Back in Royce's room in the real world, he was sleeping peacefully, despite his body being covered in purple lines, mirroring the state of his spirit.
Fortunately, the entire area has been sealed off from the outside world via nanomachines, courtesy of Herta. The barriers kept all Honkai energy contained within the room, preventing it from leaking out.
Herta monitored everything from the outside. The prototype Honkai energy sensor she had built in such a short span of time kept beeping relentlessly as the readings continued to rise.
"Royce, you'd better know what you are doing, or else…" Herta murmured with a tired smile, watching through the monitor as Honkai Beasts materialized inside the room for what felt like the hundredth time, only for them to be frozen solid and shattered into frost particles right after they were spawned.
"I will barge in myself."
Herta leaned back against the chair, eyes drifting briefly to the monitor that showed Royce's condition, before turning away and looking at the data logs. She had noticed it a while ago, and the collected data only piqued her curiosity even further.
Those monsters weren't just being spawned camped. They were getting stronger, and each successive wave was turning them more resilient than the last, but nothing she couldn't handle.
And from time to time, she would kill them while leaving the corpse intact; it would be a waste otherwise.
—
Under Acheron's inquisitive gaze, I had a gut feeling that if I made the wrong move, I would receive a thorough beating from her while she looked at me with sadness and disappointment, and would only stop until I answered her right...
The humiliation alone would kill me a second time.
I sighed and slowly removed the cloth from my arm, revealing the purple lines etched across the skin like exposed veins, stopping right before the shoulder.
"I knew it was only a matter of time before you brought it up," I said. "I just thought I had a few more days." I crouched down, and an ice-formed stick formed in my hand as I smoothed a patch of ground in front of me. "Want to sit? This will be a long story."
"No, this is fine," Acheron said and moved to stand right beside me.
"I should probably start from the very beginning," I said as I drew a rectangle with a thunderbolt at its center. "Back on my home planet, there was a type of energy called Honkai energy. I won't go into specifics, but let's say it has some complicated relationship with Imaginary energy and Quantum, and it's emitted by a higher entity called The Cocoon of Finality." I finished by drawing a circle with a diamond at its center and contorted lines radiating outward like tentacles.
"The Honkai energy was said to be an omnipotent source of power, capable of warping reality and accomplishing feats that would be mistaken as divine, but…" I paused dramatically and glanced at her, waving my left hand. "There is always a catch."
At that, Acheron narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Honkai Energy was fundamentally not compatible with humanity. Even a brief exposure can cause what's known as Honkai Sickness, and it carries a mortality rate of one hundred percent." I represented it by drawing a few lines inside a circle with a huge X mark over it. "The first symptom is these purple lines like the ones on my arm. After that is vision loss, organ failure, and eventually death."
"Is there a cure for it?" Acheron asked immediately with concern, but I shook my head.
"While technically there is a cure, the sacrifices it requires aren't worth it, and I couldn't make one here even if I knew how to do it," I said, returning my attention to my drawings. "There is another way, but let me finish recounting this."
I cleared my throat, and I resumed my yapping. "Fortunately, it wasn't the doom of all humanity. Some people were born with a natural resistance to Honkai energy; others could even wield it."
I drew a small figure emanating an aura, surrounded by a group of eleven others doing the same. "However, humanity soon faced another crisis: the advent of Herrschers and Honkai Beasts."
"Herrschers are humans chosen by the Cocoon of Finality to become an avatar of their will, stripping them of their ego, their identity, their humanity…becoming nothing more than an emotionless instrument of destruction with godlike powers." I paused, then I drew another stickman with fairy wings and a wand. "Humanity obviously fought back, but the death count was ridiculously high, which made even the strong-willed question their lives, but there was still hope, because there were anomalies even among Herrschers that allowed humanity to stand on its feet against Honkai."
It was almost imperceptible, but I could see her expression change slightly as I explained, as if she tried to remember something deep inside her mind, but couldn't retrieve the information. And yet, moments later, she seemed back to her previous expression.
"The first anomaly was called Elysia, the Herrscher of Humanity. She was born as Herrscher, but was raised by humans and loved as a human. By the work of fate, she met her twelve human companions and embarked on a Flamechase journey against Honkai, which ultimately ended in defeat." I said solemnly, many memories of the time I played Honkai Impact 3rd resurfaced in my mind, specifically the final of Elysian Realm. "But their journey wasn't meaningless…" I set the stick down briefly. "Although they were eventually forgotten, the legacy they left behind paved a way for the next civilization, and Elysia…she used her powers and wished for a better future, where humans and Herrschers could fight side by side against Honkai, as the latter could retain their humanity during their awakening…but all that came at a cost of her life."
