Thunderclap

In a space filled with flowing light at the World Serpent headquarters.

"Reporting to the Venerable Lord,"

The heroic woman with waist-length brown hair looked at the silver-haired youth sitting on his throne, his eyes seeming to flicker with the birth and death of time, filled with reverence.

"The Third Honkai has officially descended upon Changkong City, Japan."

"Has it really been the third time?"

Hearing the brown-haired woman's words, the silver-haired youth awoke from his thoughts.

His voice was incredibly deep and hoarse, not at all like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy, but rather like an old man who had experienced countless hardships.

"The occurrence of the Honkai... is truly becoming more and more frequent..."

"However, the stage isn't set yet, and it's not time for the 'Serpent' to appear."

"Jackal, hold your position for now and await the actions of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy."

"As you command, Venerable Lord."

The brown-haired girl showed no objection to the silver-haired youth's command. She bowed slightly and exited the space.

As the woman retreated, the space fell silent once more.

The silver-haired youth looked ahead. After a long silence, he gently waved his hand, causing a screen displaying a purple-haired schoolgirl to appear before him.

"Time has passed so quickly without me realizing it..."

The youth's gaze had delved into the abyss of quantum possibilities, witnessing the rise and fall of countless civilizations.

Mere resemblance in appearance could not stir the deep pool of his heart, dormant for countless ages.

He simply remembered an old friend from the past.

"Mei... This time, I won't lose..."

"She still refuses to go to Changkong City?"

In a highly technological secret room, a person clad in a deep blue robe looked at the scene of Changkong City on a screen and asked the petite girl beside them.

Their voice seemed to have been processed by some machine, making it impossible to determine their gender.

"Yes... She believes she has failed him and doesn't know how to face him."

In response to the blue-robed mysterious person's inquiry, the girl propped her head with her arms, answering somewhat nonchalantly.

"It wasn't her fault back then, and she suffered a lot. I don't understand why she's so stubborn."

"Perhaps it's because she cares too much... that's why she blames herself for everything."

"Is that so? I'm not very clear on these things myself..."

"Oh? Is that truly the case?"

The blue-robed mysterious person's tone was somewhat teasing.

Hearing this, the girl's expression stiffened slightly, and she replied with a hint of annoyance, "You dare to joke with me now? Mr.!"

"I would not dare."

Facing the girl's questioning, Mr. chuckled and replied.

Seeing this, the girl pouted with some displeasure.

"By the way, what exactly is your plan? You've done so much over the years, what have you been planning?"

"I dare not claim to be planning. I am merely following the instructions of fate and doing what I should do."

"Fate again? Ever since that day, you've been acting all mysterious. Even I can't see through you anymore. Do you perhaps think you're the master of fate?"

"I am but a mere mortal, how could I dare to be so presumptuous."

Saying this with a hint of self-mockery, Mr. raised his right hand.

"However, after he entrusted this power to me, my eyes began to glimpse the threads of fate."

Looking at the purple rhombus-shaped mark in his palm, Mr.'s tone was somewhat melancholic.

"My actions over the years have merely been drifting with the current of fate, striving to achieve the best possible outcome."

"Tch, putting on an act!"

Saying this with some annoyance, the girl turned and left directly.

"Hey, Xuan, aren't you going to eat?"

In the convenience store of Senba Academy, Kiana asked the boy beside her while chewing on bread.

"Uh, I'm suddenly not hungry anymore..."

Standing beside the silver-haired girl, Dong Moxuan said with a strained smile.

He wasn't a paramecium, he still had an appetite for breakfast at this hour.

Besides, the convenience store bread wasn't exactly delicious, far from the cooking Mei made herself.

"What a shame, I need to eat to have the energy to work."

Kiana was truly hungry.

She had stayed up late playing games last night, almost being late today, and had no time to eat breakfast.

She had originally planned to grab something from the convenience store after class to fill her stomach, but she hadn't expected the Honkai to appear so suddenly.

"Speaking of which, Kiana, this is your third bread, and you're still not full?"

Because his heart was with Mei, Dong Moxuan was slightly impatient with Kiana's dawdling.

"You're a man, don't be so impatient."

Tossing the wrapper into the trash can, Kiana clapped her hands.

"Given the size of Changkong City, we won't be able to get out anytime soon without transportation."

"And I have a feeling this Honkai incident isn't simple, it seems like there's something behind it..."

Zzzzt...

A crackle of thunder accompanied by a purple lightning strike suddenly rang out, capturing Kiana's attention.

"Huh?! Dong Moxuan, there seems to be something on the rooftop!"

"Is... is there?"

Dong Moxuan knew it was Mei causing the commotion, but he could only play dumb at this moment.

"That feeling... Dong Moxuan, I think whatever is on the rooftop might help us find clues about this Honkai, so we..."

Kiana paused, looking at Dong Moxuan as she began to think.

However, she ultimately decided it was safer for the weak, ordinary Dong Moxuan to stay by her side, so she continued, "So, shall we go take a look together?"

"Huh? I don't think that's necessary!"

Dong Moxuan was actually a little worried about Mei's current condition, but an inexplicable urge to survive made him refuse Kiana's suggestion.

"Hmph, what are you dawdling for, a grown man? Are you scared?"

"How could I be scared? It's just that it's better to be cautious at this time."

"Stop with the excuses, are you coming or not?"

"...Fine."

Because he was too worried about Mei to let it go, Dong Moxuan thought for a moment before agreeing to Kiana's request.

He must have been overly sensitive just now. It was just meeting Mei, what danger could there be?

"Now that's more like a man!"

Kiana patted Dong Moxuan on the shoulder.

"Then let's go!"

Saying this with a cheerful expression, Kiana took Dong Moxuan's wrist and headed towards the rooftop.