Xia Qi watched as the dozens of golden chains shot toward her, about to pierce and bind her. She tightened her grip on the Key of Sanction: Seven Thunders of Retribution: Rumble (Katana).
Then, she drew the blade in a flash. The golden chains were instantly sliced into dozens of fragments by the lightning, scattering into golden dust that vanished into the air.
"What?!"
Theresa stared in stunned disbelief.
Without hesitation, Xia Qi charged toward the approaching Himeko. Her blade met the Greatsword in a clash, but in the next instant, amid a flash of lightning, Himeko was already on the ground.
"Himeko!"
Raiden Mei, who had charged alongside Himeko, gasped in shock and immediately swung her blade down at Xia Qi. But Xia Qi effortlessly sidestepped the attack and sent Mei flying back with a heavy slash.
"Mei, get used to merging with your Herrscher self as soon as possible... Because only then will you truly be a complete entity." Xia Qi's calm voice whispered in her ear, for her alone to hear.
Then, Xia Qi stepped over her fallen form.
"Himeko! Mei!"
Kiana cried out anxiously at the sight, but in the next instant, Xia Qi was before her. The cold, detached gaze in those violet eyes sent a chill down Kiana's spine, involuntarily reminding her of the final confrontation with her other self.
She had been effortlessly defeated then, and at the very end, just gripping her weapon had felt like being burned to ashes.
And now...
"Kiana, losing focus in battle is a fatal mistake."
With a single slash, Xia Qi gravely wounded the distracted Kiana, then dodged Bronya's long-range barrage. In the next moment, she sidestepped a punch from Fu Hua, who had attacked from behind.
Their strength wasn't actually weak. They were simply facing Xia Qi too soon. Even Theresa, the strongest among them, only managed to swing Judah around a few times and exchange a few blows with Xia Qi before, just as she was about to unleash a powerful move, her lengthy wind-up allowed Xia Qi to close in and dispatch her easily.
"Arghhhhh!" Theresa flailed in frustration. "Why did I get taken out like some random mob?!"
"..."
Xia Qi was momentarily speechless. After a moment's thought, she said softly, "Principal, perhaps it's because you aren't wearing your Valkyrie battlesuit. After all, when facing a Herrscher... everyone should be equipped for combat, not just casual wear."
"And there's also the vast gap in our strength compared to you," Himeko added, scratching her head wearily before grabbing Kiana beside her and ruffling her hair vigorously.
"Getting beaten by my own student—even if she's from the future—is still a bit hard to swallow!"
"If you're upset, Himeko, why are you taking it out on my hair?!" Kiana struggled fiercely but couldn't break free, finally protesting indignantly.
"Perhaps everyone should try fighting high-tier Honkai beasts and zombies first, to practice teamwork," Fu Hua suggested at that moment, pushing up her glasses.
"Mm, Bronya also believes this is what we need right now."
Only Raiden Mei, standing among the others, looked at Xia Qi with a somewhat lost gaze.
"That's fine too."
Xia Qi nodded gently. After consulting with Himeko, Theresa, and the others, she summoned wave after wave of zombies and Honkai beasts in the dream space, sending them charging toward the group.
She herself watched silently from the sidelines.
Seeing Fu Hua diligently slacking off and pretending to be weak among the others, she couldn't help but feel a little amused. At the same time, she began seriously considering future matters.
Perhaps Otto can't sit still any longer. I might see him today.
And Welt is still at the academy, he hasn't left yet. He might also come looking for me.
The intentions of both are unknown, whether good or bad. Moreover, World Serpent certainly knows of my existence by now. Given Gray Serpent's nature, he will undoubtedly make contact, probe me. If I reveal my knowledge, he might even invite me to join World Serpent.
Soon, as time passed, the night's training came to an end.
When everyone woke up early the next morning, their mental states were remarkably refreshed. They felt no exhaustion from the constant fighting in the dream.
Due to the recent disturbances at the academy, classes were still suspended for a few days.
Xia Qi spent these days happily with everyone. Each day, she and Mei cooked for the group, savoring what felt to Xia Qi like a blessed, almost miraculous time of happiness.
Until that evening.
Xia Qi went out grocery shopping with Kiana, and the unexpected situation finally arrived.
"Ei..."
On a quiet, cold park path illuminated by streetlights, Kiana looked at Xia Qi walking beside her. After much hesitation, she finally voiced the question that had been bothering her.
Also, because Raiden Mei wasn't around and only Xia Qi was with her, she used the name they'd agreed upon.
"You... and the other me... both seem to treat Teacher Himeko a bit differently from everyone else."
"Hmm?"
Hearing her words, Xia Qi fell silent for a moment. She turned to meet Kiana's gaze, a flicker of complexity stirring within her usually tranquil eyes.
That complicated expression seemed to confirm Kiana's suspicions. She took a deep breath, then asked with great seriousness, tinged with sorrow and uncertainty:
"Did Teacher Himeko... in the future... meet with some kind of accident?"
"..."
Xia Qi remained silent for two seconds, mentally reviewing the Valkyrie forms she could assume...
She hesitated.
"I'm not a child anymore... Ei."
Seeing Xia Qi's hesitant look, Kiana mistakenly thought she was debating whether to tell her the truth. Her expression grew very serious. Though her blue eyes shimmered slightly with unshed tears at her own deduction, they remained bright and clear.
"Don't carry it all by yourself, Ei. You told me not to shoulder the responsibility of saving the world alone, to trust everyone, to trust you. Then... I hope you can do the same. So, can you tell me?"
"...You guessed correctly. Teacher Himeko... is gone." Looking at Kiana, Xia Qi spoke softly, her gaze complex.
Because of Kiana words, appearing before them in Himeko's form in the future would now be... very difficult.
But this was also because she couldn't control the surging emotions in her heart whenever she saw Himeko. So she couldn't blame Kiana...
However, at this moment, Xia Qi thought of a certain flaw in her abilities. This flaw...might just be able to help her.
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