"I want to master flame magic, just like Sister Tohru… Hmm, I wonder how the power of a Honkai Beast's flames compares to dragon fire…"
"Ice. I want to control more power of ice. That way Mokoshpotmo will become even stronger, hehe…"
"All that flashy nonsense—better to just use brute force to create miracles. I just want strength…"
Click—
After the glass airtight cover closed, a puff of white hypnotic gas filled the stasis pods.
The girls, still daydreaming of the future, soon drifted into deep sleep.
The improved Meta-Morph surgery developed by the Research Division was much simpler than before.
Cangxuan, Dan Zhu, and the little lolis first analyzed and confirmed each subject's physical condition, as well as the Honkai Beast type they had chosen.
Next, the Angeloids delivered several crates of colorful reagents.
Mechanical arms injected them one after another.
Some were Honkai Beast DNA samples, others were drugs to eliminate rejection reactions.
On the monitors, the readings of their bodies changed dramatically.
A new kind of energy was merging with them.
[Meta-Morph ICHOR Fusion in Progress: 3.5%… 4.6%… 5.7%…]
[Estimated Completion Time: 121 hours 21 minutes]
[DNA Compatibility: 28.8%]
[Rejection Response: None]
The holographic interface recorded the fusion state of each subject in real time, constantly monitoring their bodies.
Even the completion time was calculated with precision.
"Oh, this method is far more advanced than in the Previous Era."
Cangxuan and Dan Zhu both sighed.
"Back then, a Meta-Morph surgery might leave you unable to even get off the operating table. Technology really has improved."
"You didn't have a choice back then. If fusion soldiers weren't created in time, the Herrschers would've flattened everything. There was no time for research."
Setsuna answered with a smile.
"It wasn't easy for Dr. Mei to turn the tide in those conditions."
As for Mei—utterly rational, rational enough to treat Hua as an experimental subject—Setsuna felt the most suitable place for her was among Daedalus, the Siren shipgirls, and the others, tinkering with new technologies.
Even when the Previous Era was beaten down so badly, she still managed to forge the Divine Keys and MANTIS.
Now that he could give her conditions hundreds of times better, Setsuna was eager to see what accomplishments she might achieve for the Starsea Empire.
"Wait a second."
"That girl called Ritsuka Fujimaru—her physical stats seem far better than the others, huh?"
While chatting, Cangxuan glanced at the screen and suddenly looked surprised.
Gudako's readings were abnormal compared to normal humans, far higher than the Butterfly sisters or Akame and Kurome, second only to Fu Hua.
"Do you know how many buffs she's stacked on herself?"
Setsuna smacked his forehead.
"Right now she's a genetically-ascended Spirit Gundam pilot, part-time Chaldea Master, and oh, soon to be a MANTIS too."
"Any technology she can use, she's used. The only thing she can't consume is Wisdom Cubes."
He figured Dr. Roman probably never imagined that handing Gudako over to him would one day turn her into a walking super-fusion freak.
Aside from Chaldea magecraft, Gudako knew a bit of everything.
Stare~
Only Senti kept staring at the Immortal's stasis pod.
"A Judgment-level Honkai Beast… it's over. I'll never be able to beat that old fossil again…"
...
The MANTIS transformation took five days.
Not especially fast, but guaranteed absolutely safe—plus they could freely choose their Honkai Beast.
Setsuna came by every day to check.
On the first day, everyone's vital signs were still fluctuating violently. On first contact with Honkai energy, the Butterfly sisters even suffered minor erosion.
Setsuna dispelled it entirely with his Herrscher authority.
On the second day, once their vitals stabilized, DNA fusion serums were injected. Originally only 20–30% compatibility, their matches were gradually raised above 95%.
The Starsea Empire's Meta-Morph surgery only required choosing the desired Honkai Beast ability—no need, like in the Previous Era, to find exact pairings one by one.
On the third and fourth days, the data steadily rose.
Although nothing seemed to change on the outside, the energy readings showed that unimaginable power was now hidden within their bodies.
Finally, on the fifth day, when the fusion progress reached 100%—
Click—
The anesthesia ended, the stasis pods opened.
The newborn MANTIS opened their eyes, slowly sat up, their expressions still a little dazed.
"Congratulations—the first batch of MANTIS of the Starsea Empire has been born."
Cangxuan applauded.
"Mm…"
"Commander, I… it feels like there's a new power inside me?"
Kanae stepped out of the pod.
