Knock….Knock
Adam politely knocked on the door in front of him
Instead of going downstairs to meet Mei, he went to another room. He had one more thing to do
Click
With the turn of the lock, the door opened, revealing a girl with silver colored drill ponytails
She was dressed in casual clothes. Though the gap opened by the door, Adam could see the blinking screen of the large TV
-The sole word on that TV was 'paused'
"Good morning, subject Adam."
Bronya greeted him with sleepy eyes
"....Did you stay up late playing games again?"
Adam's lips twitched as he saw her panda-like eyes
"....."
The girl remained silent, simply making way and motioning him to enter her room
"...Haah…"
The silver-haired boy sighed as he stepped into her room
-It wasn't messy. On the contrary, it was neat and tidy
That was expected of Bronya- she's not like Kiana or Himeko
She's obsessed with playing games….And even though she was a killer in the past, she always liked cleanliness, even in the orphanage
"..."
Bronya, without saying a word, picked up a controller and extended it towards him
"..."
Looking at the offered controller and her slightly expectant expression, Adam paused
"...Sure"
He said, taking the offered controller from her hands
"We don't have much time, though. Mei is making lunch."
Adam continued as he sat on her sofa
"Okay"
With a tacit understanding built over many years, Bronya nodded, walking in front of him
-Then, she sat down on his lap
"Heh…"
Adam chuckled as the silver-haired girl raised the controller and selected 'Multiplayer mode'
….
Though he didn't particularly like the games of this world….Having pleasant company did make these games more entertaining
Of course, this doesn't change the fact that, compared to the games of his previous world, the games of the Honkai Impact World were severely lacking
-This was a fact
The most complete and fun one is Kallen fantasy…But that is because this one was personally overseen by the Overseer of Shickshal
…It couldn't be that Otto suppressed the gaming industries so that no game will ever surpass Kallen Fantasy, right?
….
"...."
Feeling a tug at his sleeve, Adam blinked and looked at Bronya
"Subject Adam should pay attention."
She complained with deadpan eyes, obviously having noticed his daze
"Okay, okay…"
He chuckled once again, focusing his attention on the screen
'....'
After a bit of thought, the silver-haired boy lowered his head, laying his chin on top of the silver-haired girl's head
"....."
The ex-killer said nothing, seemingly being accustomed to this
….
This….really reminded him of his days at the Cocolia Orphanage
Though one could say a lot of negative things about Cocolia herself…It is undeniable that what she had built up on the cold Siberian plains was a warm shelter for those children who had lost everything to the honkai
Thinking back on those days….Nostalgia couldn't help but rise within him
Sure…His mental health wasn't that good. He had to constantly look behind his back, so he couldn't truly enjoy his second life
….But now, everything is different. Now, he could look back on these memories and recall them fondly
Well, humans automatically beautify their past memories; this was clearly what he was going through right now
Sure, he looks upon them fondly now….But when he was actually experiencing them in the past….Heh, it was totally different
Whatever. Does it matter now?
…
..
.
{You win!}
After this popped up for the 5th time, Adam raised an arm and-
Slap
Bronya's small and delicate hand made contact with his own, high-fiving him
With both his and hers expertise…Winning every round against any team was easy
….
"Let's stop for today."
He patted her small head
"Understood"
Bronya put down the controller, albeit somewhat regretfully
After doing so, she didn't do anything else.
"...."
Silence fell on both of them
"...Can you get off my lap?"
"Negative"
The silver-haired girl replied instantly, having no intention of moving
"....Ok"
Adam shrugged
After all, a cute girl was sitting on his lap….Why would he complain? He's the one profiting here
Thus, they remained as they were, enjoying each other's company
….
"Well…."
After a bit of hesitation, Adam finally voiced out what he had come here for:
"Bronya, I need your help with something."
"What is it?"
She instantly replied, tilting her head.
"Uh…."
As her gray eyes stared at him intently, Adam felt a bit embarrassed to voice his request
"...Can you teach Kiana history?"
-Nevertheless, he did it for Kiana's sake!
"Teach idiotka?"
She muttered, blinking repeatedly
This was….challenging
Ignoring Kiana's own inability….Bronya isn't the most suitable person to teach her- after all, while their relationship wasn't bad, it couldn't be called stellar either
"Yup"
Adam grasped at the air. He pulled, and like magic-
A homu-themed headset appeared
"What is this…?"
"Learning device. Wearing it will buff experience points gained towards academic skills."
