I'll be quite honest with you, I was disappointed by the lack of reviews or comments for the previous chapter. That, along with the fact that I was in the middle of writing my Cambridge A'level, were the reasons I took a bit of time to post the next chapter.
Hopefully I did enough justice in this one, so be sure to drop a comment or two
Disclaimer: I do not own HI3 or any of its characters, but the OC are mine.
Chapter 6: Reminisce
St.Freya High/ April 15th 2015
It's been four months since she started attending school, and five months since the day she came to St.Freya. Everyday presented something to look forward to, and was slightly different. One thing that Kiana appreciated about being here at St.Freya was the fact that she finally felt like she belonged. Before when she travelled between Ulan-Ude and Chita, it always felt like she was trying to balance two aspects of her lives.
The life she lived in Ulan-Ude was all about training. Bettering herself as a warrior or valkyrie. And while that had the benefit of allowing her to grow stronger, as well as develop some skills that were uncommon even among Schicksal valkyrie, it was also a lonely kind of lifestyle to live. That meant the Kaslana would spend nine months each year, alone in a wasteland of a city, her only company being the walking corpses and beasts that plagued the city. Not a healthy lifestyle for any child or teenager, but Kiana had made it work.
Then came the times that she visited in Chita. She loved Mrs.Ryuuki, Kasumi and everyone at the orphanage with all her heart, they were family to the Kaslana, and she would remember them for the rest of her life. But being here at St.Freya made her realize that she could never truly relate to them in the same way that she related to the people she interacted with here. They were civilians, and more often than not that had made it difficult for them to understand why she made the choices she did. While they could understand Kiana as a person, they never truly understood the warrior spirit that dwelled within her, why she had to fight the honkai and the like. However the Kaslana was glad that such a thing had never stopped them from loving each other than family and thus never dwelled too much on the matter.
It was only when she started attending school at St.Freya that she felt like she had a lot of common ground with the people she interacted with on a daily basis. She was among others like her and that in itself brought a sense of familiarity to the Kaslana that had allowed her to settle quickly in the time that she had been here. She found it much easier to balance both her social life and valkyrie carrier since both were mixed together to an extent.
At the current moment Kiana was with Mei and Bronya, who were now her permanent teammates, within one of the schools simulation chamber facilities. It was Saturday, and noon was just approaching. The Kaslana had suggested joint training so the three of them could work more on their team work and get used to each other's individual fighting styles.
Observing them from above in the monitor room were Himeko and Fu Hua. The redhead having been asked to man the simulations, and the class monitor having simply been invited by Kiana.
"They seem to be doing pretty well. Their co-ordination seems to have improved greatly compared to the start of the year." Fu Hua pointed out as they watched the three valkyrie in training dispose of their opponents.
"Though Kiana does seem to be restraining herself for the sake of team work. Whether that's a good thing, I'm not sure." Himeko stated, she'd seen the girl perform better over the course of the past few months. Much to the chagrin of those like Layla Schariac, Kiana had immediately displayed great physical capabilities on the battlefield and as a result her practical scores were on par with that of Fu Hua's. The two would often find themselves competing for first place in such classes, so far Fu Hua had the lead of 7-4 based on the practical tests done every two weeks.
"I think its fine for now. When they've all fully adapted to each other's combat styles, it will become that much easier for them to adapt to each other's physical capabilities. Besides, I think that is the reason Kiana has been pushing for so many joint training sessions during the weekends, to allow Mei and Bronya to also improve so they don't get left behind." Fu Hua stated with a small smile. She was aware of how hard the Kaslana trained, more so than everyone else in their class. It's one of the reasons why Fu Hua respected Kiana so much.
"Yeah, I guess that's one way of looking at it. It does do Mei and Bronya some good to have someone like Kiana to push their training that extra mile. God knows the girl trains hard enough on her own, you should see the gym equipment she has at her place. It's like she owns her own private gym or something." Himeko replied with a light laugh. She remembered the first time she saw the equipment at the Kaslana's residence and questioned the girl about it. The Kaslana simply responded that she loved to train in her spare time.
"I consider it a good investment on her part. Her sleep schedule is rather unusual so I suppose she bought the equipment to make use of the extra time she had on her hands." Fu Hua responded, throwing in her own two scents.
"It's not unusual, it's unhealthy. What kind of person sleeps at twelve midnight only to wake up at four in the morning?!! On a daily basis for that matter!! No normal person can operate with only four hours of rest, it's just impractical." Himeko groaned as just the thought of not getting enough sleep was enough to make her body feel tired. This earned a wary smile Fu Hua who shook her head sideways at the majors' antics.
"I suppose the need for awareness in a honkai infested city does change ones sleeping cycle. I asked her about it once and she said that her sensory abilities always woke her up whenever a zombie or honkai beast wound up within a one block radius of her position. It would explain how she was able to survive under such conditions." Fu Hua reasoned
"Yes but why not take advantage of the fact that you're in a safe location and get some actual rest." Himeko stressed, she understood Kiana's drive to get stronger, and she really did, but was it really worth entertaining such unhealthy habits.
"I asked her the same thing and she just said, 'Why would I do that when I can use that extra time to train and study?'. She wants to improve, and that's not a bad thing. Besides she's already adjusted to that sleeping cycle four years prior her attendance of St.Freya, it would be near impossible to break her out of it now." Fu Hua explained, not that the Kaslana wanted to change. The class monitor was aware that Kiana wanted to make the most of the time she was awake to train, and felt trading that time for sleep would just be a waste of time and indulging too much in her luxuries.
