An Unexpected Impact

by LordChaldea

Death was an unknown, no one knew what awaited them after it. So when I awoke in a world so familiar yet foreign at the same time, I swore to live a quiet life so that I could live this life at least to the fullest. That was until I decided to take a damn scholarship. SI-OC Captain Reincarnation

34. Chapter 34

Enjoy!

Special Shoutout to vladbucur1997 and Chaos Exilion for helping with this chapter!

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The 6th Valkyrja Squad.

Layla Gunnhildr.

Mashu Schariac.

Fu Hua.

And finally me, Haruto Nakamura.

A squad that definitely did not exist in the canon universe so who knows what ramifications this group of people would have in the future. What those ramifications were I had no idea but it wouldn't be anything small, I knew that at least.

So who were these two mystery squadmates that seemingly popped out of nowhere?

Well let's get started with the most familiar out of the two.

Mashu Schariac, just like her Fate Grand Order counterpart, utilized a shield that was just as tall as she was. However she didn't possess the strength that came with being a Demi-Servant so she didn't possess the ground breaking abilities a Servant from the Nasuverse would normally have.

Fortunately she had the bloodline of the Schariac family in her veins, giving her more than enough strength to use her greatshield as if it was some kind of giant battering ram.

Though as good as that sounded the shielder had just awoken from a coma, due to reasons currently unknown to me, so she wouldn't be at full strength anytime soon. Match that with the fact she wasn't known among the students to be the best of fighters before her accident that girl had a long way to go.

But if Mashu was anything like her otherworldly counterpart, the ash blonde and lavender haired Valkyrie would be a force to be reckoned with when she reached her full potential.

Heh, I just realized it. Both the Excalibur and Lord Camelot, a variation of it perhaps, were in the same squad. Was this fate or just simply dumb luck?

Who knows?

Moving on was the other squad member that I had no idea what to make out of, Layla Gunnhildr. The black and green haired girl's character was almost an exact copy of Kiana's, with maybe a few deviations in certain parts of it but I was pretty confident I knew how to talk with her.

Her weapon of choice, very surprisingly, was none other than a freakin sniper rifle. She wasn't exactly a perfect shot but she was very damm good at using her sniper rifle if you gave her a target.

However while she excelled in long range combat, she failed miserably at close range. As of the moment she didn't really possess any options for close range combat so she would have to rely on the rest of us to essentially be a shield for her while she shot away with her sniper.

Throwing a quick look to the other side of the training field, I could see Himeko drilling the 5th Valkyrja squad in some combat tactics. That was understandable as Kiana, Mei, and Bronya already had a good amount of combat experience under their belts so the next best thing to train them in was how to use that experience as a team.

It was funny, now that I thought about it. The 5th Valkyrja squad specialized primarily on offense. With Kiana and Mei being frontline attackers, Bronya could easily be either a long or close range support. They were a deadly offense that didn't let up.

Not to mention my aunt Himeko with her mighty greatsword added to that mix.

Meanwhile on the other hand the 6th Valkyrja squad was seemingly more suited for defensive combat. Mashu with her giant shield would serve as our main defender while Layla remained in the back to hammer our opponents with her sniper rifle. I didn't need to worry about Fu Hua as she was an experienced enough fighter that she could serve any role that was required.

I would essentially serve as a floater, with me currently learning how to use a sword and shield, so that I could either help Layla go on the offense or help Mashu on the defense.

But I would quickly learn that it wouldn't be that easy, oh not by a longshot.

"You're distracted Haruto," Fu Hua's stern voice ripped me out of my thoughts as I jerked my eyes away from Kiana's squad to back in front of me, where the bluish gray hair Valkyrie was slowly approaching me with a wooden sword in hand.

Ah right I was currently getting trained by none other than Fu Hua, who I had to remember was the 6th Valkyria Squad's A-Rank Valkyrie.

"S-Sorry I was just-!" Whatever I was going to say was interrupted by Fu Hua's strict shout.

"Block High!" She yelled as she brought up her sword, prompting me to raise up my left hand where my wooden shield was and defend from the strike. I grit my teeth after I felt how much force she had put into that strike, she definitely wasn't messing around.

I wouldn't be getting much of a reprieve as she instantly went to her next attack. "Block low!" This time I was barely able to move my shield fast enough to catch her blow. Speed, power, you name it, I barely had any of it.

I guess I did have some experience with the sword already, courtesy of Mei's kendo training, but I felt that wasn't any sort of advantage here. Against Fu Hua that meant little to nothing and every one of our classmates had some combat experience already so my experience didn't really get me that far.

However despite my disadvantages here I was somehow able to hold on as Fu Hua went off on the offensive. Sure the A-Rank was going easy on me and shouting where she would be striking but we'll pretend for just a moment that I'm doing really well against the best ranked Valkyrie in St. Freya right now.

Blocking another high attack, Fu Hua had a slight frown on her face.

"Do not stop waiting for me to attack, seize the opportunities your opponent leaves open for you!" Deciding to take her words to heart I prepared myself so that I would force my shield forward, throwing her sword off of it. With that I would then be able to take advantage of that and swing with my sword, capitalizing on the fact that her sword arm wouldn't be fast enough to intercept.

But before I could even put that plan to action I suddenly found my legs getting swept under me, throwing me to the ground. I didn't even have the time process that Fu Hua had swept my legs with hers as when my view changed from the back of my shield to staring up into the clear blue sky, my back aching from that rough landing.

"You focus too much on your shield, Haruto. Your greatest defense can easily become your greatest weakness." She sternly taught, standing above me victoriously with her sword by her side. Picking my back off the ground I was prepared to give some remark that a shield's purpose was to block but that died in my throat when I saw Fu Hua extending a helping hand with a small smile on her face.

"But your skills with the sword are quite good, I assume you trained more with it after that happened?" She put a special emphasis on those final words, to which I caught.

"I didn't know the next time I would be thrusted into another situation like that so there was no harm in preparing for the worst," I whispered to her, knowing that she knew I was at the docks on the night of Kiana's kidnapping. Trying to act like it never existed wasn't going to be doing me any favors with her.

"That's good, preparing for the future." She praised before she leaned in, not wanting anyone to hear what she was going to say next. "We need to talk." Her voice was low and serious.

I slowly nodded in response, though my mind was now being super wary and cautious of what I was going to say next. The reason for that being was that I had no idea if Fu Hua was still reporting to Otto, even with the fact that she had met Apollo and Hyperion and knew of their existence. If that was the case then attending this meeting could land me right in the spotlight of the Overseer's attention, which was never a good thing.

…But if that wasn't the case, then I could potentially have a powerful ally for whatever the future might throw.

"Maybe tonight?" I decided that the gambit was worth the risk, Fu Hua was too strong of an ally to pass up on. "I doubt there would be a better time for privacy considering we just got placed into this squad."

Fu Hua nodded, understanding where I was going towards. "Of course." She said right as the sounds of two people rushing over to us had us move away and look as casual as possible.

Layla and Mashu both ran up to the both of us, admiration and awe in their eyes. After the 6th Valkyrja Squad had been formed Fu Hua had decided that she would have a one-on-one spar with each one of us so that she could see what our strengths were and what our weaknesses were so that she could properly assess our abilities.

And guess who 'randomly' got chosen to go first, yippee me.

"That was so cool!" Layla gushed. "You were like 'woosh' and 'wow' while Fu Hua was all like 'wapow' and 'kablam!'. She began to try and soundboard our epic, which it really wasn't, sparring match.

"Y-You're really good with using the sword S-Senpai," Mashu timidly praised, much like her Fate Grand Order counterpart. Gosh she was just too adorable, both in this world and the one I originally knew her from.

"Ah it's nothing," I blew off their praise as I rubbed the back of my neck embarrassingly. "I still have a long way to go till I can go toe to toe with Fu Hua." That was true, I didn't realize back then but I now saw how big the distance between me and the rest was.

I had a lot of catching up to do.

"While humbleness is a virtue, I do not believe their praise is misplaced." Fu Hua sagely spoke. "The foundation is already there, all you need to do is to train it."

"I will live up to your expectations then sensei," I joked, drawing a small smile from her face.

