I love time travel the most!

This was something he had explained when the two of them started their research, because Liu Zi was obtained by chance, so it was understandable that there were no blueprints.

It's quite admirable that Kobayashi could know the sheer number of gears on Ryuu's body, which was incredibly exaggerated, even without blueprints.

Kobayashi seemed to understand something from her attitude.

"So, you're saying this is an obstacle?"

"That's right, the exaggerated number of gears is really giving me a headache. After all, my eyes can only see through magic tricks, not through gears with an exaggerated number, especially when they are arranged in an irregular and unchangeable manner."

Hanayagisai Shoko took a light drag on her cigarette, revealing a bitter smile for the first time—an expression of deep distress.

Moreover, the fact that Kobayashi knew exactly how many there were really surprised her.

After a moment of silence.

She spoke slowly again, "Do you know what a chain reaction is? It's when a change in one thing causes a series of related things to change accordingly. Liu Zi's core is her heart (the imaginary switch), but it doesn't control all the parts. Instead, it assists with the neural circuits, which is why there are such an exaggerated number of them."

Simply put, if there is the slightest mistake during the modification process, Liu Zi's entire body will collapse and be irreversible.

"Wait, I have a question."

"What~"

"The 'Oboro Fuji' and 'Setsugetsuka' you created are both girl-type automatons, just like Ryuu. Are you really not even capable of making simple modifications to them?"

"If you mean something like taking the two large scythes from under the purple skirt and attaching them to your back as wings, then I can do that for you."

They mocked him mercilessly.

However, this also shows that Hanayagi Shoko disdains such perfunctory and low-end modifications, leaving one unsure whether to feel fortunate or distressed.

Xiaolin rubbed his temples.

Just when he thought there was no way to strengthen Ryuu's power, he heard Hanayagi Shoko suddenly say something.

"Besides, isn't Ryuu-Zi a real automaton?"

"...What are you trying to say?"

"Don't try to fool me. Who do you think I am?"

Hanayagi Shoko, known as the "Number One Person in the Bionic Doll World," stared intently at Kobayashi's face and slowly said, "Actually, she can activate even without magic, and she can even use her own power without injecting magic."

She didn't care when she saw Kobayashi's poker face and expressionless expression, because she had already given herself away.

"There are indeed magic circuits in Ryuu's body, but they only provide slight protection for the intricate gears. It's like making a beautiful and elegant picture frame to protect a fine oil painting from external wear and tear."

A very apt description.

It must be said that Hanayagi Shoko truly deserves to be called the best. The purpose of Kobayashi installing the magic circuit of the "Supreme Throne" for Ryuu was precisely this.

"Furthermore, Liu Zi isn't a forbidden doll... Hmph, what am I saying? Isn't it obvious?"

A flicker of fanaticism, tinged with deep defeat, flashed in Hanayagi Shoko's eyes.

"That's why I said we're completely helpless in this situation. To be able to create such a perfect doll using only gears... I really want to meet him..."

Then, she took another deep drag of her cigarette.

After spending a few days together, Kobayashi discovered that whenever Hanayagi Shoko experienced something shocking, she would take deep drags on her cigarette to force herself to calm down.

I see, I think I understand what she means now.

Pure mechanical technology and magical biotechnology.

All the dolls made by Hanayagi Sai Glass are forbidden dolls. Apart from the heart of Eve inside them, each of them has human organs inside their bodies. Therefore, in order to maintain their vitality, they must eat meat, just like Sigmund.

But Liu Zi is different. As a pure machine, she doesn't need to eat or drink; she can operate normally as long as she is wound up.

Is that why we feel defeated?

Kobayashi felt the same way; the more she understood Ryuu, the more she could feel just how exaggerated and powerful its creator, Y, truly was.

"but……"

Hanayagi Shoko sat up straight, her languid body seemingly ignited by some strange impulse; her abrupt action made everyone feel that she really wanted to do something.

She said, "I will never give up easily!"

Sure enough, after seeing automatons from different systems that were on par with or even slightly better than themselves, did they develop a competitive mentality of not wanting to lose?

"So what do you want to be? The number one in the world of androids?"