"Well, she hasn't given me a reason to complain as of yet, so I suppose there's nothing wrong. But still, she should find more time to enjoy herself while she's still young. She's spent most of her life isolated in a city doing nothing but training." Himeko said reluctantly.
"There's no such thing as strong enough major." Fu Hua spoke wisely, with wisdom that went beyond someone her age, "Besides, you must also take into consideration that Kiana is of Kaslana blood, they thrive of the rush of battle. Training is probably the same for her." The class monitor added her thoughts. She knew that Kiana would continue to push to her limits, and continue to use past them in an effort to grow stronger.
"I don't even know why we are debating this as if the girl will stop even if we ask her to." Himeko said with a groan as she turned back to watch the three students wrap up the last beast of the simulation. The major leaned over towards the microphone in front of her, "All right girls that should do it for the morning. Freshen up and get up here." Himeko ordered, her voice transmitted over the speakers as the three valkyrie in the chamber below nodded their heads in agreement.
"Have you noticed that Kiana doesn't look as worn down as Mei and Bronya?" The class monitor voiced out her observation.
"We're talking about the same girl who lived in a city populated with beasts and zombies. I'd be surprised if she didn't have good stamina levels. Besides, it's already been established that Kiana's overall strength, speed, reflex and stamina might even be better than my own. The only area she's truly lacking in is skill and technique, her movements are too readable, and against trained individuals that will cost her greatly no matter how strong or fast she is." Himeko stated, it was a bitter pill to swallow but one that remained true regardless.
"While that's true, I noticed that some of those qualities have dropped since the beginning of the school. She hasn't shown that same level of speed and strength as she did before school started." Fu Hua stated, she'd noticed that sine the first spar she had with the Kaslana during classes, and since then it had become apparent that Kiana was holding herself back.
"They didn't drop. She's been restricting herself using wrist and ankle weights. I asked why some time ago and she said it had to do with relying more on skill than just strength and speed. I think she wants to see where she stands in terms of skill compared to the rest of her class when she doesn't have the advantage of higher physical capabilities."Himeko explained, it was a little silly to the redhead but she supposed she could see where the Kaslana was coming from.
"Weights? Well I suppose that explains it. Her approach also makes sense, if not very effective." Fu Hua said as she brought she left hand up to her chin in contemplation, she noticed the major giving her a look and decide to elaborate, "By wearing weights, she's not only limiting herself in order to gauge and improve her level of technique but she's also improving her strength and speed. Think of it like lifting weights for long periods of time, and considering that she uses them during classes I think it's safe to assume that the only time she takes them off is when she showers and sleeps." Hua explained as the major nodded her head in agreement with her assessment.
"I don't know how long she keeps them on but you're right about everything else. And I get the feeling she chose to use weights knowing this as well. I have to give credit where it is due, the girl is nothing if not dedicated." Himeko said with a sigh. It was at that moment that the doors to the control room slid open and in came the trio of valkyrie dressed in casual attire and looking refreshed.
"Hey Major, class monitor, how did we do out there?!" Kiana asked excitedly as the three of them approached Himeko and Fu Hua. Himeko pulled up the statistics from their simulation before turning to the girls.
"I'd say overall you did well. You cleared levels one through five in record time compared to two weeks ago. Though Kiana you might want to slow down a bit, this is supposed to be a team exercise." Himeko stated with a slight smirk, it wasn't a crime to be stronger than your teammates, this certainly want the first time it had happened. However the whole point of the exercise was for all of them to improve and Mei and Bronya couldn't do so if they were barely keeping up with Kiana.
"Sorry, I guess I got a bit carried away. I'll bring heavier weights next time promise." Kiana said with a sheepish smile as she rubbed the back of her head.
"I don't think that's a healthy habit Kiana. While weights may be good for training, I been told that they can also stunt ones growth rate." Mei warned the Kaslana, concern written all over her face.
"I know, I know but as long as I taller than Bronya I think I'll be fine." Kiana said with a teasing smirk as the ex Russian soldier narrowed her eyes at the snow haired girl, obviously not appreciating the jab.
"Mei-sama should let subject Kiana be, it is obvious she does hold her health in the heist regard." Bronya shot back, her tone and expression as unreadable as always, by her eyes were slightly sharper than usual. The Kaslana loved getting reactions out of Bronya, mainly because the girl barely expressed herself and thus Kiana wanted to see just how much she could push the girl for some kind of facial expression.
"Now, now let's not fight again. But Kiana you really should be more careful." Mei intervened before another argument could break out between the two of them. The swordswoman was aware of how much the two of them seemed to like being at each other's throats and often had to play the role of peacemaker, fortunately they didn't clash often enough that it would become annoying.
"Don't worry Mei, I know the limits of this body better than anyone." Kiana said with pride as she flexed her right arm and brought her left hand atop its bicep.
"Now where have I heard that statement before." Fu Hua suddenly stated, reminding the girls that the major and class monitor were still with them. Turning to the two the girls noticed that Fu Hua was looking at Himeko with what seemed to be an amused yet accusing stare as the major nervously chuckled, "It seems as though you've been rubbing off on Kiana major." The class monitor stated as she pushed her glasses back to the bridge of her nose.
"I swear she must've heard that somewhere else. Though is it really a bad thing to take after little old me?" Himeko asked. She honestly saw nothing wrong with pushing yourself to the limit, after all that was the only way that one could exceed those limits and have new ones to pass.
