Recognizing One’s Own Limits

"Lee, I can't agree to this."

In her office, Mei refused Lee's request without hesitation. "You can't take either of them. I'm sorry, but that's final."

"That Kalpas is far too dangerous. The Fire Moth can't allow such an unstable element to roam free."

"Kalpas isn't dangerous, Mei. He stayed at HQ for a while, right across from my dorm." Despite the rejection, Lee persisted, defending Kalpas and Aponia. "He didn't hurt anyone, did he? He might seem aggressive, but he's a good person. He hasn't harmed any innocents. He even defeated the Fifth Herrscher!"

"Yes, and I won't comment on you hiding that fact and bringing such a dangerous individual into HQ…" Mei flipped through the documents in her hand, her expression impassive. "But none of that proves he's not dangerous. After his fight with the Fire Moth investigator, the surrounding area was reduced to rubble in under a minute. If no one had intervened, the destruction would have been far greater."

"Kalpas had his reasons. He was protecting the orphanage—"

"The source of the Honkai disease outbreak in the Twilight Street? Everyone there was infected. Continuing to house them could have triggered another disaster. I see nothing wrong with the investigator's actions." Mei looked up at Lee, her voice calm. "You were stationed in the Twilight Street before, weren't you? Didn't you notice what Aponia was doing?"

Lee fell silent. After a while, she murmured, "…We have the serum now. We could have saved the remaining people at the orphanage."

Mei frowned, a rare occurrence. "Lee, you know better than anyone how difficult it is to produce the serum… Unfortunately, its supply is limited. We can't afford to use it on everyone who needs it."

Even with the current ample supply, some were already plotting to exploit Lee further. If the serum ran out, Mei wasn't sure she could protect Lee anymore.

"…Then what about Aponia? She's just an ordinary person." Lee's voice was almost pleading. "At least let her go…"

"She's not an ordinary person. She's responsible for the Honkai disease outbreak in the Twilight Street."

"I know, but—Aponia had no ill intentions. She just wanted to help people. I can guarantee it! If anything, I'm also responsible for not stopping her sooner…"

Mei had never seen Lee like this, pleading, almost desperately, for a favor…

Could Lee do this if she weren't determined to help them?

Of course she could—but Mei wouldn't.

She wasn't Mobius, who would indulge Lee's requests even if they weren't in Lee's best interest… If Mei believed a decision was right, she would stick to it, even if it upset or angered Lee.

"That's enough, Lee. You can't take Aponia either." Mei put on her glasses, returning to her paperwork. "The disaster she caused aside, her actions threatened certain individuals. They believe she's discovered something about the… foundation of the Fire Moth."

Mei's silence was a clear dismissal. Lee knew this.

"…I understand. Sorry to bother you." Biting her lip, Lee didn't argue further, turning to leave.

But as she reached the door, Mei spoke again.

"Lee, I know you always want to do so much, but sometimes, we need to recognize our own limitations and responsibilities. You could bring Kalpas into HQ before because you had the power to handle any unforeseen consequences… But things are different now."

"You've done enough for humanity. You can rest now. And before you act, consider your own situation carefully."

Don't be reckless like you were with the Seventh Herrscher, trying to shoulder everything alone, ending up nearly dead… Mei rarely expressed her emotions, but that didn't mean she didn't care.

Lee paused, then left the room without a word.

…

Mei's reaction was exactly as I predicted. Not only did she refuse, but she also crushed my self-esteem.

Mei's IQ is… well, there's nothing to say about it. And her EQ is equally… remarkable, in its own way.

So, after these repeated failures, knowing the orphanage has been destroyed, unable to even save Kalpas and Aponia, how am I supposed to face Pardofelis, who placed all her hope in me?

How could Lee, once seen as omnipotent by Pardo, tell the little cat-eared girl that she couldn't even handle something this simple?

Would Pardo believe her? Would she think Lee was unwilling to help? Or would she be disappointed, realizing the Big Sis Lee who promised to protect her was actually useless?

Lee sat on a bench, staring at the ground, lost in thought.

People passed by, their footsteps hurried, but no one stopped. Lee sat there, ignored, as if abandoned by the world.

The once celebrated hero, now forgotten—such a classic trope!

Though inwardly amused, Lee put on a determined expression, pulling out her phone.

If she couldn't do it herself, she had to ask for help.

Asking Kevin after that incident was awkward. Vill-V usually didn't get involved in these things… That left Mobius or Elysia.

"It's been a while since I contacted the Doctor…"

She hadn't seen Mobius since Kevin's surgery. They used to call and video chat frequently, but recently, their communication had been limited to texts.

"Should I ask Elysia…?"