"Layla-san, you will be next to spar with me." That amusement quickly faded away as she turned to face the black and green haired sniper, whose face paled at the realization that she was the next to fight the Valkyrie. It was easy to see why, she specialized in long range while Fu Hua specialized in close range.

But she quickly shook off her pale expression in favor of a cocky smile. "Sure thing, you'll see why I'm going to be the next greatest Valkyrie!" Layla then eagerly ran off to where she had left her sniper rifle.

Fu Hua took that as her que to move over to the other side of the arena. The way that the training fields were divided was that it was one massive field, with mini arenas littering the inside of the field with each squad having their own respective arenas to train in.

That quickly left me and Mashu to head back to the benches and watch the spar. Sitting down on the bench I could feel several parts of my body screaming in pain, not at all used to this type of exercise. I knew for a fact that I would be feeling much worse if not for the kendo training I had with Mei.

Still it was going to suck waking up tomorrow.

"S-Senpai?" Hearing Mashu's voice I turned to see the timid shielder holding out a cup of water for me.

"Thank you Mashu," I thanked as I took the cup and gulped the water down, a soothing sensation for my parched throat. As I gulped the drink down with the desperation of a man who had walked through the desert, the ash blonde and lavender haired girl sat next to me.

After I finished my drink, I held the empty cup in my hand as the two of us silently watched Layla and Fu Hua getting ready to spar. The black and green haired Valkyrie held her sniper at the ready, no doubt intending to capitalize on every second that she had the distance advantage, while Fu Hua was all but ready to close the distance between them as fast as possible, her wooden sword at the ready.

"Hey Mashu," I spoke just as the unheard signal to begin the fight was given. The Schariac was totally not expecting me to talk to her during that moment, yelping just as Layla fired a bullet, thankfully rubber, from her rifle as Fu Hua shot forward with impressive speed.

"Y-Yes?" She nervously asked as she turned to face me whilst also trying to watch our squadmate trying to nail the A-Rank Valkyria with her sniper with little success.

"I don't think we've formally met," If I was going to be placed in this new squad, then the most obvious course of action was to get to know my teammates better. With that I outstretched my hand for a handshake so that I could take the first step in that process.

"Haruto Nakamura, a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."

Mashu looked surprised by this sudden introduction but it quickly faded away as a smile grew on her face as she took my hand and shook it. "Mashu Schariac!" She energetically replied, a seemingly invisible weight lifted off of her shoulders as we shook our hands.

We were off to a great start, I had to keep this momentum up.

"Say Mashu…" I trailed off realizing that I had casually called her by her first name only without any honorifics. After spending so much time with Kiana and Mei I had quickly forgotten about that fact. "Actually sorry, would you rather I call you Mashu-san or is Mashu okay?"

The ash blonde and lavender mixed color hair girl look surprised by the question, her previous timid demeanor slightly coming back. "M-Mashu is alright with me. O-Only p-people back home called me Mashu-san…" Her tone grew more somber towards the end of that and my curiosity couldn't help but catch that.

"Problems at home?" I inquired, but I would quickly find out that would be the wrong to say when my teammate's cheeks turned red before she turned to look at me in mortification.

"N-N-No! W-What I meant was that-!" Realizing that I had accidentally come across a touchy subject, I quickly raised my hands to try and correct my mistake before it got worse.

"If you're not comfortable with telling me that's alright," I told her soothingly. "We're teammates now, I just hope to be a shoulder of comfort if you ever need it."

"...T-Thank you," She thanked before she shyly averted her gaze from mine as she turned her attention back to the spar. During the time we had our small conversation Fu Hua had managed to close the gap between herself and Layla. With the loss of her best advantage the Gunnhildr was now fighting a losing battle as she did her best to dodge the Valkyrie's punches without being given any means of fighting back.

And it didn't take long for Fu Hua to kick at her feet in the same way she had done with me, taking advantage of the girl's attention that was solely placed on trying to evade her fists. Being sent roughly to the ground I couldn't help but wince while Mashu audibly gasped.

"Your reliance on your long range weapon is easily exploited." Fu Hua lowered her sword and helped the sniper up, who currently had an expression that could be described as disappointment at her experience.

"You'll need to have an alternative weapon or know how to fight in martial arts." The bluish gray hair Valkyrie educated before she looked over in our direction. "Schariac-san you're next!"

"Good luck," I whispered to my squadmate to which she gave me a quiet 'thank you' before she stood up, grabbed her giant shield and proceeded to make her way towards Fu Hua. When she passed Layla, who was making her way towards where I was, the shielder whispered something that only the two of them could hear.

Whatever it was, it visibly lifted the black and green haired Valkyrie's spirits by just a little as she made her way to the bench that I was sitting on and took a seat next to me, plopping her sniper rifle right next to her.

"You good?" I asked her as I handed her a cup of water, which she graciously took and gulped down.

"Just disappointed I guess?" After finishing her cup of water, and subsequently crushing the empty cup in her hand. Destroying the cup in hand the dark green eyed Valkyrie eyed an empty trash can that was quite far from where we were. Readying her arm she threw the crumpled up ball that was her cup and it flew straight into the trash can with little complication.

"I mean you are fighting against Fu Hua," I looked back to Fu Hua and Mashu's spar, and it went about as well as you could expect it to go. In terms of being able to stay the longest without losing, Mashu won that contest hands down. With such a giant shield it was practically a massive wall that Fu Hua couldn't just throw a couple of punches at to win.

However its big size was also detrimental to the girl's combat abilities as the moment Mashu tried to go on the offensive Fu Hua was more than able to back away from the shielder's range.

It was a battle of attrition, one I knew Fu Hua had more stamina to use than Mashu.

I redirected my attention back to Wendy's little sister, who was watching the spar with laser focus. "She's the number one ranked Valkyrie here for a reason," I told her, knowing her defeat was still weighing down on her.

In response Layla simply looked at me with an exasperated glare, as if what I said wasn't common knowledge. "Don't you think I know that?!" Her dark green eyes focused back on Mashu's spar, who seemed to be losing stamina trying to keep her defense up while our A-Rank Valkyrie slowly chipped away at the stalwart defense.

"I-I just didn't expect to lose so badly," She confessed as she turned to face her sniper rifle. An unknown emotion flickered in her eyes at the sight of the sniper rifle but quickly faded before I could make anything out of it. "I thought I could at least give Fu Hua a run for her money, make her work for the victory…"

"Yet I got thrown around like a ragdoll, what kind of Valkyrie-!"

I placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her rant. Seems like I was doing this on an almost daily basis, though I didn't mind doing it one bit. "No one is infallible, you know." I could understand where she was coming from though, doing your best only for it to mean nothing in the end. "Sure Fu Hua might seem invincible but I'm pretty sure that she was where you were at one time."

"I'm sure that she put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to get where she is today." And that was literal. I knew that her trials, both in this era and the previous-era, exacted a very heavy toll from her. It just spoke of how strong she was.

"But I'm pretty sure she didn't get there alone, I'm sure that she had people push her and support her to become the warrior she is." Layla looked back at me which prompted me to jab a thumb towards myself as I couldn't help but give her a smile.

"That's why we're in a squad, so if you fall down we'll back you up and be with you on every step of the way."

A strange silence was left after my impromptu speech as the sniper looked at me with a strange look. "...Hahahaha!" Though it didn't last long when her composure broke and she started laughing loudly, clutching her stomach tightly. "Oh my god that was so corny."

I couldn't help but chuckle at that. Yes that speech was really corny, but if it did its job then who was I to complain?

After a little bit of time passed she finally stopped laughing. "Still thanks for the pep talk…Captain."

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at that new nickname. "Captain?"

"Just a gut feeling, and I know my gut is right pretty much all the time." Was all the black and green haired sniper said with a knowing smile.

I opened my mouth to inquire why she believed the role I was supposed to be in this, the captain of the Hyperion, was such an appropriate nickname for me. Not to mention the slight twinge of fear I felt at being called that nickname, there was no way that was intentional…right?

"I-,"

However, before I could say anything, Fu Hua interrupted me. "Haruto, Layla-san!" Hearing her the two of us turned to see all the squads in their respective arenas beginning to clean up. In our arena Fu Hua and Mashu were waiting for us, with the latter exhausted from her fight but appeared to be well."Class is ending!"

