-6800 words-
Kenji let out a deep exhale, relief flooding his body as he finished his second day at St Freya. It was just as eventful as the first one and he wondered if it was always going to be this hectic.
'Hopefully not, I don't think i have the mental capacity for that'
"Ugh, finally!" Kiana groaned beside him, stretching her arms overhead as if she'd just escaped from a life-or-death struggle. "I swear, if I had to sit through one more lecture about Honkai history, my brain was gonna melt."
"Kiana," Mei sighed, adjusting the strap of her bag as they made their way toward the dorms, "you slept through half of it."
"That's how bad it was!" Kiana huffed, crossing her arms. "You can't expect me to stay awake when they make everything sound so boring!"
Kenji smirked. "To be fair, I almost dozed off too. If I hear one more speech about 'the duty of a Valkyrie,' I might start reciting it in my sleep."
"Really Kenji? Already being lazy on your second day. Sounds like you two should start taking notes from Bronya," Mei said, nodding toward the girl walking just a step behind them. "She never complains."
Bronya's gaze flickered toward them, her expression as unreadable as always. "Bronya absorbs information efficiently. Complaining is unnecessary."
Kiana looked annoyed and took a shot at bronya. "You're like a walking AI sometimes, you know that?"
"Bronya will take that as a compliment."
Kenji chuckled, shifting his gaze to Bronya. She walked just a step behind them, but for some reason, he always felt like she was detached from everything. There was something about the way she carried herself, like she was constantly observing everything. Not quite distant, but never fully involved. He had noticed it before, the way her responses weren't just neutral but… on guard? He didn't know how to explain it.
'Maybe I'm just bad at making friends' .
Since it was his second day, he thought maybe that he could take a walk around the area by himself. Curfew was still long and maybe a little alone time would do him good.
But then the rhythmic thud of boots against stone rang out. The group halted for a moment before finding none other than Himeko standing in front of them.
Kenji barely had time to react before she stepped into their path, she was wearing casual clothing, just a plane white shirt and some shorts. Though said shirt did emphasize a couple things, he made sure to not accidentally look that way.
He failed.
"Kenji," she greeted, crossing her arms. "You're not planning on getting too comfortable, are you?"
Kenji blinked, frowning slightly. "Uh… should I be worried?"
Himeko smirked. "Depends. We're heading to Theresa. You've got special training, remember?"
Now that he thought about it, Theresa did mention something like that, didn't she? But he didnt expect it to be so soon. In hindsight he probably should have predicted it with how much interest they showed in his powers. "Right now?"
"Right now."
Kiana's ears practically perked up. "Wait, wait, wait. Special training? Why does he get VIP treatment?" She crossed her arms, pouting. "I want special training too! Auntie is being unfair!"
Mei wondered for a moment before finally realizing. "This is about his abilities, isn't it?"
Himeko sighed, her hand resting on her hip. "Yeah. I'm sure he's already told you how his powers react to Honkai energy. Theresa wants to run some tests, see what we're really dealing with."
Kiana, being the battle junky that she is, was still a little jealous that Kenji was being given personal training. Though she understood that his powers were odd and needed closer observation.
Himeko clapped her hands together, a sharp sound that cut through the conversation. "Alright, enough. You two have your own training to worry about. This isn't something just anyone can sit in on."
Kiana pouted but didn't argue. "Fine, fine. But you better tell me all about it later."
Kenji shot her a flat look. "Yeah, because that's going to be my priority after I get my ass kicked.".
…
The elevator ride down was silent, save for the soft hum of the machinery. Kenji exhaled through his nose, running a hand through his hair. Going into an underground facility wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world, he really hoped they weren't gonna knock him out and start experimenting on him. "So… controlled training, huh?"
Himeko leaning against the elevator wall. "Something like that. Though, knowing you, 'control' might be a bit of a stretch." She gave him a teasing look and stared him in the eyes. "If I remember correctly, you basically broke all your limbs."
Kenji rolled his eyes. "The eruption doesn't count. It was literally my first time in such a big fight so some broken limbs are expected…". Himeko raised a brow at him, not sure what his definition of 'some' is but decided to just leave it.
The doors slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the underground training facility.
It was vast, the reinforced plating along the walls gleaming under the sterile glow of overhead lights. A series of observation terminals lined the far end of the chamber, their screens displaying readings Kenji didn't understand. The air was cooler here, tinged with the hum of energy coursing through unseen circuits.
