Afternoon of the Same Day — St. Freya High, Classroom
The afternoon sun shone through the classroom windows.
Bronya sat quietly at her desk.
Her expression remained calm, but her mind was far from it.
Bronya: "…"
She looked around the classroom.
Everything was familiar.
Yet nothing felt entirely right.
Bronya: 'It's a little different from the real world.'
Her eyes moved across the desks and the familiar walls of St. Freya High.
Bronya: 't is St. Freya High, but not the one the Bronya knows…'
She lowered her gaze.
Bronya: 'Himeko and Fu Hua felt somewhat different, and the Bronya couldn't find anyone else.'
Bronya thought back to what Einstein had told her about the Sea of Quanta.
Bronya: 'Dr. Einstein said that the Sea is a confluence of parallel universes. Did the Bronya enter one of them?'
Then Joachim's words returned to her.
Give me your answer in that world.
Bronya's expression became thoughtful.
Bronya: 'What exactly does Joachim's "answer" refer to?'
Suddenly—
Ding dong ding dong~
The bell rang.
Bronya straightened in her seat.
Bronya: 'The Bronya needs to gather more intel about this world.'
She looked toward the front of the classroom.
Bronya: "(The next class is history. The Bronya may be able to retrieve useful intel from it.)"
Then—
A familiar voice spoke.
Cocolia: "Oh dear. Too many students failed to show up."
Bronya froze.
Her eyes widened.
Bronya: "…?!"
Standing at the front of the classroom was—
Cocolia.
But she was not the Cocolia Bronya knew.
This woman wore the uniform of a Valkyrie instructor.
Cocolia: "Alright, girls. Get back to your seats. Prepare to get some history."
Bronya stared at her.
Bronya: "What?!"
Cocolia raised an eyebrow.
Cocolia: "We'll start at where we left off last time and talk about the 2nd Eruption."
She noticed Bronya's expression.
Cocolia: "…? Bronya, why are you staring at me?"
Bronya quickly regained her composure.
Bronya: "…"
She sat upright.
Bronya: "The Bronya is acutely interested in history and does not wish to miss any historical facts."
Cocolia smiled.
Cocolia: "Indeed. The epicenter of the 2nd Eruption was where your home was."
She looked directly at Bronya.
Cocolia: "How much do you know about the disaster, Bronya?"
Bronya immediately answered.
Bronya: "It emerged from the Babylon Labs in Siberia and developed into the worst cataclysm known to humanity."
Bronya: "The Eruption gave birth to the Herrscher of the Void, bringing unimaginable suffering to humanity."
Cocolia nodded.
Cocolia: "Good. You've been reading, I can tell. But there are a few minor mistakes."
Bronya frowned slightly.
Cocolia continued.
Cocolia: "In fact, Schicksal mobilised quickly, minimised the casualties, and neutralised the Herrscher within 22 hours."
Bronya's eyes widened.
Cocolia: "Schicksal's quick response prevented the disaster from escalating further."
Bronya: 'What?!'
Cocolia activated the classroom display.
Cocolia: "Alright, let's review some video footage taken from that event."
The screen flickered.
A recording began playing.
SYSTEM: "The 2nd Eruption started in the Schicksal Babylon Labs situated in Siberia."
Images of the Babylon Labs appeared.
SYSTEM: "Sirin turned into the Herrscher of the Void, capable of manipulating Imaginary Space."
The footage continued.
SYSTEM: "Sirin was originally a patient in the lab being treated for Honkai infection."
SYSTEM: "We do not know the reasons as to why she turned into a Herrscher."
SYSTEM: "High ambient Honkai energy levels may be a potential cause."
Bronya watched silently.
SYSTEM: "When disaster struck, Schicksal immediately mobilised its European Branch."
SYSTEM: "The remaining branches were deployed within hours."
The footage showed Valkyries and combat mechs being deployed.
SYSTEM: "Concerted Schicksal efforts quickly contained the Eruption."
Bronya's hands slowly tightened.
SYSTEM: "The 2nd Herrscher was neutralised 22 hours after the Eruption."
The recording ended.
Cocolia turned back toward the class.
Cocolia: "Two forces were instrumental in the 2nd Honkai War."
She gestured toward an image of advanced combat mechs.
Cocolia: "Mechs developed by Schicksal's North American Branch. First deployed in the war with performance on par with the Valkyries."
The display changed.
An image of Cecilia Schariac and her squad appeared.
Cocolia: "The second would be Squad Snowwolf led by S-rank Valkyrie Cecilia Schariac."
Bronya listened carefully.
Cocolia: "While fighting the Herrscher, the Valkyries also helped evacuate many civilians from surrounding cities."
