169. Kiana: How Are You So Skilled!
Magic schools abound: Radiant Stone, Gravity, Crystallization, Night, Death, Caelid, and others considered heretical.
Prayers are equally diverse: Golden Tree, Dragon Prayer, Blood, and all sorts of other types.
As for combat techniques? Those were once the skills knights and melee soldiers relied on for survival.
This was the Elden Ring system of the past, belonging to the Golden Age.
But now, Xiling can only say: Times have changed, my lord.
Civil and wooden modeling, elements, space, nature, body, healing… In this era, magic displays unprecedented diversity.
Within the magnificent arena, 32 arenas are separated so that contestants of different systems can duel separately. The ultimate victor will win the honor of traveling to another world with the King, while the loser can only bite their handkerchief and cast envious glances from a corner.
Perched atop the stands, Xiling surveyed the battles unfolding across the 32 arenas, unable to suppress a sigh:
"To be honest, I don't recognize many of them."
Though somewhat apologetic, looking down at the group of handsome men and beautiful women—who knows what races they originally belonged to—Xiling genuinely couldn't identify them.
"You'll get to know them better if you come back more often," Placidusax, standing behind him, said calmly, then pointed to one of the arenas.
"Remember her?"
Following her gaze, a battle of lightning was unfolding in the arena.
A man and a woman, wielding lightning bolts, clashed fiercely, the terrifying lightning and shockwaves firmly restrained by a barrier. After a fierce struggle, the woman ultimately emerged victorious. Xiling stared for a long time, then shook her head in confusion, "Who is she?"
"The first ancient dragon you encountered in Crumbling Farum Azula, Sanna."
"Oh! It's her."
"Speaking of which..." Xiling pointed to the arena where the healing competition was taking place. A sweet-looking young woman was casting healing spells, healing, and treating others' wounds.
"Is that Miquella?"
Placidusax nodded. Xiling was puzzled, "Didn't they say demigods don't participate in this competition?"
Radagon, sitting to the side, spoke calmly: "His body has already dissipated. Now, he's just an ordinary Silver Clan member."
"..." Xiling wanted to say, "I remember, he's a mental being," but ultimately swallowed the words.
The arena competition lasted a day and was still not over. Some factions had few participants, and a winner was decided within a day; while some popular factions had many participants, and a day was simply not enough to settle the matter.
When night fell, the arena was empty. One by one, everyone returned home, while others stayed outside to intensify their training, preparing for tomorrow's decisive battle.
Following the guidance of a maid, Xiling arrived at the room arranged for him by Radagon. Under the maid's undisguised adoring gaze, he smiled and closed the door.
As if a heavy burden had been lifted, he collapsed onto the soft bed.
"I feel quite tired, even though I haven't done anything..."
This arena competition, less a selection process and more a way for the proposer to let Xiling—one of the founders of this era—witness the dramatic changes of the times.
He saw it; the changes were enormous, beyond imagination even. He and the Tarnished had indeed brought magical knowledge, technology, and ideas from other planes to this world. However, what truly created all this was the people of this era.
Even Xiling, the hero, hadn't acquired many truly high-level spells in his own world. Yet, it was through these relatively basic spells that the mages of this era opened their minds, creating a myriad of new spells.
This era is undoubtedly blessed: knowledge is shared, people work together, and those who contribute receive their due reward.
Perhaps some unseen flaws lurk in the shadows, but broadly speaking, this is precisely the scene Xiling had hoped to see.
Just as he was about to drift comfortably into sleep, something suddenly surfaced in his mind. He glanced at the moonlight outside the window.
"Maybe I should wait until tomorrow… but no, let's do it now."
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"Delicious! So delicious! Mei's cooking is still as good as ever, the best in the world!" At the dinner table that night, Kiana happily ate her meal, her praise muffled.
"Eat slowly, don't choke." Raiden Mei gazed gently at the girl enjoying her cooking.
The campaign against the Fifth Herrscher had ended, and the core, symbolizing victory and shimmering with light, now lay quietly within Kiana's body—as the main force and terminator of the battle, this was the reward she deserved.
"Don't worry, Mei! Even if you choke, I'll just use the power of the Herrscher of the Void to teleport it away!" Kiana confidently gave a thumbs up.
"Herrscher's abilities... aren't for you to use like that," Mei shook her head helplessly.
"Abilities are meant to be used! Why make yourself suffer if you have a better way?" With that, Kiana buried her head in her food, launching a new "offensive."
