"Where in the world did this Wende pop out from? His looks and his name are exactly the same as in the game, and now he's the rehabilitation therapist for the host of the Gem of Desire? This is ridiculous. Have the brains of everyone in Schicksal been eaten by that damn Otto?"
Looking at the intelligence report sent from Oceania by an Anti-Entropy spy, Tesla wore an expression of utter disgust. How can things be this absurd? Come on, this person is so important, and you're just treating him as a therapist? For the host of the Gem of Desire, no less? It seems Schicksal is doomed to fail!
"Perhaps that man has other ideas. Maybe he doesn't want to alert their forces."
Einstein analyzed the situation carefully. Upon learning that Wende might be heading to St. Freya Academy, Welt Yang had immediately rushed back to the academy to continue teaching his history class. As the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy, one could say he was always leading from the front...
However, if that Wende really did bring the vessel of the Gem of Desire back to St. Freya Academy, then it was indeed a situation worthy of such a fuss.
"Sigh... one academy, two gems, and now him... I really don't dare to imagine what would happen if something went wrong here..." Einstein lamented. It was truly...
---o---
Schicksal, a district near the Oceania Branch.
Wendy had thought long and hard last night. After careful consideration, she still decided to return to St. Freya Academy with Wende. Perhaps... she still yearned for that place? Or maybe... she wanted a clear answer from her teacher?
Wendy was confused. She suddenly felt as if she had been severed from her past self. When did it start?
Oh, it was eight days ago. When Wende brought her to her new home, when she felt the sensation in her legs for the first time, when she was able to move her legs just a little...
She believed Wende could make her run again. On a grassy field with the wind blowing, barefoot, to feel that long-lost freedom once more, instead of being trapped in this wheelchair.
"What are you thinking about?"
Having packed Wendy's clothes into the suitcase, Wende spoke to the girl, who was staring blankly out the window.
"Ah? I... I was thinking about when we would go back to St. Freya Academy..."
Wendy's face turned a faint red as she stammered and fabricated an excuse. If she told Wende what she was really thinking, he would probably just smile and pat her head, right? Although that would be nice too... Wende's hand was so warm... No, no! Strange, what's wrong with me...
Seeing Wendy's eyes darting all over the place, Wende just smiled helplessly.
It seemed she really did want to go back to St. Freya. That was a good thing. After he left, with Kiana and the others there, Wendy wouldn't have to repeat her tragic fate.
"Alright, time to change clothes. Kiana and the others will be here soon. We'll take the airship straight back."
Wende gently stroked Wendy's small head as he spoke.
"Mm. I... I'd like you to help me change, is that okay?"
Wendy looked at Wende with anticipation, the ahoge on her head swaying left and right as if in agreement.
It's... not because it's absolutely necessary... but, she had a pretty little dress she wanted to wear for the trip back. It was just too much trouble to put it on by herself, so... so she just wanted Wende to help her...
"Of course. Which one?"
"The little cyan dress..."
"Okay. What about shoes?"
"I... don't really want to wear any..."
"Alright~ But you still have to wear socks, or you'll catch a cold. And maybe at least some slippers?"
"Okay~"
At twelve noon, the trio arrived punctually at Wende and Wendy's door. Before Kiana could even knock, Wende opened the door, dressed formally, and handed Kiana several bags of luggage.
"You're right on time. Let's head out now. Maybe we can make it to St. Freya in time for dinner."
"Whoaaa! So much stuff! Mei! Bronya! Quick, help me!"
"Kiana, put it down first! Why are you trying to carry the suitcase in your arms?"
"Sigh, Idiot Kiana."
In the end, it was Wende pushing Wendy, with the trio carrying all the bags, following him down to the underground garage.
After fastening Wendy's seatbelt and watching his moving crew load all the luggage into the car, Wende nodded with satisfaction.
This was much easier than when he had first picked Wendy up.
"Get in, girls. We have about an hour's drive to the airfield."
"Alright! We're finally going back to St. Freya! We came to Oceania for two days and didn't get to do anything fun at all..."
Kiana couldn't help but pout, feeling aggrieved at the thought of being taken out of commission for a whole night by a single cookie.
"There, there. We still have classes at the academy, and don't we still have a mission?" Mei gently patted Kiana's back to comfort her.
"Kiana still has to retake her final exams. You should probably deal with your academic problems first when we get back."
Bronya fastened her seatbelt in the back and delivered a critical hit to Kiana with a deadpan expression.
"Ah! Nooooo!"
---o---
"They're out."
"Proceed as planned."
In the underground garage, a figure silently watched the car carrying the group drive away and spoke into a wireless communicator.
"..."
---o---
"Hm?"
Wende, who was driving, suddenly frowned. He immediately tapped the brakes several times, then quickly swerved the steering wheel to the empty right side. The speed wasn't too high, so there was no danger of the vehicle flipping over.
"Oof!"
Kiana, who had been chatting away with Wendy, was thrown against the window by Wende's sudden swerve, getting an intimate kiss from the glass.
"Sigh. I told you to wear your seatbelt."
Bronya shook her head helplessly, but her own brow was furrowed tightly.
"What happened?" Mei quickly asked Wende in the driver's seat.
"Sigh. It seems someone doesn't want us to go to St. Freya," Wende shrugged, a hint of resignation in his tone.
He knew the original plot, so he naturally knew what was happening. His only regret was that he didn't have a cookie on him right now, otherwise he'd make sure that Cocolia never returned from this!
BOOM!!!
A massive explosion roared from the side of the car, the shockwave so powerful it threatened to flip the entire vehicle!
Bronya quickly summoned Project Bunny 19C to stabilize the car body. At the same time, the group caught a glimpse of their attacker.
A colossal steel body, terrifying giant fists, and a cyclops-like electronic eye.
It was an Anti-Entropy Titan Mech!
"Trying to ambush someone right next to a Schicksal branch... looks like that old woman is getting a bit impatient."
Wende shook his head helplessly. In Bronya's eyes, his figure grew even more mysterious... This... was not something a rehabilitation therapist should know!