The individual battles concluded, with all four participants achieving respectable results. This was a positive outcome, as securing 2500 points in the upcoming team match would ensure their successful passage.
"Lu Ze! Why didn't you wake me up earlier? If I had woken up sooner and adjusted my state, I might have scored 3000 points. It's all your fault! You have to buy me a Happy Meal!"
Looking at Kiana's tantrum, you couldn't help but think, "Did you just want a Happy Meal all along? If you wanted one, why not just say so? It's not like I wouldn't buy it for you."
"Alright, alright, I'll buy you one tonight. For now, let's head back. The team match is about to start. Everyone, let's do our best and aim for a good result!"
After ten minutes of adjustment, the four of them stepped onto the dueling grounds together. They weren't assigned to the later matches, but rather among the top contenders. That was good; the sooner it ended, the sooner they could leave.
"Team Match, Group Three, assessment begins!"
Instantly, five or six Chariot-class Honkai Beasts appeared on the battlefield, along with more than ten vanguard-class ones. As expected of a team match, the number of Honkai Beasts had significantly increased.
Raiden Mei charged forward first, her short blade cleaving through a vanguard-class Honkai Beast in front of her, cutting it in two.
Bronya, not to be outdone, unleashed several missiles from her Haxxor Bunny, obliterating a cluster of vanguard-class Honkai Beasts.
Kiana flipped through the air, her right leg kicking downwards forcefully. A giant cat's paw appeared in the air, pinning a Honkai Beast to the ground.
Among the four, Lu Ze was perhaps the least conspicuous. He lacked flashy techniques or impressive special effects, relying solely on his short sword and revolver to eliminate monsters.
With occasional spatial jumps, he seemed to be the weakest.
Just as all the monsters were eliminated, a red warning symbol appeared in the air. Even Rita, who was presiding over the assessment, had no idea what was happening.
As more warning symbols accumulated, a Honkai Beast appeared on the field. Its towering physique and immense pressure indicated it was an Emperor-class Honkai Beast, far beyond what the four of them could handle.
However, they had no other choice. They had to take a gamble, to turn a bicycle into a motorcycle.
"Bronya! I'll trouble you to distract this Emperor-class Honkai Beast. Mei, Kiana, and I will go for its blind spot. You have to hold on!"
Perhaps because the projected Honkai Beast had no intelligence, it didn't notice the three of them stealthily approaching its rear.
The three unleashed their signature moves. Though their attacks seemed like mere tickles, they were at least having some effect.
"With this happening in the academy, shouldn't Miss Theresa intervene? Based on the strength of these four, they won't be able to hold on for long. And it's not convenient for me to step in, so I'll trouble Miss Theresa."
Theresa, who had been sitting comfortably, had no choice but to rise from her seat with a resigned expression. From somewhere, she produced a black cross, Thundering Judgment. If it weren't for the need to end this quickly, why would she bring out such a thing?
It was quite terrifying, wasn't it?
The next second, Theresa's figure appeared in the arena. Numerous golden chains bound the Emperor-class Honkai Beast's limbs tightly. Following that, countless lances flew out, each piercing the Honkai Beast's abdomen.
Even so, the Emperor-class Honkai Beast lay on the ground with remarkable tenacity. It then pushed with its limbs and managed to stand up with great effort.
It opened its massive maw and let out a roar.
"What are you roaring about? In front of me, you won't last a second round."
Theresa waved her hand, grabbed Thundering Judgment, which was stuck in the ground, and hurled it away.
Thundering Judgment struck the Honkai Beast's forehead heavily. Then, in the next second, golden chains unfurled from within, locking the Honkai Beast tightly.
Theresa walked over with disdain, stepped forcefully on the Emperor-class Honkai Beast's head, and chuckled. From the Honkai Beast's perspective, it might have seen some mysterious places, but it wouldn't appreciate them.
At this moment, all it felt was powerless rage.
However, Theresa had no intention of letting it stand up again. She directly pierced the Honkai Beast's head with a lance, causing it to dissolve into blue fragments and vanish from the space, as if it had never been there.
The red warnings in the sky gradually disappeared, signaling the all-clear. Kiana breathed a sigh of relief and asked with a questioning tone:
"Auntie! Why was there an Emperor-class Honkai Beast? Shouldn't you give us an explanation?"
Despite her words, Theresa shook her head.
"I don't know. According to the system's settings, there should have been at most Chariot-class Honkai Beasts. Why an Emperor-class appeared... I don't know the reason either. I will contact the relevant staff for re-inspection. Today's assessment will have to be postponed. Your scores will still be valid."
As she spoke, Rita's figure appeared beside Theresa. Her eyes had not left Kiana, constantly observing her every move.
"You must be Kiana, right? Your performance was quite impressive. I'd like to invite you for a duel. Are you willing?"
From her seat in the audience, Rita had noticed that Kiana's attacks could inflict considerable damage on an Emperor-class Honkai Beast. Even though it was projected, it was still a genuine Emperor-class. What had happened to this K423?
Hearing that she could duel with an S-rank Valkyrie like Rita, Kiana's eyes lit up. She had always wanted to fight an S-rank. If she won, wouldn't that prove she had also reached S-rank?
"Yes! I accept your challenge! Why wait? Let's start now!"
Like a fearless newborn calf, Rita chuckled, thinking, "Should I go easy on her later? It wouldn't be good if she got hurt."
"Alright, then be careful, Kiana."
Five minutes later, Kiana had undoubtedly suffered a crushing defeat. Facing an experienced S-rank Valkyrie, how could she possibly win? She stood no chance at all.
"You're very strong... but one day I will surpass you!"
Seeing Kiana's unyielding expression, Rita smiled and said:
"Then I will always welcome your challenges. However, if you want to surpass me, you still have a long way to go. Keep up the good work!"