Honkai: Man(Sludge) From Future

Rita and Durandal were watching the television news. They had been in Academy City for a while, mostly coaching Valkyries in combat at the Kengan Association and occasionally observing newcomers using the living Stigmata armor.

Today, however, Overseer Otto had specifically instructed them to watch the news.

"It's strange. I wonder what big news there will be today, and what Overseer Otto is up to. What do you think, Durandal?"

Rita felt that Academy City was likely up to something new. Having traversed the Quantum Sea and witnessed countless crises, she knew that for Overseer Otto to arrange a news viewing, it had to be something significant, like Otto stepping down and Theresa taking over.

"Could it be that the Emperor of Academy City is about to reveal himself?"

Durandal recalled her encounter with the Emperor, surprised that Academy City actually had an emperor who also held the title of Board Chairman. He looked like a Kaslana, so much so that he could be Kiana's twin. Which, technically, made him Durandal's family.

"It's strange. Why would he call himself Emperor?"

"Who knows? Maybe he just finds it amusing? Look at our Overseer Otto. He's still an Overseer, not a president or chairman, right?"

Rita's words eased Durandal's confusion. After pondering for a while, Durandal gave up and sighed. "Besides fighting Honkai beasts a while ago, I haven't had a proper fight in ages. Staying in such a peaceful place like Academy City is making me soft."

A while ago? Rita silently calculated. It had been less than two months since they'd handled those Honkai incidents.

Has it really been that long? I haven't done any… off-the-books work for Overseer Otto in a while either. Oh dear, I'm such a terrible maid. Despite this thought, she felt no remorse.

Just then, the Academy City news finally appeared on screen. Standing at the podium was Academy City's top scientist, the light of humanity, the legendary Dr. Tesla, her vibrant red twintails admired by many.

But after today, no one could say for sure whether those feelings were love or hate. [Corrupted characters removed.]

The news anchor, her voice thin, stumbled over her words, pausing as if she'd seen something unbelievable. The entire studio fell silent.

"Why did she stop?" Durandal was puzzled, watching the anchor's shocked expression. Clearly, she hadn't read the script beforehand.

But the anchor continued, albeit haltingly, driven by the fear of unemployment.

["…After dedicated research at the Anti-Entropy Institute, we have mastered affordable bio-technology for human gender transition…"]

["…Now, let's enter the laboratory…"]

["…A complete breakthrough in human freedom of choice regarding primary and secondary sexual characteristics…"]

["…From now on, there will be no more need… no more…"]

The anchor stammered, her face a mask of shock, unable to believe she was reading such news.

Rita covered her mouth, her fingers gently tracing her lips, her rose-colored eyes wide with disbelief. Schicksal's technology was advanced. Changing hair color, eye color, even skin tone and performing seamless cosmetic surgery were all within their capabilities.

Academy City's advancements weren't particularly shocking; Schicksal could achieve similar results, albeit more expensively.

"Rita, did I mishear something?" Durandal blinked, wondering if she'd imagined it.

"Durandal, they're showing lab footage, which means it's at least successful in the lab. Meaning it can be produced affordably. And they're not just talking about primary sexual characteristics, but secondary ones too – appearance, skeletal structure, body type… everything."

Rita explained the news as the video of the muscular man transforming into a twin-tailed, blonde girl played on screen. For clarity, they hadn't even bothered censoring it, even adding close-ups.

But no one watching felt any arousal. Everyone was stunned.

Durandal's head was buzzing. She rubbed her temples, trying to alleviate the sensation.

"Why? Why would they do this? They could use this technology to cure diseases, restore limbs, correct deformities, help the disabled. It could solve so many problems! But they're using it to… attack human gender?"

Durandal couldn't understand Academy City's motives. This was like a bolt from the blue, a complete blindside.

"Maybe it's… how would I know? I understand why Overseer Otto told us to watch this. Academy City must be in an uproar. I can already predict who will be the first to suffer from this."

Rita sighed, feeling a wave of exhaustion despite not having fought anything. She felt the helplessness of being caught in a losing battle.

Durandal still hadn't processed it. She wondered if she should try this gender reassignment herself, just to see how well it worked.

"Durandal, I think we should gather the Valkyries. We'll be busy dealing with the fallout from this. And…"

Rita thought about the implications for various female-dominated professions. She could foresee the collapse of entire industries – live streaming, city services, even marriage and family structures. She could imagine how many divorces this news would trigger.

Academy City's leadership was terrifying. Such advanced technology, not used to heal or save, but to attack the very fabric of human ethics. This wasn't just malicious; it was a deliberate attempt to strip humanity of its last illusions of ethical order.

"Rita, can we stop this? This will cause global chaos. And Honkai is still out there, watching!"

Durandal couldn't understand how Otto could allow this. But she couldn't worry about Otto now; she had to stop this at the source.

"On what grounds? Durandal, gender reassignment surgery has existed for decades. This is just a safer, more affordable version. Legally, there's nothing wrong with it. Do you understand?"

"This isn't like a Honkai incident, something we can solve with force. We are warriors against Honkai, not weapons against humanity."

Rita's words stopped Durandal in her tracks.

Durandal looked lost. Imminent chaos, and she had no justification to intervene? It was absurd.

Rita, however, was more resigned. She even chuckled. "There is some good news. Our Valkyrie ranks are about to expand. Our strength against Honkai will increase."