"Bronya will send you the specific operating procedure in a document later. After that, Bronya will enter the Quantum Sea with your Overseer, as well as Teacher Himeko and the others."
Xia Qi looked at them calmly as she spoke.
In truth, in the original timeline, the experiment to activate the Eye of the Deep Sea took place several years later — so at this point, no related experiments had been conducted at all.
"Understood. However, when the time comes, I will enter with you. Leave the task of activating the Eye of the Deep Sea to Tesla."
"Hey! Chicken-nest-head! Why do you get to go inside and not me? I want to see it too!"
Hearing Einstein's words, Tesla immediately flared up, full of indignation.
"Because in this area, my professional expertise surpasses yours, Dr. Tesla." Einstein said to Tesla, her expression unchanged.
The scene made Himeko unable to resist glancing teasingly at Kiana and Bronya.
"Reminds you of something familiar, doesn't it, Kiana~"
"Huh?"
Kiana looked at Himeko in confusion, then at Tesla, and immediately pulled a face. "Familiar? That big red lobster looks ridiculous. Is she really a doctor?"
"Hey! You — you who look like a single-celled paramecium — who are you calling ridiculous?!"
"Para... Paramecium?!"
Kiana instantly erupted, getting right in Tesla's face and launching into an argument.
"Our apologies for the scene." Einstein walked over to Xia Qi and said quietly.
"Bronya is used to it."
Xia Qi replied without expression.
"I see. We have prepared resting rooms for you — you may need to wait a few days in Qiong Yu City, though you are also welcome to rest aboard your own battleship."
Einstein continued softly: "In the meantime, however, we would appreciate your help with the preparatory work for the activation experiment whenever you have the time."
"No problem."
Xia Qi nodded, then glanced at Himeko and said quietly: "Teacher Himeko, Bronya and Bronya will stay here to help with the preparations before the Eye of the Deep Sea is activated."
"Got it — then I'll take Kiana and the others for a look around." Himeko nodded. As she said it, a commotion broke out where Kiana was standing.
"You big lobster! I am not a paramecium!"
"You clearly are! You have the look of someone who understands absolutely nothing! And you dare call me a big red lobster?!"
"If you disagree, let's settle this right now!"
"Bring it on!"
"Kiana." Raiden Mei walked over, pinched Kiana's ear without hesitation, and turned to apologize profusely to Tesla. "We're very sorry, Dr. Tesla. Kiana got a little carried away. Please forgive her."
"I will not forgive her!" Tesla lifted her chin, seething. "Just you wait until I bring out my mecha—"
"Tesla. The priority right now is the Eye of the Deep Sea activation experiment." Einstein calmly cut her off. "Save any settling of scores for after. Besides... it's hardly a glorious thing to pick a fight with a child."
"Hmph..."
Tesla barely managed to swallow her anger. She looked down at Kiana who was wincing as Raiden Mei kept hold of her ear and tilted her chin up with an air of disdain.
"Hmph. Since that's the case, I can't be bothered with you, you white-haired brat!"
"Oww...! Mei, it hurts!"
"Alright, Bronya please follow us."
Einstein nodded at Xia Qi, and Xia Qi fell into step behind her, walking past Welt toward the experimental equipment surrounding the Eye of the Deep Sea.
They would essentially be occupied here for the next several days.
Even with the detailed information and data Xia Qi provided, there was still plenty to verify and adjust.
Xia Qi worked closely alongside Einstein, operating the instruments together. Tesla, watching Xia Qi's composed demeanor from nearby, eventually couldn't help herself:
"Bronya."
"Yes, Dr. Tesla. Is something the matter?"
"I want to know in your parallel timeline, are you the new Overseer of Anti-Entropy?"
Tesla looked at Xia Qi and asked with open curiosity.
"No. The Overseer is still Welt Yang. Bronya merely became his successor and learned under him." Xia Qi replied seriously.
"I see. Then you must feel it too every time you draw on the power of the Herrscher of Reason, your body..." Einstein looked at Xia Qi, a faint trace of pity in her eyes.
Tesla also turned her head to look.
"...is being corroded."
"?"
Bronya looked over as well, frowning.
Xia Qi's expression remained perfectly calm as she spoke.
"Please don't worry, Dr. Einstein. Bronya will use this power carefully. As for the corrosion..." Himeko's face flashed through her mind as she said it.
"...It's a small price to pay for power. From a long-term perspective, it is both worth it and necessary."
"You... you're just like him." Tesla couldn't hold back any longer. She stared hard at Xia Qi from the side, her emotions nearly getting away from her before she managed to rein them in.
"...Ha."
Einstein looked at Xia Qi's calm, expressionless face. After a moment of silence, she sighed.
"Earlier, I wondered why the Welt of your timeline chose you as his successor. Now, I think I understand."
"..."
Xia Qi pressed her lips together and said nothing more.
"Bronya..." Bronya came to stand beside Xia Qi, looking at her with quiet concern.
"Don't worry, Bronya. Everything is within acceptable limits."
Xia Qi met her gaze looking at this younger version of herself from her memories and a small smile crossed her face. Then she turned back to continue calibrating the data with Einstein and the others.
"Shall we continue?"
"Yes."
Einstein and Tesla resumed their work. Although Bronya had her bio-chip and Project Bunny to draw on, at her current level she could only offer minor assistance.
Two days passed quickly.
In the meantime, Kiana had managed to discover a garden that had broken away from Qiong Yu City, and even gotten into a skirmish with one of Anti-Entropy's mecha units in the process.
She had succeeded in defeating a Paladin only to be chased all over the place when it entered its berserk state.
Now, everyone gathered before the Eye of the Deep Sea, their expressions solemn.
"Activate the Eye of the Deep Sea."
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