Bella knew she should dodge immediately, stand up, readjust, and continue fighting.
But, it hurt, it really hurt.
The piercing pain in her waist, the feeling of her body being pierced, spread throughout her entire being. Bella wanted to move, but she couldn't.
Bella knew she had been careless. Her attention was entirely focused on the Templar-class Honkai Beast, and she hadn't expected this Knight-class Honkai Beast to have a skill almost equivalent to a flash step.
Bella knew that because of her carelessness, she might have lost.
Theresa had said that no matter how severe her injuries were in the Training Arena, she would recover upon leaving, but...
What good would it do to recover after leaving?
This battle was both Bella's gamble and Himeko and Theresa's test for her.
But Bella felt she had lost her gamble now.
Of course, this wasn't Himeko's fault, nor was it Theresa's.
Bella's eyes drooped slightly.
"After learning my true identity, what will Kiana and the others think? Will they be disappointed?"
"So, are you giving up, Bella?"
At some point, Paimon had emerged from the system space and flown in front of Bella, who was lying on the ground.
Paimon's small hands cupped Bella's face: "Whether in my past life or this life, the Bella I know isn't someone who gives up so easily!"
"Bella! Stand up!" A scolding voice, seemingly from nowhere, startled Bella awake.
Paimon was gone, as if everything that had just happened was her own hallucination.
She grabbed the spear that was about to pierce her.
Looking at the spear, which was only a hair's breadth from her eye but couldn't advance, Bella smiled.
Veins bulged on her hand.
"Crack!"
A crisp sound came from the spear in Bella's hand, and then it crumbled into pieces, unable to bear the weight.
Bella knew, whether it was the clan leader of her past life or Benares of this life.
She just wanted to live a happy, leisurely life with the people she cared about.
Her past life had become a regret.
But in this life, even though it had only been a few short days together.
She wanted to be by Kiana and the others' side and live a happy, leisurely life with them.
Bella felt like she must have been possessed. After all, they had only been together for a few days.
But she felt she couldn't leave them anymore.
There was the always energetic Kiana, the always gentle and considerate Mei, the expressionless and somewhat sharp-tongued Bronya, the serious yet somewhat gentle elder Fu Hua, and the Himeko who loved to drink but was also diligent and responsible.
And then there was Theresa, the tiny School Director who always tried to act majestic.
Bella decided that St. Freya was her home in this life.
It had nothing to do with others; this was Bella's own choice.
She looked at the remaining Honkai Beasts in front of her.
Bella knew that this unusual test was Himeko's challenge to her.
It was a test to see whether she, an anomaly, would stand on the side of humanity or on the side of Honkai.
Bella knew that merely saying it wouldn't convince Theresa and Himeko.
So Bella had to prove with her actions that she stood on the side of humanity!
She couldn't use any abilities other than those she had already displayed, nor could she reveal her dragon form.
She had to overcome the current difficulties using her physical abilities and Honkai energy manifestation abilities that she had shown.
Even if she died in this battle.
After all, Theresa had only said that no matter how severe the injuries were, she would recover, but what if she died?
Bella didn't know the answer, but Bella trusted Himeko, trusted Theresa, and trusted the people who had brought her warmth in this world.
And...
"I, Bella, whether in my past life or this life, have only one goal."
"That is to live a happy, leisurely life with the people I care about. No matter how difficult the road ahead, even if it means climbing a mountain of swords or descending into a sea of fire, I will not give up!"
Blood was still slowly flowing from the pierced area at her waist, but Bella seemed not to feel it.
She expressionlessly looked at the four Honkai Beasts in front of her. Flames ignited on her body again, and there seemed to be fire burning in Bella's orange-red eyes.
"Now, there are 10 minutes left."
Looking at Bella, who was once again charging towards the Honkai Beasts, Raiden Mei was very anxious.
"Teacher Himeko, such a test clearly exceeds even the A-rank Valkyrie evaluation. For a newcomer like Bella, it's unreasonable. I request to terminate this evaluation!"
