If there were words to describe Thomas Platinaburg’s life, "smooth sailing" would probably be the most fitting.
Born into a wealthy family with privileged living conditions, he was cultivated with excellent manners and achieved significant success in the investnt field, earning imnse wealth and authority. At just over thirty years old, he was already promoted to a board mber.
He had never failed before, always walking the path of success.
There were no blemishes on his record, and he was confident that one day he would reign as the General Superintendent of the entire Academy City.
But he never imagined that there would be a day when soone would co knocking on his door.
Boom!!!
A blinding light replaced all vision, a roar took over his hearing, and a terrifying energy impact fell instantly, reducing the entire building to fragile rubble in a mont.
What was once the opulent Council Office Building was now in ruins.
A mont ago, Thomas Platinaburg was still impeccably dressed; now, he lay struggling in the debris like a dead dog.
Thump, thump~
In the sky, Selene stepped on "purple light plates" and slowly walked to Thomas’s front, "You’re used to smooth sailing, yet you dared to co to my turf and act out. You’ve got guts, Thomas."
"Cough cough, you... you are..."
Selene pointed a finger at Thomas, her fingertip beginning to shine with electricity.
"Wai... wait... stop!"
Selene ignored him entirely, releasing the energy from her fingertip.
Boom!
As the smoke cleared, Thomas was directly vaporized in the explosion.
Her first ti killing soone, Selene found herself completely devoid of fear or panic, as if she had rely crushed a bug, feeling utterly calm. "I killed soone? Why am I not afraid, and why do I even feel a hint of pleasure?"
Woo! Woo! Woo!
The siren blaring in her ears pulled Selene back to reality.
"Ti to go." With a whoosh, Selene disappeared.
...
One day later.
At this mont, Selene sat up from bed as usual, stretching lazily.
"The notice should be out by now..."
Selene yawned slightly, mumbling softly. She then stepped barefoot onto the handwoven carpet, stood up, and turned on the television.
The familiar hostess continued the daily news broadcast, "Breaking news: Yesterday, Academy City board mber Mr. Thomas Platinaburg’s mansion was attacked by terrorists, resulting in his unfortunate death. In response, the General Board expresses great concern..."
There wasn’t a trace of information about Selene, not even a suspect or images from the scene. It seed Aleister had taken care of things for her, leaving her to collect the spoils.
"Well, I should express so gratitude."
Selene then contacted Aleister, indicating she would increase the monthly supply of Honkai energy as thanks for him covering her tracks.
"Now it’s ti to clean house."
...
District 2, Destiny Institute.
The heads of various research projects had been waiting in the conference room for so ti after receiving notification. When Selene arrived, the eting officially began.
Selene got straight to the point, "I am very dissatisfied with the data theft incident that occurred yesterday. I didn’t purge the research institute because I still had a little trust in you. But you’ve betrayed my trust."
"So I’ve decided to give everyone in the research institute a ’safety valve.’"
After speaking, without waiting for their reaction, Selene directly released a Honkai energy barrier that enveloped the entire research institute, "The source of Honkai energy is , so naturally, I can also control it."
As Selene’s plan progresses, the institute’s scale will inevitably expand further, requiring a large number of excellent researchers.
And as a new force develops, it will inevitably infringe upon the vested interests of the old forces, inevitably coming into contact with the dark side of the world.
Among these is the issue of loyalty.
For example, the various human enhancent drugs about to enter formal experintation, the developnt of high-tech military weapons, and high-energy explosives projects will bring imnse benefits. As for trusting the researchers’ moral integrity, forget it.
In the face of such huge interests, Selene does not believe in the so-called loyalty and integrity of the researchers. Using Honkai energy to control them is essential, and only by doing so will Selene feel at ease.
Among this control is a considerable amount of work; this is very different from psychological mastery. It’s not short-term control, nor control of a few targets, but large-scale, long-term control.
For this usage, Selene, with a sense of dark humor, nad it: "Ideological Branding." It involves altering the will while preserving wisdom and subjective initiative.
Overall, it is about releasing a barrier that continuously suggests personality and consciousness changes in those within it, subtly achieving loyalty to Selene through "Ideological Branding."
It’s like the idea of slowly boiling a frog; the more exposure there is, the greater the barrier’s influence on these people. Coupled with advanced dical technology that surpasses current reality, powerful deterrents, and increasing material rewards...
