As anticipated, the Gem of Desire experiment on Wendy ended in failure. Despite the outcome, his meticulous planning and the safety measures he had put in place ensured that the consequences weren't as dire as they could have been. Wendy, though paralyzed from the waist down, had survived with her life intact, an outcome that was more than satisfactory from his perspective.
In truth, Wendy's survival was not just acceptable, but ideal. Her living through the ordeal meant she could still serve a greater purpose. She had been specifically shaped to become the Herrscher of Wind, a key role in his larger plans. With her fate now sealed in this capacity, he could confidently move forward, knowing that his promise to the future Herrscher of Ice, Ana Schariac, would also be fulfilled in due time. Everything was aligning as it should, despite the setback.
However, there was something else on his mind, a matter far more trivial than Wendy's survival or even his long-term promises. It lingered in the background, unimportant for now, but still worth noting.
"Amber," the Overseer's voice rang out, smooth and controlled, yet undeniably commanding. It carried an authority that brooked no defiance, even though it was delivered with a calmness that belied the urgency of the moment. His gaze, sharp and unyielding, was fixed on a screen where a red dot pulsated on a map of Japan. That glowing dot marked Nagazora City, a place soon to become the focal point of events that could irrevocably alter the course of the world.
The door to the Overseer's office creaked open in response, the sound faint and deliberate, as if even the inanimate objects within Schicksal's headquarters were trained to obey without question. A tall figure entered, cloaked in the traditional garb of a nun, though she was no ordinary nun. Her snow-white hair contrasted starkly against the deep black of her clothing, and her face was obscured by a visor. She moved with the mechanical precision of an android, her every step a calculated measure in a perfectly timed sequence.
"Yes, my lord," the woman known as Amber said, bowing deeply with the same faultless efficiency that governed her every action.
Seated behind his expansive desk, Otto Apocalypse, the overseer of Schicksal, leaned back in his chair, his fingers loosely holding a crystal glass of wine. The deep red liquid swirled lazily within the glass, catching the dim light that filtered through the room, casting faint reflections on the polished surface of his desk. There was a casual elegance to his movements, the kind that belonged to a man accustomed to control, to power.
"Deploy Rita," Otto said at last, his voice soft but resolute, each word imbued with a sense of finality. "She will oversee Kiana's progress over the next several months. Ensure her presence remains until the Nagazora Eruption occurs."
At these words, a faint flicker crossed Amber's visor, a subtle signal of hesitation that did not escape Otto's notice. Amber's demeanor remained composed, but her voice betrayed the slightest trace of concern as she spoke. "But my lord," she began, choosing her words carefully, "isn't sending Rita merely to supervise K-423 somewhat... excessive? Durandal requires Rita as her supervisor, and you know how unpredictable Bianka can be without someone to curb her impulses."
The tension in her voice was well justified. As Schicksal's most versatile and reliable Valkyrie, Rita Rossweisse was a formidable force. In combat, intelligence, and strategy, few could rival her expertise. Bianka, also known by her codename Durandal, was Schicksal's most powerful Valkyrie, a warrior unmatched in strength and ferocity. However, despite her immense power, Bianca lacked Rita's disciplined balance and strategic finesse. Without Rita's guidance, Bianka's impulsiveness could easily spiral into dangerous consequences.
"K-423 has a name now," Otto reminded her pointedly, his green eyes flicking toward Amber, a slight edge creeping into his tone. "Her identity has been solidified since Siegfried took her under his protection. We should show at least some respect by addressing her as such."
Amber inclined her head, acknowledging the correction. "I understand, Lord Otto," she said, though her voice still carried traces of unease. "But sending Rita into Anti-Entropy's territory for the sole purpose of supervising Kiana... it feels like a waste of her talents. Would you care to share your reasoning, my lord?"
Otto studied her for a moment, his expression inscrutable. His fingers tapped lightly against the smooth surface of the wine glass, the rhythmic sound filling the silence between them. "Your concerns are valid," he said after a pause, his tone measured. Rita and Bianka have been an inseparable duo within the Immortal Blades for a reason. Together, they are a near-unbeatable force. Bianka's strength is unparalleled, but it is Rita's intelligence and precision that gives that strength direction. To separate them now would indeed create a void that might destabilize Bianka's effectiveness in the field.