At the center of it all stood Theresa, arms crossed with a smile planted on her face."Glad you could make it," she said, her voice light, but firm.
"Ok this place looks super cool. It's like I'm in a sci-fi movie or something." Theresa chuckled at his reaction as he gave the facility a better look.
He thought that St Freya was already amazing from the outside. Here though, he was again reminded that this was a place where warriors were trained. He turned his attention back to Theresa, who looked up expectantly at him. "So how are we doing this exactly?"
"Because this is still your first personal training session, we will just be testing the waters. So nothing for you to worry about. To more accurately analyse your energy, we have prepared a specialized battlesuit just for this purpose."
Then she handed him a metal suitcase. She motioned for him to open it and he quickly started to pry open the case. Two days of training with a Valkyrie's battlesuit was enough embarrassment for a lifetime. Thankfully with this new battlesuit, he can train with his dignity intact-. "Why does it still have a boob window?!"
Theresa flinched at his sudden outburst then took a look at the battlesuit and winced, letting out a nervous laugh. "W-well now that I think about it. I may have forgotten to mention that this new battlesuit was for a Knight when I asked for it to be made… Sorry~".
'That does not look like a genuine apology!'.
A loud laugh was heard from his side and he didn't need to look to know that Himeko was laughing at his misfortune. He has a sneaking suspicion that she had something to do with this.
Deciding to just move on from the topic he closed the suitcase. "Right . I'm just going to put this thing on so we can get this training started."
Just as he was about to walk away, he heard another pair of footsteps getting closer. He saw movement just around the corner of his eyes. His gaze snapped to the side and saw grey hair.
Fu Hua.
She stepped forward, adjusting her glasses and sending him a polite smile. "We start with analysing your energy output. While it's passive and in combat."
Kenji swallowed. He'd sparred against Fu Hua before. He was severely outmatched.
Yeah. This was definitely going to be a pain in the ass.
But another part of him couldn't help but get excited
…
After quickly and somewhat reluctantly putting on his new battlesuit, he walked back to the middle of the observation room where everyone was waiting. He was surprised that in the short time he spent changing, there was already a platform set in the middle of the room, with wires all around. 'She is so going to put me on that thing'
Theresa clapped her hands together, her usual chipper demeanor was contrasted by an interested glint in her eyes. 'It's like a child finding a new toy to play with'
"Alright, Kenji. Before we begin, let me explain exactly what we're doing here."
Kenji crossed his arms, already expecting something a little more intense than just a simple training drill. "Go on."
Theresa motioned toward the large platform at the center of the training facility. Unlike a standard combat ring, this one was embedded with energy-sensitive plating, its surface laced with intricate circuitry that pulsed faintly with glowing electricity? Now that he thought about it, there was no way that machines that were made to train Valkyries and fight the Honkai were powered by regular electricity right?
Surrounding it were tall, slim analyzers that gave off a soft hum, positioned in a circular formation around the testing area.
"This platform," Theresa continued, "is designed to read energy fluctuations in real time. It will monitor how your power output affects your body, your vitals, and how stable your energy remains at different levels. The analyzers around you will measure the external effects like how your energy interacts with the surrounding space."
Kenji gave the setup another glance. "So basically, you want me to stand there and flex?"
Himeko snorted from where she leaned against the railing. "More like you're going to cycle through your energy levels one by one- or uhh your percentages if you want to call it that, and we'll see how long you last before something weird happens."
Theresa shot her a look but didn't deny it. "We'll start small. You'll begin at your lowest controlled percentage and gradually increase it while I monitor your vitals. Once we have a baseline, I'll introduce external Honkai energy into the space—not enough to cause harm, just enough to see how your energy responds."
'Or how Honkai energy responds to your energy.' she thought to herself.
Kenji blinked. "Wait, so you're going to fill the room with Honkai energy while I'm standing in the middle of it?"
"It's controlled and in a low concentration," Theresa reassured. "The energy won't take shape or attack you, it's just raw Honkai energy, well that's the simplified version but explaining all the technicalities would be a pain."
'That's not reassuring at all'
"If your energy reacts negatively or unexpectedly, we'll shut it down immediately. The goal is to understand how your power naturally responds to Honkai energy before we put you in an actual combat scenario."
