Mobius struggled mightily to break free from the suffocating hug.
"Elysia... Why are you here?"
Her signature serpentine eyes glared fiercely at this uninvited guest who clearly had no concept of personal space. The petite doctor grew increasingly exasperated, demanding,
"This whole incident today, don't tell me you're involved too?"
Ever since the two of them had joined the Flame-Chasers, neither had given Mobius a moment's peace. Each one was an expert at stirring up trouble; one wrong move, and Mobius felt like they'd give her an aneurysm.
Case in point...
"Oh, Mobius, don't be angry~"
Seeing Mobius practically wrench herself free as if they were sworn enemies, Elysia didn't press the issue. Instead, she gracefully stepped back, her voice still full of cheer.
"This really was just an accident, I promise!"
Seeing Elysia's seemingly sincere expression, Mobius raised an eyebrow slightly. She held back her questions, wanting to hear what Elysia would say next, but she never expected...
"Heehee, I knew it! No one can resist a hug from a lovely girl~"
The beautiful, pixie-like girl with pink hair leaned in closer, flashing Mobius an incredibly radiant smile. Happily, she chirped,
"You felt my affection just now too, didn't you! Right, Mobius?"
"E-ly-si-a!"
Hearing such outrageous words, Mobius completely lost her composure, her teeth grinding audibly.
I know exactly what she's like, so why do I keep letting myself get humiliated like this?
"Heehee, you look so cute like this now~ All tiny, like a little Mobius bud!"
Elysia grew more cheerful as she spoke, almost reaching out instinctively to pinch Mobius's somewhat plump little cheeks—though they were usually hidden beneath her long hair.
"Enough!"
At her limit, Mobius slapped Elysia's unruly hand away with a sharp smack. Then, with a sour expression, she turned her head towards Vill-V, who was thoroughly enjoying the show like a spectator.
"Vill-V, let's continue our earlier discussion..."
But she'd barely gotten the words out when another voice suddenly cut in—
"Ahem, if I may interrupt."
Lin Wei felt if he didn't speak up soon, he'd be completely sidelined. So, with a light cough and visible annoyance, he walked towards the trio, shot them a flat look, and said,
"Ladies, don't you think you owe me an explanation first?"
"You, Mobius, look all indignant, but I'm the one who just got dragged into this baffling mess and I'm still completely lost!"
Huh? I definitely only came here with Elysia...
"..."
Lin Wei couldn't help glancing towards the petite, green-haired figure standing not far off with Elysia, feeling increasingly speechless.
Well, in a way, I guess the objective was achieved, right? Right?!
It was supposed to be simple—Elysia brings me to Mobius, then she leaves. Done.
But now...
Seriously, what kind of sane person sets up the final battleground right on someone else's doorstep?!
Psycho!
Damn it, what the hell are you three planning?
Lin Wei felt increasingly indignant and upset. Just thinking about this completely unexpected situation gave him a headache!
"I demand an explanation!"
"Hm?"
Mobius's attention had been entirely focused on Vill-V, completely missing Lin Wei and Yuno on the other side of the "battlefield." Now, she followed the unfamiliar voice and looked over. Seeing who it was, she couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
"Well, well, I wondered who was being so rude, interrupting a private conversation. Turns out it's the new little toy Elysia's taken a fancy to recently!"
Her voice sounded undeniably cute, but the tone dripped with an artificial sweetness—a stark contrast to how she'd sounded when talking to Vill-V and Elysia just moments before.
Toy?
Lin Wei involuntarily took a step back. With a mouth like that, Mobius, it's no wonder your reputation sucks!
"Yes, that's right!"
Mobius glanced past Lin Wei towards Yuno standing behind him. That brief flick of her serpentine eyes was enough to make Yuno feel intensely uneasy, like a viper had just marked her; but Mobius lost interest almost immediately, her gaze snapping back to Lin Wei.
"This woman, Elysia... she's not as simple as she appears. She's a habitual liar—as for her... hehehehe..."
