Honkai Impact 3rd: Will Of The Universe

(S2) Remains

To make her job easier, Seele decided to ask some students hanging around the courtyard.

"Good afternoon," she greeted softly as a student turned to face her. "Have you seen a student named John Doe?" The Valkyrie held up the ID card as proof that she was looking for its owner.

The student leaned closer, inspecting the card. "Er... John Doe? Never heard of him."

Her friend glanced over at the ID and chimed in, "Hey, didn't you notice? He's in the same department as you."

The girl pondered for a moment before shaking her head. "Still doesn't ring any bells. Sorry."

"I understand," Seele said, offering a polite bow. "Thank you anyway."

She walked away, and Veliona immediately spoke up in her head.

"Well, we're off to a great start."

"Hmm. Well, there are so many students on campus, so it's only natural they wouldn't all know each other," Seele replied internally, trying to stay positive.

She approached another student nearby. "Excuse me, but have you seen this student?" She showed the ID to the boy.

"Hmm..." He read the details on the card and studied the face until realization struck him. "Oh, I remember now! We're taking the same elective course."

Seele perked up instantly. "Really?"

"Yeah. Very few people signed up for that class, and the professor takes attendance every single time," the student explained. "But he's missed a lot of lectures lately... I can't help but worry if he's even going to pass."

"He hasn't shown up recently? For how long?" Seele asked, wanting to verify the timeline.

"For about a month... I think."

That checked out. Seele thanked the student and took her leave.

"Strange... why would he miss so many classes?" Seele pondered.

"Maybe he got bullied and is busy crying inside a toy box just like a certain someone," her alter persona teased, trying to get under her skin.

Seele didn't fall for the bait. "I know what you're doing, and it's not going to work."

"How dull," Veliona grumbled, clearly bored by Seele's unbothered reaction.

Seele approached another student nearby and asked the exact same question.

"Huh? Yeah, he's my roommate," the male student answered instantly.

"Really?" Seele's eyes lit up. "I found something belonging to him and I'd like to return it in person."

"Oh... well, bad news then. He moved out half a year ago."

"Huh?" Seele blinked, surprised.

"Yeah, he rented a place off-campus, probably to be closer to his part-time job," the student explained with a shrug. "Honestly, the last time I even saw the guy was about a month ago."

"If he moved out, his rent must be coming from his part-time pay..." Seele pondered aloud, tilting her head. "Why would he go through all that extra trouble when he already had a room here?"

"Sorry, girlie, but I really don't know," the guy replied. "It's not like I'm his mom or anything. He just packed up and left without saying much, and I didn't bother asking. Anything else?"

"Er... no. Thank you for your time," Seele bowed politely before heading off, turning over the new clues in her head.

"Huh? So was I fighting a hallucination?" Seele asked, blinking in disbelief as she looked at her empty hands and the pristine pavement around her.