Kenji considered that for a moment. On paper, it made sense. If his power did something different when Honkai was around like they said, they needed to know how it actually worked and how it could be used to fight the Honkai. Still, having Honkai energy thrown into the mix didn't sound like the safest way to spend his afternoon.
"Alright," he said, rolling his shoulders. "Guess there's no point in overthinking it. Let's do this."
Theresa smiled. "Good. Get on the platform. We'll be watching you from the observatory just over there", she said as she pointed to the observatory on the right.
….
Kenji adjusted his stance as the platform beneath him hummed softly, the energy analyzers surrounding him coming to life with a faint pulse of blue light. It felt strange, standing at the center of so much technology, it's like when you're about to get an MRI and placed in that giant white donut. He never liked that thing, it made him feel trapped.
A beep followed by the sound of machinery activating appeared through the observatory, with the panels surrounding him lighting up in a blue glow, adding to the sterile ambiance of the underground facility.
Theresa's voice crackled through the speakers above. "Alright, Kenji, let's begin. Start at 5% and hold it steady."
Kenji exhaled, letting the familiar feeling of OFA rise within him. The platform flickered beneath his feet, analysing the energy he was emitting, while the surrounding analyzers displayed his vitals in real-time. He clenched his fists slightly, testing how the energy coursed through his body. It was nothing new to him, but having it displayed and analyzed in real-time made it feel oddly clinical.
'So that's how it looks inside my body… cool'
"Vitals are stable," Theresa reported after a few moments. "Minimal strain detected. Muscle tension is at baseline, and your energy is odd… we can sense its presence but its like an empty void?"
Himeko leaned against the observatory railing, watching the monitors with interest. "He's got a solid handle on it. No excess power leaking anywhere"
Fu Hua, standing with her arms crossed beside her, studied the readings with a more analytical expression. "His energy control is refined at this level. I'm sure you're more familiar with this, with you having fought by his side after all. However, we need to see how it reacts under external influence."
Himeko agreed, after all, the whole reason his energy took their interest is because of its ability to attract honkai beasts. Stealing their focus like a moth to a flame, if he was somehow able to harness that ability… he could make Honkai beasts act like sitting ducks ready for slaughter.
Theresa looked at the others and nodded. "Alright, Kenji, we're going to introduce a low level of Honkai energy into the room. Let us know if you feel any changes."
A subtle hum resonated through the chamber as Honkai energy was dispersed into the air. The change was nearly imperceptible at first- just a faint shift in the atmosphere, like static before a storm. Kenji instinctively tensed, his senses sharpened as he waited for something to happen.
He remained still, his brows furrowing as he focused. "...Nothing. Feels the same."
"Interesting," Fu Hua murmured, watching as the Honkai energy swirled lazily around him. Kenji's energy didn't react defensively like what she was expecting. Instead, the particles drifted toward him, drawn in like mist curling toward a fire. The movement wasn't violent or aggressive if anything, it seemed almost natural, as if the energy itself was recognizing something familiar.
Theresa typed quickly on her console. "Honkai energy is showing passive movement toward his energy, but there's no sign of rejection or aggression. It's almost as if…"
"It's being absorbed," Himeko finished, her eyes narrowing slightly. "That's different."
Kenji looked down at his hands, watching as tiny wisps of Honkai energy curled toward him before vanishing. It wasn't like the forceful corruption of Honka energy that turned people into mindless zombies, nor was it actively consuming energy like a weapon siphoning power. It simply... blended into his aura. 'So I'm absorbing Honkai energy… how the hell did I not notice this before?'
This was an unexpected outcome for everyone but it made sense. Kenji's foreign energy was somehow able to daze and attract Honkai beasts, now that they know that he is actually absorbing Honkai energy, they can have a better understanding of how his power functions.
"So, uh… should I be worried about this?" Kenji asked, flexing his fingers as if expecting some kind of delayed effect.
"Not yet," Theresa replied, though her tone was measured. "We need to test how this scales at higher levels. Besides the ridiculous fact that you're absorbing Honkai energy and turning it into who knows what, everything seems to be in the clear."
Fu Hua gave a short nod. Taking over one of the mics to speak to Kenji. "Lower your energy back to baseline and take a short rest before we continue."
