Perhaps, just as Elysia said, she truly could sense the human heart.
But something like the heart Expert remained skeptical. When it came to things beyond the scope of science, Expert always maintained a rigorous and cautious attitude.
Under Elysia's expectant gaze, Expert still wore a cold, expressionless face. Crossing her arms, she said indifferently, "Hmph. Let's assume that's the case, Miss Elysia. If you need anything, you may state it. If there's nothing important, please leave my workshop. I need to begin work."
Expert's words were always direct, driven entirely by practicality. I, Expert, have no emotions.
After all, the workshop under construction was dangerous. Entering casually could lead to accidents at any moment. If Vill-V herself got hurt, it didn't matter. But if Elysia were injured, that would be a responsibility Vill-V could not bear. She had no intention of offering herself in compensation this early.
"Don't be so serious all the time. A cute face like yours, Vill-V, always so stiff it'll turn into a poker face, you know."
Elysia was completely unfazed by Expert's cold tone. She leaned in warmly as always.
"During the Third Honkai Eruption, you were incredibly active, Vill-V. I've been wanting to find a chance to praise you."
"It was truly wonderful. To be able to suppress a Herrscher thanks to your great inventions, countless people were saved."
Elysia always managed to grasp exactly what others longed for. Even someone as cold as Expert found her defenses subtly pried open by those words.
Talking about her work? Then Expert was no longer sleepy at all.
"You're right. However, the Thunder Devourer—Model One device has certain flaws. It was my first independently developed anti-electromagnetic automated defensive regulator. Just designing the multi-layered scheme took a month. Then I improved it using a parallel interference alpha-angle oscilloscope, enabling it to avoid the frequency spectrum influence of the Maxwell electromagnetic field generated by the Herrscher of Thunder. As for Thunder Devourer Model Two"
Like finding an outlet, Expert began speaking endlessly about the thought process behind designing various anti-Herrscher-of-Thunder armaments. She had been holding it in for years. The other Vill-V personalities had no interest in listening to Expert ramble about obscure technical theories. Even Scholar sounded more pleasant when speaking than Expert.
And now, Expert had finally found someone willing to listen.
Elysia simply sat there like a devout listener, smiling gently. From time to time, she chimed in with supportive remarks. When Expert grew tired, she even brought her tea and water.
This was not something an ordinary person could do. To outsiders, Expert's explanations sounded like noise. Every word was understandable on its own, but together they became incomprehensible.
Yet Expert showed no restraint, passionately explaining complex scientific theories, unconcerned whether Elysia understood or not. She spoke from dawn all the way until nightfall.
At one point, when Expert felt hungry, she opened a cup of instant noodles and was about to eat it, but Elysia dragged her out to have a proper meal.
This was the first time in years that Expert had eaten a proper meal.
Whenever Expert appeared, it was always "work, work, work." Either she was working, on her way to work, or just finishing work. She was practically used as free labor by Vill-V. How could she possibly spare more than ten minutes for a meal?
Of course, this was unavoidable. Among all of Vill-V's personalities, Expert was currently the most capable—not in combat, but in technological power.
Without Expert continuously producing advanced technology, the efficiency of the other personalities would drop by at least ninety percent.
Though Expert never cared much about eating, and could simply take a few Scholar-brand nutrient tablets if necessary.
As one of the personalities, as long as Vill-V's body ate, Expert could also share that sensation if she wished.
Rather than experiencing such meaningless neural impulses, Expert preferred to spend her time creating things of greater value.
But the aroma of real food made Expert forget everything. She immersed herself in the sweetness of taste.
So this is what it feels like to sit down and properly eat a meal yourself. How blissful
Although Expert's expression remained gloomy as ever, Elysia still seemed to sense the shift in her mood. While eating, she teased her gently.
"Enjoying delicious food is also a way to feel that you're alive. It lets us experience the romance of life."
"Besides, having lunch with a beautiful girl feels completely different from just chatting, doesn't it?"
"Mm perhaps I should learn to take eating seriously," Expert nodded.
"Hehe, do you need to learn how to eat? Alright, I'll teach you. Come on, say 'ah~.'"
Outside, it was raining. But with Elysia by her side, Expert did not feel the slightest bit of cold loneliness.
"When you're alone, it's easy to feel lonely," Elysia explained.
Expert glanced at her wrist thermometer. Mm. It must be due to the warmth radiating from Elysia's body.
Elysia was always lively and active, so her body temperature remained relatively high.
Then Expert concluded, "Elysia you are a terrifying yet adorable woman."
Elysia held up an umbrella, covering both of them. She puffed her cheeks slightly and complained, "Calling a cute and well-behaved girl 'terrifying'—isn't that a bit much?"
Expert replied seriously, "You are terrifying because you can precisely grasp other people's emotions, and in a way I cannot understand."
"You are adorable because, despite having that ability, you do not harm others. Instead, you use it to love others."
"A person's abilities are also a reflection of their personality."
"If I had the chance, I would really like to deconstruct this ability of yours."
Elysia's eyes shimmered. She gently placed a finger against her chest.
"Your thoughts are just like Dr. Mobius'. She's always thinking about dissecting my chest too."
"Could it be that, like her, you also want to confirm what lies within my heart?"
"No wonder you and Dr. Mobius secretly made a deal behind my back. So you were trying to compete for ownership of adorable Elysia Ah, Ely, Ely, you truly are a woman burdened with too much sin"
"No," Expert shook her head seriously, clarifying in a straightforward manner. "I simply want to understand your structure."
After saying that, Expert felt like she might have revealed something and quickly added:
"I have a feeling you might be different from others."
Well, the more she tried to explain, the more she exposed herself. After all, she was the socially anxious Expert—not the socially fearless Magician.