Regarding the question of whether one thousand lives are enough to beat Honkai Impact 3rd.

The time cannot exceed 30 seconds.

The temperature must not exceed 90℃.

The force required to manually press the powder must be at least 20 kilograms.

A characteristic of properly brewed espresso is the presence of reddish-brown foam floating on the surface.

We call it coffee crema, and even this has precise thickness requirements.

Su Qing'an was already skilled enough to do these things before he entered the Still Water Realm, and now it's even easier for him.

His composure and learning ability already make him an easy world-class master in various fields, but what if he really had a choice?

Su Qing'an had no desire to wield a sword or a knife, rather than become a world-class motorcyclist or butler.

What he really wanted was that life of running that coffee shop alone, where almost no one came, but there were still a few friends who would occasionally make noise.

Those years have become a light in the lake of his heart.

In that not-too-distant future, the demon known as the inner demon will return once more, and perhaps this light can help him protect something.

Within half an hour, Su Qing'an had brought three cups of coffee to the table.

Espresso.

Two mochas.

The espresso was naturally given to Yuno Sato, while the two mochas were placed in front of Kiana and Bronya.

However, compared to Kiana's mocha, Bronya's mocha had more chocolate syrup and was decorated with delicate flower patterns drawn with cocoa powder. Su Qing'an then gave the little girl a few marshmallows, seemingly afraid that she would find it bitter.

Sato Yuno took a sip of coffee; she had been silent ever since she came in.

Compared to Su Qing'an's sense of powerlessness and sorrow, Sato Yuno's feelings were perhaps even stronger.

Sato Yuno certainly wasn't blaming Su Qing'an for not being strong enough. Given her personality, even if that were true, she would only blame herself.

The mere sight of Su Qing'an involuntarily brought back memories of the Kyoto Yuzen robe worn by Shinbara Yu.

and also……

That day, Kōbara Shuichi was bowing to them in a gesture of respect.

The coffee is so bitter today.

I'm thinking of adding a few sugar cubes.

Thinking this, she put the coffee back in the saucer without saying a word.

Su Qing'an quietly placed a cup of warm milk and a dish of sugar cubes next to her coffee.

He knew Sato Yuno's preferences, but he thought that perhaps a slightly sweeter flavor would suit her today.

The girl glanced at him, then carefully put a sugar cube—something she hadn't liked before—into her coffee.

Kiana watched her slowly stir the coffee and felt a pang of sadness. She knew all along that Sato Yuno would eventually have to face these things that would make her sad.

Even though she knew it all along, she still couldn't help but feel saddened by her grief.

She didn't like making Sato Yuno sad.

Sato Yuno took a sip of coffee, noting that the taste of the sugar cubes she added directly didn't really blend with the flavor of the espresso.

"It tastes really weird," she said.

This was only natural; she didn't like putting sugar in her coffee anyway, but she still couldn't help but laugh.

This person is always very sensitive in these kinds of situations, which makes those who notice this sensitivity feel gentle.

Unfortunately... it was only gentleness.

But this temperature is already sufficient.

Bronya held the cup in her little hands and took a sip of mocha.

The chocolate syrup and bitterness blend perfectly together, creating a unique flavor that enhances the aroma of the cocoa powder.

Although it was slightly bitter, that bitterness was actually a positive taste and wouldn't make Bronya dislike it.

She ate a marshmallow and then enjoyed the sweet and bitter taste that came out as the sugar melted in her mouth with the warmth of the coffee.

"Bronya thinks Su Qing'an's coffee is delicious," she said sincerely.

If possible, Bronya would like everyone from the old orphanage to be able to drink this kind of coffee; perhaps some of them wouldn't be so lacking in a cup of coffee.

But coffee mixed with the atmosphere and the sea breeze outside the window always tastes different.

And there is one person for whom Bronya will absolutely, positively, one day be able to drink coffee like this.

That was the unwavering conviction in the little girl's heart.

"Yes, you're welcome to come over if you want to drink some in the future," Su Qing'an replied.

It's a pleasant thing for him to have his homemade coffee appreciated and liked.

It was for this reason that Sato Yuno was able to overcome the barrier of the boy's aloof appearance and become his friend.

