At the intersection, Gwen, carrying groceries and preparing to head home, naturally saw Theresa's group as well.
Through Theresa's conspicuous stature and the photos he had once seen from Rita, Gwen immediately confirmed Theresa's identity.
I Fight Fu Hua?
Over the past year or so, although Gwen had never met Theresa, his impression of this character—who had been portrayed rather poorly in the game due to retaining some Honkai Impact 2 settings early on and the disconnect between the early and later plotlines—had improved considerably—
The two adorable little boy and girl from before had both grown up. Although Rita was pleased by their growth, she could not help missing Theresa, who seemed as though she would never pass her expiration date.
From the stories Rita casually mentioned about Theresa, Gwen had also come to understand the principal better.
Leaving everything else aside, Theresa's dedication to watching over her students' growth and mediating and stopping campus bullying was already enough to completely win over Gwen, who had seen too many schools turn a blind eye or cover things up, and had even suffered subtle bullying himself.
However, Gwen also knew that this was not a good time to get acquainted with Theresa—
Whether Gwen wanted it or not, Otto had already played him as a piece on the board, using the "Caslana family card."
Under those circumstances, Gwen could not be sure whether Theresa, Siegfried's friend and his late wife's close friend, would see him as one of Otto's lackeys—
Gwen might have a favorable impression of Theresa, but he would not naïvely treat her as one of his own from the start.
And before confirming that he had escaped Otto's surveillance, Gwen could not tell Theresa about his suspicions and true thoughts, much less explain everything in detail.
So, Gwen had no motivation to run over, introduce himself to Theresa, and build a connection.
Meanwhile, Theresa, standing before the dormitory building, watched Gwen glance in their direction before continuing on his way like any other passerby. Her foot, which had been about to step forward, stopped in midair. She looked back at the students behind her and ultimately gave up on getting to know Gwen right away.
Although Gwen was one of Theresa's reasons for coming to headquarters, she had not forgotten that her group also contained the troublesome child Wuse Huohuo, whom she needed to keep an eye on.
Fu Hua, who blended into the St. Freya Academy group so inconspicuously, gently adjusted the plain glasses on her nose. White light reflected off the lenses, concealing her gaze.
Gwen's attention had been on Theresa just then, so he had not seen Fu Hua, who was hidden behind the others. Fu Hua, however, took the opportunity to observe Gwen.
Otto had already sent her most of Gwen's information, far more detailed than what Anna had received back then, giving Fu Hua a considerable understanding of this student.
Just now, although Fu Hua had only looked at Gwen from afar, she gave a slight nod inwardly—
There was no trace of arrogance about him. Instead, he seemed exceptionally steady and composed, with not the slightest pride or complacency over his current achievements. That made Fu Hua relax a little.
For one thing, Fu Hua knew she was not good at dealing with people. If Gwen had been that sort of person, completing her mission might have become much more difficult.
For another, while someone with that personality was not as suitable as a pure-hearted child, they were still far more suited to cultivating Tai Xu Sword Qi than an arrogant, self-satisfied person.
Besides Fu Hua and Theresa, the Valkyries in the group naturally all saw Gwen pass through the intersection ahead with their sharp eyes and ears.
However, unlike those two, who were both preoccupied with their thoughts, the students' conversation was much more girlish—
"Woohoo, so this is headquarters? We ran into such a high-quality handsome guy the moment we got here!"
"Stop acting horny here. You're making it sound like you've never seen a man before..."
"Didn't your heart skip a beat too?"
"Don't you think that guy just now looked familiar?"
"Familiar?"
"Yeah...
Don't you think he looks like the person in that photo..."
"Huh?
He really does!"
"That photo... could it be... the person just now was Gwen, the one famous throughout Destiny for reaching A-rank in just over a year?"
Thanks to the relaxed environment at St. Freya Academy, these Valkyries and trainees could discuss such topics like ordinary people their age.
Of course, with Theresa right in front of them, they only whispered among themselves in little groups.
And not everyone joined the discussion, such as the rigid Fu Hua and the cold-tempered Wuse Huohuo following behind her.
