Chat Group: Starting by Swapping Bodies with Elysia?

"I've heard so much about you! The warrior who defeated the Second Herrscher in the Second Eruption. I suspected you were a girl, but I didn't expect such a cute beauty!" The self-proclaimed Totori was quite chatty, striking up a conversation despite not knowing Jiang Qiao.

[Elysia], true to form, responded with a smile, "Hmm~ Totori is also a very cute girl. I like you very much~"

Despite the compliment, the pink-haired girl studied the auburn-haired girl beside her with a subtle, appraising gaze, her brow furrowed slightly.

Totori… a character from Gun Girl Z, Wendy's—the Sky-Emperor's—childhood friend. 

(Sky-Emperor is Wendy title in GGZ, while HI3 Wendy is It's a bit disappointing, GGZ Wendy is truly FREE)

While MEI had suggested he visit the Fourth Research Department, Jiang Qiao hadn't expected to encounter the little bird here, in the previous era of Honkai Impact 3rd. It was quite a shock!

"Hee hee~" Totori giggled, blushing slightly at the praise.

Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Qiao asked, "Are you from Shenzhou?"

"Eh? How did you know?" Totori looked surprised.

"I have a friend from Shenzhou. Your accent is similar."

"Oh, I am from Shenzhou… but I have some European ancestry."

"Then why are you in the Fourth Research Department?" The pink-haired girl asked casually, but she was quite curious.

Shenzhou had its own Fire Moth branch. Given her origins, Totori should have joined the Eighth Research Department there. Yet, she was in New Zealand, the site of the Fourth Eruption. It was hard not to be intrigued.

"Ah, that… I was studying abroad in New Zealand. Dr. Relia invited me, so I joined the Fourth Research Department."

"It's a bit embarrassing, though. I haven't really accomplished anything. I'm just Dr. Relia's assistant." Totori looked sheepish. While a talented researcher, she was nowhere near MEI or Vill-V's level. The invitation was likely due to her mentor, Dr. Relia, being the head of the Fourth Research Department.

"Don't worry, Totori. You're so smart, you'll definitely stand out soon~ After all, cute girls can do anything~♪" [Elysia] beamed at the younger girl, her encouraging words and the subtle floral scent emanating from her causing Totori to blush and shrink back slightly.

While normally outgoing, she was no match for the OG "Pink Fairy." The inherent dynamic between junior and senior, combined with [Elysia]'s yuri aura, made the normal girl feel shy.

Fortunately, Jiang Qiao didn't press further.

"The weather in New Zealand seems rather unpleasant lately." [Elysia] gestured towards the gloomy sky and howling wind outside, subtly broaching the main purpose of her visit—the source of the extreme weather anomalies in Oceania.

"Yes, it is. My hair is always a mess because of it…" Totori fussed with her hair, a look of annoyance on her face. "I don't know the specifics… you can ask Dr. Relia when we arrive. She's been looking into it."

Beep beep~

[Elysia]'s attention shifted to Totori's phone. Perhaps due to their pleasant conversation, Totori didn't hide her phone as she checked the message.

Maintaining a respectful distance, Jiang Qiao refrained from peeking, but his superhuman vision caught a glimpse of the profile picture.

Green Seele!

"Something wrong? You seem troubled." Noticing Totori's worried expression, the pink-haired girl smiled gently. "It's not good for a girl to frown. If you have any problems, you can tell me. Maybe I can help."

"It's nothing serious. A friend of mine hasn't been feeling well… her health has never been great, but lately, maybe because of the extreme weather, it's been getting worse."

"I'm planning to take her to the Fifth Research Department. I heard Dr. Mobius is an expert in this area. Hopefully, they can help…"

"Oh?" [Elysia]'s brow rose.

Mobius is Su's future mentor, second only to MEI in biological research within Fire Moth.

She might indeed discover something.

But… that won't do.

"Hmm~ If your friend has health problems, let me take a look. I'm quite close with Dr. Mobius~ Inspired by her, I've also dabbled in… medical research.♪"

"Don't worry, even if I can't figure it out, we can always ask Mobius. She'll definitely be able to help your friend~♪" [Elysia] offered, her tone sincere, sensing Totori's hesitation.

If things were as he suspected, he might be able to resolve this himself.

"...Okay." After a moment's hesitation, Totori agreed.

Perhaps [Elysia] seemed too much like a caring older sister for her to refuse. And as for Mobius… her reputation was so bad that Totori would rather consult with Su's future mentor. But with Jiang Qiao offering a connection, she wouldn't refuse.

