Chapter 14: If I transform, I won't be considered a Valkyrie anymore?

 "What? How? It should be very safe outside the academy."

A look of bewilderment flashed through Theresa's eyes.

One must know that St. Freya Academy used the same high-tech construction materials as Schicksal Headquarters. While building the academy, a solid defensive barrier was also constructed on the outside to prevent Honkai Beast incursions.

Unless a large-scale Honkai Energy reaction occurred suddenly, it was absolutely safe.

"The cause is currently unclear. The three Valkyrie Squads guarding the perimeter have suffered varying degrees of casualties. It's difficult for me to resist alone; there are too many Honkai Beasts!"

"I understand."

Theresa's expression turned heavy as she hung up the communication device and said to Yunduo: "A large number of Honkai Beasts have appeared on the academy's perimeter, and the cause is still unknown. You go back first; as an injured person and a Valkyrie-in-training, you don't need to go to the battlefield."

"Okay."

Yunduo didn't force the issue or insist on helping.

St. Freya Academy's security system had always been good, and at worst, there would be reinforcements from Schicksal. A few Honkai Beasts wouldn't be a major problem.

On the way back to the dormitory, Yunduo silently recalled this incident in her mind.

She had too many memories, all piled up in the depths of her mind.

Some useless memories didn't come to mind normally, only surfacing when needed.

"Honkai Beast attack..."

"It's that one!"

Yunduo murmured, suddenly remembering her most unforgettable memory.

The memory of her first death as a Valkyrie.

Back then, Yunduo had not been in the world of Honkai Impact 3rd for long and had excitedly joined a Valkyrie Squad.

After spending half a year at Saint Freya, she had finally managed to become a B-Rank Valkyrie and went onto the battlefield.

But she was met with the echo of death.

A Honkai Beast that had reached the Emperor-Level.

—The Molten Emperor!

To be precise, a normal Molten Emperor is the limit of lower-tier Honkai Beasts and wouldn't reach the Emperor-Level.

But this one had likely undergone a mutation and successfully crossed that threshold.

With Yunduo's strength at the time, she was killed by it as easily as tearing paper.

At the time of her death, she couldn't understand why such a monster would appear outside St. Freya Academy.

One must know that Emperor-Level Honkai Beasts were second only to Judgement-level Honkai Beasts!

Even an S-Rank Valkyrie would find it difficult to kill an Emperor-Level Honkai Beast in a short amount of time!

These types of Honkai Beasts often possessed terrifyingly massive sizes and special abilities.

Like "Parvati," named after the mountain goddess, which has the ability to manipulate ice and snow storms.

And "Sirin," named after the Ashvins, which can separate its body to act independently and fire lightning arrows to attack Valkyries.

To this day, Yunduo didn't know if St. Freya Academy had actually killed that Molten Emperor back then.

Aside from Theresa, the entire Far East Branch probably had no way to deal with that monster.

But things were different now.

Yunduo possessed the 【Herrscher of Flamescion】 Character Card; she could deal with the Molten Emperor in just a few moves.

However, if she transformed into the Herrscher of Flamescion, this mysterious power would immediately come to light.

At that time, all of Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent would know of Yunduo's existence!

It was only a matter of time.

Furthermore, Yunduo knew that as an existence that had already changed the course of the future, she would definitely trigger a butterfly effect.

Himeko was fighting alone outside. If she didn't go to support her, no one could guarantee that Himeko would survive until the "Final Lesson."

"Yunduo, you're back?"

Inside the dormitory, Kiana was equipping her Valkyrie armor, White Comet.

Seeing Yunduo open the door, she gave a greeting and familiarly shed her school uniform, revealing her smooth body curves and bouncing jade-white skin.

Usually unseen, Kiana's figure was surprisingly good.

In a few years when she matured, she might even be able to compete with Himeko.

Yunduo looked away and replied with a nasal "Mm."

Walking through the door, Mei was in her bedroom changing into her Valkyrie armor, Crimson Impulse.

A silver-gleaming Tachi was leaning against the corner. Yunduo didn't see Bronya; she was likely equipping her armor as well.

"Are you all going to the front lines? Isn't it only for B-Rank Valkyries?"

Yunduo asked doubtfully, a sense of unease in her heart.

"Normally, yes, but there are too many Honkai Beasts this time. Aunt Himeko and the others are going to deal with the high-level ones, while we're going to the perimeter where there are some Rush-type Honkai Beasts."

Kiana hummed a tune, casually explaining.

It seemed going to the battlefield to fight Honkai Beasts put her in a good mood.

"I understand."

Yunduo pursed her lips, feeling a dryness in her throat.

"Oh, right, Yunduo, you just fainted yesterday. You should rest in the dorm. We'll be back soon."

"Oh..."

Normally, Yunduo would be happy for Kiana to go to the front lines to fight, and she trusted her strength.

But the appearance of the Molten Emperor this time was the first ripple Yunduo caused in changing the future, and no one knew what would happen.

Yunduo returned to her room, her mood complex, and lay down on the black cat bed.

Soft light shone on the corner of the quilt, and the afternoon sun was as warm as a spring.

Yunduo could still recall the painful memories of Bronya and Fu Hua shattering like a mirror when the Challenge Space ended yesterday.

Forget it.

Yunduo forgot that it was just a virtual simulation.

She had vowed not to be a Valkyrie... she had already made the oath.

"So annoying." Yunduo scratched her hair in frustration.

Suddenly, an idea came to her.

The oath she made was that her true self would not be a Valkyrie.

So, transforming into the Herrscher of Flamescion...

Wouldn't that mean she wasn't a Valkyrie herself?

"Good!"

Yunduo's eyes hardened, and she immediately jumped out of bed.

Before that, it would be best to collect more of Kiana's exclusive Honkai Energy.

It's decided!

Yunduo heard the sound of the outer door closing, quietly put on her shoes, and walked towards Kiana's bedroom.

Their bedrooms were separated by Bronya's bedroom, very close to each other.

Compared to Yunduo's room, Kiana's room had a more athletic vibe.

There were sandbags, boxing gloves, and spare firearms on the floor.

"Hmm? A water cup?"

Yunduo's gaze searched for anything that might contain Kiana's exclusive Honkai Energy when she suddenly noticed the water cup on her desk, half-filled with unfinished water.

Since it was a water cup, there must be saliva... bodily fluids.

Collect a bit more.

Lest she run out of energy on the battlefield later and transform from a Herrscher back into a weakling midway.

"It feels a bit perverted, secretly drinking someone else's water."

Yunduo felt her cheeks flush slightly as she gently picked up Kiana's water cup.

The thought of drinking her water soon gave her a unique thrill.

"What's there to be afraid of? You were Kiana once, after all. Drinking your own water isn't shameful!"

Yunduo mustered her courage, opened the lid of the water cup, and prepared to drink it all.

But just as she finished drinking, the door was suddenly pushed open.

—Creak!

Bronya, sitting on Project Bunny, floated in silently.

Project Bunny's glowing red eyes flashed towards Yunduo's hand on the water cup.

"Hmm? Sister Yunduo, what are you doing?"

Bronya was a little confused to see Yunduo and subconsciously asked.

Then, she saw a corner of the water cup hidden behind her back.