Across the platform, Theresa and Himeko watched Kiana, who was busy boosting her score.
"What do you think, Theresa? Kiana's grown a lot stronger during her time at St. Freya," Himeko said, glancing down at her with a knowing smile.
Theresa looked up at Himeko, one eyebrow rising. "You're not wrong, Himeko. She's definitely stronger — maybe A-rank or higher — but she's still as carefree as ever."
Himeko laughed softly at Theresa's worried look. "What are you worrying about? Those girls may be carefree, but they still have sharpness in battle. They know what they're doing. Let them enjoy themselves."
Theresa turned to Himeko in disbelief, then sighed. "I suppose you're right. St. Freya gives them a chance at normalcy before they become Valkyrie."
Their conversation was cut short by the soft click of heels behind them.
"Miss Theresa, it's been a while," a voice purred.
Theresa widened her eyes. "R—Rita?"
"Yes, it is I, Rita, Miss Theresa." Rita smiled, ruby eyes glinting as she regarded Theresa's petite frame. "You're as cute as ever, Miss Theresa. How about coming with me to get dressed up?"
At the words "dress up," Theresa's worry flared into indignation. "Hah?! Don't toy with me, Rita!"
"Fufufu, I was only joking, Miss Theresa…" Rita cooed, but Theresa didn't relax. Her tone grew wary. "What are you even here for, Rita?"
"Bishop sent me to analyze the future Valkyrie — and to deliver a message for you." Rita brushed a stray fold of her maid outfit and let her gaze fall on Kiana.
Theresa's jaw tightened. "I won't let you lay a hand on my students, Rita. Watch your words."
Rita feigned shock with a delicate gasp. "Miss Theresa, you wound me. How could I harm your girls?"
"I know that look, Rita. You won't fool me. If you're here to hurt them, you won't be leaving in one piece." Theresa's glare was sharp and uncompromising.
Rita only smiled, unruffled. "Miss Theresa, please don't glare at me like that. You know I wouldn't harm them. I was ordered to test their capabilities — Bishop Otto requested it."
Theresa's expression hardened at the name. The Bishop's orders were not something to refuse lightly. "Grandpa…"
"Indeed," Rita continued. "Bishop Otto specifically asked me to test your students — Kiana Kaslana in particular."
Theresa's face fell into a reluctant grimace. "Fine. I'll allow it. But heed me: if one of my students gets hurt because of Grandpa's order — especially Kiana — I won't hesitate to fight you."
"I'm glad to hear that," Rita said, smiling as she stepped away. Her heels clicked softly as she descended the stairs.
"Theresa, are you sure about this?" Himeko asked once Rita had gone.
Theresa looked after Rita's retreating back, worry etched deep in her features. "...I don't know. I hope it doesn't come to me fighting her or watching my girls get hurt."
Himeko sighed and rubbed her temples. The two of them watched Rita disappear into the crowd, unease settling over them both.
—------------
Back in the arena, Kiana, Mei, and Bronya were still inside the simulation.
Mei's exhausted breathing echoed through the space, while Bronya supported her shoulder, keeping her steady. Kiana, on the other hand, was still going wild — repeatedly striking at Oberon's face, much to his visible annoyance.
"Anyway, I don't think you can beat that, Oberon! After all, I'm already sitting at the top score!" Kiana raised her chin proudly, a smug grin plastered across her face.
Oberon only grinned back, his voice calm but laced with mockery.
"Is that so?"
Three simple words — yet they carried enough weight to rattle Kiana's confidence.
"What's with that response?!" she shot back, her eyes narrowing in irritation.
"What kind? A normal one." Oberon's grin widened, his tone lazy and amused, which only fueled Kiana's frustration.
"You—!" she growled, her feet digging into the floor as she crouched low, ready to lunge at him.
Before she could leap, Mei's hands grabbed her shoulders from behind.
"Let go, Mei-senpai! This guy—!"
"Kiana! Calm down!" Mei's voice was firm, though her tone carried both exhaustion and worry. Kiana still squirmed, stretching her arms forward as if she could grab Oberon's neck from where she stood.
On the other side, Oberon merely laughed softly, tilting his head as if enjoying the sight. "You know, you really do act like a cat sometimes."
"Say that again, I dare you!" Kiana's eyes blazed.
But before she could break free from Mei's grasp—
Crunch.
The soft sound of footsteps echoed from behind them. Mei and Kiana turned their heads—and froze.
Fu Hua stood there, her expression unreadable, her gray-blue eyes calm and sharp like tempered glass.
"Class prez?" Kiana blinked.
"Class monitor?" Mei echoed, equally surprised.
Without changing her expression, Fu Hua spoke flatly, "Kiana. Arm yourself. I'll be testing your capabilities, as Principal Theresa instructed."
"Eh?" Kiana blinked again, scratching her head in confusion. "Wait, what? Testing me?"
But Fu Hua didn't answer. Her hands were already raised, taking a practiced martial stance.
Mei sighed, releasing her hold on Kiana. "Looks like you're up, Kiana. Don't go too overboard."
Kiana smirked, rolling her shoulders. "Heh, don't worry, Mei-senpai. I'll go easy on her."
From behind, Oberon chuckled, crossing his arms. "Oh? This will be interesting."