Raiden Mei simply watched her quietly. That annoying guy who had once competed with her for Kiana—Xiling—was gone from this world, and Kiana had returned to her side. These peaceful and beautiful days couldn't be better.
Just as Mei was immersed in the feeling that the future would only get better, Kiana suddenly choked on her food, the violent coughing instantly pulling her back to reality.
"I told you to eat slowly! Is it better now?" Mei quickly poured a glass of water and handed it to her.
Kiana took the bowl and gulped it down, then flashed a dazzling smile:
"Thank you, Mei! I really love Mei the most!"
Raiden Mei's cheeks involuntarily flushed:
"W-what are you saying all of a sudden..."
While Mei's heart was still racing from this unexpected, direct confession, Kiana's heart was already overwhelmed by another surge of ecstatic joy:
"That guy finally contacted me!"
"Sister Lemuen's had already calling me for ages, and you only remembered now! Wait till I get there, I'll see how I deal with you!"
Thinking this, Kiana quickly put down her chopsticks, flashed Mei her signature bright smile, and pleaded with her hands clasped together:
"Mei~ could you please wash the dishes for me? I suddenly remembered something urgent!"
"What's so urgent?" Raiden Mei asked, puzzled.
"Hehe, just keep it as my little secret! Please, please!"
Seeing Kiana's expression, how could Mei refuse? She smiled and nodded, "Okay. Come back soon."
"Thank—" Kiana left these words and disappeared from the room using her Second Herrscher ability.
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"It's been days! You only just remembered me now?" Kiana wrapped her arms around Xiling's neck, her tone full of dissatisfaction.
Xiling awkwardly turned his face away.
"A little... a bit busy, so I forgot."
"Busy?" Kiana cupped his face, forcing him to look her in the eye.
"How busy do you have to be to forget me? Sister Lemuen summoned me once already! As my lover, you only remember me now? What am I to you anyway?"
Looking at her pouting expression, Xiling honestly replied, "About the same as Sister Lemuen."
"Sigh, I knew it..." Kiana's eyes lowered, her voice trailing off.
"Sister Lemeun has been with you for so long... unlike me, I've only been by your side for a few months, and you even rejected my confession..." Her eyes seemed slightly red, making her look aggrieved and pitiful.
Xiling knew she was faking it, but he still sighed helplessly and pulled her into his arms.
"Okay, okay, it was my fault. Now that we're connected, we can see each other anytime, right?"
"One thing at a time," Kiana buried her face in his neck, muttering, "You have to make it up to me."
"…Like what?"
Kiana lifted her head, her warm lips close to his earlobe:
"Last time… I did everything myself," her voice laced with a hint of mischief, "Now… It's your turn."
"…Is it appropriate to say this right after we meet?"
"What do you think?" Kiana's fingertips traced his collar, the answer unmistakable.
Soon, rhythmic tapping sounds filled the quiet room.
------
Kiana felt as if she were being swept up in a surging wave, then gently lifted up.
She clung tightly to Xiling's neck, her body being tossed up and down with each powerful movement.
"No…something's not right!" Kiana cried out inwardly, her face flushed.
Last time he seemed so awkward, how come now… he's so skilled?
"You…" she gasped, taking a moment to ask haltingly, "You wouldn't… have secretly… done it with Sister Lemuen too, would you?"
"Otherwise… why are you so skilled?"
Xiling paused slightly, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "…More or less."
"Damn it! Sister Lemuen sneaked away!" Kiana, both embarrassed and angry, opened her mouth and gently bit Xiling's neck. A strange, tingling sensation instantly spread throughout her body, almost making her weak at the waist.
"Mmm..." she murmured shyly, her tone coquettish, "Don't...don't tell Sister Lemuen about tonight..."
Xiling sighed helplessly, "Who would tell someone something like this..."
"I don't know about others, but you...mmm..." A sensitive spot was precisely touched, and Kiana's voice became even softer than before, "If Sister Lemuen asks about tonight...mmm...what would you say?"
"Eh..." Xiling's movements froze instantly, falling into silence. Kiana, now able to catch her breath, smiled triumphantly:
"See, Xiling...you're so good at guessing."
"First...put me down."
Her white-stockinged feet finally touched the ground, and Kiana walked unsteadily to the table, gently lifting one long leg and placing it on the edge. She turned around, her smile sly and provocative:
"Always so cheeky, but you go silent when it really matters? Xiling, you...you're not some hidden little devil, are you?"