He responded perfunctorily, handing it to Bronya
"...."
The silver-haired girl took it, her eyes scanning it repeatedly
The name of this device is [Homu Virtual Reality Headset]- a product of the Far Eastern Branch's Science Department.
As long as you put this thing on your head, you can enter Shickshal's database in an immersive way- exactly like entering VR games
"Well, it will help in studying. Kiana's auntie gave it to me."
"Is this…?"
Bronya's eye lit up as she realized the purpose of this prop
"....."
She stood up, getting out of his lap. Her head turned to him, gray eyes staring him with a familiar intensity
"Don't worry, subject Adam." She dramatically put a hand over her chest, "Bronya will teach idiotka. She shall ace her history examination!"
"Oi, stop calling me subject!" He threateningly put his hand in a flicking motion, "It sounds weird!"
"...."
Bronya stared at his hand in a daze and-
"Brother"
She obediently changed how he referred to him
"Good girl"
Adam nodded, reaching out to pat her head
…
As she narrowed her eyes in comfort, he was very satisfied
It seemed that his majesty as the 'senior' of the orphanage remained unchanged
His work of trying to get Seele and Bronya to call him 'Brother' back then wasn't wasted either!
…
He then brought another Homu with 'magic' and also handed it to her
"The activation words are 'Link Start!'."
"...Understood"
Though the silver-haired girl looked at him weirdly, she still obediently took the 'headset' that was handed to her, and put it aside
…..
These devices will make her teaching far easier. Kiana also likes games, so learning history in a game-like way is indeed the best way to go
'Theresa really did think of everything….'
He sighed
Though Theresa seemed stupid….Like Kiana, she wasn't actually lacking in intelligence
In general, a Kaslana's stat points go to their strength and emotional intelligence
Even clones like Kiana and Theresa are no exception
…Even the Ancestor himself is no exception
…
"One more thing-"
Before leaving, the silver-haired boy raised his hand, putting it near Bronya's temple
The gray-eyed girl looked at him in confusion, her face stoic as usual
Tack
Softly and gently, he flicked her temple-
Clack
Clack
Clack
Cluttering sounds echoed throughout the room as a small, metallic chip fell to the ground
"This is…!"
Bronya's eyes widened, a tremor running through her body as she realised what this was
"That's right."
Confirming her speculation, the silver-haired boy bent down, picking it up
"She has left behind a back door." He opened his palm, showing her the microchip. "It could take control of your body."
"...."
She remained silent, staring at the chip in his hand in a daze. Though her body started trembling ever so slightly
"If you don't believe me, you can see for yourself."
"....."
Bronya pursed her lips, her indifferent expression cracking as she hesitantly took the chip
"I'll leave you to it."
Giving her a comforting pat on the shoulder, Adam turned around, walking towards the door with the intention of leaving
Crack
The door opened, and just as he stepped out-
"Thank you."
Words of gratitude were muttered by the silver-haired girl. Though they were barely above a whisper, the words reached him
"..."
He paused right at the door and looked back at her. Looking at her downcast eyes, he gave her a gentle smile
"You're welcome."
….
This is why he hates Cocolia
Not because she sacrificed an entire city….But because she caused Seele to sink into the Sea of Quanta, and because she made Bronya sad
He is no saint. Yes, he feels bad for what happened in Nagazora, but ultimately, a Herrscher of Thunder needed to be born
Even if Cocolia didn't trigger a honkai eruption…One would still happen in Nagazora city- after all, it is the place 'closest' to the imaginary space
But Seele and Bronya? No, they didn't need to participate in that experiment. In fact, the purpose of that experiment itself was simply stupid and absurd
….
Entering the living room, the first thing Adam saw was a pouting Mei sitting on the sofa
"Sorry for the wait."
Plopping right beside her, he threw an arm around her shoulder
"I-it's okay!"
Cheeks slightly flushing, she rested her head on his shoulder
"Did she get any better?"
The purple-haired girl asked with doubt in her voice
She had meticulously counted the time he stayed in Kiana's room…And it was a short amount of time. Considering the white haired girl's academic 'talent', she's really doubting whether such a short study session would help Kiana
"You should have more faith in me." Adam smirked, "Though I'm not a good teacher, I'm quite good at 'motivating' people."
He never thought of directly teaching Kiana. It was either stuffing her brain full of knowledge, or giving her a lot of time with a bit of motivation
"Besides…." The silver-haired boy hung his head, letting his cheek make contact with the top of her head. "She's not stupid- I just gave her time and motivation"
"Mhm…."