"Coming!" I yelled as the two of us picked up the stuff on the bench before making our way towards the rest of our squad.

When we were able to make it to where they were so that we could leave the training grounds together, a familiar voice shouted from across the field. "Haru-senpai!" Turning my head around slightly I saw Kiana energetically waving her hand at me, the rest of her squad behind her..

"C'mon," I motioned for the rest of the 6th Valkyrja Squad to follow. "I'll introduce you to the 5th Valkyrja Squad."

---

After introductions were exchanged between the two squads we found ourselves walking back to the dorms. It was technically the end of the day and we were free to do whatever we wanted now but it was unanimously decided to head back to our respective dorms, to both finish settling in and getting to know each other better as a squad.

I didn't know if it was luck or someone's work, most probably Theresa's, that the 5th and 6th Valkyrja's squad's dorms were in close proximity to each other. That or it was because there was literally a one number difference between the two squads.

As we were walking back to the dorms, interactions between our squads were already happening.

"So what's the big deal in calling Haru-senpai 'Senpai'?" Kiana interrogated as she looked to Mashu with an intense scrutinizing look, trying to find an ulterior motive in the Schariac girl.

But as Kiana would find out Mashu wasn't that type of person. "U-Um you don't like that Senpai?" The ash blonde and lavender mix haired girl shyly asked, her cheeks growing slightly red as she looked at the white haired girl.

Being called a 'Senpai' was something that the Kaslana was not expecting, evident by the strange confused look the white haired girl was now giving to the shielder. "...eh?" Was all she could say.

"Mashu-san, why do you call everyone 'Senpai'?" Mei asked curiously, which had led to us looking at her in piqued interest. Why was that the case?

Noticing that everyone's attention was now on her, Mashu's cheeks grew even redder as she tried to give us an answer. "E-Everyone here is better than me at combat, so shouldn't I call you all my Senpais?"

Shocked silence was everyone's reaction to what we had just heard, not at all expecting that sort of innocent answer from her.

Kiana was the first to break the silence as she walked over and placed her hands on the shielder's shoulders, a serious expression on her usually carefree face. "I take back everything I said."

"Eh?"

"From now on you will be my pupil," Without giving the girl much time to respond to that, the Kaslana hooked her arms so that one of them was snaked around Mashu's shoulders with the other outstretched high up to the ceiling. "Yes, I shall teach you my ways and the two of us will become the most fearsome Valkyries of all time!"

"I-I-I look forward to your instruction Senpai!" Mashu energetically responded, much to Kiana's delight as she began to laugh at her newfound title of senpai.

While this had been going on Layla turned her attention to Bronya, whose attention was solely focused on her phone. Leaning over the petite girl's shoulders, her dark green eyes sparkled with stars once she saw what was playing on the phone. "Is that the original Homu Kombat I see you playing?"

The Russian girl's eyebrow slightly lifted up in surprise at the fact that someone knew of the original game that launched the Homu Kombat series. "Does Subject Layla play?"

"Play?" The sniper laughed as if what Bronya had just said was the biggest joke in the world. Before the gray haired could get offended Layla whipped her phone out with a competitive look in her eyes. "Expect no mercy from me."

"Looks like everyone is getting along well." I smiled seeing how well everyone was getting along with each other. In the back I could see Fu Hua and Himeko making small talk, their conversation probably about catching up or exchanging tips about how they were going to be watching over their new respective squads.

Mei just smiled as she watched the blooming friendships between our squads. "When I learned that you were in another squad I feared the worst." She confessed.

"Worried for me are we Mei?" I couldn't help but tease, to which she simply giggled in response.

"Still I'm kinda glad our dorms are in close proximity to each other," It was something that I didn't think too much about but now that it was reality it felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my chest. "It'd feel weird if we were separated, after all that we went through in Nagazora."

"It would feel weird…" Mei trailed off, a strange tone in her voice but I didn't think about it too much about it as I just chalked it up to my exhaustion clouding my judgment.

As we continued to make light talk with each other, we eventually turned a corner. Just a few more steps and we would've made it to the front door of my squadron's dorm, and a few more minutes of walking we would've made it to the 5th Valkyrja's squad dorm.

However when we completed turning the corner what I was definitely not expecting was to see two familiar people standing right outside the door.

"Oba-san?! Sora?!" I called out in surprise, not expecting to see the pink haired child and my grandmother here.

"Haruto nii-chan!" Sora energetically called as she raced over to me. My grandmother simply had an amused smile on her face as she followed the child running up to us.

Moving so that I could meet her halfway I braced myself when Sora essentially threw herself onto me, her arms snaking around my neck as she hugged me with fierce strength. "What are you doing here?" I asked, not at all expecting to see them here.

I know from the letter that my grandmother had given to Kuro back in Nagazora had informed me that everyone was safe but with how things had been going, but with all the crazy revelations happening it had been easy to forget about all of that .

Waking up at St. Freya, getting enrolled in the academy the same day, attending my first class just the day after, getting surprised by both familiar and unfamiliar faces to be my new squadmates…

There had been so much to process that contacting everyone from Nagazora and seeing how they were all doing had completely left my mind.

My grandmother had a smile on her face, relieved that everyone else was doing fine. "Well it's a long story but…" She trailed off, her face suddenly transforming from smiling into that of an outraged expression.

Confused by her sudden change of expression, in an intensity I had never seen before, I followed her gaze to see that it landed on Himeko, who had a frantic look in her eyes as I could see sweat beginning to build on her face.

"Out of all the places." My grandmother's voice was low as the temperature of the hallway dropped in response.

"I-I can explain." Himeko stammered as Akane stepped forward.

"For god knows how long you never once contacted us and here I found you here of all places!" Reaching up my grandmother pinched my aunt's cheeks and pulled on it hard. The atmosphere could be described as utter shock and surprise at what was happening, even the normally cool Fu Hua had a surprised expression at the sight of this interaction.

"Y-You know her?" I spoke what everyone was most probably asking themselves at this moment.

"Of course I know her, I'm her aunt." Her blunt admission was just another surprise to add to this mix. I mean this revelation didn't come nearly as big of a surprise as it might've been since I've already learned that Himeko was my aunt. You only needed to connect the dots to realize that Himko's aunt was none other than my grandmother…

But I could certainly understand how surprising this might be if you just learned of this information right now.

"Wait!" Case in point with Kiana who was just learning all of this for the first time. "That means Himeko-sensei is related to Haru-senpai!" The Kaslana was now looking at the three redheads in awe, her mouth opening wider as she moved from redhead to redhead, noting just how similar we all looked.

Before someone else's world could break from this 'groundbreaking' revelation, I quickly changed the topic of conversation. "W-Why are you here again oba-san?"

Akane gave one final tug of Himeko's cheek before letting go and jabbing a thumb at Sora, who grinned. "Because Sora needed more medical treatment, had to get a stigma to help her infection for whatever this 'Honkai' business is."

To show she was telling the truth Sora pulled up her jacket's left sleeve, to reveal an artificial stigma glowing a faint red on her forearm. Had she been hit by a big enough wave of Honkai energy that she needed a stigma transplant?!

Beside me Mei gasped, realizing that she had been in some way responsible for Sora's current condition.

Our looks of various shock must've shown on our faces as my grandmother was quick to add on to her explanation. "It was nothing life threatening, but it was decided that she be given a stigma to avoid any health complications. Both Sora and Akihiro fully supported the idea."

That was…very reassuring to know that the stigma was more of a safety measure than a critical implantation. And it was nice to know that Akihiro was doing well. I wonder how Ishigami and Keji are doing now?

Little did I know I would find those answers out very soon.

"Someone Keji knew had connections that allowed Sora to get the stigma in the first place." My grandmother also revealed, which added another thing I was indebted to the chess lover for.

"Besides," She motioned to the young child who looked as if she had been taken to Homu Land for the first time as she marveled at the architecture of St. Freya, both inside the hallway and outside the windows. "Once she started hearing all things about Valkyries you couldn't stop her from wanting to be here."

That was something…new. Turning my head to look at Sora, I gave her a questioning look. "I thought you wanted to be a fashion designer?"

In response Sora merely pouted and placed her hands on her hips. "Who says I can't be both?!"