"Yes." Mei, Fu Hua and Kiana said in unison while Bronya simply opted to nod her head.
"No offense Aunt Himeko but you don't exactly have the best habits. For lack of better word you drink a lot, like seriously I can count several spots where I accidentally came across your hidden stashes of sake and booze. The classroom, your office, the sim chambers, the changing rooms and so forth." Kiana listed whilst counting fingers, oblivious to the questioning stares the now red faced major was receiving from the other girls. The Kaslana then pointed at Mei with her thumb, "That's not to mention the weird habit you have of sneaking into Mei's bed at night for god knows whatever reason, especially when you're drunk. And lastly your secretary even told me that you have a habit of searching for dates on websites, specifically the rich kinda guys." Kiana said as Mei's face joined the majors in turning beet red at the Kaslana bringing up the majors bed habits. It was something that the navy haired girl had been trying to get the major to stop for a few weeks now…..without any luck unfortunately. T was nearly impossible to stop a drunken Himeko from doing anything absurd.
"Now hold on just a second, are you calling me a gold digger." Himeko asked the Kaslana with a glare that dared her to say 'yes'. The Kaslana simply shrugged her shoulders not threatened by the majors' deadly glare.
"I'm just telling you what I was told. But gong of that, t would be a terrible example to follow. But that's not to say you don't have any good traits Aunt Himeko, but you bad just tend to stand out like a flash light in the dark." Kiana said with mock empathy as she patted the majors' shoulder twice, the action earning a giggle from Mei, and from the corner of her eyes the Kaslana could have sworn she saw Fu Hua's lip twitch upwards.
"While this has been entertaining…. and certainly revealing. I do believe it is time I make my leave. The day is still young and there are other duties I must attend." Fu Hua announced, being class monitor left her with more responsibilities than most students, an example of that was the student body meeting that she had to attend in two hours.
"Actually Fu Hua do you mind if I tag along, there's something I want to talk to you about. It's kind of urgent." Kiana said catching the attention of everyone else in the room. Fu Hua simply raised an eyebrow at the Kaslana but otherwise nodded her head.
"Oh, is this one of those moments where someone confesses their feelings." Himeko suddenly teased, seeing the opportunity to get back at the Kaslana for the previous humiliation. "I didn't know that kids were this bold today." The major went on as she covered her mouth with her left hand whilst giggling. The effect was instant, Kiana's face instantly matched Himeko's hair while Fu Hua's cheeks became slightly pink, the Kaslana turning into a sputtering mess.
"Wha-Au-Tha!! That's not what's going on here!! If you must know it has to do with my academics!! I just need Fu Hua's help cause she's the best person to ask!!" Kiana shouted dramatically, for a second there the Kaslana really wished she could just crawl into a hole and just die. This was embarrassing to say the least, hearing Bronya snicker from behind her didn't make the snow haired girl feel better, though the brat was quickly silenced by Mei.
"Right, and you couldn't ask Mei and Bronya. Those two are at the top of the class right next to Fu Hua, I'm sure they could have helped with whatever it s you wanted help with." Himeko started sarcastically as she enjoyed the reactions she was getting from the Kaslana. It was the small pleasures in life. But she decided to back-off after she noted the glare she was receiving from the red faced Kaslana, deciding she had put the girl through enough for one day. "Alright fine I'll stop talking now get out of here you two" Himeko said as Fu Hua shook her head sideways. The class monitor wanted to throw a retort or two at the major but decided against it and hastily walked out of the room with a red faced Kaslana following close behind her.
"You didn't have to do that major." Mei said with a slight disapproving tone, sometimes Himeko found it funny how the girl forgot who the older one was between the two.
"Please, Kiana had it coming. Besides you can't tell me that you don't see it too." Himeko said as she turned towards the two remaining students. Bronya and Mei simply looked at the major with confused expressions for a minute, not entirely sure what the major was going on about.
"The Bronya does not follow." Bronya stated as her head tilted to the side as if to emphasize her confusion. Mei simply nodded her head in agreement as they waited for Himeko to elaborate. The major simply groaned her head as she slight her right hand down her face.
"I'm talking about the way that Kiana and Fu Hua have been spending a lot of time together. Now on Kiana's part don't find it strange, but for Fu Hua? I've never seen our beloved class monitor spend that much time with an individual student." Himeko said, she'd never seen the class monitor open herself up as fast as she had to Kiana. She could be reading things wrong but she had a feeling there was something going on there, more on Fu Hua's side than Kiana's. Maybe she could get something from the class monitor if the two if the two of them spoke one on one.
"I think you're over thinking it major. Not many people in our class have the courage to actually come forward and ask the class monitor for help. Kiana probably does it often enough that it seems like there's more to it." Mei gave her own view of things, one that Himeko couldn't ignore. It was true, most students saw Fu Hua as someone with a very strict presence and some even assumed she was a teacher. Because of this she wasn't the most approachable person even if she was looked up to by a lot of students.
"The Bronya believes subject Kiana is closer to the class monitor than she is with the rest of us. However chances of a romantic development between the two are 2%" Bronya gave her own input. That was also true, it seemed that over the past few months Kiana and Fu Hua had really hit it off as friends, it had been weird for Mei and Bronya to see the class monitor act slightly more casual with the Kaslana than she did with the rest of the class.
"Maybe you're right, the two of them did seem to get off on the right foot. It's just weird, Fu Hua is usually more reserved than that." The major concluded with a sigh, there was no point in cracking her skull trying to figure things out. It was best to let thing be, but she was actually happy for Fu Hua having a friend you can trust was one of the best things life could offer you as a human.
