"Losing focus in battle, how impolite."
Antonis sneered. With one hand pressed to the ground, he flipped his body over in a burst of tremendous core strength, rising from a prone position into a crouch in an instant. His other hand seized my ankle and slammed me hard against the unyielding floor. Hoshino's shotgun flew from my grasp and skidded far away.
Before I could recover from the dizziness, Antonis was already upon me, his left hand clamping tightly around my throat while his right hand hammered down again and again toward my head.
Through the roaring in my ears, I faintly heard Hoshino's cries, but all around me was the sharp wind stirred by his punches.
The steel-forged arm of Antonis twisted and convulsed as it struck the ground beside me, scattering shards of stone. Yet the movements grew weaker and weaker until, at last, the Shittim's power source was completely drained.
The final blow halted less than a centimeter from the tip of my nose.
"It's over."
Antonis declared in a deep voice, then stood and extended his hand toward me. "Get up."
If he hadn't stopped, my head would already be shattered beyond recognition.
Gasping raggedly, drenched in cold sweat, I grasped Antonis's outstretched hand and pulled myself unsteadily to my feet.
"Sensei, I hope you understand that violence is merely a means to negotiation." Antonis lightly patted my shoulder. "It was my mistake. I didn't expect you to be interested in someone like… ahem. You truly have unique tastes. If you like, I know an official in the General Student Council. Elegant, beautiful, slender. I could introduce you."
"That won't be necessary."
"Then perhaps this instead. Once the Kaiser Vocational Training School is established, allow all current Abydos students to transfer there, including the Vice President of the Abydos Student Council. This is my greatest show of sincerity. I only hope that you, we, and the Nephthys can join hands to create something greater."
"So that you can avoid punishment as well?"
"Exactly. A win for everyone."
I sighed. "It seems I no longer have any other options, do I?"
"To be honest, I've buried a large amount of explosives beneath us. If you persist in your stubbornness, I'll simply make this look like an unfortunate accident."
Perhaps I had underestimated this Kaiser PMC director. He knew both the art of persuasion and the power of threat. With promises and danger woven together like this, anyone normal would have yielded by now.
"To protect the academy, that's Hoshino's greatest responsibility."
I shook my head. "Thank you for your offer, but I've already promised Hoshino I would shoulder everything for her."
At this point, I had done everything I possibly could. To spout more hollow lies easily exposed would only be shameful.
Besides, there was still a faint chance.
I had to stall for time, enough to draw a card, perhaps.
Even if all hope was lost… at least… I had to give Hoshino a chance to survive.
"...So we really are the same kind of people, then."
"Oh?"
"I'm a man without dreams of my own. So the President's dream became mine. Sensei, I suppose for you, your students fill that same role."
"Heh… perhaps."
"What a pity," Antonis sighed. "If not for the positions we hold, we might have been friends. Sensei, I'll grant you one last reasonable request, something I can fulfill here and now."
"Friends, huh… Heh. Funny, isn't it? The final battle ends not in a fierce duel, but in such gentle conversation. Rather disappointing."
"That's because you are far too weak."
Antonis spoke bluntly. "Even the weakest student could not be defeated by me. But you... your weakness was something I could exploit. From the moment you stepped into this trap, your defeat was assured. Though truth be told, I never intended to kill you."
"You're right. This loss is entirely my own weakness."
"So, what is your final request?"
"Let me speak with Hoshino alone."
"As you wish. I'll take my leave. I'll detonate the charges before the students with heavy weapons arrive. If you change your mind before then, just tell me through the camera in the corner."
Antonis gave a courteous bow, retreated toward the massive steel door, and used a remote to activate the mechanism. The several-meter-thick gate cracked open briefly, allowing him to leave before it sealed shut once more.
I picked up the damaged shotgun from the corner and sat down before Hoshino.
"I'm sorry, Hoshino. This is all because of my recklessness. I think this time… we really have no way out."
"...For someone like me, is it really worth it?"
Her voice was hoarse, perhaps from crying for too long.
