Smack!
The storm shattered everything in its path into minute particles.
Taking lives. This was a commonplace occurrence within the Empire's domain. Although a certain distinction was drawn between "military" and "civilian," against the backdrop of constant warfare (their closest neighbor being the Quantum Sea) and a fierce populace (an ordinary adult Imperial citizen generally possessed the raw power equivalent to a Chariot-class beast), the ability to suppress destructive urges and not be bloodthirsty was already a remarkable sign of the Empire's successful education and legal system.
And at the same moment Bella "transformed"—
CLANG!!
A dark purple scythe, entwined with rose vines, intercepted a longsword aimed at the back of Bella's neck, holding it in mid-air. Then, with a gentle flick and thrust…
Splurt!
Along with the armor and the body it protected, the scythe hacked the target directly into chunks of flesh that could never be pieced back together.
"Be careful."
Rita appeared behind Bella.
"I recall your written scores were quite good among the first-year freshmen. You'd best go back and review the content of Lesson 12-3-9."
The knowledge points in Chapter 12-3 for first-years primarily detailed "1300 Techniques for Self-Preservation in a Melee," and Lesson 9 of that chapter specifically highlighted "An analysis of 500 instances where one should not recklessly increase one's size as long as a stalemate can be maintained."
Bella's grades were, of course, excellent. It was just that during that particular lesson… she happened to have been dragged off by a triumphant Sirin to the [Abyss] to challenge a new first-year record Kiana had just set.
"Understood, senpai!"
Rita did not reply to Bella, instead turning her gaze to the sky. Bianca had already drawn her holy sword, "Durandal," and entered her "Third Form." The chess pieces symbolizing "King" and "Queen" (Self-Propelled Phantoms) had been summoned to the field. These two summons, each possessing the combat power of a [Primordial Species], were currently protecting the students alongside the "pet cat," Stan.
One must know, the legendary "Lady Bianca" was said to have up to five forms, and in her initial state, the Student Council President already possessed the combat power of a [Higher Primordial Species]…
"How very reassuring."
Her palm gently caressed the handle of her scythe. The witch-like, desolate purple instantly transformed into the white and cyan of frost.
"Awaken—"
Although she couldn't reach Bianca's level of power, as the Vice-President, Rita had defeated a host of challengers through sheer strength to earn her place by the President's side!
A ghost-like double slowly solidified, and a heavily armored "Knight" materialized behind Rita!
"—Master of Frost!"
---o---
BANG!
Flames erupted from her twin pistols in alternating bursts, turning any target that attempted to approach into carbon ash that scattered on the wind.
"Mei!"
"What was our exam question again?"
"'Ensure they (Khaenri'ah) continue to advance along their current path'!"
Her lightning-wreathed tachi sliced off the head of a monster she had never seen before. Then, with a nimble flash-step, Mei was back-to-back with Kiana again as she shouted her reply.
"But their path is completely wrong!"
"…"
This time, Mei didn't directly answer Kiana's question. Kiana might not have realized it, but her question was tantamount to questioning the Apostles' decision.
"Sky Island must have blinded the Apostles' sight!"
Mei's reaction was also incredibly fast. Before her tachi could slash for a third time, she had already found a plausible excuse.
Kiana had a point. The power Khaenri'ah was using, aside from conventional Imaginary energy, also included a significant amount of quantum energy! And it was clear their application of it was not very sophisticated. A small portion of the various [Quantum Beasts] they had released, all bearing traces of modification, had completely lost control and were now attacking their own side!
Of course, Kiana didn't know that it was precisely because they were difficult to control that Khaenri'ah had secretly sent the [Quantum Beasts] to the seven nations, hoping to use them to divert their attention and combat strength.
Swoosh—
BOOM!!
Twelve missiles were blown out of the sky.
"Idiot Kiana, watch your head."
Bronya, wielding her "bow-gun," shot down a sneak attack from a "Weeder." These autonomous mechanical life forms of various shapes, driven by ley line energy (Imaginary energy), were Khaenri'ah's primary war machines.
"Aaargh!"
"I don't care anymore!"
From the Empire's perspective, any civilization using quantum energy was a target to be "corrected." They didn't necessarily have to be sunk into the Sea, but they had to be made to remain absolutely clear-headed from that point on.
The problem was, their mission was the exact opposite of the Empire's stance, and the Apostles represented the Emperor, and the Empire existed because of His Majesty the Emperor's will…
The knowledge Teacher Himeko had taught in her "Politics and History" class began to launch a fierce assault on Kiana's mind—
And then!
Whether she had inherited anything else was debatable, but the understanding of the words "forget it" was deeply engraved in the very being of the girl named Kiana Kaslana.
BOOM!!!
Flames roared to life!
Defense was never Kiana's strong suit. Since she didn't know who to treat as an enemy, she would just wipe them all out!
Click!
The grips of her guns met. The combined pistols formed an oversized hilt, and the flames they attracted condensed into the blade of a deep red greatsword.
This was the most distinct symbol of the Kaslana family.
A personalized weapon meticulously crafted for each member: the Sword-Pistol, and the gun-kata martial art designed to be used with it!
"Mei, let's go!"
Kiana charged headfirst and without hesitation into the very front line of the clash between the two armies!
Only Mei and Bronya were left standing there, looking at each other in dismay.
"Idiot Kiana did the right thing this time."
BOOM!!
As Bronya spoke, Project Bunny and Seele also charged in from the side. Project Bunny, having transformed into the "Ghostflame Form" that would make its creators weep, sent all mechanical life forms in its path flying. That's right, the "license" that the "Sky Sovereign" so desperately wanted? Bronya and Project Bunny happened to have one.
"Hah."
Mei finally let out a deep sigh.
Perhaps Kiana's "aura of destruction" was at work. The exam had descended into chaos. Nearly half of the Demon Gods that the Legion Commanders were supposed to be responsible for had shown up here. It was clearly no longer feasible to grade the exam using the previous standards.
Therefore…
"Roar—"
Horns protruded from her temples, and surging lightning formed a sword-wielding samurai behind her!
That's right. This was the Valkyrie Armor System (exclusive to St. Freya), extremely similar to the "Knight" used by Rita. After being modified by her father, Raiden Ryoma, it had become her current combat form (it also had a rideable form)!
By trading high energy consumption for high output, it could multiply Mei's combat power several times over.
Besides, Kiana and the President had started it… and it had been a long time since she had a good, unrestrained fight!
"—Kurikara!!"