Noticing a fleeting expression cross Lin Wei's face, Mobius suddenly seemed to have found her target, the "toy" she could vent her frustration on. She let out a low chuckle, her voice turning dangerously smooth, laced with mock pity.
"You poor little toy. You absolutely mustn't let her fool you, otherwise..."
Her voice trailed off, leaving the threat hanging, as if waiting for Lin Wei to ask what would happen.
...Talking bad about someone right in front of them, seriously?
Mobius's bluntness in trash-talking someone right to their face made Lin Wei find the situation almost funny. He simply ignored her pathetic attempt at manipulation and turned his gaze directly to Elysia, asking flatly,
"Well? What's going on?"
"Oh, Mobius," Elysia interjected smoothly before Mobius could react, "while I understand you're trying to say that 'Elysia is a girl with great depth and unique charm,' your way of putting things can easily lead to misunderstandings~"
Despite being insulted to her face like that, Elysia's smile didn't falter. She said brightly,
"But it's alright, I know what you really mean! After all, we're the best of friends, aren't we, Mobius?"
Then, before Mobius could even react, Elysia skipped lightly over to Lin Wei as if nothing had happened, batting her sparkling eyes.
"You see? Dr. Mobius—delivered safe and sound~"
Her voice even held a hint of pride, as if she'd put in maximum effort for a mission accomplished.
If "feigning ignorance is a virtue," then Elysia was undoubtedly among its most skilled practitioners—quite possibly the absolute master, bar none.
"What did you just say...?"
Mobius froze, then her gaze snapped towards Lin Wei, suddenly turning murderous. In an instant, she understood. The thick, tangible shadows around her began to churn menacingly.
So you were involved in this too? Fine, let the others be, but who the hell do you think YOU are?
Before, you avoided me like the plague, acting like getting anywhere near me meant being eaten alive! And now you dare show up at my lab causing trouble, acting like I don't even exist?
Mobius's pride surged. This was an unforgivable insult!
"Dr. Mobius, hold on," Lin Wei cut in before Mobius could explode again, "You're not the only one confused and angry here—Elysia, stop playing dumb and explain what the hell is going on!"
But before Mobius could lash out, he raised a hand in a calming gesture, urging her to hold back for a moment. This unexpected move seemed to make Mobius's anger falter slightly. Seizing the opening, Lin Wei turned to Elysia and demanded bluntly and sternly,
"From the start, all I asked was for you to bring me to meet Dr. Mobius, just like how every successor meets a Flame-Chaser for the first time. That's what you agreed to, right?"
"Mhm~" Elysia readily admitted.
"Right. So what," Lin Wei gestured around them, "is all this?"
Lin Wei pointed towards Vill-V, who was trying to blend into the background like an innocent spectator, and demanded sternly,
"Why is Vill-V here? Why did this 'challenge system' suddenly appear? And why did I have to fight that completely pointless battle with her at the very end? And most importantly..."
Lin Wei shot Mobius an apologetic glance, then turned back to Vill-V, his voice laced with irritation as he demanded loudly,
"Why, how conveniently, was the final battle staged right here? Before Dr. Mobius showed up, I actually thought this area was just a designated combat zone! Vill-V, you created this so-called challenge system, and you asked me to help with your so-called 'testing'—explain yourself! Why did everything turn out like this?"
"Don't think I didn't notice, that 'little girl' over there," Lin Wei gestured towards Mobius, "was about to explode thanks to you two!"
Too late to play dumb now, but gotta pass the buck quick—
"Mobius! You saw it! You heard it! This was all these two troublemakers' fault! If you're angry, don't take it out on me, go after them!"
"I'm just like you, an innocent victim caught in the crossfire! After all, I'm just a regular successor. In this Elysian Realm belonging to you veterans, what power do I even have?" Lin Wei finished with wide, innocent eyes.
"Heh. Quite the little schemer, aren't you?" Mobius sneered, looking at Lin Wei. His little tricks obviously couldn't fool a genius scientist like her. "Don't think you'll get off that easily!"