The class monitor and Kaslana walked outside the training facilities and began making their way towards the girls' dorms. As the class monitor of their class Fu Hua, as well as the other class monitors of senior classes, was required to have her room at the dormitories in order to maintain order there and thus didn't have her own place like Kiana. The class monitor was fine with this however, as it seemed that her room was slightly larger and more comfortable than that of other students, not that she ever bragged or told them that.
"So Kiana, what is it that you felt you needed my help on?" Fu Hua asked deciding to break the ice so to speak. The major had left them in a rather awkward position, and for a few minutes the two could not look at each other, let alone talk to one another.
"Well….you see, I noticed that I've been barley passing my classes. Getting slightly above the passing grade is just not cutting it for me if you know what I mean. So I thought I could do with some extra help." Kiana said as she nervously rubbed the back of her head, she wanted to improve in all aspects, physically and mentally.
"I can see why you would say that. There is always room for improvement, but I don't see why this was something only I could help with." Fu Hua stated, she could easily see Mei and Bronya being of help in this kind of situation.
"They could, but the kind of help that I want is more long term and a bit time consuming. Truthfully I don't even know if you would be up for it." Kiana said as she nervously began to point her index fingers towards each other and poke them.
"Well I can't really say anything until I have heard what this 'help' you need is." Fu Hua said. Kiana wasn't usually one to beat around the bush like this, she was usually upfront when she needed something.
"Well I was wondering if you could……" Whatever else the Kaslana said went unheard by the class monitor as she all but mumbled the last part of that sentence.
"I'm sorry I don't think I caught that last part, could you repeat it?" Fu Hua asked the now red faced Kiana. Fu Hua didn't understand what was causing the Kaslana to act in such a manner but decided to push it aside in order to help her friend however she could.
"I said I was wondering if….you know…..you would tutor me…..after school hours that is." Kiana said as she suddenly faces away from the class monitor. God, what was going on with her?!! She couldn't even look the class rep in the eye right now!! This was so embarrassing on a whole different level for the Kaslana, but if only she actually knew why?!
"Oh, is that what it is?" Fu Hua replied as she straightened herself once more. Unfortunately Kiana took this the wrong way and panicked and immediately sought to fix what she thought she had done wrong.
"You don't have to do it if you don't want to!! I mean I understand you probably have a lot of responsibilities as the class monitor, and you probably have your own schedule that you follow much like I do." Kiana said as she laughed nervously, but internally the Kaslana was screaming a thousand curses at herself for actually going through with this. "You know what, forget I asked anything, this whole idea was pretty stupid at th-"
"You're right." Fu Hua suddenly said cutting the Kaslana mid sentence. Kiana turned to the class monitor but she just kept on looking straight ahead as they walked and didn't turn to look at the Kaslana. There were a lot of ways those two words could be interpreted due to everything the Kaslana had said, and thus Kiana waited for the class monitor to continue, "I do have a lot of responsibilities as the class monitor, and a strict schedule that I follow." Fu Hua continued as Kiana suddenly hung her head in slight disappointment. Said disappointment was a lot more than the Kaslana thought it would be if her request was suggested.
"Yeah, I thought as much." Kiana said as she shook her head sideways and forced a smile on her face, no point in getting all worked up over something like this. She should have seen it coming, Fu Hua was the type of person that lived a disciplined lifestyle and stuck heavily to her routine.
"That being said, as class monitor I also have a responsibility to help my classmates whenever I can." Fu Hua said with a smirk to her face as Kiana's eyes widened, "Things might change during the course of the semester but for now I think I can manage four times a week. Is that okay with you?" Fu Hua asked as Kiana nodded her head up and down so fast that it was a bit of a blur to the class monitor.
"That's perfect!!" Kiana shouted with a smile as she threw a fist in the air. With Fu Hua personally tutoring her there was no way she wouldn't be able to catch up to the rest of her class. It also didn't hurt that she would be getting to know Fu Hua a bit more. "Speaking of which, you can leave the dinner to me whenever you come over for those tutoring sessions. I might not be as good a cook as Mei but living alone and cooking for an entire orphanage has actually made me quite the decent cook." Kiana exclaimed proudly with a fist to her chest. Though to be honest, she had been considering asking Mei to help her improve her cooking skills. That could be done on the days she wasn't tutoring with Fu Hua or something, she would have to talk with Mei about that.
"You don't have to do that Kiana, I can ju-"
"If I'm going to cook dinner for myself then I might as well do it for the both of us. I mean it's the least I can do." Kiana insisted with a mock glare towards the class monitor. Fu Hua knew there would be no dissuading Kiana and instead resigned to a sigh.
"I suppose since you won't take no for an answer.."
"Nope!!"
"I'll just have to go along with it then. What time do you usually eat?" Fu Hua asked the Kaslana.
"I usually have dinner ready by 6pm, we can also start our sessions around that period. That way you have two hours to do what you need to do before you come over" Kiana said with a smile. Having her supper early left her with plenty of time to study and train well into the night. If she ever got hungry in between she could just grab a snack.
"It works well with me. If we finish by 9pm, this will give us a good two and a half to three hours of work. We can make some good ground with that kind of time. Do you have any problems with that on your end?" Fu Hua asked, she also didn't want to end up intruding on whatever plans the Kaslana had on her daily schedule.
"Nope, none whatsoever!! I usually stop studying around that time and start to do some physical training anyway, so this works out perfectly." Kiana replied, it was a strict routine that she had set up for herself studying from 6pm to 9pm, then following up with some intense physical workout from 9pm to 12am. It had worked well for her so far.