After stretching her body, she drew her sword, spun a flourish, and looked at it with disbelief.
She felt her strength, agility, and reflexes had all improved in every way.
"Emperor-class Honkai Beast DNA is far stronger than Paramecium-like ones. Totally normal."
Setsuna smiled, patting her head.
"What species did you choose?"
"Uh… I forgot the number. It was a Honkai Beast with illusion abilities. I thought it'd go well with the Edge of Taixuan."
"Want me to demonstrate?"
Kanae looked eager to try.
The Starsea Empire had far too many Emperor-class Honkai Beasts—most only had numbers, not names.
"Later, at the training grounds. There are too many research lolis here."
Setsuna turned to the others.
Shinobu, Kanae, Akame, Kurome, Nezuko, and the rest crawled out one after another.
Still unsteady on their feet, they immediately began testing their new powers.
Boom—Crack!!—
In an instant, ice, fire, lightning, and water flew wildly through the lab. Elemental reactions exploded across faces, mixed with strange, unheard-of abilities.
"Out!!!"
"If you want to play, do it outside! The equipment here is expensive!!!"
Kayo Senju banged the table repeatedly, ordering the Angeloids to usher them all out.
"Eh? Eh? Eh?"
Suddenly, a cry came from nearby.
"Commander, what happened to me?!"
Yae Sakura stood before a mirror, touching her head.
From it sprouted a pair of long, pink fox ears. Even her height had increased, leaving Yae Rin staring up at her.
"Oh?"
Setsuna was instantly struck by the cuteness.
"???"
Cangxuan and Dan Zhu quickly checked the holographic interface.
"Hiss…"
"Looks like there was a little bug during the DNA fusion. Some Honkai Beast traits merged into your body."
"Hmm, it shouldn't affect normal life. If you don't like it, we can schedule surgery to remove them."
"No, don't."
Setsuna firmly refused, pulling Yae Sakura into his arms and rubbing her ears.
"Keep them. They're adorable."
When he had first found the young Yae Sakura and Yae Rin, he'd regretted that she didn't have fox ears.
Now that it happened by accident, it hit his soft spot perfectly.
"Eh? I'm just supposed to stay like this?"
Yae Sakura panicked slightly.
"Mm, you're cutest this way."
"See? In the capital there are plenty of beast-eared girls—Nagato, Akashi, Midori Fuse, even catgirls. You'll fit right in."
Setsuna coaxed her gently.
"Keep them."
"…Alright… if Commander says so…"
Yae Sakura puffed her cheeks, thought for a while, then nodded.
On the other side—
Fu Hua also sat up, moving her body.
"How do you feel? Any discomfort?"
Cangxuan, Dan Zhu, and the research lolis all crowded around.
She was the only one who had fused with a Judgment-level Honkai Beast, and the first person to merge with two Honkai Beasts.
"None."
The immortal shook her head.
"All normal."
"And Chiyou's new abilities?"
Cangxuan leaned in curiously.
She was eager to see what that monster could bring as an enhancement.
"Hmm… I don't feel like it gave me any special powers."
Fu Hua frowned slightly, then swung a fist into the air.
"Ki—Cloud Mist!"
Bang!
A sharp sonic boom resounded, the fist wind leaving a mark on the alloy wall in the distance.
"My strength has indeed increased a lot. Perhaps its DNA is purely for enhancing physique?"
"Could be."
Cangxuan thought for a moment.
"When we fought Chiyou, besides its massive size and being able to swallow a whole city in one bite, it didn't seem to have other abilities."
"Oh, right—it was also ridiculously tough."
"…"
"I'll observe it later. Maybe it has some unexpected effects."
The immortal closed her eyes as she spoke, then walked over to Setsuna's side and gently kissed his cheek.
"Thank you."
"I'll craft you a Vipralopa-class next time."
Setsuna pulled her into his arms, holding her affectionately.
"…"
Fu Hua was briefly stunned by how casually he treated high-class Honkai Beasts like cabbages. But after thinking it over, realizing it was his way of caring for her, she accepted it gladly.
Suddenly—
Senti's voice cut in:
"Hey, old fossil…"
"You used to say that because of Garuda and the Meta-Morph surgery, your body was locked at seventeen."
"But now you've fused with an even higher-level Honkai Beast, and you still haven't changed? What's the problem here?"
Everyone followed Senti's voice and turned to stare at the immortal.
