Bronya nudged Raiden Mei sitting beside her. She whispered softly, "Mei, they've been at this standoff for a minute now..."
"...,"
The girl with long blue-purple hair turned her head, observing Kiana who was frozen with a spoon in her hand and kept staring blankly ahead like a wooden doll.
Mei blinked, following Kiana's gaze to the girl sitting opposite them.
It was a girl with soft golden hair, her blue eyes surprisingly similar to Kiana's, but her demeanor was completely different, appearing decisive and heroic.
Although dressed in loose casual clothing, her upright posture and serious expression made her seem like a formidable knight.
Raiden Mei suddenly felt a slight strange tension rise within her. Acting on her own, she executed a move—placing her hand on Kiana's waist, exerting force with her index finger and thumb, pinching the white-haired girl.
Only then did Kiana snap out of her daze, inhaling sharply and rubbing her waist, "Ouch... Mei, what are you doing?"
The girl with blue-purple hair urged without changing her expression, "You've been spacing out for so long, hurry up and eat your food, it's getting cold."
"Oh, okay..."
The white-haired girl mumbled a couple of times, then continued to slowly spoon food into her mouth, but her eating speed was noticeably slower than before.
Seeing Kiana's reaction, Mei quickly realized that she was still sizing up the girl sitting across from them...
While Durandal was somewhat puzzled by the sudden sensation that occurred when she saw the white-haired girl earlier, her stomach was growling with hunger, so she temporarily set aside those thoughts and began to focus on eating.
The blonde knight ate quickly and with relish, just watching her eat could make others feel hungry.
Observing this, Kiana suddenly perked up, seemingly intending to compete with Durandal to see who could eat faster, waving her spoon and galloping on her plate.
The mountain of food in the plates of the two people visibly decreased at an astonishing speed. Almost simultaneously, Durandal and Kiana stood up, carrying their empty bowls and heading to the cafeteria's serving area.
Durandal: "Could I trouble you for another bowl?"
Kiana: "Master, more rice!"
The chef handling the ladle looked at the two people in front of him and shivered. He felt a faint crimson "danger" word looming over his head.
During the wait, Kiana said to Durandal, "Hmph, you have a good appetite!"
"Oh?" The golden-haired knight raised an eyebrow and replied, "You're not bad yourself."
"But when it comes to eating, I won't lose to you!" the white-haired girl declared.
"Uh... as long as you're happy."
Durandal subtly rubbed her stomach, watching Kiana's spirited state, lost in thought.
--- Should I let go and eat freely?
This scene attracted the attention of the surrounding students, who began to discuss quietly.
"Wow... isn't that the big eater Kiana? Who's the girl next to her? Are they competing to see who can eat more?!"
"Your information isn't up to date, huh? That's Durandal, The S-rank Valkyrie!"
"S-rank?! Can Kiana win?"
"No, I think in terms of eating, she probably can't beat Kiana... After all, Kiana's appetite..."
"Yeah, her nickname is the Gluttonous White Devil, the chef's nemesis! I believe in Kiana!"
"Anyone been keeping track? How many bowls has Kiana eaten?"
"She's only just started eating not long ago, and she's already matched Lady Durandal..."
"This is interesting!"
Listening to the whispers of the people around her, Raiden Mei couldn't help but twitch her mouth.
S-rank Valkyrie... she knew very well what this rank represented.
It was the highest combat power of Schicksal, possessing extraordinary strength, capable of single-handedly turning the tide of battle, and even engaging with Herrschers.
Why would such a person come to Saint Freya? Is something big happening in the Far East Branch? Or is it because of me?
Mei suddenly remembered the special nature of her own identity. She felt somewhat uneasy as she covered her chest with her hands, her heart in turmoil.
"Mei, why don't you eat too?"
Kiana's voice interrupted Raiden Mei's thoughts, the girl watching as the white-haired girl returned to her seat with a filled bowl, continuing to eat voraciously. She couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Kiana, slow down."
"Mm-mm-mm..."
Ten minutes later, Durandal voluntarily put down her bowl and nodded at Kiana, "I'm full."
"It looks like... I won..."
Burp!
The white-haired girl burped softly, indeed, she had eaten much more than usual... It seemed Mei didn't need to prepare snacks for Kiana tonight.
"Yes, you did eat more than me."
Durandal chuckled softly, she could still eat more—but that would be forcing it, which wasn't good for her body. So, ending this impromptu "competition" like this was fine.
Mei helped Kiana wipe her mouth, and the white-haired girl took a few deep breaths before realizing she didn't even know the other girl's name.
Feeling awkward, she scratched her head, "Um, I had a great meal today, you're a respectable opponent... My name is Kiana Kaslana, can you tell me your name?"
"Kiana Kaslana..."
A few familiar flashes flickered in Durandal's mind. After a moment of thought, she immediately recalled the information Overseer Otto specifically told her before departure—
"There are currently two partially awakened Herrschers in Saint Freya Academy, one named Kiana Kaslana, and the other is Mei Raiden..."
The Archbishop of Schicksal spoke calmly.
"This time, when you go to the Far East Branch, not only do you need to gather information from the person related to the Moon Ring, but you also need to see how these two Herrschers that they are responsible for pacifying are doing."
Is this one of the Herrschers? Why does she seem so silly...
The golden-haired knight extended her hand towards Kiana, "Hello, I'm Durandal, S-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal."
"S-rank Valkyrie...?"
The white-haired girl paused for a moment, then she suddenly excited.
Kiana still remembered the conversation she had with Siegfried in Nagazora a few days ago—if she wanted to help her old man and accompany him in dealing with Honkai incidents, she had to become at least an S-rank Valkyrie!
And now, an S-rank Valkyrie was standing right in front of her... This was a good thing!
She had to find a way to spar with her!
A fighting spirit ignited in Kiana's eyes, which Durandal noticed.
"Oh? It seems like you do not just want to beat me at the dining table..."
The golden-haired knight rubbed her wrist, smiling, "Perfect, Headmistress Theresa invited me to be a special guest for the combat training class... And there happens to be a section for sparring and exchange. Kiana, I don't think you'll miss this opportunity, right?"
"Of course not! I made a promise with my dad to become the strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal!"
"The strongest? Very well, Kiana, I admire your determination... See you in combat class."
Durandal narrowed her eyes, her gaze becoming sharper.