The Valkyrie exams at St. Freya High School were timed much like a university's finals week.
First came the practical combat drills, followed by the academic subjects.
The training grounds at St. Freya were largely similar to those at other Schicksal branches, utilizing big data supplemented by semi-immersive devices.
It felt somewhat similar to the next-generation wearable device "Augma" from Sword Art Online The Movie: Ordinal Scale.
The difference, however, was that the monsters simulated by the big data provided a genuine sense of impact, and required the user to participate personally.
Consequently, this could lead to participants getting injured, or even killed.
In the early days of the training equipment's development, it had indeed caused a considerable number of casualties.
Now, however, the training devices had matured, with layer upon layer of safety features added to guarantee the Valkyries' lives to the greatest extent possible.
As long as one didn't remove the "limiters," there would be no casualties.
The existence of the training device allowed Valkyries to familiarize themselves with fighting Honkai Beasts ahead of time, so they wouldn't suddenly freeze up on a future battlefield.
However…
"Kiana's fighting style looks so… so…"
The word "sexy" was something Bronya simply couldn't bring herself to say.
During the combat training exam, Kiana's writhing waist, her swinging long hair, the arcs she traced as she flew through the air—it was all powerful and forceful, yet relaxed and controlled, exuding a bewitching and alluring charm.
This kind of sensuous charm shouldn't appear on a girl who was still inexperienced with the world; it was more suited to a graceful and noble lady in her prime.
And it was precisely for this reason, the simultaneous appearance of a pure, flawless girl and a richly seductive aura, that Bronya felt a sense of dislocation.
Mei felt the same way. Just watching Kiana's fighting form made her feel a little shy, her restless hands fiddling with a strand of her hair.
Bang! Bang!
In the center of the field, Kiana leaped high into the air, her legs pressed tightly together like a gymnast's. Her dual pistols, the Water Spirit Type-I, spat fire, and a massive Knight-class Honkai Beast crashed to the ground, dissolving into blue particles of data that vanished into the air.
Pat-da.
She landed on the balls of her feet, her rear foot touching down a moment later.
A perfect landing.
"So, did you see how amazing this young lady is?"
Kiana shot a provocative glance at Bronya.
This time, however, she didn't get the reaction she expected. The way Bronya was looking at her seemed a bit strange.
It wasn't just Bronya; Mei was the same. Their gazes made her feel as if they were watching someone "welcoming the morning sun on a rooftop on New Year's Day wearing only new underwear."
"??"
The Tuna was momentarily baffled.
"Hey, are you all stunned by this young lady's combat prowess?!"
"Um… well, is this the Kaslana family's Gun Kata?" Mei asked quietly, carefully choosing her words.
Nearby, Theresa slapped a hand to her forehead. "If Siegfried saw this… this bewitching version of Gun Kata, he would definitely kick Kiana out of the family."
"Stupid Kiana, did you always fight like this before?" Bronya asked, hugging Project Bunny as she tried to recall the past.
"??"
Seeing their strange looks, Kiana grew flustered and annoyed. "What's with you all! I don't understand what you're talking about!"
Bronya projected a video feed. "Kiana, watch the recording yourself."
"!!"
Kiana, who had been so full of herself just a moment ago, froze completely.
She remembered last night's educational guidance. That monster Ye Feng had replaced all the walls of the room with mirrors, allowing Kiana to see her every move with perfect clarity.
The posture of her hip thrusts in the mirror's reflection… did indeed bear some resemblance to her fighting today.
"You can definitely become the most outstanding knight."
Kiana recalled Ye Feng's words. At the time, she had thought he was just trying to comfort her.
She never imagined this was what he meant.
"Damn it!"
Kiana clenched her fists tightly. Mei, seeming to realize something, asked with concern, "Is… is it the influence of that Stigma mark?"
"Eh? N-no, no, no, it's not that."
Kiana didn't know why she denied it, but she subconsciously waved her hands in a panic.
"No, it has nothing to do with that. Ah, right, speaking of the Stigma Space, I have something very important to tell great-aunt."
"You should call me Principal during school hours. So, what is it?"
Kiana repeated the instructions Ye Feng had given her.
Theresa frowned slightly. "You dragged your feet on telling me something this important until now?"
Kiana rubbed the back of her head. "That guy said it wouldn't make a difference to wait a few days anyway, and I was just thinking about the exams."
Everyone was left speechless. Theresa was about to die of anger. "Kiana, you truly are my dear niece. Setting aside whether his story is true or false, this concerns your great-aunt's life, and you don't feel the slightest bit of urgency. I'm truly hurt."
"Ehehe, I just didn't believe it. Great-aunt is so strong, how could a mere Pseudo-Herrscher possibly be a match for you?"
"Of course."
Theresa crossed her arms proudly. "I, your principal, am very strong. Hey, wait a minute, Kiana actually knows the concept of a Pseudo-Herrscher? Not bad. It seems you've been studying hard. Combat is important, but…"
"Oh, I know, I know! 'Your knowledge level has to keep up, the Valkyrie's battlefield is not just about brute force.' I've heard that so many times my ears are about to grow calluses."
---o---
After watching the three students leave, Himeko walked down from the control console.
"Did you hear all of that?" Theresa asked.
"The Pseudo-Herrscher at Senba High School?"
Theresa's expression was serious. "Himeko, what do you think?"
"If it's true as he says, then there are two possibilities. One, he possesses some ability to foresee the future. The other is that he is capable of creating Pseudo-Herrschers. Only then could he 'predict the appearance of a Pseudo-Herrscher.'"
Theresa nodded. "That's what I was thinking. I just don't know why he had Kiana deliver the message."
Himeko said, "What I'm more curious about is what kind of existence 'Ye Feng' actually is. A Herrscher? A Stigma? Or something else that we can't comprehend."
"Yes, there are too many mysteries. But for now, it seems he bears no ill will, nor has he done anything to harm Kiana or anyone else. We can only take it one step at a time."
"I suppose that's our only option."
With the serious business concluded, Himeko immediately broke into a mischievous grin.
She draped her arm over Theresa's shoulder. "Hey, Principal, have you considered this possibility? That the consciousness in the Stigma Space likes you."
"What are you suddenly talking about!"
"I actually think it's highly likely. He specifically had Kiana deliver a message just so our cute principal wouldn't walk into danger. If that isn't a crush, what is?"
"Nonsense!"
Theresa's little face turned slightly red as she grew flustered and angry.
This was the bad thing about Himeko; she always liked to make inappropriate jokes.
She was just teasing her.
Theresa knew that very well!
"Hmm? I smell alcohol. Himeko, have you been drinking again?"
"Aheheh, no, no, just a tiny sip. It doesn't count as drinking."
"Very good. Your salary for this month is gone."
"Eh? You can't do that!"
"As a teacher, you should lead by example."
"You're using your public position to settle a private grudge!"
The training grounds echoed with the sounds of their cheerful bickering.