Lin Wei knew from the beginning that Elysia was like sticky chewing gum—extremely goal-oriented and absolutely unwilling to give up until she achieved her objectives.
Once she latched onto someone, she wouldn't hesitate to use her clever little mind to cheerfully "pull a fast one" on them to achieve her aims.
From Kevin Kaslana and Mobius to Raiden Mei later on, nearly everyone who'd dealt with her had plenty of stories to tell...
Precisely because he knew about the "painful lessons" of his "predecessors," Lin Wei was always extremely cautious when dealing with Elysia, to avoid falling into her traps.
In terms of results, Lin Wei did indeed repeatedly see through Elysia's little schemes, causing her to retreat in defeat. But this pink-haired girl had always been surprisingly resilient—even somewhat shameless.
One moment she would appear dejected and "suddenly leave," and the next moment she would unexpectedly emerge from another corner, expressing great surprise at your sudden appearance, then put on a serious face and formally criticize you:
"Lin Wei, don't always try to create chance encounters to attract girls' attention. It can easily cause trouble for others!"
"You're clearly the one deliberately creating chance encounters with me," Lin Wei said expressionlessly, exposing Elysia's twisted logic.
"Also," he added, "hearing the word 'bothersome' coming from your mouth is actually causing me quite a bit of bother."
"Oh, really?" Elysia blinked, the picture of innocence.
---||---
Although Elysia seemed to enjoy these games endlessly, and although Lin Wei initially found it overwhelming, over time he gradually grew accustomed to it.
Besides, Lin Wei generally wanted very little from the Elysian Realm. Aside from the training that was practically forced upon him, his attitude could almost be described as "just drifting along."
What can you do with someone who just wants to coast through life?
Thus, against the "unassailable" Lin Wei, Elysia—who wanted to satisfy her curiosity but couldn't find an opening—also became extremely frustrated. All her various attempts were strictly guarded against by Lin Wei, and in the end, she could only helplessly allow Lin Wei to "escape unscathed" from the Elysian Realm.
Elysia had thought that for a long time afterward, Lin Wei would never return to the Realm, and at most she would hear bits and pieces about him from other visitors who came after, leaving her to deeply regret her "failure"...
Although Elysia never imagined the opportunity would come so quickly, Lin Wei returned to the Elysian Realm much sooner than expected.
And so, with her fighting spirit doubly inflamed, Elysia shooed away everyone else, including Su and Hua. She personally waited in the main hall to welcome Lin Wei on his second visit.
To her surprise, she noticed some indefinable yet distinct changes in him.
His expression held less of its former detachment and aloofness. There was a new hint of determination in his features, and his gaze seemed calmer, more composed.
He must have gone through a lot, she thought. Otherwise, he wouldn't seem so rushed, like he's racing against something.
He wouldn't be furrowing his brow and lost in thought so often, as if a mountain of burdens suddenly landed on his shoulders.
It was quite a contrast. It's worth noting that in the past, when Lin Wei was just coasting through life, his carefree attitude was so pronounced that even Pardofelis would exclaim, "(Same) A kindred spirit!"
Out of concern and care for her friend, as well as growing curiosity about Lin Wei's experiences, Elysia sensed that her chances of success were much greater this time.
After all, dealing with a Lin Wei who wanted nothing required Elysia to rack her brain, create opportunities, and actively approach him. While this was incredibly frustrating for her, she had successfully made Lin Wei just as frustrated and helpless against her persistence.
But now, with Lin Wei needing to bring companions into the Elysian Realm, the situation had shifted back to a rhythm Elysia was most familiar with.
She no longer needed to deliberately create opportunities—simply responding at the right moment would be enough.
Yes, right now, Lin Wei, that notoriously difficult fellow, had finally fallen right into her hands.
The thought made Elysia inwardly leap for joy. Though Elysia kept reminding herself to maintain a young lady's proper restraint, she couldn't help but beam with excitement, her eyes sparkling as she broke into a brilliant smile.
"I just want to hear your stories! Tell me everything, okay? Pleeeease?"
She was always like this, putting painstaking effort into elaborate but ultimately harmless little games. Her sense of timing and boundaries was impeccable, making her incredibly frustrating yet leaving you completely helpless against her charms.
