"Because I want you to be happy too."
Rosia looked into her eyes earnestly.
"If you're unhappy, I'll be sad too."
"..."
"Rosia" fell silent for a while.
"You idiot."
"Rosia" couldn't help knocking her on the head, then turned away.
What was she agonizing over?
If Rosia really didn't feel safe, then she just had to do something that made her feel safe, didn't she?
Why was she so prone to overthinking things?
For the first time, "Rosia" felt like she had been stupid.
"Go to sleep. You still have practical class this afternoon."
"Rosia" turned over and said casually.
Although Rosia often spoke to the air because of her presence, almost no one noticed because of her appearance.
"Good afternoon."
Rosia turned over as well, wrapped her arms around her waist, and whispered.
"Rosia," who had been hugged, blushed slightly.
"You're so annoying!"
Bronya: I'm Sorry... I'm Sorry...
While Rosia was still sweetly asleep during her nap, Theresa called Bronya to her office.
"Headmaster, what is it?"
Bronya did not understand why Theresa had called her to the office alone.
"Ahem, it's like this, Bronya. Before we found Rosia, we were investigating two people suspected of having been killed by Death Soldiers or Honkai Beasts. That was how we found Rosia."
Theresa explained.
The investigation had already confirmed that there were no abnormalities in the surrounding area apart from Rosia.
"So? Did Rosia kill them? The Headmaster probably didn't call me here specifically because of that, did she?"
Bronya remained calm. If the two people had been innocent civilians, Theresa would not have this attitude. And if they had deserved to die, then as the former Ural Silver Wolf, Bronya had countless deaths on her hands.
Among the early main cast, Bronya, who seemed the least remarkable, was actually the one who understood death and parting most clearly.
Of course, that was only when Seele and Rosia were not involved.
"Those two people aren't important. We've identified them; they were involved in multiple kidnapping and trafficking cases, so their deaths were no great loss. But after examining their bodies, we found that one had been cut into pieces by a sharp weapon, while the other seemed to have been torn apart by the claws of a large Honkai Beast..."
"No sharp weapon was found at the scene or nearby. That means either Rosia took it away and hid it, though that possibility is extremely low, or there is another possibility..."
Bronya picked up where Theresa left off.
"Rosia's Stigmata power manifested physically, right?"
The Stigmata pattern on Rosia's chest was easy to spot, so Bronya naturally knew about it.
"That's right. Under normal circumstances, those two should have died the same way. In other words, after killing one of them, Rosia's Stigmata power must have become unstable and changed."
Theresa guessed.
Normally, Stigmata only enhanced their bearer's physical abilities and resistance to Honkai energy. But Theresa had no idea what changes a natural Stigmata awakener might undergo.
"Does the Headmaster want to test Rosia during this afternoon's practical class? She's still too young."
Bronya refused.
"I know. Although the simulated monsters won't cause real harm, it's still too dangerous for a child. That's why I hope you can help me put on an act."
Theresa said.
She was not sure whether the Stigmata power inside Rosia was stable. If it went out of control, it would be dangerous.
Although Rosia had already undergone a physical examination, St. Freya Academy's capabilities were still insufficient to reach an accurate conclusion when it came to Stigmata power.
"...I understand."
Though reluctant, Bronya thought it over and agreed.
On one hand, it was to dispel Theresa's doubts. On the other, if Rosia's Stigmata was truly easily triggered by stimulation, they needed to take precautions early and prevent its power from affecting Rosia's body.
"Have you slept enough?"
When Rosia woke up, she looked at her signature red eyes and smiled happily.
"I slept very peacefully."
"Heh..."
"Rosia" snorted softly.
"Let's go. It's about time for class."
"Rosia" did not think highly of St. Freya Academy's method of training Valkyries. Just as Durandal believed, this place was too comfortable, while the Honkai they had to face was cruel.
Still, it was not bad as leisurely entertainment.
"Rosia" now understood that expecting Rosia to grow strong within these six months was unrealistic. It was better to simply spend some time with her.
Besides, she could handle any danger they encountered for now. Did Rosia really need to become stronger?
After noticing how Rosia's mood and expression had visibly brightened once she returned, "Rosia" finally relaxed a little.
