Valkyries are Obsessed with My Transformations! (Honkai Impact 3rd) Chapter 20 20: Kiana, Secretly Shedding Tears

"Is this thing really that impressive?" Kiana asked, her eyes fixed on the helt with a flicker of genuine curiosity.

"Given the capacity of Idiot Kiana's brain, it is impossible for her to comprehend Bronya's intellect."

"Bronya, you—! i, look! she's talking smack about again!"

"There, there. We'll leave everything in Bronya's hands tonight then," i said, her voice like a calming balm as she skillfully smoothed things over between the two.

"Understood. Bronya will not let i-nee-sama disappoint."

Bronya gave a small, sharp nod, but her gaze quickly shifted toward Ei, her expression turning uncharacteristically solemn.

"Sister Ei."

"Hmm? What is it, Bronya?" Ei replied, a hint of curiosity coloring her tone. She hadn't expected to be pulled into the conversation.

"If I delve deeper into the research of this helt, perhaps we can use it to interface with your consciousness... and in doing so, catch a glimpse of the world you ca from."

"Truly?"

The words struck a chord, and Ei couldn't suppress the jolt of shock that rippled through her heart.

What kind of black technology is this?

But the thought was fleeting; she quickly recalled the events of the Gratitude Arc. In that tiline, Bronya had used this very technology to dive into Theresa's Yae Sakura Stigma, helping Sakura overco Higokumaru.

But now...

Would Higokumaru lose control again?

The thought pricked at Ei's intuition.

"Yes," Bronya nodded slightly, her voice steady and sincere. "Furthermore, it might be possible to use the principles of quantum entanglent to pinpoint the coordinates of your ho world."

"Then... I'll be counting on you, Bronya."

Ei's gaze sharpened, her expression becoming one of profound gravity.

Bronya offered another curt nod in response. Nearby, Yae Sakura, who had been listening intently for so ti, couldn't hold back any longer. She stepped forward, her voice trembling with a mix of hope and urgency.

"Wait... you just said it's possible to enter a world that shouldn't exist? To witness history as it once happened?"

"That is correct."

As soon as Bronya confird it, Sakura took a hurried step forward. "Then... could you let use the helt as well?"

"Sakura, do you intend to search for traces of Kallen within that virtual world?" Ei asked softly, her eyes searching Sakura's face.

She had just been wondering if Higokumaru would spiral out of control, and already, she could see the seeds being sown.

If Sakura beca obsessed with a digital phantom of Kallen, or tried to drag an AI version of her into reality, her ntal defenses would crumble—and that was exactly the kind of opening Higokumaru would exploit.

"Yes..." Sakura murmured, her shoulders slumping slightly as the light in her eyes dimd. "I just want to see Kallen one more ti. Even if it's only a shadow of the past."

"Bronya understands." Bronya maintained her usual stoic mask, but her tone softened ever so slightly.

"Once the equipnt is calibrated tomorrow, Bronya will take you all into the virtual world. It will serve as a history lesson for Kiana... and a chance for you to see the Kallen of that world."

"Thank you..."

A look of pure joy washed over Sakura's face.

Tomorrow... Ei fell into silent contemplation. Tomorrow, her current transformation would reach its end, and she would shift into a new persona.

She wondered what would happen after she vanished. Who would she beco next? And more importantly, how would the others react when they saw her disappear, only to be replaced by a complete stranger?

They were bound to realize that sothing was very wrong.

After everyone left Bronya's room, the dorm settled into its usual rhythm—so played gas in the living room, while others headed off to wash up for bed.

Kiana, however, seed off.

As Ei passed by the bathroom, she caught the faint sound of mumbling coming from behind the door.

"The retake... can I really pass? Ugh... Hiko said if I fail again, it'll tank my Valkyrie evaluation. Anything but that! Please!"

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Ei's lips.

This girl... acting all tough during the day like the exam was beneath her, only to hide away and shed 'little pearls' in private?

What a total dummy.

Ei reached out and gave the door a soft rap.

Knock, knock!

The frantic whispering inside cut off instantly. A mont later, Kiana's panicked voice rang out. "Who—who is it?!"

"It's ," Ei said calmly.

"Ei?" There was a few seconds of silence before the door creaked open just a crack. Half of Kiana's face peeked out, her deep blue eyes wide with a mix of fluster and embarrassnt.

"O-oh! I'm almost done! You... you didn't hear anything just now, did you? Hehe..."

Ei looked at the girl—her damp hair draped ssily over her shoulders—and her gaze softened.

"I heard everything."

"Uwaah..." Kiana slumped, her face falling as her spirit seed to deflate. "Then... Ei, can you please not tell the others? I just..."

Seeing the girl so dejected, Ei reached out and gently pushed the door open. Kiana instinctively took a step back, clearing the way.

Ei stepped into the bathroom and pulled the door shut behind her. The space was small and thick with steam; the floor was slick with water, and a fine mist clung to the mirror and the tiled walls.

Kiana stood there, completely bare, her porcelain skin glistening under the warm light.

"You... you...!"

Before Kiana's face could turn any redder or she could let out a frantic shout, Ei looked her in the eye with a gaze so gentle and serious it stopped her cold.

"Kiana, are you afraid of the exam?"

"I..."

The directness of the question derailed Kiana's panic, leaving her blinking in confusion.

"I'm not..."

"Then why hide in here talking to yourself?"

"I..." Kiana's mouth hung open for a second before the flush on her cheeks faded into a look of genuine worry. She seed to forget her own nudity, consud entirely by her anxiety for the future.

"Are you worried that you won't be able to stay by i's side? That if you can't beco a Valkyrie, you'll let everyone down?"

"..."

Kiana went quiet for a long mont. Finally, she gave a slow, dejected nod. "i has spent so much ti tutoring ... Bronya is always helping... even Hiko, she yells a lot, but she really looks out for ..."

"So... I'm just scared... what if I still don't make it?"

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