Scold her? Forget it. She'd burst into tears right then and there, the kind of tears that were impossible to soothe.
Fight her...? Don't even think about it. You couldn't win.
At the end of the day, she just wanted to be friends. She didn't have any malicious intentions, so what could you really do?
"..."
Her request was simple, yet truly difficult to refuse.
Explaining his own story was truly difficult. Everything seemed to flow logically, but almost every action and decision was actually based on "prior knowledge"—perfect positioning made possible by foreknowledge.
For every sudden challenge, he had responded with precise, effortless solutions, as if he completely knew the future. Telling the whole story would reveal countless contradictions and inconsistencies.
Elysia had clearly sensed something was amiss, which was why she was so intensely curious. This also made Lin Wei feel a bit awkward.
After all, he couldn't just admit, My biggest secret is that I know all of your secrets, right?
And considering the person asking was Elysia...
She might very well broadcast some of those details far and wide, maybe even compile them into a booklet. Title? Unknown Little Stories of the Flame-Chasers: Edition XX. Initial print run? Starting at thirteen copies. She might even give him one back as a souvenir.
She might even list it as required reading for entry into the Elysian Realm, creating benefits for future visitors...
Just thinking about such possibilities made the world seem to crack apart, sending shivers down his spine.
"Hmm?"
Seeing Lin Wei practically turn gray, Elysia tilted her head, making a small, seemingly innocent sound, as if merely wondering why he was being so quiet.
She didn't know what Lin Wei was thinking internally, only finding his troubled expression utterly amusing.
"..."
After a moment of silence, Lin Wei cleared his throat, deciding to struggle just a little bit more.
"Um, about that, Elysia..."
"Uh-huh?" Elysia responded readily, leaning in attentively, her heart brimming with delight.
"...Never mind."
Seeing the triumphant look on her face, Lin Wei finally decided to give up the struggle. He smiled resignedly and said,
"Where do you want me to start?"
Ah, screw it. Just destroy me already. Get it over with...
As it turned out, once he let go of his internal struggle and decided to just give in and go with the flow, things actually became much simpler.
Or perhaps, Lin Wei always had a faint feeling deep down that she should know these things. Maybe that's why he wasn't truly resistant to opening up to her after all.
"Of course, from the very beginning!" Elysia rested her chin on her hands, beaming like a flower, completely absorbed and ready to listen.
"Well, it's a long story. It starts when a pure-hearted, kind young man, perhaps dreaming of spring, woke up one day to find himself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling..."
"And before that?" Elysia tilted her head, seemingly unsatisfied with this starting point.
"Before that, huh?"
Lin Wei thought for a moment, murmuring as he organized his words. After a good while, he summarized quietly,
"That was just the boring, uninteresting story of an ordinary human boy growing up... and a really terrible, life-ruining game. Nothing much worth talking about..."
"A game?"
"I think... it was a game? Nowadays, I'm becoming less and less certain what that thing actually was. After all..."
Lin Wei shook his head, swallowing the rest of his words.
"Anyway, regardless of what it really is, it's thanks to its existence that I had the chance to become who I am now."
Lin Wei took a deep breath, looking straight into Elysia's crystal-clear eyes, and said seriously,
"I know you, Elysia."
"Before you first appeared in front of me, before I first entered the Elysian Realm, even long, long before that... I had already seen you, known you, and understood you."
Then, Lin Wei calmly stated,
"If anyone else heard such a vague answer, they'd surely be surprised or confused. But I know you wouldn't be, because..."
"I knew it!" Elysia interrupted, her eyes sparkling. "When you first saw me, your eyes were wide with shock, like you couldn't believe I was there! I was so curious back then! So that's why~ Heehee, it really had me puzzled for ages!"
Sure enough, Elysia's tone grew excited.
"So, where did you meet me? Let me guess... hmm, could it be... that game?"
Seeing Lin Wei's confirming look, Elysia became even happier.
"I knew it! Elysia is always the story's heroine, no matter where! Whether it's this me or any other Elysia! Keehee, that's so me!"
"...You really accept things quickly, don't you."