Although she said that, her initial fury had subsided significantly. Mobius couldn't be bothered arguing much with Lin Wei right now. Instead, she habitually sneered, then redirected her attack towards Vill-V, letting out a cold chuckle.
"Vill-V, is it really as he said?"
Although phrased as a question, Mobius was already certain Lin Wei's account was essentially true.
After all, fifty thousand years ago, that woman Vill-V had frequently trashed Mobius's lab while stealing materials, then proceeded to dump all sorts of bizarre "creations" inside, always making Mobius fly into a rage while Vill-V herself made a quick getaway. This was just a repeat performance.
So, in that moment, Mobius decided to form a brief, temporary alliance with Lin Wei. Whether she'd settle the score with him later... well, that would depend on her mood.
After all, snakes hold very long grudges!
"Alas, Lin Wei, oh Lin Wei," Vill-V sighed dramatically, "after all this time we've known each other, how could you still be so cruel!"
Vill-V shook her head with a look of utter heartbreak, seemingly deeply wounded by Lin Wei's callousness.
Although I expected this, he really doesn't pull any punches. Trying to get one over on him is practically impossible!
"Heh." Lin Wei scoffed, his expression flat. If I wasn't constantly on guard around you, I'd probably have been sold down the river by a backstabber like you ages ago!
Don't be fooled by this drama queen's heartbroken act right now. Goodness only knows what's actually going through her head! Even Lin Wei, who knew Vill-V relatively well, couldn't guarantee he could truly fathom the depths of her wild, erratic, utterly unpredictable mind.
Yuno remained silent throughout. She couldn't get a word in edgewise in this kind of situation anyway, and she wasn't inclined to speak up regardless.
"I told you, it was just an accident~" Elysia didn't seem angry or annoyed by Lin Wei's earlier blame-shifting. She simply continued explaining with a patient smile, "After all, quite a bit of time passed between you telling me all those interesting stories and when we actually set out, right? So..."
Her voice trailed off for a moment, her smile turning slightly mischievous.
"...So you grabbed a megaphone and blabbed everything to everyone?" Lin Wei deadpanned.
Although he'd half-expected it, Lin Wei still felt his blood pressure spike. How is this any different from someone reading my private social media posts out loud in public?!
"Of course not! I was very careful about protecting your privacy!" Elysia's cheeks puffed out petulantly, as if expressing displeasure at Lin Wei's accusation.
"It's just... some parts were just so fascinating and interesting, I really couldn't help sharing them with our other good friends—really, just a tiny bit!" As she spoke, she held up her thumb and index finger, pinching them very close together in an "itty bitty" gesture, as if desperately trying to prove she was telling the truth.
...A tiny bit? Really?
When it came to this, Lin Wei had absolutely zero trust in Elysia.
"And then, some of those interesting tidbits sparked some new inspiration for Vill-V—specifically, the parts about games."
Lin Wei couldn't help but facepalm. "Why don't you just tell me exactly what 'privacy' you supposedly protected?"
"Vill-V thought the Elysian Realm would be perfect for borrowing some concepts, making a few small adjustments, and turning it into something even more like a true Elysium than usual—or at least, maybe an amusement park?"
Elysia continued in the same enthusiastic tone, "As for Vill-V..."
"Elysia, allow me." Apparently impatient with Elysia taking forever to get to the point, Vill-V cut in and took over the explanation.
"Although for a magician, revealing the trick is often rather anticlimactic and dull, since the audience is so eager to know the secrets behind the curtain, how could I, the star of the show, possibly let you down?"
"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! The grand reveal!" Vill-V struck a pose with her usual narcissistic flair, arms spread wide as if unveiling a curtain, and announced dramatically,
"Feast your eyes upon the latest masterpiece, brilliantly forged by the greatest inventor of the Previous Era, the magnificent Lady Vill-V—"
"The Anti-Corruption Armaments: Prototype Model Nine!"
"Huh?"