Return Journey

"Damn Fusion Warrior, you think you can resist the Honkai just by killing me? Hahahaha..."

The man, encased in white and blue armor, grinned menacingly as he was reduced to ashes by a giant sword...

"Ah!" Sheng Jiu woke up from his nightmare, drenched in cold sweat.

"You're awake?" A familiar voice came from beside his ear.

Hearing Kiana's voice, Sheng Jiu's senses slowly began to function. First, he felt himself leaning against something soft, with a texture remarkably like a cushion. Then, the faint, pleasant scent emanating from the "cushion" made Sheng Jiu realize he was being carried on Kiana's back.

"...How long was I asleep?"

"About an hour. You've been on my back for an hour, you should feel honored!" Kiana, carrying Sheng Jiu, spoke ungraciously, but didn't actually push him off.

Sheng Jiu tried to muster the strength to support himself, but the feeling of weakness that coursed through his body ultimately made him obediently lean back against Kiana's shoulders.

"...I'm sorry, for always causing you trouble..."

"...It's okay, you just rest well. I... I'm here!"

Leaning against Kiana's back, Sheng Jiu felt an inexplicable sense of peace and drifted back into a deep sleep...

"Kiana, can you still manage? Want me to take over?" Theresa asked, looking at the sleeping Sheng Jiu with concern.

"It's fine, Auntie. He looks heavy, but he's actually really light~" Kiana smiled faintly.

Under Theresa's lead, the two returned to Schicksal's outer defense line without any major incidents.

Upon learning that Sheng Jiu and Kiana had slipped out of the defense line without being recognized by any guards, Vena and the other generals marveled at their courage. Escorted by the Hyperion, the three quickly returned to St. Freya Academy.

The moment they returned to St. Freya Academy, Sheng Jiu was sent to the emergency room again.

"...Seriously, do you guys have to do this? Experimenting on me when I'm this weak..."

"Ahem, student Sheng Jiu, we need to administer the anti-Honkai serum and conduct various physical examinations. Please cooperate. Thank you for your understanding. You are contributing to the entire human world right now."

A young doctor with short brown hair approached Sheng Jiu, holding a syringe thicker than Sheng Jiu's forearm...

Meanwhile, in the Headmaster's office.

"Anyway, this mark appeared on my back. I think it's the legendary natural Stigmata."

Theresa lifted her shirt to show Himeko the mark on her back. Himeko marveled, "It seems your trip was a blessing in disguise. With this Stigmata, your strength will surely reach new heights."

Theresa looked back at the grinning Himeko with worry, "I really wish you were the one who got this Stigmata, Himeko. You know, your body already..."

"Alright, alright, stop. If it's fate, it's fate. I believe heaven will give me a suitable outcome." Himeko leaned lazily against the wall, looking out the window.

Sunlight streamed through the bright windows, casting golden patches on the floor. Outside, the sky was a brilliant blue, with fluffy white clouds drifting like cotton candy. A group of students were playing volleyball on the field, painting a beautiful picture against the backdrop.

Inside Schicksal Headquarters, a woman in a maid outfit hurried towards a room and knocked on the door.

"Enter." A gentle male voice came from inside.

The woman entered the room. A blond man was lounging casually on the sofa, holding a glass of red wine and fiddling with something on a tablet.

"Lord Bishop, you sent for me?"

"Yes, Rita. I heard my dear granddaughter may have encountered some trouble while on a mission in Changkong City?"

"Yes, Lord Bishop. It was due to the improper monitoring by the sentries that Ms. Theresa fell into..."

"Enough. I don't want to hear any more pointless excuses. This time, consider it a minor mistake. If there's a next time, you understand what that means, don't you?"

"Rita understands, Lord Bishop."

"Good," the man said, closing the tablet. For a fleeting moment before it went dark, the words "God-Slayer" and "Muss" could be vaguely seen.

"Now, how is our plan progressing?"

Volume Two, End.