"Then that's good. As for the days, I was thinking Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Though we may have to be flexible with Saturday just in case one of us has plans for the weekend." Fu Hua suggested to the Kaslana, who nodded her head in agreement. She saw no problem with that plan. "Great, the last thing is that we may sometimes need to do these lessons within my dorm room instead of your place, is that okay with you?" Fu Hua asked as Kiana turned to her with a raised eyebrow.
"I mean sure, I don't mind. But why though?" The Kaslana asked, she had assumed that Fu Hua wouldn't mind having these tutoring sessions at her residence considering that the dorms were usually packed with other students.
"Well as class monitor of our class it's my responsibility to ensure that everything is going smoothly. That includes the dorm life of other students. Sure there are other members of the student council within the dorms, but I'd rather not put all the responsibility on them." Fu Hua explained, she knew that it could end up being an inconvenience to their sessions but she'd rather not slack off in her own duties and leave more work for others.
"I guess that's fair. Alright, I wouldn't mind doing it in your room from time to time." Kiana said as she nodded her head in understanding with her eyes closed, and in so doing missed the way that Fu Hua's eyes widened and her cheeks reddened at the second meaning behind the Kaslana's words. She was tempted to call the Kaslana out on it, but decided against and simply shook her head sideways.
"Alright then, now that that is settled, I have a meeting to attend to soon so I'll be taking my leave." The class monitor spoke up, catching Kiana's attention from her thoughts.
"Okay, sure. I won't hold you up anymore. And thanks Fu Hua, I really appreciate this." Kiana said sincerely with a brilliant shining smile to her face. Fu Hua felt a small sense of pressure within her chest at the sight, but pushed the feeling aside for the moment and responded to Kiana's thanks.
"If you want to thank me than just make sure you put the effort in your studies." Fu Hua said with a soft smile and a nod, before turning around and beginning to walk away from the Kaslana.
When she was a few steps from the Kaslana she allowed her upwardly curved lips to fall into a straight line that threatened to fall further. While the class monitor genuinely wanted to help Kiana in her studies as a friend and classmate, she could not forget the other reason why she had accepted tutoring Kiana. Before a student of St.Freya, she was a valkyrie of Schicksal, and a spy for the Overseer.
While previously her mission involved keeping close tabs on Raiden Mei, Otto had changed that objective to monitoring Kiana, otherwise known as K423. The current vessel of the herrscher of the void. Fu Hua had been ordered to keep a close eye on the Kaslana and her daily interaction along with how she lived her daily life. These tutoring sessions would allow her to do just that.
For the sake of the promise she made, and the pact she had with Otto, she would see this through…..
…..even if it left a bitter taste in her mouth
Within the principal's office of St.Freya, Theresa was seated behind her desk reading the latest comic of HOMU Kingdom. She had already gone through most of her paperwork for the day and had decided to take a break. Said break was interrupted when there was a knock at her door. As Theresa swiftly stashed the comic into the nearby drawers, she wondered who would actually be coming to the principal's office on a Saturday. Now way it was Himeko, the redhead would sooner go home and down herself in some drinks before coming to Theresa's office, not unless the matter was urgent.
"Come in!!" Theresa shouted, and the door slowly opened and Kiana's head peered in from the other side. This prompted Theresa to relax into her seat, if it was just her niece then it most likely wasn't a crisis level issue. "Oh Kiana it's just you, I was wondering who would come all the way here during the weekend." Theresa explained with a laugh.
"Hehe, sorry if I disturbed you during your work. I could always come back later if you busy." Kiana said with a nervous laugh as her head as still the only thing visible to Theresa. The girl had yet to fully enter the room.
"No you're fine, I was in the middle of taking a break anyways. All this paperwork is really tiring me out. I could use the company." Theresa said with a smile as she gestured for the Kaslana to enter. Kiana returned the smile with her own and entered the room, making sure to close the door behind her. She then walked toward the large desk and sat on the seat that was on the opposite side to Theresa's. "Have you finished with your training session with the other girls?" Theresa asked, Himeko had informed her earlier that Kiana had suggested they use the one of the sim chambers for training.
"Yeah, about thirty minutes ago. The major, Bronya and Mei probably went back to their place, I'm not quite sure, I left with Fu Hua first. As for Fu Hua herself she went for a meeting with the student council. I just decided to pass through here on the way back home." Kiana explained, she went on to explain how the training session went. How she, Mei and Bronya were improving in their teamwork and covering for each other's flaws more efficiently. She even went on to tell the principal about asking Fu Hua to tutor her, something which actually surprised Theresa.
"And she was okay with that?!" Theresa asked, clearly surprised. She knew from experience that Fu Hua was not the most approachable person.
Sure the class monitor was smart, diligent and a hard worker through and through as proven by being the only A-rank valkyrie of her year. However one thing that Fu Hua lacked was a social life, she was too focused on her profession and studies that she barely had much time t have some fun and indulge her. Mei and Bronya had slowly been breaking the class monitor out of that shell, when Kiana came she took their progress to new heights. This was probably because Fu Hua held a good amount of respect for the Kaslana. She was the only one who was perhaps stronger than the class monitor….
"To be honest I was actually surprised myself, I half expected her to refuse and say she was too busy or had other plans of her own, but she seemed fine with it." Kiana said, Theresa could tell Kiana was relieved that Fu Hua had agreed. The principal could understand the Kaslana's plight. The girl was barely getting any passing grade in many of her theoretical classes.
