Outside the Challenge Space, there was a moment of commotion.
However, Kiana gazed at Yunduo inside the space and saw that she was still undergoing the challenge, knowing that now was not the time to be willful.
At this, Kiana let out a long breath, a stiff and mature smile appearing on her face.
"Let's skip this matter for now and keep watching."
"Mm~ Alright..."
Theresa nodded her little head worriedly, her attention somewhat scattered.
But when she saw the familiar St. Freya Academy, she cried out in surprise.
"Eh eh eh?!! Why are we back at the Academy again?"
Hearing this, Fu Hua rationally pushed up the glasses on the bridge of her nose: "Based on the previous situation, this should be a virtual world constructed by the Herrscher of the Void, wanting to drive Kiana to despair so she has an opportunity to strike."
"For example, what was just said about Kiana's, uh~ origin."
"Class Monitor, but if what you say is true, what is the Herrscher of the Void's purpose in constructing the Academy? Could it be—"
Bronya's tone was a bit heavy.
"Exactly. Something that will drive Kiana to despair must have happened here too, or rather, it was a... person?"
Everyone was in a bad mood; no one wanted a tragedy to happen in their favorite place.
Among them, Mei felt as if she had sunk to the bottom of the water, her body turning cold.
Someone might have died at the Academy, and it was someone Kiana cared about deeply.
Setting aside Fu Hua and Bronya, who appeared in the last mission and couldn't have died, there wasn't anyone left.
Would she die?
It was unknown.
Everyone's gaze turned toward the gradually clearing screen.
In the image, 'Himeko' continued: "Even though the Headmaster personally arranged for your enrollment, don't expect me to show any mercy, understand?"
"Now, first, state your names."
First was Kiana, proudly with hands on her hips: "You must have heard of this lady's great name; I am Kiana Kaslana!"
"Raiden Mei. Teacher Jizi, please look after me," Mei said gently.
"Bronya."
The final introduction from the Silver Wolf was very brief.
Looking at this scene.
Himeko, outside the space, was lost in thought: "This was during the initial enrollment training, right? It's only been a few months. I remember Kiana called me Aunt back then and even had a battle with me."
"...Yes, because Aunt Himeko said that if I won, I wouldn't need to take the exams."
As Kiana said this, her mood softened slightly. Seemingly thinking of those funny things, the corners of her mouth unconsciously curled into an arc.
"Did you win?" Fu Hua asked curiously.
"By the time I came to my senses, Aunt Himeko's sword was already at my neck. She said..."
"Did you remember? This is the first lesson I'm teaching you."
Kiana mimicked Himeko's voice and whispered: "I remember it very vividly."
Sure enough, the screen played out exactly according to their descriptions.
The playback ended, and the scene shifted as if time were flying by.
The cherry blossoms at St. Freya Academy were already in full bloom.
After a class ended, Kiana was sighing. Seeing this, Himeko asked: "Is something on your mind, Kiana? Children shouldn't have so many worries. Come on, confess honestly!"
"Waaah! Don't pull my ear—besides, I'm not some child. When I was twelve years old, my lousy dad abandoned me and ran off alone. At that time, I told myself,"
Kiana rubbed her reddened ear and complained: "Kiana, you are no longer a child."
Seeing this, the people outside the space let out a small laugh at the cute Kiana. Himeko smiled and said: "This scene should be Father's Day. Kiana missed her dad then, so she was very sad, and I went to comfort her."
"Later, once this idiot had recovered a bit, I gave her a solo training session about love."
"Tch, you call that training? You drank so much that day you couldn't even lift your sword. In the end, I had to use all my strength to carry your dead weight to the bedroom."
As Kiana said this, nostalgic emotions flickered in her eyes.
Before they could chat further,
The screen shifted again!
This time, it was August, the scene of the first combat mission!
Himeko, wearing her crimson Valkyrie Battlesuit, said solemnly: "For your first actual combat mission, I want to remind you again: besides being wary of the enemy in front of you, you must always keep an eye on your companions' condition."
"If one day, your comrade loses control due to Honkai Energy,"
"You must end her life without hesitation!"
Standing opposite her, the green Kiana hesitated: "If the one who loses control is Teacher Jizi, do we have to act then too?"
Himeko's tone was decisive, without the slightest delay.
"Even if it's me, you must absolutely not hesitate."
Hearing this, Kiana cautiously raised her head: "I understand... if one day, I'm just saying if, I lose control, then Aunt Himeko, you must..."
"I won't let that happen." Hearing this, Himeko looked back and smiled, her tone extremely firm. "As your instructor and captain, I will do everything in my power to protect every one of you and keep you out of danger."
At this point, the screen fell back into pitch-black darkness.
The three quickly flashing and jumping flashbacks caused the people outside the space to unconsciously purse their lips.
The first day of school, the comfort on Father's Day, and the oath of battle.
These beautiful memories would always shine brightly in the depths of their minds.
"Aunt Himeko, thank you for always being there for me."
Kiana fell silent for a moment, then thanked her sincerely.
She hadn't realized before that Teacher Jizi had not only taught her how to fight, but also many principles of what it means to be human.
Himeko waved her hand, indicating that this was all part of a teacher's duty.
The group focused intently, thinking that the following scenes would also be lighthearted and pleasant.
But the next image caused them to freeze completely.
They saw the scene inside the space.
It seemed to be on the deck of the Hyperion.
A young girl lay quietly and limply on the ground, her golden eyes looking at the person in front of her.
That person had lost all strength and was leaning against the girl.
The tattered Crimson Knight was at her last gasp, her body like a doll about to break.
The powerful Greatsword in her hand had shattered into fragments, supporting her from behind the girl.
It was the Will of Fire that had supported her to this day, fulfilling her oath.
This was the phantom of a person on the verge of death.
It was the girl's most painful Remembrance.
The girl spoke in a raspy voice, her eyes already wet with tears.
"You said that if a comrade loses their mind and is controlled by the Honkai..."
"One must end her life without hesitation!"
Hot tears streamed down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably.
In front of her, Murata Himeko's figure dissolved into a pile of fragments.
"But why..."
"Why did you—"
"Choose to die yourself?"
"Instead of me?"
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