"Didn't you once say that even being deceived by me wouldn't be so bad?" I said softly. "My answer is the same. If it's for you, then even this ending isn't so bad."
—
Somewhere else, in a mysterious space.
Four or perhaps five, distinct entities observed the scene through a surveillance feed.
With a sharp snap, a folding fan opened. A woman with crimson skin, white robes, and dozens of eyes set in the feathered wings atop her head sneered.
"Tch. Black Suit, this is the so-called 'great one who has fulfilled our ancient wish'? Laughable. So much for your vaunted judgment."
"Madam," came a voice from a picture frame held by a headless body, "I believe it's still too early to draw such conclusions."
"Yes! Yes!" the headless body echoed loudly.
"Oh? And when will it not be too early, Golconde? I see no sign of change." The woman's many scarlet eyes turned toward the silent figure in black. "Black Suit, why do you say nothing?"
"...Apophis."
"What?"
"I'm thinking," Black Suit replied quietly. "Whether the Kaiser PMC soldiers allied with Binah (Mechanical Snake) and their director as their leader, might serve as a kind of symbol."
"...Meaning what?"
"Madam, please be patient."
Black Suit chuckled softly. "If my guess is correct…
"You will see soon enough."
The woman studied him for a moment, then turned her gaze back to the monitors, saying nothing more.
—
Before Hoshino, I drew a card.
Focusing my mind upon it, I prayed for a power strong enough to change our fate.
—
Solidified Authority: Eagle's Eye
Description: The bearer can more easily perceive an enemy's weak points.
Source: Successful completion of Takanashi Hoshino's route.
—
I closed my eyes, feeling the subtle change within my vision. A helpless smile rose to my lips. Fate truly loved its cruel jokes.
If only this power had awakened before Antonis left… No, even then, against such overwhelming strength, it would have changed nothing.
I had done all I could.
I prepared to withdraw my consciousness and discuss with Hoshino any possible way for someone with her extraordinary constitution to survive…
But I couldn't.
My awareness was still locked within the light of the card.
"..."
---
OST: Blue Archive] Theme 87 - Constant Moderato -Piano Arrange- (Mitsukiyo)
---
Then, faintly, I heard something. Voices, three women speaking as one, layered and echoing.
"...of the bird... my name... devour... command..."
A brief silence, then the three voices spoke again, perfectly in unison.
"...With this, a miracle shall be witnessed."
The light vanished.
Darkness consumed my sight, only to be replaced by a new vision.
I was standing tall, shotgun in hand. Antonis knelt before me, while Hoshino, still bound, watched in silence from afar.
A voice, vast and sacred, resounded in my mind.
[Reenactment of Legend!]
[Verification of Twin Monarchs... completed.]
[Authorization check... completed.]
[Initiating White Crown King's Divine Name Synthesis Ritual...]
[Loading complete.]
[Permission for Pyroxene Conversion granted.]
[Halo Transmutation Ritual initialized.]
[Commence Original Alchemy?]
"...Yes."
At that silent word of consent, flames surged through every nerve in my body. The pain was unbearable, like being consumed alive.
[Alchemy begins!]
And following that divine declaration came the chorus of countless overlapping voices in praise.
"You are the incarnation of Ra, the incomplete sun,
You are the sacred one who was, who is, and who shall ever be.
O King of Upper Egypt, shielded by the Twin Monarchs,
You ride upon the golden barque of dawn to the world below.
The Wolf God Anubis clears your path, the Lion God Sekhmet slaughters your foes,
The Moon God Thoth offers you their sacred library.
O mortal king, acknowledged by the gods, we bow to you!
Every land you touch is conquered by your love.
Together, we sing your name…"
[Halo Manifestation!]
With that divine proclamation, the hymns and pain both vanished. My consciousness drifted into boundless darkness.
I didn't know how long had passed. Perhaps a moment, perhaps eternity before my vision changed once more.
Upon an endless mirror of water stood a girl, her back turned to me.
"Sensei. At last, you've arrived."
Her long hair swayed softly, and her voice was filled with warmth.
"Perhaps you've forgotten, but we once spoke about the Seven Koans, about the meaning of understanding."
