Under Kiana's frantic questioning, Xia Qi remained silent, her gaze holding a deep and complex weight. Her silence had a simple source: her own mood was deeply unsettled.
So, seeing Kiana's current agitation provided a small, grim measure of relief.
"Hey! Say something!"
Kiana's shout was edged with desperation. A strange, formless unease began to churn in her gut. Her thoughts felt thick, and the ashen ground beneath her feet seemed to waver, losing its solidity.
"The dream is ending, Kiana."
Looking at the younger girl, a trace of something almost like remorse flickered within Xia Qi's calm eyes.
Then, with Kiana's startled yelp, the ground gave way entirely. A violent, stomach-lurching sensation of freefall seized her, and Kiana jolted upright in her bed, one arm shooting out as if to claw at the vanishing figure of Xia Qi.
---
"Hmm? Finally awake?"
Before Kiana could even begin to process the jarring shift in reality, she found herself in a sterile bed, with a petite, silver-haired, blue-eyed girl peering at her.
"Hey! Kid, where is this?! And, did you just see someone who looked exactly like me?!"
Kiana blurted out the questions in one frantic breath.
"Who are you calling a kid?!"
Theresa instantly bristled. At the same time, a massive, ornate golden cross materialized behind her with a soft chime. Golden chains shot forth, wrapping around Kiana with swift, practiced efficiency, pinning her to the bed.
---
Perched atop the great statue overlooking St. Freya Academy, Xia Qi watched the familiar scene unfold below, her expression an unreadable mask.
It was all deeply, intimately familiar.
After all, it was part of her own memories. And she felt no anxiety over Kiana's outburst.
Theresa would never believe her. St. Freya had sophisticated equipment for detecting anomalous Honkai energy signatures. The result would simply be Kiana undergoing a few extra, slightly bewildering tests before being prescribed mandatory rest.
For now, all she had to do was wait quietly for nightfall, and then… resume Kiana's training in the dreamscape.
Having settled on this, Xia Qi gazed down at the sprawling academy grounds. Suddenly, a very familiar and insistent pang of hunger made itself known.
Now that I think about it…
I hardly ever ate at the school cafeteria back then. Mei always made bento boxes in the morning, or we'd just go home to cook. This is the perfect chance to finally try it properly!
With that thought, her figure vanished from the statue's shoulder.
The next moment, she emerged from a small, shaded grove of trees near the cafeteria. Her magnificent, armor-like attire had shifted into the standard-issue academy uniform worn by most Valkyries: a neat pleated skirt, black tights, and a simple, dark jacket.
With a step that felt just a little lighter, Xia Qi pushed through the cafeteria doors.
The warm, mingled aroma of various foods washed over her, lifting her spirits noticeably.
"Let's see~"
Picking up a clean tray, she joined the orderly line of Valkyries, her eyes scanning the offerings at each station.
She helped herself to a generous portion of crispy pork cutlet, a serving of golden tempura, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a heap of fries with a side of ketchup, and a small pile of onion rings—a veritable mountain of high-calorie, comforting fried foods. Finally satisfied, she carried her tray to a secluded corner table and sat down.
She wasn't worried about someone finding her unfamiliar and coming to investigate.
Using the residual power of Fenghuang Down—a power she had once wielded intimately—Xia Qi could easily make others subconsciously overlook her presence.
But…
This didn't apply to Herrscher-level entities… or to uniquely perceptive individuals like Bronya.
Still, the chances of running into them here were slim.
Happily, Xia Qi picked up a piece of the golden-brown tempura and took a bite, savoring the satisfying crunch of the batter and the tender, juicy shrimp within. She ate with genuine, uncomplicated enjoyment.
If Mei were here…
Maybe Mei would be telling me to eat some vegetables right about now.
The thought surfaced, unbidden, as she watched the clusters of Valkyries laughing and chatting together in the cafeteria. Her buoyant mood deflated instantly.
"Haaah…"
Xia Qi sighed, a sound of pure resignation, and rested her forehead in her palm.
"Really, why do I do this to myself? Think of these things and just make myself suffer?"
Just as the thought finished, and a powerful, almost physical urge to go find Raiden Mei surged within her, another, rather brilliant and mischievous idea sparked in her mind.
"Since… I can't meet Mei, can't be with her… then, should I try… becoming Mei?"
Should she?
The temptation took root and began to grow.
Images of Mei from various times flashed through her mind. Aside from her most formidable, inaccessible final form, she could transform into Raiden Mei from any point in time!
Then… let's try becoming the Herrscher Mei.
Even though she knew Mei's measurements by heart, had hugged Mei tightly, had buried her face in the softness of Mei's chest… becoming Mei herself was something she had never dared to try before!
Xia Qi's cheeks flushed a brilliant, scarlet red in an instant.
She shook her head vigorously, as if trying to physically dislodge the thought.
So shameless!
Chastising herself internally, she quickly finished the remaining food on her tray. Just as she was about to stand and find something else to occupy her mind, she sensed a deeply familiar presence approaching from behind. Her entire body went rigid for a split second.
"Class Monitor, is it true the Hyperion was critically damaged?"
"Yes, the damage is extensive. It will be sent back to headquarters for major repairs tomorrow."
The voice of a classmate—whose name she couldn't quite recall—and then, unmistakably, Fu Hua's clear, calm tone from directly behind her froze Xia Qi in her seat.
Class Monitor…
Sensing that steady, watchful presence so close, Xia Qi's expression grew profoundly complex.
It's been a long time, Class Monitor.
She hastily polished off the last bite, stood up, deposited her tray at the return station, and made a beeline for the cafeteria exit.
The moment she departed, Fu Hua, who had been in conversation, turned her head, her gaze sharpening on the retreating figure. Her brow furrowed slightly.
"Huh? Class Monitor, what's wrong?"
"Ah? I just remembered there is a matter I must attend to. Please excuse me, my apologies."
Fu Hua stood up abruptly, returned her own tray earning a muttered comment from the cleaning auntie about rushed students, and swiftly walked toward the cafeteria entrance, her steps purposeful.
---
"So she's following after all. As expected of the Class Monitor."
Outside the cafeteria, Xia Qi quickened her pace, heading towards the small grove she had used as her entry point. A wry, knowing smile touched her lips.
"I could have avoided her detection, but I was lost in my own thoughts and didn't scan my surroundings thoroughly. The Class Monitor happened to be there, and I got too close. That residual connection… it must have alerted her."
Using the power of Fenghuang Down, even across time and borrowed traces, would resonate with its true owner.
Even though Xia Qi was employing the Herrscher of the Void's authority to manipulate those residual traces to cloak herself, such close proximity had still brushed against Fu Hua's honed senses.
Thinking this, Xia Qi strode swiftly into the cover of the trees.
Behind her, Fu Hua emerged from the cafeteria doors. Her sharp eyes scanned the courtyard and immediately locked onto Xia Qi's retreating form disappearing into the grove. Without a moment's hesitation, she gave chase, her movements silent and swift.
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