He paused again, weighing the full gravity of what was at stake. Nagazora was no ordinary mission. It was a flashpoint, a crucial event in the intricate web of plans Otto had woven ever since his return to this time. Every move he made, every decision he took, was part of a grand design, a vast game of chess that he had been playing against fate itself. And now, as the pieces began to fall into place, he could not afford a single misstep.
Yet, Amber's point was not lost on him. To remove Rita from Bianka's side, especially now, could weaken their overall strategic position.
"My lord," Amber ventured cautiously, sensing an opening, "if I may make a suggestion... what about Ana Schariac? You've trained her extensively in the arts of intelligence work. While her combat abilities may not be on par with Rita's, she could serve as a suitable substitute. Ana is capable and resourceful, and she may be able to handle the task at hand without leaving Bianca unchecked."
Otto's gaze shifted slightly, his thoughts turning inward as he considered Amber's proposal. Ana Schariac, another of Schicksal's agents and the potential Herrscher of Ice, was highly skilled in espionage and covert operations. Her combat skills were not insignificant, though they did not match the versatility or prowess of someone like Rita. But she was competent, perhaps enough to oversee the situation while allowing Rita to remain where she was most needed.
"Perhaps," Otto murmured, his voice thoughtful, the glass of wine forgotten for the moment. "Ana might be able to handle the situation adequately. But Nagazora is not a typical mission. Its significance cannot be overstated, and K-423...Kiana...she is more than just a subject to be monitored."
With a quiet sigh, Otto rose from his chair and began to pace slowly around the room, his hands clasped loosely behind his back. Each step was deliberate, almost meditative, as if the motion itself helped him unravel the complex threads of his thoughts.
"You are aware," he began, his voice adopting a more reflective tone, "that after my death, I was sent back to this time." He glanced at Amber, whose visor remained fixed on him, though he could sense her focus sharpening. Otto had shared many of his secrets with her, confided in her in ways he had not with anyone else. He trusted her to carry these secrets, to bear the weight of knowledge that none other than him and that strange boy possessed. It was a burden he shared with her, knowing that if he ever failed, someone else within Schicksal would have the wisdom to continue his work.
He stopped by the window, looking out at the sprawling landscape of Schicksal's headquarters, his reflection ghosting on the glass. "There is a boy," he continued, his voice dropping to a more somber pitch, "who possesses knowledge, dangerous knowledge. He knows things about this world, about Schicksal, about the Herrschers... things no ordinary person should know. He holds blessings from both the Goddess of Beauty and the Herrscher of the End. To think that such power and knowledge could be granted so easily, without any apparent cost, is almost laughable."
A bitter chuckle escaped his lips as he shook his head. "Some people," he mused, his words laced with irony, "are simply destined to be the protagonist, the central figure in the world's story."
His expression hardened, his voice turning cold. "But not me. No, I had to claw my way from the dirt, scrape and fight for every inch of progress. And even then, adversity clung to me like a shadow, drawn to me like moths to a flame."
Otto paused, the room heavy with the weight of his confession.
"Like a villain."
Amber raised her hand slightly, seeking permission to interject. Otto nodded, signaling for her to speak.
"My lord, do you know anything else about this boy? His background, perhaps, before he gained this knowledge?"
Otto let out a soft sigh, shaking his head. "I wish I did. What I've told you is all Elysia shared with me. It's maddening, the lack of detail. But it's enough to know he might be a potential ally or a threat."
"I see. Thank you, my lord." Amber paused briefly before continuing, her tone respectful but inquisitive. "What of the Herrscher of Corruption's activity? Have we uncovered any new leads?"
Otto resumed his pacing, though his steps were slower now, more contemplative. "I've tasked Fu Hua with investigating any potential traces of that Herrscher's activity. That Herscher may be careful , but Herrscher always leaves a trace, no matter how faint. Fortunately, Fu Hua has found something, an anomaly in Vladivostok address."
