"The future… I leave in your hands."
Xia Qi looked seriously at the people before her, her expression grave and solemn.
At this moment, she and Kiana's group were in St. Freya Academy's advanced laboratory.
However, there were no research personnel in the lab at the moment. Yet the space around Xia Qi was filled with various experimental detection instruments, all operated by Bronya.
Fu Hua was also present, watching Xia Qi with a serious expression.
"Haa…"
Xia Qi took a deep breath. Her violet eyes gradually brightened, lightning flickering within.
She was no longer suppressing her power. She was contemplating a possibility…
Soon, Xia Qi flipped through the figures she could transform into in her mind, quickly finding the one she wanted to become.
Bronya…
To be precise, the Herrscher of Reason, Bronya Zaychik.
In a state of extreme rationality, perhaps she could think more clearly.
Then, transform.
Right before everyone's eyes, the figure of 'Raiden Mei' suddenly vanished.
"Mei!"
Kiana cried out urgently, rushing toward the spot where Xia Qi had disappeared.
Bronya stood her ground, seriously analyzing the data that had shown a fluctuation. Everyone else was utterly astonished and bewildered, unable to understand why Xia Qi had suddenly and silently vanished.
But at that moment, they all heard a sigh near their ears…
An ethereal, clear sigh, unmistakably from a young man not yet grown, filled with helplessness.
Before they could figure out what that sound was or where it came from, they saw a figure appear instantaneously right in front of them, in the very spot where 'Raiden Mei' had been.
"…"
'Bronya,' clad in a splendid blue-and-white dress, floated gently in mid-air. Her silver-gray eyes, slightly narrowed, looked at the assembled group with a trace of confusion and incomprehension.
"Bronya?!"
Kiana stared at the 'Bronya' who had appeared before her, her eyes filled with profound shock.
"Kiana?"
'Bronya' looked at Kiana, her voice holding a note of uncertainty.
Behind her, the figure of Project Bunny materialized. However, it was completely different from the Project Bunny behind the other Bronya.
Now, transformed into the Herrscher of Reason form of Bronya, Xia Qi surveyed the people present, putting on an expression of complete bewilderment about what had happened.
"Teacher Himeko?!"
Looking at Teacher Himeko, Xia Qi's eyes widened. Then, from the massive barrels of the silver-white [Test Weapons] mounted on Project Bunny's shoulders behind her, azure beams began to shimmer.
"Wait!"
Bronya stepped forward without hesitation, frowning deeply as she looked at this version of 'herself' who had become a Herrscher.
"Do not attack, Bronya. I am the same person as you."
"Is that so? But two completely identical individuals cannot exist in the world. Who are you people? Where are the real Kiana and Mei? And… you should not impersonate Teacher Himeko!"
Xia Qi glared at Bronya and the others, her expression far more animated than Bronya's, her eyes filled with anger.
"Because you have arrived in a parallel world." Bronya explained swiftly. "Prior to this, we have already met Mei, who has become the true Herrscher of Thunder, and Kiana."
"…"
Xia Qi's brow remained furrowed.
"I have sent you a video. You can review it."
"…"
Hearing this, Xia Qi did not immediately open the data she had received. Instead, she utilized the Herrscher of Reason's ability to construct numerous detection devices, scanning the surroundings and Bronya's group.
Simultaneously, she connected to this world's network, easily accessing Schicksal and Anti-Entropy's databases. Only World Serpent's data did she refrain from probing for now. In one move, she acquired a vast amount of information.
"…"
The beams in Project Bunny's barrels gradually faded.
"Incredible."
Though Xia Qi's brow was still slightly creased, her expression had gradually calmed.
She still seemed somewhat hesitant and doubtful. But upon seeing the concern, worry, and deep confusion in the eyes of the familiar people around her, the Project Bunny behind her slowly dissipated.
"Perhaps this is an illusion. However… to see everyone still together, to see Teacher Himeko… Bronya is very glad."
Xia Qi looked at Himeko, her voice and expression perfectly composed.
"Bronya."
Himeko walked over, speaking softly to Bronya. "Welcome… to the parallel world. Or perhaps, you've returned to the past."
"Returning to the past is an impossibility." Xia Qi shook her head. Looking at the figures before her, even though she clearly remembered what had transpired earlier, after transforming into Bronya, the memories of Bronya in her mind made her look at Himeko with an overwhelming mix of joy, excitement, and sorrow.
"This… is a parallel world…"
"A parallel world, huh."
Himeko looked at Xia Qi, who was gazing up at her expressionlessly yet with deeply concealed joy and sorrow in her eyes. A trace of heartache appeared in Himeko's own gaze.
Then she reached out and pulled Xia Qi into an embrace.
"…"
Held in Himeko's arms, Xia Qi remained motionless. But after a moment's hesitation, she raised her arms and hugged Himeko back.
This move…
Made everyone sense something was off.
It seemed whether it was the previous 'Raiden Mei' or the current 'Bronya,' they both harbored a distinct, intense emotion toward Himeko that differed from their feelings toward others.
"Wait a second?!"
Theresa couldn't help but voice her anxious question directly.
"Bronya, in your world… did something happen? Why do all of you… toward Himeko… all…"
"Because I'm their teacher. And their guardian."
Himeko turned her head to look at Theresa, a very proud smile appearing on her face.
"So who else would they be close to if not me? Certainly not a little shorty like you~"
"Waaaah! Himeko, I'm being perfectly serious right now! And what are you calling me, you explosive woman?!" Theresa instantly bristled, shouting at Himeko.
But Himeko had already turned back, slightly lowering her head to look at Xia Qi. She gave a soft, meaningful blink.
"…"
Xia Qi looked at that expression, falling silent for a moment. But…
She gave a slight nod, her chin resting against Himeko's full, snow-white chest. Then, a faint blush rose to her cheeks.
"Teacher Himeko… you're squishing Bronya. Bronya… feels very warm."
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