Making Honkai Impact lll In A World Where Kallen Exists [Continuation]

Would Mei, in hindsight, have one of those moments...

Like—ah, so even back then, the beautiful and lovely Elysia was already hinting at the true name of her engraving?

Sigh, why didn't I realize it back then?

Those little regrets.

'Hmm… this is a bit exciting', Elysia thought to herself.

Fortunately, no other signets were competing with hers for Mei's attention right now.

Consider it a little bonus for being the first to arrive.

A small secret shared between the two of them.

"If I remember correctly, you mentioned this place holds the memories of the thirteen MANTIS. If that's the case, does that mean I can also witness the choices made by others?"

From her words, Mei caught a different implication and couldn't help but ask.

"Mei, is your way of comforting a girl to make her even sadder?"

Elysia feigned a bitter expression, looking at Mei with a hint of grievance.

Bringing up other girls in front of her… even the Pink Fairy herself would feel a little sulky, you know?

You really don't understand a girl's heart~

"…I was merely repeating what you said."

Mei glanced at Elysia, who had inexplicably entered her dramatic mode again, feeling a little at a loss.

Their conversations always seemed to land in awkward situations for one reason or another. In a way, she was testing the other person.

But… so far, it appeared the other party truly harbored a deep kindness toward her—

...if you ignored the occasional subtle touches and gestures of intimacy, that is.

Regardless, Elysia was undeniably her only source of support and information in this place.

[Current Mei: She's so sharp-tongued now, though it's quite funny. It feels so different from the gentle girl she used to be.]

[Mei: I'm very good at communicating with others. Elysia: Me too~]

[The dominant Thunder Queen, allowing the playful pink fairy to tease her as they navigate an unfamiliar realm. Beneath her cold exterior… her heart burns just as brightly!]

---

"Eek—"

Kiana's expression darkened further as she stared at Elysia. That woman was truly persistent, always finding the perfect moment to butt into a conversation.

Suddenly, Kiana felt the story carried a deep malice toward her. They dared to put the once-harmless Mei in this place… would her Mei become just like Elysia upon returning?

"What's wrong, Kiana? Did your heart get moved by my words as well?"

Following Kiana's glare, Elysia turned her gaze toward her. The dissatisfaction on Kiana's face was obvious, her thoughts were so easy to read!

What Elysia wanted wasn't just Mei, after all.

She loved everyone deeply, though perhaps she did favor Mei a little more… but who could blame her? Mei was entirely in her strike zone.

Hmm… now that she thought about it, wouldn't it be fun to walk with Mei in front of Kevin if she succeeded?

He claimed not to care, but how could someone with the same face not feel anything at all?

It was like how Mei must have looked at Hua in the Elysian Realm with even greater trust, genuine and heartfelt.

"My heart… is always moving, but I don't think it has anything to do with you."

Kiana grumbled, glaring at her.

How was someone from 50,000 years ago still so lively?

Couldn't she be more like the class monitor or Kevin, exuding a calm, detached vibe, as if everything were just a passing cloud?

And now she's even trying to steal Mei… Unbelievable! Wait… does this mean my taste is exceptional?

Kiana's thoughts spiraled into odd directions. For many people, she cared more about others than herself. For example, complimenting her might not work, but praising someone she cared about would always bring a smile to her face.

But for Elysia's obviously deliberate compliments… Kiana couldn't feel happy at all~

She just wanted Mei to leave the Elysian Realm immediately, meet her, and reunite as before, to work together, united, and defeat every enemy standing in their way.

-----

But stories do not bend to one person's will; the journey in the Elysian Realm continued.

Raiden Mei wanted to know more, about her companions, and about the thirteen Flame-Chasers.

Elysia squinted her eyes and smiled.

"Don't worry, they're all very lovely people. Build good relationships with them, okay? That shouldn't be hard for you, right?"

"That reminder doesn't sound like something a heartbroken person would say," Mei said, pointedly. Just moments ago, the other woman had claimed her words made her upset.

Though Mei knew it was just teasing, it didn't stop her from throwing a little jab in return.

She didn't know why, but she found it hard to stay on guard around Elysia, instinctively feeling she was someone completely trustworthy.

As their journey deeper into the Realm continued, they met other flame chasers as promised.

The first was Hua.