The girl, wearing a white apron and carrying a plate, walked out of the kitchen.

Looking at the scene before her, she smiled faintly and said:

"It seems to be quite lively already, Su Qing'an."

Before Su Qing'an could answer, she stepped forward and steadily placed the tray on the table.

"Let's have some dessert, everyone."

On the tray was a plate of freshly baked cookies and several brownies.

"Class monitor, long time no see." Although she was a bit at a loss with Fu Hua's personality, Kiana still greeted her politely and respectfully.

"Fu Hua, may I ask you some questions about my studies later?" Sato Yuno asked earnestly.

"Okay, sure. You're welcome anytime I'm free," Fu Hua replied matter-of-factly.

She would never be stingy with all her knowledge, skills, and experience as long as the student was a student at St. Freya Academy.

"Squad leader, can Bronya have a cookie?" Bronya tilted her head and asked Fu Hua.

Even though her face didn't change, Fu Hua could still see the little girl's struggle and concerns.

"Of course you can, but Mei is probably cooking for you guys, so remember to eat less." Fu Hua couldn't help but find Bronya's slightly naive and innocent appearance amusing and nostalgic. She subconsciously patted Bronya's head.

Bronya complied without refusing. The cool temperature of the girl's fingertips somehow gave her an incredible warmth, a gentleness that seemed to encompass everything yet would never be easily revealed.

"Mm." Bronya nodded.

She thought that the class monitor wasn't as rigid as he seemed on the surface.

The girl could understand that it was the ashes of memories resonating, and these feelings of déjà vu trying to awaken something.

Even though Fu Hua understands that such feelings are nothing but a futile struggle, she will still feel happy.

Because that is proof that she has survived to this day.

Whether it is joy, sorrow, or pain, she gains a real sense of being alive when she senses the corresponding emotions.

This, besides that promise, is one of the reasons that has sustained her to this day.

Then, Su Qing'an broke this feeling.

He whispered in the girl's ear:

"Hua, I can understand if you can make cookies in this short time, but how did you make brownies? Just putting them in the oven takes forty-five minutes, not to mention the time needed for them to cool."

Fu Hua pulled the boy to a distance that was slightly further away from the others.

"Are you curious? That's just a little trick."

The girl first gave a joking smile, then her expression became slightly more serious as she continued:

“Su Qing’an. Have you been underestimating the destructive energy control of the Taixu Sword Qi all along?”

“I don’t know your specific level in this area, but I want to tell you that Honkai energy is far more complex than that.”

"Just like Honkai, Honkai energy is something that humanity has yet to fully understand."

The art style was dragged from everyday life to a chaotic world, and Su Qing'an felt a little complicated. Was his imagination being restricted?

No, Su Qing'an, who came from another world, experienced more magical events than anyone else, so his perspective could not be too narrow.

He just...

I don't like Honkai, and I don't like Honkai energy.

Therefore, he has always subconsciously refused to think about any uses for the Taixu Sword Qi other than those it provides.

"Honkai energy... Hua, can't humanity really defeat Honkai by relying on forces outside of Honkai?" He couldn't help but ask the question he already knew the answer to.

“…No.” Fu Hua’s expression suddenly darkened upon hearing this, as if she had found something unpleasant in her lingering memories. However, she quickly regained her composure and gave her answer.

"I see." Su Qing'an didn't say anything more. He understood that this was the result Fu Hua had drawn from her countless experiences fighting against the Honkai.

Expressing an unwillingness to admit something here is not only meaningless but also disrespectful to Fu Hua.

Because if you were to ask who is the most sorrowful and grief-stricken about this matter, it would be a question.

That must be Hua, not Su Qing'an.

Can the power of Honkai truly defeat Honkai?

While continuing the conversation in a relaxed atmosphere, Su Qing'an still harbored doubts in her heart.

The day when this doubt takes root and sprouts completely is still a long, long way off.

50. [Thousand Stars]

Moon stars are rare.

The training room at St. Freya Academy was completely empty.

Only two people were training here quietly.

Su Qing'an was practicing boxing with Fu Hua in a way that was completely different from before.

They are practicing together.