Immediately afterward, The Herta cast another appraisal on Herman. She quickly discovered that Herman's research attribute was: ???
The Herta hurriedly called out to Herman in her mind: 'Unable to appraise? What's going on? Did the appraisal system you just awakened bug out?'
"Of course not. I'm a system—your exclusive cheat... How could a cheat have attributes?"
After saying that, Herman secretly mused inwardly:
Research points being only 1 must absolutely not be exposed. Of course it has to stay hidden!
After thinking for a moment, The Herta felt that Herman's explanation made some sense. Then she cast the same Attribute Appraisal on the machine head before her—the Aeon of Erudition, Nous.
The result she received was:
"Nous, Monarch of Myriad Machines, Wisdomwalker, Lord of the Path of Erudition, ascended astral computer, calculator of all truths in the universe. Research Points: ???"
After reading that appraisal, The Herta glanced again at the identical ??? result she had obtained from Herman.
In that instant, she nearly laughed in irritation. 'You said you couldn't possibly have attribute points, which is why your appraisal result is ???'
'But when I appraised that machine head just now, Their result was also ???.'
'How do you explain that? Don't tell me the machine head doesn't have attributes either?!'
After saying that, she voiced her speculation. 'Could it be that you're some missing Aeon in disguise? Akivili of Trailblaze—or perhaps Beauty...'
Herman encouraged her, "Beauty what? Go on, The Herta. Say it."
After a long silence, The Herta finally replied inwardly, 'The missing Aeon of Beauty, Idrila—absolutely cannot be you!'
"What's wrong? Am I not handsome?"
'By normal human standards of aesthetics, you are handsome... but you're not human...' The Herta delivered her conclusion coolly.
Herman said with interest, "Is there a possibility that I am Idrila? That Beauty sought you out because of your own beauty? Send me 50 Credits right now and I'll immediately make you an Emanator of Beauty!"
The Herta rolled her eyes internally and replied in exasperation, 'I'm not a three-year-old child. That kind of scam won't fool me. Only members of the Stupid Club would fall for that.'
Herman declared confidently, "If not Idrila, then I must be Akivili! Swear loyalty to the great Herman right now, and I'll get you on board to become a Nameless!"
'Alright, now I'm certain... You're not Akivili either.'
Herman retorted firmly, "Nonsense! Akivili had exactly that kind of free-spirited personality. In the past, Akivili even drove the train and smashed through the subspace crystalline barriers forged by Qlipoth of Preservation!"
'You truly know the deepest secrets of the cosmos,' The Herta thought. 'Not only secrets related to geniuses, but even ancient mysteries connected to Akivili, the Aeon of Trailblaze...'
After reaching that point in her thoughts, she made a judgment.
'You are very likely a pseudo-Aeon existence—extremely ancient. An old monster who has lived through countless Amber Eras!'
Hearing The Herta's analysis, Herman wore an expression that was difficult to describe. He had not expected to be mistaken for some ancient relic of the universe.
After all, it had not even been a week since he transmigrated into this world.
As Herman was thinking this, he suddenly heard the ticking calculation sounds of Nous.
Tick. Tick. Tick...
The Herta immediately spoke. "Machine head, are you saying that I have a question I wish to ask you?"
Tick. Tick. Tick...
The sound of Nous' calculations echoed throughout the Path interstice.
Without hesitation, The Herta asked the question in her heart. "Then tell me, machine head—are there magical girls in this world?"
[Not at present.]
Faced with the genius' inquiry, Nous finally spoke to answer.
The moment the words fell, the existence of Nous vanished from the Path interstice.
Thus, only The Herta remained within the Path interstice.
Lowering her head, she pondered the meaning of Nous' reply.
Not at present... So the machine head means that in the future, magical girls who exist only in television dramas will be born through my hands?!
Yes. That must be it!
After all, I am the genius Herta!!
With that thought, The Herta walked toward the pillar of light within the Path interstice. She was preparing to leave.
At that moment, Herman's voice once again sounded by her ear. "I originally thought you would ask Nous about me."
"Hmph. As if..." The Herta responded inwardly while walking. 'Since even Nous cannot detect your existence, that means only I can research you!'
'They are not qualified... not qualified!'
'And I, The Herta—the true genius—when the time comes in the future, will thoroughly uncover every mystery within you!'
"Good! Very spirited! Keep up the research!"
Herman cheered her on.
For Herman, who had now become a system, as long as The Herta continued her research, she would generate research points. And as long as enough points were accumulated, he would be able to perform spacetime traversal.
Just as the Research System had once brought him from Earth into this universe, once he gathered sufficient points, he would naturally be able to traverse other worlds.
Of course, research points were not only used for spacetime travel. They were also the system's energy source, maintaining the operation of its various functions.
In addition, they could be used to create objects within the system space. Previously, he had already manufactured things like a bed and a sofa there...
Naturally, beyond creation and spacetime traversal, research points could also analyze the essence of matter—and even energy—and enhance biological intelligence.
And the biological intelligence mentioned here did not apply only to the host. Even he, the system's core self, could have his intelligence enhanced.
One could say that as long as there were sufficient research points, even a being like him—with a research capability of only 1—could transform into the supreme intelligence of the cosmos.
And with supreme intelligence, given enough time for research, as long as he did not perish... he would gradually approach omniscience.
It could be said that the Research System Herman had become was an ultimate cheat. With enough points, even creating a Path and becoming the embodiment of a philosophical concept—an Aeon—would be trivial!
...
The Herta opened her eyes—closed and opened again—and discovered that she had already left the Path interstice.
Immediately, she recited silently in her mind, 'Herman, are you still there? You didn't get left behind in the Path interstice, did you?'
"I'm here."
'Good thing you weren't lost. Otherwise I would have had to research an instrument capable of retrieving you from the Path interstice.'
"Don't worry. I'm soul-bound to you. No matter where you run, you can't get rid of me! I'll always be watching you. Always, always!"
'That's way too heavy!!'