A black outer robe wrapped her slender frame, under which she wore a form-fitting short-sleeved outfit. Her attire was simple and practical, exuding a crisp and valiant charm.

It seemed as though every part of her appearance prioritized combat, with no unnecessary adornments, a stark contrast to the pink-haired individual from earlier—

Though… she was undeniably cute.

"Nice to meet you, successor. My name is Hua. The imprint of Vicissitude… I will help you become familiar with it."

"…Class monitor?"

Mei couldn't help but feel surprised to see a familiar figure in this strange place. It was astonishing.

"Hmm?"

"…Nothing, I should have guessed."

Recovering quickly, Mei shook her head gently, her closed eyes briefly flashing with complex emotions. The initial joy she felt quickly dissipated.

She was the class monitor, but here, she was a MANTIS of the previous civilization. Mei shouldn't—couldn't—see her as the same person she once knew.

To do so would be disrespectful to both.

In this place, the Elysian Realm, the person before her was Hua, the Flame-Chaser of Vicissitude.

Not the class monitor.

------

Kiana stared at Hua, who had suddenly appeared in the Elysian Realm, momentarily stunned.

Seeing someone you were so familiar with suddenly appear as a person from 50,000 years ago—a distant, distant past—was strange. It was like realizing a classmate you'd known forever suddenly announced they were old enough to be your ancestor.

Tch… even weirder now.

Kiana glanced at Elysia, who was standing by a mirror, tidying her bangs. With a sigh, she turned her gaze away.

Elysia seemed to notice her gaze and returned it with a radiant smile.

That smile… was annoyingly sweet.

Kiana steadied herself, gave a cold humph, and turned away.

"If the class monitor is here… what rank is she?"

"…Twelfth, dummy~ Kiana~," came the reply from the Herrscher of sentience, who stuck out her tongue playfully.

She had been observing everyone, scanning the crowd as if trying to identify something. Her strange actions had become so routine that no one found them surprising anymore.

It's just a kid being a kid, best to humor her~

That was what Luo Mo thought, and he was certain it was on everyone's mind. The only issue was proving it, since no one dared to voice their opinions aloud.

That said, the Herrscher of sentience's earlier insistence on a fifty-fifty split also stemmed from this sort of reasoning. Unfortunately, in the end, Mei still shook her head and refused her invitation.

But… this might not work so well on Mei, huh?

Sigh, The great Herrscher's weapon is ready, but it seems like it's not suitable to use against anyone yet~

With a troubled expression, she continued scanning the group, looking for someone to test her new "brick." Suddenly, she seemed to have locked onto someone, Luo Mo, who was idly watching the screen, suddenly felt a pang of unease. His hand, which had been reaching toward Luna, paused. It felt like someone was plotting against him.

Maybe… she could start with the fact that he didn't have a personal Stigma yet? The Herrscher of sentience stroked her chin as she thought about how to refine her excuse.

Or… maybe it would be better to bag him first. It felt awkward just looking at Luo Mo's face~

....

"Huh? Senti, why are you talking like Bronya all of a sudden?!"

The moment Kiana heard the familiar "dummy" phrase, she immediately prepared to pounce on Bronya, only to realize it was the Herrscher of sentience who had spoken.

"Hmph! You want to be the Herrscher leader? At the very least… you should give me the deputy leader position, like Elysia's equivalent."

The Herrscher of sentience declared her dissatisfaction with "evidence and reasoning."

"Deputy leader? I haven't even… wait, weren't we just talking about the class monitor's rank?"

Kiana paused halfway through her response, reminded herself, and redirected the conversation.

Also… how did the topic she had just brought up become something everyone knew about?

There wasn't even any funding for a Herrscher organization yet, or a venue, for that matter… Kiana lamented, her thoughts spiraling.

"Why care about that? Back then, the old timer hadn't even matured yet and ranked second to last."

The Herrscher of sentience expressed her displeasure with the ranking. Still… the others back then were indeed strong, so she couldn't argue.

If they ranked again now, she certainly wouldn't be twelfth!

"Matured…"

Kiana glanced at Fu Hua, couldn't help but look again, and thought of "mature"—she must mean in the game, right?

Feeling the class monitor's curious gaze, she shivered and immediately straightened her expression.

"Indeed… the class monitor was still too young back then. She needed more time."