At the bold declaration Layla laughed at her behavior, no doubt finding a kindred soul in the child. "I like her!"

Akane raised an eyebrow at the sniper's words, her first time meeting her in person. She looked at me in question, probably wondering where I met someone who probably reminded her of Kiana. In response I merely shrugged my shoulders, not knowing how to give an answer to something that just sort of happened.

She just merely sighed, already used to this kind of shenanigans from me. "So I do hope you don't mind having to look after her."

However it seems that dropping Sora wasn't the all that she was here for. "But that wasn't all I'm here for." Her hazel eyes narrowed at me and I could feel that whatever she was going to say next was not going to be pretty for me. "Haruto, I called your parents."

At the mention of my parents, I didn't even bother to hide my flinch. Shit, I had totally forgotten to talk to them, to tell them what happened in Nagazora. For all they could know I could be dead.

Real 'Son Of The Year' award going on here.

I didn't even bother to hide the shame and terror I was feeling in my voice. "A-And what did you tell them?"

My grandmother gave me a sympthazing look before she explained what she had said to them. "To be honest I had no idea what to say but the person responsible for Sora being here explained it." It was official, whoever this person was I was eternally grateful for what've they done for me and those that I loved for as long as I lived.

"Said something along the lines about the bombing of Nagazora being a terrorist attack and that they were the same terrorists that had previously tried to kill you. For the safety of you and your family you're currently being held in a private secure location where they can't contact you."

That was…surprisingly clever, using the first cover up story that I had to use back in the ordeal against Rita and Stalker Carbon as inspiration for what essentially felt like an extension to the cover up. "Did that actually work?"

Akane merely shrugged her shoulders. "They took it but I have a feeling that they'll begin asking questions the more it drags on." That was right, my mother always had a keen eye. You could have the tiniest flaw and she would be able to find it if given enough time. "So the next time you have a break I'd highly advise you to visit."

She moved her eyes over everyone present in the hallway. "With everyone else," Her eyes stopped at Himeko, her stare in particular lasting longer than anyone else's. "Including your auntie." And I knew that was non-negotiable.

"At the first break I have, I will bring everyone to visit." I promised, with no intention of forgetting it.

My grandmother smiled knowing that I would be keeping that promise. "Well I'm off," She gave Sora one last pat on the shoulder before giving me a hug, giving the same treatment to Kiana, Bronya, and Mei, giving a friendly formal introduction to the 6th Valkyrja Squad, and finally a stern glare for Himeko.

When she was done making the rounds she began to walk away, but not without throwing one last look behind her shoulder. "Do take good care of her, not like you need to know that." With one final wave my grandmother turned a corner and was out of view.

When she was gone I clapped my hands loudly. "Alright I suppose formal introductions are in order, everyone this is a Sora." The child in question waved her hand in greeting. "Sora, these are my teammates Layla and Mashu…" The spunky sniper gave her a peace sign while the timid shielder gave a small wave of her hand in greeting.

"Our A-Rank guardian Fu Hua." The immortal Valkyrie gave a curt nod to the child.

"And finally…my aunt that I just knew existed, Himeko."

Now having just learned that Himeko was related to both Akane and I, Sora's fuchsia eyes regarded the redheaded major in curiosity. "You really look like her."

She then innocently tilted her head to the side. "Do you drink a lot like oba-san?"

Himeko's eyes widened at the innocent but bold question before laughing out loud, showing none of the nervousness that she had shown when my grandmother/her aunt was around."Hahaha I like her!" She reached down and playfully ruffled the girl's pink hair. "I know we'll get along splendidly."

"Senpai, where will she be staying?" Mashu asked.

"There's probably a spare bedroom in the dorm we can give to her." The dorms that we were living in were much bigger than my old apartment in Nagazora and while I may not have explored it in depth I was sure that there should be a spare room. "If not we can just request an extra bed to be placed in my room."

No one in the squad minded the addition of an extra person living with us."Alright since we're now roommates," Layla moved forward and very surprisingly lifted Sora up before placing her on her shoulders. "You play Homu Kombat?"

At the mention of the popular fighting game, an excited grin blossomed on Sora's face which was mirrored by Layla's own. "Be prepared to eat my dust!"

With one final goodbye the respective squads went inside their own dorms. I was not sure what Kiana's squad was going to do but I knew what my squad was going to do to bond for our 'first day together'.

Video Games.

Each dorm didn't come with their own video game systems, no that was generously given by none other than Layla who had brought an entire suitcase filled with various video game consoles. After hooking one of them up to the living room's TV, we were all set.

Layla and Sora quickly bonded over their shared love for video games, playfully exchanging video game insults with each other. While all of this was happening the rest of us were busy unloading our stuff.

Though in my case it was mostly me unboxing the free clothes that Theresa generously donated for me. Seeing how most of my stuff was back in my old apartment in Nagazora, with no possible way of getting it anytime in the near future, I had to rely on St. Freya for my things.

With so little to unpack, I decided to go and see if any of my teammates needed help to unpack. Layla was still preoccupied with playing with Sora so she was most probably going to be the last one unpacking.

Fu Hua didn't need any help, having packed so little for herself so the only person left to help was Mashu. Though she was timid about receiving help, after a while convincing her that it was okay she allowed me to help bring her belongings inside her room.

It took a while but eventually we all met back up in the living room, where Sora and Layla were still off battling in Homu Kombat. Seeing that we had finished settling in the black and green haired sniper invited us to play a couple of rounds.

With nothing else better to do there was no harm with playing a few games. It took a bit more coaxing to get Mashu to play but eventually even the Schariac girl played a few games.

While I may not play video games too much, I was adequate enough that I could give my opponent a run for their money. And not to forget in my previous life I was quite an avid gamer so there was also that as well.

Mashu on the other hand had absolutely no experience in playing video games, with it being a completely foreign concept for her. Luckily for the shielder Layla was more than happy to show her the ropes on how to wield the controller and what buttons did what.

Definitely took a while but soon enough Mashu got the hang of things and the four of us were beginning to bond over this video game of beating the other opponent into a pulp.

It was all fun in games…

Till Fu Hua was asked to join by Sora. At first she had refused to join but quickly learned that saying no to the pink haired child was practically impossible so very soon the A-Rank Valkyrie joined in…

And revealed just how much gaming experience she had under her belt. Suffice to say, everyone quickly decided that we weren't beating her anytime soon, combined with the fact that we had classes tomorrow, that it would be best to turn in for the night.

But while everyone was getting ready to go to sleep, I caught Fu Hua's look and nodded.

I wouldn't be sleeping just quite yet.

---

"Night Sora," I sat on the edge of the girl's bed, which luckily was in her own room. For some reason each squad dorm had an extra room for them to use for whatever reason and no one objected to turning it into Sora's new bedroom.

"Goodnight nii-chan." She sleepily answered back, no doubt the events of today were very tiring for her.

Not going to lie, I was immensely tired myself.

Ruffling her hair one last time, I turned off the lamp on her bedside table before I left the room. Closing the door behind me as silently as possible, I locked eyes with Fu Hua who had been patiently waiting for me to finish tucking Sora to bed.

"Where will we talk?" I asked as I approached her, voice low as to be careful not to wake everyone else.

"In my room, no-one will be listening in there." She pushed herself off the wall and began to walk back to her room, needing no prompt for me to follow her. It was quite a short walk from where we were so in no time did the Valkyrie usher me into her room, closing and locking the door soon after.

The bluish gray haired Valkyrie motioned for me to sit on one of the chairs to which I accepted before she started pacing around, seemingly in an internal debate. Sitting down I anxiously watched for what Fu Hua would do next, were my fears founded or was this the big break I've been waiting for?

She then suddenly stopped pacing, so suddenly that I slightly jolted in my seat. I waited with baited breath as Fu Hua took a deep breath…

"At ease Haruto." Shockingly she reached up to her face and took off her red glasses. These weren't any originary red glass, no these glasses were what allowed her to communicate with Otto directly. "You have nothing to fear, this conversation will not be leaving this room."

To further show her sincerity she pushed what appeared to be the tiniest button on the glasses before she opened a drawer and placed the glasses inside.

I breathed a sigh of relief. The most daunting aspect of this conversation was now over with. "So how do we start this?" I asked curiously.