"Vladivostok?" Amber echoed, her visor tilting slightly in curiosity. "Does that mean the Herrscher of Corruption is hiding somewhere in the Russian Far East?"
Otto smiled faintly, a knowing glint in his eyes.
"No, Amber. The Herrscher of Corruption is far more elusive than that. Vladivostok is merely an IP address, a false trail. The Herrscher realized someone was tracking her through the Internet. Fu Hua nearly pinpointed her original location, but before we finally uncovered her act, the Herrscher had already severed all connections. The last trace Fu Hua found led us to, unsurprisingly, Nagazora City."
Amber's expression, though hidden behind her visor, remained focused. "If we can track her," she said slowly, "then it stands to reason that others can track her as well. World Serpent, perhaps?"
Otto's expression grew grim at the mention of the rival organization. "Precisely. I believe World Serpent is already aware of the Herrscher's presence, and I suspect they've begun making their move. The boy, whoever he is, has become a central figure in Nagazora alongside Raiden Mei and ME Corp, given his connection to the Herrscher of Corruption."
Amber nodded, processing the information quickly. "In that case, what is your next course of action, my lord?"
Otto's voice grew more resolute. "Get in touch with Fu Hua immediately and inform her that the situation is far more serious than we initially believed. Her mission now involves locating both the Herrscher of Corruption and the boy who is siding with her. I need Fu Hua to not only find their exact locations but also gather as much information as possible about the boy. I want to know everything, his history, motivations, secrets, and weaknesses. No detail is too small. Once Fu Hua has collected all the critical information, she must report directly to me without delay. We're in a crucial moment, and we have to take advantage of any weakness or opportunity that presents itself. Every piece of information could be key to turning the tide in our favor."
"Understood, Lord Otto.", Amber bowed deeply before leaving the room, her footsteps nearly soundless as she disappeared beyond the door.
As the silence settled in the room, Otto turned back to the screen on his desk. The soft glow of the display illuminated his face as he scanned the list of teachers at St. Freya Academy. Names flickered by, but one in particular stood out among the rest, drawing his attention.
'It seems I need to pay you a visit, Mr. Nokiavirtanen.' Otto muttered to himself, his thoughts wandering to the leader of Anti-Entropy.
The battle at New York played out in his mind and he couldn't stop but let out a sigh.
"What a mistake!" Otto thought, the weight of regret settling heavily on his mind. He shouldn't have acted so impulsively back then. In those critical moments, had he been more deliberate and calculated, he could have secured complete control over Schicksal's branch in the United States, and perhaps even US' political landscape in the years to come. His rash decision to resort to nuclear weapons had sparked a chain reaction of events he hadn't foreseen. It was that reckless choice that led to the formation of Anti-Entropy, an organization that now stood in direct opposition to him.
He paused, his stern expression softening for a moment as thoughts of his granddaughter drifted into his mind. "Now… what should I get for Theresa?" he murmured quietly to himself. It was a simple question, seemingly mundane amidst the far more serious threats he faced. Yet, oddly enough, it carried more weight than one might expect. Despite the looming peril of the Herrscher of Corruption and the foreseen meeting with the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy, this small, personal matter felt more urgent in that moment.
Although Otto had failed to exert significant influence over the United States or the broader American continent, he was relieved in the fact that his relationship with the USSR, now the Russian Federation, remained strong. Since World War II, Schicksal had maintained a solid alliance with the Soviet Union and later with modern Russia. Without these ties, Otto knew that expanding Schicksal into a global organization as it was today would have been far more difficult. Thanks to Russian immense natural resources, expansive territories, and readiness to collaborate gave Otto the ideal foundation to build some of the most secure and technologically advanced laboratories such as Babylon Lab.
The situation with China, which used to be called Shenzhou, was far more complicated. Despite having Fu Hua as a valuable ally, Otto's relationship with the Chinese government had always been strained. China consistently demanded that Schicksal transfer its technology after a certain period if it wished to operate within their borders. While Otto was willing to make some concessions, there were limits. Certain technologies developed by Schicksal were simply too advanced to place in the hands of any nations, especially one as large and influential as China. The potential consequences of China gaining access to Schicksal's most cutting-edge innovations were too unpredictable, and Otto wasn't willing to take that risk.