"And this…" I said as I clutched my left arm. "It isn't the result of low Honkai resistance. I'm actually fairly confident in my compatibility." I let out a quiet, dry laugh. "It's just that before my 'death', I had injected myself with Honkai energy harvested from the remains of a broken blade, material that I used for an invention of mine. However, it seemed to trigger a chain reaction, and the energy has been multiplying within me ever since."
"It was a gamble, a failsafe for the worst-case scenario. And now…" I said as I pressed my hand against my chest, just over where the heart should be. "I can feel it, deep in my soul, it is waiting to awaken. Once the conditions are met, the awakening will occur, and I will become something beyond humanity…a Herrscher. Only then will this Honkai sickness disappear."
Acheron's brow furrowed slightly, and she put a hand on my shoulder.
"Do you need my assistance?" She asked with concern.
"Humn," I scratched my chin, deep in thought, and nodded. "I would've preferred to finish our training properly, but considering the cat is already out of the bag, I suppose it can't be helped." I turned to her and held up three fingers. "But first, let me tell you the conditions for one to awaken as Herrscher."
"First, one needs to have high enough Honkai compatibility, which I have already confirmed to have," I said as I put down one finger.
"Second, one needs to be in an area with dense Honkai energy radiation, which is known as Honkai eruption. Fortunately, this requirement is already met, considering that even my spiritual body is showing symptoms of Honkai sickness." Another finger down.
"And lastly, one needs to be put in a situation where they exert themselves with Honkai energy, pushed into a mental state where they won't hesitate to throw away their humanity to accomplish a goal, and a strong emotional trigger," I said, and pointed the remaining finger at Acheron. "And that's where you come in."
Acheron looked pensive for a second before nodding. "I can't help directly with the mental state, but the others…" She said, touching the hilt of her katana. "I'm confident I can accomplish them without fail."
A chill just ran down my spine from hearing the confidence behind her voice, and my instincts screamed for a second, but I am sure it will all be fine.
"Gather strength and rest for now," Acheron said, then turned and began walking away to give me some time alone. "Meet me when you feel ready. For the next time we clash, it will be my Final Lesson for you."
'Definitely not ominous at all.'
I watched her figure disappear into the distance. Only once I was certain I was alone did I let myself sink onto a nearby log.
'I know that I was the one who agreed to this, but…' I exhaled slowly and tilted my head back, letting the rain fall on my face. 'To change one's mental state, to stimulate a strong emotional trigger…It's all easier said than done.'
But I knew this was just an excuse. I have already walked this far; there was no room for hesitation.
It didn't matter if it was impossible or not; I had to do this.
"I will defeat her, even if I die trying."
There is no other road.
"Great Sage, how are the calculations?"
[Report: The calculations for the 'Anime moves that I want to replicate in real life' are at 5%, being that two of them are almost at completion.]
"For now, focus on the ones with higher destructive power, because I'll need them for sure."
[Understood.]
—-
In some distant corner of the galaxy, where the Stellaron Hunters' headquarters were located, Kafka sat alone in her room, taking a sip of her cocktail while enjoying the view of outer space.
It was when the automatic doors suddenly slid open.
"Good evening, Silver Wolf." Kafka greeted, without turning around, as she put down the cocktail with a soft clink.
"Evening." Silver Wolf returned the greeting with a lazy two-finger salute, with the other hand in her pocket. She crossed the room and dropped into the armchair across from Kafka.
"Are you here to invite me to join your party? If I recall correctly, Bladie and Firefly are both out for a mission." Kafka said, leaning back against her armchair. "Or do you need help with something else?"
"The latter," Silver Wolf replied, sinking deeper into the armchair, and took out her gaming console. "I have a question regarding my recent mission."
"It was about contacting Welt Royce in Herta Space Station, correct?" Kafka asked with a knowing smile, to which Silver Wolf nodded. "What about it?"
"Are you sure we shouldn't have intervened back then? The way things stand, he is no match against the Lord of Silence, if she is as powerful as the rumors say."
"Are you concerned about him?"
"Not really, but wasn't he our business partner now? It would be a waste if he died before he was useful for anything."
'Silver Wolf, you won't make friends if you keep this way…' Kafka subtly shook her head, but it wasn't her place to say anything. Instead, she lifted the cocktail and held it above her eyes, as the liquid glittered from the reflection of the stars.