"First off, I would like to speak to Apollo." The now glassless Fu Hua looked at me, her blue eyes looking into mine. "There are some things that I wish to confirm with him.".

I grimaced at the mention of my 'future' self. I needed to catch Fu Hua up to speed with what had happened in Nagazora. "About that…"

And without missing a beat I began to explain what had happened since the events of the dock, to how Mei had been targeted by Cocolia, to how the eruption went down, to the events that held Apollo's final moments.

After I finished my explanation an unreadable expression was on her face as she processed everything she had just heard. "...I see." Was what she said after a period of silence passed. "My condolences."

"He passed on peacefully, I'm sure that wherever he is I'm sure he's at peace." I smiled gratefully for her condolences, knowing that Apollo would've been happy if he had been able to hear Fu Hua's words.

"I'm sure he is but we must focus on now." Hyperion reminded me, fully focused on this conversation.

"There are some questions I have for you, Fu Hua. More specifically about a tidbit of knowledge that I came across during the Nagazora Eruption." I explained to her the revelation that the Herrscher of Sentience was the one who had orchestrated it all.

I told her of how the Herrscher of Sentience was not meant to be here, that she was to awaken much later in the future and that it being here now threatened to jeopardize what was to come. I also told her of the Herrscher that would assume her body's form, having been born within the MANTIS.

"You speak with such familiarity about this." Fu Hua questioned "How do you know this?"

"...Apollo told me all about this before he departed." I lied, not telling the whole 'I am from another universe and seen all of this playout' explanation. It just didn't feel right to go around telling people that their universe was just a fictional creation. Ishigami had been understanding of it, as he was created in a laboratory, but I was unsure of how Fu Hua would handle that information.

And I did not want it to seem that I knew what was going to happen, because as of now anything could happen.

Fu Hua looked at me suspiciously, not buying my entire explanation, but ultimately took the explanation. "So you mean to say that this era's Herrscher of Sentience was already inside of me, but due to Hyperion revealing themselves they were forced out of me?"

"That's the gist of it…though Hyperion has told me that you have a voice within your head?"

"Yes," Fu Hua paused, as if letting someone speak. A slight grimace grew on her face as I assumed her mind's resident was currently speaking to her. "She…Hua wishes to settle scores with Hyperion."

"As funny as that would be, there's a problem with that." If the person within Fu Hua's mind was really called Hua…that was worrisome, really worrisome. "You see the voice in your head was meant to be the original Herrscher of Sentience, so the fact that someone else is our Herrscher problem is worrying."

The immortal phoenix nodded, understanding the grave severity of the situation we were in now. "There's something you should know about Haruto. Hua mentioned that there's something inside of me, but she's unable to access it and I do not feel its presence in my body."

"The core?" That complicated things by a lot as there could only be one thing that this mystery object could be. "If that's the case then most likely you'll be targeted by the Herrscher, to try and complete herself."

And with the track record of how destructive and unpredictable this new Herrscher of Sentience could be, look no farther than the events of Nagazora, we were in for a rough time.

"When I think I've solved one Herrscher problem, three more pop up. And in our own squad nonetheless." I chuckled at the irony of it all.

Though my slight amusement at the situation was not shared as Fu Hua looked at me in shock, before her eyes narrowed. "Explain." She all but demanded.

So I told her who Layla and Mashu were exactly related to, how Wendy Gunhilddr and Ana Schariac would one day turn into the Herrschers of Wind and Ice. I told her of how Apollo, a coverup for how I really knew the information, never mentioned the two of them having siblings, let alone any that attended St. Freya.

"I know that Layla is unaware of Wendy's fate as the holder of the Gem of Desire, it was one of the conditions that Wendy had requested of Otto." Fu Hua explained after I finished talking about the two's situation. The fact that Layla still did not know of her big sister's fate was worrying to say the least. From the fabricated story Wendy was currently deployed on some super secret mission, and that she couldn't contact anyone till it was finished.

Which wouldn't be happening any time soon.

I knew their reunion was not going to be as nice and kind as the sniper would believe it was going to be.

"I'm unsure about Ana's condition at the moment, I've never had much interaction with the leader of the Snow Lotus Squad." That was unfortunate. Who knows how having a little sister could affect the Valkyrie's future. "I do know however that Mashu's standing with the Schariac family is…shaky to say the least. It must be very personal if the heavy firewalls on her file are any indication of that."

If Fu Hua had no idea what was up with Mashu then anyone that I currently knew would not know anything about her. Which meant that only time would show more about the timid shielder. "So…what do we do now?" I asked her.

"It's simple," Her blue eyes bore into me with a fierce determination in them. "We train, wait, and be ready for anything to come our way."

---

After that serious and tense conversation with Fu Hua, I went to bed with a heavy mind. Not only due to what we had talked about but also how it had ended. To only train and wait for something to happen?

It was just like how I waited for Mei's Eruption when her father was imprisoned and his reputation was torn to shreds…except I had no idea what was going to happen next and when it was going to happen.

Which was infinitely more terrifying.

But worrying about that wasn't going to help me so eventually I was able to catch some sleep before morning came. Though it may have not been the best sleep I've ever had, it was better than getting none at all.

Waking up in my new room, I quickly got changed before I left my room. However when I walked into the living room, never did I think I would see Fu Hua cooking breakfast for everyone.

I wasn't the only one to be shocked by the sight as Mashu and Layla, whose hair was in a mess, were also equally gobsmacked at the sight of our A-Rank Valkyria doing something as casual as cooking dinner.

The strange atmosphere was broken when Mashu's stomach growled at the aroma of the food that was being cooked, garnering a laugh from all of us and an embarrassed blush from the shielder. Luckily Fu Hua spared the girl from any further embarrassment as she laid the last dish of food on the table before inviting us to the table to eat.

And while Fu Hua knew how to cook some good food, I still think Mei was the best chef around.

After we had eaten breakfast together we then got ready for our second school day as a squad. Walking out of our dorm we left just in time to encounter Kiana's squad who were also making their way to the first class of the day and since we were going the same way we joined them.

Classes were the same as they had been yesterday, except that now I had Layla, Mashu, and Fu Hua as my classmates. Classes served as a way to deepen bonds between squadmates and it had been an easy change to the class rosters as the rest of my squad had technically not been enrolled for this semester's classes.

Mashu and Layla were 'transfers' like me while Fu Hua had a 'mission' that had taken her away from the academy when the semester first began.

The popularity that I had gotten for being St. Freya's first male student felt like it had increased due to who exactly was in my squad. Fu Hua was seen like an idol among our classmates so her being in a squad was seen as a big deal for most.

I did not like the popularity, never been one to be the most social, Layla however sucked it up like a fish would for water. The Gunnhildr proudly took it as a way to spread just how awesome she was while Mashu didn't seem fazed by it all.

Guess being from one of the Schicksal's major families prepared you for this kind of thing.

Other than that, the day proceeded on as normal. Training Class still involved all of us getting absolutely destroyed by Fu Hua, no surprise there, but this time it felt as if all three of us did a little bit better.

Whether that was just us being used to some aspects of Fu Hua's moveset or her training was that effective remained to be seen.

Training Class then ended but this time Fu Hua would not walk with us back to the dorms. Something about her responsibilities as an A-Rank that she needed to fulfill. I didn't ask for clarification but I knew that she wasn't to go and report to Otto about last night's conversation.

So that left me, Layla, and Mashu to walk back to the dorm alone.

"Adding a bayonet to my sniper?" Layla had a contemplative expression on her face as she judged the pros and cons of such a move. During combat training it was Fu Hua who had offered the idea up and left the decision up to the sniper to make.

"It would solve your problem of close range combat." I added helpfully.

"And you would be able to use your sniper rifle as well," Mashu suggested as well. The timidness of the shielder wasn't as prevalent as it had been yesterday so maybe she was getting comfortable with us now.

"Hmm I'll think about it though Mashu, weren't you offered to be taught by Himeko-sensei for a while?" Layla switched the topic of the conversation to an interesting tidbit of information I just learned of.

Just because you had a specific A-Rank Valkyrie your squad was assigned to didn't mean you could not ask other A-Ranks for additional training. Case in point Mashu was asked if she would like to take some lessons under Himeko, as the redheaded major had experience in wielding heavy weapons which would be invaluable for the shielder and her tower shield.