Kenji sighed, relaxing his stance as OFA faded from his body. The platform dimmed, returning to its neutral state.
"Well, that wasn't too bad. Guess we'll see how bad it gets when we go higher."
Theresa smiled faintly. "That's the spirit. Take a breather, we'll move to a higher percentage next. Can you tell me what's your usual go to?"
"Usually I switch from 5 to 15, and then 30 to 40 but any more than that and my body starts hurting. Don't really want to do that since my healing factor hasn't fully recovered."
There was a pause before the speaker beeped back to life and Theresa's voice was heard "Alright noted, tell us when you are ready."
Kenji stepped off the platform, rolling his shoulders as he took a moment to process what had just happened. He had always thought of Honkai energy as something inherently destructive—something Valkyries had to fight against, resist, or neutralize. Yet here he was, his energy doing neither. Instead, it was pulling Honkai toward him, almost like a magnet.
The speaker beeped again and a different voice was heard, Himeko's. "Starting to feel special yet?"
Kenji scoffed. "If I had a nickel for every time something weird happened to me, I'd probably be richer than Schicksal by now."
Himeko chuckled, shaking her head. "Yeah, well, weird or not, it looks like we're going to have to rethink what we know about your energy."
Fu Hua, ever the analyst, was still focused on the data. "This might explain why Honkai creatures are naturally drawn to you. If your energy doesn't repel them, but rather interacts with them differently, it's possible they see you as something unique."
Kenji's lips pressed into a thin line. That was a fun thought—knowing that every Honkai beast might be running toward him, not out of aggression, but because he was like a beacon to them.
"Great. That's exactly what I needed to hear before ramping things up."
Theresa's voice came through the speaker again. "Alright, Kenji. Ready for round two?"
Kenji rolled his neck, cracking his knuckles. "As ready as I'll ever be. Let's see what happens at 15%."
This time, Fu Hua's voice crackled through the speakers. "Alright, Kenji. Ramp it up to 15%. Let's see how this changes."
Kenji let the familiar power rise through his body, pushing his output higher. The sensation was subtle at first, like stepping into a lukewarm bath and feeling the heat slowly seep into his skin. The platform vibrated slightly beneath him as his energy level stabilized at 15%.
"Energy output steady," Theresa reported. "Vitals are still normal. No immediate strain detected."
Himeko leaned in closer to the observatory monitors, tapping a finger against the glass as the energy analyzers began displaying new readings. "Alright, now let's see how the Honkai reacts. Increasing Honkai energy dispersion."
The atmosphere shifted as another pulse of Honkai energy was released into the chamber. The effect was immediate. This time, the energy didn't just swirl around him—it gravitated toward him, like iron filings drawn to a magnet. The strands of violet energy drifted closer, curling around him before slowly sinking into his aura.
Kenji frowned, glancing down at his arms as he felt the strange pull intensify. It wasn't forceful, nor did it feel invasive. The Honkai energy didn't seem to be fighting back; rather, it was being absorbed more rapidly than before.
Fu Hua's gaze sharpened as she observed the readings. "The rate of absorption is increasing. Compared to 5%, his body is now actively drawing in Honkai energy instead of passively letting it sink in."
Theresa's fingers flew over the console as she adjusted the settings, her eyes flicking between the data streams. "Kenji, do you feel any discomfort? Any change?"
Kenji flexed his fingers, tilting his head. "Not really. It's like... breathing in air in a slightly stuffy room. I notice it, but it's not overwhelming or anything. Though my chest feels a little warmer than usual."
This gave Fu Hua an idea, she stepped away from the monitors and turned toward Theresa. "Can we pinpoint exactly where in his body the Honkai energy is being absorbed to?"
Theresa paused, tapping her chin before adjusting the scanner settings. The monitors flickered, and the system began mapping the energy flow inside Kenji's body. The holographic model of his form appeared on the screen, blue lines representing his natural energy and violet ones representing the Honkai being absorbed.
"Interesting," Theresa murmured. "The Honkai energy isn't dispersing evenly through his body. It's... converging toward a single point."
The screen zoomed in, showing a more detailed energy breakdown. The absorption pattern was concentrated near Kenji's core, right around his chest and upper abdomen.
"That's unusual," Fu Hua remarked. "It's not like how Honkai corruption spreads through the bloodstream, attacking the nervous system and eventually the brain. But his body isn't rejecting or converting it—it's directing it somewhere."