"So I can look forward to seeing some better grades in your classes from now on then, right?" Theresa questioned with a smirk and an eyebrow rose. She knew it wasn't Kiana's fault. She was simply behind and never attended any formal schooling, but the principal was sure that someone as dedicated as Fu Hua would be able to help her with those problems.
"Sure thing, Fu Hua scores the highest in our class. If there is anyone that can help its no doubt her." Kiana said with a level of confidence that surprised even Theresa. She wasn't aware that the two of them had gotten that close, or perhaps it was just Kiana that was holding Fu Hua in high regard.
"You know, dedicating more time to your studies would also help, and probably a decent amount of rest would help as well. Your current schedule mainly focuses on your training." Theresa suggested, she really felt that Kiana was overworking herself. She was no longer in Ulan-Ude where she had to limit the amount of rest she had purely for the sake of her own survival or just for training.
"Aunt Himeko already tried to talk me out off it Aunt Teri, and I'm not changing my mind. Not after….not after Chita." Kiana said as a frown appeared on her face, even after five months the internal wounds of that night had not yet fully healed. "You know, dad used to tell me stories about how mom was an amazing valkyrie, one of the strongest that Schicksal had to offer. He told me about how our family lineage was dedicated to protecting this world and those that we held dear. I stayed in Ulan-Ude so that I could become strong just like mom, and strong enough to protect those I held dear like dad." Kiana said lowly as she looked at her hands , which were in her lap, and slowly clenched them into fists.
"Kiana, you can't let this keep weighing on you." Theresa spoke up, her expression soft and understanding. She understood where Kiana was coming from, really she did, the principal remembered feeling that exact same way after Cecilia died in the second eruption.
"I'm not." Kiana said as she shook her head sideways with a small smile, "I'm simply using it as motivation to grow stronger. Chita marked the second time that I lost or parted with someone I cared about, I won't let there be a third….I just can't." the Kaslana muttered the last part, the words almost escaping Theresa but she managed to hear them.
'Could she be talking about Siegfried's abandonment?' Theresa questioned, the topic of her father was a very touchy one for the Kaslana, and so Theresa never brought it up much, and from what she had seen over her time with Kiana the Kaslana knew next to nothing about her own mother, other than a few accomplishment during her missions and that she was one of Schicksals greatest valkyrie. Why had Siegfried neglected to tell his own daughter about her mother?
"And you won't, you'll find that everyone here is more than capable of taking care of themselves." Theresa reassured the Kaslana. Kiana wanted to argue that point, but decided against it and simply sighed and nodded her head in agreement.
As much as St.Freya was a valkyrie training institution Kiana personally felt that a lot of the students here looked at it as an average high school. Not many of them truly grasped the danger that honkai posed to humanity, and not many of them were actually willing to train beyond outside classes. Unfortunately even Mei and Bronya fell into this category, but at least they put the effort to train outside of their studies, it was the reason she pushed for team training so much over the past few weeks.
"Yeah, but I'd feel a lot better if I could do more myself." Kiana answered as she crossed her arms stubbornly. She wasn't going to change her training schedule that much was clear to Theresa. The principal let out a sigh of resignation, there was no point in this argument going on, Kiana was dead set on getting stronger and she wasn't going to let anyone stop her from doing so.
"Alright, just take care of yourself Kiana. Your habits may seem normal to you because you are used to them, but pushing yourself to such an extent normally wouldn't be very healthy at all." Theresa said sternly to the Kaslana, in the end the principal was just worried about the girls well being. Her short sleeping hours and excessive training had yet to affect her performance in class and on the field negatively, so she supposed there was no legitimate reason to stop the girl.
"Of course, I'm always careful. Besides, any injury or illness to my person means I have to take time away from training, and that's the last thing that I want." Kiana said enthusiastically as she gave the principal thumbs up.
"Alright, enough of that. What about your classes, how have you been finding them as of late?" Theresa asked deciding that a change in subject was probably needed now, and judging by the smile that appeared on Kiana's face the Kaslana appreciated it.
"They've been going great actually. My grades may not be up to snuff, but like I said earlier Fu Hua will be helping me with my academic soon. And in the practical classes, I feel like I've improved as well. Though I've had to resort to using weights so that I can actually gauge my improvements when it comes to my techniques." Kiana admitted as she rubbed the back of her head. She had yet to tell anyone about the training she had been partaking with Aunt Kallen within the stigma realm, as a result she also never displayed the extent to which she had learned the Kaslana kata, and instead stuck with the basics that her father had taught her and additional gun-kata and sword techniques that could be found within St.Freya's library.
Aunt Kallen had actually encouraged Kiana to do this, saying that maybe she would be able to integrate some of those exterior techniques into the Kaslana kata in order to improve its overall efficiency. When Kiana asked her ancestor why she didn't want others to know that she was still alive, the older Kaslana simply said that she would tell Kiana another time. Kiana simply followed through with the request and kept her skills hidden.
"Yeah, Himeko also told me about that one. Well, at the very least you're improving, and that's all that matters in the end." Theresa said with a sigh, there were a lot of thing that Kiana did that were considered to be out of the norm, and Teri had gradually learned to accept this over the past five months, "Anyways, Himeko tells me that you and Layla Schariac had fallout on Thursday." Theresa prodded with a smirk as Kiana groaned at hearing her classmates' name.
