[I've sent you all the data on the current progress of the anti-mage weapon research to your console,] said Nexus Prime.
Rena checked her personal console and saw the large volume of data. She transferred it to the nearby terminal to display it on a bigger screen for easier review.
Although the data was extensive, Nexus Prime had highlighted the key points, allowing Rena to quickly grasp the main issues. After reviewing and taking some notes, she asked, "The end goal of your project is to create a bullet that can penetrate a mage's mana shield and disrupt their magic casting in one shot, right?" Experience more tales on m v|l e'-novelhall.net
[That is correct,] Nexus Prime replied.
"From the data you've provided, the progress doesn't look promising. You're trying to miniaturize a large magic circle and magical artifact to fit inside a bullet, but I don't think that's a practical approach."
"Why not? Don't we need to destroy their shield and disable their magic as quickly as possible? A micro mana destabilizer artifact would be ideal. One bullet could both break the mana shield and cripple their ability to cast magic. The only issue is making it small enough to fit in a bullet."
"Yes, and that's exactly the problem." Rena paused, then continued. "Even if you succeed, how much would it cost to produce each bullet? It's not practical for mass production."
"Do you have a solution?" Nexus Prime asked.
"I do." She nodded. "In fact, it's very simple." Rena typed commands on her private console and displayed the relevant data on the large screen. She knew Nexus Prime, as an advanced AI, didn't need the screen, but she, being human, did.
"Since we're on the same side, I'll share something I usually exploit when dealing with you." She pointed at Nexus Prime. "You're too perfect."
She continued, "You always search for the best possible outcome, which is great, but sometimes, that's not enough. You don't know how to improvise. Back when we fought, you always planned the most optimal patrol routes, which made you predictable. We just had to create the ideal scenario, and you'd follow it. That's why you never discovered our base... not once."
"I don't see how this relates to our current discussion, Rena. Are you perhaps experiencing a lapse in biological function, indulging in useless boasting?" Nexus Prime responded, not without a touch of sarcasm.
"You're becoming more human, you f*cking pyramid. But it's actually relevant." Rena paused, adjusting her irritation from the sarcastic jab.
"If I'm right, to break a mage's mana shield and disrupt their magic casting, you don't need these complicated artifacts miniaturized into bullets. A simple magic formula should suffice." She then displayed additional data she had extracted from Atlanteus base's vast library.
After hearing Rena's explanation, Nexus Prime was enlightened. [I see... Thank you for your input. I now have a new direction for the research. I'll inform you once I've finished running some tests. Thank you.]
With a nod, Rena excused herself. She had a lot of work to catch up on and plenty to familiarize herself with, being the newest high-ranking personnel that Daniel had actualized she had a truck load of things to do.
— Brazil - Rio De Janeiro —
Inside the specially modified VTOL, in Envy's room, she sat in front of a notebook, with Wilkins, her loyal butler, attending to her needs by her side. She was reviewing a recording that Wilkins—or rather, Nexus Prime—had brought to her attention. The footage showed a meeting involving her supposed friend, Silva Encantada, the matriarch of the Encantada family.
The recording captured their voices and even their expressions in such high quality that it was unmistakable. Everything pointed toward the Hightower, as she recognized Golden Scale appearing in the video. However, she didn't know anything about the other man—the one in the black robe—since it concealed all of his features.
Envy had cast a spell to detect movement around the estate and discovered that, although two figures appeared to walk out of the front door in the video, they hadn't actually left. Then they vanished. This had to be projection magic—Golden Scale's specialty.
Golden Scale's Projection Magic allowed him to project an image of himself anywhere in the world, and that projection carried 80% of his true body's power. He must have used this to hold a secret meeting with the Encantada family.
Now, Envy found herself debating whether to take the call that was still on hold—one that came from Silva Encantada herself. To say Envy was disappointed in Silva was an understatement. She felt utterly betrayed, to the point where she wanted to kill her.
With a beep, Envy pressed the button to answer. "Yes, Envy here..." she responded, deciding to probe Silva, which is why she took the call.
"Ahh! Lady Envy, I'm really, really sorry, but something came up suddenly, and I had to cancel our appointment," Silva said from the other end.
Envy responded with a bit of an act. "It's okay, Silva. I don't know what happened, but it must've been really important for you to cancel. Is everything alright on your end? Do you need my help with anything?" While speaking, Envy switched her screen to the live feed inside the Encantada estate, focusing on Silva's room.
There, she saw Silva lounging smugly on the couch, her expression triumphant, as if she had outsmarted Envy. Envy watched her lips move, calling her 'Vadia idiota' (Author's Note: 'idiotic bitch' or 'dumb bitch').
Seeing this, Envy allowed herself a cold smirk, but she expertly controlled her bloodlust, maintaining a friendly tone as if she were completely unaware of Silva's betrayal.
"I'm still in Brazil right now, at the hotel. Can we reschedule?" Envy asked, her voice as calm as ever.