Kenji, having listened to their back-and-forth, looked down at himself. "So... what does that mean?"
Theresa frowned, clearly not having an immediate answer. "I don't know yet. But I don't think your body is just storing it. Something's happening to it once it reaches that point."
Kenji sighed, placing his hands on his hips. "Great. More weird stuff happening inside me. Exactly what I wanted."
Himeko smirked. "You signed up for this, kid."
Kenji shot her a flat look, or as much of a look he could give through the observatory glass.
Fu Hua ignored their banter, still focused on the readings. "We should test this further. If his body is absorbing Honkai at a growing rate, we need to determine what happens when it reaches a critical point, and why it's absorbing it."
Theresa nodded. "Agreed. But for now, lower your output back to baseline, Kenji. Let's not push too fast before we understand what's going on."
Kenji exhaled, gradually reducing his energy. The pull of Honkai dissipated, and the violet strands that had been drawn to him faded into nothing. He rolled his shoulders as the platform dimmed back to its neutral state.
"Well, that was weird," he muttered, stepping off the platform. "So, the next stage will be 30%."
Theresa stopped looking at his readings to respond. "We analyze the data first. Then we see what happens at 30%. Take another break, our machines are working to figure out what is going on."
Kenji gave a thumbs up at them through the glass. Seeing as he doesn't have anything to do while waiting, he just laid on the metal floor of the observatory which was surprisingly comfortable.
…
Kenji stretched his arms over his head, rolling his shoulders as he sat up from the metal floor. The short rest helped, but his mind was still lingering on what had just happened. Absorbing Honkai energy at a growing rate? Having it collect in his chest? None of it made sense, but that wasn't new. Nothing about his life made sense anymore.
He thought back to all the previous times he activated OFA. How did he never notice this before? No that's not right, he always felt something like this when he activated OFA, but now that its actually being looked into, he can differentiate the feeling of OFA and Honkai energy.
'Another thing to ask Elysia. What has she been doing actually?' he decided that he would try to call out to her. 'Elysia… hello? you there?'
Nothing.
Yeah he wasn't sure what he was expecting.
The speaker crackled back to life, and Theresa's voice carried through the room. "Alright, Kenji. Time for 30%. Step back onto the platform when you're ready."
Kenji stood, exhaling through his nose as he stepped back onto the platform. The metal beneath his feet hummed in response, the energy analyzers flickering back to life. He flexed his fingers, already feeling the anticipation in the air.
Kenji let the energy rise within him, the sensation far more noticeable this time. Switching into 30% always felt like putting extra weight on his muscles but at the same time making everything lighter. It was an odd but pleasant sensation.
The platform vibrated slightly, adjusting to the change, while the analyzers flared with increased activity. "Energy output stable, and we see strain," Theresa reported. "All readings still within normal expectations."
Kenji took a breath, rolling his shoulders. "It's heavier than before, but nothing unmanageable. I usually go with 35% when fighting strong enemies, this is my current limit without tearing anything."
"Good," Theresa said. "Let's introduce Honkai energy again and observe. Increasing dispersion now."
The atmosphere shifted once more as another controlled pulse of Honkai energy was released into the room. Unlike before, where the energy simply gravitated toward him, this time it surged toward him in rapid waves, latching onto his aura and being absorbed within seconds.
Himeko's eyes narrowed at the monitors. "Okay, that's definitely faster than before."
Fu Hua's expression tightened as she studied the readings. "The rate of absorption has nearly tripled. His body is absorbing Honkai energy at an alarming speed."
Kenji frowned, looking down at his arms. He could feel it this time—something stirring beneath his skin, a faint buzz radiating from his core. The warmth he had noticed earlier had intensified, spreading outward like ripples in water.
As everyone was observing, Himeko suddenly realised something odd. "Hey, if Kenji is absorbing all this Honkai energy, then how is he not triggering every Honkai sensor and corrupting anyone close to him?"
This made Fu Hua and Theresa pause as they processed her words. That was a good point, something that they have completely glossed over. How in the world is Kenji not a walking bomb?
They came to a conclusion, Kenji wasn't simply absorbing Honkai energy. He was effectively containing all of it within his body, or whatever is in his core.
