After all, to put it bluntly, she was just an employee, not one of Otto's personal subordinates. Why should she put so much effort into her work?
"Class Monitor!"
Just as Fu Hua was strolling down a small path, pondering the recent changes in Kiana and the others, a voice suddenly called out to her.
Fu Hua turned her head to see that the one calling her was none other than the very subject of her thoughts, Kiana.
"Student Kiana, what is it? Do you need something from me?"
Watching Kiana run up to her, Fu Hua felt a little wary but maintained a calm expression on the surface.
"Hehe, it's like this. I was hoping you could train with me. I was wondering if the Class Monitor has time?" Kiana said with a wide grin.
"Train?" Fu Hua found this odd. "Isn't Student Raiden Mei with you?"
"Mei has her monthly visitor, so she went back to rest. Bronya is in the dorm looking after her, so I came to find you, Class Mon."
"I see... Alright, then. I happen to be free right now."
Fu Hua thought for a moment. This was a rare opportunity to be alone with Kiana. Perhaps she could get some information out of her about why their group had changed so drastically. With that in mind, she readily agreed.
"That's great! Class Monitor, I knew you'd say yes!" Kiana beamed, happily giving Fu Hua a hug.
"K-Kiana... Student Kiana, you... you shouldn't..."
The ancient immortal, for all her eons of experience, was not equipped for this. Enveloped by Kiana's youthful and energetic body, a faint blush immediately crept onto her cheeks. Her hands hung awkwardly at her sides, unsure of where to go.
"Hehe, Class Monitor, are you shy?" Seeing Fu Hua's embarrassment, Kiana didn't feel awkward at all. Instead, her smile grew even wider.
Ever since she saw the vision of the future Fu Hua saving her from suicide in the Q&A space, Kiana's fondness for her had grown immensely.
Judging by that future, their relationship was bound to become incredibly close, so Kiana now treated Fu Hua with a much more relaxed attitude, no longer seeing her as an outsider.
"Student Kiana, we're both girls, but we should still maintain some distance..." Fu Hua managed to gently push Kiana away, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
"What's the big deal? I love cuddling with girls! Besides, the Class Monitor is so cute."
Kiana, fully embracing the shameless persistence of the Kaslana bloodline, pressed forward again even after being pushed away, continuing to snuggle up against Fu Hua.
"Ngh... C-Cute... that has nothing to do with me." A deep blush colored Fu Hua's ancient face. In all her memory, this was likely the first time someone had ever called her cute. Flustered, she pushed up her glasses and denied it.
"Alright, Student Kiana, do you still want to train or not? If not, I'm leaving."
Fearing Kiana would pounce on her again, Fu Hua quickly changed the subject.
"Of course, we're training! Let's go to the training grounds now."
Seeing Fu Hua's resistance to her affection, Kiana felt a little disappointed but didn't dwell on it. There was still plenty of time, after all. Feelings could be nurtured slowly.
---o---
And so, the two of them made their way to the training grounds and began their sparring session.
Two hours later, Kiana sat on the ground, drenched in sweat and gasping for air.
Beside her, Fu Hua remained as composed as ever, with only a few beads of sweat on her forehead.
"Class Monitor, you're as amazing as ever," Kiana said with admiration.
At the academy, besides Teacher Himeko, the only person who had her complete and utter respect was Fu Hua.
Her fist techniques were exquisitely refined. If Kiana hadn't been pushing herself through frantic extra training these past few days, she would have had a hard time lasting two hours against her.
"You're not bad either, Kiana." Fu Hua looked at the panting Kiana with a complicated expression. "You're improving very quickly. I imagine in another year or two, you'll be able to reach the level of an A-rank Valkyrie."
"An A-rank Valkyrie?" Kiana heard this and smiled, saying nothing.
In the past, becoming an A-rank Valkyrie might have been her ultimate dream. Her great aunt had promised that once she reached that rank, she would tell her where Siegfried was.
But things were different now. After seeing her future self, Kiana deeply understood that for everything she might have to face, the strength of an A-rank Valkyrie was far from enough.
She had to become stronger—strong enough to protect everyone.
"Kiana, can you tell me... why have you changed so much these last few days?"
Fu Hua hesitated for a moment before sitting down next to Kiana, unable to hold back the question that had been bothering her.
"Have I changed a lot?" Kiana tilted her head, seemingly unaware.
"Yes."
"It's nothing, really. I just feel like I'm too weak right now and want to get stronger, fast."
Kiana looked up at the sunset-drenched sky. She held up her hand, and the orange light slipped through her fingers, illuminating her face.
"Class Monitor, what do you think... the future will be like?"
"The future... I don't know." Fu Hua shook her head. "No one can predict what the future will be. All we can do is cherish the present and try to leave behind as few regrets as possible."
As she spoke the last words, Fu Hua seemed to recall something. A deep sorrow flickered in her eyes before she covered it with a self-deprecating smile.
"You're right, Class Monitor. It's precisely so we won't have regrets in the future that we have to become strong now," Kiana said with a smile.
"...Kiana, you really have changed," Fu Hua said, looking at her.
"So, does the Class Monitor like the me I am now?" Kiana winked and playfully stuck out her tongue.
"...Y-You're saying things like that again. I-I have something to do, so I'll be going now. You should hurry back and rest, too."
Fu Hua's face flushed red. She adjusted her glasses for show and quickly turned to flee.
For some reason, the mental fortitude she had cultivated for ages seemed to completely fail her whenever she was around Kiana.
She also felt like Kiana's attitude towards her was different than before. She was never like this in the past, was she?
Watching Fu Hua's departing figure, Kiana smiled faintly. She never would have thought that the serious and rigid Class Monitor had such an adorable side.
Moreover, she had a strong feeling that the Class Monitor was a person with a deep history. She was surely full of secrets, just like in the future vision where she transformed into a white-haired figure in red to protect her.
It seems I really don't know enough about the Class Monitor, Kiana thought. I'll have to get to know her better from now on.
---o---
After taking a shower and returning to the dorm, Kiana saw that Theresa had arrived at some point. Himeko, Bronya, and Mei were all sitting in the living room, looking as if they were discussing something important.
"I'm back," Kiana announced.
"Kiana, you're finally back! We were just waiting for you. Come, sit." Theresa pointed to the sofa next to her.
"Auntie, what are you doing here?"
"Are you an idiot? Did you forget that the Q&A space is opening again tomorrow?" Theresa rolled her eyes, her tone exasperated.