"Alright, I'll trust you this time. But remember, don't get too arrogant, or a certain senior might come and give you a 'script correction punch.'"
Thinking of how a certain man was willing to storm Anti-Entropy to steal Moonlight Throne if they didn't deliver it, Theresa feared her student might get too cocky, deviate from the script, and get a reality check from said man.
"Don't worry, Principal. You can count on me."
Wendy confidently patted her chest.
"Alright then. Get ready for tomorrow."
"Got it, Principal."
The next day...
"So, our mission is to go to Schicksal's ocean branch and bring Wendy back?"
"Exactly. Schicksal conducted human experiments on her, leaving her legs disabled. I don't want her to stay there any longer."
As she spoke, Theresa even shed a few tears for dramatic effect.
Seeing her aunt so upset, Kiana patted her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Aunt Theresa. I'll bring Wendy back safely. Even if Schicksal tries to stop us, I'll take them all down."
"Then I'll leave it to you. Don't let me down, Kiana."
As the group boarded the Hyperion, the ship took off.
Meanwhile, Wendy was still memorizing her script.
That's right—she had forgotten her lines and some crucial details.
She had memorized the script once when it was first given to her but hadn't reviewed it since. Now, she realized she'd forgotten most of it.
"Ugh, stupid brain, remember this! I don't want to eat a 'script correction punch'!"
Looking at the thick script, complete with detailed expressions and actions, Wendy felt a headache coming on.
She didn't know how she had memorized it the first time.
As time passed, Wendy only managed to memorize a third of the script.
By then, Kiana and the others had arrived.
"Wendy, come with us. We're students of Principal Theresa."
"...?"
Looking at the white-haired protagonist of Schicksal, Wendy wondered if they had the wrong mission.
Didn't they read the mission details?
She had undergone the experiment to implant the Gem of Desire, leaving her legs disabled.
And they wanted her to come with them? Were they out of their minds?
"Idiot Kiana, can't you see Wendy's legs are disabled? Did you forget why we're here to rescue her?"
Seeing Kiana's cluelessness, Bronya didn't miss the chance to mock her.
Hearing this, Kiana finally noticed Wendy's disabled legs and remembered the mission details.
She awkwardly scratched the back of her head.
"Wendy, don't mind Bronya. She's just being her usual self. I'll push your wheelchair."
"Thank you, then."
Wendy couldn't shake the feeling that Bronya's gaze was... off.
And Bronya's gaze was off. She couldn't help but notice how much Wendy resembled her Seele.
So, she projected all her guilt and longing for Seele onto Wendy.
In other words, Wendy was a stand-in.
Of course, if Seele ever returned, Bronya wouldn't choose the stand-in over the real thing.
After all, she wasn't an idiot. She was a super-genius hacker.
Somehow, Wendy felt like her happiness was about to be taken away.
"..."
Oh no! Is the future Herrscher of Truth a lesbian?
Being pushed by Bronya, Wendy felt a burning gaze on her back.
The person pushing her was the same Bronya who had given her that strange look earlier.
Wendy grew increasingly concerned for her safety.
Once this script is over, I'm staying far away from these lesbians.
As a normally developed individual, Wendy's views on love hadn't been warped.
Once outside, Kiana and the others began sneaking Wendy around, avoiding Schicksal Valkyries.
Watching them dodge every Valkyrie, Wendy couldn't help but laugh.
It felt less like they were avoiding the Valkyries and more like the Valkyries were avoiding them.
Just as they were about to escape, Theresa delivered some bad news.
"Kiana, be careful. We've received word that Schicksal's strongest S-rank Valkyrie, Durandal, is in your area.
We don't know if she's there because of any leaks, so be extra cautious."
"Huh? Schicksal's strongest S-rank Valkyrie? How strong is she?"
"She once cleared an entire city of Honkai in a month without rest. Does that give you an idea?"
"What? Then we need to plan our route better, Aunt Himeko!"
Hearing how strong Durandal was, Kiana decided to play it safe.
If she couldn't beat her now, she'd do it in the future. She believed she could surpass her.
"Leave it to me. I have a plan."
Theresa's voice brought hope to the group.
Meanwhile, Durandal arrived to play her part.
"Aunt Theresa, is it my turn to perform now?"
"Yes. Remember, destroy as many mechs as you can. Teach that old fox Cocolia a lesson."
"Don't worry, Aunt Theresa. I will."
Following Theresa's instructions, Durandal targeted the Anti-Entropy mechs.
"This strike will pierce the stars!"
In an instant, all the hidden Titan mechs were destroyed.
Meanwhile, Kiana and the others, sneaking away, felt the tremors from the battle.
"Wow, that's insane."
Seeing the massive explosion, Kiana couldn't help but gulp.
An S-rank Valkyrie truly lived up to the title, especially one known as the strongest.
She felt that if Mei had faced Durandal back then, there would've been no need for her to step in.
"Let's hurry. The Hyperion is over there."
Picking up the pace, the group rushed toward the Hyperion.
As they reached the ship's location and prepared to call it down, Bronya was controlled... again.
"Targets located: Herrscher of Thunder and the Gem of Desire carrier. Initiating capture."
"Ahhh! Bronya, you've betrayed us again! Cocolia, you wicked woman, don't let me find you!"
But Cocolia, controlling Bronya, didn't care. With a wave of her hand, she summoned the remaining Titan mechs.