Chat Group: Starting by Swapping Bodies with Elysia?

Wielding the Herrscher of Reason's power involved constructing things from knowledge. This wasn't difficult for Bronya. As a weapons expert, she was familiar with the tools of war.

And Project Bunny's modular weapon system also required a certain understanding of weaponry. For a Herrscher, using their powers was as natural as breathing.

"..."

It hurts!

Normally, the most challenging aspect of wielding Reason's power was accumulating the necessary knowledge and wisdom. But for Bronya Zaychik, the problem wasn't using the power, but whether she was worthy of it.

"...The core… it rejects me."

Something that shouldn't happen to a transformed Herrscher was happening. She felt the same pain Jiang Qiao had experienced when first using the Herrscher of the Void's core, a searing agony that made her face pale. She gritted her teeth, disbelief warring with pain.

To wield Herrscher powers, one needed the proper mindset. Kiana Kaslana had to accept her nature as Sirin, as a Herrscher, before she could challenge the Herrscher of the Void.

The same applied to the Herrscher of Reason.

In the original story, Bronya had gained a true understanding of the power through her experiences in the Sea of Quanta, finally transforming in a moment of desperation.

Without that growth, trying to wield this power simply to look cool… it was no wonder the core rejected her. The core, and the will of 300,000 souls, wouldn't acknowledge her. She wasn't ready.

"...Are you alright?"

Durandal wasn't arrogant. Facing a Herrscher, especially the Herrscher of Reason, she was fully focused, even interpreting Bronya's confidence as a sign of strength.

But before the battle could begin, her opponent, Bronya Zaychik, turned pale and began to sweat. She was confused, but also concerned.

"...Bronya… is fine!" She nearly bit through her tongue, but years of enduring pain as a soldier helped her maintain a calm facade.

She couldn't back down now, not after all that boasting.

—Thanks to Jiang Qiao's modifications, the Herrscher body wasn't being physically damaged, only experiencing immense pain.

And even though the core rejected her, she could still use its power—another safeguard Jiang Qiao had implemented. He knew she couldn't wield the full power of Truth yet, so he'd created the different forms, not just for fun, but to help her control the power. He, as the fully transformed Herrscher of Truth, had complete mastery.

But even a fraction of Reason's power was enough for this situation. He'd just underestimated how difficult it would be for others to wield Herrscher powers.

Bronya couldn't even properly control the Herrscher of Reason's power, let alone Truth. If she wasn't the original owner, she wouldn't even be able to move this body.

Even now, she felt a disconnect between her mind and body, a slight delay, like an old CPU struggling with a powerful graphics card. Her body could move faster, react better, but her mind was still human, limiting the Herrscher body's performance.

"Project Bunny!" Gritting her teeth, she summoned her partner.

Her preferred combat style was using Project Bunny for fire support. While the Herrscher powers were difficult to control, she felt… enhanced. She would use this power to… ahem… defeat the S-rank Valkyrie! (About 5% of the Herrscher of Reason's power.)

Connecting with Project Bunny eased the pain, but she didn't notice the mech's confused look.

—Normally, Project Bunny handled the calculations, but after the transformation, [Bronya] was supposed to be the one enhancing the mech. By connecting with it, she could boost its performance significantly.

But now…

Project Bunny felt a… lag. Maybe we should disconnect, Master. You're… slowing me down.

If not for Jiang Qiao's safeguards, it might have reverted to its original form. Honestly, it might have a better chance against this Valkyrie alone… oh wait, it's still zero. Never mind.

"Here she comes!"

Durandal sensed the Herrscher's presence—though weak—and raised her Abyss Flower, wary of the Herrscher of Reason's versatility. She'd never faced a Herrscher before, only read about them. She was both excited and apprehensive.

As the strongest S-rank Valkyrie, she'd never had a worthy opponent. Rita, her usual sparring partner, was away on a mission. She was eager for a challenge.

—I should go all out.

She lowered her Abyss Flower.

Bronya was confused. Why is she putting down her weapon?

Did my Herrscher aura scare her?

If only… it hurts so much!

Before she could say anything, Durandal yelled—

—Holy blade, unsheathed!

The power of a bubble universe surged through her, her combat suit turning gold. She had acquired this power after her journey through the Sea of Quanta, but it was too dangerous to use frequently. It strained her body and threatened the bubble universe's stability.

But she could use it for short bursts.

And against this opponent, anything less than her full power would be disrespectful.

"By the name of Durandal." Her blue eyes shone with determination, her sword glowing with immense power.

—Drawing the holy blade, a sign of respect!

"..." Bronya stared at the glowing Durandal, speechless.

Did she just… power up?

Is she cheating?!

If she'd been confident before, now, facing this super-powered Durandal, she felt a surge of fear. This S-rank Valkyrie was on a different level than Rita…

"Let's go!"

Durandal, knowing she couldn't maintain this form for long, charged towards Bronya.

—So fast!

