After her brain had been forcibly upgraded with that damned "elementary school knowledge," Herta picked up junior and senior high school textbooks, intending to buy them and study them at her leisure.
Originally, Herta had believed that becoming smarter would make her enjoy learning even more. After all, she could now grasp new concepts quickly, and every moment spent studying brought a tangible sense of steady progress—a satisfying cycle of achievement.
The problem was, her talent seemed a little too good. Her progress was so rapid it felt like cheating in a game—a single "ding!" and she was instantly at max level. This overwhelming ease had paradoxically made studying magic feel dull and unrewarding.
After selecting her books, Herta wandered through the bookstore again. Rounding a corner, she spotted a full-length mirror leaning against the wall, its surface reflecting a stunning figure.
Unmistakably, it was her own reflection.
To be honest, this was the first time Herta had truly examined her current appearance. Her purple eyes resembled the world's most exquisite and elegant gemstones—deep, radiant, and captivating.
She reached out and touched her cheek. Her skin felt like creamy jade, delicate and smooth as silk. Combined with her dainty, refined nose and soft, full lips, her beauty could rightfully be described as legendary and capable of toppling empires.
In the game, Herta had once described herself: "It's because Droidhead glanced at me first that the world lost an Emanator of Beauty."
While this self-assessment might seem narcissistic, Ruan Mei had similarly remarked: "Herta's beauty is as undeniable as her terrible temper."
Speaking of which, unlike the "real Herta," her own temper was remarkably good. After living as Elysia for so long, her temperament had only improved. It would likely be quite difficult for her to casually snap at others like the original Herta.
Lost in thought, she continued to gaze into the mirror. A black choker encircled her neck, drawing attention to her delicate collarbones and shoulders, which shimmered like pearls. The contrast created a captivating visual harmony.
Below, her slightly petite chest was adorned with a predominantly purple outfit accented with blue and white details. Sheer black stockings perfectly showcased the alluring curves of her legs, further enhancing her mysterious and elegant aura.
She wore mismatched high-heeled boots, one reaching mid-calf and the other barely covering her ankles—a classic Mihoyo-style asymmetry.
The outfit was undeniably stunning, but Herta's innate beauty allowed her to effortlessly pull off any look and adapt to virtually any style.
Take this magical girl-inspired ensemble, complete with platform heels and a matching hat. It transformed her into an enigmatic and elegant recluse from another world. Yet, if she swapped the heels for flats and changed into a school uniform, she could instantly become a vibrant, innocent, and adorable student—blending seamlessly into any school environment.
Herta turned slightly, revealing her long hair, which cascaded down to her thighs in a gentle gradient from pale lavender to deep purple. The sheer volume of her hair made her silently exclaim, "So long!"
Daily showers and hair washes must take forever now. Of all her current selves, Herta's hair was by far the longest! Even Elysia in her normal state only had hair that reached her hips.
While Elysia's hair would temporarily lengthen upon entering her Herrscher state, Herta's current long hair was undeniably permanent.
As a scientist in HSR, it seemed implausible that Herta would spend so much time styling her hair every day. Shouldn't scientists typically have messy, unkempt hairstyles?
Then, in an instant, it struck her: Little Herta! The autonomous robot!
A surge of motivation flooded her. Even if it was just to help her wash her hair, she had to get the Herta Puppet up and running as quickly as possible!
Herta spun around in front of the mirror, scrutinizing every visible angle. "Not surprised," she muttered to herself, "I really am quite beautiful~"
Just then, Lily returned to the bookstore after buying a new phone. She froze at the sight. "Madam Herta? What's going on here...?"
Most people would have spontaneously combusted from embarrassment if caught admiring themselves in the mirror like that, but Herta remained completely unfazed.
First, because she was simply stating a fact. Second, because Elysia, the "social terrorist," often admired herself in the mirror, Herta had long anticipated how she would react if caught in the act.
Herta made a figure-eight gesture with one hand near her chin and turned to Lily. "I'm just being honest. Tell me, aren't I stunningly beautiful?"
"Absolutely!" Lily nodded frantically. "I was utterly mesmerized when we first met, Madam Herta! You're breathtakingly gorgeous!"
Herta struck a pose, one hand on her hip. "Now, repeat after me: 'Madam Herta is peerless in all the world! Madam Herta is brilliant beyond measure! Madam Herta's beauty could make fish forget how to swim!'"
Incredibly, Lily actually repeated each word, chanting loudly and clearly, "Madam Herta is peerless in all the world! Madam Herta is brilliant beyond measure! Madam Herta's beauty could make fish forget how to swim!"
To be honest, even Herta hadn't expected her to go that far. This child clearly possessed some of the same "social terrorist" potential.
Meanwhile, the bookstore owner, an elderly man in his sixties leaning on a cane, had been drawn over by the commotion. He adjusted his reading glasses, tilted his head back slightly, and wore the classic "old man staring at his phone on the subway" expression.
What were these two little girls up to?
After settling the bill, Herta and Lily left the bookstore. On the way, Herta tried to give Lily the money for the phone, but Lily shook her head.
"It wasn't that expensive anyway. Just consider it one of my initiation gifts for you, Teacher!"
Herta keenly noticed the word "one of." She scrutinized Lily's attire: a standard school uniform that seemed unremarkable at first glance. However, she observed five magic wands hanging from Lily's waist—a highly unusual sight.
While magic wands were common in Great Britain, carrying so many was excessive. It was like smartphones: everyone could afford one, but who would lug around five phones?
This "Lily" likely came from a far from ordinary background.