Cocolia: "Their efforts helped us recover quickly from the Eruption."
Cocolia's expression softened.
Cocolia: "I was one of the many people they rescued back then."
The classroom became quieter.
Cocolia continued.
Cocolia: "After the war, the Snowwolves were charged with disobedience. Schicksal never gave the orders to evacuate civilians."
Her expression became serious.
Cocolia: "But I happen to disagree with that."
She looked at every student in the room.
Cocolia: "The Valkyries must be given the privilege of judgment or they'll just end up as mindless tools."
A small smile appeared on her face.
Cocolia: "I trust everyone shares this belief, or you wouldn't have signed up for this institution founded by Lady Cecilia."
Thunderous applause filled the classroom.
Cocolia beamed with pride and delight.
Then—
Ding dong ding dong~
The bell rang again.
Cocolia: "That ends our session today. Remember to study for the exam. Class dismissed."
The students quickly began leaving.
Bronya remained seated.
Her thoughts were in turmoil.
Bronya: 'This is not the same history the Bronya knows…'
Her eyes followed Cocolia.
Bronya: 'Matushka Cocolia… a Valkyrie?'
After Class
The students eventually left.
Soon, only Bronya and Cocolia remained in the classroom.
Bronya hesitated.
Bronya: "Matush… Miss Cocolia…"
Cocolia turned toward her.
Cocolia: "What is it, Bronya?"
Bronya looked directly at her.
Bronya: "Why did Miss Cocolia become a Valkyrie?"
Cocolia smiled.
Cocolia: "I got you interested with that speech, didn't I?"
She approached Bronya and gently patted her on the head.
Bronya remained still.
Cocolia: "Indeed… why did I do that? I used to be confused about my choice."
Cocolia looked toward the window.
Cocolia: "I grew up in a Siberian orphanage. Survival was all that I could think of."
Her voice became quieter.
Cocolia: "There were plenty of other orphans like me in the northern wastes."
Cocolia: "I wanted to do something. I thought about joining the army to protect them, or building my own orphanage…"
Bronya listened carefully.
Bronya: "But Miss Cocolia became a Valkyrie."
Cocolia gave a small smile.
Cocolia: "Hmm. Yes. There are many other ways to provide bread and shelter for these children…"
She paused.
Cocolia: "But there are things that could only be provided by Valkyries of St. Freya."
Bronya tilted her head.
Bronya: "Things… like what?"
Cocolia looked at her.
Her answer came without hesitation.
Cocolia: "Hope and freedom."
Bronya remained silent.
Cocolia's expression became distant.
Cocolia: "I learned that from Principal Cecilia during that war."
Bronya looked at this version of Cocolia.
She was familiar.
Yet completely different.
Bronya: "Miss Cocolia reminds the Bronya of someone familiar… familiar but still different…"
Cocolia seemed to understand.
Cocolia: "I know a bit about your unpleasant past, Bronya."
Bronya's eyes lowered.
Cocolia: "But put it all behind you, dear."
Cocolia gestured around the classroom.
Cocolia: "This is St. Freya High. You won't have to take orders from anyone."
She smiled warmly.
Cocolia: "Explore the campus, make new friends, and think about your future."
Her voice softened.
Cocolia: "Just follow the voice of your heart. You're free here."
Bronya: "…"
Bronya did not know how to respond.
An awkward silence filled the classroom.
Then—
The door suddenly opened.
Himeko entered.
Himeko: "You busy, Cocolia?"
Cocolia turned toward her.
Cocolia: "What is it, Himeko?"
Himeko held several documents.
Himeko: "It's about that mission from HQ. Looks easy enough for our students. But we must act quickly."
Cocolia's expression became serious.
Cocolia: "How many girls are ready for deployment? And that includes our students."
Himeko checked the documents.
Himeko: "4, including those you just recruited."
Cocolia thought for a moment.
Cocolia: "We need a few more."
Himeko nodded.
Himeko: "Most of our instructors and senior students have already been deployed."
She then glanced toward Bronya.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
Himeko: "But… I think there's someone suitable here."
Bronya looked at her.
Himeko: "She seems eager to try as well, right, Bronya?"
Cocolia turned around.
Cocolia: "Bronya?"
Cocolia found Bronya watching them.
She had obviously heard their entire conversation.
Bronya stood.
Bronya: "The Bronya is confident. Include the Bronya if you need another Valkyrie in the team."
Cocolia smiled.
Cocolia: "Alright. Welcome to Squad V of the Far East Branch, Bronya."
She handed Bronya the mission documents.
Cocolia: "It's an emergency and we have to set off tonight. I'll give you the mission briefing. Go and prepare."
Bronya nodded.
