I Am Honkai

The living room fell silent once again, and Selene was no longer in the mood to drive. She needed to think about how to deal with "Number Two."

Kakine Teitoku's decision to join was an unexpected outcome. At the time, Selene had wanted to maximize her advantage, so she decided to incapacitate him and then heal him.

Kakine Teitoku's value was something Academy City could not ignore, and Selene knew that while treating him, the Board of Directors would notice this energy.

However, she did not expect that Kakine Teitoku, seeking greater power, would choose to join her team. Initially, Selene had no strong feelings about "Number Two." If you don't bother me, I won't bother you.

But things have changed. Kakine Teitoku would be one of her people, and regardless of his loyalty, Selene had to set a precedent unless he sought his own demise.

Selene generally doesn't care about other matters, but she's very protective of those who join her side.

As for Kakine Teitoku, Selene views him as a completely failed version of Accelerator.

Think about it: what was the turning point in Accelerator's life? The only light was Last Order. If Last Order had been consumed by Academy City, how would Accelerator have turned out? He might have sunk into the abyss completely.

Kakine Teitoku's life is quite tragic. Accelerator was held back by Touma and others from sinking deeper into darkness, and Last Order gave him redemption; however, Kakine had nothing and ultimately drowned in the darkness. It was a tragedy of not finding redemption, contrasting with Accelerator.

When Kakine Teitoku first appeared, one might think he was someone with a tragic past, someone seeking to settle scores with Aleister, someone who wasn't fixated on killing but didn't hesitate to kill either.

But after seeing everything and understanding it all, Kakine Teitoku is like a version of Kamijou Touma who failed to save Index, like Accelerator who had Last Order but lost her, a completely failed avenger, a pitiful person with a hollow heart.

Kakine Teitoku originally had paths to redemption; his childhood friend and Yuzuriha Ringo were the two people he most wanted to protect. Still, as these two died due to Academy City's experiments, Kakine Teitoku sank deeper into the darkness.

He ambushed Yomikawa because she tried to save Accelerator in the darkness, thus negating Kakine Teitoku's existence value. Kakine fell into darkness like Accelerator but could not find the same redemption. He was gradually engulfed and devoured by the abyss around him, never to walk towards the light.

From many perspectives, Kakine Teitoku is just like many other ability users—a complete villain and scoundrel—but he also has a good side, trying to avoid involving ordinary people in battles and sometimes letting opponents go when he was in a good mood.

Additionally, Kakine Teitoku's abilities were among the best in the original work. If Accelerator and the seventh Level 5 did not participate in battles, Kakine could challenge the combined forces of all other Level 5s in Academy City.

Lastly, what Selene most appreciates about Kakine Teitoku is his ambition and complexity.

Kakine Teitoku had long seen through Academy City as a giant testing ground, where everyone inside was just Aleister's lab rat. While many Level 5s were aware of this, Kakine Teitoku was likely the only one who dared to stand up and attempt to change everything.

His intention was clear: first, seize the Tweezers, then kill Accelerator, the core of Aleister's plan, to gain leverage in negotiations with Aleister. His plan was meticulously and perfectly set up. If not for being defeated by Accelerator, the entire Academy City might have been shaken by Kakine Teitoku.

But now, Selene could not let him walk the old path again. She needed to correct his character.

...

On the other side, in the Second District, at the Destiny Research Institute.

Before Kakine Teitoku could appreciate the convenience of space capabilities, Shuji Matsuzaki, who had been informed, eagerly welcomed him into the laboratory to begin the physical enhancement process.

When informed by Selene that the third-ranked "Dark Matter" user was joining Destiny and undergoing Honkai Energy enhancement, Shuji Matsuzaki was ecstatic, nearly incoherent.

"Really? Boss, the third-ranked joined us. Doesn't that mean he can also assist in our research, and possibly..."

"Apologies, Boss, I lost my composure."

Selene understood Shuji Matsuzaki's excitement. Regarding research value and potential, "Dark Matter" undoubtedly ranks among the top in Academy City. The ability to "cheat" by using substances that don't exist in this world allows bypassing technical and material limitations. This is an irresistible temptation for any researcher.

In the lab, Kakine Teitoku lay on the enhancement platform, finally unable to tolerate the gaze any longer. "Hey! I know you're excited, but stop looking at me like that. It's really uncomfortable."

"Apologies, apologies, it's a habit."

After his excitement subsided, Shuji Matsuzaki calmed down and began focusing on his work.

"I heard you fought the boss once?"

Without dodging the question, Kakine Teitoku straightforwardly replied. Being someone else's subordinate, there's no need to hide anything.

"Yeah, we fought, but it was a one-sided beatdown. I got half-killed. If it weren't for Selene's kindness, I might have been crippled."

His words hinted at his past ordeal, and Shuji Matsuzaki didn't press further, instead shifting focus back to the enhancement setup.

"By the way, how long until this thing is ready?"

"Almost there. This machine is just to help you absorb Honkai Energy quickly. Using a Honkai crystal is actually quite straightforward; you could even eat it directly, though absorption would be slow and accumulate in the body. Generally, it works best after intense activity (or injury)."

"Just a reminder, this is a custom enhancement for you, and it will be very painful."

This was Kakine Teitoku's own request. Although anesthesia was an option, he insisted on staying conscious, saying he hadn't experienced it last time and wanted to feel it this time.

As he spoke, the preparations were complete. Shuji Matsuzaki picked up a tablet controller and, after some manipulation, lowered a glass cover, beginning the enhancement process.

Feeling the slight sting from the venous injection, Kakine Teitoku remained conscious, sensing a cold current spreading from his arm.

Thump thump.

With each beat, the cold spread throughout his body. The intense heartbeat echoed in Kakine Teitoku's ears, along with the sound of blood flowing like a roaring river.

The creaking of bones, the bubbling of internal organs. These subtle internal sounds were magnified infinitely in his mind.

Yet he dared not move, afraid of disrupting the enhancement process.

Suddenly, the slight chill transformed into scorching agony.

"Hmm!"

The pain elicited a muffled groan from Kakine Teitoku. He clenched his teeth, muscles tense, veins bulging on his forehead.

It felt as though his entire body was submerged in acid, skin and bones dissolving, flesh boiling. Even his soul seemed to be torn apart. This was Kakine Teitoku's most immediate sensation.

Gradually, just as the indescribable pain nearly overwhelmed him, a soothing coolness spread from every corner of his body.

Soon, this comfort replaced the pain, making Kakine Teitoku almost want to shout out.

As the glass cover lifted, the enhancement was complete.

Kakine Teitoku sat up, feeling strength surging through his body, his mind clear. The world seemed sharper and more vivid, and he felt a stronger grasp of his abilities.