Einstein was still standing near the Hyperion's equipment console when Bronya returned.
The scientist glanced up from the data displayed before her.
Einstein: "Back, Miss Zaychik? Caught up with your old friends?"
Bronya stopped.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Bronya: "…"
Einstein looked at her more carefully.
Einstein: "…?"
After a brief pause, Einstein turned toward a nearby storage case.
Einstein: "Dr. Tesla messaged us in the afternoon. She told me to give this to you."
She handed something to Bronya.
Bronya examined it.
Bronya: "What is this?"
Einstein adjusted her glasses.
Einstein: "While working on Miss Raiden's combat raiment, she read your data and made one for you as well."
She folded her arms as she recalled Tesla's message.
Einstein: "I guess she forgot about it when she boarded the Helios in haste."
Einstein gestured toward the equipment.
Einstein: "We may need to fine-tune this combat raiment. Let's take care of that now."
The following hours passed with Bronya standing before numerous diagnostic systems.
Einstein carefully monitored the combat raiment's response to Bronya's movements, combat data, and neural interface. Several adjustments were made to ensure that the equipment would properly synchronize with Bronya's body and combat capabilities.
At last, the final diagnostic screen displayed a successful result.
Einstein nodded with satisfaction.
Einstein: "That went well. The combat raiment should be ready for battle."
Bronya looked toward Einstein.
There was something else she wanted to know.
Bronya: "The Bronya wants to ask about the Sea of Quanta, Dr. Einstein."
Einstein turned away from the console.
Einstein: "What do you want to ask?"
Bronya hesitated for only a moment.
Bronya: "The Bronya read your test records when Gray Serpent hacked the Hyperion's mainframe."
Her expression became serious.
Bronya: "Our leader Welt Yang was trapped in the Sea of Quanta as a result of the experiment last year."
Einstein fell silent.
Einstein: "…"
For a brief moment, the usual confidence in her expression disappeared.
Then she spoke quietly.
Einstein: "I didn't talk about him. I didn't want to make you worried."
She looked toward the strange scenery beyond the Hyperion's windows.
Einstein: "He chose to stay there."
Bronya listened silently.
Einstein continued.
Einstein: "We tried to explore the Sea of Quanta last year."
Her expression hardened as she recalled the incident.
Einstein: "But we woke something in there. The test failed and both of us were sucked into the Eye of the Deep."
Bronya's eyes narrowed.
Bronya: "Something?"
Einstein shook her head.
Einstein: "I don't know what it was, but I'm certain that it's an enemy of humanity."
The atmosphere on the bridge grew heavier.
Einstein: "Welt helped me escape the Sea of Quanta, but he stayed behind to fight it."
Bronya lowered her gaze.
Bronya: "Did you attempt a rescue?"
Einstein's answer came immediately.
Einstein: "We couldn't. We lacked the technology for that."
She looked back toward the countless calculations on the screen.
Einstein: "Making the wrong move will only hinder him further."
Bronya remained silent.
Bronya: "…"
Einstein studied her expression.
Einstein: "Why are you asking?"
Bronya answered calmly.
Bronya: "The Bronya was only curious."
Einstein raised an eyebrow.
Einstein: "…?"
She did not appear entirely convinced.
After a moment, Einstein spoke more seriously.
Einstein: "Don't harbor any fantasies about the Sea of Quanta, Miss Zaychik. Its secrets are still beyond us."
Bronya gave a small nod.
Bronya: "The Bronya understands."
Einstein checked the latest simulation results.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Einstein: "Our simulations have located the Gem of Desire. Rest well for the night."
She looked toward Bronya.
Einstein: "We'll take action tomorrow."
Bronya did not immediately respond.
Bronya: "…"
Einstein eventually returned to her work.
Bronya remained standing beside the observation window.
Bronya: "…"
She stared into the distance.
As always, every beam of light trying to reach the depths was refracted by the constant flow.
The strange sight brought back memories.
