Their duel served as Hare's test of whether Bronya had truly mastered her new power. Without substance behind the form, the Ascension would be meaningless.
As practice is the sole criterion of truth, Hare chose combat as the ultimate examination.
"Begin."
Hare summoned her signature banner-like spear. With a swing, four identical faceless figures materialized - Archetypes she could summon as a Stigma Manifest.
Bronya responded instantly, constructing a laser cannon that fired a blue beam at Hare. The four Archetypes interposed themselves, but against the newly ascended Herrscher of Truth, they disintegrated instantly.
"Not bad. Let's raise the difficulty."
Hare activated her Stigma transcription, her body now clad in purple armor as her weapon transformed into multiple javelins. With agile movements, she closed the distance.
Bronya's mechanical wings flared, propelling her sideways to evade. Hare's missed strike didn't faze her - she simply hurled javelins that shattered Bronya's constructs with terrifying speed. Yet Bronya reformed them effortlessly.
As the battle intensified, Bronya realized ranged attacks were ineffective. She materialized a blue lance and charged, only to be outmatched in close combat, forced back by Hare's superior strength.
"Bronya, if this is your limit, I'll have to discipline you properly."
"Stop using that patronizing tone! Even if you technically are..."
"Hehe~ This final strike - fail to block it, and you'll be bedridden for a month."
Hare combined all javelins into one, its throw distorting space to create a pseudo-black hole. The gravitational pull surpassed even Star of Eden's Zeroth Power. Bronya recognized this was Hare's full strength.
"Then... In the name of truth, I shall surpass the past!"
Her lance disassembled, reforming into an even more powerful laser cannon. The star-obliterating beam that erupted collided with Hare's attack, their clash shaking the entire area. When the dust settled, only critical structures remained standing.
"Passable power. Still no match for Kevin alone, but with three of you... Hmm... Actually still no chance unless he goes easy."
"Misteln! Must you state such cruel truths? How did your era create such monsters?"
"We still lost. But your era has Elysia - that's why you'll succeed."
"..."
Bronya had no rebuttal. Unlike hot-blooded protagonists claiming success through personal effort alone, as Herrschers retaining humanity, they owed everything to Elysia.
"My evaluation is complete. Shouldn't you call your friends now?"
"Bronya knows what to do after you leave. No reminders needed."
"Such an unlovable child. I'll tattle to your mother - she'll spank you over her knee when this is over."
"!!!"
Bronya stared in horror at this childish threat from an adult.
"Bye~"
Hare vanished through a crystalline portal, leaving a flustered Bronya behind.
"Tch. Whatever."
Activating nearby portals with her new power, Bronya opened pathways for Kiana's group. Sensing familiar Herrscher energy, they entered without hesitation.
Kiana immediately noticed Bronya's transformed appearance.
"Bronya! Your Herrscher form changed! The Reason Herrscher didn't look like this before."
She circled Bronya like observing a rare animal, even attempting to touch the data-stream ribbons - her hands passing through the holographic constructs.
"Idiot Kiana! Don't touch Bronya's Herrscher form! This is Bronya's true Herrscher of Reason state after Ascension."
"Huh? So you were a fake Reason Herrscher before?"
"...Bronya overestimated your intelligence. Just as you advanced from Void to Flamescion, Bronya has ascended from Reason to Truth - our version of Herrscher evolution."
Bronya's deadpan stare conveyed her exasperation. Finally understanding, Kiana grinned.
"See? That explanation even an idiot could understand!"
"Which is why you'll continue education even if exiled to the Moon. The world shouldn't know illiterate Herrschers exist."