This tension was also a major factor in his decision to base St. Freya Academy in Japan instead. Japan, with its more manageable geopolitical landscape, was far easier to negotiate with than China. The Japanese government offered a level of cooperation that suited Otto's plans far better, allowing Schicksal to maintain greater control over its operations in the region. By choosing Japan, Otto had found a way to establish a foothold in Asia without the constant pressure of Chinese demands.
Despite his influence, his reach was still largely confined to Okinawa where St. Freya Academy was located. Most of Japan, particularly Nagazora City, remained steadfast in its allegiance to Anti-Entropy.
Based on his knowledge of the future, Cocolia was set to orchestrate a coup within ME Corp, overthrowing Raiden Ryoma and taking control of the corporation. Normally, he wouldn't be overly concerned with Nagazora despite being fully aware of its fate. Raiden Mei would soon awaken as the Herrscher of Thunder then unleash destruction upon the city. It was a predictable event, one he had already accounted for in his larger scheme
But things had changed, the presence of Elysia's boy in Nagazora had thrown an unexpected wrench into his carefully laid out strategy, forcing him to shift his attention to Nagazora. If that boy was indeed in the city, the implications were enormous. He found himself becoming intensely curious about how this anomaly could alter the sequence of events surrounding Nagazora's fate. Suddenly, the city mattered in ways it hadn't before, and the prospect of reshaping its future became something he could no longer afford to ignore.
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"Oh, did I hear correctly? Some of our budget has been stolen?" A woman with long, white hair streaked with violet highlights and sharp light blue eyes inquired lazily, her tone dripping with indifference as she glanced up from her seat. Her voice carried a distinct lack of urgency, as though the situation was little more than an inconvenience.
"Yes," replied Gray Serpent, a tall, imposing android with a single glowing red eye that faintly illuminated his cold, expressionless face. His mechanical tone was methodical, giving no emotion. "I am still investigating the situation, Hare."
Hare shifted slightly, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharper now, cutting into the android. "How could anyone manage to hack into our system with you overseeing it, Gray Serpent?", she asked, raising an eyebrow with mild amusement. "Maybe your circuits are getting rusty, or worse—outdated."
Gray Serpent's red eye flickered briefly, almost as if processing the insult before he responded, his voice steely. "You don't understand the gravity of the situation. Our budget operates under the strictest security protocols, second only to Project STIGMA. It's designed to be impenetrable because, well, money is everything in this operation," he explained. There was an unshakable confidence in his voice as he added, "I can assure you, not even Schicksal would be capable of infiltrating our system."
Hare leaned back, crossing her arms, her lips curling into a slight smile. "And yet, here we are," she remarked dryly. "The system has been hacked, hasn't it? Whether it's Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, or some other party, someone has managed to breach our precious security. If our budget, which you say has the highest level of protection, has been compromised—then how confident are you that Project STIGMA hasn't been tampered with as well?"
Gray Serpent paused, as though considering her words before responding. "I'm still in the process of verifying everything," he said, the usual precision in his tone faltering slightly. "So far, there have been no signs of tampering with Project STIGMA. Only our financial system is showing signs of intrusion."
"And how exactly did this happen?" Hare asked, her tone now colder, though the amusement in her eyes remained. "You're telling me that something as critical as our budget was breached, yet our main project is completely safe?"
"Correct," Gray Serpent replied, quickly regaining his composure. "While it's true there was a breach in the financial system, I've already managed to track down the location of the hacker. They're skilled, but not skilled enough to avoid detection."
Hare's eyes narrowed, her interest piqued. "Oh? And where exactly is this bold hacker located?". She leaned forward slightly, her curiosity now evident.
"Nagazora City," Gray Serpent said, his voice returning to its flat, mechanical tone. "Coincidentally, we already have a standing contract regarding that city, and the payment involved is... substantial."
Hare raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a smirk. "I doubt we need that much money," she remarked, waving her hand dismissively. "From what you've reported so far, the losses are relatively minor. A little more than an inconvenience, really."