Bronya: "Da. The Bronya shall prepare."
Cocolia nodded before leaving the classroom with Himeko.
Bronya remained alone.
She looked down at the mission documents.
Her thoughts returned to this strange world.
Bronya: '"Pain and confusion of the past"… the Bronya can only think of one person…'
Her eyes narrowed.
Bronya: 'The Bronya might find what she is looking for around Cocolia.'
Silence.
Bronya: "…"
Then she looked out the window.
Bronya: 'This… this place is not real…'
Evening — Front Gate of St. Freya High
The sky had begun to darken.
Bronya arrived at the front gate.
Several members of the newly formed squad were already waiting.
Cocolia stood in front of them.
She looked toward Bronya.
Cocolia: "I'll introduce you to the squad members, Bronya."
She gestured toward the first person.
Cocolia: "This is Miss Himeko. Fu Hua, your Class Monitor."
Fu Hua nodded.
Fu Hua: "I'm relieved to know that Bronya is our new squad member."
Bronya nodded back.
Cocolia looked around.
Her expression became slightly puzzled.
Cocolia: "There should be one more person… is she late?"
Then—
Footsteps approached.
A familiar voice called out.
???: "Sorry! I'm late…"
Bronya froze.
Her heart stopped.
She knew that voice.
Her eyes slowly widened.
Bronya: "This voice…"
The final member of Squad V appeared.
Bronya stared at the girl.
She was the person Bronya cared about most in the entire world.
Her voice trembled.
Bronya: "It's… It's you?!"
Bronya's eyes widened.
Bronya: "Seele!"
Evening — St. Freya High
The girl standing before Bronya looked apologetic as she hurried toward the group.
Her long hair swayed behind her as she stopped in front of Cocolia.
Seele: "I'm really sorry, Miss Cocolia… I shouldn't be late…"
Cocolia folded her arms.
Cocolia: "But you are late. What happened?"
Seele lowered her head slightly.
Seele: "Preparing for the mission took longer than I thought. Don't worry. It's done."
Cocolia's expression softened.
Cocolia: "It's alright. This is Bronya, our new squad member. She's a little older than you."
Seele turned toward Bronya.
Her eyes widened slightly.
Seele: "Bronya?"
Seele studied Bronya with great curiosity.
Her ocean-azure eyes were just how Bronya remembered them to be.
For Bronya, the sight was almost overwhelming.
Bronya: "…"
Cocolia smiled.
Cocolia: "Bronya, this is Seele. She's a little shy at times, but still a good girl. You'll be good friends."
Seele offered Bronya a gentle smile.
Seele: "Hi Bronya. I'm Seele."
Bronya stared at her.
Her voice came out quieter than she intended.
Bronya: "Hello… Seele…"
Before either girl could say anything else, Cocolia checked the time.
Cocolia: "Our transport will be here in a few minutes. Get ready."
Bronya remained silent.
Bronya: "…"
Her thoughts began racing.
Bronya: 'What do you expect, Bronya?'
She looked toward Cocolia.
Bronya: 'Matushka became a Valkyrie. There is no orphanage, no X-10 project.'
Then she looked at Seele.
Bronya: 'Seele would be a normal girl in this world…'
Bronya lowered her gaze.
Bronya: 'The Bronya should have guessed…'
Cocolia turned toward the transport that had arrived nearby.
Cocolia: "Ready? Then let's get going."
The Mission
The transport carried Squad V toward their destination.
After arriving, Fu Hua gathered the group and began reviewing the mission.
Fu Hua: "We've arrived. Let's go over the mission again."
Everyone listened carefully.
Fu Hua: "A convoy from HQ was ambushed 3 days ago. We suffered zero casualties, but lost something valuable."
Bronya's expression became serious.
Fu Hua: "This attack may be orchestrated by the secret organisation known as Anti-Entropy…"
Himeko gave a dismissive scoff.
Himeko: "Anti-Entropy. Pfft. An anti-Schicksal group led by a Schicksal traitor."
Fu Hua continued.
Fu Hua: "They're careful, but we've picked up their tracks."
She brought up a map.
Fu Hua: "Our intel says that the missing asset is being kept somewhere nearby by an intel dealer codenamed Argent Fox."
Himeko raised an eyebrow.
Himeko: "Argent Fox? Is that an Anti-Entropist?"
Cocolia shook her head.
Cocolia: "Not likely. More like a local gangster boss, but commanding powers far beyond that."
Seele studied the map.
Seele: "Maybe not. I think Argent Fox took the asset to sell it to Anti-Entropy for a good price."
Cocolia smiled faintly.
Cocolia: "Well, time to meet this sly creature."
She began assigning their roles.