Moreover, no one noticed the inexplicable look that flashed across Wuse Huohuo's cold, pretty face at the very end of the group.
"Alright, quiet down. If you want to chat, do it when we get to the dorms."
Theresa spoke up to stop the students and subordinates who gave her no peace of mind, then led them into the dormitory building.
Elsewhere, Gwen carried a bag of groceries and another bag of snacks home, putting them into the refrigerator. Then a thought suddenly surfaced in his mind—
"If Theresa is leading the group, then the people behind her should be the Far East Branch members here for further training.
Considering that the Third Honkai Eruption in Changkong City isn't far off, Fu Hua should have already begun her undercover work at St. Freya Academy...
Could this training program have been arranged by Otto just to transfer Fu Hua back for a while without making Theresa suspicious?"
Gwen still remembered that there were only two ways to fully activate the Key of Domination: activating the Hyper-Mutation Factor or cultivating the Intent Resonance of Tai Xu Sword Qi.
Without the Hyper-Mutation Factor, activating the Key of Domination required cultivating Tai Xu Sword Qi.
And in this world, only Fu Hua and Li Sushang still knew Tai Xu Sword Qi.
The latter was one of Otto's trump cards and would not be deployed lightly. The only person Otto could invite to teach Gwen was Fu Hua.
Just as Gwen finished putting everything into the refrigerator, the Destiny terminal in his pocket suddenly rang with its familiar tone, notifying him that he had an important message.
He took out the terminal and glanced at it. Just as expected...
Otto had sent a message saying that the teacher capable of instructing him in the use of the Key of Domination had arrived at Destiny Headquarters. Gwen was to prepare to receive instruction tomorrow. Otto had also sent him a file.
When he opened the file, the first thing he saw was a half-body photo of a gray-haired, blue-eyed Valkyrie.
If the similar yet somewhat different appearances between the two-dimensional world and reality had not been enough for Gwen to confirm Fu Hua's identity, then the name beside the photo completely confirmed his suspicions—
Fu Hua, descendant of a mysterious martial arts family from the Divine Land, came to study at St. Freya Academy in order to better fight the Honkai...
After briefly scanning the fabricated identity Otto had prepared for Fu Hua, Gwen closed the file and began considering how he should face Fu Hua.
By Gwen's personal judgment, Fu Hua was a good person.
But in this era, before Otto had put a bullet through Fu Hua's head, Gwen could not trust her when he could not confirm whether he too was within Fu Hua's surveillance range.
Just like with Rita, although they had become very good friends, he still had to remain somewhat guarded...
With a silent sigh, Gwen looked at the refrigerator that had been filled again and pretended to agonize over what to eat for lunch because his usual dining companions were all out on missions.
Meanwhile, in the Sea of Quantum, Kevin saw Fu Hua's photo through their shared vision. Information World Serpent had passed on to him about Fu Hua surfaced in his mind.
Recalling Fu Hua's experiences detailed in that intelligence, Kevin also let out a quiet sigh...
Theresa: Is the End of the World Coming?
Destiny Headquarters naturally made proper arrangements and provided appropriate guidance for trainees who came from the various branches for further training.
However, headquarters was also short-staffed, so even Gwen, who had only recently been promoted to A-rank, was assigned a task. Together with several veteran B-ranks, he was responsible for the trainees from the Far East Branch.
Based on their preferred combat styles, Gwen and the others divided the trainees into simple groups, with each person responsible for combat instruction for two or three trainees.
Fu Hua's name happened to be on Gwen's instruction list.
Even though Gwen had already been mentally prepared when he saw the result, he could not help complaining inwardly—
"Huh? I'm teaching Fu Hua?"
After spending an hour guiding the other two trainees, Gwen finally called Fu Hua into the virtual training room.
As the doors closed, only Gwen and Fu Hua remained inside the virtual training room.
Gwen did not bother with any unnecessary theatrics. As soon as the doors shut, he extended his hand toward Fu Hua.
"Hello, Fu Hua. I'm Gwen. Please guide me from here on."
"Hello, Gwen. There's no need to talk about guidance. Let's work hard together and improve together."