As they chatted, the car pulled to a stop. Jiang Qiao had arrived at her destination—Queenstown, home of Fire Moth's Fourth Research Department.

…

Queenstown, nestled in the Southern Alps, was a renowned tourist destination. Its beautiful environment and ample resources made it an ideal location for the Fourth Research Department.

[Elysia] gazed at the scenery. "It's beautiful here."

"It is. It used to be so lively. It's a shame the bad weather has driven away the tourists… I used to love having coffee at that cafe in the afternoon sun, enjoying the cool breeze…" A sudden gust of wind made Totori shiver, interrupting her nostalgic reminiscence.

To avoid attention, the Fourth Research Department was located in a secluded corner of town, its exterior blending in with the other buildings. There were no Fire Moth markings.

"It looks ordinary, but it's quite something inside~" Totori said as they entered the large wooden building.

Jiang Qiao smiled noncommittally, then her eyes widened as the scene changed. Unlike the rustic exterior, the interior was modern, sleek, and brimming with technology. Researchers bustled about, carrying research materials.

"Welcome to the Fourth Research Department!" Totori proudly gestured around, then began introducing the facilities.

"The Fourth Research Department primarily focuses on meteorological research. It has two floors, above and below ground. This is just a small part of it. The main facility is underground, where 80% of the research takes place."

This was why MEI had sent him here.

While the various Fire Moth research departments weren't unified due to national affiliations, they specialized in different fields to avoid redundancy and maximize efficiency. Even the main research headquarters, where MEI, Mobius, and Vill-V worked, couldn't match the expertise of these specialized branches in their respective fields.

While not the largest, the Fourth Research Department, specializing in meteorology, was crucial. Its destruction would be a devastating blow to Fire Moth's meteorological database, talent pool, and technological advancements.

Totori swiped her ID card and led Jiang Qiao down the elevator.

Soon, they met the head of the Fourth Research Department—Dr. Relia. She was an older woman with auburn hair similar to Totori's, exuding an air of intellect.

"Hello, I'm the head of the Fourth Research Department, Relia."

Compared to Mobius, she seemed much gentler and approachable. Jiang Qiao, however, still preferred Mobius. A flustered snake was just too cute~

"I've been informed of your purpose." MEI had already made the arrangements. While Dr. Relia regarded [Elysia] with respect due to her accomplishments in the Second Eruption, she got straight to the point, perhaps due to her researcher's directness.

"Follow me."

"My, such a decisive personality. Quite different from your gentle demeanor." The pink-haired girl commented, observing Dr. Relia's back.

Totori looked embarrassed. "That's just how she is. Don't take it personally. I'll be going now. You can find me after you're done. See you later."

"See you." [Elysia] nodded, then followed Dr. Relia.

They entered a room filled with screens, prompting her to exclaim, "So many screens!"

The screens displayed weather maps, charts, and dense data. Even Jiang Qiao, who wasn't as… academically challenged as Elysia, felt a bit dizzy trying to process the information.

"These screens monitor meteorological data across Oceania and the Pacific."

"Since the end of the Third Eruption… no, this extreme weather pattern started shortly after the Third Eruption. Initially, I thought it was a residual effect, but the data shows no connection…"

Oh, but there is. Jiang Qiao thought, observing Dr. Relia's worried expression.

This was undoubtedly a precursor to the Fourth Eruption. But it shouldn't be happening this quickly. While smaller-scale eruptions occurred between major ones, this one affected all of Oceania, and even persisted 50,000 years later. This disaster's scope might have already affected the entire Honkai Impact 3rd timeline.

While outrageous, Jiang Qiao wasn't surprised. If the Will of Honkai had sensed his intentions, this was a perfectly reasonable response.

The path to salvation was never easy.

While he'd prefer a smoother journey, he wouldn't shy away from the challenges ahead. Worst case scenario, I get split into a few hundred million pieces.

Unaware of her thoughts, Dr. Relia said earnestly, "Miss Elysia, if you could, I'd like you to visit this location."

"Eh?" Jiang Qiao instinctively glanced at her hair. It wasn't blonde…

"Thanks to Miss Vill-V from the First Research Department, our equipment has been upgraded. Based on information from Dr. MEI, we suspect the source of the extreme weather might be in this area. You're here to investigate the weather anomalies, correct?"

"Ah… yes." He realized this was likely a cover story MEI had concocted. Otherwise, [Elysia]'s travel wouldn't have been so easy.

…This dumb blonde's script…

Whatever. He was here to find the Imaginary umbra anyway. A detour wouldn't hurt.

The pink-haired girl sighed and glanced at the location Dr. Relia had indicated.

—Auckland.