Watching Elysia boast as usual, Lin Wei spoke softly, his expression unreadable.
"I remember when you realized the truth about being a Herrscher, you also accepted reality quite calmly. Though back then, you were forcing a smile a bit."
Elysia fell silent for a rare moment, looking at Lin Wei with a complex expression. She never imagined that her deepest secret would be revealed so easily, in such a way.
Lin Wei remained unfazed, shrugging with a teasing glint in his eyes.
"I was trying to interact with you like a normal person, you know. But someone kept asking about my secrets?"
Alright, no more pretending. I'm laying my cards on the table!
Elysia stared intently into Lin Wei's eyes. After a long moment, she suddenly broke into a smile and asked softly,
"So... this kind of Elysia... do you like her?"
"Very much. I always have," Lin Wei answered seriously.
"I don't think anyone could dislike you after truly getting to know you."
"Is that so? That's good..." Elysia nodded, seemingly satisfied. Then, she suddenly puffed out her cheeks and demanded,
"If that's the case, then why did you keep avoiding me all this time?"
Elysia felt it necessary to seek justice for the "grievances" she had endured for so long.
"Because I'm not good at handling troublemakers," Lin Wei replied calmly.
"Hmph... To say something like that, it seems you still don't know me well enough~" Elysia was quite displeased with Lin Wei's low-EQ response.
"Besides, how could you use such a crude word to describe a lovely girl as beautiful as a fluttering flower?"
"Before you say things like that, maybe you should move away from me a bit," Lin Wei retorted.
He stood up abruptly, 'thump', causing Elysia, who had been leaning against him, to momentarily lose her balance and stumble. He then walked to the other side, a bit further away, and sat down.
"Although that felt a bit rude... ah, forget it. I forgive you!" Elysia decided not to deliberately crowd Lin Wei anymore. Instead, she found a comfortable distance to sit, tilted her head, and smiled.
"I'm suddenly very curious about what kind of game you mentioned. Can you describe it for me?"
"Hmm, hard to describe... If you're really interested, you could ask Sakura. As part of that 'game' herself, she has read my memories completely. She could probably answer your question better."
Lin Wei wasn't keen on delving deeper into this strange topic. He quickly moved on, saying,
"Anyway, because of that, I learned about some things that happened, are happening, and will happen in this Honkai-ravaged world. I also got to know about some people's life experiences, and some hidden secrets... like yours, and others'..."
"Originally, it wasn't anything special. It was just like watching a thrilling, colorful story that had nothing to do with me, like the countless different stories everyone sees and hears. But starting one day, this story became about me."
"And what happened next, you already know—a pitiful young man with a weak constitution contracted a Honkai illness. In desperation, he got mixed up with the Herrscher of Corrosion, the one that destroyed the previous civilization, and stubbornly brought this deadly threat to the Elysian Realm. Just a simple, almost boring story, really."
"No, it's fascinating! I love stories like this," Elysia corrected with a bright smile.
"Can you tell me more details?"
"...Don't you already know all this?"
"But I want to hear it," Elysia insisted.
"You promised me, remember? A deal's a deal!"
"Alright, fine."
Lin Wei sighed helplessly. From his own perspective, he then recounted in detail how perilous and lucky his escape from Nagazora City had been, and the pain and despair he felt upon discovering he was afflicted by Honkai erosion.
"That's amazing!" Elysia summarized brightly. "You weren't beaten down by such pain and desperation. Instead, through your own efforts, you bravely overcame it all and achieved a whole new future."
"Ha, maybe?" Lin Wei gave a wry smile. "Though, honestly, I still wish none of it had ever happened," he added thoughtfully.
"Thanks to that crappy game from before, I managed to get a lot of key information ahead of time. That's precisely why I was able to spot a sliver of hope in a desperate situation and pour everything I had into grabbing hold of it."
Lin Wei explained how he had strategized, how he had calculated moves involving Fu Hua, Bronya Zaychik, and World Serpent, and how he had used rather despicable means to manipulate them into acting according to his will.
Although Lin Wei spoke with considerable self-deprecation, Elysia didn't seem bothered by the methods. She simply remarked thoughtfully,
"I never thought Hua, the child who always needed looking after, has now learned to stand on her own two feet..."