"Yes, yes, Teacher Himeko, and Bella is already injured. Please make Bella stop quickly." Kiana, next to Raiden Mei, also nodded like a pecking chick.
Bronya also raised her hand from the side: "Bronya's opinion is consistent with Kiana's this time."
Fu Hua also nodded from the side: "Moreover, Teacher Himeko, even if Bella passes, she will likely be severely injured, but the Valkyrie examination still has the combat assessment against me remaining, which clearly cannot be carried out."
"Since Bella cannot participate in the subsequent assessment items, this current assessment becomes meaningless."
After hearing everyone's words, Himeko seemed to want to say something but hesitated, finally sighing:
"Alas, there's nothing to be done about this. This is a test for Bella, and whether she passes is very important. Don't worry about it."
"Headmaster Theresa!" Unable to do anything else, Raiden Mei could only turn her pleading gaze to Theresa.
But Theresa's originally thoughtful expression seemed to understand something after hearing Himeko's phrase, "This is a test for Bella."
Frowning, she looked at Himeko: "Teacher Himeko, you know that if something like this is discovered by headquarters, it will..."
Himeko waved her hand: "Oh, don't be so serious."
"Oh, never mind, I'm going to help Bella!"
Watching Himeko and Theresa speak in riddles, the confused Kiana felt dizzy. Finally, she shouted and rushed towards Bella in the arena.
"Bronya is going too."
"Eh, wait, Kiana, Bronya!"
Raiden Mei looked at Kiana and Bronya who had rushed out, then looked at Himeko and Theresa, and gritted her teeth.
She bowed and apologized to Himeko and Theresa: "I'm sorry." Then she also rushed out.
Himeko was dumbfounded: "Eh, you guys... Oh, never mind."
Looking at the three who had rushed out, Himeko smiled and shook her head helplessly.
"Never mind, Fu Hua, you go too. You're an A-rank Valkyrie, just consider it a simulated combat exercise with them."
Bella hadn't expected that Fu Hua, whom she thought was a B-Rank Valkyrie like Raiden Mei, was actually an A-rank Valkyrie like Himeko!
Hearing Himeko's words, Fu Hua nodded: "Of course, even if you didn't say it, I would go."
Watching the four rush towards Bella, Himeko smiled and shook her head helplessly.
"Major!" Theresa's tone was a bit serious, not even mentioning Himeko's usual self.
Himeko shrugged. Well, there was still one more here.
"Alright, alright, my School Director, let's discuss this after it's over, okay?"
"It better be." Theresa glared at Himeko and turned away huffily.
This Himeko, making decisions on her own again.
Bella was now panting, looking at the two remaining Templar-class Honkai Beasts in front of her.
Perhaps due to excessive blood loss, Bella felt the world begin to spin.
"No, no, it's not over yet."
Bella bit the tip of her tongue, the intense pain forcing her to clear her head.
"Come on, round two begins!"
"Neko Charm!"
"Eh!"
A pair of familiar huge white cat paws appeared before Bella, kicking away the Saint-class Honkai Beast in front of her.
Just like when Bella first met the girl.
And the Honkai Beast on the other side...
"Inch Punch, Heaven-Shattering!"
Looking at Fu Hua, who was overwhelming the Honkai Beast, Bella's eyes were dazed.
What was going on?
"Bella, are you alright?" A worried voice came, it was Raiden Mei.
Looking at Raiden Mei beside her, and the three fighting the Honkai Beasts not far away.
Since Himeko didn't stop them, then...
Bella smiled.
She knew she had passed Himeko's test.
Moreover...
Looking at the girls fighting the Honkai Beasts in front of her.
This was why she had fought so hard to stay.
Her tensed nerves relaxed.
"Eh, Bella, Bella, what's wrong? Himeko, quickly, Bella she..."
Raiden Mei's voice slowly reached her ears, and Bella's consciousness gradually drifted away.
"I- I'll sleep for a bit," Bella murmured.
Subsequently, Bella lost consciousness in Raiden Mei's arms.