Whether filled with anticipation, anxiety, or any other emotion, time flowed as it always did, and the next day finally arrived.
Ring, ring, ring.
The alarm went off at six o'clock in the morning, jarring Kiana awake. While it was certainly early, the girl's constitution was naturally stronger than that of an average person, so she wasn't so tired that she couldn't get up. Kiana opened her clear blue eyes, only to see someone with long, flame-red hair lying right beside her.
Wait, wasn't this supposed to be her private room?
"Why are you sleeping here?!"
As she spoke, Kiana took immediate action, fueled by shy indignation, and kicked Murata Himeko right off the bed.
"Cough... I was drunk last night, so I just found a random room to sleep in like I usually do," Himeko explained, looking a bit embarrassed as she apologized sincerely. "You know, before you girls moved in, all the rooms here belonged to me. I'm still getting used to it. Sorry, sorry."
Kiana, her lingering anger not yet dissipated, remained fuming.
"Is being drunk an excuse to walk into the wrong bedroom? It's a good thing we didn't let Hua Yi move in earlier; otherwise, wouldn't you have potentially wandered into his room instead?"
Himeko took a moment to imagine that scene, her gaze suddenly turning distant and shifty.
"That doesn't seem too bad, actually?"
"Tsk, you have no shame! You've only known Hua Yi for how long, and you're already starting to target him?!"
As Kiana loudly accused Himeko, Bronya appeared at the door.
"Kiana, be quiet."
A pillow followed her words. Bronya wasn't being particularly polite to Kiana; it seemed she had been woken up by the shouting.
"Can't you see I'm the victim here? And don't throw pillows at my headI'll get even stupider!"
"The Bronya judges that Kiana's IQ has no further room to decline."
This blunt remark almost made Kiana jump with rage. Just as she was about to engage in a full-blown argument with Bronya, Raiden Mei walked over, wearing an apron.
"Don't argue, everyone. Hurry up and wash up. Breakfast will be ready in a moment, and Hua Yi will be over soon. We agreed to eat breakfast together and then head to school as a group."
"Mm."
The once-hostile atmosphere vanished instantly. It was hard to tell if it was due to Mei's personal charisma or the thought that Hua Yi was coming, and they couldn't let him see them bickering while dressed so sloppily.
After changing from her pajamas into the St. Freya Academy uniform, Kiana watched Himeko, who was washing up beside her. With a mouth full of toothpaste, she asked indistinctly, "So, why is Mei the one making breakfast? Shouldn't Himeko be the one taking care of us?"
"So, you're just wondering who's cooking rather than thinking about doing it yourself? Truly expected of you, Kiana," Himeko said as she splashed water on her face. "I'm not good at cooking. You wouldn't like the things I make anyway, so it's better to leave it to Mei, who's far more skilled. As for other areasif a battle breaks out, for instanceI'll be the one taking care of you, Kiana."
"If there's a fight, I'll definitely be the one charging at the very front! I don't need anyone to look after me!" Kiana retorted. Then, she added with a bit of stubbornness, "Besides, I'll definitely get stronger as soon as possible!"
Kiana was self-aware enough to know that if she stayed at her current level, she really wouldn't be able to protect anyone when facing a truly powerful enemy.
Her display caused Himeko to glance at her sideways. "Well, at least you have some self-awareness. Work hard; you really do have a talent for combat."
The girls had woken up at six, and by the time they finished washing up and getting ready, it was half-past six. The doorbell rang.
Without a doubt, it was Hua Yi arriving for breakfast as requested. Kiana excitedly ran to open the door. When she saw Hua Yi wearing the specially designed male uniform of St. Freya Academy, revealing a different aura than before, her eyes lit up.
"You look pretty sharp in that outfit."
"Thank you for the compliment. You look very beautiful as well, Kiana."
The female uniform of St. Freya Academy was a blend of aesthetics and practicality. Aside from the special gloves and boots that provided protection and allowed students to perform during combat classes,
the combination of a short skirt and over-the-knee socks was a masterful touch. Seeing Kiana in her uniformpossessing both the cuteness of a beautiful girl and the sharp energy of a warriorHua Yi was not stingy with his praise.
Kiana wore a smug, delighted smile. Being praised made her feel better than she ever had before.
"Alright, come and eat. If the food gets cold, the flavor won't be as good," Mei called out, showing no change in expression at the interaction between Hua Yi and Kiana as she ushered the two to the table.
Himeko, Bronya, Mei, Kiana, and Hua Yithe five of them sat together, making the living room feel lively and full of warmth.
"St. Freya Academy doesn't have homeroom teachers like other schools," Himeko explained. "Strictly speaking, Principal Theresa is your homeroom teacher, since there is only one class.
However, the Principal doesn't usually handle daily class affairs; she has a lot of work to do, and so do I. The person in charge is the Class Monitor, Fu Hua. She is a student just like you. I've already asked her in advance to look after you. If you have any questions, you can ask her."
"Class Monitor? I know that roleit's usually the most powerful person in the class, right?" Kiana's eyes sparkled as if she were plotting something.
Himeko smiled. "Fu Hua is indeed the most outstanding student in the class. She is already an A-rank Valkyrie, just like me."
If I can defeat this Fu Hua, does that mean I can become an A-rank Valkyrie and prove myself?
I'll set a small goal first: beat Fu Hua.
Kiana made up her mind.
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