Early the next morning, sunlight over Nagazora pierced through the clouds and gently spilled onto the windowsills of Chiba Academy.
Inside the classroom, the students' whispers abruptly came to a halt, as though someone had pressed pause.
All eyes focused on the doorway—and the figure slowly walking in.
Her gray-green hair cascaded down like a waterfall, adorned with an exquisite blue butterfly hairpin that trembled lightly with each step.
Her outfit, dominated by black and white, was sharply tailored yet carried a carefully designed elegance in its details. The attire featured clever cutouts, along with a dramatic high slit running up the left side, exposing her entire left leg and extending across her hip in a bold display of skin.
Around her waist was a belt decorated with intricate golden patterns, and at its center hung a peacock-feather ornament in shades of blue and green that shimmered under the light, especially eye-catching.
She wore black thigh-high stockings that accentuated her shapely legs, the contrast between covered right side and bare left adding a striking asymmetry. Standing there, she exuded both mystery and an indescribable allure.
"Ahem, good morning, students!" Vita placed both hands on the podium and leaned forward, narrowing her eyes as she surveyed the class below. "Since Teacher Einstein and the Principal were severely injured yesterday and can't teach, I, your cutest Teacher Vita, will be substituting for this lesson..."
As she said the last sentence, she blinked playfully. Bronya's mouth twitched at the sight.
This woman...
Vita lowered her voice theatrically. "Before class begins, let's welcome a new student!"
Houraiji Kyuusyou stepped onto the podium, crossed her arms, closed her eyes, and tilted her head upward in what she believed to be a cool pose. "I am Houraiji Kyuusyou, Lord of Dreams. Within me is sealed a power capable of changing the world. Under special circumstances, please keep your distance from me."
"Wow, that introduction sure has flair!" Vita propped her chin on one hand and looked at Houraiji Kyuusyou with interest, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. "Looks like we have a very interesting new classmate~"
Her gaze swept across the classroom before pointing to an empty seat by the window. "You can sit over there, new student~ I hope you get along well with everyone!"
"Mm!" Houraiji Kyuusyou responded and walked toward her seat.
The students began whispering.
"Chuunibyou?"
"Shh, don't say that. What if she really is some kind of Lord of Dreams?"
"Huh? No way."
"There aren't any ordinary people here. Even if she dresses like a chuunibyou and talks like a chuunibyou, she might not actually be one!"
"Ah... that's true."
"I heard she's from another world. It wouldn't be strange if she really had some sealed power."
"Quiet, quiet!" Vita pressed her hands downward lightly, signaling for silence. Her voice rang out brightly. "Our new classmate just arrived. Everyone, please take good care of her!"
"Got it, got it, Teacher, don't worry!"
"Don't worry, Teacher! We'll definitely look after her!"
...
Vita nodded in satisfaction. "Now then, today we'll learn about converting Honkai energy into energy from other worlds. As everyone knows, in our world, Honkai energy cannot be converted into other forms of energy through ordinary means. Only a Herrscher can transform it, using their core to convert it into energy within their domain of authority and then utilize it.
"However, the Honkai energy of another world differs from ours. Through our own will, we can use Honkai energy to alter and manipulate surrounding reality, choosing to accept or deny the laws of different worlds. That is the foundation for our ability to convert energy."
...
As they listened to Vita's lecture, the students wore expressions of partial understanding.
"..."
Bronya was speechless.
Listening to Vita's explanation made her feel like she was back in kindergarten...
She glanced at Kiana, who was staring at Vita without blinking.
That gaze looked like it could devour someone.
Tch!
Vita really loved playing with fire.
The current Kiana was not the real Kiana, but the Herrscher of Dominance, Angelia Schariac, who had taken her place.
Clearly, Angelia Schariac remembered exactly who Vita was.
As for Vita's track record, Bronya had to admit she couldn't compare.
No one else suspected Vita's identity or background as a teacher. With her current abilities, fabricating an identity and blending into the world was extremely simple.
As for Angelia Schariac—the one fish that slipped through the net—Vita had most likely left her on purpose.
Was she playing some kind of teacher-student game?!
In the infirmary.
Everyone stood by the beds of Theresa and Einstein.
Fu Hua frowned deeply at Theresa, who lay on the hospital bed with unfocused pupils and vacant eyes.
"Senti, how is it?"
She looked toward the Herrscher of Sentience, who had delved into Theresa's consciousness.
"Ahhh!"
Suddenly, the Herrscher of Sentience's face filled with terror. She turned and threw herself into Ji Xuanyuan's arms. "That sound is way too horrifying! It's like demonic noise drilling into your ears—it can kill people!"
"Her mind is full of that song. It hasn't stopped at all."
"I can't take it. Now my own head is full of that song too. Mother, I'm scared. What if the song is contagious?"
Ji Xuanyuan gently stroked the Herrscher of Sentience's head, her eyes brimming with affection. "There, there. Don't be afraid."
"Mother, sing me a song. I need to cleanse my brain."
"Mm."
She softly hummed an ancient ballad, her voice gentle and distant.
Under Ji Xuanyuan's soothing song, the Herrscher of Sentience gradually calmed down.
Tesla raised a brow. "It's just a song. Is it really that outrageous?"
The Herrscher of Sentience replied, "Want me to send you in to listen?"
"Uh... no thanks."
Tesla looked toward Einstein, who lay unconscious on another bed, her expression constantly shifting as if trapped in a nightmare.
It was a little terrifying.
"Is my singing really that awful? ...No, this has to be the ability's fault... it has to be..."
Shigure Kira crouched in the corner, drawing circles on the floor with her finger.
Cangxuan said, "Although Kira's ability has been lifted, Theresa and Einstein's impressions were too deep. They've memorized it and keep recalling it uncontrollably."
Fu Hua asked, "How do we treat this?"
Danzhu replied, "It's the first time we've seen something like this. It feels even more terrifying than Aponia's divine voice."
Cangxuan said, "We can only try deleting the relevant memories."
Fu Hua glanced at Theresa's now vacant, almost vacant gaze and nodded. "That's the only way."
She raised her hand. A feather of Fenghuang Down appeared in her palm.
After a series of operations, Theresa and Einstein's memories of Shigure Kira's singing were completely erased.
After a while, Theresa's consciousness slowly emerged from its chaotic state. She rubbed her forehead and looked around in confusion. "What happened? Why is everyone here?"
Danzhu let out a breath. "Phew, she's finally normal again. Congratulations."
Cangxuan explained, "You listened to Shigure Kira's singing, lost consciousness, and have been lying in bed for half a day."
Theresa blinked. "Huh?"
At that moment, Shigure Kira rushed over and hugged Theresa. "Waaah... Theresa, I'm so sorry!"
"What's going on?"
Theresa looked utterly bewildered.
Cangxuan said, "Your ability from another world affected Shigure Kira's singing. You couldn't withstand it and collapsed."
Danzhu added, "That's right. We had to delete that portion of your memory to bring you back. Otherwise, you would've turned completely foolish."
"???"
Theresa was stunned. She was an S-rank Valkyrie. Even if S-rank Valkyries weren't as rare as before, it couldn't be that she'd collapse just from hearing a song!
Am I too weak... or is Kira's ability too strong?
"Hey, chicken-head, wake up!"
Beside them, Tesla grabbed Einstein's shoulders and shook her vigorously.