Stelle pressed the activation button without hesitation.
"Protocol, initiate! Beginning... Ugh! Repeating this every time is so annoying!"
"Huh?" Seele gritted her teeth. "What's this tin can saying?"
March 7th chimed in, "This guy seems to have a really bad temper..."
"Ugh, just hurry up and get it over with. Did you get the Level 1 certification or not? If not, don't waste my time."
March 7th stretched out her right hand. "You mean this? Here, take a look."
The irritable robot glanced at it, looking utterly unenthusiastic. "Yeah, yeah, sure, whatever. Fine, I'll ask the question. Listen up.
Question. Which component should the microcrystalline unit be connected to?"
Everyone fell into deep thought, and eventually, all eyes turned to Dan Heng.
Dan Heng swept his gaze over the group. "Sorry, I really don't know this one."
"Then leave it to me!" Stelle confidently stepped up to the robot. "Heat dissipation substrate!"
"Congratulations! Wrong answer!
Can't even get something this simple right? Trash. Go back to school for a few more years!"
March 7th immediately rolled up her sleeves, ready for a fight. "Can I just smash this thing to pieces?"
"Huh? What? You wanna fight? Perfect, I'm in a bad mood anyway. Bring it on!!"
Seele directly drew her weapon. "If we beat you to scrap, we'll still get the certification, right? Then this works out just fine!"
And so, the group delivered a righteous beatdown, quickly reducing the robot to a whimpering mess.
"Mercy, mercy! I was wrong! I'll give you the certification right now!"
Stelle grabbed March 7th's right hand.
"Eh? Why me again? That hurts, you know! Ow, ow, ow!"
"Just go already... Leave a poor robot alone..."
[Kafka's Dog: LMAO, I can't stop laughing! This robot is hilarious.]
[Asta Is My Wife: This part of the story is so funny, hahaha!]
[Domineering Caelus Baby Loves Me: In Caelus's version, he answers correctly, but he's just as much of a hothead.]
[Silver Wolf's Current Boyfriend: Seriously, the actors in Honkai: Star Rail feel so authentic—like they're not even acting. Every character is so lively and fun!]
[Adorably Invincible March's Wife: March's little yelps just now almost killed me! I need to replay that a hundred times.]
[Herta's #1 Simp: Hahaha, same here. This whole scene is comedy gold.]
With that, the group set out to obtain the third certification only for the robot to, predictably, malfunction.
A battle was inevitable, and it was over in less than ten seconds.
After March 7th's right hand got "beeped" yet again, they finally secured all three certifications.
March 7th shouted at the door, "Open~ Sesame~!"
Sure enough, under the power of March's "spell," the door unlocked thanks to their acquired "certifications."
But as they ventured further, they were met with a sight that left them utterly dumbfounded.
They discovered that to meet Svarog, they needed to unlock another door one that only Clara had the authority to open.
Worse yet, they realized that Sampo had disappeared again.
Dan Heng took it in stride. The priority now was finding Clara the door came first.
Just then, a wandering robot slowly approached and informed them that Clara was gathering materials in Rivet Town.
The five of them knew that, no matter the reason, they had to find Clara and ensure her safety.
Before long...
Upon arriving in Rivet Town, they spotted Clara's heavily damaged guardian robot and immediately quickened their pace.
The sight of the small, helpless Clara came into view she was under attack by a new Fragmentum monster: "The Everwinter Shroud."
"Hurry, we have to save Clara!"
Seele teleported in front of Clara, blocking the attack.
Then came Dan Heng first a flash of cold steel, then a spear thrust like a dragon's strike.
His dazzling spear technique dealt a heavy blow to the monster.
"This sanctuary, is but a vision... Break!!"
Between Dan Heng's spear, Stelle's bat, and Seele's swift slashes, the monster exploded midair, forming a spectacular firework.
"That was close!" Seele immediately checked Clara's condition. "Are you okay, Clara?"
"Th-Thank you, everyone! I'm fine!"
The group had hoped to use this opportunity to persuade Clara to take them to Svarog.
But despite her young age, Clara's resolve and determination stood in stark contrast to March 7th's.
After Dan Heng's analysis, they realized they had to catch up to Clara and explain that the three of them were the new "Variables."
Fate intervened after just a few steps, they found Clara sitting in front of a broken energy supply device, struggling to repair it.
Coincidentally, Stelle noticed that the device's structure was similar to the machinery they'd fixed earlier with Serval.
Time to show off some real skills!
After some tinkering and smooth-talking, Clara finally relented.
"The members of the Express are the new 'Variables.' Our existence will overturn Svarog's calculations."
This compelling argument completely convinced Clara, earning her trust and reigniting her courage and determination to protect the world.
Thus, Clara promised to lead them to Svarog.
At last...
After twists and turns, the heavily locked door finally opened—it was time to embark on the inevitable path to altering the world's fate.
"Um… If possible, please don't anger Mr. Svarog." Clara suddenly stopped, her voice carrying a hint of pleading.
"Don't worry, Clara. We're here to reason with him!" March 7th patted Clara's head.
As they ventured deeper, they laid eyes on the towering, imposing figure of the robot.
With Clara's introduction, Svarog agreed to give them a chance to convince him—but they all knew they had to make it count!
Stelle, of course, took on the responsibility without hesitation. She stared solemnly at Svarog.
"To be, or not to be that is the question!"
"The query lacks necessary context. No answer can be given.
Get to the point. Do not waste this world's precious time."
"Ugh, he's deflecting everything!" March 7th clenched her fists.
Dan Heng calmly reminded them, "Remember, we are the 'Variables' in his calculations!"
Stelle's eyes lit up with realization. "We are the 'Variables'!"
March 7th frowned. "Think carefully before you speak!"
At that moment, the camera zoomed in on Stelle's face yes, she was smiling. A smug, mischievous grin.
[Honkai Star Rail's Succubus: HAHAHA, I'm dying! I'll never forget that expression.]
[I Love Drinking Himeko's Coffee: Does Stelle think she's being funny? Because she is!]
[Adorably Invincible March's Wife: OMG, I love Stelle so much! Her IQ seems perfectly matched with March's!]
After this little interlude, no matter how they negotiated, they couldn't sway Svarog.
Svarog refused to divulge any information about the Stellaron.
And then, he made his move.
"Temporary suspension of Peacekeeping Protocol… Requesting activation of Annihilation Protocol."