Somewhere, in a dimly lit office room, a man with brown hair wearing a pair of glasses is on his laptop, currently in a video call with someone.
Man: ...And that is all I have seen here so far
???: Alright
A female voice replied as he finishes his report.
???: How's Akiri?
Man: Well, he hasn't blown his cover yet, so I guess he's doing well in the school at the moment
???: I see. Did he try contacting you yet?
Man: No. He's being cautious for now. To be honest, I think it's the right move. I feel like I'm being monitored as well, but I can't confirm it...
The man placed his fingers on his chin.
???: As long as he doesn't do anything reckless like use his powers, he should be fine. And speaking about his powers...
The person trails off as the screen changes to an x-ray scan of someone's body. A blue dot is seen near where the heart is. At the sides of the screen, are different kinds of data being shown.
???: Take a look at this. We've recently detected something peculiar from his core
Man: What is it?
The man was intrigued as he looks closely at the screen.
???: His core is radiating an unusual energy signature. This is the first time something like this ever happened
Man: He might be pushing his powers again
???: No, this is something else. Based on the readings, the core seems like it's growing. Maybe the more accurate term, it's evolving
The man looks back at the person with a surprised look.
Man: What?
???: Yes. I'm speculating that the core is reacting to his body. More specifically, his Stigmata
Man: Really...?
???: However, there's nothing we can do about it. He's with you now all the way at St. Freya. We have to bring him back to my lab if we want to observe the changes in more detail
Man: I guess so. We should keep monitoring the core however we can for now
???: Very well. I think that is all. Remember to send the intel later
Man: I know
???: And also, I think it's time to bring him in. I figured he would want to know what's going on by now
Man: Right. I'll call him in next time
The person on the screen nodded.
???: See you soon, Mr. Welt
With that, the communication cuts off, and the man closes his laptop and released a sigh.
(A few days later)
Akiri: This goes in like this...
Currently, Akiri is seen alone in his room, already dressed in his school uniform. The room is dimly lit as he had closed the window curtain shut. Only a small lamp illuminates the room just enough so that it is not completely dark.
He is sitting on the floor with his legs crossed as he is reassembling a handgun which he had borrowed from the school's armoury.
After he finished reassembling all of the parts, he finishes by disengaging the slide lock and the slide snapped to the forward position. He then puts the empty magazine back into the weapon.
Akiri: Alright. Let's do this...
He mumbled as he closed his eyes shut and held up a hand forward.
Akiri: Analyzing basic structure...
He mutters as he reaches down and touched the weapon with his hand. Blue glowing lines started to appear, slowly growing from his hand until it covers the pistol entirely.
Akiri: Analyzing component materials...
The lines started to glow brighter for a few seconds before going dim.
Akiri: Material composition analyzed
He took a deep breath and exhaled as he lets go of the weapon and the blue lines disappears.
Akiri: Beginning projection
He held out his hand again and grips his fingers as if he is holding a pistol. A moment later, faint glowing blue lines started appearing in his hand, tracing the outlines of the same handgun that is on the floor.
He started to sweat, and his breathing started to slowly get heavier as he is straining himself more and more, trying to use his Herrscher powers.
The blue lines kept expanding, tracing the shapes of the gun's internals. He precisely constructs every piece of components and mechanism until it fully becomes the shape of the pistol.
After that, metal parts started appearing, seemingly out of thin air, slowly filling the shape. However, halfway, it suddenly stopped.
Akiri: Ugh!
He exclaimed as he quickly clutched his chest in pain, and the projection disappears in an instant.
Both of his hands fell to the floor to support him from falling over and he then took a moment taking deep breaths.
Akiri: Damn it...
After a few breaths, he had recovered and he releases a sigh.
Akiri: I still can't do it...
He recalls his time back at Anti-Entropy's base.
(Flashback)
The boy is seen on the ground breathing heavily just like earlier as he clutches his chest tightly in pain.
??? #1: Just stop, Akiri
Someone said in front of him. It is a shorter than average woman with blue hair and blue eyes, wearing a white lab coat.
??? #1: You only have only a fraction of the power Welt has. You're limited to only strengthening and weakening molecular structures
Akiri: No. I can do it... I know I can...
??? #2: Are you an idiot?
Another person said to him. A woman with red hair with a pair of glasses, wearing a white lab coat.
??? #2: We already told you that you can't. If you push yourself more than this, it could risk overloading your core
Akiri: Even so... I have to try
He said before walking up to the table and he lifts up his arm as he started to project the weapon once again.
??? #2: You idiot! Don't you understand a word I just said?!
She shouted as she walks up to him, but the blue-haired woman then grabbed her arm to stop her.
??? #1: Just leave him alone
??? #2: But-
??? #1: All he's doing is tiring himself. He'll stop once he gets exhausted
She said as she turns around and walk away without another word.
