Irene listened to Theresa's inquiry with a gentle smile on her face. She had long anticipated that Theresa would harbor such doubts; after all, what kind of ordinary survivor possessed abilities like hers?
"Then, allow me to reintroduce myself." Irene kept her expression warm and non-threatening. "My name is Irene. And while I am indeed a survivor, I am not a survivor of this specific disaster."
"Rather, I am a survivor who drifted here from the Sea of Quanta."
The System could not conjure a valid identity for her out of thin air. Therefore, facing potential questioning regarding her background, Irene had prepared this explanation long ago.
Fortunately, the worldview of Honkai Impact 3rd contained a universal excuse perfect for this situation: the Sea of Quanta, the graveyard where countless failed worlds sank.
Furthermore, due to various anomalous causes, extremely unique 'Bubble Universes' were often born within the Sea of Quanta itself. No one could say with certainty what kind of worlds could emerge from those bubbles. Whenever something couldn't be explained clearly, blaming it on a Bubble Universe was never wrong.
If that failed, she could simply claim she came from some other failed branch of the timeline. Let alone Theresa, even if Otto Apocalypse came in person, he wouldn't be able to directly find a flaw in her statement.
Even Kevin, who was currently soaking in the Sea of Quanta, couldn't observe every region of the main world—not to mention he should currently be trapped in a Bubble Universe created for him by Su.
Perhaps the only one who could clarify this matter was Su, who constantly observed the Sea of Quanta using the Cosmic Juggernaut. However, the probability of him exposing her was practically zero.
"The Sea of Quanta..." Just as Irene expected, Theresa's eyes instantly cleared up upon hearing this term. As the Captain of the Far East Branch and an S-rank Valkyrie, she had naturally heard of research regarding this domain.
However, she had only heard of it. Compared to incomprehensible research terminology and dazzling data, Theresa definitely preferred reading Homu comics.
Fortunately, as an S-rank Valkyrie—even if she didn't care much for daily operations and often slacked off in meeting rooms—she at least knew some basic knowledge about the Sea of Quanta.
For instance, she knew the Sea of Quanta was a special region so vast its boundaries could not be detected, filled with countless floating Bubble Universes. If she recalled correctly, these were theorized to be the remnants of various worlds.
Theresa didn't know the finer details—she was just a Theresa, after all—but she managed to roughly make sense of Irene's alleged identity.
"In that case, how did you come to this world?"
"Drifting, coincidence, call it what you will." Irene shrugged. "I was originally a drifter in the Sea of Quanta. Where I end up is entirely a matter of luck."
"To save you from asking further questions, I might as well answer what you're likely wondering next, shall I?"
As she spoke, Irene fished the Pardo card from her pocket. Thanks to Yuno's manifestation earlier, the surrounding Honkai energy levels had dropped to a point where her base Honkai Resistance could handle it.
Then, under Theresa's astonished gaze, Irene transformed into the appearance of the cat-girl. Immediately afterward, Irene mentally shoved the 'controller' of the body into the cat's hands.
Irene wasn't particularly good at lying, but Pardo, who had spent years hustling in the Twilight Street, was extraordinarily proficient in this art.
Taking the 'controller', Pardo immediately began to spin a yarn based on the backstory they had concocted while Theresa was unconscious.
"The... cough... the method I just used to change my appearance is actually my combat style. I can borrow 'Echoes' belonging to my homeland to fight."
As she spoke, Pardo put on an expression that suggested the past was too painful to recall, signaling a reluctance to discuss it further. Combined with her 'airplane ears'—ears flattened sideways in distress—her cat-like face was enough to evoke pity in anyone.
Theresa, at least, bought it completely. She didn't even plan to continue questioning Irene's specific circumstances. In her mind, she quickly began to fill in the blanks based on the tidbits Irene had provided.
The other party must be a survivor from some world in the Sea of Quanta. As for changing forms or borrowing others' power to fight... I think I've seen similar plots in Homu comics. Or maybe it's a gift left behind from a certain era, similar to our Stigmata.
The only thing difficult to explain was Irene's Judah, which was completely different from hers. But this seemed to further prove that she didn't come from this world—because in this world, there was only one Oath of Judah.
