Sky Striker Princess, but the swan song of Valkyrie.

"The above is the whole story of how Kanade was injured by that guy. After that, I have been fighting alone, but no amount of fighting can wash away the shame that day brought me."

After the two entered the elevator, Kazunari Tsubasa pressed the elevator button and said this to Tachibana Hibiki.

"So that's how it is. That's why you dislike Miss Lingyi so much, and even yesterday..."

After listening to Kazanari Tsubasa's account, Tachibana Hibiki felt that she understood why Kazanari had reacted when she heard about Rei and why she treated herself the way she had the day before.

"I hate it... no, Tachibana, you've got that wrong."

However, in response to Tachibana Hibiki's words, Kazanari Tsubasa clenched his fist and said this to her.

"What I truly hate is my inability to bring myself to hate that guy. I can't forgive myself for that, back then, when that guy stopped Zou from performing her final song, the weak and shameful thought that 'thankfully she stopped Zou's final song' actually surfaced deep within me."

As he said this, Fengmingyi punched the inner wall of the elevator.

"Ah—Miss Yi, your hand is bleeding!" (Medical worker Qi's father [Wu Liu])

Startled by Tsubasa's actions, Hibiki Tachibana immediately spoke with concern after vaguely noticing what appeared to be red liquid flowing from Tsubasa's palm.

"Even though I know that guy is the culprit who stole the Bronze Serpent Armor and Durandal and caused the Noise incident, I still feel grateful to him for 'stopping Kanade's swan song of repentance'."

"That's why I fight so hard. Only by using endless battles to erase this shameful weakness in my heart and forging my mind and body into a steadfast sword of protection can I live up to my resolve to die until the very end."

Gazing at his reflection on the smooth inner wall of the elevator, Feng Mingyi said this, seemingly to no one in particular.

The elevator slowly ascended without swaying at all due to Kazunari's actions, and after saying those words, Kazunari fell into a long silence.

Soon, as time passed, the elevator was about to reach the first floor, and Tachibana Hibiki and Kazanari Tsubasa's brief conversation came to an end.

"But Miss Tsubasa, you don't need to blame yourself like this. In the end, didn't you protect so many people from the noise? You did your best, didn't you?"

Hibiki Tachibana tries to comfort Tsubasa Kazanari, who is caught in her emotions.

"It wasn't protected."

However, after Tachibana Hibiki said those words, Kazanari Tsubasa's expression did not improve at all; on the contrary, it became even worse than before.

"What?"

Hibiki Tachibana was puzzled.

"That day, after she took away Kanade's fighting ability, I desperately rushed forward to try and defeat that person, but..."

As she reminisced, Kazanari Tsubasa recalled the scene from that time.

The weak version of herself cried out and attacked the golden figure standing next to Kanade, but the opponent did not even use the weapons that Kanade used. With just a sword, he neutralized all her attacks and rendered her unable to fight.

[Wind Howling Wing... Is that so? He doesn't seem like much of a threat. Well then, forget it. Building a level 1 Flash Blade is a bit troublesome, so I won't waste my time here.]

Beside his shattered sword, the blonde figure uttered such insulting words, and not only that, she then did something even more humiliating.

Then there's this noise; I really don't understand why she would release things she can't control yet.

The golden figure glanced at the strange creatures rushing towards her, then raised the blade in its hand.

[Fine, I've had too much stress accumulated today, so I'll vent it on you guys. And while I'm at it, I'll test how effective the Flash Blade is against Noise's body.]

Then, a golden figure swept across the entire venue like lightning. Noise, which would have taken both Kanade and Zou some effort to deal with, was swiftly killed as if ice and snow had melted away after encountering her.

When he came to his senses, all the noise that had filled the venue had vanished, and the golden figure had disappeared without a trace.

"In the end, I wasted the power that I was supposed to use to protect on anger, and the target that I was supposed to protect could only be saved by the enemy's momentary pity."

"Her actions and behavior only showed my weakness. Not only was I not prepared in my will to sacrifice those around me, but I also almost failed everything I was protecting. I despise myself for being so incapable of doing anything."

At the end of the story, Kazanari Tsubasa almost lost control of his emotions again.

Chi Chi

The elevator doors opened.

Hibiki Tachibana was a little worried about Tsubasa Kazanari's condition, but her slip of the tongue just now made her hesitate, worried that what she said might upset Tsubasa-san again.

"Have we arrived... Tachibana, you should go back now."

Having calmed down from his emotions, Kazaki said this.

"But, Miss Tsubasa... are you really sure you're alright?"

As Tachibana Hibiki stepped out of the elevator, she turned back to look at Kazanari Tsubasa and asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, Tachibana, it's only this bad. As long as I spend some time at the base training myself, I can recover to my full strength and it won't affect my combat at all."

As Feng Mingyi spoke, he pressed the button to close the elevator doors.

"So, see you tomorrow, Tachibana."

Then, the elevator doors slowly closed, and Kazunari Tsubasa's figure gradually disappeared from Tachibana Hibiki's eyes.

"Yes, goodbye, Miss Tsubasa..."

As the elevator doors closed completely, Hibiki Tachibana bid farewell, and then the elevator began to descend.

"Ugh, my mind is so confused, I have absolutely no idea what to do."

After seeing that the elevator carrying the Wind Wing had already gone down, Hibiki Tachibana sighed helplessly.

"Miss Tsubasa's feelings are really strange. Even though what Rei did allowed Kanade to live, it caused Miss Tsubasa so much pain."

Hibiki Tachibana felt somewhat confused; the emotions that Tsubasa Kazanari expressed were something she couldn't understand at her current state.