Mei nodded, her cheeks still flushed as she hesitantly reached out her hand to his, intertwining their fingers together
Since he said so, then Kiana would definitely pass the exams!
Though it's common sense that exams require long periods of time for studying….Adam is certainly built differently.
She has never seen him study, and yet his scores are always perfect. Since he says that Kiana will pass with his guidance, then she has full faith that the white haired girl will pass or even ace the examinations!
"By the way…."
Adam pursed his lips, his tone growing somber
"For three days, I'll be visiting to teach Kiana….After that, I'll leave for 1 to 3 months."
"...."
The purple-haired girl's grip on his hand tightened
"...W-why?"
Body trembling, her mouth only managed to stutter this out
"Well, I…."
He suddenly paused and looked at her face
Her face was practically buried in his shoulder, making it difficult to make out the expression she was currently making
"...."
After a few seconds of silence, Adam decided to be honest
"A friend of mine is….in grave danger. I promised to help, so I need to go."
He sighed, closing his eyes
…
Adam didn't like to go back on his word. Once he genuinely made a promise, he would do his best to fulfill it
This isn't honor; to him, it's common sense. If you make a promise, keep it. The other party puts their trust in you to do so- it would be…shameful not to do so
….
"Are you worried?"
Subconsciously, he extended his thumb, rubbing the back of her hand in a comforting circular motion
"...Yes…"
She whispered back, her indigo eyes raising to meet his own blue ones
"....Heh"
The silver-haired boy chuckled, flashing her a helpless smile
Though he didn't want her to worry unnecessarily….Her worry did make him…touched
"Adam…"
He tilted his head as Mei spoke up, her grip on his hand loosening ever so slightly
"Is this friend of yours….From another world?
Her question was a bit unexpected, but-
"That's right."
Adam nodded, seeing no reason to avoid this
…
Yes, he wanted to help a certain magical girl-
Homura Akemi
This is why he took a 3-month leave from Theresa. He doesn't know how long he'll stay in her world….But he already has a vague plan in mind, and that plan requires the use of Homura's time-reversing ability
Since it would depend on how many resets it takes to achieve his plan…. the time spent in her world would be…long, and uncertain
He couldn't use the Chat Rooms time stop, either….Because Olivia would remain in the honkai world
Yes, it was unfortunate. However, she is considered his summon; thus, her staying here synchronizes the time in the honkai world and whatever world he went to
'.....'
If….Three months of combined resets aren't enough….The he'll simply take away Homura and her friend Madoka away
That's the last resort
….
"Can I go with you?"
"Eh…?"
Adam's eyes widened at Mei's bold and unexpected words
"...C-can I?"
The purple-haired girl asked once again. She didn't look confident in the least- however, he expression was very resolute and determined
"No, it's too dangerous."
He shut her down, shaking his head rapidly
….
What a joke. Bringing Mei is like bringing a lamb to a slaughter
Not to mention the danger- witches- of Homura's world, the mere fact that Mei wouldn't be able to use her Herrscher powers makes her only slightly better than a normal girl!
…
"...I see"
The indigo-eyed girl's face fell, her eyes full of disappointment
However, seeing how grave Adam's face was, Mei understood-
If she went with him, not only would she not be able to help him- but she would be a burden, solely dragging him down
"Will you be in danger?"
Mei asked with worry, her grip on his hand tightening once again,
"....I can't say for certain….However, I'm confident that no matter what, I'll be able to come out alive."
He shook his head helplessly
After all, going there is a risk. He can't predict what will happen
But-
The most considerable and unpredictable dangers were Walpurgisnacht and….. The Incubator civilization behind Kyubey
"B-be careful then…"
She bit her lower lip, choosing to bury her face in the crook of his neck
"...Don't worry." Adam smiled lightly, gently rubbing his cheek against her. "And...Haah, don't act like I'm leaving right this moment!"
"Mhm…"
The purple-haired swordman and Herrscher hummed, saying nothing more. Instead, she opted to just enjoy his presence and warmth
"...."
The silver-haired girl also stayed silent, choosing to enjoy her warm and soft body pressed against him
"Adam.... d-do you want me to f-feed you?"
"Yes please!"
…
..
.
------
A/N:
Do any of you know whether the GGZ universe is on the Imaginary Tree...Or something completely separate?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
patreon.com / AncestorAdamFlores