Seeing Theresa deep in thought, Pardo knew from experience that the mark was already doing the mental gymnastics for her. She promptly handed the 'controller' back to Irene.
Based on her experience, stopping here was best. If she said any more, she might reveal a flaw. Say less, err less; do more, err more.
[Done, Irene-nee.]
[Thanks, Pardo.] Irene patted the cat's head in her consciousness. [Now let's see what Theresa has to say.]
[It shouldn't be that easy to believe, right?] Kallen spoke up silently at this moment. [Don't worry, I'm not objecting. Actually, I had a phase like that too.]
"Ah, I know." Irene nodded in her mind. [The Phantom Thief phase, right?]
[Eh? You know about that too?] Kallen's voice sounded a bit awkward. Although she had been quite enthusiastic about being a Phantom Thief at the time, looking back now, it felt a bit like dark history. Besides, she could have done better.
As for why Irene could interact with these consciousness entities rather than just hearing their voices, it was an ability gained after completing the mission to kill Yuno.
Palace of Consciousness, or something similar. Its function was simple: to construct a materialized domain within her mind. As for its specific uses, that perhaps depended on Irene's imagination. At least for now, she had created a tangible form for herself within her mind, allowing her to interact with Kallen and Pardo physically.
Meanwhile, Theresa reviewed everything she knew in her mind. Comparing it with what Irene had just said, she became increasingly convinced of Irene's origins.
Basically, as long as she went back and checked the database to confirm that no person matching Irene existed in this world, she could be practically certain that Irene was telling the truth.
Theresa's gaze toward Irene softened, carrying a hint of comfort and pity. Then, almost as if possessed by a strange impulse, Theresa asked, "Then... do you have a place to live?"
"No, not for the time being." Irene shook her head. For what came next, she didn't even need to hand the controller to the cat; she could handle it herself, because it was true—she really couldn't go back to her home.
"I can't go back to my home anymore. I'm just a wanderer now..." The desolation on Irene's face was even more authentic than Pardo's performance earlier.
Because at this moment, she truly could not return to her real home. She had indeed become a drifter.
"But I think I can still survive here. There are empty houses everywhere now."
Seeing this, Theresa's heart clearly ached even more. She felt that asking such a question was simply unforgivable.
She doesn't even have an identity in this world; how could she have a place to live? I absolutely cannot let this girl just live in these ruins.
"Wait a moment." Theresa's hands fidgeted slightly. "Um, you might not be able to tell, but I am the Principal of St. Freya Academy. Since you don't have a place to stay, perhaps you could come to my place?"
"Wouldn't that be inconvenient?" Irene raised an eyebrow, offering a polite refusal first. "Accepting someone like me without identification will cause trouble, won't it?"
"I possess a very important item, and seeing as you can wield Judah, you must be a person of significant weight in an organization that fights the Honkai. I don't wish to bring you trouble."
A gentle person. Hearing Irene's words, Theresa immediately slapped this label onto her. A person who would appear suddenly to save someone without complaint, and even willing to look after her until nightfall.
And now, she was even considering Theresa's circumstances, refusing an invitation that was clearly a better choice than living in ruins. This was absolutely a gentle person.
"It doesn't matter. I can handle a mere identity issue." Theresa patted her modest chest. It was just a person without ID; it wasn't like she had no means. She was the dignified Captain of the Far East Branch—how could she not manage a simple ID card? At worst, she'd just dump the task on Himeko or her secretary.
Having made up her mind, Theresa began to vigorously market her school to keep Irene. "Our St. Freya Academy is affiliated with the Far East Branch of Schicksal. I am both the Academy Principal and the Branch Captain."
"Is that the organization fighting the Honkai in this civilization?" Irene tilted her head, feigning ignorance. "Makes sense. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come alone to deal with a Pseudo-Herrscher."
"Exactly." Theresa nodded. "So my school is definitely the most suitable place for you. If you're willing to come, I can arrange for you..."
Theresa paused here. Making Irene a student was definitely impossible; Irene's combat power was sufficient to kill a Pseudo-Herrscher head-on, so she didn't need to learn anything.
