"Live on, Kiana. This is... the final lesson."
"My journey ends here. From this point on, Kiana, it's your path now."
"Kiana... don't dwell on it too much. Just treat the present as a dream. When the dream ends, everyone must continue moving forward. Don't be afraid to say goodbye. Bidding farewell to the past is necessary to step into the future.
"Kiana, as long as you believe... I will turn into a star, watching over you in the night sky. Even if the torch extinguishes and the moon loses its light, this unchanging glimmer will still light the way forward for you. So, don't be afraid. I have not left you. Becoming the strength for a student to move forward is a teacher's most romantic destiny."
"Everything will pass, everything will change, even if this change takes away your entire world. But it's alright—for this very power of change is also the most powerful force between heaven and earth, one capable of opening up hope and a path for anyone."
"When you feel lost, just look up at the starry sky. I will be there, lighting up the entire night for you."
"Yes, go on. Take that step forward, Kiana. Just forge ahead boldly. I will always bless you and watch over you. After all—you are my student, Himeko Murata's student."
As a qualified Captain, Bai Ming knew deeply that Honkai Impact 3 is a healing game.
Whether it was "Final Lesson" or "Everlasting Flames," there would always be a fiery red figure standing tall within them.
That is Himeko Murata.
A woman who loved to drink, was forever single, and simultaneously held a great grudge about her age.
From age 22 to 27, she did not waste a single moment during those five years as a Valkyrie.
Whether it was starting at 22 to undergo the Valkyrie modification surgery, later becoming an A-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal and the ace of the Far East Branch;
Or from barely blocking a full-force strike from a Herrscher-form Mei in Nagazora City using the Nexus system, to later venturing into the imaginary space and slaying a god with one sword strike at the cost of her life.
She loved to drink.
And her life was as rich and mellow as a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Years of brewing, all for one moment of glorious bloom.
Every time his thoughts reached this point,
Bai Ming couldn't help but curse inwardly:
"Otto, you deserve to die!"
"A thousand deaths would not be enough for you!"
But even so, Himeko Murata's departure was already an unchangeable fact.
Was such an ending truly a regret for her?
Bai Ming felt this was perhaps a rather complex question.
"Wh-what's wrong?"
Noticing Bai Ming suddenly slump, March 7th grew worried.
"Is that machine outside making you uncomfortable?"
"Uh..." Bai Ming shook her head.
"No, no! It's so amazing, why would I feel uncomfortable because of it?"
"Then..."
March 7th tilted her head slightly and offered a second guess.
"Is it the name 'Himeko' that makes you uncomfortable?"
"It's not that either!"
How could anyone possibly dislike Himeko Murata!
Any reasonably normal Captain couldn't possibly dislike her, right?
This is the woman who, when Kiana once said that if she were ever to be consumed by her Valkyrie battlesuit one day, she hoped her teacher wouldn't hold back, replied incredibly coolly:
"I won't let that happen. As your instructor and captain, I will do everything in my power to protect each one of you, to keep you all out of danger."
And two years later, she used her own life to fulfill that very promise.
How could he dislike her? He adored her!
"That's not it either..."
March 7th pursed her lips, putting on a look of deep thought.
It was clear that she was genuinely racking her brains to figure out why Bai Ming had suddenly slumped.
Of course.
There was no way she could possibly figure it out.
Who could have imagined that the Bai Ming before her had also witnessed the life of another person named 'Himeko' in a different dimension?
Bai Ming himself realized this.
So, seeing March 7th looking so troubled, even tugging at her own hair, he quickly spoke up:
"N-no, it's fine! I'm okay, March! Don't worry about me~"
"Really?"
Hearing this, March 7th slowly raised her head. Her face was adorned with a cute,worried expression.
"Really, are you okay now? If there's a problem, you don't have to force yourself... Although I'm not your girlfriend or anything, I still don't like seeing you unhappy..."
"You're a good person! You should spend every day with a smile!"
"Why are you so serious about giving me a 'good person card'... This is killing me..."
"G-good person card?" March 7th looked at Bai Ming, puzzled.
"It's nothing!"
Bai Ming put his hands on his hips, reassuming a carefree demeanor.
"Anyway, the point is, I'm fine!"
"..."
March 7th hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.
...her head, revealing that infectious full-scored smile once more.
"Okay! I get it~ But if anything's wrong, you must tell me right away, okay!"
"Mm, I will!"
With a clunk.
Dan Heng finally brought Arlan into the elevator.
March 7th directly slapped the button nearby.
With a hum.
The elevator doors swiftly closed and it began to move.
...
Over ten minutes later.
Bai Ming and the group arrived at a room entrance.
March 7th reached out and lightly touched the device, and the door to the room in front of them opened.
Immediately, a gentle voice came from inside.
"You always make things so thrilling... but still, it's good that you're back."
This voice couldn't just be called familiar; it was exactly the same!
Bai Ming stepped out of the elevator ahead of March 7th.
And the person standing before them made her freeze in place.
A head of red long hair slightly coiled up at the back, a fair complexion adorned with a pair of spirited, flame-like eyes.
She was wearing a white formal dress, the front slightly open, revealing a hint of décolletage accented with a touch of dark ornamentation under a corsage.
A pair of legs clad in high heels extended from beneath the dress, complementing the black commander's coat draped over her shoulders.
...fully displaying the unique charm of a woman.
She was beautiful and captivating, every part of her body exuding a distinct aura, appearing dignified and wise.
Himeko...
This is a living Himeko!!!
With a clatter.
The baseball bat in Bai Ming's hand fell to the ground.
-------
A/n: While I am a new translator, I have a Patreon! While it may be a bit empty right now both this and the other book on my page has advanced chapters posted on patreon.
patreon.com/deadlygoober