at Su. This sentiment also explained why she disapproved of Su's test.
They were now in a new era of civilization. Although this age lacked Elysia, the Herrscher of Origin, her sacrifice had already borne fruit, and the wealth of the previous civilization had been passed down.
This new era stands on the shoulders of giants; there is no turning back to the past.
Without delving further, consider the medication against the Entropy Sickness before them-it already exists within this civilization, and even more advanced is the Gun of God, capable of restraining divine entities.
However, currently, the Gun of God cannot be mass-produced, primarily because Otto lacks knowledge of Ana's bloodline potency. Given Ana's level of existence, utilizing her as a supplier for the Gun of God would be sheer waste of talent, and nobody could force her into such a role.
"As for what she has experienced, it truly isn't inferior to your own struggles. After all, she too saved a world bubble."
Su fell silent, realizing that indeed, he had been imposing his own views onto the people of this era. Both the Sand of Eternity Project and Project Stigma were instances where he made choices on behalf of this generation.
In reality, individuals of this time have the right to choose their own future, whether it be survival or death.
From this perspective, Kevin was indeed mistaken; he did not betray his dear friend.
"Then, do as you wish!"
Su took a step back, his figure gradually fading from the illusory realm. As he departed, Ana felt her control over this world strengthen significantly.
Indeed, Su no longer intended to interfere with the development of the illusion. Within it, Ana clearly held more influence than Bianka.
Adjusting her attire, she now wore the same Fire Moth combat suit as Kevin. How should she put it? As a girl with a well-proportioned figure, wearing this uniform was quite snug and restrictive.
It's no wonder Rita could flaunt her midriff in the comic; Ana found herself doing the same.
"Well... I guess it doesn't look too immodest?"
Ana gently touched her waist. Compared to comic-Rita, without Su's influence, she didn't possess eight-pack abs. For a young woman, having such defined muscles seemed somewhat out of place; her style wasn't meant to be overly muscular either.
"Or perhaps, in Bianka's mind, Rita is envisioned as a strong, muscular character?" Ana murmured as she pushed open the door and entered the hospital room.
"Leave it to me, Bianka."
Under Bianka's astonished gaze, Ana gently took hold of the girl's arm. With the surge of holy blood and her control over spiritual energy, the traces of Honkai corruption swiftly receded from the young patient's limb.
Gradually, the girl opened her eyes.
"Dr. Bianka... What happened?"
Overwhelmed with joy, Bianka teared up and embraced the girl tightly.
"Congratulations! You're fully recovered now; you don't need to stay here any longer!"
Witnessing this heartwarming scene, Ana's smile grew even broader. She reached out, tenderly playing with Bianka's hair.
"Don't worry, no matter what happens next, I'll be by your side, experiencing it all together with you." With that, Ana wrapped her arms around Bianka from behind.
Perhaps due to their shared experiences, perhaps because Ana had saved Annie, or for some other reason, Bianka did not resist. The moment felt exceptionally warm and serene.
Outside the room, Su reappeared briefly, shaking his head and softly sighing before vanishing once more.
The trial continued, albeit with a slight change in tone.
Without Su's control, Ana once again dominated within the illusory realm. However, there were certain aspects she couldn't alter, such as the pursuit against the Herrscher of Sentience.
"Hey, Su, can your ability be replicated for me?"
At the edge of the illusion, Ana called out to Su.
"Certainly, but it wouldn't comply with the rules here."
Su appeared beside Ana, opening his eyes and gazing towards the center of the illusory realm nearby.
Indeed, Ana remained by Bianka's side, using her influence to help Bianka join the Fire Moth organization and meet Dr. Otto. On the other hand, Rita also became part of the Fire Moth.
However, Rita and Bianka belonged to different departments, having limited interaction. As Ana and Bianka spent more time together, Rita's significance in Bianka's life gradually diminished, evident from their decreasing encounters.
Of course, it could also be because Ana's presence in the illusion inadvertently led Rita to follow Mei's storyline.
Currently, matters concerning the Herrscher of Sentience were overseen by Bianka's laboratory, under the leadership of Dr. Otto.
"In that case, how about giving me a copy after the illusion ends? It could serve as a protective charm, what do you say?" Ana suggested.
Ana continued her suggestion, "In my opinion, this era's Herrscher of Sentience won't be easy to handle either, and there is also the Herrscher of Corruption."
Preventing the Herrscher of Sentience was merely a pretext; Ana knew well what Senti was like. The true concern lay with the Herrscher of Corruption.
In the original storyline, Raiden Mei brought the Herrscher of Corruption into the Elysian Realm, ultimately leading to the Heroic Spirits sacrificing the Garden itself to eliminate it.
If possible, Ana wanted to change this outcome.
Su's Karmic Wheel, being a causality-based ability, had certain resistance and suppression effects against the Herrscher of Corruption. This could at least create an opportunity for Ana.
Moreover, even for others, the Karmic Wheel proved immensely useful, bordering on overpowered.
"Hmm, if that's the case, naturally I can provide you one," Su calmly agreed to Ana's request.
"Thank you very much."
"But..."
"Have you really not considered becoming a hero of this world?"
Through observing various trials and tests within the environment, Su recognized that Ana possessed the capability to save the world, along with clear strategic thinking. Unfortunately, it seemed she had no interest in such a role.
"No, this generation has many potential heroes; they certainly don't need me among them."
As Ana spoke, she turned to gaze at the center of the illusory realm.
"I only need to protect those who become heroes."