"I-I'm not sure if I want to burden Himeko-sensei with-," Ah there was the timidness that she was known for. It seems that she really didn't have much interaction with people so the prospect of talking with new people was daunting for her.

"What if I came with you?" I offered reassuringly. "She is my aunt so I could come with you if that would help reassure you." And it could also give me an opportunity to bond with my aunt as well.

Mashu seemed surprised by my offer but very quickly gave me a smile of gratitude. "Thank you Senpai!"

After that our conversation soon shifted to more casual things. Things like what do you do in your free time or what you like to eat, just things that we could get to know about each other. It continued on till we got to the front door of our dorm.

"Ah shoot!" Layla suddenly shouted, her dark green eyes wide in sudden realization. "I totally forgot that we had to finish our applications!" Judging by Mashu's shocked expression, it had also been forgotten by her as well. I didn't have the same problem as I finalized my application before my first day here.

"We'll be back Captain!" I watched as Layla waved me goodbye before she and Mashu went wherever they needed to go in order to finalize their application. That left me alone in the dorm room with nothing to do.

"Maybe I could do some homework." I muttered out loud, trying to find what I could do. "Or maybe hang out with Kiana and the others? Though maybe I would be interfering in their new group dynamic."

Sitting down on the couch I continued to wrestle with what I should exactly do next when my phone suddenly vibrated. Bringing out the device from the confines of my pockets, a confused expression took place on my face when I saw what exactly was the notification.

"An email?" And it came from an email address I had never seen before. Already this was a bit fishy and it could be just some kind of scam or virus that I could possibly get if I opened the email.

Yet being as bored as I was at the moment I simply threw caution out the window and opened the email up, but when I did I was not expecting to see what I saw.

"What the…'' I trailed off as I began to read the very lengthy email, not knowing what to initially make out of it.

But that confusion quickly dissipated when I read the first line.

Dear Haruto Nakamura,

This is Akira Ishigami.

If you're getting this email…

Then I…am no longer able to see you.

"H-Huh…?!" This had to be some joke, some elaborate ruse for me to lower my defense so that I could be surprised when I least expected it! Yes that was it, this was just some big joke that would get a big laugh out of me.

Yet a part of me knew that wasn't the case. Ishigami rarely joked about things, especially if they were as serious as this.

Now I'm no seer but I knew my time was slowly approaching. After all, I am a clone. I don't have the same life expectancy as a regular human being would, my body was just the first experiment and never created to last long.

However, after all that's happened in the past year, with the World Serpent kidnapping Kiana and preparing Nagazora for Mei's Herrscher Awakening, I've pushed the limits of my body to the point that I would only have a year or so left to live.

But I don't regret a single thing, not for a single moment would I change anything. This is the most action I've gotten in my entire life and I enjoyed every bit of it. Even if I got my ass kicked quite a few times.

A choked laugh escaped me as I read that part. Even writing something as serious as this he still found a way for his humor to get through. Still even with that brief laugh it did nothing to dissuade the tears that were slowly trailing down my cheeks.

Knowing that I had a year at best to live, I wrote this letter to you and someone else(Though the contents of that letter are significantly different). I wanted to ensure that if I could not get a chance to say my final words, that there would be a way for you to get them.

…

…

I…I've never been the best at doing these kinds of things, you know that. Pouring my emotions out, it has always been such a foreign concept for me. I could scarcely remember the last time I've cried due to just being emotional…

However…

I…

You've changed that, as well as many other things. Never did I think I would find myself opening up about my past, never did I think that I would reconcile with it, never did I think that I would find myself caring for other people.

I have you to thank for all of that.

The road ahead will be arduous, we both know this. Each step you take will be strenuous than the last. There will be times that your soul will be on the precipice, I have a feeling reading this letter will be one of those times…

But I want you to remember Haruto, when all seems lost, what it is that you are fighting for. The people that you care about, the future that you wish to create.

I know you can do it…

Because if there's anyone that can make a miracle happen, it's you.

Goodbye Haruto Nakamura,

You were the finest student I ever had the pleasure of teaching.

Give everyone else my apologies for not being able to see them one last time.

Sincerely,

Akira Ishigami.

By the time I finished reading the entirety of the letter, the tears were coming out full force without stop. Slight sobs began to wrack my body as I came to terms with what I had just learned.

"Haruto…" Hyperion said worryingly.

"I know, I know." This was to be expected. I knew that going down this road meant that sacrifices had to be made, people that I loved might get hurt or even die. I myself knew this after I took my first life saving Kiana…

Yet this would be the first time that someone I knew had died.

"It's just…" I held my phone close to my chest, the email being one of the few things I had left of Ishigami-sensei. "He was one of the first people that I formed a connection with."

It felt so strange to have a teacher be one of the first people you really bonded with but it was so true in regards to Akira Ishigami. The lab coat wearing teacher had been so instrumental to the person I am today, all the days spent playing chess matches really helped train my mind to see things in a whole new light.

Not to mention how instrumental he was in freeing Kiana from the World Serpent. If he hadn't helped I would have no idea where the Kaslana would be right now. Probably a prisoner in some heinous laboratory subjected to god knows what.

He was also instrumental in ensuring that Nagazora wasn't turned into an absolute wasteland the moment Mei awoke as a Herrscher. Though the city was slowly turning into that wasteland as we speak, if he hadn't known Tesla and Einstein then there would've been no way for me to interrupt their conversation which would lead to us saving the lives of every citizen in Nagazora.

Including mine.

It was only now that I was beginning to understand how heavy this burden I was carrying. Not only was I carrying the wishes of Apollo, I was carrying the wishes of Ishigami for a better future.

A future…a future where…

However before I could try and pull myself back, to try and reign my emotions in, the dorm's door suddenly slammed open. "We're back!" Reflexively I turned my head back to see Mashu and Layla enter the living room. "Hey Captain what did we…" Magenta and dark green eyes promptly widened in horror when my red puffy eyes were bare for the whole world to see.

"...Haruto?"

"I-It's n-nothing," I quickly said as I wiped my eyes as I tried to leave. However I could only stand up and take a step forward before I was stopped as Layla quickly crossed the distance between us, sternly holding on to my arm to prevent me from leaving.

"No, there's clearly something wrong," Mashu soon joined her side, the first time I would see such a serious expression on her normally timid face.

"I-I'm telling you that it's nothing!" I shouted in an attempt to try and get as far away as I could from this scene.

"Now that's bullshit." My eyes widened as I turned to look at Layla in shock, totally not expecting such words from her as dark green eyes burned with determination. "Wasn't it you that preached that we needed to rely on each other now that we're a team? What happened to the squadmate that said that he would trust us if we could trust him?!"

"I…" Shame filled me, not at the fact that Layla had used my words against me, but because I realized that I had been planning to just hide away from this and deal with it by myself. If I had done that I probably would've pushed everyone away in the process so I said the only thing I could at that moment. "I'm sorry."

"D-Don't be sorry Senpai, it's normal." Mashu offered supportively as she placed a hand on my shoulder. "But will you tell us what happened?"

I nodded before I sat back down on the sofa, motioning for the two to sit. "Someone close to me…you know how I was a part of the Nagazora Eruption?" My squadmates nodded as they sat down, flanking both my sides. "I-I just learned that he didn't make it."

"Our condolences." They both said in unison.

I smiled at their words, as they brought a small sliver of relief to me, before I continued on. "He wrote me an email before it all happened and a part of me is saddened that he passed on but…" I nervously held my hands together. "I'm more scared that I won't be able to live up to his expectations. He's…he's one of the first people that really helped me be the person I am today."

Silence reigned as I left my words hanging in the air. How could you respond to that? What words could you say that could bring any sort of relief? I didn't know how I would respond to that kind of statement.

That didn't mean someone else didn't know how to.

Surprisingly it was Layla who broke the silence. "...I want to make my big sis proud." The dark and green haired had such a soft tone in her voice when she said that, a far cry from the energetic and loud sniper I was beginning to learn about. "For as long as I can remember she's always been someone that I've strived to become like."