She remembered seeing this as she left the X-10 labs in the summer 4 years ago.
The memory lingered in her mind.
Then—
A familiar voice called out to her.
Theresa: "Ah, you're here, Bronya."
Bronya turned around.
Bronya: "Principal Theresa?"
Theresa approached and stood beside her.
She had noticed Bronya's unusually quiet expression.
Theresa: "Is it about Cocolia?"
Bronya looked away.
Bronya: "…"
After a moment, she answered.
Bronya: "The Bronya met her. It was not a good meeting."
Theresa's expression became more serious.
Theresa: "Did she apologise?"
Bronya shook her head.
Bronya: "Nyet, but Rozaliya said she regretted what she had done."
Theresa was quiet for a moment.
Then she asked Bronya something more important.
Theresa: "But what do you think?"
Bronya looked toward the Sea of Quanta.
Bronya: "The Bronya does not know."
Her voice became quieter.
Bronya: "All the Bronya knew before she was 12 was how to obey and kill. Matushka delivered the Bronya from hell."
Her memories of the orphanage returned once again.
Bronya: "Matushka gave her a family, friends, and love… all that the Bronya ever wanted."
Bronya lowered her eyes.
Bronya: "The Bronya stayed in the orphanage for 2 years. It felt like home."
She stopped.
Her hands slowly tightened.
Bronya: "But…"
Theresa understood without needing Bronya to finish.
Theresa: "She did something bad to you, I guess."
Bronya remained quiet for a moment before answering.
Bronya: "The Bronya knew Matushka needed Herrschers…"
Her eyes reflected the memories she had spent years trying to bury.
Bronya: "She would do anything to create or capture Herrschers to help the orphanage survive."
Bronya's voice became firmer.
Bronya: "But the Bronya refused to harm Wendy or Mei…"
Theresa immediately turned toward her.
Her voice was firm.
Theresa: "You did nothing wrong, Bronya. You've always made the right choice."
She placed a reassuring hand on Bronya's shoulder.
Theresa: "No one should force you to go against your wishes. Her measures were terrible, too."
Bronya looked down.
Bronya: "The Bronya can't deny Matushka's love… but the Bronya can't forgive Matushka's actions."
She paused.
The conflict within her was still painfully clear.
Bronya: "The Bronya is conflicted about Matushka…"
Theresa remained silent for a moment.
Theresa: "…"
She looked out toward the Sea of Quanta alongside Bronya.
Then she finally spoke.
Theresa: "Perhaps Cocolia really loves her children. But love must be based on respect."
Bronya looked toward her.
Theresa continued.
Theresa: "She must know that children do grow up."
Bronya repeated the word quietly.
Bronya: "Respect?"
Theresa nodded.
Theresa: "Adults also experience fear and confusion when there's no answer in sight."
Her expression became unusually serious.
Theresa: "In situations like this, you must stand firm and believe in the right thing, Bronya."
Bronya listened carefully.
Theresa: "You're one of the best students of St. Freya, and a great Valkyrie warrior fighting for humanity."
Theresa smiled faintly.
Theresa: "I don't care about why you did that. The truth is that you did do all of that."
She looked directly into Bronya's eyes.
Theresa: "Believe in yourself, Bronya. You're not a child anymore."
Bronya fell silent.
Bronya: "…"
For the first time that evening, some of the weight in her expression seemed to lessen.
Then she looked at Theresa.
Bronya: "The Bronya is unaccustomed to Principal Theresa sharing words of wisdom."
Theresa immediately puffed out her cheeks.
Theresa: "Hah. Don't flatter me. Hey, wait…"
Bronya's lips curled into the faintest hint of a smile.
Bronya: "The Bronya feels much better already. The Bronya shall continue to work hard."
Theresa stared at her for a moment.
Then she smiled.
Theresa: "Alright, Bronya. I know you can do it."
Bronya gave her a respectful nod.
Bronya: "Spasibo, Principal Theresa."