Theresa was already typing furiously into her console. "We need to pinpoint exactly what's happening to the Honkai energy once it enters his system. Adjusting scanner focus—Kenji, remain still."
Kenji stopped moving as the monitors recalibrated. The holographic projection of his body reappeared on screen, this time detailing more intricate energy pathways. But it didn't show any big difference from before, Honkai energy just dissipated into his chest and the sensors couldn't pick up anything else.
"This isn't just containment," Fu Hua noted. "His body is storing it for something"
"For what though?" Himeko asked, crossing her arms. "It's not exploding, not enhancing anything, just… getting absorbed into his chest. If he was able to access this amount of Honkai energy then… the power he would be able to wield is huge."
Kenji clenched his fist experimentally, half-expecting some kind of reaction. Nothing obvious happened, but the sensation remained—like his body was processing something in the background. He thought he should feel somewhat anxious, he is absorbing Honkai energy after all. But he feels oddly at ease, like this is the most natural thing to happen to him.
"Kenji, try to manipulate it," Fu Hua instructed. "See if you can direct the Honkai energy anywhere."
Kenji raised a brow and looked at the glass "I have no idea how to do that."
"Just try and focus," Fu Hua said simply. "Try to imagine yourself grasping that feeling in your core, and bring it out."
Kenji exhaled slowly, focusing on the warmth in his core. He tried to push it outward, imagining it flowing to his arm, his legs—anywhere. But nothing happened.
"Nothing's changing," he admitted, opening his eyes.
Theresa tapped her fingers against the console. "Maybe it's not something he controls—maybe it's automatic. A passive process."
Fu Hua's gaze remained locked on the monitors. "Then the question remains: what is it building toward?"
The room fell silent for a moment, everyone absorbed in their own thoughts.
Kenji sighed. "Well, let's hope it's not me spontaneously combusting."
"Wouldn't be the weirdest thing to happen to you." Himeko said through the loudspeaker.
Theresa's voice crackled through the speaker again. "Alright, Kenji. Lower your output back to baseline. We need to go over this data before moving forward."
Kenji nodded, taking a deep breath as he slowly powered down. The Honkai energy that had been surging toward him faded, dissipating into the air. The platform dimmed, signaling the end of the test.
"So, what's next?" Kenji asked as he stepped off the platform.
Theresa leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. "We analyze, then we decide how far we want to push this. We need to understand what your body is doing before we risk anything higher."
Kenji nodded and was about to go back to laying on the floor before he remembered something. "Also, you can just call my energy OFA energy. Its the name I came up with.". He definitely was not going to tell them that he was isekaid from another world and that he had multiple people living inside him that gave him this power. Maybe someday but not any time soon.
"Alright, we can call it that if you'd like. But why settle on "OFA", what does it stand for?". Theresa asked from the speaker.
"I just came up with it, kinda like a reference to a series i like…". He was really hoping that they wouldn't ask more than that.
"Alright, if you say so."
…
The observatory was filled with the low hum of machines processing the latest data, the monitors displaying intricate patterns of Kenji's energy signature. The air between them was tense not because of an argument… yet, but because they all knew they had stumbled upon something they didn't fully understand.
"He was definitely hiding the reason for naming this energy." Fu hua started. The others agreed with her assessment. It was obvious that he was hiding something, but they knew that asking for that now wouldn't be ideal.
Theresa leaned back in her chair, exhaling. "We need to slow down. We don't know what pushing him further will do."
Himeko, standing with her arms crossed, scoffed. "Slowing down doesn't get us answers. He's already gone through three tests without issue. You really think holding him back now is the best move?"
"You're being reckless." Theresa's voice held an edge, she placed her hands on her hips as she looked at Himeko with a stern expression. "His body is absorbing Honkai energy at an unpredictable rate. What happens if that containment fails? What happens if he can't stop?"
"You're making a lot of assumptions." Himeko's tone sharpened. "Kenji isn't some ticking time bomb. He's been handling this power for months, and up until now, it hasn't harmed him."
"He's 'only' been handling this power for months," Theresa countered, arms crossed. "That's barely enough time to understand it, let alone master it."
Fu Hua, silent for most of the exchange, let out a slow breath. "The concern isn't just about him handling it. It's about what happens when external forces come into play."
Both women turned to her. Fu Hua's gaze remained fixed on the energy readouts, the fluctuating strands of OFA energy interwoven with Honkai.