As for a teacher... she didn't know if the knowledge from Irene's world was compatible with theirs. She would have to let Irene familiarize herself with everything before she could teach. That wouldn't be very convenient either, although if she really wanted to, there might be something suitable for Irene...
"I can hire you as a Combat Instructor, with the salary of an A-rank Valkyrie." After a moment of silence, Theresa suddenly emphasized for some reason, "Um, the salary will be paid on time. Absolutely on time."
With the combat power to nearly solo a Pseudo-Herrscher, rating her as A-rank should be no problem.
"Why emphasize that point?" Irene tilted her head, using the motion to hide the corner of her mouth, which she couldn't help but twitch.
"Sounds pretty good..." After feigning contemplation and doubt, Irene nodded to Theresa. "It just so happens I have nowhere else to go. Then I'll trouble you, Principal Theresa."
"Easy, easy." Theresa patted her chest and put her hands on her hips. "From now on, you're one of my people! You don't have to wander anywhere anymore."
"Mhm, I can accept that, but I have a question." Irene's face was calm, but internally she was panicking like a dog. If they asked her to be a civilian administrator, that would be fine. After all, she was a former college student; she could bluff her way through that.
But Theresa actually wanted her to be a Combat Instructor? That was a bit troublesome.
How was Irene supposed to know how to fight? Her combat methods were entirely inherited from Pardo and Kallen. And how could those two's fighting styles possibly be taught to students?
Kallen relied on the innate brute force of the Kaslana family and the binding power of Judah to form her unique combat style.
Pardo relied on her cat-like agility and... well, mostly relying on her cat-like agility and the current quantum-phase dodge ability.
Students certainly wouldn't have Judah, nor would they have the skill of quantization. Therefore, these two fighting styles simply could not be taught to students.
"My combat style... I'm afraid there's no way to teach it to students." Irene shook her head. "Perhaps I could try being a regular teacher? I should be competent in that area."
"Hmm, that works too." Hearing Irene's words, Theresa subconsciously recalled Irene's fighting style earlier. That style, which relied almost entirely on brute force, indeed seemed difficult to teach to students.
"That's also fine." Theresa nodded, then patted her clothes. She looked at her Judah, which Irene had carried up, and reached out to knock on its casing.
The outer shell of Judah slid open to the side, and a tablet popped out from within.
"Good, it's still there. I'll have someone come pick us up right away." After nodding, Theresa began using the tablet to contact someone for extraction.
Soon, a woman's voice came from the tablet. The person seemed to have been woken up by Theresa's call, her voice carrying a sense of drowsiness and languor.
"Hello? Theresa, what is it? Did you resolve things over there? Do you need a pickup? Though I didn't expect you not to screw up. I thought you'd screw up so bad I'd need to come rescue you."
"How could I possibly screw up?! Himeko, how can you slander your Principal?!" Hearing Himeko's words, Theresa jumped a little. After all, she had indeed screwed up once.
In fact, if someone hadn't saved her both times, Theresa might have screwed up twice—or rather, she would have been finished.
"Why so agitated? Did you actually screw up?" Himeko seemed to be fully awake now, thoroughly amused. "Tell me about it. I'll treat it as a bedtime story."
"What bedtime story?!" Theresa's mouth twitched. If this went on, the reliable image she had worked so hard to build in front of Irene would vanish.
Of course, if Irene could read minds right now, she would definitely say: Theresa, your image was shattered long ago. No need to worry about losing it.
"Alright, alright, no more jokes." Himeko knew not to provoke Theresa too much, otherwise she wouldn't be able to handle a strike from Judah upon return. At this moment, Himeko seemed to notice Irene, who had been standing silently behind Theresa.
"What's this? You went to deal with a Herrscher and found another survivor by the way?"
"Mm, not just a survivor." Theresa shook her head, then relayed all her speculations and the circumstances of meeting Irene to Himeko.
However, this recounting contained quite a bit of 'private goods'—for example, omitting the part where Theresa herself was careless, got poisoned again, and nearly got solo-killed.
"That's about the gist of the situation."
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