"So, the reason for these rumors is because I've been training and studying diligently, a complete reversal of my usual behavior?"

Kiana stared blankly at Theresa, who had come to find her. After hearing what Theresa said, she found it even harder to comprehend.

"It's only been one afternoon, right? How have these rumors become so deeply entrenched? Was my previous behavior really that ingrained in everyone's minds?"

Kiana scratched her hair, somewhat puzzled by why these people were having such a strong reaction.

"Sigh! It's already happened. Even if we try to clarify now, no one will believe it... No, those research fanatics at the institute believe it, especially since I mentioned that next quarter's funding will be disbursed as usual."

"Then, Great Aunt, what did you come to me for? Based on what you said, even if I go and tell everyone it's a rumor, no student will believe it now. Even if I revert to my previous lifestyle, some people will suspect I'm secretly practicing, making everyone even more anxious."

"I came to tell you that, because of you, the simulation combat arena has now been commandeered by those guys from the research institute. They now find the enemy models in the simulation combat arena lacking in realism and feel they can be improved. However, they need someone to help perfect them, so I came to find you."

"Me? What do I need to help with?"

"Those guys want to import data for more Honkai Beasts, so they need someone to fight these virtual Honkai Beasts to help them confirm the accuracy of the data and make appropriate adjustments. Those guys even plan to import data for Emperor-class Honkai Beasts. Honestly! Is that level of Honkai Beast something students should be facing?"

"Got it! In short, it's just fighting, right? I'm good at this."

"Mm, they also plan to change its current name to 'Virtual Battlefield,' saying they want the 'flowers in the greenhouse' to understand what a real storm is like... I hope they don't overdo it."

The moment Theresa thought about how the construction and adjustments for the simulation... no, the Virtual Battlefield, would cost another considerable sum of money, she felt a headache coming on. Although this sum could be produced now, the subsequent budget for expenses would be insufficient. She would still have to apply to HQ for it. If word of this got out, the credibility of the rumors would rise yet another level.

In the end, Theresa, having successfully obtained concentrated bitter melon juice from Xin Yu, left satisfied. What? Wasn't the main point to ask Kiana to help with the construction of the Virtual Battlefield?

Oh, please! This was a gesture of filial piety from her junior, Xin Yu, to her, an elder. How could she possibly refuse?

Kiana watched Theresa, whose happiness was written all over her face, and said speechlessly, "Did Great Aunt really come to notify me about helping, or did she just come to get bitter melon juice?"

"Speaking of which, Xin Yu, what does that bitter melon juice you make taste like? Why does Great Aunt like it so much?"

Xin Yu, from somewhere, produced a bottle of special concentrated bitter melon juice, inserted a straw, took a sip, and then said, "Nagazora. It's the taste of what you secretly ate, diluted a bit and with some fragrance added. That's the taste of this concentrated bitter melon juice."

"...Xin Yu, your sense of taste is definitely still not normal."

"Perhaps. After all, since I gained consciousness, I've basically had no sense of taste. My perception of various flavors comes from the fragmented knowledge in my broken memories. So, after regaining my sense of taste, my tolerance for flavors is probably more... peculiar than an ordinary person's."

"Right, we need to rest early tonight. We have classes tomorrow."

"Got it, I'll definitely get up."

After Kiana went upstairs, Raiden Mei, who had been silent all along, came and sat beside Xin Yu. She looked at Xin Yu, who was staring blankly while drinking bitter melon juice, and said, "Xin Yu, I feel like... that consciousness of mine is gradually reawakening."

"The Herrscher consciousness?"

Xin Yu looked at Raiden Mei. Considering the situation back then, having been swallowed and immersed by the power of Void, that consciousness should have completely disappeared. He hadn't detected anything amiss at the time either. Could the appearance of this Herrscher persona be some kind of continuous effect?

"Pardon my intrusion."

Xin Yu placed his hand on Raiden Mei's forehead. The spiritual power extended from his Nascent Soul entered Raiden Mei's consciousness.

Raiden Mei's eyes became unfocused, her whole body swaying as if drunk. If Xin Yu hadn't held her in place, she probably would have fallen directly onto him.

"Clang!"

With a sound like a great bell tolling in her ears, Raiden Mei's eyes instantly regained clarity, the previous dazed state vanishing immediately. She looked somewhat bewildered at Xin Yu, who had already withdrawn his hand, not knowing what had just happened.

"Mei, you are a natural Stigmata wielder. Previously, due to your Herrscher transformation, your Stigmata power was activated, and it merged with your own consciousness and the Herrscher persona to form the previous Herrscher of Thunder consciousness. Although I used a special method to eliminate it back then, it was still a part of you. You... are evading yourself, evading your past. Because of the Herrscher Core and the Stigmata's existence, you are in the process of regenerating a new persona."

"What should I do?"

"Face your past. You must directly confront your past; it is, after all, a part of you. Acknowledge her, accept her, reconcile with her, and become your complete self."

"...I will."

"Don't worry, I will be with you. I will enter your consciousness space with you. There, you will communicate with that self."

"Xin Yu... thank you."

"It's nothing, Mei. I want to tell you something: 'Having contended with myself for so long, I'd rather be me.' In life, it's best to be yourself."

"Rather be me..."

Xin Yu looked at the moon hanging in the sky outside the window. So, when will I finally see you again?

"Xin Yu? What's wrong?" Raiden Mei asked with some concern, noticing the hint of loneliness in Xin Yu's eyes.

"It's nothing. I just remembered a friend who always disliked me."

"Disliked you?" Raiden Mei was a little surprised. In her mind, how could a good person like Xin Yu, who always cared for others, be disliked?

"That's not important. Mei, are you ready to enter your consciousness space?" Xin Yu said with a smile, changing the subject. Although Raiden Mei knew Xin Yu was deflecting, she didn't press further. She took a deep breath, nodded, and said, "I'm ready."

Then, Raiden Mei felt the smile on Xin Yu's face in front of her become somewhat distorted. She seemed to see three faces: a naive boy gazing at the sky, a youth staring at his own self, and a grim-faced man with downcast eyes, whose expression couldn't be clearly seen.

Following the fleeting, strange vision, Raiden Mei found herself standing in a place she knew very well.

In front of the gates of Senba Academy.

"Here, this is your consciousness space."

Xin Yu's voice sounded. Raiden Mei looked over and saw a Xin Yu with white hair and red eyes.

"This is your first impression of me."

"Here, everything is constructed from your own cognitions, for example, look..."

Raiden Mei turned in the direction Xin Yu was pointing and saw that the original Senba Academy had transformed into a pitch-black prison.

"In your subconscious, you perceived school as a prison, believing it confined you, oppressed you. This was all caused by the drastic changes in your life after your father was framed and imprisoned."