Cocolia: "Himeko, Fu Hua, and I will be paying the Fox a visit."
Then she looked toward Bronya and Seele.
Cocolia: "Bronya and Seele, you're responsible for mapping out the area and locating the lost supplies."
Cocolia: "Stay low. We'll meet you when we're ready."
Seele turned toward Bronya.
Seele: "Understood. Any suggestions, Bronya?"
Bronya examined the area.
Bronya: "The Argent Fox's lair is well-protected by patrolling mechs."
She considered the possible approaches.
Bronya: "The Bronya shall hack one of them to deduce patrolling routes and locate the stolen goods."
Seele nodded.
Seele: "Sounds great. We'll need to find a suitable target."
She looked toward the northern side of the district.
Seele: "I… I think we can go to the plaza in the north. There are less mechs there, so it'll be easier for us to find an isolated one."
Bronya nodded.
Bronya: "Da. Let's do this."
As the two girls moved through the shadows, Bronya continued watching Seele.
Something was different.
Bronya: 'She's more independent and mature than the Seele in the Bronya's memory.'
Bronya's eyes lowered.
Bronya: 'Perhaps this is what Seele would be if she had survived the test…'
She clenched her hand.
Bronya: "…"
Her thoughts lingered on the girl beside her.
Bronya: 'Seele…'
The Patrol Route
The northern plaza was quieter than the rest of the city.
Several mechs patrolled in the distance, but there were noticeably fewer than before.
Seele carefully observed the area.
Seele: "There are far fewer mechs here."
Bronya nodded.
Bronya: "We must proceed slowly and pick a suitable target."
Seele pointed toward a white mech moving away from the others.
Seele: "Bronya, that white mech seems isolated from the rest."
Bronya studied its route.
Bronya: "Da. We will hack it once it turns around."
The moment the mech's sensors faced away from them, Bronya moved.
She connected to its systems.
Lines of information appeared before her.
The patrol routes began forming a map.
After several moments, Bronya analysed the results.
Bronya: "Patrol routes indicate that the north and west are heavily guarded."
She highlighted two areas.
Bronya: "In the west is the downtown area, which quiets down after midnight and makes for an unexpected but good hiding spot."
Then she indicated the northern district.
Bronya: "Argent Fox's turf is in the north. It's heavily defended and Argent Fox is frequently spotted there."
Bronya began calculating the possible search routes.
Bronya: "Time is of the essence. We need to split our forces."
Seele immediately interrupted her.
Seele: "No. Not these two places. The Fox probably hid the things here."
She pointed toward another location.
Bronya examined it.
A poorly guarded, dilapidated warehouse.
Her expression became confused.
Bronya: "Here? A poorly guarded and dilapidated warehouse? Why is Seele so sure?"
Seele became quiet.
Seele: "…"
Bronya turned toward her.
Bronya: "Seele?"
Seele quickly pointed toward the map.
Seele: "It's the patrol routes."
Bronya listened.
Seele: "Not many mechs are here, but one is always around to monitor things. Looks odd to me."
Bronya examined the route again.
The pattern was strange.
Too deliberate.
Bronya: "Da. It does feel odd to the Bronya. It seems very deliberate."
She looked toward Seele.
Bronya: "Seele has been highly observant… and seems to know the city inside out."
Seele immediately became defensive.
Seele: "Nyet, nyet! I just saw it in the mission briefing."
Bronya's expression changed.
Bronya: "…?"
A feeling of suspicion entered her mind.
Bronya: 'The Bronya does not remember reading about this in the mission briefing…'
She studied Seele's reaction.
Bronya: 'Seele is acting too defensively…'
Then—
Clank… clank…
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the street.
Cocolia's voice came through the communicator.
Cocolia: "Bronya, we took down the Fox."
Bronya immediately responded.
Bronya: "The Fox is killed?"
Cocolia gave a casual response.
Cocolia: "Nah, it's just a tranquilizer. One more body is one more trouble."
She continued.
Cocolia: "I've acquired the Fox's special access "key". How are you girls doing?"
Bronya transmitted their location.
Bronya: "Seele found a suspicious location, and now the Bronya is sharing the coordinates."
Cocolia received them.
Cocolia: "Got it. We'll rendezvous at that position."
The Warehouse
Bronya and Seele arrived first.
The abandoned warehouse stood silently before them.
The surrounding streets were empty.
Seele looked around.
Seele: "We've arrived, but our instructors aren't here yet."
Bronya scanned the building.
Several defensive mechs were positioned around it.
Bronya: "We should neutralise the defenders first."
Bronya raised her hand.
Project Bunny materialised beside her.
Seele summoned her scythe.
The two immediately attacked.