Kiana delivered her "still too young" verdict with an earnest demeanor, though she avoided mentioning the eventual outcome.

---

After calmly accepting the class monitor's signets, Elysia reappeared at Mei's side, leaning in to whisper softly, sharing secrets that girls couldn't let others hear.

"Compared to the other signets, don't you think mine is better?"

Throughout the journey, however, she hadn't interfered with Mei's actions or choices. She simply acted as a bystander, letting Mei walk this path on her own.

"…You don't have to keep following me."

The response she got, however, was Mei's cold rejection.

Although, purely in terms of data and utility, Elysia's signets was indeed more… custom-fit and compatible.

But Mei wouldn't admit that!

At least not in front of this person, who would undoubtedly gloat endlessly.

"Hmm~?!"

A satisfied smile appeared on Elysia's face.

She knew it… every visitor loved her imprint. Even among the many shining imprints, hers was the most attention-grabbing!

By now, she was used to the exploration process. At every new level, there was a chance to select an signet.

What she hadn't expected was how many surprises awaited her here. In this space, constructed 50,000 years ago, the first two individuals she encountered were those with ties to the present reality.

Or rather… two of the few who had survived to this era.

...

"Why? …It's you? You're here too?"

Mei stared at the white-haired, blue-eyed man before her. The familiar coldness in his gaze immediately gave away his identity.

"I know the person who brought you here was also me, but I don't want to explain it to everyone all over again."

He crossed his arms, speaking with a frosty tone.

Unlike everyone else, visitors might not have met Hua or Su… but they couldn't not know him.

At the very least, they would have heard of him.

Which was why this surprised expression on their faces was something he had seen far too many times during his countless days here…

So much so that he no longer had the energy to respond to Elysia's endless teasing.

"Search here for what you desire. The cost it demands, I believe you are prepared to bear it."

These were the words spoken, as the signets of deliverance engraved itself upon her heart.

Mei continued forward, stepping through the traces left by the Flame-Chaser  who came before.

[Unimaginable… Kevin's cold demeanor… explaining it each time is so exhausting~]

[Truly, even 50,000 years ago, you already had the potential of a riddle master.]

[Indeed, Elysia's sigil is much better! Elysia! Elysia!]

[Strange, why is there already an organization named after "El" and a leader for it?!]

As Mei overcame another layer of challenges, she awaited the arrival of a new signets. However, at that moment, a solemn and oppressive atmosphere filled the air, setting her on edge.

It was another MANTIS.

She arrived as if a cherry blossom petal had gently landed on her shoulder.

She was already there, impossible to defy. Yet, even if Mei raised her head, she couldn't locate her origin no matter how hard she tried.

"My name is Sakura. I exist here to pass down the techniques of 'Ephemeral Blade' to future generations," said the Mantis with long pink hair, named Sakura.

Her hand remained firmly on the hilt of her sword, as if ready to fend off any threat at a moment's notice. Her gaze was cold as she assessed Mei.

Although she shared the same hair color as Elysia, her demeanor was entirely different.

Unlike the warmth surrounding Elysia, the atmosphere around Sakura exuded coldness and tranquility.

"Hello, my name is Raiden Mei," Mei introduced herself politely.

"There is no need to introduce yourself. A Herrscher stepping into the Elysian Realm is something every Flame chasers must immediately be informed of," Sakura responded calmly.

Her response left Mei slightly embarrassed.

A Herrscher… a matter of such great importance that everyone must be informed? This feels a bit flattering.

However, Sakura emphasized that it was essential for them to take this matter seriously. She also reminded Mei that as long as she remained in the Elysian Realm, she must never let her guard down, not for a moment.

Just as Sakura constantly gripped her sword, Mei could sense a lesson born of a bitter experience.

.....

In the next layer, there were neither expected enemies nor any Mantis. Instead, a lone little shop stood in the middle, filled with all sorts of jars, shining crystals, and metallic objects.

It looked like a trinket stall, with a note pinned on it:

[Welcome to Phyllis's Shop! If you're reading this note, it means I'm out taking care of something super important. I'll be gone for a while, meow~]

Mei wasn't sure what the "super important" task was, but she could guess that Phyllis was likely the name of another Mantis.

As for the playful meow at the end of the note… Mei chose to tactfully ignore it.

....