The red-haired woman just let out a sigh as followed her colleague and they exited the room, leaving Akiri to himself.
(Flashback over)
Akiri: ...I still need to get stronger
His mind wanders back to what happened at Nagazora city. He thinks back to his encounter with the 3rd Herrscher.
He thought back to the aftermath of the battle. The sheer power of the Herrscher was unlike anything he had ever seen before.
An entire city was reduced to rubble by a single being. And that was from a Herrscher that had just awakened, yet to show her true potential.
Akiri lets out another sigh before taking the gun and placing back it into its case. He slides the metal case under his bed and he got up on his feet and fixed his slightly wrinkled clothes.
He then stretches his whole body with a yawn.
Akiri is then startled when he heard someone loudly knocking on the door.
???: Hey! Watcha doing so long in there?! We're going to be late!
He heard Kiana shouting from behind the door.
Akiri: S-sorry, I'm coming!
Kiana: Hurry up or we're leaving without you!
He heard her walking away from the door as he then quickly made his way outside the main entrance of the dormitory building where the girls are waiting for him.
Mei: It's unusual for you to be late, Akiri-kun
Akiri: Sorry. I got caught up with something
After he gave his excuse, the four of them briefly made their way to the training arena as they have combat classes in the morning for today
(Timeskip)
Morning training went on as normal without any complications.
After lunch break, Akiri is now sitting quietly in class.
Himeko: What is the unit for measuring Honkai Energy output?
Girl: Honkai Welts
One of the girls answered with a hand up.
Himeko: Good
Standing in front of the room, Major Himeko is teaching them, mostly revising them on topics that are previously learnt, in preparations for the upcoming exams.
Himeko: And how much exposure to Honkai Energy is needed for a regular human to undergo zombification?
Girl: Ten Honkai Welts and above
Another student gave a quick answer.
Himeko: Correct
As she continues her lecture, the boy let out a yawn, completely bored of the subject being taught as he is already well versed in it.
Looking at his classmates, the majority of them are paying close attention to the lecture. Mei is attentively taking notes while Bronya chooses to only listen. Kiana meanwhile, had her head on her table with her eyes closed. A bit of drool could be seen from her lips as she peacefully sleeps in the middle of class.
Rolling his eyes, Akiri then rests his head on the table, looking towards the window as he released a long breath. He spent the rest of the class not really focusing on the lessons as he is too tired to care about it.
(Timeskip)
The ringing of the bell signals the end of classes for the day. Numerous students are seen around the campus with most of them heading to the dormitory building, while some are still hanging around the campus.
Akiri, Mei, Bronya and Kiana are now seen walking together along the halls of the school building as they had just exited the classroom.
Mei: That was so much to take in, wasn't it?
Mei spoke out as she hung her head exhausted and let out a tired sigh.
As the day of the exams is getting nearer, the teachers of the academy had started to intensify their lectures and revisions. And the amount of homework being given to the students have been more than tripled since.
Combat classes had been more brutal as well. However, all training sessions will be halted three days prior before the exam starts to give students ample time to rest.
Akiri: The teachers are really cramming in whatever they can now... All of those formulas are burned into my retinas now...
He complained as the last period for the day was his least favourite; mathematics.
Akiri: My head feels like it would explode if I had to remember another math formula. Which I will probably never use for the rest of my life
Mei: It's just a few days left until the exam starts, so I guess it makes sense why they're pushing us so hard
Akiri: Almost too hard. It's stressing me out more than anything
Mei: I can agree to that. How about you, Kiana-chan?
Kiana: Hm? Oh yeah, I'm totally fine! Nothing I can't handle
She said with confidence, despite the fact that she was asleep the entire time.
As they walked out of the main building, Akiri stopped and looked at the girls.
Akiri: I'll be going to the teacher's office. So you guys go on ahead
Mei: Oh yeah. You got called by Mr. Welt yesterday, right?
Akiri: Yeah. He wanted me to come to his office after school today
Kiana: You probably got in trouble for something. Even I never got called by a teacher
Akiri just rolls his eyes as Kiana started laughing.
Bronya: The Bronya sense confliction in that statement. Subject Kiana has been called to the principal's office many times before
Her face went red out of embarrassment and she started stuttering.
Kiana: T-that's different! Aunt Theresa isn't a teacher!
Akiri: Well, I'll be on my way then
After excusing himself with Mei and the others, Akiri quietly made his way towards the direction of the teacher's lounge as the day before, he was instructed by his history teacher to meet him in his office.
A few minutes of walking later, he found himself standing in front of a fancily carved wooden door. He took a breath before going to give the door a few firm knocks.
???: You may come in
A male voice answered from inside, and Akiri opened the door and entered the room. He took a brief moment to look around the office. Bookshelves fill the left and right sides of the office, with a wooden desk at the far side of the room and a window behind it.
