Celestial City.
Kiana knelt on the cold ground, trembling. The pistol in her hand was pressed against her own chin. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Herrscher of the Void… I won't let you take over again."
The Herrscher of the Void had never stopped trying to seize her body. Kiana's spirit was nearly broken.
If the Herrscher won again, Mei and the others would be hurt. She couldn't bear that.
If she pulled the trigger, everything would finally end.
Click—
Footsteps echoed through the night. Kiana didn't notice. The light had long since faded from her blue eyes.
The steps drew closer—then a warm hand gently touched her head, brushing her hair.
Kiana's body froze. She looked up and saw a tear-stained, familiar face.
"Himeko… Sensei…"
Her voice trembled. Is this some illusion the Herrscher made to torture me?
Why use Himeko's image to hurt me more?
Nearby, Fu Hua was equally shocked. She had just been about to stop Kiana when Himeko appeared—alive.
That was impossible. Under those circumstances, Himeko could not have survived.
"Idiot. How could you even think of something like this?" Himeko scolded, frowning as she gently took the pistol from Kiana's hand.
She couldn't blame Bronya for not believing it—she herself was amazed she was alive.
But seeing Kiana's broken, hollow expression made her heart ache deeply. You've suffered so much, haven't you, Kiana.
Kiana touched Himeko's hand. The warmth was real. Tears fell again—this time in relief.
Not an illusion. Himeko was truly alive.
She threw herself into Himeko's arms, sobbing. The tears soaked through Himeko's shirt within moments.
Himeko stroked her hair gently. Though Kiana had nearly taken her own life, she couldn't bring herself to scold her.
Inside, the Herrscher of the Void stirred angrily.
Himeko's death had once fractured Kiana's heart—now that wound was healing, making possession far more difficult.
But how? How could someone who fell into the Imaginary Space still return alive?
"Fu Hua, nice to meet you. I'm a traveler between worlds," said Koji, glancing toward the faint spiritual silhouette.
Ordinary people couldn't see that form of consciousness.
"Traveler between worlds… that sounds familiar. Have we met before?" Fu Hua asked.
"Sorry. I can't remember," Koji replied.
Fu Hua frowned slightly. Something about that title tugged at her memory. Long ago, many had called her that—perhaps before her memories burned away.
"Do you remember Elysia?" Koji asked.
"Elysia…?"
Fu Hua clutched her chest. That name stirred something—warm and distant. She couldn't recall clearly, but she knew it belonged to someone dear.
"Wait. I can show you," Koji said, glancing toward Kiana, who had stopped crying but still refused to let go of Himeko.
"Alright, Kiana," Himeko said softly, smiling. "I'm not going anywhere this time."
Kiana sniffled, nodding. Slowly, she released her, then turned to Koji with a mix of curiosity and gratitude.
"You're the one who saved her, right? How can I ever thank you?" she asked shyly.
"How about marrying me?" Koji said with a teasing smile.
Kiana's face turned crimson. Usually so brash, she suddenly became flustered.
In a world where women far outnumbered men, Koji's calm, handsome demeanor stood out. Even without a charm-type blessing, his Blessing of Aura made him striking to behold.
Himeko tensed slightly. Don't tell me this idiot is going to compete with me for a man…
"I'm joking. I already have a girlfriend," Koji chuckled.
At that, Himeko felt a small pang of disappointment. Of course someone like him wouldn't be single. Still, maybe he had more than one…
Kiana, meanwhile, only smiled faintly—she wasn't disappointed. Gratitude was all she felt toward him.
"Anyway, you saved Himeko-sensei. If you ever need anything, just ask. I'll do my best to repay you," Kiana said earnestly, crossing her arms.
"Then get over ninety on every exam," Koji replied dryly.
Kiana froze. "Eh—uh… that's… impossible."
She could barely pass, let alone score nineties. This man's requests are cruel!
Himeko chuckled. "Kiana, wasn't that why you stopped going back to St. Freya Academy? To avoid exams?"
Kiana's cheeks turned red. "N-no! Of course not!"
Her eyes dimmed slightly. "I just don't want to lose control again… I don't want to hurt Mei, Bronya, or Theresa ever again."
She knew she was a ticking time bomb—dangerous, unstable. She'd already hurt Himeko once.
If the Herrscher seized her body again, she might destroy everything she loved.
"Foolish girl," Himeko said gently, tapping her forehead. "Theresa and the others aren't afraid of you. They're worried about you. They've been searching everywhere."
"I know," Kiana whispered, shaking her head. "But I can't face them yet. Not until I can control this power completely—without the risk of losing myself again."
And she couldn't face them because she had been the cause of Himeko's death.
"Speaking of which, Himeko-sensei, your body…" Kiana asked softly.
She remembered vividly how badly Himeko had been corroded by Honkai energy, and how she'd sacrificed everything using the Scarlet Knight armor. Even if she was revived, there had to be consequences.
"Don't worry," Himeko said with a smile, flexing her arm. "I'm fine. I've never felt better."
It was as if her body had been rebuilt—like an old car restored with brand-new parts.
"I repaired her body," Koji added. "As long as she doesn't push herself with Honkai energy again, she can live a long time."
"Himeko-sensei, please rest now," Kiana said firmly. "We'll defeat Honkai for good. That's a promise."
Himeko smiled faintly. She had fought long enough—it was time to let the next generation take over.
"Alright. But Kiana—stop calling me 'Aunt Himeko,' will you?" she said, rubbing her forehead helplessly.
Kiana giggled. "Hehe, habit."
Seeing her teacher alive again, laughing and scolding her like before—it felt like a dream.
It's really good to see you again, Himeko-sensei.
(End of Chapter)
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