Her elegant, flowing robes still adorned the same figure—a chest as flat and broad as Saratoga's.
"…"
The air went deathly quiet.
Facing the immortal who had just fused with a Judgment-level Honkai Beast, no one dared speak recklessly.
But the mischievous Senti suddenly had a flash of inspiration:
"Why not have the Commander give you a ship and call it the Eternal Tablet? That way it matches the Eternal Snowfall as a couple's name."
"…"
Fu Hua stayed silent for a while.
Then she placed her hand on Senti's head and smiled sweetly:
"Little Senti… I used to think that even though you're a Herrscher, you weren't a bad person. That's why I let you stay by my side with the Commander…"
"But lately, don't you think you've been talking a bit too much?"
...
"The first MANTIS experiment was a perfect success."
"A total of 21 MANTIS were created—20 fused with Emperor-class Honkai Beasts, and 1 with a Judgment-level Honkai Beast."
"Success rate: 100%. Compatibility: 100%. Aside from Yae Sakura growing a pair of ears, no rejection reactions or side effects were observed."
At the lunar research base—
The newborn MANTIS stepped out of their stasis pods. After a bit of noisy playing around, they were pulled over for full medical checkups.
All the information was then compiled and handed over.
"Mm, not bad."
Setsuna looked at the report in his hand with satisfaction.
Most of the ordinary girls at the base had now joined the glorious evolution.
From the Demon Slayer world, the Butterfly sisters and the Demon Slayer Corps. From the Akame ga Kill world, the Night Raid members. From the Goblin Slayer world, the Sword Maiden, the High Elf Archer, the Hero, and others.
Added to them were the companions just brought back from the Honkai world.
Although they were listed as combat personnel, their actual power fell behind that of Heroic Spirits, Spirits, and shipgirls. Even if they joined expeditions, they could only watch from the sidelines.
But after becoming MANTIS, their real strength soared.
Together with training under Fu Hua in the Taixuan Eminence, and the various Divine Keys and other equipment in the future—
In most worlds, as long as they didn't face absurd enemies, they'd have no problem protecting themselves.
In fact, in low-magic worlds they could probably sweep through with ease.
"Mm, this way we'll be able to do more for the Commander."
Kanae clenched her fists, sneaking a glance at Fu Hua.
Shipgirls and dragon maidens were too different in species for her to ever catch up to them.
But as fellow human-modified MANTIS, she regarded the immortal as her role model.
"Commander, Commander, I'm invincible now!"
"Quick, send me back to Chaldea. I need to farm Singularities. Get out here, Goetia! Lev! Time to get beaten!!!"
Gudako came rushing over noisily.
She struck a flexing pose in front of Setsuna, nearly blinding him.
"Which Honkai Beast did you fuse with?"
Setsuna asked curiously.
"Garuda. Same as the immortal."
Gudako patted her chest proudly.
"I saw how impressive the immortal's strength and reflexes were. Whether in Ki techniques or the Edge of Taixuan, it was all simple but overwhelming power."
"Since the Research Division had extracted some Garuda DNA from her, I used that."
"?"
Even Fu Hua looked a little surprised at Humanity's Evil.
Cangxuan and Dan Zhu had always called her fighting style barbaric. She never thought she'd find a devoted admirer.
"And Garuda has great regeneration too. Kayo Senju said the planarian factors in me give an extra boost. Even if someone blew my head off, I could probably grow it back."
Gudako was very satisfied with her genetically-ascended + Spiritized + MANTIS body.
Scratching her head, she leaned closer to Fu Hua:
"Immortal, I want to learn the Taixuan Eminence too. Will you teach me?"
"Of course."
Fu Hua nodded slightly.
She found these disciples a bit noisy and strange.
But each one was interesting, every girl carrying her own story.
As she spoke, Gudako glanced at the immortal, then weighed her own chest with her hand.
"Huh? Doesn't seem smaller?"
"But didn't the Herrscher of Sentience say the Garuda Meta-Morph factor would keep you stuck at that age forever? Eh~⊙"
"Forget it. I'm already a Spirit, I stopped growing long ago. A D-cup is enough, right, Commander?"
"…"
Humanity's Evil's unrestrained behavior left everyone around her dumbstruck.
Fu Hua, inexplicably, felt like she had been shot again.
Following Setsuna back to the Starsea Empire had been good in every way.
The only issue was living among shipgirls every day—it was dizzying.
