With this, Fu Hua finally understood why Kiana and the others had changed so drastically.
However, when she saw the image of herself in her Vermilion Knight form, standing guard by Kiana's side, Fu Hua's expression immediately grew complicated.
Logically, after learning that Kiana and the others would all become Herrschers in the future, she should have acted to nip this danger in the bud.
For thousands of years, that had always been her way.
But... why did her future self choose to protect Kiana?
Fu Hua glanced at Kiana, Raiden Mei, and Bronya. She clenched her fists, holding them tight for a long moment before quietly relaxing her grip.
Humans aren't grass and trees; how could they be without feelings?
Although she had come here with a mission, she had been at St. Freya for so long. It was impossible to say she had absolutely no feelings for Kiana and the others.
Besides, if she had truly intended to make a move, she would have done so back in Singapore.
After all, this era was different from the past. The first Herrscher had betrayed the Honkai and joined humanity's side, becoming a powerful blade against it.
"Fu Hua, I know what I've told you might be beyond your imagination, and perhaps you think I'm spouting nonsense, but this is all real. If you don't believe it, you'll understand naturally once the Q&A begins," Theresa said earnestly.
"I understand, Principal." Fu Hua nodded lightly, indicating that she understood.
[The questioning will now begin.]
Just then, the Q&A system's familiar mechanical voice echoed in their ears.
[Question 6: Why was Fu Hua, known as the Immortal Celestial of Shenzhou, willing to join Otto's ranks as a Valkyrie and obey his orders to go to St. Freya High School to monitor Kiana?]
[A: Because her own strength had waned and she could no longer protect Shenzhou, she signed an agreement with Otto to borrow Schicksal's power to guard Shenzhou.]
[B: To fight against the Honkai.]
[C: To obtain even greater power.]
[D: Otto offered too much.]
Fu Hua: "..."
The others: "..."
In an instant, the atmosphere in the room became extremely awkward.
In fact, the moment they heard that Fu Hua had been sent by Otto to monitor Kiana, the expressions on Theresa's and the others' faces had already changed.
"Fu Hua, who in the world are you? Why would Grandfather send you to monitor Kiana?"
Theresa's gaze turned sharp as she stared at Fu Hua. If she hadn't left Judah behind, she would have already summoned it.
"I..."
Fu Hua was at a loss for words. It couldn't be helped. The question posed by the system was simply too ruthless. It had completely sold her out and was now roasting her over an open fire.
She wanted to deny it, but after a moment's thought, she gave up. She was never good at lying; there was no point in deceiving herself now.
Looking at the group who had been so friendly and close to her just moments ago, now standing united on the opposite side—their eyes filled with shock, confusion, or sadness—Fu Hua pressed her lips together and chose silence.
None of them had ever expected that Fu Hua, who looked so honest and upright, would turn out to be a mole... ah, no, a special agent sent by Otto.
And her mission was to monitor Kiana?
This was even more baffling. What was there to monitor about Kiana?
Could it be that Otto already knew she was a Herrscher?
Then why wasn't he monitoring Raiden Mei?
"Student Fu Hua, silence won't solve the problem. Please answer our questions, or else..."
Himeko's usual laid-back demeanor vanished, replaced by a stern expression as she addressed Fu Hua.
She didn't care what Fu Hua's background was, but if anyone dared to have designs on her students, she would be the first to object!
"Friend or foe. Choose."
"Sigh..."
Fu Hua sighed. Since the truth was out, there was nothing left for her to hide.
Besides, even if she didn't say anything, this blasted Q&A space would probably expose everything anyway.
"Just as this mysterious space has stated, I did indeed come to St. Freya High School with a purpose. And my mission was, in fact, to monitor you, Student Kiana."
As Fu Hua spoke, she turned her head. For some reason, she found she couldn't bring herself to look Kiana in the eye.
"Class Monitor..." Kiana stared at Fu Hua in disbelief. She had never imagined that someone so close to her had approached her with an ulterior motive.
The revelation brought her an indescribable sense of disappointment and anger. But when she remembered the vision of the future Fu Hua protecting her and stopping her suicide attempt, Kiana was suddenly lost and confused.
She didn't know which Fu Hua was the real one.
Or... was it possible that Fu Hua hadn't approached her with a hidden purpose intentionally?
"Class... Miss Fu Hua, may I ask why you were monitoring Kiana?" Raiden Mei watched Fu Hua with a wary expression, the way she addressed her already changed.
To Raiden Mei, Kiana was the most important person in her life. Though the idiot always seemed carefree on the surface, she possessed a delicate and sensitive heart.
Therefore, Raiden Mei would never allow anyone to trample on Kiana's feelings. She would stake her own life to make them regret it!
"..."
Fu Hua opened her mouth, seeming to hesitate on whether to speak.
"Class Monitor, tell me, were your feelings for us fake?" Kiana stared blankly at Fu Hua, enunciating each word.
"The Class Monitor I know is a person of few words, but she's always eager to help others, silently offering her aid without asking for anything in return. Was all of that... just an act?"
"Student Kiana..."
Fu Hua bit her lip and looked up, her gaze meeting Kiana's. Seeing the complex emotions swirling in her eyes, she finally let out a long sigh and gently shook her head.
"All of it was real. Although I came here with a mission to monitor you, I never intentionally got close to you, nor have I ever deceived you."
"I can promise you all that I have never done anything to wrong Student Kiana, nor have I brought any harm to a single blade of grass at St. Freya High School."
"At least, not to this day."
"Do you think we'll believe you just because you say so?" Bronya said, her face expressionless.
"...I'm willing to believe her."
After a long silence, Kiana suddenly spoke, causing everyone to turn to her with expressions of astonishment.
"I'm willing to believe you, Class Monitor," Kiana repeated, looking at Fu Hua with sincerity.
"Kiana, you're truly willing to believe me?" Seeing the trust in Kiana's eyes, Fu Hua was taken aback. To be honest, even though she had been telling the truth, she never expected Kiana to choose to believe her so readily.
"Mhm. Because I'm an idiot, right? And everyone says an idiot's intuition is the most accurate. I have a feeling that you're not a bad person, Class Monitor. So I'm willing to trust you this once."
Kiana pursed her lips, then broke into a wide, bright smile directed at Fu Hua.