The Great Honkai Scholar—Bronya

The glance Luo Mo casually directed at Fu Hua didn't faze her. To her, the information revealed in the video was more than enough to set her into deep contemplation about Honkai and the future.

She was more interested in figuring out how to defeat Honkai itself.

As for Kiana's lazy behavior, Fu Hua simply chose to turn a blind eye.

---

In St. Freya's dormitory

"Uh, Mei, it was probably just a 'scripted loss' in the plot. It shouldn't be too bad..."

Theresa wiped the sweat off her forehead, trying to defend her student.

Watching the combat scenes, even she could feel the difficulty spike, it wasn't something she could beat anyway.

Luckily, Bronie had stepped in and forced the storyline forward, sparing her further torment.

"Hmph, so simple. Is there a feedback form? I'd write 'EXTREMELY EASY' in bold letters," Bronie declared unapologetically, leaving Theresa speechless after her recent failed attempt.

"It seems our guest is quite adept at video games. It's almost making me a bit eager to try," Kallen said with a graceful smile.

"Oh? Care for a match?" Bronie asked, brimming with excitement, unconcerned about Kallen's lofty status.

"I can actually recommend a friend. S-rank Valkyrie Cecilia next door is much better than me at this. You could contact her if you're interested," Kallen offered a better suggestion with a gentle shake of her head.

-------------

Unexpectedly, the story didn't end there. After successfully saving Captain Mei, Adam collapsed from exhaustion. Meanwhile, Carol struggled to fend off the waves of smaller monsters, guarding Mei and Adam.

Even as her arms and shoulders ached to the point of numbness and her legs felt as though they were filled with lead, she refused to back down.

She had to hold on to the end. After everything, how could she give up here?

They had promised to return together.

With numb fists, her near-powerless gloves struck the monsters again and again. Every blow drained her of strength, yet somehow, she dredged up one last ounce of willpower each time.

Her vision blurred, and memories played vividly before her eyes, scenes that fueled her determination to create more moments like them.

She didn't yield, not for a long time, or maybe it just felt that way. Carol gave it her all.

Finally, a cool voice cut through the chaos. Several silvery beams rained down upon the monsters, dispersing the attack she had no energy left to avoid.

Awakening from her memories, she blinked at the serene figure before her, her expression dazed.

"You did well, Carol Pepper…"

"Leave the rest to me."

The iconic silver-gray hair was tied into two spiraling curls by black butterfly-like ornaments. The shimmering strands flowed without gathering a speck of battlefield dust, as pristine as snow glinting in the sun.

Her pale gray eyes, clear and unflinching, stared down the monsters without the slightest fear or hesitation. The cannon in her hands struck every weak spot with pinpoint precision. Her aura exuded a frosty elegance.

"Bronya Zaychik, Deputy Leader of Squad Two, reporting to St. Fontaine."

She pressed a device at her ear, her slender fingers deft and efficient.

Her elegant outfit of silvery gray tones, accented by delicate white floral patterns, resembled a graceful evening gown. It highlighted her mature figure, with a sophisticated blue gemstone on her wing-like white shoulder cape, which casually revealed her smooth, snow-white shoulders.

On her left leg, opaque white stockings added an alluring touch. The asymmetry of the blue skirt swaying to her left made her all the more striking.

No longer the immature girl she once was, every movement of hers now radiated maturity and grace.

And this was none other than the Bronya everyone knew.

-------------

[Bronya? Did you eat something? Are you really Bronya??]

[Fu Hua: People's joys and sorrows are not connected; I only find them annoying.]

[Bronya… no longer a 'duck.' Even more lovable now!]

[Still has the same soft voice, but now… she actually has softness to match.]

---

Kiana's eyes widened in disbelief, her jaw slack.

"Br-Bronya? Is this really Bronya?"

In Post-Honkai Odyssey, there had been moments that surprised her, old friends returning, poignant reflections on the struggle against Honkai, and the thrilling emergence of Void Archives.

But ultimately, none of it had triggered a sense of crisis for her. They had already defeated Otto, and Post-Honkai reaffirmed their ability to overcome the same. "Sky People"? She scoffed at the thought.

If Mei were to awaken as a Herrscher, she could probably obliterate that "boss" in an instant.

(Not that the plot would allow for it—limited by the world's lack of Honkai energy.)

That said, Adam's sacrifice had caught her attention, stirring a flicker of respect. His physical power might not compare to the boss, but his spirit resonated with her deeply.

But now, Kiana was forced to revise her earlier conclusions.