Akiri: Mr. Welt. It's been a while
Standing in front of the neatly organized desk, is a man with brown hair, with matching brown eyes. A long coat is worn over his white dress shirt, which is neatly tucked in his grey coloured pants. This is the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy, undercover as a history teacher, Welt Yang.
Welt: Indeed. How have you been?
Akiri: The same as usual, I guess
Welt: That's good to hear. Have a seat
He said as he gestures to a single chair in front of his desk and Akiri went to sit down. The man then went to close the curtains shut, blocking the window completely as a precaution. The room is now lit by the lamps above as Welt went and sat at his desk before opening his laptop and started to key in a password.
Akiri: So, when I heard that you were gone on a secret mission, I didn't expect you to be here of all places
Welt: I wasn't expecting it either. However, there is something crucial to our plans located here
Akiri: Huh?
Welt: I'm contacting Salt Lake base right now
A holographic screen then appears in front of the boy, however, it isn't displaying anything at the moment. Welt keys in a few more things until the screen changes to display the face of a young-looking woman with short blue hair with similar-coloured eyes. Dr. Lieserl Albert Einstein.
Einstein: Akiri. It's good to see that you're okay
Akiri: Hey, Eins. It's good to see you too
He then leaned a bit closer to the screen, seemingly looking for something or rather someone.
Akiri: Tes isn't here?
Einstein: She's busy with something. She won't be joining us today
Akiri: Oh
Einstein: I've already heard everything from Mr. Welt. The 3rd Herrscher is contained, yes?
Akiri gave a firm nod.
Akiri: For now, at least. I don't think she'll awaken again unless provoked
Einstein: I see
Akiri: Also, I'm assuming you've heard of the other students who transferred here the same time I did. And the fact that the 3rd Herrscher is Mr. Ryoma's daughter. And Siegfried's daughter, she's here too
Einstein: Yes, I've been informed of that as well
Akiri nodded again before putting on a serious face.
Akiri: Also, another thing. What was Bronya Zaychik doing in Nagazora?
Einstein: That was a surprise for me as well
Akiri: So you don't know either, huh? Seems like Cocolia is planning something behind our backs
Einstein: It seems so. However, there's no way to be sure unless we confront her directly
Akiri then looked at Welt.
Akiri: Why don't you just get back to being the Sovereign? You can easily stop whatever she's planning
Welt: I still have unfinished business to tend to. We just have to keep a close eye on her from now on and figure out what her scheme is
Welt said, and the others nodded in response. There is a brief moment of silence before Einstein decided to speak out, continuing their discussion.
Einstein: Mr. Welt, any progress on your mission?
Welt: There is. I'm transmitting you the intel now
He said as he plugs in a USB Drive into the slot on his laptop and proceeds to type some more on the keyboard.
Einstein: Transmission successful. Thank you
Akiri: Intel? What did you just send?
Welt: The layout of the academy. Including the entrance to the basement and everything required to access it
Einstein: With this, the necessary preparations are complete. We can move on to the next phase of the plan
Akiri: Plan? What plan?
He asked, looking at his two superiors, genuinely confused about what was going on as he was kept in the dark.
Akiri: Mind telling me what it is?
He looks at the two of them again, however, neither of them answered.
Akiri: Great. Looks like everyone is keeping secrets now, huh?
Welt: You shouldn't worry about that. When the time comes, I will explain everything
Akiri just let out a sigh, knowing that whatever he does, it's their decision whether or not to tell him whatever they're planning.
Akiri: Fine, whatever you say
He then looks back at Einstein.
Akiri: So, what do I do now? I kinda got enrolled here as a student, so there's no way I could just go back to home base
Einstein: I think that could play in our favour. We have no immediate need for you right now. So for the time being, you should just live out your days there as a student there. I'll contact you should need be. Understood?
Akiri: Yes, ma'am
As he said that, a beeping noise can be heard coming from his wristwatch.
Akiri: Curfew's starting soon. I should get going
He said as he got up on his feet.
Welt: I'll see you in tomorrow's class. And good luck on the upcoming Valkyrie Trials
With that, Akiri excuses himself and walked out of the office, leaving Welt alone, still in a video call with Einstein.
Einstein: You know, I'm starting to have doubts whether or not you'll tell him the truth
She spoke out, breaking the silence.
Welt: About what?
Einstein: About Siberia. And about his friend, Sirin
Welt flinched for a split second, hearing the name before regaining his composure.
Welt: ...Now is not the right time
Einstein: Then, when? When is the right time?
She asked the man, who seems to be having trouble answering as he only stayed tight-lipped.
Einstein: He'll find out eventually, one way or another. And when he does, how do you think he'll react? That we've been lying to him all this time
Once again, Welt Yang wasn't able to answer, and another moment of silence ensues for the two of them until Einstein let out a sigh.
Einstein: Give me some time to prepare. Once everything's ready, I'll contact you
The man only nodded as the communication between the two was cut off, leaving the man to his own thoughts.