"Have you read the Script?"
"Of course I have." Silver Wolf answered immediately, looking somewhat offended that Kafka even asked such a question. She was professional after all. "But everything was blank after the mission."
"That's to be expected." Kafka took a sip. "Anomalies like him give Elio a hard time when it comes to writing the script to the point that he has been taking more catnip than usual recently, and his fur is falling all over the place." Kafka chuckled as she swirled the liquid in the cup. "What I am saying is not to worry about him. Welt Royce will get lost, stumble, and fall a lot as he paves his own path against Finality."
"And with each fall…" Kafka paused, gaining a distant look on her face. "He will soar higher than before."
—
I sat in seiza on the ground, facing Acheron, who held in the same posture across me.
"Are you ready?" She asked a simple question, and yet it brought every nerve in my body to the edge.
I didn't answer immediately.
First, I closed my eyes, and eventually, all noise disappeared, alongside all distractions that could get in the way.
'There's no reason to keep this mirage standing.' Something shifted inside me, as if I flipped a switch on.
Cracks spread through the forest around us, fracturing from the false sky down to the ground, and when I reopened my eyes, I saw the illusion falling apart like broken glasses from a mirror, disappearing to reveal what was hidden.
On the horizon loomed an enormous black hole, while beneath our feet was a sea that stretched to infinity, reflecting the endless abyss of Nihility above us.
It was a terrifying sight, but it paled in comparison to the white-haired grim reaper sitting in front of me.
'She is overwhelmingly stronger and more skilled than I currently am, so why…' I thought, looking down at my own reflection in the dark water. 'Am I smiling?'
It was a strange occurrence that I didn't even understand myself, but I can't keep my master waiting forever, can I?
"I am ready,"
"Very well," Acheron said as she opened her eyes, revealing two crimson orbs that were looking back at me as well. "Then allow me to pose one final question," She asked rhetorically. "When you look at me…what do you see?"
I paused and pondered the question, reflecting on everything I experienced with her and recalling all of her information, so that I could answer with nothing but the truth of what I thought about her.
"I see a lonely, beautiful woman, wrapped in shadows that are always trying to consume her, but there is still a strand of red guiding her forward, toward the Primordial Light, hidden by the veils of Nihility."
Archeron went quiet for a while, but then she calmly nodded, as if accepting the answer.
A brief silence settled between us, giving a serene and ceremonial atmosphere…Then, without a word of warning, Acheron drew her crimson blade and swung it directly at my chest in one single, seamless motion.
If I were late to react for a fraction of a second, I would've been cleaved in half.
I threw myself backward and twisted midair, the blade glazing past me with barely a hair's breadth of distance, and carrying the momentum, I delivered a powerful kick to her stomach, sending her several meters away from me.
The Final Lesson has begun.
—
'This will be tough.' Royce thought as he studied his opponent, who was standing in the same spot menacingly.
He knew that her first attack was meant for an assessment, and that kick only connected because she allowed it to happen. This quick exchange reminded him of the 'check-up' passes in 1v1 basketball matches.
'In other words, the real fight will begin now.' Royce thought and readied himself.
Honkai and Imaginary energy surged within him and flowed through every part of his body as he made his first move.
Royce drove his foot into the water, sending a burst of cold as ice spread across the sea in every direction, creating a domain of ice, and from within it, giant constructs of ice emerged. It was a den of serpents, each one coiled and poised, carrying a single command: kill the only woman standing there.
They launched themselves at her all at once, and obviously, Acheron didn't stay idle.
She dashed between their lunges with precise movements, her katana bisecting each serpent that came within reach. But every severed section regenerated immediately, growing into two different serpents, meaning that for every split, their numbers would increase.
'He is stalling.' Acheron recognized the intention behind the move instantly, but decided to play along regardless. After all, this battle was meant for him, not her. 'However, this doesn't mean I will just let you do whatever you want.'
The serpents had multiplied enough now to surround her from every direction, their bodies weaving together overhead into a vast dome of ice. At its peak, one serpent head reared back and plunged downward with its jaws wide open, ready to swallow her whole.
*Booom!*
From a distance, Royce watched it all with his spear in hand, just about to start the next phase of his plan.
Plans, however, rarely survived intact in reality.
*Crack*
Lightning tore through the dome from within, slicing everything into ice cubes in an instant. Then a shadow figure flew out of the wreckage.