"Learned to stand on her own? That's an understatement!"
At this, Lin Wei couldn't help but glance back towards the massive memory device outside the window, as if looking towards a certain silent, almost wooden girl within the Elysian Realm. He turned back, a strange expression on his face.
"You have no idea how old and cunning that 'honest child' you remember has become—she's even learned despicable tactics like seduction now!"
"Oh? Really?" Elysia's interest was instantly piqued, and she immediately urged Lin Wei to elaborate.
"Of course it's... Cough, it's nothing."
Lin Wei was just about to launch into an animated critique of the treacherous Fu Hua, but a feather deep within his consciousness pulsed faintly at just the right moment, instantly restoring his calm.
Seeing Lin Wei catch on so quickly, the feather contentedly sank back into the depths of his mind and vanished.
"Heehee, I believe you now! The Hua of today really sounds so different from the past!" Elysia was thoroughly amused. In that instant, she could almost picture a Hua, completely different from the one in her memories, appearing behind Lin Wei, silently threatening him.
That's not something the honest child she remembered would ever do.
"Where were we?" Lin Wei forcibly steered the conversation back on track.
He then talked about Fu Hua taking him back to the ruins of Nagazora City, finding the long-eared girl wandering like a lonely ghost among the rubble, using similarly questionable methods to get her to merge with him, and then defeating her in the Stigmata Space using even more questionable tactics.
Lin Wei recounted this part briefly. After all, telling Elysia about his past manipulations still felt somewhat embarrassing.
But clearly, Elysia didn't see it that way.
"That must have been a very difficult battle, right? After all, your opponent was a Herrscher. Even in our era, few could have done better than you. Reaching this point is already fantastic," Elysia said, seeming genuinely impressed.
"What's more," she continued, "you were later willing to make up for her past regrets. It's no wonder RIN cares about you so much now, willing to entrust her future to you. And of course, your Sakura is the same way."
Lin Wei held out his hand, silently gazing at the quiet Pandora in his palm. He remained silent for a long time, as if sensing the feelings of a certain girl.
"Whether it's RIN or Sakura, they've always been the ones helping me. How am I qualified to be entrusted with so much by them? I feel like I'm just undeservedly accepting this great gift."
"Excessive modesty isn't good, you know! Confident boys are more attractive to girls!" Elysia tilted her head, playfully criticizing him.
"Maybe."
Lin Wei shook his head, pulling his thoughts back to the present, and continued,
"After that, we left Nagazora City. I entrusted the still-surviving Yuno to Hua, while I contacted Kevin Kaslana and got his permission to come to the Elysian Realm. Everything that happened afterward... you already know."
And with that, one part of the story concluded.
"Uh-huh."
Elysia, having been both a spectator and participant throughout Lin Wei's time in the Elysian Realm, naturally didn't need much elaboration on that part. She just smiled and pressed on,
"So, what happened after you left the Realm?"
She knew it must be another story, completely different from before, one that ultimately shaped Lin Wei into the person he was now.
"After?" Lin Wei chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"Probably a story about a reluctant young man who, after getting thoroughly beaten down by this world, finally decided to fight back?"
"Oh?" Elysia, as always, was brimming with interest, signaling Lin Wei to hurry up and continue.
"The days after leaving the Realm were actually rather unremarkable, really. To sum it up—lived in Nagazora City for a while, then moved to Singapore when I couldn't stay there any longer. In between, fought a few little-known, small-scale battles just to maintain that semblance of peace. And then... a catastrophic Honkai event, with unstoppable, destructive power, dragged me—the one who'd always been hiding behind the scenes—back onto the stage, exposed me under the spotlight, and forced me right into the center."
"If this period was a story," Lin Wei added, "I guess I'd undoubtedly be the protagonist."
Lin Wei smiled bitterly.
"But honestly, I just wanted to be an audience member. In the end, though, I had to accept the role assigned to me."
"That won't do! How can the story's hero run away from his grand stage? Besides, aren't you doing a great job?" Elysia criticized, sounding slightly displeased.