"I wish I could see Miss Zero. I really want to know what Miss Zero was thinking back then, and why she did those things. So where is Miss Zero now?"

As Hibiki Tachibana pondered this, she walked out of the central building and headed towards her dormitory in the night.

Achoo!

Under the same night sky, on the roof of the white mansion, Lingyi, who was installing a device that looked like a pot lid, sneezed.

Chapter Fifteen: Chris's Troubles

Ten days later…

In the dimly lit room, Xueyin Chris was singing an unknown song, and in front of her was a broken sword.

As Chris sang, the broken sword seemed to tremble slightly, but then vanished without a trace.

"Tch, so even with Chris's level of suitability, the string boost is still not enough for a complete relic like Durandal... No, it's Chris's output that's been much lower for some reason."

Separated from Xueyin Chris by a glass wall, Finney, sitting on a sofa, looked at the data on the screen and said with some dissatisfaction.

The reason she had Zero bring the broken sword back was so that Yukine Chris could help activate it as a comparison.

"Forget it, there's no need to rush. I have plenty of time. I can just wait a while longer."

With that thought in mind, Finney opened the door next to the glass curtain wall and walked in with her cool figure.

"Phineas?"

"That's enough, my dear Chris. You've reached the limit of string gain you can produce today. Continuing any further won't be very efficient."

Upon entering the room, Finney stopped Chris from activating "Durandal's" actions.

String gain is something created by special talents, usually released through a song that springs from the heart, and activating a relic requires a large amount of specific string gain.

“I’m sorry, Finney, I’ve tried my best, but for some reason, I just can’t get my string gain level up.”

Chris held her head, speaking with a hint of self-reproach.

She knew that activating this relic was important to Finnie, but she just couldn't concentrate on activating it.

"Is that so? That's quite troublesome."

Finney frowned. If Durandal couldn't be activated soon, her plans would be severely delayed.

However, the two most suitable candidates have already tried activating Durandal, and the plan to gain string enhancement by holding concerts is no longer approved due to an accident two years ago.

"Ah, Chris, why is it that your string gain level has dropped so much? You gave me such a pleasant surprise when you activated the Staff of Solomon."

The open-minded woman stroked Chris's face, her expression extremely unpleasant.

If things continue at this pace, she will have to wait at least another year before Durandal can be activated, and who knows what changes might occur in the meantime.

"I'm sorry, I was so immature, Finney."

Seeing Finney like this, Chris seemed a little uneasy, and Finney's expression worsened as she watched Chris's useless behavior.

Thinking about it carefully, the strength of the string gain seems to be related to the emotions of the person releasing it. Could it be that Chris felt uneasy because of my actions, which caused the string gain to decrease so much?

Finney thought carefully. Having proceeded to this stage, she didn't want any more unexpected changes to occur.

"...Chris, has something been on your mind lately?"

With a tentative thought in mind, Finney bent down slightly and asked the somewhat timid Xueyin Chris face to face.

"Phineas...do you already know?"

Like a cat whose weakness has been exposed, Chris's expression changed.

"And it's related to Zero, isn't it?"

Seeing Chris's state, and considering Chris's behavior when Zero first arrived, Finney felt that she had figured out the reason for Chris's decreased string enhancement level over the past two weeks.

"Even this, Finn, you know about it... Then, Finn, I want to know, what exactly is Zero...?"

Seeing Finney's expression, Chris asked anxiously, but before she could finish, Finney stopped her with her finger.

"Chris, you really have a lovely problem."

Finney chuckled, saying that she was in a good mood because she had finally found the reason for the decrease in string gain that she had been searching for for half a month.

Once this problem is solved, coupled with Yukine's high string gain output, Durandal's activation can be said to be just around the corner.

"Cute? Finny, what are you talking about!"

Chris responded with some embarrassment and annoyance at Finney's description.

"Alright, Chris, I know you're worried that Zero will take your place."

Finney said this with a slight smile, her smooth back resting against the glass window.

"Um, Finney..."

Hearing Finney's words, Chris seemed to want to say something.

“However, your worries are completely unnecessary, because Chris, your position is irreplaceable, you are very important to me, so there is absolutely no need to worry about being replaced by her.”

Unaware of Chris's actions, Finney continued speaking sincerely.

“Finnie, well, actually I’m not worried about that. I’ve been worried about something else lately… ah, of course, this is also a little bit of it.”

Faced with Finney's confident remarks, although she was reluctant to expose him, Chris still told her the truth in order to prevent the other party from continuing to misunderstand.

"ha?"

Fini was puzzled. She couldn't understand why, because according to her observation, this conclusion was the most likely one among all possibilities.

No, that's not it. Could it be that Chris developed the M gene after being attacked by Zero, and now wants to be attacked again? She doesn't remember Chris having this kind of perverted tendency.

"It's like this, Finnie. Actually, I used to know a girl named Zero."

Having slowly made up her mind, Chris said this to Finney.

"So, Chris, you mean you and Zero knew each other before?"

After hearing what Chris said, Finney asked.

"Maybe that's how it is..."

Faced with Finney's question, Chris's face showed confusion and hesitation.

"possible?"

Looking at Chris, Finney asked.

"Because this Lingyi is so different from the Lingyi I know, I've never been sure if she is the same Lingyi I know."

Chris spoke about what had been troubling her for the past two weeks.

"Why would you think that way? And what kind of person is the Zero you know?"

Since it involved his own Durandal activation, Finney patiently continued to ask.

"The Lingyi I know... I don't really know how to describe her. In my memory, she was always full of hope for the future and always worked very hard. She was the kind of person who could still smile even after suffering great hardships."

Upon hearing Finney's question, Xueyin Chris described it in this way.

"I remember, the first time we met was..."