The Splitter Potion was Mei's latest experiment, a creation that took planarian as the primary material and was enhanced by similar conceptual ingredients. If her theory held, this potion would grant Queen Bee the ability to divide herself into dependents.

For Mei, this was critical. The concept of material transformation, central to alchemy, was about converting one substance into another.

But for Mei, what she truly sought was a biofactory—a living entity that could endlessly produce whatever she needed. If Queen Bee could divide and create new beings, Mei would have an endless supply of experimental subjects. If someone could produce the required ingredients through consumption alone, Mei would achieve true self-sufficiency.

This was the vision Mei had when she crafted the Splitter Potion. But despite the promise, Vex had fallen short of expectations.

Vex couldn't believe her fortune. Lord Aurora had spared her, giving her a second chance she never expected. She had braced herself for erasure, but instead, Mei offered her mercy—and perhaps, even approval.

Without hesitation, Vex drank the potion in one swift gulp. "Thank you… for your grace," she whispered.

Immediately, her body began to convulse. The familiar sensation of evolution surged through her, though outwardly, her appearance remained largely unchanged. But beneath the surface, a transformation was taking place. A crack formed in her chest, extending straight to her heart, which had now turned golden.

From this crack, a chamber emerged, filled with a thick, viscous liquid. The liquid quickly began to condense into octagonal crystals.

Vex instinctively reached into the chamber and pulled out one of the crystals. As she held it, her mind raced, instantly understanding her new abilities.

The crystal was a crystallized Honeycomb with a singular purpose: to create dependents.

There were three types of crystals, each with distinct effects.

White Crystal: A lower crystal, capable of transforming life into obedient worker bees. These transformed beings would retain their physical appearance, but their consciousness would be erased and replaced.

Light Yellow Crystal: An intermediate crystal that could create Soldier Bees. These beings would possess enhanced combat abilities and insect-like features, making them formidable in battle.

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Bright Golden Crystal: The most powerful, capable of creating a Guard Bee. Guard Bees had extraordinary strength, and a spear-shaped bone that could be shot out as a deadly weapon. However, this attack would cost them their lives. They also had the ability to fly but were vulnerable to water.

The creation of these crystals came at a cost. The first two required minimal energy, but the golden crystal demanded a significant amount, taking days to produce. Vex would need to consume large quantities of food to sustain this production.

Animals could also be transformed using the crystals, though controlling them required more of her spiritual energy. To manage her growing number of dependents, Vex would need to spend more time in a deep, sleep-like state, maintaining her spiritual network.

Despite these limitations, Vex marveled at the potential of the Guard Bees. They were nearly invincible against conventional weaponry, making them a powerful asset—provided they stayed dry.

After explaining her new abilities to Mei, she waited for her reaction. Mei listened carefully, then shook her head.

"Still not quite there," Mei said thoughtfully.

With that, Mei took a few of the octagonal crystals and returned to her research, leaving Vex to contemplate her newfound powers.

...

Vex sat paralyzed on the ground, her body still trembling from the close brush with death. This wasn't the first time she'd faced danger, but it was the first time she truly felt the weight of surviving it. The threat hadn't come from the Kitsune soldiers. No, the real terror came from Mei.

A heavy sigh escaped her lips as she tried to steady herself.

"The reason I ended up like this," she muttered to herself, "is because I couldn't let go of my past. I wanted more—more money, more land, more power. I thought by amassing these things, I could earn Lord's favor."

But she knew better now. Mei, her Lord, didn't care for such trivialities. Wealth, power, status—if Mei wanted them, she could have them effortlessly. Why would she need Vex, or anyone else, to offer them to her? The realization was a harsh one.

Mei's gaze was set far beyond the reach of mortal desires. Vex understood now that Mei's ambition lay in something far grander—transcending life, becoming something more than human. A god.

Taking a deep breath, Vex made a decision. It wasn't just about letting go of her past; she needed to rid herself of it entirely. The material things she had once clung to—money, power, territory—were nothing but illusions. They never truly belonged to her, or anyone else. Life was fleeting, and everything in this world was temporary.

She stared at the sky, her mind clearing. "It's not just about letting go," she whispered, "it's about realizing that none of it ever mattered."

The only constant, the only thing that held any real value, was Mei. She was the one who grasped the concept of eternity. Mei had already moved beyond the shallow pursuits of this world, and now, Vex would follow her—dedicating herself wholly to assisting Mei in her ascent to godhood.

...

Mei opened the drawer and frowned slightly.

"Huh?"

Her eyes scanned the empty space where the Secret Stealer Potion should have been.

"It seems like it's missing."

A smirk curled on her lips. "Did Raven take it without my permission?"

She leaned back, considering the situation. "Oh well, it was only a half-finished product."

With a shrug, she closed the drawer. "I was planning to finish it before giving it to her, though..."