Honkai: Starting to Wander with Kiana

Time slipped away like water through cupped hands, and before anyone knew it, 2013 had arrived.

Ryn finally completed the development of Kallen: Twice Under the Sakura Blossoms and released it to the world. The game's launch not only brought Ryn global fame but also redefined how people perceived the relationships between Kallen, Otto, and Yae Sakura.

Otto was ecstatic that day. He personally invited Ryn to dinner and, during the meal, proposed designing custom A-rank Valkyrie armor for Ryn. His condition? Conducting tests on Ryn's Stigma.

After consulting with the Stigma consciousness within him, Ryn agreed. The allure of A-rank Valkyrie armor—an epitome of technological advancement—was impossible to resist.

While Schicksal possessed S-rank Valkyrie armors, most were relics from previous civilizations and were still under Otto's study. Rumors spoke of experimental fourth-generation S-rank Valkyrie armor, but Otto wouldn't hand it out lightly.

Schicksal had only three confirmed S-rank Valkyries: a young girl, Otto's granddaughter Theresa, and a mysterious figure whose identity remained unknown. Even they lacked access to the fourth-generation armor, so it was unlikely Otto would grant such a privilege to Ryn.

(One S-rank was Bianka Ataegina "Durandal", who acquired the holy sword in 2012 and subsequently changed her name. Theresa, though refusing the S-rank coronation ceremony, was widely acknowledged as one. The third, a secret to most, was the dormant Li Sushang.)

Following Kallen: Twice Under the Sakura Blossoms, Ryn planned to capitalize on its success with Honkai Alliance. However, after discussions with Otto, he renamed it Honk League, as Schicksal tightly controlled all information about Honkai, deeming it premature for the public to know.

Kiana's habit of sleeping through classes like a pig persisted, and she absorbed little of the lessons.

Kiana frequently invited friends like Sparkle and Mei to visit her home. Over time, Ryn grew familiar with them as well. Though his bond with Mei remained distant, he shared a good rapport with Sparkle.

Sparkle had red eyes and a doll-like face, framed by long black hair with deep red inner highlights and a fringe over her forehead. Her outfit, a mix of white, red, and black, featured shoulder-baring designs and wide white sleeves. A red decorative rope was tied in two sections at her back.

Her asymmetrical lower attire included a brown-black pleated skirt, white stockings on her right leg, short socks on her left, and wooden clogs.

Sparkle had an unusual obsession with sweets, which Kiana often exploited to tease her. The first time Kiana brought Sparkle home, she tricked her into thinking there were many sweets at her house. To avoid disappointing Sparkle, Kiana had Cortana rush-order desserts for delivery.

Sparkle, a laid-back and non-competitive person, often lazed wherever she felt like.

Kiana and Sparkle first met in a pastry shop renowned for its tasty treats. Sparkle had queued for donuts for a long time, but frequent line-cutting by acquaintances from their school left her empty-handed when she reached the counter. Disheartened and exhausted, Sparkle felt the day had gone to waste.

Just then, a fluffy white-haired figure appeared before her. Smiling, Kiana handed her a donut from the large bag she carried.

"Here, take this. I saw you waiting for so long. You must really love donuts."

Sparkle accepted the donut, glanced at Kiana, and, in her usual sharp-tongued manner, replied, "Hmph, mind your own business..."

"Then give it back," Kiana retorted, snatching the donut from her hands.

Caught off guard, Sparkle, hailing from a declining noble family, felt both helpless and close to tears.

"Give me..."

Kiana, seeing Sparkle's teary eyes, decided to have some fun. "Say, 'Thank you, Mistress Kiana,' and I'll give it back."

"Thank you, Mistress Kiana. Now give me one."

Sparkle's shamelessness, driven by her love for sweets, amused Kiana, who handed over the donut and pointed to the bag full of treats.

The two sat on a bench, chatting casually while sharing the donuts. Kiana introduced herself as Kiana Kaslana, and Sparkle shared her name in return.

After finishing the donuts meant for Ryn, Kiana felt overstuffed and lay sprawled on the bench, unable to move. Sparkle, equally bloated, tugged at Kiana's clothes for help sitting up, prompting teasing laughter from her new friend.

"Next time, I'll call you 'Colorless Fat Fire,'" Kiana teased.

Sparkle tried to argue, but found she didn't even have the strength to sit up. She could only tug at Kiana's clothes, signaling for her help.

"It's your choice. Pull me up—I can't get up."

"Hahaha, Colorless Fat Fire, you crack me up." Kiana chuckled while she helped Sparkle sit up. "I'm really curious—how did you eat twenty-something donuts without knowing you were stuffed?"

"I did. But the donuts were so good, it was worth it. You only live once, so you should do what makes you happy. Eating sweets makes me happy. But now I have to worry about my weight again."

"Hahaha, Sparkle, you're really amusing. Let's be friends!"

"There's no point in being friends with me, because I won't come find you or play with you. I'm very weak, so I prefer staying in class or at home."

"That's fine, I can come find you."