Her gaze fell upon Ming Yu's still somewhat childish face, and Theresa's mind couldn't help but recall the first time she met him.
How did that somewhat timid boy get to where he is now?
The current Ming Yu was filled with an air of arrogance. He could disregard Schicksal's rules, and for his own selfish reasons, he had hacked into the Hyperion's control system and St. Freya's air defense system. Even though he hadn't caused serious damage to St. Freya, he had ultimately placed it in danger.
Was Ming Yu inherently so arrogant, or had he slowly changed over this period?
Scenes flashed through her mind, but Theresa couldn't find an answer.
As the Principal, Theresa certainly couldn't give Ming Yu her complete trust, but had he not also been keeping his own heart closed off?
Even Kiana and the others, who were closest to Ming Yu, probably never understood what he truly wanted. This man with a mysterious past had a future that no one could see through.
Fame and glory?
Theresa had given them, but Ming Yu had cast them aside in turn. He didn't care about these things, nor did he plan to stay in Schicksal forever.
Power?
Theresa did her best, but Ming Yu needed more, and he never explained why.
How could she trust a Ming Yu like this?
"Your application to form a squad—I approve it."
Averting Ming Yu's gaze, a trace of unconcealable fatigue appeared on Theresa's face as she sighed softly.
After his trip to Headquarters, Ming Yu had clearly won the Overseer's great appreciation. He could be transferred to Headquarters at any moment and would no longer be bound by a mere Far East Branch. And that already fragile agreement was no longer necessary to fulfill.
Perhaps Ming Yu was like a feather, meant to fly in a wider sky.
"Huh?" The sudden mention of the Inverse Feather Squad's formation caught Ming Yu, who was waiting for the Principal's reprimand, by surprise. Then, his heart filled with joy. "Oh, oh, that's great."
Although Ming Yu didn't think Theresa would refuse, he was quite pleased to get the approval so quickly.
But seeing the fatigue on Theresa's small face, the joy in Ming Yu's heart immediately faded by more than half.
He still had a very good impression of Theresa. Although her ideals seemed somewhat laughable in a world on the verge of collapse, she had truly worked hard for that ideal.
In Schicksal, where Valkyries were treated as tools, St. Freya was like a paradise, allowing every girl to enjoy the dignity of being human.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. In the face of the coming apocalypse, this ideal was somewhat ridiculous, but it was as warm as a hearth in winter.
But good feelings were one thing; Ming Yu still chose a different path. In this world, someone had to bear certain burdens.
Looking at the expression on Theresa's face, Ming Yu could guess some of it. The things Otto had given him were already causing Theresa to distance herself from him more and more.
Although he felt it was a pity, Ming Yu didn't want to explain himself, nor was he able to. The facts were the facts. Theresa had lost the rope to bind him, and he could even leave the Far East Branch at any time.
If Otto weren't so dangerous, Headquarters would actually be a good place to go. But this was a reason Ming Yu couldn't explain to Theresa.
"I'm sorry..."
With a sigh, Ming Yu's heart was filled with a faint sadness, and he spoke softly to Theresa.
This was both an apology for his previous transgression and an apology for his destined departure from the Far East Branch. Even if Ming Yu had a thousand reasons to convince himself, all he could say were these two simple words.
Hearing Ming Yu's apology, Theresa didn't respond. Silence was her attitude; it was the only way she could express her dissatisfaction.
Into this awkward silence, a vibrant, girlish voice suddenly rang out.
"Theresa, Ming Yu, so you're both here! Where's that First Herrscher? To dare to hurt Mei like that, I won't let him off easy!"
Seeing the two of them, Kiana didn't notice the strange atmosphere. She walked over with a smile, her words full of joy, although by the second half, the girl had already started cracking her knuckles, a look of resentment on her face.
Even though she had witnessed Ming Yu's almost overwhelming advantage against the invaders in the dormitory area, so much time had passed that the girl's heart had couldn't help but grow anxious.
Not long after Theresa rushed over here, the impatient Kiana had also secretly followed, but she clearly couldn't keep up with an S-rank Valkyrie's speed and had only just arrived.
His gaze fell on the energetic Kiana, and Ming Yu couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Putting aside whether Kiana could beat Welt I, it didn't seem like Mei had any injuries, right? And did you really just not see the unconscious Bronya?
"The invaders have been eliminated. The Principal and I are about to return to the academy now."
A smile appeared on Ming Yu's face, and his tone became a bit more relaxed.
Welt I's body had been destroyed by Welt, and he had no intention of explaining the issue of clones to Kiana. The matter was too complicated, and there was no need.
"Really?"
Kiana's energy immediately deflated by more than half, but she still asked suspiciously.
"Of course! It's getting late, hurry back and get some rest!"
Facing Kiana's suspicion, Theresa quickly nodded. She started walking towards the academy first, speaking in a tone that brooked no argument.
Even though she didn't trust Ming Yu much, she still didn't want the simple-minded Kiana to get involved in these matters. In Kiana's heart, Ming Yu just needed to be a simple friend.
Noticing the signs of battle in the surroundings, Kiana's last bit of doubt was dispelled. She nodded in satisfaction and turned to follow the Principal's steps.
"Wait, Kiana. Help me out..."
Hearing the soft call from behind, the white-haired girl immediately turned her head, looking at the shamefaced Ming Yu with a puzzled gaze.
Patting the greatsword in his hand, Ming Yu said nothing, lowering his head to avoid Kiana's gaze.
The battle with Welt had left him exhausted, nearly depleting the Lunar Abyss armor's energy completely. To ask him to carry such heavy equipment back now was undoubtedly incredibly difficult.
He could let Theresa go, but he couldn't bring himself to ask the Principal for this kind of favor. Did he, Ming Yu, have no pride?
But since a Kaslana had arrived, Ming Yu certainly wouldn't let this free labor go to waste.
Looking at Ming Yu's awkward expression, Kiana couldn't help but let out a light laugh. The girl's bell-like laughter was very pleasant, but in Ming Yu's ears, it was blatant mockery, making his face turn even redder.
Fortunately, Kiana had no intention of standing by and watching Ming Yu drag that obviously heavy greatsword all the way back by himself.
"Be careful, this sword is..."
Seeing the slender hand easily lift the massive Dustless Sword over her head, Ming Yu consciously swallowed the rest of his warning. The Kaslana bloodline was truly monstrous.
"What's wrong?"
Her eyes fell on Ming Yu's face, and the girl's sky-blue eyes were full of mirth.
Kiana, having finally caught an opportunity, had no intention of letting Ming Yu off so easily. She hadn't forgotten how Ming Yu usually lectured her. With this rare chance, she had to at least get a few verbal jabs in.
Seeing the colorful expression on Ming Yu's face, Kiana instantly felt a wave of satisfaction.
"Nothing!"
Turning his face away, Ming Yu replied irritably.
At this moment, Ming Yu wished Kiana hadn't come. He would rather drag the greatsword back by himself, die of exhaustion on the way, than... never mind, it was better to let Kiana carry it back.
"No way, no way, you can't even lift a sword this light?"
With an expression of exaggerated shock, Kiana tossed the Dustless Sword high into the air and then caught it steadily, all while speaking with a smile.
Ming Yu didn't reply, simply quickening his pace. A mysterious strength surged through his exhausted body, making him move even faster.
But no matter how fast Ming Yu was, how could he possibly shake off a Kiana in top condition?
He would probably have to endure Kiana's teasing all the way back to the dormitory area.
Watching the two of them banter up ahead, Theresa, who was trailing behind, let out a soft sigh, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.