On Schicksal HQ's floating city, Rita and the Immortal Blades squad were on high alert near the open-air laboratory. Ryn and Durandal stood guard near the Second Divine Key, ready to deal with anything that might emerge from the spatial rift once the experiment began.
Kika had already set up her sniper rifle and was with Otto in the high-level control room, observing everything in the lab.
Once all personnel were in position, the researchers in the control room began to inject energy into the Second Divine Key—the locomotive—at the center of the site.
The first activation experiment of the Second Divine Key, initiated—
*Voom—*
As the Second Divine Key started up, a beam of light shot towards the sky.
Under the watch of the Schicksal members, the sky was shattered by the energy beam from the Second Divine Key, like a broken mirror, revealing an unknown starry sky.
The chatter of the Immortal Blades members echoed through the communicators. "What a strange space..." "Is this a starry sky?"
Rita: "If it is a starry sky... then why is there only one star..."
Durandal: "That star gives me a feeling..."
"No, that's not a star..." Ryn reached out his hand, sensing the star in that space. "It's strange. That star is a Bubble Universe, but there's something indescribably odd about it."
Otto compared the experimental data with the star in the spatial rift above, his expression grave.
"That's right, that star is a Bubble Universe. But according to the Soulium records, the Second Divine Key has always been used to observe the numerous parallel worlds on the Imaginary Tree. If that's the case, why is there only one Bubble Universe..."
*Beep beep beep—*
Otto and the others' questions were soon answered as various alarms in the laboratory suddenly blared.
"The Second Divine Key is actively absorbing energy!" "Energy fill rate has exceeded 110%..." "150%..."
Amidst the shouts of the research staff, the beam from the Second Divine Key suddenly expanded, emitting a dazzling purple light.
The intense light forced everyone to shut their eyes. Durandal quickly ordered everyone to retreat to the secondary safety line.
Suddenly, Durandal's eyes widened. She heard a voice coming from the Second Divine Key, or rather, from the star in the sky.
"There is no need to worry, Miss Bianka. Come, please step into this light."
Subsequently, the light of the Second Divine Key enveloped Durandal, and she vanished before everyone's eyes.
"Spatial fluctuations detected near the Second Divine Key." "After the spatial fluctuation, we lost Lady Durandal's position!"
"World Serpent... Damn it, we've been played." Otto's face turned ashen. He immediately ordered the control staff: "Divert energy from the other floating islands immediately! Prepare to reactivate the Second Divine Key!"
"No need. Use my Honkai energy."
Ryn pulled out the energy transmission pipes inserted around the lab, then shattered the protective glass with a punch and placed his hand on the Second Divine Key.
"I'll supply as much energy as you need. Open it."
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When Durandal opened her eyes, she found herself under a verdant tree. Before her, her past experiences were unfolding one by one like a movie.
......
Instructor Ragna gracefully knelt down, helping up the Durandal who had fallen due to a lapse in concentration, and said softly, "Bianka, be careful. Are you hurt?"
.....
"Is this the legendary holy sword—Durandal?" Durandal gently stroked the dazzlingly brilliant holy sword in her hand, feeling a sense of unreality.
.....
"Lady Durandal, Stan scratched the sofa again!!" Rita angrily held Stan by the scruff of his neck, looking as if she was there to demand justice.
Durandal looked at the angry Rita and the innocently cute Stan, scratching her head awkwardly.
"Ah? This... this... kittens will be kittens, there's nothing to be done. Let's just get a new sofa!"
"Lady Durandal! Don't spoil Stan so much, you have to discipline him..."
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"A truly brilliant and splendid life. I have observed countless worlds, and you... Miss Bianka, your existence has left a particularly deep impression on me."
It was the same voice from before. Durandal followed the sound and saw a man with his eyes closed sitting under a giant green tree.
Su extended his hand towards Durandal, revealing a leaf in his palm. "Welcome to the Bubble Universe I created. You may call it... Sumeru."
"Creating a Bubble Universe... Who are you!" Durandal assumed a martial arts stance, becoming vigilant.
A person who could teleport her here without her noticing and create a Bubble Universe—Durandal felt immense pressure, but also a surge of fighting spirit.
"Rest assured, I bear no ill will. My name is Su. In your terms, I am a pioneer. My mission is to protect the people of this era and help you overcome the threat known as the Honkai."
The leaf in Su's hand floated up and dissipated. At the same time, the images showing Durandal's life began to change into countless different lives, but all of them were still Durandal...
"These are all me?" Durandal looked in disbelief at the images of countless versions of herself living different lives. Some were ordinary, some were heroic, but without exception, Durandal saw a shadow of herself in all of them.
Su's eyes were closed, but his "mind's eye" could still clearly sense Durandal's shock. However, Su hadn't expected Durandal's shock to be not because of the existence of parallel worlds, but because...
Durandal was extremely curious and shocked as to why in the countless lives shown, not a single one had a life before the age of eight. And in the previous images, why were Ryn and Kiana not in her life!
Su: "The Second Divine Key gazes upon three thousand worlds. This is but a small fraction of your infinite possibilities. See, unlike the 'phantasmal bubbles' of the Sea of Quanta, these worlds are still operating normally, all phenomena as they should be..."
"Using the Second Divine Key, within this Sumeru, I observe countless parallel worlds. This is my task. One day, I will find the perfect method to combat the Honkai among them.
Now, that day has come. And you, Bianka 'Durandal' Ataegina, are the most crucial part of it.
Miss Bianka, to save the world, I need you to follow my instructions."
"Save the world? Hooo—"
Durandal took a few deep breaths to calm herself from the shock. Then, she gave a silent laugh and shook her head at Su.