Before she finished speaking, that familiar, chilling force suddenly penetrated her body. Kiana bit her lower lip, desperately suppressing the sound that was about to escape.
"Where...where did you learn all this?" Xiling's voice was filled with helpless panting.
"Hehe..." Kiana suppressed the churning within her, turning back playfully and sticking out her little tongue, "There's no shortage of 'learning materials' in the modern world! **Heaven and all that, any position...ooh!"
The next second, an even more intense attack made her body tense up abruptly, almost biting herself! As if discovering a new continent, Kiana, ignoring her physical discomfort, turned back again, even deliberately flashing a "V" sign with her hands and sticking out her tongue:
"Look, Xiling..."
"Hehe...you're excited, aren't you? Wait...wait a minute! Slow down, slow down!" Her pleading voice trailed off.
"Isn't this what you wanted?" Xiling almost gritted his teeth in response.
"Yes...yes, that's what I wanted..." Kiana answered with difficulty, caught in a storm of emotions and physical turmoil.
A bottle on the table was accidentally knocked over, spilling water everywhere.
"Sister Lemuen...how long did it take with you?" she panted, throwing out a fatal question.
"Don't ask such strange questions!"
"You're still shy at a time like this...Xiling, you're really...um...childish, aren't you?" She deliberately dragged out the words.
"...About half a day." Xiling's voice came muffledly.
"Sigh...you two...are you really 'human'?" Kiana sighed.
"My race is not human, but warriors!" Xiling answered with unwavering conviction.
After completing some administrative speeches with the Ancient Dragon Clan, Placidusax went straight to the royal palace.
Her target was Xiling. To her, Xiling was like a deity from her past. He was her savior. She worshipped his radiance and revered his unparalleled achievements. He was her king, her god, the one she was determined to follow for life.
Of course, deep down, she harbored a faint, almost imperceptible resentment towards this great god. After all, so much time had passed, and he hadn't even once returned to visit her.
Thinking of this, her usually cold eyes darkened slightly.
She won't wait any longer.
Opportunity must be seized. She decided that, starting tonight, she would stay by his side twenty-four hours a day.
The Ancient Dragon Clan knew no shame—where the heart desires, they will strive for it and hold on tight!
Thinking of this, a smile, so different from her usual aloof demeanor, quietly appeared on her lips. She walked with slightly lighter steps towards Xiling's room. However, right in front of the door, she tilted her head slightly.
"Asleep so early…?" Her outstretched hand paused in mid-air.
Her powerful senses told her that the person inside was already asleep.
She had assumed he wouldn't be asleep at this hour.
"Perhaps he's too tired…" she murmured, withdrawing her hand.
"I should… let him rest well."
With this thoughtfulness, she turned and silently retraced her steps.
Hearing the faint yet clear footsteps outside the door gradually fade away, Kiana, who had been listening intently through the crack in the door, and Xiling, who was also holding his breath behind her, both breathed a sigh of relief.
"Who… was that just now?" Kiana turned around, her breathing still a little unsteady.
"A… friend," Xiling replied simply.
"Is that so?" Kiana couldn't see who was outside the door, but since they were gone, she didn't care. She leaned lazily against the wall, raised a white-stockinged foot, and gently placed it on Xiling's shoulder.
"Then let's continue."
"...Didn't you just tell me to stop?"
"Idiot~ At times like this, 'no' means 'yes'."
The night...continued. Until the early hours of the morning, the exhausted Herrscher finally surrendered, deciding to withdraw from the battlefield.
The Honkai Impact 3rd world. Raiden Mei sat alone on the living room sofa, a hint of worry lingering between her brows.
"Why hasn't Kiana come back yet... has something happened?"
Just then, a faintly glowing spatial portal silently opened in the room, and Kiana staggered out. When her gaze fell on Mei waiting in the living room, her body visibly stiffened.
"Uh...It's so late, Mei, are...Aren't you asleep yet?" Her voice carried a barely perceptible weakness.
Seeing Kiana finally return safely, Mei's tense nerves instantly relaxed.
"I thought you'd be back soon, so I waited for you."
Kiana scratched the back of her head somewhat sheepishly.
"Next time... you don't need to wait for me. I... I'm a little tired, I'm going to sleep!"
After saying this, she didn't even move towards the bedroom door, but instead raised her hand and opened another spatial portal beside her, disappearing in a flash, leaving Mei standing there alone.
Raiden Mei blinked, her doubts deepening:
"Kiana's face... seems particularly red? Could it be... she has a fever?"