"I've seen many forms of energy manipulation in my time," she continued, voice quieter, thoughtful. "And this feels… familiar." This energy was an unknown factor, in normal situations she would be very suspicious of it. But its presence made her feel at ease. She knows this energy, she has felt this before, but when and from where?
She couldn't remember.
Theresa's brow furrowed. "Familiar how?"
Fu Hua hesitated. It wasn't a hesitation of uncertainty, she was deciding how much to say. "I'm not sure. But this energy that he emits, I'm certain that I've felt this before..."
Himeko raised an eyebrow. "You think this has happened before? Someone that is passively absorbing Honkai energy with no visible drawbacks?"
"Not like this," Fu Hua admitted. "But the concept isn't new. Energy that bridges the gap between human and Honkai, creating something… unique."
Theresa tapped her fingers against the table, mulling over Fu Hua's words before shifting back to the topic at hand. "Regardless of what it is, we can't ignore the risks. We should at least consider limiting his movements until we get a better grasp on how this works."
Himeko was immediately against that idea. "You want to 'contain' him? Absolutely not." While she may not have known Kenji for that long, they had fought together and stopped an Eruption. A person's true character is brought out in dangerous situations, and in that eruption she saw a kid who wanted to do good. She was sure that he wasn't dangerous or trying to harm anyone. He needed guidance, and he wasn't going to get that if he was being contained.
Theresa sighed, rubbing her temples. "I'm saying we keep a closer watch—ensure that nothing unexpected happens. I don't mean locking him away, Himeko. But what happens if this escalates? We need to have a plan."
"The plan is to make sure he can control it." Himeko's voice was firm. "Not to treat him like a liability."
Fu Hua folded her arms, stepping back from the monitors. "Containment isn't the answer, but neither is blind confidence. If we push too far, too fast, we risk forcing a reaction neither he nor we are prepared for."
Theresa exhaled again, glancing between them. "Then we find a middle ground. We continue testing, but we take precautions. More observation between phases. We don't just ramp up to 40% without understanding the full picture. I think we should stop this phase of testing for now."
Himeko huffed but didn't argue further. Fu Hua gave a slight nod.
The hum of the machinery filled the silence that followed. The three of them watched the recording of the fluctuating energy readings of Kenji, the pulsing patterns that no longer looked like simple energy levels but something alive, something shifting in ways they couldn't yet understand.
"What's your gut telling you?" Himeko asked suddenly, glancing at Fu Hua.
Fu Hua didn't answer right away. She let her eyes linger on the screen a second longer before speaking. "That this isn't just an anomaly. It's something bigger. And we don't know if that's a good thing yet."
Theresa pressed her lips together, then sighed. "I'll inform Schicksal of our findings, but I want to be careful about how much we disclose for now. If word gets out that Kenji's absorbing Honkai energy and containing it like this… we'll be under pressure to take drastic action."
Himeko scoffed. "Drastic? You mean from Schicksal? Or someone else?"
Theresa's silence answered that question for her.
Fu Hua took a slow breath, still watching the monitors. "We should be preparing him, not restricting him. If forces beyond Schicksal take interest in him, containment won't matter. He'll need to be ready."
Himeko smirked slightly at that. "Now that, I can agree with."
Theresa rubbed her temples once more before nodding. "Alright. We take things one step at a time. No unnecessary risks, but no unnecessary delays either. We'll move forward… carefully."
…
Kenji lay flat on the cold metal floor of the observatory stage, arms folded behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. The buzz of machines and faint hum of the energy analyzers had become background noise at this point. He wasn't exactly tired, just… bored. He had expected them to call him back up soon for the next stage of testing, but instead, silence stretched on longer than usual.
Then came the sound of footsteps.
He tilted his head up just as the door slid open, revealing Himeko, Fu Hua, and Theresa stepping inside. They looked unusually serious, which was saying something, given that Fu Hua usually had that unreadable look about her.
Kenji sat up, raising an eyebrow. "Did I break something?"
Himeko smirked but didn't make a joke like she usually would. Instead, she crossed her arms. "We're calling it here for today. Training's over for now."
Kenji blinked. That was… unexpected. "Wait, really? I thought we were pushing to 40%. What happened to seeing how far we could take this?"
