And so, after long consideration, Kiana finally decided to take the initiative and go on the offensive.
She was unwilling to remain on the defensive, waiting for some unknown day when the Herrscher of the Void would launch her attack. She had promised everyone that she would defeat the Herrscher consciousness. This was not an empty boast or a hollow promise; it was something she had to accomplish.
"...Alright, then."
Seeing Kiana's resolute attitude, Fu Hua sighed and stopped trying to dissuade her. "However, I should call the Principal over first. Just as a precaution. If anything unexpected happens, her Judah will be able to lock down the situation."
"Okay, thank you, Class Monitor. But please don't tell Mei and the others just yet. I'm afraid they'll worry."
"Understood."
Half an hour later, Kiana and Theresa were ready in Fu Hua's room.
When Theresa first learned that Kiana wanted to proactively communicate with the Herrscher consciousness, she was, of course, a hundred percent against it. But in the end, Kiana managed to persuade her.
The Kiana of today was no longer the clueless idiot from before. She had her own considerations, her own plans. As her great-aunt, all Theresa could do was offer her support and trust.
"Then, let's begin."
Fu Hua gently raised her hand, and a single pink feather appeared in her palm.
As Kiana gazed at the feather, the world before her eyes swiftly faded to black. She felt as if she had arrived in a place devoid of any light.
Kiana warily scanned her surroundings. In this world of absolute darkness, there was only one spot, like a crack in the void, from which a faint sliver of light shone down.
Kiana tried walking toward the light, and it wasn't long before she reached it.
In the spot illuminated by that beam of light, a mirror stood silently.
Kiana could see with perfect clarity that the figure in the mirror was not her own reflection, but that of... a purple-haired girl.
It was Sirin, the Herrscher of the Void.
"You're already awake, aren't you?" Kiana's gaze was fixed intently on the figure in the mirror.
The figure in the mirror slowly lifted her head and gave Kiana a smile.
A wicked and crazed smile.
"Correct."
Then, the Herrscher of the Void took a step and walked right out of the mirror. The moment she emerged, her appearance changed from that of Sirin to the Kiana-like Herrscher of the Void, just as she had appeared in the future visions.
"What a surprise. I didn't expect you to come looking for me on your own accord. Do you really think that just because you've seen a few glimpses of the future, you can defeat me?" the Herrscher of the Void sneered.
"As I thought. You know about the future too," Kiana stated.
"I know everything you have experienced up to this point. Because... I am you," the Herrscher of the Void said.
"Then let's skip the unnecessary chatter. I have only one question for you. If you take over my body, will you act as you did in the future?"
"Of course not," the Herrscher of the Void sneered coldly. "I won't give you people any more chances. That woman named Himeko—I will kill her with my full power at the first opportunity! And that man named Otto, who dared to scheme against me—he will die for certain!"
"The existence of humanity is, in itself, a mistake. And my existence is to purge them."
"..."
Kiana took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, the resolve within them burned like a blazing fire. "I won't let you succeed."
"I will stop you. As long as I am here, you will never use my body to commit evil."
"I won't let you hurt anyone!"
"Hmph, you think you can stop me? You are nothing but my vessel. No matter how hard you struggle, the future will not change," the Herrscher of the Void snorted dismissively.
"Then let's put it to the test!"
In an instant, Kiana's eyes became as clear and still as a lake. A pair of crimson pistols materialized in her hands. She raised their muzzles and aimed them at the Herrscher of the Void.
"...The time for our battle has not yet come. K-423, I will be watching you. Do your best, and struggle until the very end."
With those words, the Herrscher of the Void's figure vanished from the space.
Kiana was momentarily stunned. She had prepared herself for a difficult fight, but after just a few taunts, her opponent had run away.
If the Herrscher of the Void knew what Kiana was thinking right now, she would undoubtedly scoff. Fight you now? Do you really think I'm that stupid?
The Herrscher of the Void's personality was arrogant, yes, but she wasn't an idiot.
She had nothing right now. How could she possibly fight a Kiana whose mind was flawless, whose will was firm, who had even freaking learned the Sword of Taixuan and drunk a Mental Enhancement Potion?
Wasn't that a guaranteed loss? Even if you were going to feed the enemy, you didn't do it this blatantly.
She had only just awakened; she had no intention of being immediately defeated by Kiana. So, despite her unwillingness, the Herrscher of the Void could only make a tactical retreat, hide for a while, and slowly wait for an opportunity.
Of course, Kiana knew none of this. After waiting a little longer and seeing no sign of the Herrscher, she could only leave the space, feeling rather frustrated.
"Kiana, are you okay?!"
When Kiana opened her eyes again and returned to the real world, the first thing she saw was the tense and worried faces of all her friends.
"M-Mei, Bronya, and Aunt Himeko... h-how did you all get here?" Kiana asked, stunned.
"You idiot!" Raiden Mei was both terrified and furious. Seeing Kiana was safe, she finally let out a breath of relief, then pulled her into a hug with red-rimmed eyes. "Idiot, idiot, idiot! Why would you go looking for the Herrscher of the Void on your own?! And without telling us! Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
"Mei... I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to worry..."
"You brat, you've really grown wings now, haven't you? You even dared to hide this from me?" Himeko landed a fist on Kiana's head, her face full of irritation, clearly displeased with Kiana's impulsive actions.
"Silly Kiana," Bronya chimed in.
"I-I'm sorry, everyone! I promise, it will never happen again!"
Facing the emotional group, Kiana didn't dare to argue. She quickly and obediently admitted her mistake and apologized, promising there wouldn't be a next time.
After being 'reprimanded' by the group, Kiana finally earned their forgiveness. Fu Hua then asked for the details of what had happened in the mental space.
"Kiana, since you've returned safely, does that mean you defeated the Herrscher of the Void?"
At Fu Hua's question, everyone else turned to look at Kiana, eager to know the answer.