"Appearing out of nowhere, stepping forward without hesitation to save the city and countless lives, preventing a huge disaster, rescuing untold numbers... and engaging in a relentless, heroic struggle against the essential evil villain—Wow, Lin Wei, don't you think a story like that is romantic?"
"...That's so you." Lin Wei sounded a bit helpless.
"Compared to those thrilling, romantic tales, I still prefer a peaceful, even somewhat dull, ordinary life. That's how the world should be."
He paused, then chuckled softly.
"But," he continued, "you're also right. I realized it when the Honkai disaster struck. Since fate dictates I walk this different path, one I can't avoid or escape, no matter how much I try to deceive myself and run away, reality will just keep hitting me harder and harder, forcing me forward..."
He paused again, his voice hardening slightly.
"If that's the case, then maybe it's better to just cast aside all hesitation and accept this reality. I want to see for myself—what kind of future will emerge with me involved?"
Elysia quietly watched Lin Wei's face. After a moment of silence, she suddenly said softly,
"That feeling... it must be very lonely, right?"
"Hmm?" Lin Wei paused, a flicker of emotion stirring within him.
"Why do you say that?"
"Just listening to you talk so much, I suddenly felt like... you must really need someone who understands you." Elysia's smile remained bright, but her voice carried an unusual softness.
"You're carrying so many things that weren't originally yours to bear. That must feel awful, right? No wonder you unconsciously knit your brows so often now."
Startled, Lin Wei quickly touched his forehead, then replied irritably,
"Hey, save that kind of talk for Kevin Kaslana!"
"See? You think it's bad too, right?" Elysia nodded vigorously, looking deeply approving. Then, zip! She slid right next to Lin Wei, grabbed his hand, and urged him seriously,
"While there's still time, promise me you won't end up like Kevin Kaslana, okay?"
"Dammit! The more you talk, the more ominous this sounds..." Seeing Elysia wildly jinxing him, Lin Wei quickly scooted back a fair distance, dodging her antics, and said exasperatedly,
"Alright, story time's over. Shouldn't you take me to see Mobius now?"
He had made such a huge sacrifice telling his story. While the mood was still a bit delicate and before Elysia had a chance to probe further, Lin Wei just wanted to end this topic quickly and move on to the next stage.
"Aww, don't be such a spoilsport!"
Elysia clearly wasn't willing to let Lin Wei off the hook so easily. She puffed her cheeks high, complaining incessantly,
"You're surrounded by so many girls! Can't that teach you to be a little more gentlemanly?"
"..."
Gentlemen are for proper ladies, Lin Wei scoffed inwardly. For a troublemaker like you who knows exactly how to push her luck whenever given an inch, cutting things short is definitely the best approach.
But he didn't dare say it out loud...
"I always feel like you're thinking something rather impolite..." Elysia muttered, then suddenly beamed and asked,
"Lin Wei, what's it like being friends with me, the Herrscher of Human?"
Elysia had asked him this question more than once, but this time, it clearly carried a different weight.
Lin Wei thought for a moment, then said,
"It doesn't feel particularly special. No different from any other girl... If there is a difference, it's that being friends with such an outstanding girl should be an honor for a 'mere mortal' like me."
"...Is that so?"
Elysia seemed quite pleased with this answer. After silently mulling it over for a moment, she offered a smile tinged with a hint of bitterness.
"Is this feeling of normalcy... a luxury unique to you, Lin Wei? After all, back in our era, no one could possibly think like that. Even in this current age, I'm afraid it's hard to find anyone else quite like you, right?"
Countless successors had visited the Elysian Realm, and Elysia had interacted with many of them. Without exception, they all carried deeply unhappy pasts and profound hatred for the Honkai.
As envoys of the Honkai, as Herrschers, how could they possibly be accepted so easily?
The original sin of being a Herrscher—this was the inferiority complex and guilt buried deep within Elysia's heart, something she could never truly shake off.
Perhaps the Elysia who stepped onto the stage of the Final Banquet had already accepted all of this. But the Elysia before him now was still the one from before that day. Even knowing her own end and choices from her other selves, this complex remained within her heart.