Because Bronya was the most shocking thing of all!!!

How had her own progress, going from D-rank to A-rank in two years—been eclipsed by Bronya's ability to go from A-rank to… practically god-tier in just eight years?

Not the most accurate metaphor, but she couldn't find better words at the moment. Could she still call Bronya "Little Bean Sprout" with any credibility now?

(TL: Really? To me, I see Bronya similar to Kiana and others. The only one I see with high rank is Aponia and Vill-V)

Kiana's gaze turned complicated as she stared at this "different" Bronya. The future undeniably belonged to her.

Meanwhile, Bronya's cheeks flushed lightly, her gray eyes alight with excitement and curiosity as she carefully scrutinized the details of her future self. The more she looked, the more she admired it.

The scene ended with the screen helpfully displaying Bronya's artwork. The floating, wing-like cape looked incredibly lifelike, elegant and dynamic as if it might flutter away at any moment.

Everyone else was momentarily stunned, staring at Bronya's strikingly different figure, but familiar face—in complete silence.

Bronya set her controller down, clenched a fist to her chest, and resolutely declared,

"Pull for her! No matter how strong she is—or isn't—even if it heals the boss, I'll max out Bronya!"

With fiery determination in her gaze, she vowed to pour her salary into it if necessary. So what if it meant falling into the "payroll recovery program"?

Her eyes burned with hope for the future.

"Wait, wait, wait! Why does Mei remain relatively standard while Bronya undergoes such a massive transformation?!"

Even the usually composed Herrscher of Sentience found herself flustered, frantically mimicking the motion of pressing a pause or back button, if only such buttons existed in reality.

The scene before them, comparing the two vastly different versions of Bronya, clearly left a significant impression on the children.

"Well, from a rational perspective..." Fu Hua murmured in thought, her gaze fixed on the screen where this strikingly unfamiliar Bronya appeared.

"Don't bother analyzing it; just look at what Bronya usually eats. It's definitely your pickled vegetables that's the problem. That Chun Bu Lao or whatever—just toss it already," the Herrscher of Sentience said with a roll of her eyes.

She couldn't help but feel anxious about how little the old-fashioned Fu Hua cared for her own physical development.

Fu Hua, however, was unconvinced that this had anything to do with her pickled vegetables. To her, it was merely the Herrscher being unreasonable. She sighed as she looked at this eternally rebellious "child."

Mei covered her mouth in surprise. "Bronya's transformation really is quite drastic."

"Indeed... And what's more, Bronya-nee isn't referring to herself in the third person anymore. She's stopped calling herself Bronya," Seele keenly pointed out with a soft smile, catching this subtle yet significant detail.

Having grown close to her "sister," Seele naturally noticed what others might miss.

"Uh... now that you mention it, Bronya will... try to pay more attention to that in the future," Bronya said awkwardly, scratching the back of her head in regret. But her lips betrayed a faint smile.

Seele chuckled awkwardly, choosing not to push her sister for immediate change.

"See? Isn't this a huge surprise? Who would've thought our Bronya could grow so much!" Luo Mo teased with a light laugh. "As for you, Bronya... don't worry about the new character healing enemies or anything like that. It's just a metaphor, a metaphor! Trust me on that."

He emphasized the word repeatedly, then softened his tone, realizing he might have come off as harsh. After all, the designer of such an excellent character deserved some kindness.

Turning his head slightly, he acted calm and composed. "That said... Bronya, you really should consider making a costume like this. It's designed beautifully."

"It really is," Kiana agreed, eyes lighting up as she examined the elegant Seele Wing costume on display. "This skirt, those wings... oh, and the leg ring—although, honestly, every time I see leg rings, I get reminded of unpleasant stuff."

She couldn't help but comment as her eyes sparkled at the animated rendition of Bronya in her new outfit.

"Anyway, this has nothing to do with me! Stop envying Bronya already," Luo Mo said dismissively.

"But even if she made it, Bronya can't wear it yet, right? So... how about I try it instead? Or no, I'll have my mom try it!"

Before Luo Mo could respond with a teasing "You couldn't wear it either," Kiana swiftly corrected herself, pointing to Cecilia instead.

The thought of Cecilia wearing the outfit momentarily floated into Luo Mo's mind... Well, it wasn't a bad image. Cecilia certainly wouldn't have any trouble pulling it off.

"Hmph, even if Bronya can't wear it now, she can save it for later. One day, Bronya will be able to," Bronya huffed lightly, unconcerned.