Her tone of voice soon prompted the only other person who hadn't spoken to join in. "I-I also want to make my family proud," There was a strange tone in Mashu's tone when she confessed that, as if there had been a conflict in saying those words. "T-There's alot for me to prove to the Schariac family."

I took note of how family was a touchy subject for both of my squadmates but I quickly ignored that. They both had just said things that were very secretive and personal to them. That was a level of trust that I didn't think we would get so early on in the 6th Valkyria Squad.

Some people might call it strange for three people who have never met before to bond so quickly but that was what was so special about the bonds people forged. Sometimes it would take countless battles for even the seeds of a bond to take root…

Or all it could take was one special, intimate moment for that bond to develop.

"Look at us, a trio of young teenagers who seemingly have the burdens of the world on their shoulders," I smiled as I wrapped both of my arms around their shoulders and pulled my two squadmates closer for a group hug. Mashu giggled at the action while Layla laughed out loud but neither of them were complaining as they joined in on the hug.

Thank you Ishigami…for everything you've done for me.

I will live up to what you saw in me.

However the three of us were completely oblivious that our entire conversation had an unknown participant. For outside the door Fu Hua had been listening in on the entire conversation since the moment it had begun.

The A-Rank Valkyrie had arrived just a few seconds after Layla and Mashu had returned and was in the process of opening the door when she had heard the sniper's declaration. The bluish gray haired Valkyrie would be having a conversation over her choice of certain words…

But it was quickly forgotten as she listened in on the conversation they had, and by the end of it a certain weight was lifted off her chest.

It was a fear that every A-Rank Valkyrie had when they were assigned a team. For you see whenever a squad was newly formed the first few days were the most crucial. It would show just how well the group could work together and if they were up to the task of fighting against the Honkai as a team.

If a team didn't mesh well together then having other people fighting alongside you could result in the deaths of everyone rather than be what saved them. This war against the Honkai exacted a heavy toll and it was not for the faint of heart.

However…

A smile blossomed on Fu Hua's face before she turned from the door and walked away.

She had a feeling that this squad didn't need to worry about that anymore.

---

It was a vibrant morning at St. Freya. Such a morning should be enjoyed to the very fullest and be taken advantage of by all that lived here.

Unfortunately there are some things in life that exist just to take someone away from such pleasures of life.

"Paperwork, the bane of humanity," Theresa groaned as she finished what had felt like her hundredth paper that she had to sign. Normally such a number would signal that she was close to the end of her ordeal. However, taking a look at the stack of papers that she had to grade it didn't even appear she had made a dent in its size!

Not even a cool glass of melon juice would alleviate the headache she felt coming in!

However the petite principal would soon find out that this day was about to get a whole lot worse. Without warning the door to her office swung wide open as a certain smiling scientist strolled in. "Oh good morning Principal!" He called out in a sweet tone that had Theresa internally weeping.

Why was it now of all days, when she had a mountain of paperwork to sign, did he decide to show up?!

"...Asplund," She did her best to keep her tone from showing her displeasure, which made her voice sound robotic and tired. "What a surprise."

The white haired scientist was either oblivious, or chose to ignore, her mood as he casually strolled right to the front of her desk. "Oh dear principal! Isn't today a wonderful day! The birds are chirping, the sun is positively divine, we've just received a new batch of pudding that-!"

"What do you want?" If it were any other day Theresa would've been much kinder but this stack of papers wasn't going to sign themselves while the scientist played with his words.

"Straight to the point as always, a feat that I've always admired about you." He praised, which only served to aggravate her even more. How was it that he seemingly could push every button a person had without even knowing it?

But she could focus on that later as Christopher Asplund began to explain the reason why he was here. "St. Freya has certainly received an influx of interesting individuals. The long lost Kaslana, the Herrscher of Thunder…"

A large grin appeared on the eccentric scientist's face. "And with them our first ever male student, a student whose data matches perfectly with the one who gave me the data necessary in completing the Yggdrasil Advanced Engineering Corps' special 'little' project."

It did not take long for Theresa to realize where he was going with this. She knew of the accident that had involved the corp's prototype gauntlet, how Asplund had forgone the usual methods of transporting their highly dangerous equipment in favor of a speedy delivery. There was a reason why they had such delivery systems in place so they could prevent them from falling into the wrong hands, and she had given the scientist a stern talking to when she had learned of this fact.

Though she was a bit lenient in giving Asplund his punishment as the gauntlet had been an instrumental part in saving Kiana from the World Serpent. One of the reasons why she helped Haruto was to thank him for risking his life to save Kiana's.

"You want him to use it." She realized.

"Why of course," The scientist in front of her grinned, no doubt pleased that she had not said no outright. "He was the one who gave us the necessary data, it's only right that he be the one to enjoy his spoils."

"He's barely learning to fight as a knight," Her blue eyes narrowed as she caught on to what the scientist wanted to do. "Now you want him to get into the same suit that put Mashu Schariac into a coma?"

The white haired scientist held up his arms in peace, a rare showing of regret on his face. "I admit that we were a bit too eager with the Schariac girl, but the fact that he's been able to activate one of the suit's important systems in such an incomplete state means he should have no fear of the completed suit."

Before she could try and argue more that this was a bad idea Asplund added some more to his argument. "Don't worry, Marie has just recently come back and is making sure the suit is ready to be tried out." If there was one blessing that Theresa could be thankful for it was for the woman known as Marie Barlow. The black haired scientist made it so much easier when it came to dealing with her boss.

It had come off quite as a shock when she heard that Marie had suddenly headed straight to Nagazora when news of the Eruption had taken place, saying that she had a family emergency that she needed to take care of. The scientist didn't ask for much so the principal was more than okay with her taking the time from her job to make sure her family was alright.

"She's also submitted a personal recommendation for someone to join the corps so I'll have my hands full soon." Asplund replied offhandedly before his teal eyes glinted seriously.

"Theresa, you know as well as I do the importance of this project. If this succeeds it'll usher in a new era of battlesuits, ones that'll be able to be used by all of your beloved students and make sure they come home safe. The Honkai is constantly evolving and very soon the weapons that we believe are 'state of the art' will quickly become obsolete."

Against that kind of argument, did she really have a choice to make? "...Very well then, I will notify Fu Hua to bring her squadron to your workshop."

Her words were like the equivalent of winning the lottery for Asplund as a massive smile grew on his face. "Ah absolutely wonderful!" He cheered before quickly spinning on his heel and exiting the office. "Now if you'll excuse me I have a suit to prepare for its debut!"

When the scientist closed the door behind him, Theresa released a sigh. That conversation had taken far more energy than she would've liked it to have done and knew that she was going to lose much more in order to complete the stack of papers she had.

Picking the top paper of the pile she had to sign, the principal of St. Freya gave a silent prayer for Haruto as he would be dealing with the world's most eccentric person before she focused all her attention back onto finishing all the papers she needed to sign.

---

"Where are we heading to Fu Hua?" I asked our guardian confusedly, trailing behind her as she guided us to an unknown location.

It had come as a complete surprise too. It was around the middle of the school day when Fu Hua had announced that she was taking the squad somewhere urgent. Confusion wasn't only shown by us but also the entire classroom with those words.

After all none of them were in active duty, other than Fu Hua of course. And just because Fu Hua was on active duty didn't mean that the 6th Valkyrja Squad was too.

The teacher was also confused but knew Fu Hua was not one to lie so she allowed us to go wherever we were needed.

So back to the present upon hearing my question a rare frown appeared on the bluish gray haired Valkyrie's face. "Somewhere I would rather not have to go to." Was all she said as we exited what was considered the main academy grounds.

Yes St. Freya was technically a school but in reality it also served as the Far East Branch's main headquarters. The main island that the academy was situated on could be divided in three parts. In the middle was the actual academy itself, on one side of it was where the main 'military' base of the Far East Branch was located. I knew that because that was where the Hyperion battleship was currently docked at, receiving repairs.

And on the other side of the academy was the area I was the least familiar with. I knew this to be where the Far East's Research and Development took place. This was the place where all science related to Honkai took place.

In the middle of this place was a tall building, probably like the main headquarters, and surrounding it were various 'workshops' that I assumed was where various science corps called home.