Gray Serpent's red eye glowed brighter for a moment. "Oh, but this commission is no ordinary one. I believe it's something you'll find extremely intriguing," he said, a subtle note of anticipation entering his voice. "In fact, this could be far more valuable than the money we lost. Tell me, Hare, would you like to have a Herrscher?"
The room fell into a brief silence as Hare's eyes widened slightly, her previous boredom vanishing in an instant. She regarded Gray Serpent with newfound interest. "Go on," she commanded, her voice steady but laced with curiosity.
"Cocolia from Anti-Entropy has made us an offer," Gray Serpent explained slowly, savoring the moment as if the weight of his words was a treasure he enjoyed unwrapping. "Raiden Mei, the daughter of ME Corp's CEO Raiden Ryoma, has the Gem of Conquest implanted in her body. Her compatibility with the Gem is extraordinary, it's almost as though the Gem was designed specifically for her."
Hare tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Raiden Mei?" she repeated, musing over the name. "So, a proto-Herrscher, then," she said, her finger idly tapping against her arm as she considered the implications. "Has she shown any signs of awakening yet?"
"Not as of now," Gray Serpent replied, his mechanical voice calm and unwavering. "But I am confident that Raiden Mei is the most promising candidate to become the next Herrscher. Her potential is... remarkable."
Hare chuckled softly, a trace of amusement in her eyes as memories stirred within her. "If I remember correctly, her stigmata awakened when you first brought her to me after kidnapping her, didn't it?" Her gaze remained fixed on Gray Serpent, a mix of curiosity and faint reproach in her tone. "I asked for a group of orphans, Gray Serpent, not the only daughter of Raiden Ryoma."
Gray Serpent was silent for a brief moment before speaking, as though weighing his next words carefully. "Raiden Mei is no ordinary child," he said, his tone taking on a defensive, yet matter-of-fact quality. "Her stigmata did awaken, and as you said, it proved invaluable to our research. And let's not forget the sizable ransom we collected from Ryoma in exchange for her safe return. It was, in the end, quite a profitable exchange."
He paused deliberately, allowing Hare the time to absorb the full impact of his words before he continued.
"Moreover," he resumed, "Ryoma took a drastic step after that incident, he implanted the Gem of Conquest into his daughter's body to suppress the unstable effects of her stigmata. What's even more remarkable is that she shows an extraordinarily rare compatibility with both the Gem and her stigmata. This combination is almost unheard of. If we can secure her, she would be a priceless specimen for our experiments."
Hare's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, her mind racing through the possibilities. "Ryoma and Cocolia are both key figures in Anti-Entropy, aren't they? It sounds like there's a civil war brewing within that organization, especially if Cocolia is willing to hand over Ryoma's daughter to us as part of a deal," she observed, a hand resting thoughtfully on her chin. "Cocolia isn't just offering us any asset, she's offering a proto-Herrscher. That kind of leverage doesn't come cheap. She must be asking for something significant in return. What are her conditions?", Hare asked, her eyes now fixed intently on Gray Serpent.
Gray Serpent nodded slightly before answering. "Besides assisting her in overthrowing Ryoma and taking control of ME Corp, Cocolia also requests that we rescue her adopted daughter. Her name is Seele Vollerei I think, who is currently trapped in the Quantum Plane. Given your expertise in such matters, I've brought this mission to you," he replied.
Hare raised an eyebrow, her expression shifting to one of mild amusement. "Cocolia, that heartless woman, still cares for her adopted daughter, does she?" she said with a faint smirk. "Seems like we have more in common than I expected," she added, her tone dripping with irony. "Have you agreed to her terms?"
"No," Gray Serpent replied, his red eye gleaming in the dim light. "I haven't committed to anything yet. Only you have the ability to carry out this mission. The decision to accept or decline lies with you."
Hare, or Misteln Schariac, stood from her seat, her movements deliberate and smooth. As she rose, she summoned a purple piece of fabric, lazily wiping her hands as if cleaning away the remnants of a fleeting thought. "Not a particularly difficult mission," she mused aloud, her lips curling into a smile. "And at the end of it all, we'll have Raiden Mei in our possession. Of course I'll take it."