"If MANTISes wielding the power of Honkai Beasts can be considered human, why can't Herrschers wielding Herrscher powers be considered human too?" Lin Wei understood this clearly. After pondering for a moment, he said with a strange expression,
"I don't know what your era was truly like, and I'm not qualified to judge. But in the current era, three Herrschers have already appeared, and they... well, it's hard to put into words..."
"What's wrong?" Hearing this, Elysia couldn't help but focus her attention even more intently.
"How should I describe it to you?" Lin Wei carefully organized his thoughts, then spoke with a tone of deep distress,
"The Herrscher of Reason is relatively older. Now he's a teacher, completely absorbed in educating people, unable to tear himself away."
"The Herrscher of the Void is relatively younger. Now she's a student at a special school, sleeping through classes all day, completely absorbed in failing exams and taking make-ups, unable to tear herself away."
Lin Wei paused, then added with a mischievous glint in his eyes, marveling,
"The Herrscher of Thunder is even more impressive! She's classmates and best friends with the Herrscher of the Void. She's an amazing cook, completely absorbed in making meals and basically being a full-time caretaker for the Herrscher of the Void, and she actually enjoys it, unable to tear herself away..."
Maybe I can plant some strange ideas in Elysia's head now, Lin Wei thought mischievously. When she actually meets that rather cool-looking Herrscher of Thunder later, how will she react? Will she ask all sorts of questions, trying to verify embarrassing past events that would make Raiden Mei squirm?
As they say, sharing the fun is better than having it alone. Lin Wei felt this kind of embarrassing stuff shouldn't be enjoyed by him alone...
"Herrschers like that... I really don't see any reason to find them hateful or terrifying—except maybe for the substitute teachers driven crazy by the Herrscher of the Void..." Lin Wei concluded with a tsukkomi(funny man)-like remark.
"Huh? So... it's like that?" Elysia blinked, finding it suddenly difficult to picture the scene Lin Wei was describing.
Herrschers and humans... can they really get along so harmoniously?
"Elysia, you could become the Herrscher of Human(ity). Why can't others?" Lin Wei looked at Elysia strangely, trying to guide her seriously.
"Weren't all the efforts you made back then aimed at creating exactly this kind of future? Now it's just time for the harvest. What's so surprising about it?"
"That's true..." Hearing Lin Wei say this, Elysia seemed to let go of a heavy burden, sighing with lingering emotion.
"That's wonderful..."
It was unclear what exactly she was thinking in that moment—nostalgia, regret, or perhaps blessings?
Lin Wei quietly watched Elysia, lost in satisfaction and contemplation. In his heart, he couldn't help but mercilessly roast Kevin Kaslana.
Why is he so damn blunt?
He just had to produce a Herrscher that met his standards, then suddenly shove her into the Elysian Realm out of the blue, startling Elysia herself—as if that was the only way to prove her past sacrifices weren't in vain.
Couldn't he just pass along some news beforehand? Tell Elysia stories about the few Herrschers doing reasonably well outside? Wouldn't that be nice?
It would make her happy, for one, and it probably wouldn't hinder Kevin's Herrscher-cultivating plans outside, right?
So many people enter the Elysian Realm each year. How hard could it be to have someone pass along a message? It wouldn't take much effort!
Sigh, do I really have to worry about little things like this? Kevin, you're truly hopeless... Lin Wei felt deeply distressed by Kevin's appallingly bad emotional intelligence, which seemingly hadn't improved even after fifty thousand years.
"Thank you for telling me all this. I'm really happy," Elysia said after a moment, having processed this gift. She came back to herself, a brilliant smile on her face.
But then, her cheeks puffed up again, and she sighed lightly.
"Honestly... all this good news, and you didn't even think to share it proactively. You actually made a girl ask first. Lin Wei, oh Lin Wei, I don't even know if I should be sad or upset..."
"..." Lin Wei's heart skipped a beat.
Didn't you just say you were really happy? he thought, alarmed.
"Did I?" Elysia blinked innocently. "But... I still want..."
"No, you don't," Lin Wei retorted expressionlessly, already starting a serious self-critique in his mind.
I'm sorry, Kevin. I was too rash. You were right.
With someone like Elysia, you really can't be too nice. Just find her a toy she likes and let her play with it!