"The girl is intolerable Aunt Teri. She's so high up her horse that she looks for every little opportunity to belittle me, she's even stopped harassing everyone else and has started to focus on me. She definitely has it out for me, and for the life of me I still can't figure out why." Kiana said as she allowed her face to fall onto the table.
"Hahahaha, you shouldn't worry too much about her. Sure she can be a bit much bu-"
"A bit? Aunt Teri, she challenges me to about every single physical exercise we do in class. Boasts and insults the Kaslana name for every subject she has me beat in. And at the end of the day still looks for more ways to just bring me down. As for that fallout that Aunt Himeko told you about, I was just about this close to removing my weights and beating her to a bloody pulp." Kiana said as she held the thumb and index finger of her right hand in front of the principal, with only a tiny gap between the two, "She was just luck that the major walked in before I could do so." Kiana grumbled, she was really starting to become annoyed by Layla's antics, the girl needed to get off the pedestal she had created for herself. If she didn't then Kiana would gladly knock her off herself.
"The fact that you couldn't even sense that Himeko is coming then Layla is really throwing off your game Kiana. You're usually better than this." Theresa said seriously.
Throughout the course of the semester, they had run a few tests on Kiana's sensory abilities. A request which had been made by Schicksal HQ. Her sensory abilities had proved to be nearly invaluable, and even more accurate than modern honkai tracking technology. In a sense, it allowed Kiana to see honkai energy with her mind, to the extent that even if the Kaslana was blindfolded she would still be able to make out and identify her opponent based on their honkai energy alone. This also gave the Kaslana three-sixty degree vision, however the accuracy of these sensory abilities were based heavily on the range she extends her senses. The further she reaches the less she'll be able to identify the object emitting energy, despite still sensing that honkai energy.
"I know I know, the major already gave me this lecture. I just want paying attention, that's all there is to it. Besides, at the time I was more focused on the fact that Layla and I had a lot more in common than I originally thought we did." Kiana said, seeing the principals' confusion Kiana decided to continue, "Did you know that she also had a natural stigma, one that's eerily similar to my other stigma in terms of the energy it releases?" Kiana asked as she eyed the principal expectantly.
"Well that's to be expected, the two of you are distant relatives." Theresa said off handedly, forgetting for a moment that Kiana still had no idea who her mother was. It was only after the words had left her moth that she realized what said. She swiftly sat up and towards the Kaslana, whose face was green and looked ready to throw up.
"I'm re-related to her. No way, nu-uh, I'm just gonna forget you said that after we've finished with this conversation." Kiana muttered as she stabilized herself, she couldn't imagine being related to someone like that, "Speaking of which how am I related to her?" Kiana asked more curious than anything.
"Well you've already noticed that her stigma emits a similar energy to you second stigma, but tell me something. Did you actually get the chance to look at it?" Theresa asked the Kaslana, who simply responded by shaking her head sideways, "I wouldn't be surprised if the two of them were the same, after your entire mother was from the Schariac household as well." Theresa said with a soft smile as Kiana's eyes widened, and she took in a small breath of air.
Over the past few months Kiana had rarely brought up the subject of her mother, as a matter of fact she had only done so twice, when she was retelling Theresa what her father had told her. But in all that time, Kiana hadn't asked Theresa for more explicit details on her mother. Part of her was still wondered why her father had never mentioned her mother in detail, and the only conclusion she could come to was that he didn't want her to know, for one reason or another. And so Kiana hasn't bothered to ask Theresa anything in regards to her mother, whether the principal had been waiting for her to ask or had simply been waiting for the right moment to bring it up was beyond the Kaslana. However now, more than ever, she was tempted to know more about her mother.
"Wh-what was she like? Mom I mean." Kiana asked nervously, she wasn't sure why she was nervous, she just was. Theresa simply smiled as a faraway look appeared in her sky blue eyes.
"Your mother's name was Cecilia Schariac, and she was Schicksals strongest valkyrie prior the second eruption." Theresa started off, Kiana paying attention to every word that came from the principal. "Cecilia was an extremely kind person who always put the needs of others ahead of her own needs. She was always kind, and never let her strength get the better of her." Theresa explained, her head turned towards the window to her right, a reminiscing look in her eyes.
"Sound like you knew her well." Kiana said with a smile of her own, it felt good to be learning so much about her mother, like a weight she hadn't known she was carrying had suddenly been lifted off her shoulders.
"Huh, I knew you mother a lot longer than your father did. I don't know if your father told you this, but when he was slightly younger than you are now he ran away from Schicksal." Theresa said as Kiana's eyebrow rose in confusion.
"So why did he come back?" Kiana asked, the she already suspected the answer
"It was because of your mother. The two of them first met after a mission your mother took in went wrong and she ended up being separated from the rest of her squad. Siegfried claimed that she 'fell out of the sky' and he caught her, but I have a hard time believing him." Theresa scoffed as she crossed her arms in front of her. The light hearted chuckle that escaped from Kiana was enough to bring a small smile to the principals' face, "So anyways the two of them spent a day or two together during that period since Cecilia didn't have a way to contact HQ. Afterwards the Overseer personally went to retrieve your mother in the town they were in and the two were forced to part ways." Theresa said with a slight frown as she remembered how Cecilia had changed after that mission.
"Was that the period in which mom had me?" Kiana asked with slight confusion, she had expected the tale between her parents to be somewhat longer than two people who just hit it off over a period of two days.
"Wha-No! Kiana, your mother was not that loose a woman to sleep with a man after just two days!!" Theresa reprimanded with a glare that made Kiana shrink. Perhaps the Kaslana should have worded that question better.