Project Bunny opened fire.
A powerful blast struck the first defensive mech.
The machine was thrown backward and exploded.
Seele rushed forward.
Her scythe cut through another mech.
Metal fragments scattered across the ground.
A third mech attempted to fire.
Bronya immediately redirected Project Bunny.
The mechanical companion intercepted the attack and returned fire.
Another mech was destroyed.
Seele spun forward.
Her scythe swept across the battlefield.
The remaining defenders fell one after another.
Within moments—
The warehouse was silent.
The rest of Squad V arrived shortly afterward.
Cocolia examined the abandoned building.
Cocolia: "This abandoned warehouse is the Fox's hiding place?"
Fu Hua walked along the wall.
Her eyes narrowed.
Fu Hua: "…Found it. A biometric sensor. It's hidden in the side wall."
She examined the sensor.
Fu Hua: "Good. The warehouse matches the intel on one of Argent Fox's hideouts."
Cocolia looked toward the two girls.
Cocolia: "Good job, Seele and Bronya. Your guess was right."
She took out the access key.
Cocolia: "Use the "key" to open the warehouse. Let's see what they stole from us."
The door unlocked.
The group entered.
Then—
A frightened voice came from inside.
Young Boy: "…!"
The group stopped.
A young boy stood inside the warehouse.
He stared at them in fear.
Young Boy: "Who are you?"
Bronya froze.
She recognised him.
Or at least—
She recognised who he looked like.
Bronya: "Joachim?!"
Himeko's eyes widened.
Himeko: "What?! A kid in the warehouse? But this is where the Fox hid the stolen goods."
Seele looked toward the boy.
Seele: "Perhaps this boy is the stolen goods."
Cocolia turned toward her.
Cocolia: "…What are you saying?"
The boy stepped backward.
Fear filled his expression.
Young Boy: "What are you going to do to me?"
His voice shook.
Young Boy: "Don't! Don't come any closer!"
Fu Hua immediately noticed something.
Her expression became serious.
Fu Hua: "Careful. I'm detecting Honkai energy emissions from him."
Energy gathered around the boy.
Fu Hua watched in shock.
Fu Hua: "…He's creating physical weapons out of thin air with energy alone."
Several mechanical units suddenly materialised around him.
They turned toward Squad V.
The newly created mechs rushed forward.
The group quickly scattered.
Bronya rolled aside as a weapon crashed into the ground where she had been standing.
Project Bunny immediately retaliated.
A powerful blast destroyed one of the mechs.
Seele rushed forward.
Her scythe flashed through the air.
One mech was sliced apart.
Fu Hua moved with incredible speed.
Her gauntlets struck another machine.
The impact crushed its armour.
Himeko raised her claymore.
With a powerful swing, she destroyed another approaching mech.
Cocolia took aim with her firearm.
She fired repeatedly.
Several mechs were struck and destroyed.
But the boy continued creating more.
Every time one mech disappeared—
Another appeared.
Bronya's expression became serious.
The boy's powers were becoming unstable.
The battlefield continued filling with newly created machines.
Then—
The boy suddenly staggered.
The energy around him flickered.
All the remaining mechs disappeared.
Young Boy: "Huff… huff…"
He struggled to remain standing.
Young Boy: "Don't… come any… closer…"
His strength finally gave out.
The exhausted boy collapsed.
He lost consciousness.
The mechs he created disappeared as well.
Fu Hua immediately approached and examined him.
Fu Hua: "…He passed out. Using those powers must have been extremely taxing for his body."
Her expression slowly darkened.
She noticed the marks covering his body.
Fu Hua: "…There are many scars on this boy. Some are fresh and some are aged. He's been abused for a long time."
Cocolia looked at the remains of the vanished machines.
Cocolia: "Mechs materialising out of thin air and disappearing afterwards… I've read about this."
She thought back to something she had seen before.
Cocolia: "A file back at HQ mentioned manifesting physical items using Honkai energy."
Her expression became serious.
Cocolia: "This is the power of the 1st Herrscher, the Herrscher of Reason."
Fu Hua looked toward the unconscious boy.
Fu Hua: "But that Herrscher was defeated in 1955. How did its power end up in this boy?"
Himeko crossed her arms.
Himeko: "This is somewhat unexpected. Should we get in touch with HQ?"
Bronya immediately stepped forward.
Bronya: "Nyet. Don't do that."
Everyone turned toward her.
Bronya looked at the boy.
Bronya: "It was perplexing at first, but Seele's words have enlightened the Bronya."
Seele looked toward her in confusion.
Bronya: "A human boy with the powers of the Herrscher of Reason must be valuable to Schicksal."
Bronya's expression hardened.