Theresa stepped forward, hands clasped in front of her. "We need to process everything first, Kenji. The rate at which you're absorbing Honkai energy isn't something we fully understand yet. If we keep going without figuring out what's happening inside your body, we might push you too far without realizing the consequences."
Kenji frowned slightly, glancing between them. "So, what? You're putting me on pause?"
Fu Hua nodded. "It's not just about you, either. We need to adjust our approach if we want to train you properly. Continuing blindly would be inefficient."
Kenji leaned back on his hands, exhaling through his nose. He wasn't thrilled about stopping mid-session, he wanted to spar against Fu Hua again too. But he also wasn't about to argue when it meant they were taking his safety seriously.
"Alright, I guess that makes sense. Not like I actually understand all the science behind this anyway. You're the ones doing the brainwork."
Theresa glanced at the time on the display panel. "You're done for now. Go change, and Fu Hua will guide you back to your dorm. We'll reconvene once we have a better idea of what's going on."
Kenji got to his feet, stretching. "Alright, but if I start glowing in the dark or something, I'm blaming all of you."
Surprisingly it was Fu Hua that let out a smile at the joke. "Noted. Now go get changed." Kenji smirked before making his way toward the locker area, leaving the three of them to their discussions.
…
Kenji stepped out of the facility, feeling the cool night air hit his skin as he stretched his arms above his head. The transition from the sterile underground lab to the open sky was almost disorienting. He hadn't realized how long they had been down there.
"It's already dark?" he muttered, glancing up at the sky, where stars blinked faintly between scattered clouds. The air was crisp, carrying the distant sounds of the academy settling into the night—occasional laughter from dorm windowsn and the rustling of leaves swaying gently in the breeze.
Beside him, Fu Hua walked with an easy pace, her hands clasped neatly behind her back. "That happens when you spend hours in a place without windows. It's easy to lose track of time."
Kenji let out a small chuckle. "No kidding. Feels like I was in there for an entire day."
They continued down the dimly lit pathway leading toward the dorms, their footsteps the only sound between them. The quiet wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't particularly easygoing either. Kenji wasn't sure if it was because he was still processing today's events, or because Fu Hua was naturally this reserved. Or maybe he was just awkward and couldn't start a conversation.
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. She looked as calm as ever, but there was something in the way her gaze flickered toward him when she thought he wasn't looking. 'Just realised she could definitely murder me here and no one would know.' But he knew she wouldn't do that, just another random thought that flew into his head.
Fu Hua kept glancing at him in brief intervals, her expression unreadable. Even now, without actively using his OFA—his energy still surrounded him. She could feel it as clearly as the breeze against her skin. It pulsed gently, almost as if it had a life of its own, always present even in his moments of rest.
And yet, it was familiar to her. It felt too familiar.
Fu Hua's brows furrowed slightly as she tried to place the feeling. It nagged at the back of her mind like an old memory just out of reach. Had she encountered something like this before? Energy that wasn't quite human, nor entirely Honkai. No, if she did she would have remembered. There was something about his energy, a trait that she knows she has seen before. But no matter how much she reached for it, the answer remained elusive. And that unsettled her.
She had met countless warriors in her time, seen countless power signatures, and had experienced many strange anomalies. But something about Kenji's presence felt like an echo of something long past, something she should recognize.
"Hey, thanks for walking me back, by the way." Kenji's voice suddenly pulled her out of her thoughts.
Fu Hua blinked, realizing that they had already arrived at his dorm and that she had been staring at him longer than she intended. Embarrassment flickered across her face for a brief second, but she masked it quickly, keeping her usual composed demeanor.
"It's nothing," she replied smoothly. "Just making sure you get back safely."
Kenji gave her an easy grin. "Still, I appreciate it. Today was... weird."
Fu Hua nodded. "Get some rest. We'll update you when we find something."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, her silhouette disappearing into the dimly lit pathways of the academy. Kenji stood at the entrance of his dorm, watching her retreating figure for a moment before sighing, rubbing the back of his neck.
Something about that look in her eyes just now... he wasn't sure what it was, but it almost seemed like she was searching for something in him.
He shook his head, dismissing the thought as fatigue. With a final glance toward the academy's silent grounds, he stepped inside his dorm, letting the door close behind him with a quiet hiss.
"Hey guys, I'm back!"