At this moment, she seemed to hold the ticket to victory firmly in her hand. The noise and doubts around her were nothing more than the buzzing of flies. Her mood was radiant.

But then... she suddenly recalled something her boss had mentioned several times about the "eight-year agreement."

Her eyes darted quickly to Fu Hua's and the Herrscher of Sentience's chests, before returning to the intricate patterns on the screen's displayed dress. A vague but budding idea formed in her mind.

Could it be...

The boss wasn't referring to strength at all?

Her heart skipped a beat, unsure whether to feel happy or frustrated. Judging by her entrance and combat style, she didn't seem to be on Fu Hua's level... A whirlwind of mixed emotions stirred within her, but soon they settled, replaced by a subtle sweetness.

"Maybe you won't have to wait for the future," Luo Mo suddenly said with a sly smile, handing her a card, a costume card for the Silverwing outfit.

"Ah? Boss... that's unfair," Kiana pouted, her lips curling enough to hang a bottle of soy sauce.

"Isn't this kind of thing... pretty rare? Wouldn't it be better to trade it for something that could enhance one's strength?" Fu Hua asked with a slightly furrowed brow.

Though peace reigned at the moment, she believed being better prepared against Honkai was always a good idea. She valued practicality over aesthetics.

"..." Bronya stared longingly at the card for a few seconds but refrained from reaching out. Instead, she glanced back at Luo Mo.

She had heard Fu Hua's point, and despite her reluctance, she somewhat agreed.

"Uh... I'm not that unreliable. This card doesn't serve any other function, it can't be exchanged for anything else. If you really want, it's just for you to use."

Halfway through his explanation, Luo Mo suddenly backtracked on his own words. He realized the newly unlocked feature required 20 such cards to activate and wouldn't work if they simply sat in inventory.

This wasn't just about functionality anymore, it was about trust. Fortunately, demand seemed to be high here.

"I'll make sure everyone gets one eventually, but priority will go to those who undergo significant transformations. Understandable, right?"

He raised an eyebrow knowingly, his smile carrying an unspoken message.

The Valkyries on the other side shifted from frustration to excitement.

"I wasn't trying to ruin the fun," Fu Hua said with a slight, understanding smile.

"Of course, of course. Fu Hua just doesn't understand my capabilities yet," Luo Mo chimed in, supporting her.

"Hmph... In that case, Bronya won't hold back. To refuse would be discourteous. Boss, feel free to ask anything of Bronya in the future."

(TL: oh no)

Bronya accepted the card, holding it tightly in her hand. She spoke earnestly to Luo Mo.

For a brief moment, Luo Mo wanted to ask, "Anything, really?"

But he quickly suppressed the thought and stopped himself from indulging in inappropriate ideas.

After all, young Bronya was underage, while mature Bronya was certainly not. A grown body paired with an underdeveloped soul... What kind of judgment should that lead to?

Luo Mo dismissed the idea of testing the boundaries of legality.

"Hurry up and transform! I've already seen that girl with the explosives; there won't be anything inappropriate," Kiana said quickly, her tone brimming with anticipation. She was clearly hoping that one day, she too could have something this entertaining.

Only the Herrscher of Sentience froze momentarily, replaying Luo Mo's words in her mind. Prioritize those with the most significant changes... Was the old timer the one with minor changes, or was she the one without any at all? It was giving her a headache.

It wouldn't be bad to transform into that clay statue version either, she mused, a peculiar thought flashing through her mind.

With a flash of white light, there were no surprises. Bronya's outfit changed, exuding elegance and nobility.

She had grown taller, her figure now filling out the dress and showcasing feminine beauty. She did a slow turn, looking down at her transformation before glancing at everyone else. The astonished looks in their eyes gave her a sense of satisfaction.

Luo Mo was also momentarily captivated by Big Bronya, albeit slightly ashamed. Besides Elysia and Theresa, he had entertained the idea of joining the Duck Club too. Seeing her in reality fulfilled a small wish of his.

"Oh? Boss, want to feel the fabric and check it out?"

Noticing Luo Mo's daze, Bronya uncharacteristically teased him. Her fingers brushed the smooth fabric of her skirt as she curiously patted the wing on her right shoulder. Her gray eyes sparkled with amusement, as though her growth had also brought emotional release.

"…Hmm?"

---

On the other side, Bronie found that even the candy in her mouth tasted bland. Watching Bronya's mature and graceful demeanor, she felt like she was facing a formidable opponent.

She now fully understood: she had lost—completely and utterly. The bet had been a failure from the start.