Bronya: "Schicksal would treat him as a valuable asset."
Himeko frowned.
Himeko: "What do you mean?"
Cocolia slowly looked toward the boy.
Then understanding appeared in her eyes.
Cocolia: "I agree with Bronya. This boy must be the missing "asset" we were supposed to retrieve."
She looked toward the scars on his body.
Cocolia: "He had been kept in a Schicksal lab, until Argent Fox brought him out…"
Her voice became quieter.
Cocolia: "The scars on his body…"
Suddenly—
Beeep… beep…
Bronya's equipment began issuing a warning.
She immediately checked the readings.
Bronya: "Unidentified units approaching. Potentially hostile."
Fu Hua looked toward the approaching signals.
Fu Hua: "Must be Anti-Entropists. They must have found the Argent Fox."
Seele immediately looked toward the unconscious boy.
Seele: "We must leave with the boy."
Himeko analysed their situation.
Himeko: "We're facing a large number of hostiles. Carrying the boy will slow us down."
Cocolia made her decision.
Cocolia: "We'll split our forces. Bronya and Seele will leave first with the boy and wait for us at the evac point."
Bronya looked toward the incoming signals.
Bronya: "But…"
Himeko stepped forward.
Himeko: "You've done enough. Leave this to us."
Fu Hua nodded.
Fu Hua: "Trust us. You girls will take the boy away from this place."
Bronya looked at the unconscious boy.
Then at Seele.
Finally, she nodded.
Bronya: "…The Bronya understands. The Bronya shall wait at the evac point."
Bronya and Seele left first, carrying the unconscious Joachim away from the warehouse.
However, they had barely made it down the street before several enemy mechs appeared from the shadows.
Seele: "The patrolling mechs are after me!"
Bronya: "Watch out, Seele."
Bronya immediately summoned Project Bunny. The massive mechanical companion raised its weapon and fired, blasting the mechs chasing Seele away.
Bronya: "Seele, over here."
Bronya quickly checked the surrounding area.
Bronya: 'Enemy units have been distracted by Miss Himeko and Fu Hua…'
Bronya: 'The Bronya will now rendezvous with the team at the evac point and transfer Joachim…'
Suddenly, Seele stopped.
Seele: "Bronya!"
Bronya turned toward her.
Bronya: "What is it, Seele?"
Seele hesitated.
Seele: "We can't… we can't go to the evac point."
Bronya's expression tightened.
Bronya: "What?"
Seele: "We must take the boy away. We can't leave him to the others."
Bronya glanced down at the unconscious Joachim.
Bronya: "Seele may be right, but who should we take the boy to?"
Seele: "I don't know, but please trust me, Bronya…"
Bronya stared at her carefully.
Something about Seele's behaviour had felt strange since the beginning of the mission.
Bronya: "Seele… The Bronya thinks there is something wrong about you…"
Seele fell silent.
Seele: "…"
Then she slowly raised her head.
Seele: "Nyet, Bronya… give him to me."
Seele: "If you continue like this, we will end up where we started, again and again…"
Bronya's eyes narrowed.
Bronya: "Seele?"
Suddenly, Seele's eyes turned crimson red.
The familiar Seele standing before Bronya seemed to disappear for a moment.
"Seele": "…Give him to me!"
A Quantum Shadow suddenly appeared beside her.
Bronya's eyes widened in shock.
She reacted immediately.
Project Bunny raised its weapon and fired.
The blast struck the Quantum Shadow directly, destroying it before it could attack.
Bronya: "A Quantum Shadow? How? Seele?"
The red glow faded from Seele's eyes.
She returned to normal and stared at the place where the Quantum Shadow had vanished.
Her expression was filled with disbelief.
Seele: "How… how did you defeat them?"
Seele slowly backed away.
A frightened Seele sat on the ground and tried to inch away from Bronya.
Seele: "It's impossible… No one in this world can defeat them…"
Seele: "…?"
Her eyes widened as though she had suddenly realised something.
Bronya lowered her weapon.
Project Bunny remained beside her, but Bronya slowly approached Seele.
Bronya: "The Bronya felt something was amiss at the start of the mission."
Bronya: "Seele seems to know every solution for when everyone was stuck…"
Bronya: "The Bronya confirmed her suspicions when Seele summoned the Quantum Shadow."
Bronya stopped in front of her.
Bronya: "Seele… you're like the Bronya… you don't belong "here"…"
Seele stared at her.
Seele: "Bronya…"
Her voice trembled.
Seele: "Hick… hick…"
Tears began forming in her eyes.
Seele: "Is it you, Bronya?"
Bronya's expression softened.
Bronya: "…Da."
Seele's breathing became uneven.