I tried to speak, but found I could not move.
"I loved your answer... By understanding the incomprehensibility of 'others', can we understand 'ourselves'?."
"You have already given your own answer through action.
Perhaps I still have not truly understood the duty of an adult, nor the feelings you bore when you made your choice."
The girl turned around as she spoke, but her face remained shrouded in light, impossible to see.
"Sensei, you are the only one I can trust. If it's you...
Then please, correct every twisted ending.
Avoid every misfortune. Overcome the end of days itself. Find the path that leads to a new future.
Among all the choices that lie ahead, I know you will find the right one."
I could feel that the girl before me was smiling.
"So, go back.
Return to the place where all our miracles and love reside.
Sensei, please...
Be crowned as the King of Kivotos."
As her voice faded, an invisible force lifted my consciousness higher and higher...
Until I returned to the radiant screen before me, now completely transformed.
---
OST: Blue Archive, Where All Miracles Begin.
---
—
Divine Name Unlocked: White Crown King
Description: Related authorities have been released; base attributes granted; continuously consumes Mystery; can be deactivated.
Source: Successful recreation of the legend of the White Crown King.
—
Refined Authority: Golden Vessel that Paves the Road
Description: Allows the creation of miraculous construct "Golden Vessel."
Source: Liberation of "Road Bike that Opens the Way."
—
Transmuted Authority: Majesty of the Lion God
Description: The bearer can expend Mystery to release an aura of pressure, its intensity proportional to anger.
Source: Liberation of "Lion's Dignity."
—
Transmuted Authority: Eye of the Storm
Description: The bearer can expend large amounts of Mystery to unleash a devastating storm.
Source: Liberation of "Eagle's Eye."
—
At the same time, in the upper right corner of the screen, a number appeared beside a peculiar crystal icon. The number was steadily decreasing.
—
[Permission for Pyroxene Conversion granted.]
[You may now convert HP into Pyroxene!]
[Alchemy Ritual loaded.]
[You may now use alchemic authority to convert Pyroxene into Mystery!]
—
A torrent of information flooded my vision, leaving me dizzy.
I couldn't yet grasp it all, but I knew that my chance had arrived.
I finally tore my awareness free from the credit card, only to find Hoshino staring at me… or rather, behind me.
"Sensei… why do you have a halo?"
At her words, I froze for a moment, then quickly reached behind my head. Of course, I felt nothing.
I took out the powerless Shittim chest and used its reflective surface as a mirror. At last, I saw it...
A pure white halo floated quietly behind my head, like a crown.
"…That's an adult's little secret."
Activating [Eye of the Storm], several invisible blades of wind slashed outward, shattering Hoshino's chains and then the thick iron door beyond.
Without hesitation, I lifted Hoshino onto my back and ran. My speed was something I'd never thought possible.
Only when we reached a safe distance did the explosions begin, rumbling behind us.
Setting Hoshino down, I tried to deactivate [White Crown King]. The moment the halo vanished, darkness swallowed my vision, and I lost consciousness.
—
In the mysterious space, silence hung heavy as everyone stared at the now pitch-black monitor.
Until a strained female voice broke the stillness.
"Another foreign being… yet it can contain [mystery] within itself…?"
"And judging from its form, this is no ordinary specimen."
"One can see techniques akin to a divine ascension, though seemingly more advanced."
"Everyone, the time for a decision has come!" Black Suit cut in, his tone fevered. "We can all see it, the ritual remains unfinished. In Sensei's hands lies the key to attaining the Sublime!"
Drawing a deep breath, he continued, "I hereby propose once again...
That monitoring Sensei's actions be designated our highest priority. Who agrees, who opposes?"
In the end, the proposal passed unanimously.
--
PS: It's not canon that students can see other student's Halo other than Sensei during a recent interview, but this is something not hinted by the game itself nor the anime. A slight AU.
How the halo work: Link[1]
[1] https://honkai-star-rail.fandom.com/wiki/Ode_to_Caress_and_Cicatrix?file=Ode_to_Caress_and_Cicatrix_Preview.gif