Honkai Impact 3rd: The Girl Who Chases the Flame

"Yes, observe Melutina's purpose; that's your biggest chance of winning!"

Alicia reminded her,

"Of course, if Melutina is about to kill you, I'll definitely come to Mei's rescue, okay?"

Although in Chapter 5, Raiden Mei still provided the correct answer.

The question of whether Mei and Raiden Mei are the same person is almost entirely pointless.

However, if you ask whether Raiden Mei and Mei look very similar, the answer is yes.

It's not just about appearance, but something more essential.

Mei and Raiden Mei really look alike.

They are competitive, responsible, and inquisitive.

However, on the other hand, Raiden Mei does not possess the overly broad perspective that Mei has as a human being.

This might be a good thing.

Thirteen Yingjie did not like Mei.

However, Thirteen Heroes did not dislike Mei.

But someone always has to bear the weight of an era, and that person just happens to be Mei.

All the burdens fell on one person's head. In that dark era, only Mei truly carried all of humanity forward.

For someone like her, mere malice is simply unreasonable.

Because May represents pure rationality and embodies a leader who moves straight ahead.

Otto was indeed a talented leader, but his vision was far less broad than May's.

If Otto were in May's position, in an era without sufficient technological support, without the Divine Key, and without the Fusion Warriors.

He cannot create the future from nothing.

Right now, in this very moment.

A savior who grants humanity limitless possibilities.

It was that scientist named Mei.

.........

“You have a pleasing face, outsider.”

As Raiden Mei crossed the sixteenth level of Paradise, empowered by the mark, she arrived at the final abyss.

The girl who had her back to her turned around, her golden vertical pupils looking incredibly intimidating.

That's a wild beast.

That is power.

That was despair.

The ninth of the Thirteen Heroes Who Chased Fire —

Melutina of Purgatory.

Even without looking directly at her, a terrifying pressure emanated from that small, thin body, and Raiden Mei's hand gripping the knife trembled.

Every cell in her body was telling her...

We can't win.

"My face?"

Raiden Mei asked the obvious question.

"Hmph, don't mind me, it's just me talking to myself."

Melutina did not turn around; for a warrior, turning one's back to the enemy is fatal.

But her oppressive aura was so real; her entire being seemed to say that she didn't believe Raiden Mei could hurt her.

"Why do you reject me so much? I've seen you outside of Paradise. No matter how a person's appearance or personality changes, their most essential qualities should remain the same."

Raiden Mei remained calm.

“I have no prejudice against you, Raiden Mei. It’s just that your identity is special. Kevin brought you in, and it certainly wasn’t like the others… The teachings of the heroes, seeking the truth? Would Kevin really bring you in for such a reason?”

This was actually the first time Melutina had called her by her name.

“I loathe the reason itself. I am a remnant of the old era, and the new era has no ship that can carry me.”

(Excerpt from One Piece - Whitebeard)

"You're... afraid of change? You should be a warrior like Kevin, so why are you rejecting outsiders for this reason?"

Raiden Mei seemed surprised by this.

"I thought you were... a stronger person."

"...I am not powerful."

Melutina turned around and looked at Raiden Mei.

"I am merely an incompetent person who gained power through luck. If I become a mentor in the future, it will be because no one else but me can take on this mission."

I am merely a loser, failing to reach the fading echoes of the new era. But since I am only a fading echo, I will choose how to live.

"...This is not a statement I cannot accept."

Raiden Mei paused for a moment before speaking.

"But I have no reason to stop here."

"I'm asking you, Raiden Mei."

Melutina stared indifferently at the knife she had drawn.

"Are you here to save the world?"

"Of course I understand the grand principles of saving the world."

Raiden Mei raised her hand, and lightning flashed.

"But, compared to this world, [she] is more important to me."

"...So you're not a hero after all."

"Melutina said in a low voice."

.........

Paradise Hall

"Hey hey hey, Mei, you...wait? You just...just walked out like that?"

Alicia looked at Raiden Mei, who had emerged unharmed, with slight surprise, and struck up a conversation.

"She didn't seem to want to do it. After I drew my sword, she just handed me the mark."

Even Raiden Mei herself found it strange.

Did she... say anything?

Alicia thought for a moment and asked.

"I won't draw my sword on this face. If you don't want to give up, then forget it," that's what she said.

Raiden Mei shrugged.

"Ah...Is that so? I forgot."

Alicia seemed to understand something.

"Looking at it this way, Mei is really a lucky girl."

"...Although I still feel a little unwilling, it's good that things are going smoothly."

"I can't help it," Raiden Mei said helplessly.

"Don't feel resentful. Melutina will never compromise with people she doesn't approve of. By the way, Mei is the only one who has obtained the [Purgatory] Crest."

Alicia said.

"The only one? But Raven, she..."

Raiden Mei paused for a moment.

“Miss Natasha did not receive Medie’s mark.”

Eden walked over with a wine glass in his hand.

“Metty only acknowledged her as the heir to the Seven Thunders of Purification, which is not the same as Metty acknowledging her as the heir.”

"Merutina... how do you refuse outsiders?"

"To be precise, she doesn't believe she's qualified to choose the heroes of the next era. So..."

Eden said somewhat apologetically,

“I don’t mean to belittle Miss Mei, but Medie may feel that Miss Mei is her ‘comrade’ in this regard, and regardless of the form, you have given her a passing grade.”

"...Um, has Melutina always had this kind of personality?"

Raiden Mei hesitated for a long time before finally asking.

"Hmm... she should be much better than when she was a teenager, right? Although that's how it looks, Melutina was already over twenty years old when she last updated her memories?"

Alicia thought for a moment.

"...Is it any better than before?"

So, just how bad must her personality have been before...?

Raiden Mei felt somewhat ashamed.

"So... what was Meltina like when Mei met her? Can you tell me about her?"

Alicia asked with great interest.