A Seed of Idea appeared beside Misteln and awaiting her command as her smile widened slightly. She reached out toward it, her expression one of calculated satisfaction. "Inform my girls, we will depart to Nagazora." she ordered softly, her tone brimming with quiet authority. "It's time to begin."
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Damn, most of my favorite music pieces are nowhere to be found in this Honkai world and time period. For someone like me, who lives and breathes music, this feels like a devastating blow.
Music has always been more than just background noise to me—it's a form of expression, a companion during solitude, and a source of inspiration. But in this new world, so much of what I cherished is absent. The melodies that used to stir my soul, the rhythms that made my heart race, and the lyrics that once spoke to me like old friends, all of it has been left behind in the world I came from. It's only now, after settling into this new reality, that I've truly come to grasp one of the biggest downsides of reincarnating into another world: everything I loved, every piece of entertainment I connected with, all of it was gone.
I used to take music for granted. In my previous life, I could easily pull up a playlist or find a track on the internet without a second thought. Now, I realize how much a part of me it was. There's a certain emptiness that comes with not being able to listen to the sounds that once defined so many important moments in my life. I feel a sense of loss, not just for the music, but for the memories attached to it.
The only saving grace has been the continued existence of classical music. Thankfully, many timeless compositions have survived here in the Honkai world, and in a way, they've become a lifeline for me. Classical music has always had a grounding effect on me. Its complexity and beauty provide a kind of solace, a familiar refuge amidst all the things I've lost. Listening to Beethoven, Mozart, or Tchaikovsky makes me feel like I've retained at least a small part of my old world. It's comforting, but it doesn't completely fill the void.
To my surprise, though, there are a few musicians in this world who still manage to produce incredible music. Music that, in its own way, is helping me move forward. A prime example is Egoist. I never expected to find them here, but to my amazement, they exist in this world too.
Yes, that Egoist from Guilty Crown with Yuzuriha Inori as the lead singer. Hearing their music again felt like reconnecting with a lost friend. Their songs, full of emotion and depth, have been one of the few things helping me cope with the absence of so much of my favorite music. The day I realized their music was still around was the first time I felt a genuine sense of joy in this unfamiliar place. Maybe one day, if I'm lucky enough, I'll get the chance to attend one of their concerts. I can only imagine how incredible it would be to hear those powerful vocals live from Inori.
But even with Egoist and classical music to keep me company, I can't help but feel a lingering wish, if only I had my brother-in-law's musical talent. I've always been able to appreciate good music, and I've learned enough about it to play guitar and piano decently. But my skills pale in comparison to his. He was a prodigy, someone who could pick up any instrument and master it effortlessly. His talent allowed him to create music from scratch, while I can only play what's already been written. If I had even half of his abilities, I could perhaps fill the gap left by the music I've lost. Maybe I could compose something new, something that resonates with this world and with me. But for now, all I can do is make do with what I have, cherishing the few pieces of music I've found here and hoping that, over time, I'll discover more that can speak to my soul the way the music of my old life once did.
Wait... if this Honkai world had Egoist, did that mean the Apocalypse Virus also existed?
The thought hit me like a shockwave. Guilty Crown was set in 2039, but right now it was only September 2013, so logically, I convinced myself it had to be a coincidence. After all, this Honkai world was a fictional universe for me, much like Guilty Crown. It wasn't entirely out of the question that a fictional band like Egoist could exist here too. But still, a nagging doubt lingered.
On the bright side, I wasn't alone in this world. I had Rin, the Herrscher of Corruption, as my companion. Her immense power reassured me that no virus, no matter how dangerous, could be a match for her. If the Apocalypse Virus somehow did exist here, Rin would be able to detect and protect me from it without breaking a sweat. That thought brought me some comfort, even if the situation felt a little too uncanny for my liking.
Suddenly, Rin's voice echoed through my earphone. "Kazuto, an extremely important update from your father." Her voice was calm, but I knew better than to take that as a good sign. I hurriedly pulled out my smartphone and checked the message she had forwarded to me.
