HI3: I Don't Want to Be a Valkyrie

In the Far East, in Shinano's Yae Village.

Two more days passed, and things were progressing far better than Kallen had imagined.

The stigmata, was fully mastered by both Yae Sakura and Yae Rin in just two days. Kallen had initially thought it would take them at least a week, perhaps even half a month, to fully acclimate to this newfound power.

Though in these first couple of days, many unforeseen incidents occurred due to their rapid increase in strength and the subsequent lack of control.

For instance, during meals, chopsticks snapped whenever they applied even slight force.

Water cups crumbled as soon as they picked them up...

However, overall, no major mishaps happened. By the second day, things had already improved significantly, and by the third day, they had nearly fully adjusted.

This pleased Kallen greatly. Although she voluntarily took on the responsibility of looking after Yae Sakura and Yae Rin's daily needs...

Having Sakura take care of me would truly be a delightful experience.

So, as a reward for adapting so quickly to their new powers, Kallen decided to present them with the weapons she had prepared for them today itself.

"K-Kallen," she stammered.

"Kallen-nee..." the other added softly.

In the vast hall of the shrine, Yae Sakura and Yae Rin had just entered. They found themselves gazing at the back of a white-haired girl and couldn't resist calling out to her.

"Yes, you're here..." Serenade replied, turning to face the two girls. She nodded with a warm smile on her face.

"Kallen, why did you call us here?" Yae Sakura asked curiously, studying the woman before her. She couldn't understand why she and her sister had been summoned to this place.

"Do you remember... what I told you before?" Serenade began, her voice carrying a promise. "I spoke of giving you even more powerful weapons—godly weapons!"

Serenade paced towards them, her hands clasped behind her back.

"Godly weapons..." Yae Sakura and her sister echoed, their eyes shining with intrigue. What could these godly weapons possibly look like?

Serenade observed the two maidens and said no more. Instead, she extended her arms upward, fingers stretching towards the heavens.

In an instant, a peculiar saber appeared in Serenade's outstretched hands. Its blade was shaped like two intertwining snakes, each biting the other's tail, forming the symbol of infinity. The blade itself continuously emitted a mesmerizing array of colors, its radiance blindingly bright!

This was none other than the... star-ranked, superstar saber, forever timeless... the Void Blade.

It was a weapon Serenade held in high regard, yet... at this moment, Serenade had decided to give it to Yae Sakura standing before her.

The decision to gift the Void Blade to Yae Sakura wasn't easy for Serenade. Initially, she hadn't even considered parting with such a prized possession.

However, as Serenade gazed upon her arsenal of weapons, hesitating for quite some time... she ultimately resolved to give the Void to Yae Sakura.

After all... she still possessed an unpowered version of the Void, which she could enhance when needed. Although this process required several precious Honkai Crystals, it was a sacrifice Serenade deemed worthwhile for the greater good.

The beautiful Void Blade appeared in Serenade's hand, its blade shimmering with iridescent light, captivatingly resplendent.

"Sakura," she began with a traces of emotion in her voice, "a few years ago, at your coming-of-age ceremony, I didn't give you anything truly special. Now... this katana... is one of my most precious and favored weapons. In this moment... I've decided to gift it to you.

I hope you'll cherish it!"

As Serenade spoke, she extended the Void Blade towards Yae Sakura standing before her.

"This... this is far too valuable. I can't possibly accept it." Yae Sakura, moved by the affection in Serenade's gaze, felt a profound change from their past interactions. Previously, Serenade had bestowed many gifts upon her and her sister, but it was clear that no matter how precious they were, Serenade held them with indifference.

However, the beautiful katana she now offered was clearly treasured, as evidenced by the way Serenade's eyes lingered upon it with unmistakable fondness.

This led Yae Sakura to the inescapable conclusion that this must be an exceedingly rare and valuable weapon.

"I'm overwhelmed by this generous gesture," Yae Sakura replied softly. "Your kindness truly humbles me."

"Listen to me! Only by possessing this can you truly unleash your full potential. If you use it to protect yourself, that would be the best reward you could give me.

After all, compared to this Void Blade, you two—Sakura and Rin—are far more precious. So... take it without any concerns." Serenade gazed at Yae Sakura and Yae Rin before her. Though the weapon was valuable, it could be obtained again through gacha draws, and she had multiple weapons in her arsenal.

But the two girls before her were irreplaceable, one of a kind.

"K-Kallan," Yae Sakura said, looking at Serenade with deep emotion.

She then embraced Serenade tightly with both arms, holding her as close as she could.

"That's enough, Sakura. You're no longer a child." Serenade stroked Yae Sakura's pink hair, feeling its smoothness... How unfortunate though... there were no fox ears atop her head.

Could my pet, Higokumaru, perhaps graft similar ears onto Yae Sakura before me? she wondered. Without those fox ears, Yae Sakura always seems to be missing something.

But to make Higokumaru appear, I'd have to switch to the Valkyrie incarnation as Gyakushinn Miko.

At that moment, I'd become an exact replica of Yae Sakura standing before me.

Two Yae Sakuras?

It sounds... actually kinda appealing, come to think of it...

Would I be teaching my own self?

Well, let's put that on hold for now and see how things pan out. If an opportunity presents itself...

After all, as the SSS-rank Valkyrie Sixth Serenade at present, there's no need for the Gyakushinn Miko to stay as a trump card. Wasting the chance to transform wouldn't be the end of the world...

Then again... what if the demon from the box does show up? It'd be a genuine Herrscher, and I wonder if my Higokumaru would be a match for it?

Or maybe I should try persuading this Herrscher of Corruption?

We do share a commonality as fellow Herrschers of Corruption, so perhaps we could find some common ground?

All right... maybe I'm getting a bit too imaginative here. The chances of that happening are slim. While it's true that Herrschers can be influenced by human nature, it's incredibly difficult...

I certainly don't possess the intellect of an Otto to devise such elaborate schemes.

"Kallen, I swear on my soul that I will cherish this blade."

Sakura released her grip on the Void Blade and accepted it from Serenade, her tone solemn and serious as she made her vow.

"No need for such formality. From now on, it's yours."

Serenade nodded at these words. Having watched Sakura grow up, she naturally believed in her character. If it were anyone else, she might have harbored concerns, but when it came to the two Sakura sisters... there was no doubt in her mind.