"—Eve's heart."

Hanayagi Shoko raised her head slightly, the flames in her eyes burning even brighter.

Eve's Heart

It is an essential device for the operation of automata, equivalent to the heart. Almost all automata are equipped with a device called the "Heart of Eve," which gives the automaton the basic circuitry for self-recovery, self-awareness, intelligence, and biological reality.

It is the fundamental nature of an automated doll from another world, distinct from Ryuji's existing system.

"Won't doing this create conflict?"

"Who knows?"

"Hey--"

"After all, this is the first time I've ever seen a purely mechanical intelligent life form, without relying on magic or anything like that..."

A combination of magic and machinery?

Xiaolin nodded and began to think, concluding that this approach was indeed feasible.

"Furthermore, I will do it whether you agree or not, but the decision to install it is up to you."

"...Such willfulness is really unlike you."

"There's nothing I can do; I'm already itching to do it."

Hanayagi Shoko's smile grew increasingly alluring.

It seems that her research on Liu Zi has given her a lot of inspiration, and she wants to put it into practice as soon as possible.

Xiaolin was still a little worried.

What is the success rate?

"I don't know. But it's definitely very high, because her body doesn't reject magic. The evidence is that the magic circuits in her body are not interfered with when they are in operation."

That would give us even more confidence.

"Speaking of which, do you know what magic is?"

Hanayagi Shoko suddenly asked, "That kid (Akaba Raishin) said you know magic, and even said arrogant things like no one knows more about it than you, so... can you explain the definition of magic to me?"

"A special kind of energy that can perform compounding effects; you can call it a binder or a medium, either way."

Kobayashi spoke without hesitation.

Under Hanayagi Shoko's curious gaze, he used basic magic while explaining it to her.

A small flame flickered from the fingertip.

"This is fire. To ignite it, you need the element of fire, or you could call it fire particles, like bosons such as photons and gravitons."

"Atomic theory?"

"That's right. After all, the basic building blocks of matter in this world are atoms, so it's not unreasonable to call it an atomistic concept. And the role that magic plays in this is merely that of a medium that triggers phenomena; at most, it's just a symbol."

"At most? That's an exaggeration."

"Haha, is that how you see it? But if you knew there was an energy far surpassing it, you would definitely have the same attitude as me."

"What is it?"

"Divine power."

As if punishing Hanayagi Shoko for deliberately piquing her interest, Kobayashi's fingertips, imbued with a trace of divine power, slowly pointed towards her brow, only stopping just before his fingers touched her smooth skin.

Hanayagi Shoko seemed to be frozen in shock, her eyes glazed over, lost in thought.

point--

The fingers, now devoid of divine power, gently touched her brow, waking her up.

Hanayagi Shoko's body trembled involuntarily, whether from excitement or fear, she asked in a low voice, "What is that? Why is there such a terrifying yet alluring pressure?!"

"Divine power, the divine power of the water goddess."

Xiaolin smiled.

His feigned mystery annoyed Hanayagi Shoko, but she could tell from his expression that he definitely wouldn't tell her.

"You have so many secrets."

"Maintaining mystery is key to attracting women's attention."

"If that's your goal, then you've successfully caught the attention of the number one person in the field of bionic dolls."

"That's really an honor."

The verbal exchange between the two ended with each winning one round... no, it was more about sparking Hanayagi Shoko's curiosity about divine power that Kobayashi had the upper hand.

Back to the topic.

Kobayashi sat up straight and asked seriously, "What do you need me to do? My hands should be able to help."

"That's right, your hands are very important."

Hanayagi Saisho really needs Kobayashi's help.

because……

"First, remove the magic circuits from her body."

"……Eh?"

"What?! That incredibly crude technique! They didn't even use all the magic circuits! Such top-tier equipment was just used to protect the gears? Are you kidding me? It's a complete waste!"

Hanayagi-sai Glass was unusually angry.

It seems that Kobayashi's previous methods of modifying Ryuuichi were despised by the number one person in the field of bionic dolls.

"Wait, wait. How do you know that the magic circuits in Ryuu's body were installed later?"

"Isn't it obvious? It's because of the different styles."