"What do we do now?" Raiden Mei asked, troubled.
"What can we do? We can only guess," Himeko said with a shrug.
"Bronya, when did you get your driver's license?" Kiana asked.
Bronya shot her a look one might give an idiot.
"Idiot Kiana, do you think Bronya is old enough to get a driver's license?... Hmm? Wait a minute."
It suddenly dawned on Bronya. The question was about a driver's license, but who said it had to be a normal driver's license?
The Q&A Space wouldn't ask completely unrelated questions. This meant that for the Herrscher of Reason, the "driver's license" must have some other meaning.
Bronya shared her thoughts with the others. Everyone agreed it made sense, but since none of them knew anything about the Herrscher of Reason, even understanding the question's hidden meaning didn't help them figure out the answer.
So, in the end, they still had to guess.
Since the question was about her, Bronya naturally took it upon herself to answer.
This was a rule they had agreed upon beforehand.
Answering questions came with a risk, but the rewards were shared among everyone, which could be a bit unfair.
So, they agreed that if a question involved someone specific, that person would answer. If it involved no one, they would decide with rock-paper-scissors.
Bronya hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Bronya chooses C."
[Answer... incorrect. The correct answer is B: Twice.]
In the next second, Bronya experienced the same sensation that Kiana and Theresa had felt before.
"Ngh..."
"Bronya, are you okay?"
Raiden Mei quickly supported Bronya, asking with concern.
"I-I'm fine. Just a little weak," Bronya said, shaking her head. She then looked at Theresa apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Principal. Bronya answered incorrectly."
"It's alright, Bronya. You did your best," Theresa said, stroking Bronya's head with a gentle voice.
Soon, an image materialized in the Q&A Space.
---o---
On the screen, Bronya, clad in her Herrscher attire, was riding a sleek, futuristic motorcycle at high speed through a strange space.
She tore through dimensions, searching everywhere for Seele. Finally, she spotted Seele's figure on a desolate, empty plain.
But standing a short distance in front of Seele was a white-haired man.
The moment Fu Hua saw that man's face, her pupils contracted violently.
"Kevin..."
Of course, she recognized him. Even with her damaged memories, she would never forget that face.
After all, they were once comrades who fought side-by-side, Fusion Warriors who had survived together since the Previous Era fifty thousand years ago.
Back then, each of them had been given a mission by Dr. MEI, but Fu Hua hadn't seen Kevin in a very, very long time.
She never imagined she would see him in a vision of Bronya's future.
"Seele, thank goodness you're alright."
In the vision, Bronya drove her bike up to Seele's side. Seeing her safe and sound, Bronya breathed a sigh of relief. The motorcycle instantly disassembled, reforming into Project Bunny, which stood guard by her side.
"Mr. Welt, is this man 'the Serpent'?" Bronya asked, seemingly to herself.
But in her mind, a man's voice responded.
"This is the first time I've seen his true form, but his aura... it is undoubtedly the 'Serpent' I sensed!"
Then, the white-haired man spoke.
"We meet again, Herrscher of Reason... and his successor."
"He knows of my existence?" Welt Yang's voice sounded surprised.
"I once thought you were an apostle of the Honkai, but in that labyrinth, I saw your past," Kevin continued calmly.
"Your will is no pretense. You truly are a Herrscher who fights for humanity. That is why I chose to help that little girl, to have her bring you before me."
"We are not enemies. Fighting the Honkai is our common mission."
Bronya stared at Kevin, her expression blank. "Flowery words. We will not let you leave the Sea of Quanta."
"Can you stop me?" Kevin said coldly as an endless black tide surged from behind him, forming one Quantum Shadow after another.
"I have slumbered in this sea for fifteen hundred years. For fifteen hundred years, the Honkai has ravaged the world, while I could only be trapped in memories of the past."
"But now, I have returned. Whether you accept it or not, I will fulfill my duty."
"Bronya will never let you succeed!"
As soon as Bronya finished speaking, Project Bunny once again transformed into the cool motorcycle. Bronya rode the vehicle, weaving through the writhing shadows as she charged toward Kevin.
But at that moment, the Herrscher Core in Bronya's chest suddenly separated from her.
The constructed blue energy cannons instantly dissipated. Even the motorcycle couldn't maintain its form, reverting to the basic Project Bunny.
Bronya's body fell heavily from the air, crashing to the ground. The separation of the Herrscher Core had stripped her of all her power in an instant.
Kevin easily caught the core in his hand. He looked down at the fallen Bronya and said in a flat tone, "Bronya Zaychik, you traversed countless world bubbles to get here, but your exhausted body can no longer keep up with your consciousness. If the Herrscher Core remained with you, death would be your only end."
However, the Core of Reason suddenly flared with light. Within the blue halo, the figure of a man with glasses appeared beside Kevin.
"Don't you dare lay a hand on her!"
Welt Yang roared and lunged at Kevin, only to be effortlessly knocked to the ground.
"Reconstructed your own body with the Core of Reason? A tenacious man," Kevin remarked.
"But what can you do with that broken body?"
"Why not give up? The World Serpent needs people like you."
"Don't be ridiculous! I will never accept your methods!" Welt Yang sharply refused.
"Your ideals are too naive. And naivety will be the death of you."
"I will lead humanity and complete the mission of the 'Pioneers.' Let us... meet again in the real world."
With that, Kevin took a step forward. Using the power of the Gem of Desire, he tore open the spatial lock of the Sea of Quanta and departed.
The vision ended there.