Honkai: Man(Sludge) From Future

["...Researchers are pure, dedicated to scientific advancement..."]

["...The Academy City Council prioritizes biotech to benefit humanity, regardless of cost..."]

["...The economic well-being of three million people rests on Dr. Tesla's shoulders..."]

Kiana felt the news had become strangely… reverent. The interviewees' responses seemed oddly scripted.

She munched on snacks, pondering the recent additions to the Stigmata space. An unnerving silence had fallen over Academy City, making her anticipate a major event.

While buying snacks, she occasionally interacted with ordinary people, sometimes reverting to her eight-year-old form for discounts. A little cuteness went a long way.

"Is something wrong with the news?"

Kiana nudged Bronya.

Bronya, subtly dodging the nudge, replied impassively, "Academy City's researchers are getting out of hand. They think a bit of power gives them free speech. This isn't their territory."

Mei stared at Bronya, surprised by her almost political statement.

Raiden Ryoma, unusually, was home. With the unfolding events, he'd retreated from his Council duties.

"It's been like this. They parade Tesla like a goddess, worshipping the pursuit of power through knowledge. It's their ladder to social mobility."

Ryoma's words reminded Mei of North American superhero films, where scientists, upon discovering powerful tools, immediately experimented on themselves. Tony Stark was a prime example. She hadn't expected it in real life, with Tesla as their deity.

"Father, will this destabilize Academy City?"

Ryoma looked at his naive daughter. "Destabilize? You doubt His Majesty's power? Even a dual Herrscher like Tesla can't touch him. Do you think they can surpass her?"

Ryoma found humanity's behavior increasingly baffling, understanding the Honkai's desire for destruction. Even he felt the urge.

Tesla, scrolling through messages, remarked, "He's just pretending to be in control. If there's real unrest, he'll probably hide and observe, not maintain order, but gauge the extent of the chaos."

Tesla knew Noldrei's intentions. Besides Cocolia, she understood him best. He didn't care about order, viewing Academy City as a breeding ground for a new humanity. He wouldn't care about the specific outcome.

"I feel uneasy, like sitting on an erupting Mount Fuji." Ryoma tugged at his itchy collar.

"You should sit on Mauna Loa then." Tesla put away her device. "The institute has been collecting public questions. Initially, they questioned the video's authenticity. Then, they asked about becoming female Valkyries. Now, things are getting… interesting."

"People ask about transitioning during pregnancy, curing disabilities through gender reassignment, becoming muscular men… It's getting absurd."

Tesla sighed. "Someone asked about regularly swapping genders with their spouse. I'm speechless. And then there are the questions I can't answer..."

A look of exasperation crossed her face. "They ask about single-organism reproduction, hermaphroditism, even human egg-laying. How would I know?!"

Tesla was exasperated, a mere spokesperson for the technology. The cult of "Tesla" was growing, treating her like a deity.

"It is possible to modify humans for single-organism, egg-laying reproduction, but I won't do it. Without experiencing the hardships of childbirth, such modifications are dangerous."

Noldrei, eavesdropping, had dropped a bombshell.

He can actually do it?

"Isn't it already dangerous?"

Kiana imagined a future of gender ambiguity, unsure how to address people.

"No, as long as reproduction remains tied to the human body, it can be used to control people. Conservative forces will integrate into society."

"I'm promoting gender freedom to ignite the next conflict, not to drive everyone insane. Ethical collapse is… different from chaotic madness."

Noldrei considered the future, believing current humanity retained some semblance of order.

"You're not even sure?!" Kiana was exasperated, unsure how to slow Noldrei down. Delaying his "ethical rumbling" for six months was her greatest act of mercy.

Kiana found the situation unbelievable. She decided to call Kuro, warning him to avoid the "Nikola Tesla" fanatics. She had few people she could command.