"Are you sure this is actually going to work?"
Inside St. Freya Academy's Research and Developnt division, Seele stood within an apparatus that looked like a teleportation pad straight out of Alien Shooter.
She was clad in a skin-tight suit the Science Departnt had scrambled to finish over the last few days, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
It had already been six days since she had crossed over into this world. Logic dictated that by tomorrow, she would simply vanish and leave this place behind.
To be precise, she only had a dozen or so hours left.
This bodysuit and the surrounding machinery were designed to capture the energy spike of her "leap." The goal was to use a ss of quantum theories to try and pinpoint the coordinates of her ho world.
"It will work—"
Theresa stood nearby, her expression incredibly firm and serious as she spoke to Seele.
"Indeed. This equipnt will capture the quantum fluctuations generated when Seele returns to her own world," Bronya added, her small face a mask of intense focus as she personally calibrated the instrunt paraters. "The transit suit and the beacon Seele is wearing will emit a specific quantum frequency once she arrives on the other side."
Bronya paused her work for a mont to look at Seele. "At that point, if we can successfully lock onto those fluctuations, we will be able to find your world, Seele."
"Alright. I hope it works then."
Seele nodded, adopting a serious look of her own, though she couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
How could this possibly work...
Seeing them go to such grand lengths made her feel a pang of guilt.
Once her transformation ended, she would essentially cease to exist in a physical sense until her next random transformation triggered—and usually, there wasn't much ti between them at all.
Seele sighed quietly to herself.
She realized sothing then: sotis, these Valkyries took things with deadly seriousness, even when she was just "playing around."
Therefore...
No matter what happened in the future, she could never let them find out that all these visitors from other worlds they had seen—and would see—were actually the sa person!
If they ever found out, they'd surely mince her into taco at!
Seele looked at the determined glints in Bronya and the others' eyes and fought back a shiver.
"Next, these are so of the scientific achievents of our Far East Branch."
Theresa stepped forward, producing several flash drives and microchips.
"These contain research data ranging from civil livelihood to military tech, energy, and aerospace. Once you return, give them to soone you trust—soone with the capability to make them a reality."
Theresa handed them over with a look that was a mix of maternal worry and solemn duty.
"Got it! Thank you."
Seele accepted the items with a grave expression, while her mind was already racing with how to handle them.
Once the transformation ends... I'll just "drop" these on the floor and make it look like they didn't make the trip back with .
"So, do I have to stay here all day?" Seele asked, looking at Bronya and the others with a hint of hesitation.
"No..."
Theresa shook her head, her serious deanor wavering slightly. "Just... just make sure you're back for the final monts."
"The final monts, huh?" Seele murmured.
She felt like Theresa was practically planting a "death flag" on her with those words. It was a bit irritating.
Just you wait, Seele thought bitterly. When I get the chance, I'm going to show you exactly what happens when you start talking like that!
"In that case, I'm going out for a proper walk!" Seele stretched her limbs, a smile of anticipation spreading across her face.
"Alright, let's get you out of that transit suit first."
Theresa waved over the female scientists to help Seele peel off the stifling, uncomfortable gear.
"Seele, where would you like to go?" Bronya asked. Her silver-gray eyes were earnest, holding a gentle, smiling warmth.
However, Seele could easily read the underlying anxiety, unease, and the pain of an impending goodbye lurking in those depths.
I'm sorry, Bronya. I'm totally playing with your heart right now.
Seele sighed inwardly. She couldn't control these transformations, but she still wanted to imrse herself in the life of a Valkyrie—to enjoy this peace and happiness that didn't truly belong to her, even if it was a borrowed luxury.
"Let's just wander around outside first," Seele said with a bright, beaming smile as she changed back into her regular clothes.
"Okay."
Bronya nodded and naturally took Seele's hand. Seele let her, and the two walked out together.
The rest of the girls from the Valkyrie dorms were there, too. As they passed, Sin Mal let out a dismissive hmph, but quietly trailed along behind them anyway.
Over the past few days, Sin had learned that this Seele wasn't from their world. More importantly, this Seele seed to have had a much rougher life than the one she knew.
She hadn't been raised by Cocolia, didn't have Bronya by her side, had no orphans for company, and had even spent her childhood scavenging for trash on the streets.
Knowing that, the resentnt in Sin's heart had slowly begun to evaporate.
"Whoa... it's raining!"
Stepping out of the Science Departnt, Seele saw a light, misty rain falling from a bright blue sky. She couldn't help but break into an excited, joyful grin.
"It's not just dirty condensation dripping from a cavern ceiling... it's real, pure rain."
Seele stepped out into the drizzle. She tried to loosen her grip on Bronya's hand, not wanting her to get soaked, but as soon as she pulled away, Bronya tightened her hold. Bronya stepped forward with her, walking into the mist to feel the cool, thread-like rain against her skin.
"Seele, have you ever played the puddle-jumping ga?" Bronya asked softly, watching Seele's sheer delight.
"Puddle jumping?" Seele blinked, confused.
A split second later, Bronya stomped into a puddle, sending a spray of water into the air that shimred like a thousand tiny diamonds in the sunlight.
"That actually looks... like a lot of fun!"
Seele's eyes lit up instantly. Like a little kid, she began hopping and splashing through the puddles alongside Bronya.
"Count in!" Kiana shouted, diving into the fray.
Watching the scene, the others were drawn in—so reluctantly, so eagerly—joining the ga.
"Childish," Sin Mal muttered, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes like she was watching a group of idiots.
But a mont later...
"Take this!"
Seele leaped right in front of her, landing with a heavy splash that sent a wave of water over Sin.
"Seele! You're asking for it! Bring it on!!"
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