Royce's eyes went wide, and he immediately covered his arms over his chest on the same instant, layering them in a thick layer of enchanted ice.
However, it wasn't enough.
*Booom!*
The punch drove through the layers of protection, sending him airborne. Royce coughed up blood, but he didn't have time to dwell on the pain as he saw her running after him in the corner of his eye.
He spun midair and forced his feet down, landing after sliding in the water, but Acheron was already on him, closing the distance and thrusting her sword straight for his chest.
He threw out his empty hand in front of him and caught the blade through his palm, wrenching it aside before it reached his heart. At the same time, he rolled his shoulder back and drove his spear forward, Honkai energy packed at the tip, and it all discharged on impact.
Acheron skidded across the sea, but glanced up when she saw a cascade of glaciers raining down onto her. She kicked off the water's surface and moved through them effortlessly, but then all of a sudden, fire ignited within each of those blocks of ice, detonating them, and the combined explosions threw a wall of dense mist across the battlefield, until nothing could be seen.
'I can't sense him anymore,' Acheron noted, genuinely surprised, before her instincts flared. Even without relying on her vision, she sliced through every incoming ice spear. However, upon shattering, the spears seemed to disperse and freeze her limbs, obstructing her movements.
*Swoooish!*
All of a sudden, Acheron felt the air turn cold for a moment before feeling six pairs of limbs around her.
'What…?' She looked down and saw three chibi versions of Royce locking their arms and legs around her. 'Clones?'
However, before she could shake them off, they opened their mouths.
"""Absolute Demise!"""
The clones exploded, freezing everything they touched as the temperature was plummeting toward absolute zero, temporarily locking her in place.
Acheron found herself amused as the fog eventually cleared up, revealing Royce standing on top of a platform of ice. The bleeding stopped as the wounds were cauterized using fire.
His body was encased completely in frost armor from head to toe, as fire churned and coiled between his open palms.
'I really hope Sukuna doesn't have a copyright strike technique from the Heian era.'
Yes, what was being done now was a replication of Sukuna's Divine Flame, possible by bringing equations to life with the mixture of Honkai and Imaginary energy charged with the fire element. By alternating rapid compression and decompression of internal shockwaves, he had concentrated enough thermodynamic force in his hands to produce a thermobaric explosion capable of exceeding the temperature of the sun's surface.
Royce poured his everything into this final attack, as it was evident by the smile on his face.
"This will be my final move," Royce shouted, pulling the fire into the shape of an arrow. "Please accept this as a gift from your student, Master!"
Below him, Acheron felt the power radiating off the flames and could imagine the scale of destruction it would cause, and yet she quietly smiled, her chest filled with pride.
*Crack—Boom!!!'
Lightning detonated from her in a single violent burst, destroying every fragment of ice in an instant. The power drawn from the path of Nihility surged through her body and Naught, her divine weapon, humming with power,
The entire tremble as she lowered her stance, her crimson katana leveled at her hips.
They looked into each other's eyes, each wearing a smile of their own.
No signal or countdown was needed, as they both moved at the same moment.
"Divine Flames Open!" The arrow left his hands and flew toward her, the heat and pressure pulverizing everything standing on its way.
In response, Acheron swung her katana upward in a single arc, sending a wave that consumed everything in its path.
The two attacks collided, and…blank.
Royce had expected an explosion of unprecedented scale that he had never seen, or one of their attacks to consume and win in the contest of firepower.
Instead, there was no pain, no burning, no sensation, nothing.
Royce couldn't move a single muscle and stayed in this state for a while, during which he took the opportunity to review the last battle.
Eventually, his senses came back to him one by one, and he found himself lying on a rocky surface, staring up at a familiar planet that resembled Earth, but he still couldn't move, his body unresponsive to any of his commands.
'Fantastic timing for my sleep paralysis demon to visit me.' He thought sarcastically, and in his attempt to laugh, only a strangled noise came out instead. 'What is happening?'
Suddenly, he heard footsteps, or more precisely, someone was skipping in his direction, stopping right beside him.
A curtain of long white hair swung into view as a figure leaned over him, looking down with an expression full of warmth and curiosity. Her purple eyes, though bright and innocent, carried within them years of hardship and resolve.
Royce stared up at her, completely at a loss for words and unable to tear away his gaze, as something deep within him recognized her.
"Good morning! It's nice weather up here, isn't it?" The woman said cheerfully, wearing a big smile on her face. "My name is Kiana, Kiana Khaslana, and I am sort of the Goddess of Earth. Nice to meet you!"
'…'