By that ti, they will be completely bound to Selene, unable to separate themselves. Anyone who causes trouble for Selene will be threatening their livelihood. They won’t even need Selene to act, and they will deal with the problem in advance...
Based on the list of spies identified yesterday, Selene issued a command, "Dismiss everyone on this list."
Whether due to the influence of the "Ideological Branding" barrier or fear of Selene’s pressure, the others, though puzzled, complied with Selene’s order obediently. "Yes."
Ultimately, the eting ended with Selene’s manipulation, passing nurous future developnt plans.
Exiting the conference room first, Selene did not directly return to School Garden but stayed at the research institute because she wanted to conduct an experint.
It is widely known that electricity is the primary energy source for modern life and almost the only energy. It’s not an exaggeration to say that people’s demand for electricity is as great as for oxygen. Without electricity, human civilization would still be groping in the dark.
Moreover, electricity is one of the most common phenona in nature. It is an attribute of the repulsive and attractive forces between subatomic particles like electrons and protons. In essence, it is also one of the four fundantal interactions in nature.
Indeed, Selene’s current goal is to control and master the conversion of Honkai energy to electricity. Doing so is partly a precaution against various psychological control abilities; an electromagnetic shield can effectively help her fend off certain psychic abilities that like to pry into people’s minds. After all, Selene doesn’t want her secrets exposed!
It is also due to the high potential of electromagnetic force; mastering it could significantly enhance Selene’s power.
...
In the laboratory, crackling sounds kept echoing,
Under the guidance of several researchers, Selene continuously conducted electromagnetic experints.
Boom!
Looking at her blackened palm, "Is the form of energy output incorrect again?"
The researchers explained, "From the perspective of charge, the essence of electrical phenona is the directional movent of charges."
"From the perspective of energy, the essence of electrical phenona is the transfer or transformation of energy. Matter is composed of atoms, atoms consist of nuclei and extranuclear electrons, the nucleus is positively charged, extranuclear electrons are negatively charged. Extranuclear electrons orbit the nucleus at high speed, and their charge is equal and opposite in polarity..."
"Logically, your operation is correct. Where exactly is the problem?"
Suddenly, one of the black-haired researchers, who appeared to be in his thirties, clapped his hands, "Oh, I get it."
"We’re stuck in a mindset trap. You’re an Gemstone! Honkai energy essentially exists based on your Gemstone ability; it doesn’t require these calculations. Try not to think about the formulas and just think about transforming into lightning."
Selene was taken aback, "That makes sense. Why am I studying formulas and principles here when I can just manifest what I want?"
Acting imdiately, crackling!
Blue currents coursed over Selene’s body, producing a "crackling" sound. The tal objects in the lab began to vibrate, defying physical laws and gravity, drifting toward Selene.
An intangible aura washed over, bringing a tingling sensation to the face, and a scorched odor filled the air.
This was the scent of ozone emitted from the breakdown of oxygen in the air by the electric current, as if warning them that the environnt was unsafe, "Everyone out! It’s too dangerous here!"
Feeling the surging thunder power in her hands, the sensation of wielding nature’s might fascinated Selene.
Sizzle!
With a thought, the crackling current gradually vanished.
Selene called over the researcher who had reminded her, "What’s your na?"
With an enthusiastic expression, he replied, "I am Shuji Matsuzaki." (This is an original character, a loyal follower of the protagonist.)
"Very well, Shuji Matsuzaki, I’ve rembered you. From this mont, your position will be promoted to project manager level."
"This is your reward... By the way, I have another task for you. Go to the enhancent drug project and take over." As she spoke, Selene condensed a piece of Honkai crystal emitting a bizarre purplish-red light and handed it to Shuji Matsuzaki.
"This is the raw material... Rest assured, I’ve specially processed it. As long as you don’t do anything stupid like swallowing it, there will be no adverse effects. As for how you use it, that’s up to you."
After speaking, without paying attention to the dazed Shuji Matsuzaki, Selene disappeared instantly.
Only the lingering ozone odor and residual warmth in the air told of what had just occurred.
Seeing this, the others, though envious, said nothing and soon left, busying themselves with their tasks. The lab returned to silence.
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