In the Medical Department of St. Freya Academy, Theresa listened with deep concern as the Medical Director and Bronya's attending physician reported on her condition.
"So... according to Schicksal's publicly available brain medicine technology, there's no way to awaken Bronya...?" Theresa's voice carried a hint of disbelief.
"That's correct," the attending physician nodded. "The biological chip burned out in Miss Bronya's cerebral cortex has been removed. However, the destroyed chip appears to have served a critical function in regulating her brain, acting as a central hub. This has left Miss Bronya in a persistent coma."
"I see... It seems we'll have to find another way... Thank you for your efforts." Theresa sighed, waved goodbye to the Medical Department staff, and turned to leave the hospital.
"The Monarch of Memory... Muninn," she murmured. "Let's hope this one is as reasonable as her sister..."
-
"I understand now... the answer is: it can't be done."
The silver-haired girl sat in the cafeteria, constantly stuffing her mouth with pastries made by Mei. After hearing Theresa's request, she promptly... rejected it.
"Even you, who controls memories, can't do it?" the Headmaster persisted, unwilling to give up.
"As you yourself said, I control memories. I can awaken people from comas caused by psychological trauma and retrieve those lost in the sea of consciousness."
"But according to your description and explanations... the Valkyrie named Bronya suffered a physical injury. My advice is to seek proper medical treatment—not come begging me, a so-called 'mystic.'"
Muninn watched Theresa hesitate before her, lying with unwavering composure.
(Just kidding. If I ruined the Venerable God's plans, I'd probably be stripped of my divine status for real. Go find the secret files your grandpa hid beneath St. Freya Church.)
"Miss Muninn, is there truly no other way?" Mei asked, her face etched with worry as she joined the conversation.
"As you humans would say, each to their own specialty," Muninn replied. "First, you need to address the physical damage. The Herrscher of Reason would be far more reliable for that than I am. Only then can you proceed with the actual awakening procedure. At that stage, I can help ensure her memories remain intact and coherent."
Muninn explained the process with practiced composure, shaking her head to indicate her helplessness with the initial step.
"Sigh... I understand now. It seems I only have one option left..."
"Headmaster Theresa, have you thought of a solution?" Mei asked, looking at the small nun with anticipation.
"Not exactly a solution... but among Schicksal's publicly available medical technologies, there might be a way to cure Bronya."
"However... Schicksal also has classified medical research technologies. If I use my authority as head of the Far East Branch to request access, I should be able to get significant assistance."
"Then I'll leave it to you, Headmaster."
"Hmph! Leave it to me!" Theresa patted her chest, her confident gesture calming Mei's anxiety. Just then, an incongruously energetic voice rang out.
"Theresa, I'm coming with you too!"
"Kiana" popped up from the stairwell.
"Absolutely not!" Theresa firmly rejected Kiana's request.
"That place is a Schicksal top-secret facility. I can only enter because of my position and authority."
"If Grandpa finds out I brought you there, I might get away with it, but you'd be in serious trouble."
Having decisively rejected the white-haired girl's plea, Theresa explained her reasons for refusing.
"How could this happen...?"
The "Kiana" who had been mercilessly rejected slumped listlessly on the sofa, her energy seemingly drained away.
"Playing the victim won't work. This is truly for your own good. Grandpa's monitoring that database at all times. If you try to break in, he'll know immediately."
"Just stay put and carry on as usual. I'll go prepare now. You two just wait here patiently for my good news!"
Unfortunately, Headmaster Theresa wasn't buying "Kiana's" act this time. She waved dismissively and left the Valkyrie Dormitory.
"Alright... see you later, Auntie!"
"Kiana" and Mei waved goodbye as Theresa turned to close the door behind her. As soon as Theresa was gone, the white-haired girl muttered under her breath:
"...Fine, if you don't want us to look, we won't. But making such a big secret out of it? Tonight, this young lady is going to sneak in with you, whether you like it or not!"
No one else heard the White-haired Clump's grumbling. However, Muninn, who knew the true nature of this "Kiana," wore a smug, "everything according to plan" expression.
"Everything is proceeding as planned... a flawless plan—"
Muninn narrowed her eyes, a look of pure enjoyment spreading across her face as she devoured the desserts on the table, leaving nothing behind. She wore a satisfied expression.
"Mmm, this is delicious. Ah, I love this..."
Sticking out her tongue to lick every last crumb of cookie from the corners of her mouth, Muninn hummed a cheerful tune as she prepared to return to her room or perhaps visit Lord Kyuusyou for a while.
"Ah—! Mei's heartfelt desserts! You've eaten them all! Spit them out this instant, you thief!"
"Kiana's" furious roar echoed behind the silver-haired girl. Muninn turned in surprise, only to see a white sphere hurtling toward her at high speed, skimming across the floor.
Instinctively, the silver-haired girl materialized a tennis racket—an object she had seen in human books—and swung it fiercely at the speeding white sphere.
"Ah—!"
With a piercing scream, the projectile smashed through the window and hurtled outside.
"What was that...?"
Having unconsciously expelled someone from the living room, Muninn tilted her head in confusion, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Uh... Miss Muninn, that was Kiana..."
Mei's lips twitched as she hurriedly opened the door and rushed out to check if Kiana, who had been sent flying, had sustained any injuries.
Ah... I take back what I said earlier... This "true monkey nature" Kiana Kaslana was definitely not part of the plan...
Muninn watched Mei chase after Kiana and shook her head helplessly.
"If it's not part of the plan, it's not part of the plan—it's just one day, after all."
Kyuusyou's voice echoed from behind Muninn.
"Lady Apocalypse..."
Muninn bowed slightly to Kyuusyou in greeting.
"Just call me Kyuusyou. Otto Apocalypse is clearly getting impatient—"
"Just now, a massive wave of missions was dispatched to all the subordinate units of the Divine Authority Squad—he's trying to divert us."
Kyuusyou curled her lip.
"My Lady, what's your plan?" Muninn tilted her head.
"Since he's going this far, why not humor him for once? Let him divert us—it's not like we can't slack off."
"Besides, it's less than a day now—"
"After that... whether we'll still be under his control will be a whole other question."
The purple-haired girl smirked mischievously, as if she had concocted a plan to make Snow's blood pressure skyrocket in revenge for his betrayal.