[TimeSkip: The Next Day]

After spending the remainder of yesterday just staying on the airship and sleeping through the night, it finally had arrived and docked itself at a port as the group of four all began to exit and leave the ship as they were finally back on solid ground completing the mission.

"And we're home!" Shouted an excited Kiana. "So, what should we do know to celebrate!? How about walking around the city!?"

Mei simply chuckled at Kiana's excitement while Bronya sighed.

"Kiana idiotka is trying to get out of returning to St. Freya." Said Bronya.

"I-I promise that we'll all head out to celebrate once school is over. For now let's all report to Major Himeko. Besides don't forget that Principal Theresa also wanted to speak with Alex." Suggested Mei.

"I could just ask for directions and go see her on my own. You three don't need to accompany me." Replied Alex.

"Major Himeko is most likely gonna be in Principal Theresa's so the Bronya also suggests that we all go together." Said Bronya as Alex sighed but accepted.

With that the four walked down the path and after a nice view of the area, they all arrived as Alex caught his first glimpse of St. Freya High

As Kiana and Mei had a relieved expression to finally be back, Bronya noticed Alex looking around for a bit, surveying his surroundings as he especially looked at the school for a bit.

"What does Subject Alex think of St. Freya?" Asked Bronya.

Alex heard and looked at her for a bit before looking ahead and responding with, "None of your concern. Anyways should we be on our way to your principal's office?"

"We are, but, could you give us the chance to shower and change back into our school uniforms? I promise we'll be quick." Said Mei.

"You better not follow and peep on us you hear me!?" Said Kiana as Alex just shrugged her off.

"Sure thing snowflake whatever. I'll wait, though, where exactly?" Alex asked.

"There's numerous branches around here that Subject Alex can find and wait for Kiana idiotka and Mei." Said Bronya.

With that, Kiana and Mei both ran off to hit the showers as after walking around the circular hub for a bit, he found a bench to sit on and sat down.

Bronya would follow and sit next to Alex which confused the young boy.

"Aren't you gonna go with them?" He asked.

"The Bronya doesn't need to. The Bronya's already wearing her school uniform." She said.

"Wait, that means your uniform and battlesuit are the exact same." Said Alex as Bronya nodded.

"Subject Alex is correct. Why? Is that a problem?" Asked Bronya.

Alex simply nodded his head no and opted to just drop the conversation as the two just sat there keeping silent as Alex rested his head back and closed his eyes.

That was until he heard whispers as he opened his eyes and looked around to see numerous valkyrie students that attended there talking amongst one another while looking and sneakily pointing at the bench he was on.

Just from that Alex could easily tell that they were already forming rumors and ideas about what they were seeing and while Alex was annoyed he couldn't blame them.

Most if not all trained Valkyries were indeed female so if anything he was at an all girls school so naturally seeing a boy sitting with a girl here was definitely gonna cause gossip.

Alex though didn't mind as he clearly had no plan to stay here once he got paid for his contribution.

As Alex had all this going through his head Bronya was just there minding her own business playing around with her holographic screens and checking her vitals after she lost control of herself at the end of the mission.

Lowkey, Alex was honestly impressed with how good she was and not really paying attention to what was happening around her.

Time continued to pass by quietly until a person walked by them and stopped.

"Hm? Is he a friend of yours Bronya?" Asked a female voice as Alex looked up to see who it was

Alex kept quiet for a bit not knowing what to say but thankfully Bronya was there as she stood up.

"Class Monitor." Said Bronya as she bowed a bit.

"I'm glad to see you've returned safely Bronya. What about Kiana and Mei are they also alright?" Asked the girl who was apparently the class monitor.

"Kiana and Mei are okay. They're currently at the showers and changing back into their school uniforms." Said Bronya as the girl nodded before looking at Alex.

"My apologies let me introduce myself first. My nam is Fu Hua. The Class Monitor as well as an A-Rank Valkyrie at St. Freya High." Said the girl politely revealing her name.