Seele: "Is it… really you?"
Bronya stepped closer.
Bronya: "Seele… the Bronya is here."
Bronya: "The Bronya… has finally found Seele…"
Seele: "Bronya…"
Bronya wrapped her arms tightly around Seele.
She felt Seele's body tremble as hot tears dripped onto her back.
Bronya had dreamed about this reunion many times.
She could no longer remember exactly how many.
There were many things she had forgotten over the years.
But there were exceptions.
She remembered the crying girl.
She remembered the warmth of her tears.
She remembered the embrace they had shared.
Most importantly, she remembered the promise they had made to one another.
Bronya had never forgotten that promise.
Her eyes suddenly felt sore and uncomfortable.
It was a long-lost feeling, one she had not experienced since her emotions had been suppressed by the X-10 experiment.
Warm tears slowly rolled down Bronya's cheeks.
Bronya: "But… why is Seele here? What… happened?"
Seele remained silent for a moment.
Seele: "…"
Seele: "I don't know… I remember a cold, dark, and empty room with a tightly shut door."
Seele: "I was trapped there for god knows how long."
Seele: "Then the door suddenly opened and light poured in."
Seele: "I always wanted to escape and find you, Bronya… so I ran off into the light."
Seele: "I can't remember the rest… I woke up in this world when I regained awareness."
Bronya's thoughts immediately returned to Seele's words.
Bronya: 'The light?'
Bronya gently held Seele's hands.
Bronya: "It's alright, Seele."
Bronya: "The Bronya has found you. We shall leave this place."
Seele lowered her gaze.
Seele: "But I can't find a way out…"
She looked toward Joachim.
Seele: "Bronya… we can't let them have the boy."
Bronya: "Why?"
Seele's expression became fearful.
Seele: "This world is an endless cycle. I've experienced it many, many times before you appeared."
Seele: "At first we kept failing our missions. I would pass out and wake up again in class a few days ago."
Seele: "Then everything would begin as usual."
Bronya finally understood.
Bronya: "This is the reason why Seele knew what was going to happen."
Seele nodded.
Seele: "After many tries, I've avoided all the mistakes, rescued the boy, and completed the mission."
Seele: "But a new cycle began anyway…"
Seele: "Why? Did something happen?"
Seele cradled her head and began trembling.
A hand gently held hers.
Seele: "…Huh?"
Bronya looked directly into her eyes.
Bronya: "Don't be afraid, Seele. You've told the Bronya some very important things."
Bronya: "The Bronya knows what to do now."
Bronya: "Believe in the Bronya."
Seele stared at her for several seconds.
Seele: "…"
Then she nodded.
Seele: "…Da."
The group eventually reached the designated rendezvous point.
Cocolia looked around as everyone returned.
Cocolia: "I think everyone made it."
She glanced toward the unconscious Joachim.
Cocolia: "We'll just turn the boy over to HQ and call it a day."
Cocolia smiled at the two girls.
Cocolia: "Good job, girls. Bronya and Seele, you were instrumental to our success…"
Bronya suddenly stepped forward.
Bronya: "Wait, Miss Cocolia…"
Cocolia looked at her.
Bronya: "The boy must not be turned over to HQ."
Cocolia's expression changed slightly.
Cocolia: "…Why?"
Bronya remained silent.
Bronya: "…"
She slowly unbuttoned Joachim's shirt, revealing the terrible scars covering his body.
The others fell silent.
Bronya: "Cauterisation marks, burns, and surgical scars… proof of inhuman testing at Schicksal HQ."
Bronya looked at Joachim.
Bronya: "We're returning him to hell."
Fu Hua stepped forward.
Fu Hua: "You may be right, Bronya, but there will be consequences."
Fu Hua: "He has Herrscher powers. He can't control them."
Fu Hua: "We don't know if he would become a decent human being or end up as a murderous Herrscher."
Bronya did not hesitate.
Bronya: "The boy will become a Herscher if returned to the lab."
Bronya looked toward Seele.
Bronya: "The Bronya and Seele hope that the boy can be brought to St. Freya."
Bronya: "He may become a hero or a Herrscher. But he will be free to decide his own destiny."
Bronya: "We can only teach him to think about right and wrong and about himself."
Bronya: "We will teach the boy hope and about the future."
Bronya: "The boy must be given these natural privileges as a human individual."
Bronya paused.
Bronya: "…That is what St. Freya has taught the Bronya."
Silence filled the area.
Cocolia looked at Bronya for a long moment.
Cocolia: "…"
Then she smiled.
Cocolia: "Well spoken. I agree with you."
Seele's eyes widened.
Seele: 'Wha…'
She looked around.
Nothing was disappearing.
