Honkai: Man(Sludge) From Future

Noldrei instructed Tesla to inform the Council of his actions. Inform, not consult. Council approval was irrelevant; he would have Cocolia and Raiden Ryoma implement it regardless.

Otto was surprised by Noldrei's audacity. He was intrigued by this future, a world of fluid genders.

"Splendid!"

Otto hadn't anticipated such a bold move. He wondered, however, what would happen if Valkyries adapted to Stigmata were transformed into men. Would their Honkai adaptability change?

If it were simply a matter of transplanting compatible male reproductive organs, Schicksal's technology was certainly capable. But altering someone's gender at the genetic level was a different matter.

Unless, of course, the subject was the First Herrscher.

First Herrscher Yang hadn't expected this either. He sat frozen, staring blankly out the window. The approaching summer warmth offered no comfort; he was reeling from the prospect of entering such an ethically perplexing world. [Corrupted characters removed.]

"Why? Why…?"

Yang resisted the urge to preserve his understanding of the world by triggering a Honkai eruption. It was fortunate he hadn't immediately transformed into a world-destroying Herrscher upon receiving the news.

He would have preferred Noldrei to be a combative warmonger, even a genocidal maniac, rather than this… manipulator of human ethics.

It was terrifying.

While Yang accepted and respected the existence of bodily autonomy and the LGBT community, the idea of widespread, arbitrary gender transitions and his children inheriting such a world was a different story.

He admitted his conservatism. He couldn't keep up with Tesla, who had readily accepted and relayed Noldrei's orders to the Council. How could his former comrade have changed so much? Why such radical social engineering?

If Yang had witnessed a friend ordering a delivery, then discussing the future of the delivery industry, he, too, would feel compelled to intervene.

"Should I stop him?"

Yang was torn, questioning his American liberal education. He realized he didn't value freedom itself, but rather his own freedom. He decided to embrace the future, however unsettling.

While the leaders of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy were merely shocked, the news was met with explosive enthusiasm further down the ranks.

"Fantastic! We've been waiting for this! No more gender roles, no more gendered expectations! This is the future we want!"

The oppressed researchers of North American Anti-Entropy had longed for this. Previously restrained by the very freedom they espoused, they now had a chance to strike back at that hypocritical freedom. This was their opportunity for targeted action, to unleash their pent-up frustrations.

What if our loved ones change genders at will? Who cares? Many of us are already same-sex attracted. Many rejected homosexuality not solely due to appearance, but because such relationships couldn't produce offspring.

Now, with the possibility of transitioning, everything changed. Take turns carrying children, shared reproductive rights, true freedom!

For the wealthy and powerful, those upholding a facade of gender norms, Noldrei's actions were a devastating blow. For the majority, those burdened by sexual repression, his words were long overdue.

But addressing sexual repression alone wasn't enough. New conflicts would emerge as old ones faded, igniting new explosions.

Among those who learned of this development were Gaku Horikita and Kuro. Otto had informed Horikita without reservation.

Horikita realized it wasn't Academy City that was radical, but the Council that was conservative, desperately suppressing the true nature of things.

He calmly stated, "Gender will no longer be a factor in hiring, but a job requirement. Bosses will demand you become male or female as needed. Gender won't be a tool for liberation, but a tool for oppression and exploitation."

"The Director understands human nature. He's deliberately pushing Academy City's internal conflicts to a breaking point. His goal is clear. Only the obtuse would focus solely on gender conflict."

Horikita adjusted his glasses, knowing Academy City was about to face its first true storm.

"Oh? And what do you believe the Director's true purpose is?"

Otto was curious about his disciple's assessment.

Horikita replied, "To destroy all existing ethical frameworks, to usher humanity into a more… free and chaotic era. I can't say whether it will be good or bad, but personally… I find it rather exciting." A little more visible emotion would have made the statement more convincing.

Hachiman listened to Nakamura's rambling, convinced the world couldn't get any worse.

"The Madonna demands a true advent. It has shattered all our ethical relationships – family, parents, companies, social groups… everything. By rewriting our genders, it has freed us from our previous lives, allowing us to understand the suffering of other genders."

Nakamura spoke as if in prayer, her demeanor increasingly unsettling.

Hachiman wanted to leave, but he was intimidated by her near-manic state. If he hadn't worn Stigmata armor, he would have feared for his safety.

Just then, he received messages from both his superior and Kuro.

He glanced at the identical messages, his blood running cold.

Academy City leadership is implementing gender liberation technology. Prepare accordingly.

"Damn it!"

"They're trying to kill me!"