"I didn't mean it like that. I was just curious!!" Kiana swiftly defended herself. She really hadn't meant anything by it and was only trying to find out more about her origins.
"Okay, okay, sorry for shouting. It's just that your mother and I were also very close. She was actually one of the few that accepted me when I first became a valkyrie, and we became best friends ever since, practically sisters. Her death was as much a personal loss to me as it probably was to your father." Theresa said, and Kiana could see the sorrow and pain behind the principals eyes, the Kaslana wondered if she would see that same pain in her own eyes should she look into a mirror while thinking of Kasumi and Mrs.Ryuuki. "And in regards to your previous question, no that was not the time you were conceived. After returning to HQ it became apparent that your mother had grown smitten with Siegfried, though what she saw in him I'll never really understand. She just wasn't really the same, while she still maintained the mantle of strongest valkyrie, it was apparent that she wasn't happy. It wasn't until four months after their separation that Siegfried came to Schicksal HQ, requesting a full return as a knight." Theresa explained, Kiana soaking up the tale of her parents like a sponge.
"Is that when the two of them got back together?" Kiana asked.
"Oh no, despite being a Kaslana, Siegfried hadn't done any training since he left Schicksal, and as a result was weaker than most A-rank valkyrie. The overseer was against the notion of such a person being around his strongest, especially if their relationship was going to develop the way we all knew it was. And so with the help of me and a few colleges of mine we whipped your father into shape, all while making sure we kept this from Cecilia." Theresa said with a wicked smile as she remembered the time where Lixue beat Siegfried within an inch of his life, breaking a few ribs within the process.
"It sounds like fun, I would have enjoyed being a part of that." Kiana said with a smirk. She still had a bone to pick with the old man for abandoning her all those years ago. But she would beat him u first before demanding those answers out of him.
"It was, but he was determined, and he worked hard to prove himself to everyone. Within nearly two years he had risen the ranks faster than any valkyrie. Within a period of one and a half years, he was already eligible for the position of S-rank, and was only second to your mother. It was after he met the Overseers terms that he was allowed to go to Schicksal HQ, and see your mother after nearly two years of being apart." Theresa said dramatically with a smile. "I still remember the shock and happiness that your mother had on her face after she saw him, I hadn't seen her smile like that in the two years since that mission. I was happy for her, and as much as I doubted your father at first I had to give credit to his devotion to seeing Cecilia again." Theresa complimented.
"This story sounds so cliché it's like its coming right out of a fairytale." Kiana commented as she snickered, but Theresa could see the happiness and warmth that was within the Kaslana's eyes. In the end that's what mattered most to Theresa, healing Kiana's heart bit by bit from all the turmoil she has had to face over the years, if this story was able to help then she was glad to have been able to do something for her niece.
"I used to tell myself that all the time when I thought back to how your parents met. Especially the part where your father claimed to have caught your mother from the sky. But sometimes even fairytales can become reality, and your parents had their happy ending and peaceful life, however short that was." Theresa muttered that last part, but Kiana still heard it. Theresa noticed Kiana about to ask and decided to speak before her, "Let's just end that story on a happy note, and I'll tell you the…other one another time." Theresa said with a soft smile. Kiana knew the principal was talking about her mother's death and how it came to be, however the Kaslana did not question her and simply agreed. She was satisfied with all that she had learnt today, about her mother and father.
"Thank you Aunt Teri…..I really needed to hear all of this." Kiana said with a sincere smile as she gazed into the palm of her own hands, tears beginning to gather in the corner of her eyes.
"I'd say it's your fathers fault for not telling you in the first place. But it was probably a sensitive topic for him as well. I'm glad that I could do this much for you." Theresa said with a smile of her own. "Do you need a hug?" Theresa suddenly asked as she stood up and slowly made her way around the table with her arms spread open invitingly. Kiana simply nodded her head and the two swiftly embraced each other.
For a while the two remained within the office, talking about whatever managed to come up between them, be it Kiana's parents, Theresa or even Kiana herself. Kiana had insisted that she would keep Theresa company until she had finished doing the paperwork which was on her desk, making it that much easier for time to pass by for the principal. Kiana had even offered to help with the unimportant sheets of paper, an offer which Theresa gratefully took. By the time the two of them were done the sun was just about to set over the horizon, looking at the time Kiana noted that it was 4.36pm.
Hey Kiana, are you coming to Himeko's place tonight? Heard that Mei was cooking up something new today." Theresa said as the two of them made their way out the principal's office and began to make their way towards the dormitories.
"Yeah, she told me earlier this morning before training and invited both Fu Hua and I. Unfortunately Fu Hua had other plans so she won't be able to make it." Kiana said with a smile, she was in a good mood now, one that probably wouldn't be going away for the week to come, maybe even the month.
Knowing about her mother filled a part of her that she didn't know was empty. Mrs.Ryuuki had managed to give Kiana the motherly love that she had desired back when she was with her father. But not knowing who her mother was, had still left a whole within Kiana that she hadn't known she was eager to fill until it had been filled. And now she felt she could walk with a little more weight off her shoulder.
Authors Note:
And that ladies and gentlemen concludes this chapter. I know that not much happened in this one but it was mainly for the sake of character development and the likes. Next chapter we enter in to AE invasion arc.
To be honest I've put a lot of thought into how I want this next arc to come out, and I think I am pleased with how I presented it. Make sure to tune in.
I'll probably have it out within two – three weeks at the latest.
Please comment and review, I am also open to plot suggestions as well.
