After dealing with the annoying mechs, Kiana finally reached the glittering rooftop.
At the very peak of the building, a purple-glowing sphere pulsed with a dangerous aura. Even from outside the screen, Bronya and the others could tell how immensely dangerous it was.
Yet, the Kiana in the video charged forward without a moment's hesitation. As she neared the Honkai energy bomb, the overflowing energy crashed against her body like a tidal wave, forcing a muffled groan from her lips due to the intense agony.
Because she was so close to the Honkai energy, purplish-red veins had already appeared on her skin as the energy rapidly corroded her body.
Kiana clenched her teeth, enduring a pain unimaginable to ordinary people. Pushing against the onslaught of Honkai energy, she moved forward step by step and grasped the bomb.
The sensation of her body being eroded by Honkai energy was excruciating, like countless tiny insects crawling and burrowing beneath her skin, severing every muscle fiber and nerve.
But she had already endured something far more painful. Compared to the physical torment, the suffering her heart had been subjected to that day at the Schicksal headquarters, within that imaginary space, was the truly unbearable agony.
Endless pain surged through Kiana's entire being like a flood, stimulating her nerves every second. Her eyes had already turned yellow, and her expression was a mask of struggle, as if she were at war with something inside her.
And just at that moment, a familiar, gentle voice whispered in her ear.
"Kiana."
Kiana's eyes shot open as she looked to her side in disbelief.
"Teacher... Himeko."
The somewhat ethereal figure of Murata Himeko placed a hand on Kiana's arm and offered her a gentle smile, saying no more.
"That's right... I promised you..."
Kiana's consciousness, which had been clouded by pain, was instantly revitalized as if by a shot of adrenaline. Her expression became resolute, her eyes no longer lost.
"I will turn this imperfect story... into the one we've always hoped for!"
Kiana unleashed all of her power, carrying the Honkai energy bomb—a device capable of annihilating the entire city—and soared high into the sky, like a meteor streaking in reverse toward the heavens!
Simultaneously, her appearance began to change. The attire of a Herrscher materialized on her body, but her eyes were not the yellow from moments ago, but a deep, profound azure blue.
That was her own color.
She had taken control of the Herrscher's power.
High above the celestial dome, a meteor ignited, like a rebel challenging the gods, illuminating the path forward in the pitch-black night.
Down below, the people of the city looked up at the sky. They all saw that single, shining meteor.
They were amazed, excited, and chattered amongst themselves.
But they did not know that, just a moment ago, they had brushed past the grim reaper.
Aside from a select few, no one knew what that meteor signified, nor did they know the price a young girl had paid to save them.
As her own power was about to be depleted, Kiana pierced the bomb with a Spear of the Void, detonating it high in the sky.
A brilliant flash of light illuminated the skies above Arc City, turning night into day!
And Kiana, drained of her strength, fell from the heavens like a withered leaf, silent and unnoticed. But on her face was a smile of relief.
"This is... my promise."
The screen went dark. Outside the video, Kiana and the other two remained immersed in the scene they had just witnessed for a long time, their hearts pounding, unable to extricate themselves from the overwhelming emotions.
"Was that... really me?"
Kiana couldn't help but ask.
Although she was confident in herself and believed she would one day become the strongest Valkyrie capable of anything, watching the version of herself in the video—so strong, so brave, unafraid of pain, a true hero—she still found it hard to believe. Was that really me?
To be honest, she was a little captivated by her future self.
"While it is difficult to believe... Teacher Himeko also appeared in the video. That should confirm it was idiot Kiana herself."
Bronya took a breath to calm herself, then said, "Our initial judgment can now be confirmed. The question was indeed about an event from the future."
"Does that mean... Kiana really will become a Herrscher in the future?" Raiden Mei asked, her voice filled with apprehension.
Bronya nodded, then looked at Kiana. "From the video, we can deduce that although Kiana becomes a Herrscher, she is able to retain her own consciousness. Just as the answer stated, she briefly gained control of the Herrscher's power and saved the people of Arc City."
"Haha, that's me alright!" Kiana grinned, placing her hands on her hips with smug satisfaction, looking utterly pleased with herself.
Bronya shot her a sideways glance and retorted dryly, "Idiot Kiana, your current self is a far cry from the Kiana in the video."
"But it's still me!" Kiana wiped her nose, a look of aspiration in her eyes. "My future self is so cool. I wonder when I'll become like that?"
"Hmm... The Kiana in the video doesn't look much different from you now. If I were to guess, maybe in one or two years, or perhaps two or three," Raiden Mei analyzed.
"In such a short amount of time, can idiot Kiana truly grow to the level of the Kiana in the video?" Bronya stroked her chin, expressing her doubt and confusion.
"Perhaps something happened," Raiden Mei said, her expression turning a little wistful as if she remembered something.
"Just like me in the past. When my father was still around, I was a young lady who knew nothing of the world. But after he was framed and imprisoned, I went through so much, until I finally came to St. Freya. The person I am now is certainly vastly different from the person I was two years ago."
"So you're saying something will happen in the future that will change me?" Kiana rubbed her head.
"There was one detail in the video that the Bronya found concerning," Bronya spoke up. "Why, when Kiana was in extreme pain, did she see a vision of Teacher Himeko?"
"That... perhaps Kiana was remembering Teacher Himeko's lessons," Raiden Mei said uncertainly.
"Then why didn't she think of the Bronya, or you, Sister Mei, or even the Principal? Why specifically Teacher Himeko?"
"Well..."
"Therefore, the Bronya has a bold hypothesis. The catalyst that will push Kiana to grow and change... originates directly from Teacher Himeko."
"Isn't that how it always is in stories? At a moment of crisis, the protagonist will always remember the person who had the most profound impact on their life."
"Bronya, you mean..." Raiden Mei's expression instantly turned grim. She thought of a possibility, but she didn't dare to say it out loud.