"Uh, nice to meet you Ms. Fu Hua. My name's Alex Mustang. I'm a merc that was brought here because your principal wanted a word with me." Replied Alex.

"Huh. So your the merc that the Major ended up going with. Glad to say she made a good choice." Said Fu Hua with a tone sounding like she knew about this which she then went ahead and answered his thought. "If your wondering then it was actually my suggestion to bring along a mercenary for the job since I felt like it'd be a little too much for the girls. Seems like Major Himeko took it up with Principal Theresa and she agreed."

'Holy cow. To think she thought ahead that far.' Thought Alex impressed with Fu Hua.

"Anyways, once your done talking with the principal are you planning to stick around?" Asked Fu Hua out of curiosity which Alex politely declined.

"No. As a merc I'm not really given time to hunker down in area. I'm usually on the road so once I get my pay I'm most likely heading off. Gotta say though it is nice to see this place for once. Looks beautiful." Said Alex.

"I see. Well I hope you enjoy your snall visit here. May we cross again one day." Said Fu Hua with a smile as she bowed and walked off.

Not too long after Fu Hua had left, Bronya looked ahead and motioned for Alex to stand up as he did because shortly after that Kiana and Mei had come back now wearing their school uniforms

"Sorry we took a while. Kiana kept causing a mess in the showers." Said Mei as Kiana pouted.

"Hey don't blame me! The combination of the slippery floor and your amazing body didn't help!" Shouted Kiana in defense.

"Anyways, now we're ready to head to the principal's office. Make sure you follow us closely Alex." Said Mei.

Alex nodded as the group began to walk towards the school entrance and after going up a flight of staits and past the door, they were now within the school halls as Alex had to admit that even the school's interiors and design was nice to look at as he kept looking around while also keeping focus on the three girls ahead of him.

As if the gossip that the other students were having when Alex and Bronya were on the bench together wasn't enough, then now it was especially rampant with the view of three female high schoolers being followed by a short young male.

Thankfully though this didn't last long as shortly after that they were inside the school's offices as after a short walk, they arrived at the principal's office.

Mei knocked on the door which caused the voice of what sounded like Himeko to respond.

"Come in." Said the voice as the group of four entered to see Himeko in the office.

"Greetings you three. Glad to see your all alright after what happened. Bronya are you holding up okay?" Asked Himeko as Bronya nodded.

"The Bronya is currently alright though she'd still like to have a full Physiological Exam to be safe." She said as Himeko nodded.

"Very well then. Either way, you three did and excellent job so congratulations. Now onto the other topic, is the merc here?" Asked Himeko.

The three girls nodded as they parted ways allowing Alex to step up to the front.

"There you are. Nice to finally meet you in person Alex Mustang. My full name is Murata Himeko. I'm truly thankful for you help on securing the battleship." Said Himeko as Alex nodded.

"Don't mention it. It was nothing special. Now then, as for why I'm here, your principal wanted a word with me." Said Alex.

Himeko nodded as the chair behind the desk swiveled around to face them as a person then stood up on the chair

"Are you Alex Mustang?" Asked the girl.

Alex looked at her and kept quiet for a bit as only one thought was on his mind.

'The damn principal is barely shorter than me?' Alex thought to himself before answering.

"Yes ma'am I am Alex Mustang." He said.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Theresa Apocalypse. The principal of St. Freya High. Firstly I'd like to also thank you for your help." She said.

"No problem. Sorry to cut right to the chase but, who exactly is gonna pay me?" Asked Alex as he now realized that he had no clue who he was gonna get his pay from.

"Don't worry. I'll be the one to pay you what you offered. Before that I have one question though. Do you, have any plans ahead?" Asked Theresa.

"Um, aside from leaving, no none at all. Why ask?"

"W-Well, sorry Alex but, we're kinda short on your payment."

Chapter 5: Complete