My eyes widened in disbelief.
"What the hell is this?", I cursed aloud. This was supposed to be the Honkai world, not Guilty Crown.
Over the past few days, I had asked Rin to discreetly monitor my father's phone, computer, and any communication devices he used. I needed to stay on top of the developments inside ME Corp, especially as Cocolia continued plotting to overthrow Raiden Ryoma. But what I had just received... it was too similar to Guilty Crown.
"It seems your favorite singer has been captured, Kazuto," Rin said, her tone tinged with irony.
My stomach dropped. Why the hell would Inori be captured? And why was she trying to infiltrate ME Corp? My frustration spilled over. This situation mirrored the first episode of Guilty Crown far too closely for comfort.
"According to these reports,", Rin continued calmly, "She was apprehended at an old warehouse in Senba High School. There's also mention of a male student on the scene. He claims to have seen blood trails and followed them out of curiosity."
I clenched my fists. Damn it, this wasn't Guilty Crown. Why was everything starting to play out like it?
"That student… he's from Senba High, right? Did they mention his name?" I asked, my voice tight with anticipation.
Please, not that name. Anyone but him.
"He's actually from your class. Your current class," Rin responded, her words sinking in like a weight.
"You know I only know Raiden Mei so far, just spit it out," I snapped, growing more impatient by the second.
"Alright, alright, impatient boy." Rin teased before dropping the bombshell: "His name is Ouma Shu. Happy now?"
Damn it. She had said the very name I didn't want to hear.
It wasn't that I had anything against Shu personally. How could I? I didn't know him in this version of the world. I couldn't hate someone I knew nothing about here. But that wasn't the problem. The problem was that Inori existed here, and now she was captured by ME Corp. Shu was at the scene of her capture, and Inori was already injured and on the run before he stumbled across her. This was almost a direct replay of the events in episode 1 of Guilty Crown.
I forced myself to take a deep breath. I needed to calm down. Yes, things seemed eerily similar, but I couldn't let myself spiral. So far, it was just these two, Inori and Shu. Nothing had changed too drastically yet. Cocolia was still in the process of making her move to take over. Raiden Ryoma was still CEO of ME Corp. Everything was still on track in the broader picture. Inori and Shu's presence, and their actions, were probably nothing more than strange coincidences.
But the more I tried to rationalize it, the more the eerie familiarity gnawed at me. What if this world was blending the lines between Honkai and Guilty Crown? What if more elements from that series started appearing, bleeding into the reality I was now living? I glanced down at my phone again, the message from Rin still flashing on the screen, and couldn't shake the uneasy feeling crawling up my spine.
For now, all I could do was stay vigilant. If this truly was the beginning of something bigger, I had to be ready. If Inori had been captured, there was no telling what would happen next. And as for Ouma Shu... well, I couldn't afford to take any chances. Coincidence or not, this situation had just become far more complicated than I expected.
"Rin, can you dig up everything you can on Ouma Shu? His past, family history, anything—and especially if he has a sister.", I asked, my words hurried and sharp.
Rin paused for a moment before responding, her tone laced with concern. "Okay, I'll get right on that. But, Kazuto, what's going on? You're usually so composed, but now you seem... different.". She was right. My calm exterior was cracking, and I hated how obvious it was.
I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to remain steady. "I just need to confirm something.", I said, a little too tersely. "Things aren't unfolding the way I expected."
Rin wasn't buying it. "You're keeping a lot from me, you know. It's hard to trust you when you're this secretive. Just remember, when we get home, you have to explain everything.", she said with a playful pout to her voice, but I could sense the underlying tension.
I gave a weak nod, though my thoughts were racing. "I promise. I'll tell you everything." But before I could get lost in my thoughts again, a familiar voice called out, breaking through the haze.
"The bell's already rung, Senpai. Why are you still standing here? Don't you worry about being late?", Raiden Mei's melodic voice drifted into my ears, pulling me back into the present.
I turned to face her, and as always, her beauty left me momentarily speechless. There was something about her presence. It was commanding, yet gentle that always seemed to catch me off guard. Her long, raven-black hair swayed slightly as she looked at me with mild concern.
