"Seele... is dead." As the screen ended, Bronya stood quietly.
Unlike the train crew's cheerfulness, after witnessing the scene of their companion's death, the not-yet-matured Kiana and Mei were momentarily stunned in place.
Although they didn't know who Seele was, seeing Bronya's expression, they knew she must be very important to Bronya.
Moreover, at the end of the screen...
"Will Bronya... die at the hands of Anti-Entropy's Sovereign?" Kiana looked at the girl before her who often opposed her and constantly tried to compete with her for Mei, not knowing how to speak.
Although she would occasionally say she disliked her, deep down she had long considered Bronya an intimate close friend.
At this moment, an unprecedented sense of crisis weighed on Kiana's heart. She clenched her fists and silently gritted her teeth.
She had to become stronger. She absolutely had to become stronger - strong enough to protect everyone.
Kiana had always had a certain confidence in her strength. She believed that as long as she was willing to work hard, there would definitely be results.
And indeed, this was the case. In fact, if not for Schicksal's somewhat strict cultural requirements for Valkyries, with her strength she would have already met the standards of an A-rank Valkyrie.
In the entire St. Freya Academy, those who could surpass a serious Kiana in actual combat could basically be counted on one hand.
But this wasn't enough - nowhere near enough.
A long period of comfortable living had worn down Kiana's edge, and her originally clever mind had almost stopped working under the care of Mei, her external brain.
But at this moment, the news of Bronya's death was like throwing a stone into a calm lake. Though small, the ripples it created couldn't settle for a long time.
"Kiana, Dad believes you can definitely become an excellent warrior and walk your own path."
Her stinky dad's words before his disappearance echoed in her ears. The long-absent sense of urgency appeared again, and Kiana's gaze changed.
"Mei, can you accompany me for extra training when we get back?"
"Kiana..." Looking at the familiar girl before her, Mei felt both relieved and somewhat worried.
Gentle, intelligent, full of determination - Mei was very familiar with this gaze. It was the owner of these eyes who had taken her hand and led her out of darkness.
This was Kiana's original appearance. Originally... she had thought so.
But after entering St. Freya Academy, Mei discovered she was wrong - very wrong.
Kiana was actually a child who was very afraid of loneliness. She was thoughtful and always brought light to everyone like sunshine, but... there was a huge void in her heart.
When making toast pizza, when playing in the snow in winter, when everyone took photos together - from time to time, Kiana would become somewhat melancholic. Although it was only for a brief moment, everyone had long noticed.
So when Kiana began to gradually become more naturally airheaded, Mei was actually very happy.
Kiana was her angel, the most important person in her life. She didn't want her to suffer any harm. If possible, she hoped such peaceful daily life could continue forever.
But this didn't mean Mei planned to stop her.
"I understand. When the time comes, Kiana, you better not complain." Mei chuckled softly and patted Kiana's head. For Kiana's sake, she was willing to do anything.
"Bronya, let's become stronger together." She came to Bronya's side and extended her hand, waiting for the girl's response.
However, the content revealed in the screen seemed too shocking, so much so that even the usually calmest Bronya hadn't recovered from it yet.
"Seele..."
She kept muttering a name, her pale complexion making people worry she might faint on the spot.
"...Bronya."
Kiana looked at the girl before her and was about to say some comforting words when suddenly Bronya seemed to notice something.
"Wait." Her scattered gaze focused again, her crashed brain rapidly operating. Bronya recalled the previous screen with all her might and finally discovered some subtle problems in the corners of the dialogue.
"The timeline is wrong. This is the Sea of Quanta."
Bronya decisively made her judgment.
The girl in the screen was definitely her future self - Bronya could be 100% certain of this after the sensory sharing.
The worry for Seele, the complex feelings toward Anti-Entropy, and most importantly, the delayed effect inherent in emotions simulated by biochips.
To achieve all these conditions, even searching through all the world bubbles in the Sea of Quanta, it would be difficult for any version of herself to gather them all.
After understanding this point, Bronya felt much more relaxed.
This represented one thing - she would really be able to find Seele in the near future. For Bronya, nothing could make her happier than confirming this point.
"So... so?" Kiana tilted her head, somewhat confused.
"So, idiot Kiana, you're right." Bronya adjusted her state and then also extended her hand. "Let us become stronger together."
Anti-Entropy's Sovereign? Never mind just a fake from a world bubble - as long as she could save Seele, even if it were the real Sovereign, she, Bronya, would fight without hesitation!
[Settlement completed. Rewards amplified or punishments weakened proportionally based on contribution to prerequisite tasks]
[Herrscher of the Void Subjugation Battle: Train Crew 90%, St. Freya Academy 10%]
[Congratulations! Through the efforts of all train crew members, the task score reached S-rank. As a reward, Dan Heng's punishment is canceled]
[St. Freya Academy did not participate in the task, so the reward of removing backdoor code from biochips cannot be amplified]
"Ah, this..." Looking at the notice that popped up on the panel before her, Kiana found it hard to keep a straight face.
What did they mean "St. Freya Academy did not participate in the task"?
This broken gap had scattered everyone so far apart from the beginning that just gathering took considerable time. By the time they reached the battlefield, the fight was already over. How could they be blamed for this?
"It's fine, Kiana. Bronya is already very satisfied with just this basic reward." Looking at the white-haired dumpling who was about to argue for her, Bronya shook her head and refused.
There were some things Kiana and Mei didn't understand, but Bronya knew what this backdoor was for, so this was good enough.
However... this place really was becoming more and more like a game.
Scanning the notice before her, Bronya found it increasingly familiar.
Wasn't this just the setting of traditional role-playing games?
A group of people competing for one boss in the same dungeon, then determining rewards based on contribution and final kill.
Could it be that more people would join later?
Looking around this empty white space, Bronya couldn't help but think.
She walked forward, planning to exchange some intelligence with that so-called train crew, and then...
Accompanied by a slight feeling of dizziness, the next moment they were already back in their dormitory.