After finishing dinner and returning to the dormitory, Himeko spent the entire walk engaged in aimless chatter with Kiana. Even though Kiana repeatedly urged her, she showed no intention of bringing out the gift. Seeing this, Kiana felt Himeko was deliberately stringing her along and expressed a strong protest, while Hua Yi already understood the true reason.
The so-called gift was likely something not suitable for him to see.
"I still have some matters to handle, so you two enjoy your chat. By the way, Ms. Himeko, even if you stay over tonight and sleep in Kiana's room, it's fine. After all, there isn't any sort of dorm manager here."
"I'll talk with Kiana for a bit longer and then head out. Thank you for the treat earlier; if there's a chance, I'll return the favor."
Although Himeko had originally asked Kiana to treat her to a meal, Kiana had been so preoccupied with enjoying the food that she completely forgot about the bill. In the end, Hua Yi had quietly settled the tab, and Himeko had a favorable impression of this well mannered young man.
"You're very welcome."
Nodding to Himeko, Hua Yi went up the stairs, leaving Himeko and Kiana on the first floor. It was then that Himeko finally brought out two items.
"This is a Honkai Energy Monitor Watch. Under normal circumstances, it's no different from an ordinary watch, but it will sound an alarm when Honkai Energy reaches a dangerous concentration. I hope that whenever the watch alarms, Kiana, you will immediately find a way to stay far away from the area."
Himeko gave a detailed introduction, yet Kiana's gaze lingered for a long time on the other gift in the woman's hand. Himeko followed her gaze and continued her explanation.
"These two guns are named Artemis' Guardian. If used by a Valkyrie capable of utilizing Honkai Energy, they can unleash incredibly powerful strength. Be careful unless a Honkai outbreak occurs, please do not use them as you please. Do not even use them to test their power. Usually, you must keep them hidden and not let ordinary people see them."
In truth, had a Honkai outbreak not recently occurred near the outskirts of Nagazora, Himeko would never have agreed to Principal Theresa handing this weapon over to Kiana.
Every weapon used by a Valkyrie possessed power that transcended common logic, and their misuse carried great danger. Without specialized training, even someone with the right aptitude was not suited to handle such lethal weapons.
Kiana reached out excitedly to take them, but Himeko did not let go immediately. Instead, she looked at the girl and spoke seriously.
"Did you remember what I said?"
"I know, I know! I've used handguns before when I fought alongside my father. Don't worry, I won't point these at anyone other than Honkai Beasts and Zombies."
Unlike most girls, Kiana was quite interested in matters of combat. After making her cool assurance, she couldn't put down the dual pistols, which were as exquisite as works of art. Then, she asked with curiosity, "Why did Aunt Theresa suddenly think of sending me a gift?"
Himeko's first instinct was to find an excuse to brush it off, but on second thought, while Principal Theresa didn't want Kiana to know about St. Freya Academy, she seemingly didn't intend to hide information about the Honkai from her. Moreover, judging from Kiana's words, the girl had already dealt with the Honkai before. In that case\
"Because a Honkai outbreak just occurred on the outskirts of Nagazora."
"?!"
Kiana's happy expression suddenly changed. She knew full well what the Honkai was.
She had finally made friends and finally found a life of peace was it going to be destroyed by the Honkai again?
Last time, her father had likely gone missing because of the Honkai. This time, she had to protect Raiden Mei, and Hua Yi.
That damned Honkai don't even think about destroying this young lady's life again.
"You don't need to be too nervous. It was only a small scale Honkai event, and the resulting Honkai Beasts have already been cleared out. Nagazora is safe now. Rest assured, even if true danger appears, Principal Theresa wouldn't just leave you to fend for yourself."
Pausing for a moment, Himeko continued, "Theresa hides many things from you not because she wants to keep you at a distance, but out of pure kindness. The more you know, the more troubled you will become."
Seeing Kiana standing with her head lowered in silence, Himeko patted her shoulder and turned to leave. Just before stepping out of the building, she stopped and spoke without turning around.
"My family, my friends, and the comrades I fought alongside have all passed away because of the Honkai. I've fought with everything I have to reach where I am today, yet every time I face the Honkai, I still feel my own insignificance.
The world is so vast, and exactly when or where the Honkai will suddenly erupt remains entirely unknown. Kiana, if the day comes where you truly have to face the Honkai, don't think about defeating it. Just work hard to survive."
"Then, who will face the Honkai?"
Kiana raised her head, showing a personality different from her usual self.
Himeko finally turned back, offering Kiana a smile a complex smile filled with bitterness, determination, and many other emotions.
"Me, and others like me. We are Valkyries, people destined to fight the Honkai for our entire lives. So, just leave it to us and don't feel any pressure. Kiana, you probably haven't heard the word 'Valkyrie' from Principal Theresa, have you? It's because your Aunt Theresa loves you very deeply."
Himeko left, disappearing from the sight of a questioning Kiana and also from the eyes of Hua Yi, who was standing on the rooftop of the dormitory.
Silently watching Himeko walk out of Nagazora, Hua Yi then looked up at the sky where she had vanished. There was only the black of the night there, as the moon was not yet bright enough to illuminate the heavens. However, Hua Yi knew that in that patch of night sky, which looked no different from any other direction, there might be an aerial battleship named the Hyperion.
Would he one day be able to stand inside that battleship, on its bridge, and listen as a Valkyrie called him "Captain"?
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access 400+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).