---o---
Snake-Snake swayed her hips and left, not leaving behind a single drop of moisture.
Their exchange had been purely chaste this time; they had simply been communicating, not 'consummating and flowing'.
Mobius was likely thinking about Bronya. She was annoyed by Ye Feng's exclusive doting on Big Duck Duck, yet she herself had no choice but to help her obtain the Core of Reason.
It was a little unpleasant.
But then again, since coming to this world, very few people could come and go as they pleased without "leaking" something behind. They could be counted on one hand, and Mobius was one of them.
At this thought, Snake-Snake's mood improved slightly.
---o---
St. Freya High School.
Bronya had passed the triple trial… no, to be more precise, her spirit had been traumatized three times.
She herself didn't even know how she cleared it. In any case, after experiencing life as a "stepmother," an "aggrieved party," and "the other woman," she arrived at the end of the trial, where the glowing Core of Reason was suspended over a surgical table.
There was even a handwritten manual next to it, which thoughtfully recorded the method for using a Herrscher core…
"What is the meaning of this? Bronya does not understand."
What Flat Duck didn't understand wasn't the method recorded, but Mobius's way of doing things.
A bizarre trial, a prepared core, and it even came with a user manual…
Bronya gently touched her forehead. Her thoughts were a mess right now.
The previous triple trial had caused her immense… fluctuations.
No, it could be described as a shock.
In the second trial, she had been under the bed, or in a closet, or watching through a monitor, listening to the creaking sounds of her husband and various "Ely-sias" on the bed.
And in the third… she had nearly become a cuckolder herself.
But Bronya was soberly aware that this was all virtual data, not her actual husband.
Therefore, she had maintained her distance throughout.
But what if that really had been Bronya's husband?
If her dear had really married Mei or Kiana, what should she have done?
"No, my dear… is Bronya's… Making such meaningless assumptions is pointless."
But Mobius's "interrogation" had indeed cast a shadow over Bronya.
"Regardless, the Core of Reason is now in my hands."
Flat Duck clenched the Core of Reason tightly, as if grasping the future itself.
This time, she should be able to see her dear, right?
The infinite [Mobius Corridor] disintegrated, and Bronya walked out, cradling the core.
Seeing Kiana leaning against the wall with her head tilted and eyes shut, she anxiously floated over.
After a careful examination, she found that Kiana was merely asleep.
Moreover, despite having taken such a heavy blow earlier, there wasn't a single scratch on her body.
Two black lines couldn't help but appear on Bronya's forehead.
Back in the dormitory, Kiana was still wailing.
"That's just what you'd expect from someone taught by that dog Ye Feng! Who unleashes their ultimate move the moment they meet someone! The next time this lady sees Mobius, I'm definitely going to roast that snake tail of hers and eat it!"
"That is a Honkai energy aggregate. It cannot be roasted."
Bronya calmly retorted.
"Wait, are you two saying that the one who caused the anomaly in the Central Dogma was Dr. Mobius?"
As the two recounted the events in bits and pieces, Mei got the general picture.
Doctor?
The title made Bronya pause. Wasn't she a police officer?
But then again, Mobius had said before that she wasn't an officer, just an ordinary scientist.
Bronya temporarily pushed the question of her identity to the back of her mind and said:
"Mobius placed the Core of Reason in the deepest part of the 'maze.' By the time Bronya arrived, she was already gone. Right, she also left a manual, as if… she came specifically to help us?"
"Then why did she have to whip this lady with her tail?" Kiana pouted indignantly.
They had no grievances with each other.
They had even nodded to each other in that other world.
"…Bronya recalls that it was Kiana who first assumed an attack stance, and then Mobius responded. At that time, Mobius appeared as a giant shadow serpent. Kiana probably didn't recognize her."
"Ngh…"
Kiana's eyes darted away evasively.
In truth, the moment she reached the underground area, Kiana had sensed a "familiar" aura.
It was just that because of her "shared memories" with the Herrscher of the Void, a trace of apprehension and fear had risen within her, which was why she had acted with hostility.
She wanted to prove through strength that she wasn't afraid of her.
The result was that she was counter-killed.
"So, this manual, and the Core of Reason… they should be fine?"
Bronya was desperate to see her husband.
She had "fused" with the Core of Reason right then and there.
But now that she had calmed down a little, she realized just how rash her actions had been.
Leaving aside the possibility of Mobius tampering with it, could she, an ordinary person, truly wield the power of a Herrscher core?
But Bronya couldn't afford to worry about that anymore.
During the X-10 experiment, she couldn't save Seele.
Afterward, she was rejected by the world, unable to return to that warm home.
Bronya never wanted to experience that feeling of "not being able to do anything" ever again.
But what needed to be confirmed, still had to be confirmed.
Mei thought for a moment and said, "Feng-kun said that Dr. Mobius, although… hmm, ahem, although she has her own convictions, is a good girl. Since she was the one to deliver the Core of Reason, there shouldn't be any problem. Perhaps, it was at Feng-kun's instruction."
"…Hmph."
Hearing Mei's analysis, Kiana let out a dissatisfied snort.
Feng-kun this, Feng-kun that. Why does she think so highly of that dog-bastard?
But even if Kiana was unhappy, she didn't dare to snort too loudly, for fear that Mei would hear.
It was just like during the trial, when Bronya was under the bed; even though she knew the Ye Feng and Elysia above were fake, she still subconsciously held herself back from making any loud movements, afraid they would notice…
Still, although the process had been a blur, the result was good.
Bronya had obtained the Core of Reason, and she also had the "manual" from the Previous Era's genius scientist, Mobius, to guide her.
As for the second Herrscher of Reason…
In a moment of leisure, the three students had a fleeting thought about Old Yang.
Teacher… he should be fine, right?
Well, since it was Mobius who dealt with him, he probably won't die.
…Anyway, hope he's okay.
The thought was quickly tossed to the furthest corners of their minds.
…
…
"Lady Dragon, I will be leaving for a while. I have come specifically to bid farewell."
Jingliu looked at the petite, dragon-horned loli before her, her tone gentle.
"Are you leaving already? The prescription I gave you, you must remember to take it on your journey."
"Yes. My mind was in turmoil before, and I often had nightmares that startled me awake. After speaking with you, Lady Dragon… and taking the calming medicine you prescribed, I am much better. Thank you."
"There is no need for thanks. Practicing medicine, healing the sick, and saving the dying are all part of my duty."
The dragon girl, Bailu, raised her head, a look of yearning in her innocent eyes. "Can you tell me where you are going?"
"The Herta Space Station," Jingliu said softly.