Hearing Mei speak such chilling words in such a calm tone, Kiana immediately stood up and grabbed her wrist.
"Mei, you're not allowed to go. This isn't like you."
"That's right. In the past, I was too timid, letting anyone push me around. But now, I've changed. I've completed my transformation. Don't try to stop me, Kiana."
Facing Kiana's attempt to stop her, Mei didn't resort to using her full strength. She simply shook her hand, breaking free from Kiana's grip.
But how could Kiana allow Mei to fall into such a state?
She absolutely wouldn't let Mei do something she would regret.
Without hesitation, Kiana grabbed Mei's hand again.
"I won't let you go. The Mei I know would never do something like this!"
"...Kiana, why are you stopping me from killing those who hurt you? Why! Can't you understand me?"
"The real Mei would never do this. Mei is a gentle girl. I won't let you do this."
"...If that's the case, then I'll have to knock you down."
Lifting her leg, Raiden Mei suddenly spun around and delivered a spinning kick.
Realizing Mei's intent, Kiana quickly raised her legs together and blocked the kick with her arms.
But this Mei was no longer the timid human she once was. She was now a Herrscher, wielding the power of a Herrscher.
The kick sent Kiana crashing into the wall, creating a deep crater.
This was a case of "the deeper the love, the harder the hit."
But Kiana ignored the pain and quickly got up, rushing toward Mei like the wind.
However, she was met with another horizontal kick from Mei.
This time, Kiana chose to take the hit head-on. Noticing Kiana's determination, Mei reduced the force of her kick.
This allowed Kiana to withstand the blow, and she immediately grabbed Mei's ankle.
A sense of weightlessness followed.
Kiana pulled Mei's leg hard, causing Mei to lose her balance and lean forward.
Seizing the opportunity, Kiana punched Mei in the face.
"Give me back my Mei!"
"Cough! You're really being difficult, Kiana. Don't blame me now."
As a purple-red lightning flashed in Mei's eyes, countless bolts of thunder intertwined around her.
Like a ghost, Mei instantly disappeared, leaving only a purple-red arc of electricity in her place.
"It's time to fall, Kiana. You can't stop me."
Hearing the voice from behind her, Kiana's eyes widened in shock.
But it was too late to react. A sharp pain shot through the back of her neck.
Her vision darkened, and she felt like she was about to lose consciousness.
But driven by some unknown determination, a golden light flashed in Kiana's eyes, and the dizziness vanished.
"You can actually withstand that? It seems you're not just any ordinary girl, Kiana. But what will you do next? How will you stop me?"
"Then how about I stop you, Third Herrscher?"
Just as Mei was speaking and approaching Kiana, a mature woman's voice rang out from above.
Turning her head, Mei saw a red figure holding a greatsword, rapidly closing in on her.
Sensing danger, Mei instantly teleported backward.
Boom—!
As the red figure landed, her greatsword struck the ground.
In an instant, the entire school building shook, and parts of the already damaged floors collapsed.
"An ant trying to slay a god? Keep dreaming."
Forming a ball of lightning in her hand, Mei shot it toward the red figure.
The crackling sound of the lightning ball echoed through the air.
But the red figure didn't care. She simply split the ball in half with her greatsword and quickly closed the distance, kicking Mei away.
"All power and no skill. It seems this mission will be easier than expected."
"Um, miss, please don't kill her. Mei isn't a bad person. She's just... she's just become like this for some reason."
Seeing the red figure easily overpower Mei, Kiana immediately pleaded for mercy.
She was genuinely afraid the red figure would kill Mei.
"Little one, find a place to hide for now. As for her, don't worry. If she still has her own consciousness, I won't kill her. But if she's just a mindless monster bent on destruction, then she can't be spared."
The red figure answered Kiana and then focused entirely on fighting Mei.
Kiana obediently found a hidden spot to observe the battle.
At first, due to her lack of familiarity with her Herrscher powers and combat skills, Raiden Mei was completely suppressed.
But as time passed, she continuously absorbed Honkai energy, perfecting herself and gradually becoming more adept at using her powers in combat.
Slowly, the red figure, who had initially overpowered her, could only fight her to a standstill.
"Growing so quickly? What a troublesome opponent."
Seeing Mei now evenly matched with her, the red figure clicked her tongue.
"Ant, still trying to oppose a god? Die! Winds, submit to me!"
In the blink of an eye, the clear sky was filled with rolling thunder.
Countless bolts of purple-red lightning swirled in the sky, ready to strike their target with overwhelming force.
"I will use this strike to bury you."
"Then let's see if you have what it takes, Herrscher!"
Wielding her greatsword, the red figure swung it with all her might, sending a purple arc of energy toward Mei.
Mei, in turn, summoned her lightning to counterattack.
"Mei, stop hurting everyone. This isn't like you."
During their battle, Kiana found an opportunity.
She positioned herself at their next landing point and waited.
When the moment was right, Kiana leaped into the air, closing the distance to Mei, and delivered a powerful punch to her face.
The two of them fell from the sky.
Because of Kiana's intervention, the lightning that was about to strike dissipated in an instant.
Boom—!
The two landed on the ground, creating a deep crater.
Thanks to their robust physiques, neither of them was seriously injured.
Raiden Mei lay beneath Kiana, who was on top, pinning her down. Kiana's fist was planted on the ground next to Mei's right cheek, her pleading eyes locked onto Mei's.
Neither of them spoke, as their eyes already said too much.
"...Tch. When I wake up next time, I'll do it again."
Closing her eyes, Mei fell unconscious.