"Kiana and Mei are so amazing..."
Rosia technically attended the afternoon practical class, but she only sat to the side and watched.
At her age, there was no way Himeko would let her join the fight.
"What a boring battle. Pathetically weak."
Unlike Rosia, whose eyes sparkled, "Rosia" found both Kiana and Raiden Mei's movements flashy but useless. The damage numbers were just -3, -3.
They had to struggle so much just to defeat a lower-tier Honkai Beast. They were truly pitifully weak.
"Bleh..."
Faced with "Rosia's" assessment, Rosia could only stick out her tongue.
She had never seen "Rosia" give anyone a good evaluation.
"How was that, Rosia? Wasn't I super cool just now? Let me tell you, this is the Kaslana family's Gun Kata!"
After receiving a fairly high evaluation from Himeko, Kiana immediately ran over to Rosia to take credit. She wanted to pull Rosia out of Raiden Mei's arms, but Raiden Mei dodged her.
"Mei, let me hold her for a while, okay? Bronya isn't here right now. Otherwise, she definitely wouldn't let me hold her."
Although Raiden Mei did not really want to hand Rosia over, she could not withstand Kiana's persistent pleading and could only let her hold Rosia for a while.
"Yay!"
Kiana took Rosia from Raiden Mei's arms and said happily.
"Childish."
Watching Kiana hold Rosia and rub against her, "Rosia" pursed her lips.
That girl was such a nuisance.
"Let me tell you, don't listen to Bronya bragging all the time. Without Project Bunny, I could beat her with one hand."
Since Bronya was not around, Kiana slandered her even more smugly.
"Don't bully Mother Bronya."
Hearing Kiana's words, Rosia puffed out her cheeks.
"That girl..."
Although the combat simulation had already begun, Bronya's attention had remained on Rosia. She had been at ease while Raiden Mei held Rosia, but the moment she saw Kiana, she became irritated.
Bronya could naturally handle lower-tier Honkai Beasts with ease, but after she defeated one, the simulation did not end. Instead, a red warning appeared.
"Warning, warning!"
"Three Honkai Emperors..."
Looking at the three Honkai Emperors appearing before her, even Bronya, who had already known about them, could not help twitching at the corner of her mouth.
Although Honkai Emperors were still lower-tier Honkai Beasts, they were already at the peak of that category. If all three attacked together, even an ordinary A-rank Valkyrie might not be able to withstand them, let alone Bronya alone.
Seeing this, even Himeko, who had been watching and scoring from the side, froze for a moment.
"Mother Bronya!"
Sensing that Bronya was in danger, Rosia immediately entered Quantumization and stood in front of her the next instant.
"Ro... Rosia..."
Bronya stared blankly at the girl who had appeared before her in an instant.
Rosia moved so quickly that even "Rosia" had not reacted in time.
"You... can't hurt Mother Bronya!"
A pure white scythe slowly appeared in her hand as Rosia blocked the attacking Honkai Emperors.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"
"Rosia" was genuinely frightened by her. She immediately took over the body as crimson light spread from her palm.
"You bastards!"
Unlike Rosia's powerless swings, "Rosia" only needed to swing the scythe once with force. Crimson light completely engulfed the three Honkai Emperors, and they shattered into light and vanished.
"Ha..."
Having used too much force, "Rosia" panted once. Then she closed her eyes, the light dimmed, and her body went limp.
"Rosia..."
Bronya snapped out of her daze and stepped forward to hold the girl tightly.
Looking at the unconscious blue-haired girl, regret spread through her heart.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
What I Care About Is You!
"Bronya! What are you doing?!"
In the infirmary, Kiana pointed at the silver-haired girl with a blank expression, unable to understand.
"Couldn't you emergency stop the simulation when something went wrong? Didn't you brag before that you could easily hack into the academy's control system...?"
In truth, Kiana had not reacted much upon seeing the three Honkai Emperors. They were only simulations, after all. Those Honkai Emperors retained at most half their actual strength, so what was there to fear?
"I..."
Bronya silently held Rosia's hand as she looked at the unconscious girl.
"I'm sorry..."
Before you continue