Aircraft carriers and battleship-class shipgirls needed no comment. But from time to time even some destroyers and submarines with outrageous proportions flaunted themselves.
Among her disciples, whether the Butterfly sisters or Akame and Kurome, they all had some degree of curves. And the Sword Maiden was simply excessive.
"…Forget it. It doesn't matter."
"The purpose of cultivation is to improve oneself. One must not focus too much on outside appearances."
Fu Hua shook her head, forcing her thoughts back on track.
After some thought, Fu Hua realized that with her relationship to Setsuna, there was no need to worry about such things.
If Setsuna had no objections, then neither did she.
...
The group stayed at the lunar research center for a few more days.
Setsuna accompanied the new MANTIS as they experimented with and trained their newfound powers.
He guided them in controlling Honkai energy.
With his Herrscher authority combined with Fu Hua's guidance, they quickly grasped the basics of their abilities.
"Scatter!"
Shua—
On the training grounds, Kanae unsheathed her sword.
A faint hallucinogenic dust spread across the entire arena.
Esdeath, who was sparring with her, along with several little lolis observing the match, were all dragged into the illusion.
Their expressions went blank and dazed.
"Ehehe…"
Gudako, watching the fight, was affected too. She stood there grinning stupidly, nearly drooling.
Only when Setsuna tapped her forehead with Honkai energy did she snap out of it.
Ding!—
Before Kanae's sword reached her, Esdeath suddenly snapped awake.
She raised her sword to block, then leapt backward.
"Ice Commander in Chief!!!"
Crack—
Icy mist condensed and reshaped in the air.
It transformed into several massive dragons of frost, descending from above and breathing freezing air toward the ground.
Boom—
The icy mist froze half the training field solid.
Compared to the ice knights she had once summoned in her battles with Setsuna, the frost dragons were far more powerful and overwhelming.
Kanae darted through them, pursued relentlessly.
Sometimes they clashed with swordplay, sometimes with bursts of Honkai energy.
"Ohh, illusion-type and ice-type powers? They suit you both quite well."
Setsuna watched the duel with interest.
Thanks to the mass production of Emperor-class Honkai Beasts, MANTIS could choose abilities that matched their fighting styles.
Esdeath was already skilled in ice control, so fusing with an ice-type Honkai Beast naturally boosted her power.
Kanae had chosen an illusion-type ability, which might serve as a complement to her training in the Taixuan Eminence.
As for the others—
Some wielded fire, some lightning, others controlled gravity or space in small areas. A wide variety of abilities appeared.
By comparison, Gudako's choice of Garuda seemed a little plain.
—The upside was that now she was absurdly tanky.
Once she mastered the Taixuan Eminence, she would basically be a miniature immortal—who could also pilot a Gundam.
"…"
"You still haven't discovered Chiyou's special ability?"
Watching the lively training ground and her companions testing out their powers, Cangxuan nudged Fu Hua.
"No."
The immortal shook her head, her tone a little regretful.
In these past few days—
All the newly-modified MANTIS had awakened Honkai Beast-related powers.
Only she, despite fusing with a Judgment-level Honkai Beast, had discovered nothing beyond greatly enhanced strength.
"That's strange. It shouldn't be like this…"
Setsuna rubbed his chin, pondering.
He had held high expectations for Chiyou, hoping it would bring some spectacular ability.
In the original story, it had taken the sacrifice of Cangxuan, Dan Zhu, and Jilin just to barely seal it within the Nine Netherworlds. Its power was terrifying.
So why did it seem so underwhelming now?!
If it really was a purely strength-specialized Honkai Beast, then the boost should have been enormous.
But as things stood, Fu Hua's results didn't make much sense.
"Could you… maybe swallow a city whole like Chiyou?"
"Or grow your body to its size?"
Little Fuxi, perched on her yin-yang sphere, tugged at the immortal's robes.
"I remember that big guy had a huge appetite."
"???"
"How could I possibly?!"
Fu Hua smacked the little ancestor on the head, baffled.
She thought if she really turned into a giant the size of Chiyou, it would hardly be a pleasing sight.
"Hmm…"
"Alright, let's go to the Life Sciences Department again."
"We'll run another check, see if the problem lies in the surgery, or if the two Honkai Beasts just aren't compatible."
Setsuna thought it over for a while.
He had plenty of confidence in the Research Division's technology. The issue probably lay with Chiyou itself.
"Even Benares has a pile of special abilities. There's no way Chiyou is this lame, right?!…"
—
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