After completing the morning's practical combat training, Durandal strolled along the streets of Saint Freya, reflecting on the individuals she had sparred with during yesterday's combat class.
Kiana's combat talent needed no further explanation; it was evident in the progress she displayed during their exchanges.
As for Raiden Mei... Durandal could only say that her swordsmanship was solid, with a conventional approach to combat awareness.
Raiden Mei also possessed a unique lightning manipulation ability, demonstrating a variety of skill applications—such as using lightning to stimulate muscles, increase her speed, and enhance her sword's damage with lightning enchantments...
Of course, she could also directly launch lightning attacks against her opponents.
However, Raiden Mei's speed in condensing Honkai Energy and releasing skills was not fast enough to adapt to real combat situations.
She had to concentrate and grit her teeth to release her skills, giving Durandal enough time to shoot her several times... If her proficiency improved in the future, Raiden Mei's combat effectiveness shouldn't be a problem.
Fortunately, during yesterday's battle, Raiden Mei wasn't alone.
Bronya finally revealed her special ability to Durandal—she had a marvelous robot named "Project Bunny," which could coordinate battles with the silver-haired girl.
Bronya equipped Project Bunny with a shield, using it as a vanguard to protect Raiden Mei and herself during attacks. Project Bunny lived up to expectations, blocking several of Durandal's attacks in succession (in a friendly sparring context), and then...
And then there was no "and then."
Durandal was worthy of the title of the strongest S-rank Valkyrie. She quickly discerned Project Bunny's output, immediately shooting the robot into the air, and then swiftly charging to sweep Raiden Mei and Bronya out of the arena.
Durandal actually quite admired Bronya. The silver-haired girl demonstrated excellent tactical planning and awareness in battle. After completing her studies at Saint Freya, she would definitely rise to greater heights.
Durandal remembered Bronya's face and planned to extend an olive branch to her immediately after graduating from the Valkyrie Academy. After all, command-type talents were in high demand everywhere!
As for the other two Herrscher hosts... Durandal was more concerned about Kiana—at least for now, she posed a greater threat if she lost control.
Therefore, Durandal planned to further understand Kiana and see what kind of person she really was...
Theresa had already informed her of Kiana's address in Saint Freya. Now that Kiana was temporarily absent from class due to injury, she might be spending all her time alone in her dorm, growing moss.
Durandal only needed a reason to visit her... Perhaps she could say she was visiting a patient?
The golden-haired knight stopped in her tracks, her gaze shifting to the fruit shop open on the side of the street, where she observed the plump and vibrant fruits displayed inside, lost in thought.
"Boss, I'm planning to visit a patient and buy some fruits."
The boss clapped his hands and enthusiastically recommended, "Take a look at this, this is the fruit basket we prepared for patients... It's generous in portion and guaranteed to satisfy you!"
Considering what she had seen in the cafeteria that day, Durandal cautiously extended two fingers, "Hmm, then give me two!"
"Alright!"
Durandal easily found Kiana's dormitory and, after knocking on the door, was greeted by the sight of a fluffy white head poking out. The owner of the head expressed unexpected joy upon seeing her.
"Wow, Lady Durandal! What brings you here?"
"I came to visit you..."
Durandal raised the fruit basket in her hand, "And I brought you some gifts!"
"Thank you!"
Kiana's eyes twinkled as she clearly felt the goodwill expressed by the golden-haired knight. It seemed that dealing with her would be relatively smooth!
Without hesitation, the fluffy white tuna accepted the gift, leading Durandal to sit on the sofa in the living room, chatting eagerly with her.
After a while, Raiden Mei and Bronya returned from class, surprised to find Durandal, who had sparred with them, visiting their dorm and chatting enthusiastically with Kiana.
The two quickly joined the conversation, and the four of them engaged in lively discussion.
Just then, a sharp warning sounded from Durandal's terminal.
The golden-haired knight took out her personal terminal and, upon seeing its contents, her expression changed drastically. She immediately stood up and addressed Kiana and the others, "I'm sorry, urgent business. We'll talk another time."
"Goodbye!"
Durandal hurriedly left.
Bronya pondered for a moment, then propped her chin up and asked, "What urgent situation could make the formidable S-rank Valkyrie frown?"
Kiana muttered, "I don't know, but the fruit basket Durandal brought is delicious."
Raiden Mei exclaimed, "Are you eating a fruit basket made of wood? Spit it out!"
"That's not what I meant, geez!"
----------------------------------
Now, let's rewind time a bit.
"Beep beep beep!!!"
Theresa's expression changed, and she tossed the Homu manga behind her. While the manga was still flying through the air, she had already opened her personal terminal emitting the piercing alarm.
What caught the eyes of the school principal was a distress call from the exploration team near the coast of Shenzhou, describing the events occurring in their area, a bunch of Honkai Energy data collected by the research ships, and an audio recording with Luo Lin's personal authorization code.
Theresa was astonished, "A large-scale Honkai Eruption possibly occurring in the sea?!"
After all, most Honkai outbreaks occurred in areas with frequent human activity. While the possibility of a Honkai outbreak in the ocean was not zero, it was extremely rare compared to incidents on land.
Usually, after a Honkai Outbreak occurred, Schicksal only needed to deploy Valkyries to solve most of the problems.
But in the ocean, Schicksal couldn't deploy Valkyries as directly as on land. Almost all Valkyries had no experience fighting in water, and they were likely to be defeated by the Honkai beasts in the sea.
So, this was the time for the Hyperion to make an appearance. As a floating warship manufactured by Schicksal at a considerable cost, its firepower was sufficient to support defensive and extermination missions in a wide area.
While listening to Luo Lin's recording, Theresa gave orders to mobilize Valkyries from the Far East Branch. The war machine known as Schicksal immediately activated, organizing an elite rescue team at lightning speed, all of whom assembled on the Hyperion.
"Principal!"
Fu Hua also arrived, dressed in her Shadow Knight Valkyrie Battlesuit, looking fierce.
After receiving Theresa's message, Fu Hua realized that something was wrong.
Luo Lin had told her before leaving that she was going to Mount Taixu to explore the information about Chiyou...
Then, Fu Hua received a distress call from the exploration team, and her scalp tingled with fear.
Thanks to Luo Lin, she recalled some memories related to ancient Shenzhou, such as Fuxi and Nuwa... Although not many, they were useful.
—Could it be that Chiyou has awakened?
Thinking of this, Fu Hua immediately changed into a high-performance Shadow Knight Battlesuit and rushed to the Hyperion.
Theresa nodded at the fully armed Fu Hua, then turned her gaze to the equally uneasy Durandal.
Behind her stood Himeko, who worked at the Schicksal headquarters in this world.
The golden-haired knight spoke, "Let's hurry and set off to rescue the exploration team!"
"Yes!"
Ragna Lothbrok, the current captain of the Hyperion, had already taken her position. With her command, the airship loaded with Valkyries and ammunition departed from the airfield, quickly flying towards Chiyou.