I quickly unplugged my earphones and gave her a sheepish smile. "Sorry, Raiden-san. I got lost in thought while listening to music.", I lifted my earphones slightly, as if they could somehow justify my absent-mindedness.
Mei's lips curved into a half-smile, but her voice carried a light scolding. "I understand your passion for music, but you should be more aware of your surroundings. You might miss something important if you're too caught up in it."
Her words lingered with me. She didn't know how right she was. There was a lot I had been missing lately, important details that might have warned me about these strange, unfolding events. I nodded, trying to force a smile.
"I'll keep that in mind.", then I remembered the book she had lent me. "Oh, here's your book by the way. It was an excellent read.", I pulled it from my bag and handed it to her.
Mei accepted the book with a small nod, slipping it quietly into her own bag, though there was something distant in her eyes. The usual warmth was muted today. As we began walking toward class together, she broke the silence.
"Senpai, do you know what's going on with our fathers lately?", her voice was lower now, more serious. "My father's been arguing a lot with yours recently. I get the feeling something big is happening at ME Corp.". She bit her lip, the worry clear on her face.
I knew exactly what was happening. Tensions at ME Corp had been escalating for weeks. My father was strongly opposing Raiden Ryoma's willingness to involve Anti-Entropy, specifically Cocolia, in ME Corp's activities. It was almost as if my father had foreseen the storm that was coming if Cocolia got her hands on the company. And he wasn't wrong. If Cocolia succeeded, Raiden Ryoma's downfall was inevitable and my father's fate would be tied to it.
But how could I explain any of that to Mei? I couldn't let her in on the truth, no matter how much I wanted to. These events were necessary, her suffering, the unraveling of her father's downfall. It was all part of the process that would awaken her Herrscher powers. Mei had to taste agony before she could become who she was meant to be.
Forcing a smile, I replied as casually as I could. "I'm not sure. My father doesn't really talk about his work with me. But I'm confident they'll figure things out. They're both professionals. There's no need to worry."
That was a lie. The truth was, Cocolia was tightening her grip, and Raiden Ryoma's time was running out. Every day, the balance tipped further in Cocolia's favor, and the inevitable fall was inching closer. I had already made my decision. Raiden Ryoma was a lost cause. All I needed to do was ensure that my father didn't go down with him. As for Mei... her suffering was necessary, but I hated the thought of it.
Mei's face softened, though the anxiety hadn't completely left her. "Is that so?", she murmured, though it was clear she wasn't entirely reassured.
I reached out, trying to comfort her. "Hey, trust them. Everything will be fine.", I said with as much confidence as I could muster, even though I knew things were far from fine.
She looked up at me, her lips curling into a soft, almost shy smile. "I guess you're right. By the way, just call me Mei, okay? Our fathers are pretty close, so it would feel strange if we stayed so formal with each other."
Her smile brightened as she said it, and I found myself nodding. "Alright, Mei.", the way her name rolled off my tongue felt a little too natural, but I pushed the thought aside as we entered the classroom.
We took our seats, and as I glanced around the room, a thought that had been nagging at me surfaced once more. Leaning over, I whispered.
"Mei, I haven't really gotten to know many of our classmates yet. Do you know who Ouma Shu is?"
Mei blinked in surprise but quickly scanned the room. Her gaze settled on a boy sitting by the window, his attention far from the rest of the class.
"That's him.", she said, pointing subtly in his direction. "Do you need something from him?", Her curiosity was evident.
I chuckled softly, masking the unease building inside me. "Maybe...", I replied, though the situation was far more serious than my tone let on.
There he was, Ouma Shu, the boy who shouldn't exist in this Honkai world. The parallels between this Honkai reality and Guilty Crown were getting too strong to ignore. Shu's presence, Inori's capture, even the tension in the air, it all felt like I was being pulled into a story I already knew, one I couldn't control.
I leaned back in my seat, forcing myself to stay calm. Answers would come eventually. But for now, I had to play along. Shu's existence here along with Egoist and Inori's capture could mean something far more dangerous than I was ready to admit.