Fu Hua shook Gwen's hand. Her azure eyes subtly appraised him as she gave a slight nod.
"Mm... should we start with theory, or?"
After briefly introducing themselves, Gwen did not say much else and went straight to the point.
"Don't worry. Learning Tai Xu Sword Qi isn't that complicated.
And although I've received some of your information, there are still things I need to personally verify before I can feel at ease...
Don't be nervous. They're only some simple tests, not even as difficult as your usual training."
Seeing Gwen's solemn expression, as though he were ready to charge straight onto a battlefield at any moment, Fu Hua revealed a gentle smile. The Feather of Dust in her sleeve flickered faintly, and invisible spiritual ripples spread out, soothing Gwen's mind.
Gwen did not resist, instead calming his mind.
"Wait a moment. I'll adjust the environment. It may be of some help."
Feeling Gwen's mind swiftly return to a state as calm as still water, Fu Hua nodded slightly. As she spoke, she turned and walked toward the virtual training room's control panel. After making a series of selections, she opened a special database and chose a simulated environment.
"Let's go..."
Fu Hua beckoned, leading Gwen into the virtual space that had simulated the lush, verdant Mount Tai Xu...
While Gwen's side began its teaching session, neither tense nor exciting, the atmosphere in the bishop's office elsewhere was so grave that it seemed water could drip from it.
Before the desk, the tiny Theresa sat upright in a chair elevated by several books, projecting an imposing aura. Her little face was tense and serious as she fixed her eyes on Otto across from her.
Facing Theresa's stare, Otto merely smiled at the girl who remained much shorter than him even with her chair raised, like a kindly elder looking at a child throwing a tantrum.
From the moment Theresa entered this office that morning, the grandfather and granddaughter had been staring at each other like this until now.
"Grandpa!"
In the end, Theresa could no longer maintain the serious expression on her little face and spoke first.
"Are you plotting something again?"
Opening with a wildly unfilial accusation, Theresa puffed out her chest and tried to make herself seem more imposing, hoping to make her grandfather confess leniently.
Yet Otto only found the smile in his eyes deepening as he looked at her. A deliberately wounded expression appeared on his handsome face.
"Theresa, do you really see Grandpa as someone who only schemes and plots?"
"..."
Theresa really wanted to say that he was, but after hesitating and remembering that she still had something to ask of him, she decided to leave her grandfather some dignity. She merely stared at Otto expressionlessly, her meaning perfectly clear.
"Ha ha..."
Only after Theresa stared at him for quite some time did Otto put away his affected expression and say with a smile,
"It seems little Theresa has grown during her time at the Far East Branch. But this time, you've misunderstood Grandpa..."
As he spoke, Otto turned around and performed a few simple operations on his computer. The printer beside him immediately began operating, printing out a document.
"Here, have a look, little Theresa.
Grandpa believes that after reading it, you'll understand Grandpa."
Pinching the A4 sheet containing intelligence that could be considered top secret to this world between two fingers, Otto solemnly handed it to Theresa across from him.
"..."
Theresa said nothing and merely accepted the document.
However, after only one glance, Theresa's sapphire eyes widened slightly. Her little mouth parted, and an incredulous expression appeared on her face.
Her previously indifferent gaze instantly sharpened. Theresa sat up straight and carefully read the document with a tense little face.
Across from Theresa, Otto nodded inwardly, fairly satisfied with her reaction—
At least she had not dismissed it simply because she suspected it was one of his schemes.
There was not much information on the page, yet Theresa spent a full five minutes reading it before slowly closing her eyes. From the ever-changing expressions on her face, it was clear just how turbulent her emotions were.
A moment later, Theresa opened her eyes. Her expression had returned to normal, but it was still utterly solemn as she looked straight at Otto and slowly asked,
"Grandpa, can you guarantee that everything in here is true?"
As she spoke, Theresa lightly waved the sheet in her hand and stared intently at Otto, as if trying to find signs of deceit on the face of the grandfather she had once admired most.
However, deceiving Theresa was far too easy for Otto, and besides, the information on that page was all true—
"Grandpa can guarantee it, little Theresa. Everything you just saw is completely true."
Before you continue