Bronya tried to dodge—and her enhanced speed made her move too quickly. It wasn't that her body couldn't keep up, but that her mind hadn't adjusted to the Herrscher body's speed.

Swish!

—The holy blade, a pinnacle of technology, wasn't known for its physical properties, but its ability to sever connections, even between worlds. Bianka had even used it to sever Kevin's "shadow."

And now, it severed something else. Not flesh, but… a connection.

Bronya's consciousness faded, replaced by golden eyes.

"Hahaha, I'm free!" Sirin exclaimed, ecstatic.

She'd finally escaped!

Trapped in Bronya's body, unable to move due to Jiang Qiao's restraints, she hadn't expected another chance.

But Durandal's blade had created an opening. It had severed a fragment of Jiang Qiao's Origin restraints.

"Thanks to your sword, Valkyrie. I'll spare you this time." She said, trying to appear confident.

—But she was actually terrified.

Durandal was incredibly strong. While she could access the Herrscher cores in this body, she couldn't fully utilize them. She couldn't even use the Herrscher of Reason's power properly, let alone Truth. Even her Void powers were limited.

She had to escape and reclaim Kiana's body. This body was… uncomfortable.

But once I have my body back, and this Reason core, and the four gems… then I can finally get my revenge on that man!

I'll crush him!

Durandal, however, was confused. "...What just happened?"

She'd used the holy blade to disable the Herrscher of Reason, to sever the connection between mind and body.

But it was like the girl had become someone else entirely.

Whatever. I'll just take her back.

She deactivated the holy blade and summoned Abyss Flower. She'd tested the Herrscher of Reason's strength. Her normal form was sufficient.

But before she could act, a cheerful voice rang out:

"Excuse me, can I have her?"

Before Durandal could react, Sirin froze, recognizing the voice.

They looked up to see a pink-haired girl in a half-open Flame-Chaser outfit, smiling sweetly.

"It seems my pet escaped while I was away. My apologies for the inconvenience."

Sirin bristled. Pet?!

"I'm not your pet!" She yelled, but her trembling betrayed her fear. Like a mouse facing a cat, she was terrified of [Elysia].

And her rage meter was full.

Elysia's body, and Jiang Qiao inside… that damn couple!

—Rage makes one irrational, especially a raging Herrscher of the Void.

"I might not be able to beat you in the mindscape, but this is reality!" Sirin glared at her, her resentment overflowing.

She had to admit, she couldn't defeat [Elysia] in the mindscape.

But—

This was different!

She had two Herrscher cores! While she couldn't use their full power, that stupid girl's body wasn't that strong either!

Two cores versus one! I have the advantage!

Then, a strange power surged through her, and everything went black.

—The holy blade could sever the Origin restraints, but it couldn't erase them. And now that the Herrscher of Origin was here, Sirin was no match for her.

[Bronya] collapsed, and Project Bunny, seeing its master fall, looked confused, then carried her to [Elysia].

—Even without using Bronya's body, he still had some control over the Bunny.

"Now that she's taken care of, it's your turn." [Elysia] smiled, tilting her head, her gaze fixed on the obedient Durandal.

"I don't think we need to resort to violence, do we?"

"...That depends." Durandal said, lowering Abyss Flower.

She didn't understand what was happening. But if this girl was from Anti-Entropy, she had to arrest her. They were enemies, and they'd attacked the New Zealand branch.

"I know, I know." [Elysia] nodded.

Anti-Entropy would be held accountable. Even Welt couldn't avoid that.

"But let's talk first. Fighting here might hurt your little sister. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

Durandal froze.

…Little sister…?

She had no memories of her past, only knowing that she'd lost them in an accident. She'd chosen to move on, to stop searching.

But now… this girl had mentioned a sister…

…My past…?

While not obsessed with it, she couldn't ignore the possibility.

"Alright."

Their conversation remained private. Even Durandal's recording devices were blank.

But it was effective. Durandal abandoned her pursuit, even recalling the Hyperion.

[Elysia] smiled, watching them leave.

Einstein's voice echoed, "First Rita, now Durandal… I'm starting to think you're Schicksal's secret third S-rank Valkyrie."

"Hardly. If that were true, Otto would be overjoyed."

"True." Einstein nodded, then looked at the unconscious Bronya in Project Bunny's arms. "...She can't control the Herrscher of Reason's power."

She'd realized what was happening. Welt had sent Bronya as a test, ready to intervene if necessary.

But Bronya had failed.

"It takes time. Even the first Herrscher of Reason, Joyce, needed your and Tesla's guidance." [Elysia] smiled, gently stroking Bronya's cheek. "She has potential. She just needs time."

"That's true. Looks like Tesla and I will be busy." Einstein sighed.

Training a Herrscher of Reason wasn't easy. It had taken years with Joyce. She wanted to ask Jiang Qiao to do it instead. He was clearly a fully formed Herrscher of Reason, even stronger than Welt.

"Don't worry. I've made arrangements for Bronya, for all of them." [Elysia] smiled, her gaze distant, as if looking into the past.