"Kiana."
Still in the city ruins, Xia Qi watched Kiana walk towards her, a faint smile on her face.
"Mm!"
Kiana nodded, looking at Xia Qi with reluctance in her eyes, but she quickly pushed it down.
"When you go out to fight the Honkai beasts later, be careful. Even though you're strong, you can still get hurt if you're not paying attention. Like this morning—I thought I wouldn't choke on breakfast, but then I took a huge bite of egg and almost died!"
"Pfft… haha."
Xia Qi couldn't help but laugh at Kiana's worried rambling.
"What's so funny? I'm being serious!"
Kiana's face flushed red, and she stomped her foot.
"Okay, okay, I got it. Don't worry, I won't let my guard down." Xia Qi smiled and gave her a gentle promise.
"Mm… that's good…"
Kiana nodded, and then a small silence settled between them. She couldn't help but trace a little circle on the ground with her toe before asking quietly:
"So… when will you be back? I—I'm not saying I'm worried or anything, it's just… without you here, it feels kind of… weird…"
"That… might take a month. Or even longer. But I'll definitely be back within three months."
Xia Qi reached out and gently ruffled Kiana's hair.
"Patting my head will stunt my growth. And since you're me, if you want to pat my head, just pat your own." Kiana felt a little awkward.
"Alright."
Xia Qi pulled her hand back and said softly, "Then I'll be going now, Kiana."
"W-wait!"
But Kiana quickly called out.
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Before you leave… I want to show you how much I've improved this month." Kiana looked at Xia Qi, her blue eyes filled with firm resolve. "Can I ask you… to fight me with your full strength one more time?!"
"Oh?"
Xia Qi was surprised, but seeing Kiana's determined look, a glimmer of understanding and approval shone in her eyes. She nodded.
"I see. I understand. Then, Kiana, get ready."
As she spoke, Xia Qi took a few steps back. Flames flickered around her, and that magnificent armor appeared on her body once more. A crimson cape flowed behind her, and she gripped a splendid greatsword tightly.
Gems on the greatsword gleamed brightly.
Kiana watched Xia Qi intently, her eyes sharp with focus as she lowered her stance slightly.
On her body, the academy-issued uniform—which had some Honkai energy adaptability—appeared. In her hands materialized two Water Spirit Type-IIs—guns Xia Qi was sure Kiana would get in the future, so she'd taught her how to use them early.
"Then… let's begin!"
Kiana shouted earnestly.
She saw Xia Qi's expression turn serious an instant before she vanished.
"Behind!"
Kiana's pupils shrank. She immediately dropped and swept her arm back.
The moment she crouched, a greatsword wrapped in flames swept over her head. As her arm swung back, she pulled the trigger.
Bang!
Kiana died.
The greatsword changed direction the instant it missed, striking and "killing" Kiana.
The gunshot was dodged by Xia Qi.
Kiana's figure reformed in the space. Her eyes were wide, her mouth gasping for air, her face full of shock and disbelief.
"Kiana, your progress is impressive."
Xia Qi stood before her, frowning slightly, a hint of concern in her eyes. "Are you okay?"
"V-very not okay!"
Kiana touched her head. Even though, under Xia Qi's protection, she hadn't felt the fatal pain of the strike, she still struggled to shake off the overwhelming image of flames. It took a moment before she started to recover.
"Huff… huff…"
She panted, then looked at Xia Qi, who was watching her worriedly. On her pale, sweaty face, she forced a weak smile:
"S-see! I can already dodge half a move from you now! And it's only been a month! Later, when I'm stronger than you, you won't even be able to touch me!"
"..."
Xia Qi's eyes widened slightly in surprise, then she couldn't help but laugh.
"That's a good fighting spirit, Kiana."
"Hehe, what this lady says is always true!"
Kiana looked at Xia Qi, her eyes burning with stubborn determination. But then her gaze drifted to the greatsword in Xia Qi's hand—its amazing look, the scary flames around it when she swung, and those gems!
"U-um! Can I… touch your greatsword?!"
Kiana stared at the greatsword, practically drooling, stars almost visible in her eyes.
"This?" Xia Qi glanced down at it, thought for a second, then turned a slightly serious look toward Kiana. "If you want to hold it… it might be… really, really painful…"
"Huh?"
Confusion flashed in Kiana's eyes.
"It's… not just a weapon," Xia Qi said calmly, looking at her. "Explaining it now probably won't make sense. For now, just know that picking up this sword will hurt a lot."
"Really…"
Kiana looked at Xia Qi holding the sword—looking incredibly cool—then at her calm face, suspicion creeping in.
"I don't believe it! Let me try! And pain? This lady isn't scared at all!"
She reached out without hesitation.
"Alright."
Xia Qi handed the greatsword to Kiana, watching her closely.
On the greatsword, several Herrscher Cores glowed brightly.
She believed… Sirin wouldn't be able to resist.
Kiana immediately reached out, eagerly grabbing the sword's hilt.
And in that very moment—
A pillar of flames shot up and swallowed Kiana. Armor just like Xia Qi's appeared on her body, but her silver-white hair came loose and flew around her.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
A piercing scream tore through Kiana's mind.
The next instant.
Kiana shot up in bed, her face as white as paper. Sweat beaded on her forehead. In just a second, her whole body was soaked in cold sweat. She curled up immediately, letting out soft, pained whimpers.
"Kiana!!"
Bronya jumped up and rushed over.
But right then, she saw another Kiana standing beside Kiana's bed. She was a little taller, with a single ponytail, her presence calm, mature, and impossible to ignore…
She was also staring back at Bronya, her face full of shock.
Kiana's screams echoed through the dorm building. The Valkyries knew screams like that—the kind people made when they were in terrible pain, near death.
Instantly, the lights in the Valkyrie dormitory blazed on.
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A/n: New content and Story posted on my patreon go check it out!
patreon.com/deadlygoober