Bronya merely sighed, her monotone voice cutting through the air. "Knowing Kiana, the simulation's environment may not survive this match or perhaps idiotka is not gonna survive this time."
Kiana ignored them both and stepped forward, her usual grin returning. "Alright, class prez! Let's see if you're as tough as they say!"
Fu Hua's expression remained steady. "Very well. Let's begin."
The wind blew gently across the stimulation ground, carrying with it the faint scent of dust and sweat. Kiana stood at the center of the ring, stretching her arms while wearing that mischievous grin.
"Heh, are you sure about this, class prez?" she taunted playfully, cracking her knuckles. "Don't blame me if you can't keep up."
Fu Hua, standing opposite of her, remained silent. Her arms folded, eyes calm like still water. "Confidence without discipline leads only to defeat. Come at me, Kiana."
The bell rang.
Without hesitation, Kiana lunged forward — her movements fast, but wild. Her fist sliced through the air, aiming straight for Fu Hua's face.
Fu Hua tilted her head slightly — just enough. The punch missed by a breath. She seized Kiana's wrist, twisted her body, and used the girl's own momentum to throw her down.
A dull thud echoed.
"Gah—! Ow ow ow! You didn't have to slam me that hard, Hua!" Kiana groaned, kicking her legs as Fu Hua stepped back, her posture unbroken.
"Your stance was open. Again."
Kiana grumbled, pushing herself up. "You sure love to bully me, huh? Alright, one more time!"
This time, she feinted left — then swept low. Fu Hua jumped lightly, her coat fluttering. The instant her feet touched the ground, she countered with a precise palm strike.
Kiana blocked, but the force sent her sliding back across the floor.
"Still holding back, aren't you?" Fu Hua's voice was calm, but her eyes were sharp. "Your attacks lack resolve. You hesitate every time you strike."
Kiana's teeth clenched. "Tch… easy for you to say!"
Fu Hua didn't respond. Instead, she rushed forward — her speed like a gust of wind. The flurry of palm strikes, each clean and measured, pressed Kiana on every side. Kiana tried to block, but Fu Hua's precision left no openings.
Until—
Kiana ducked low, swept Fu Hua's leg, and managed to land a light punch on her shoulder. "Ha! Gotcha!"
Fu Hua blinked — surprised, just for a moment — before a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Not bad. You're finally adapting."
Kiana laughed between heavy breaths. "Heh… told you I'm not just some clumsy student."
Fu Hua straightened, letting her stance relax. Not before grabbing Kiana's arm and once again slammed her to the ground.
"But your emotions control you too easily. Power means nothing if you lose yourself mid-battle."
"OOF!" Kiana grunt painfully before answering, "Yeah, yeah… I know," Kiana said, rubbing the back of her head. "Still, thanks for not going into scary mode on me."
Fu Hua turned away, the evening sun casting a warm glow on her profile. "Don't thank me yet. When real battle comes, you won't have the luxury of holding back."
Kiana's grin softened into a faint smile. "Then… I'll just have to get stronger — strong enough to make you go all out."
Fu Hua closed her eyes briefly. "I look forward to that day."
As the match ended, Mei and Bronya immediately ran toward Kiana, who was still lying on the ground, groaning. Mei knelt beside her, her brows furrowed with worry as she gently examined Kiana's arms and face, looking for any signs of injury or bruises.
After a moment, Mei sighed in relief. "Thank goodness, it's nothing serious… You really had me worried there, Kiana."
Kiana grinned weakly, still catching her breath. "Hehe… I-I told you I could handle it, Mei-senpai…"
Before Mei could say anything more, Bronya stepped closer, her face blank as ever. She gave Kiana a quick once-over and, without hesitation, said flatly,
"Weakling."
Kiana's grin froze. "Hah?! What was that, Bratnya?!"
Bronya crossed her arms, a faint, smug curve forming at the corner of her lips despite her monotone tone. "You heard me. Weakling. Even Fu Hua held back at least seventy percent of her strength."
Kiana shot up immediately, her face red with indignation. "You—! I'll show you who's weak after I recover!"
Bronya simply tilted her head, unbothered. "Bronya will wait… though she doubts the result will change."
"Why you little—!" Kiana lunged forward, but Mei quickly pulled her back again, sighing for what felt like the hundredth time today.
"Please, not another fight right after that one…" Mei muttered tiredly.
"Not bad, Kiana. You managed to last a minute at Fu Hua." Oberon appeared next to Bronya, looking at Kiana's face. He smiled and continued, "Still, as Bronya said, 'Weakling/Weakling'" Oberon and Bronya said together, before doing a high five to each other, much to Kiana's groaning in annoyance and pain.
[END]
A/N: Hello, once again it's me your author, sadly my phone broke so It took me a while to create this chapter, anyway this might be small but at least I still managed to come back lol, and creating a fighting style of martial artist is kinda wrack, it's so hard that I even had to ask Chatgpt for tips and toe or whatever that is, just to cover Fu Hua's martial arts, lol! Anyway, next time I'll try posting daily of course, not everyday, but still probably not gonna take 2-3 days.
And yes, I made this first despite incoming Design hearing of my concept defense on my practical research subject, lol. Defense is too easy, just optimize your words, use the judge words to counter back and viola, it's already defended, tho I still recommend to study about of your topic, if you had one to begin with. Anyway, peace, I'm out.