Inside the School Director's office at St. Freya Academy.
"Okay, Grandpa, I understand."
The white-haired little girl sitting on the chair frowned slightly as she looked at the communicator in her hand, which had already hung up.
At the same time, a red-haired woman pushed open the door and walked in.
"Theresa, Theresa, are you here? Oh, you're here. Did you go to my dorm again and confiscate my treasured liquor?"
"Don't you even mention it!"
Theresa glared at the red-haired woman upon hearing her words.
"The doctor said that although your physical condition has recovered a bit, you still need to moderate your drinking. Do you know what moderation means?!"
"I just couldn't help it."
The red-haired woman smiled awkwardly.
"Hmph, anyway, I confiscated the liquor."
Theresa pouted, crossed her arms, and turned her head to the side, letting out a "Hmph."
"No~ That's the source of my life, I'll die without it!"
The red-haired woman wailed.
"Who would die without liquor?!"
"Let's not talk about that. Himeko, Grandpa just called me and said that the Judgment-class Honkai Beast, which was defeated and sealed by Destiny during the Second Honkai Eruption, has somehow revived."
"Now Destiny Headquarters has officially assigned this mission to our Far East Branch. According to the headquarters' assessment, it has just revived, and its power should not have fully recovered yet. Therefore, they require us to defeat it before it causes any damage!"
Theresa said in a deep voice, looking at the red-haired woman.
"It's actually a Judgment-class Honkai Beast?"
Himeko put away her playful expression and frowned slightly.
"Yes, so I will personally lead this mission. Fu Hua and Kiana should be back soon as well."
"Once we reach Siberia, you, Fu Hua, Kiana, Mei, and Bronya will form an exploration team to investigate the surface. I will assist you from the Hyperion."
Theresa nodded.
"The initial arrangements are as such for now. I will send you the Honkai Beast data later. You can forward it to Fu Hua and the others so they can prepare."
"The rest will be specifically arranged once we reach Siberia. Depart immediately once ready!"
"Okay."
Looking at Himeko's departing back.
"Siberia, huh."
Theresa seemed to be lost in thought, as if something had come to mind.
"Click."
As Himeko left, the School Director's office door closed again.
"Cecilia…"
Behind the door, a sigh was heard, with a hint of nostalgia and a touch of pain in the voice.
.........
At St. Freya Academy, in the plaza.
Raiden Mei's expression was slightly solemn as she looked at the mission information Himeko had just sent her.
"A Judgment-class Honkai Beast, huh…"
"Mei! Mei!"
Raiden Mei turned around in confusion, seemingly hearing a familiar voice.
As she turned, she saw a white-haired girl with two long braids running towards her from a distance. In the blink of an eye, she was in front of her and tackled her to the ground.
"Mei~ Mei~, I've finally replenished my essential Mei components!"
Raiden Mei was torn between laughter and tears as she looked at the white-furred furball rubbing against her in her arms.
"What Mei components? I'm not some candy, but…"
Raiden Mei's previously solemn expression softened. She raised her hand and gently stroked the head of the person in her arms.
"Welcome back, Kiana."
"Hehe, I'm back, Mei."
Kiana looked up, smiling foolishly.
"Oh right, Mei, let me tell you, on this mission, the Squad Leader and I went to Singapore. You'll never guess, it was actually…"
Kiana seemed to recall something and excitedly began recounting the events of the mission.
Raiden Mei smiled, listening gently.
"Idiot Kiana, can you stop running so fast? All your strength really went to your muscles. And stop pressing down on Sister Mei."
A voice came.
Kiana then realized she was still pressing down on Raiden Mei and quickly got up, pulling Raiden Mei up.
The two looked in the direction of the voice.
There were two people approaching. The one who spoke was a petite girl, about eleven or twelve years old.
She had light gray twin spiral pigtails and eyes similar to her hair color. She wore a pair of purple crystal-like earrings, had a poker face, and unknown armor was equipped on her legs.
If one looked closely, they could see that the petite girl was not stepping on the ground at this moment, as if something was supporting her, causing her to miraculously float in the air.
"Idiot Bronya, I'm not an idiot!"
Kiana shouted.
"Oh, it seems you've forgotten that in games, Bronya has 120 wins so far, and you, hmph hmph, 0 wins. That means Bronya is undefeated."
"Pfft."
Kiana clutched her chest, as if about to spit out a mouthful of old blood.
"Mei~~"
Kiana pitifully pounced on Raiden Mei for comfort.
"Alright, alright, Kiana isn't an idiot. Kiana is the smartest."
Raiden Mei smiled, comforting Kiana in her arms.
"Bronya, don't bully Kiana too much either."
"Since Mei said so, Bronya will only use half of her strength when playing games in the future."
"Who wants you to go easy? I wasn't serious before. If I get serious, I can defeat you with just 1/3 of my strength!"
"Hmph, then Bronya will only use 1/4."
"Then I'll use 1/5!"
"1/6."
"1/7."
…
Raiden Mei helplessly watched the two arguing again.
Shaking her head, Raiden Mei turned to the other person among the two who had arrived.
She had gray hair tied in a high ponytail behind her back, and a pair of red-framed glasses added a touch of solemnity to her delicate face. Her martial arts-like attire showcased her heroic and spirited demeanor, and her emerald eyes behind the glasses seemed to reveal a piercing gaze.
"Squad Leader, welcome back."
"Mm, I'm back."
Fu Hua had a serious expression.
However, after a long time of getting along, Raiden Mei already knew that Fu Hua was someone who appeared serious on the surface and usually didn't show many emotions on her face, but was actually very kind and enthusiastic inside, so she didn't mind.
"Squad Leader, let's discuss the details of this mission."
Raiden Mei smiled slightly.
"Okay."
Fu Hua nodded.
The four of them: two were arguing, and two were discussing the details of the mission.
This was the scene Himeko and Theresa encountered when they arrived.
Himeko rubbed her temples, a headache forming as she watched Kiana and Bronya still arguing.
"Bang! Bang!"
A moment later.
On the Hyperion.
Kiana and Bronya each had a large bump on their heads. Next to them were Fu Hua and Raiden Mei.
The four of them stood together in front of Theresa and Himeko.
Theresa looked at the four people standing before her.
"This mission assigned by the headquarters is to investigate and defeat the Judgment-class Honkai Beast codenamed Benares. Himeko has already sent you the specific data. As for Judgment-class Honkai Beasts, I believe you understand their danger. Although its strength has not fully recovered yet, for safety reasons, Himeko and I will also go along this time."
"The headquarters requires us to defeat the Honkai Beast before it causes significant damage. Time is pressing."
"Therefore…"
"Destination, Siberia."