Nothing was resetting.
Seele: 'There was no… reset…'
Himeko folded her arms with a grin.
Himeko: "Bronya just passed your little test, Cocolia."
Bronya turned toward Cocolia in surprise.
Bronya: "You… you wanted to bring the boy back to St. Freya all along?"
Cocolia smiled.
Cocolia: "Of course. We're Valkyries. Valkyries of St. Freya."
She gestured toward Joachim.
Cocolia: "Alright. Bring him over here."
Himeko approached Bronya.
Himeko: "Fine words, Bronya."
Bronya lowered her head slightly.
Bronya: "Miss Himeko is too kind. The Bronya only repeated what you've taught us."
Himeko laughed.
Himeko: "And you're too polite, Bronya. Haha."
Bronya remained silent.
Bronya: "…"
Then she looked directly at Himeko.
Bronya: "It's not politeness."
Himeko's smile slowly faded.
Bronya: "The Bronya is truly grateful for what Miss Himeko has done."
Bronya: "Miss Himeko took good care of the Bronya… the Bronya must say this…"
Bronya's voice became softer.
Bronya: "Miss Himeko is an extraordinary teacher… the best the Bronya has ever met…"
Bronya: "Spasibo… thank you for what you did for all of us…"
Himeko blinked.
Himeko: "…Bronya?"
Himeko: "Why are you going all-out sentimental? You're making me blush."
She quickly turned away.
Himeko: "Alright girls. We'll head back and party like it's 1999."
Bronya gave a faint smile.
Bronya: "…Da."
Fu Hua remained silent nearby.
Fu Hua: "…"
Bronya looked toward her.
Bronya: 'The Bronya must confirm one more thing.'
Bronya approached Fu Hua.
Bronya: "Fu Hua, the Bronya has a question for you."
Fu Hua turned toward her.
Fu Hua: "What is it, Bronya?"
Bronya: "The Bronya wants to know how Fu Hua thinks of the boy."
Fu Hua glanced toward the unconscious Joachim.
Fu Hua: "I sympathise with him. I'm ashamed of what HQ has done to him."
Bronya remained quiet.
Bronya: "…"
Then she spoke again.
Bronya: "And what does the Shadow Knight think of this?"
Fu Hua's eyes widened.
Fu Hua: "…?!"
Bronya continued.
Bronya: "Overseer Otto made sure that the Bronya enrolled in St. Freya."
Fu Hua stared at her.
Then her expression became calm again.
Fu Hua: "…I knew you weren't just a student."
Fu Hua looked toward Joachim.
Fu Hua: "I don't know anything about the boy, but I won't stop you either."
Fu Hua: "We must bear the responsibilities of what we've done today."
Fu Hua: "We must guide the boy and make sure he doesn't end up as a murderous Herrscher."
Fu Hua: "If we fail, someone must step in to perform our "duties"."
Bronya nodded.
Bronya: "The Bronya understands. Spasibo, Fu Hua."
Later, Cocolia prepared the official mission report.
Cocolia: "Mission failed. We located the Argent Fox, but Anti-Entropy got ahead of us and transferred the stolen assets."
Cocolia: "Squad V tried to track them down but all leads were lost."
Cocolia: "I will bear full responsibility as the leader of this mission."
She paused before continuing.
Cocolia: "St. Freya will be admitting a transfer student, but I don't think HQ needs to know this."
Cocolia looked toward Bronya.
Cocolia: "What do you think, Bronya?"
Bronya remained expressionless.
Bronya: "The Bronya has no comments."
Cocolia smiled.
Cocolia: "We were right to bring you along."
Cocolia: "I believe in you, Bronya. You will soon become an excellent Valkyrie."
Bronya fell silent.
Bronya: "…"
Then she looked at Cocolia.
Bronya: "Spasibo, Miss Cocolia…"
Cocolia carefully picked up the unconscious boy.
Holding Joachim securely in her arms, she turned toward the shuttle.
Cocolia: "We'll take him to the shuttle."
She looked down at the sleeping boy.
Cocolia: "From this day on, this boy is free."
Suddenly, the world around Bronya began to fade.
The streets, the buildings, and the familiar faces of St. Freya slowly dissolved into particles of light.
Bronya's eyes widened.
Bronya: "…?!"
The world disappeared.
Bronya found herself standing once again in the strange space she had entered before arriving in that world.
The endless surroundings of the Sea of Quanta stretched out before her.
Project Bunny 19C stood beside her.
However, something was different.
Within Project Bunny's mechanical hand was a mysterious book.
Bronya stared at it.
Bronya: "Huh?"
She looked around the familiar yet surreal space.
Bronya: "Have we… returned?"