Honkai, why do you only throw me into high-level battles?

The Japanese Branch faced a much less severe Honkai threat compared to the Philippines or even the Oceania Branch, which was also providing support to the main battlefield.

While the Oceania Branch was stretched thin, the Japanese Branch had been ordered to defend their own territory, their combat load the lightest in the Eastern Hemisphere.

Though puzzled by the order, both Theresa and Himeko had complied.

So, while they had fewer Valkyries on the front lines, their overall strength was greater, allowing them to provide valuable battlefield experience to their students while maintaining a secure defense against the manageable Honkai incursions.

The Japanese Branch was… unique.

Theresa, ever the doting principal, had not only provided the students with standard equipment, but had also opened up the branch's extensive arsenal, allowing them to choose their own weapons. T

he Hyperion's main cannon was also on standby, ready to eliminate any high-level threats, ensuring the students' safety.

It was almost… overprotective.

Which was why Himeko was so exasperated by Kiana's recklessness. We're bending over backwards to keep you safe, and you're deliberately putting yourselves in danger?

They were charging headfirst into the Honkai hordes, leaving their classmates and teachers behind, even outpacing the Valkyries assigned to support them.

"Reckless idiots! I'll deal with them later!" Himeko muttered, marching towards the battlefield, her greatsword held high.

Theresa sighed, watching her go. Himeko hadn't been this… intense before becoming a teacher. Her temper, like her alcohol tolerance, had increased considerably.

"Don't worry, Principal. The situation is stable. Himeko is probably just… eager to fight," Fu Hua reassured her.

"She cares too much about the students… she projects her own… regrets onto them…" Theresa sighed, then changed the subject. "What about you, Fu Hua? Are you feeling… restless too?"

Fu Hua, like Himeko, an A-rank Valkyrie, had remained on the Hyperion with Theresa, a reserve force for emergencies.

And now, an emergency had arisen, albeit an unexpected one.

"No, Principal." Fu Hua's gaze shifted from the screen displaying Kiana's antics. "This is a valuable learning experience for the students. I'll stay here and provide support."

"I can't tell if you're being humble or showing off," Theresa grumbled. Having an A-rank Valkyrie as a student… it still felt surreal.

"Principal, I…" Fu Hua started to explain, but a sudden coughing fit interrupted her.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!"

The sound came from the control console.

Fu Hua turned towards the source.

"The eruption was sudden. The students were pulled from class and deployed immediately. All academic activities have been suspended," Theresa explained. "Many of our teachers are also Valkyries. They're currently on the battlefield, providing instruction and support. The others are assisting with technical and logistical support."

"I see," Fu Hua replied.

She already knew this, but she indulged Theresa's explanation.

"The Hyperion is a large ship. We need all hands on deck…" Theresa grumbled. "I've even drafted the medical and kitchen staff. They're all working in their respective roles."

Fu Hua frowned. "Principal, did you… evacuate the entire academy onto the ship?" That seemed excessive. Were they planning to relocate permanently?

"It's a temporary measure! And what do you mean by that?" Theresa's eyes narrowed. "Are you suggesting I should pay them double?" Absolutely not. The academy's budget was already stretched thin.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!" The coughing intensified.

"Is that… Mr. Yang from the history department?" Fu Hua recognized the sound.

"Yes. He insisted on coming, despite his poor health. He was worried about the students," Theresa sighed.

Fu Hua was speechless.

"Cough… cough…" The coughing became more subdued, as if the person was trying to suppress it.

"I told him not to push himself…" Theresa sighed again. "Fu Hua, please take Mr. Yang to the infirmary. His condition is… distracting."

"Of course." Fu Hua, making sure Theresa hadn't noticed anything unusual about "Mr. Yang," glanced at the monitors.

Kiana, Mei, and Bronya had rejoined Himeko. The screen showed the fiery-haired Valkyrie scolding Kiana, who looked suitably chastened.

Seeing no other emergencies, she relaxed slightly, shaking her head at Kiana's predictable behavior, then walked towards the control console, where "Mr. Yang" was working with several technicians.

"Mr. Yang, please come with me to the infirmary," she said gently.

"But…" Welt, his face pale, his forehead beaded with sweat, wanted to protest.

"It's the Principal's order," Fu Hua said, her expression and tone unchanged.

"Very well…" He sighed, allowing her to escort him out. Someone else quickly took his place at the console.

After navigating the series of airlocks, Fu Hua took him to the infirmary, where he received some medication, then to a private room. She nodded politely, about to leave.

"Fu Hua, wait," Welt said.

"You should rest, Mr. Yang," she replied, her tone still flat.

"Thank you for your concern." He smiled weakly. "I've checked. There are no surveillance systems here. You don't have to be so… cautious."

When it came to disguise and deception, the Herrscher of Reason was practically unmatched. He could alter his appearance at a genetic level, undetectable by any conventional means.

Only another Herrscher, or someone like Fu Hua, intimately familiar with the Key of Consciousness, could see through his disguise, sensing his true nature at a fundamental level.

And then… nothing. It wasn't her concern where he chose to hide. As long as he didn't interfere with her mission, she was happy to maintain the charade.

That's why they'd been able to… cooperate recently, exchanging small favors. He'd helped her, and she'd helped him.

Both favors, coincidentally, related to Lin Wei.

"Is there something I can help you with, Welt?" she asked, dropping the pretense. Maintaining a false persona was tiring.

"Don't misunderstand, Fu Hua. I just wanted to ask you something that, in my current position as a humble history teacher, I don't have access to." He smiled wryly, pulling out a communicator he'd created with his powers.

"I was hoping to contact Tesla and Einstein, but I can't seem to reach them…" He paused, his voice filled with concern. "Has anything happened? To Anti-Entropy?"

His partners' sudden silence worried him. He feared Otto might have taken action against them.

He's surprisingly… straightforward, Fu Hua thought. Isn't he afraid I'll report this to Otto? She, no longer bound by her oaths, found his naivete almost… endearing. He hasn't suffered enough, she mused.

She reviewed her memories, all the information she'd gathered recently, then shook her head. "No. As far as I know, aside from this eruption, Schicksal hasn't taken any action against Anti-Entropy."

"Is that so?" Welt relaxed slightly. "Perhaps they're busy with… internal matters?" Despite the recent turmoil within Anti-Entropy, the escalating power struggles, he still believed the organization was relatively stable.

He knew nothing about the events in the deep ocean. Only a handful of people did.

"I wouldn't know about Anti-Entropy's internal affairs," Fu Hua replied. She wasn't privy to such information, and she wasn't interested.

"I see. Thank you."

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." She subtly reverted to the formal address. "Please rest, Mr. Yang. And take your medicine."

"Beep, beep, beep…" Her communicator chirped. It was Otto.

Why is he contacting me now? She excused herself and left the room, answering the call in the empty corridor.

"Hello, my old friend. How are you?" Otto's voice was cheerful, almost jovial. "I have some good news. The Sovereign of Anti-Entropy, Welt Yang, has been… invited to Schicksal HQ for a… visit."

"Pfft!" Welt, in the next room, choked on his medicine.

I'm going where now?