"Hello, Miss Raiden Mei."
The next day, order had returned to St. Freya Academy. As the sound of teachers' lectures echoed through the teaching buildings once more, the campus was quiet, yet also full of vibrant noise.
Xia Qi wandered the academy alone, soaking in the tranquility and beauty, carefully observing the things that felt so intensely familiar to her, constantly trying to confirm the thoughts in her mind.
And pondering that perplexing question.
Her own existence and everyone else's existence… When this doubt arose, if she was indeed Xia Qi without error, then she must be missing something extremely important.
However, she hadn't walked for long, nor had she used this peace to think for long, before she encountered Welt.
"Hello, Teacher Welt. Leader of Anti-Entropy."
Looking at Welt, Xia Qi greeted him calmly, her tone very even.
"Hmm. It seems Miss Raiden Mei is already aware of my identity. Is it because you are from a parallel world, or the future?"
Welt held his teaching materials in his arms. He wore a thin white shirt and a grey long-sleeved jacket over it. His hair was slightly messy, and his somewhat thin, handsome face was adorned with a pair of brown-framed glasses. Overall, he looked somewhat disheveled and unremarkable.
It was hard to imagine he was the leader of Anti-Entropy.
He was also doing what he liked best at the moment.
"Yes." Xia Qi looked at Welt and spoke calmly. "Teacher Welt, I'm sorry, but I can't tell you too much about the future."
"..."
Xia Qi's bluntness took Welt somewhat by surprise.
But sensing the power within Xia Qi and her calm gaze, Welt confirmed that he truly could not learn what he wanted to know from her at this moment.
This made him feel uneasy.
Someone who had returned from the future—meaning someone who must know about him and Anti-Entropy's plans—was outside his control.
"..." Welt fell silent.
"Teacher Welt, please rest assured…" Xia Qi continued, looking at him steadily. "I am not your enemy. Neither are the others who came with me."
"Is that so."
Welt regarded Xia Qi calmly. He was certain he was no match for her. Perhaps at his peak, it might have been possible.
"Then I hope what you say is true."
Welt sighed. Before turning to leave, he asked one more question: "I suppose you know why I became aware of your arrival."
"Yes."
Xia Qi nodded. "Regarding Bronya… I can't do anything about it. That matter should be left for her to handle herself."
"Mm."
Welt didn't linger further. He headed toward the teaching buildings.
His next class was about to start; he needed to prepare.
During this time, Xia Qi didn't say anything more to him, merely watched him walk away in silence.
She thought the meaning she wanted to convey was clear enough.
She wouldn't stop him from doing anything. She knew what he wanted to do; he was acting for the benefit of the future.
Though, truth be told, Xia Qi wasn't particularly eager for Kevin to emerge right now. She wanted to take control of World Serpent herself. While that would be somewhat difficult, it wasn't impossible.
But…
Seele… needed Bronya to save her later.
Xia Qi turned and left the area, wondering when she would encounter Gray Serpent.
She also pondered when Otto would make his move against her, locking up this uncertain variable before continuing to execute his plans.
Xia Qi was certain Otto believed what she said—that she was from the future.
But a future from a parallel timeline, and…
That version of him… had not succeeded.
Xia Qi continued her stroll around the academy. A strange premonition arose in her heart; perhaps everything was about to become troublesome again. It felt as if a heavy cloud had settled over her head.
But… she should take a good look at St. Freya while she could. Such opportunities were becoming few.
Xia Qi wandered around the academy alone, looking at the familiar scenes around the campus. Her unsettled state of mind gradually calmed once more.
However, when she arrived at an area that should have been a large expanse of lush green lawn at this time, Xia Qi stopped. A look of confusion appeared in her eyes.
Because…
That green lawn had now become a construction site.
Many machines that seemed to be Anti-Entropy's Titan mechs—though unarmed and painted in yellow tones—were busily working on the vast site.
"What is this?"
She had no memory of this open space at all. In her memories, even at the very end, it remained a lush green lawn. That soft turf had attracted many Valkyries for picnics every day.
They had been there quite often themselves.
So what on earth was happening before her eyes now?
Xia Qi wondered, puzzled. But soon, she saw a figure emerge from within the construction site gates—someone who instantly dissipated her current good mood.
"Hello, student of St. Freya. It seems you are quite interested in our project."
A man holding a black umbrella in broad daylight, wearing a black hoodie and a strange mask, with only one mechanical eye and a low, raspy voice, slowly walked out.
Gray Serpent.
Xia Qi looked at this man, her expression turning ice-cold.
"I am the person in charge of Celestial Dome Construction. I'm currently overseeing the first phase of the Honkai-themed amusement park commissioned by St. Freya Academy's Principal, Theresa Apocalypse. Would you be willing to spare a little time for me to introduce this amusement park, which we will complete in one month?"
"Ah, this is merely so we can understand you, understand whether the students of St. Freya are aware of, or interested in, our plans."
"No. I have no interest in anything about you, Gray Serpent… except the Elysian Realm."
Xia Qi stared at Gray Serpent, her expression frigid.
"Better not bother me, Gray Serpent. I know you're just a mechanical prosthesis. Killing you would serve no purpose."
"Oh?"
Gray Serpent sounded somewhat surprised, his voice growing even lower and raspier. His crimson mechanical eye fixed intently on Xia Qi.
"It seems the information about you being from the 'future' is indeed accurate… Ah, no, perhaps 'parallel world' would be more fitting. A full power Herrscher from the future not under World Serpent's control… truly… a headache."
He paused.
"And, you… seem to be our enemy? Yet… you know of the Elysian Realm?"
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