We began to head in the direction of where a couple of workshops were located and while me and Layla were still left in the dark, surprisingly it was Mashu who would be the first to realize what was happening. "I-I know where we're heading." She gasped in realization.

"You do? Then where are we-!" I was about to ask the shielder what she knew, only for my attention to be torn away as an energetic voice interjected.

"Ahaha at last! The hero arrives!" An unknown voice suddenly interrupted, prompting all of us to turn to see that someone had been waiting for us in front of one of these workshops. The unknown person must've had an infamous reputation as Fu Hua softly groaned while Mashu gasped again.

Just who was this person?

As we made our way closer to the scientist, I felt a slight pang of hurt on seeing the lab coat that reminded me of a certain chess teacher. Ignoring that small grief that would only pass with time, I decided to give my greetings. "H-Hello?"

What I was not expecting was the distance between us to be quickly crossed. I couldn't even say anything in response as the mystery scientist suddenly had his hands on my cheeks, his teal eyes inspecting me with a scrutiny that was borderline uncomfortable.

"Hmm looks you've been busy," One of his hands moved to pinch one of my arms. "Developed some muscles as well, a slight adjustment to the gauntlets will have to be done then."

As he continued to ramble to himself about how various changes had to be made for this 'suit' of his, I could not help but notice just how familiar this scientist was…

…

No way…

Was this the Honkai universe's version of Lloyd Asplund?!

"Asplund," Fu Hua spoke up beside us, her tone already tired of having to deal with him. "Please stop making him uncomfortable."

"So mean Fu Hua." The white haired scientist pouted as he let go of me to turn and face the A-Rank Valkyrie. "I was merely inspecting-,"

"Forgive him," A new voice interrupted. Approaching us was another lab coat wearing scientist with black hair and red eyes. "He's been like this ever since he was given the all clear from Theresa-sama."

I did not know who this new person was but I did not have to wait long for an introduction. "Marie-san!" Mashu joyously exclaimed before she ran up to the scientist.

"Ah Mashu-san!" Opening her arms the black haired scientist engulfed the ash blond and lavender haired shielder in a warm hug. "You're awake and well, I'm glad." She moved her attention to the rest of us and smiled. "Not only that but you have your own squad to call your own."

"Forgive me but what the hell is going on right now?!" Layla shouted as she was the only one who had absolutely no idea what was going on.

"Y-Yeah I'm in the same boat as her," And while I may not be completely left in the dark I still had no idea why we were here.

"You hurt me, after all you've done for this corps." Asplund replied in faux hurt, clutching his chest as if he had just been fatally shot.

My confusion must've shown on my face from his words as Marie brought out a tablet to show me what her boss was referring to. "Does this look familiar to you Haruto-san?"

Looking at what was displayed on the tablet, my hazel eyes widened when I saw a very familiar looking piece of equipment. "Y-Yes, I know what this is." The thing I was looking at was the white and gold gauntlet I had used at the docks of Nagazora.

If I was being completely honest I had completely forgotten about the gauntlet I had used to save Kiana. I knew it had been Schicksal in nature but never did I think that it would be associated with the Far East Branch! "But if that's the case then…."

"Yes we are the Yggdrasil Advanced Engineering Corps! " Asplund grinned when I connected all the dots together. "The builders of the gauntlet that you so valiantly used against the World Serpent!"

"...I'm not paying for it am I?" Because I knew that I had no money to cover a project I knew could cost more than a high-end supercar.

"No!" Asplund hotly denied. "As a matter of fact I'm here to thank you for using it. Without you I wouldn't have been able to complete this project!"

"Project?" I asked, not knowing originally that there was more to the gauntlet. My first thoughts about it had always assumed that was all to the piece of equipment, with how strong it had been it might as well.

However now knowing who exactly built the gauntlet in the first place I knew there was more to it.

An excited grin took shape on Asplund's face. "Come this way." Was all he mysteriously said as he ushered us to follow him before he and Marie began to walk back inside their workshop, which had the same sword and wings symbol I had seen on the briefcase that had contained the gauntlet I used from them.

When we entered it looked like what I expected of a Schicksal Laboratory. Fancy equipment and gadgets all over, scientists working on whatever is that they were assigned to, it had all the markings of a fancy lab under the jurisdiction of Schicksal.

But the one thing that immediately stood out was what was in the middle of this place.

I didn't actually know what it was because it had a giant tarp covering it, yet despite that I knew that it was this 'secret project' that Asplund was so giddy about.

The eccentric scientist wasted no time walking over to the tarp, readying his hands as he held the fabric in anticipation. "Without further ado…" He ripped the tarp open and revealed exactly what had been hiding underneath.

It didn't come off as a complete surprise when I saw what it was. After all, if you knew Lloyd Asplund, who was from a stellar show called Code Geass, you knew that wherever the pudding scientist was…

There was the Lancelot, one of the most badass mechs to ever grace the anime world.

What I saw was not a carbon copy of the Lancelot, but it was pretty darn close to it. For one it was a suit meant to be worn by a human as opposed to a giant mech that was taller than a tank.

The 'suit' also lacked the head unit that was so iconic to the Lancelot. The cockpit that the pilot would've sat in was nowhere to be seen on the back, instead there was what looked like a rifle strapped to the back.

It was also less bulky than a mech and more along the lines of a Valkyrie Battlesuit, which didn't rely on armor and more on mobility. Areas where machine parts would've been they were non-existent to allow for better range of movement.

An example of that was where the Lancelot suit would've had bulky shoulders where its Factsphere Sensors( Essentially they were advanced cameras to allow the pilot a better observation of the battlefield) would've been installed in. Now they were nowhere to be seen.

Yes I was a giant anime mech geek, I knew my stuff.

But other than that the suit standing before me was almost the same as the Lancelot Knightmare Frame. It even had its white and gold color scheme for crying out loud

And while it may look less protective than its other anime counterpart I knew defense was not going to be a problem with this suit, if the two familiar gauntlets, with two familiar swords holstered within them, were any indication that its so iconic shield system was there.

Oh so that's why the green shield that I used at the docks had been so familiar!

"May I present to you the first addition to the Yggdrasil Advanced Engineering Corps' Kingsbane Battlesuit Series…"

Asplund had an ecstatic smile on his face as he finally got to reveal what this beautiful suit was called.

"The Caliburn!"

---

So at last Haruto's first battlesuit, Battlesuit Caliburn, has been revealed! What do you think of the name? I wanted it to be related to King Arthur, you know Excalibur and everything, and I think it fits to be his first battlesuit.

I got some more exciting suits for not only him, but for our new squad as well.

How do you like Mashu and Layla so far? I would like to think I made them likable and unique. Mashu being the timid one(Like her FGO counterpart) while Layla is the more boisterous out of the two. Would like to know your thoughts on them.

As for Fu Hua I deliberately chose not to make Haruto reveal his origins of coming to the universe. There will be a point in time where everyone will kinda be shown this information, but its in the far, far future.

Now I wanted to address a few concerns you guys had on the last chapter where I didn't mention anything about the aftereffects of Nagazora and that was intentional. The reason for that being is I felt I could save that for this chapter so that everyone that wasn't part of the Nagazora Eruption(Fu Hua, Layla, Mashu, etc) would have a way to connect to the story much faster.

I could've written the after effects of Nagazora in the previous chapter but felt that it would be a wasted opportunity when I could have the 6th Valkyrja squad be apart of it, giving them some opportunity to be integrated with the known cast.

That was the main reason for why I did the Ishigami scene the way it happened. Wanted his death to have a really big impact, both as a way to cement this arduous road Haruto is on but to also let it be an opportunity for his new squad to bond further.

What are your thoughts on this?

I was really surprised at how many people wanted to have Haruto's parents visit in some shape or form. And while I do agree it should've happened, I'm saving the visit for two reasons. Reason A is a very special scene that needs to happen beforehand. Reason B…

Let's just say it starts off the shipping war.

You'll see what I mean by that *Cue maniacal laughter*

Welp that's all for this chapter. If you enjoyed it, drop a fav/follow/kudos as they really help me out with creating great chapters. Reviews are deeply appreciated and if you have a question or a really interesting theory I am more than happy to reply. Please be patient if I don't respond to you super fast. Even if I don't respond to your comment for whatever reason, know that I read each and every one of them!

Peace!