Becoming a Valkyrie

Kate stood in the middle of the controlled room, her stance firm and confident. Theresa and the others watched from above, their expressions unreadable but keenly observant.

"As you know, I can open portals from my treasury," Kate began, her voice clear and steady. "I call this ability the Gate of Babylon. My original ability is to copy. I can copy anything. This is why I tried to kidnap Kiana and copy her Herrscher core."

Her words hung in the air, met with silence. She continued, "My only ability is to copy, with the exchange of my lifespan. I copied the Gate of Babylon from the first hero, Gilgamesh, the one who collected all the treasures the world has to offer. This is the explanation of my ability."

Theresa leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing. "Use it on the Honkai Beast."

A projection of a Honkai Beast appeared in front of Kate, its presence imposing and menacing. Kate nodded. "Okay, but know that I won't hold back this time."

She opened a single gate behind her, carefully selecting Caladbolg. With a swift motion, she fired it at the Honkai Beast, unleashing its full power. The weapon flew at Mach ten speed, striking the beast with devastating force.

The impact was cataclysmic. A massive explosion ensued, obliterating the Honkai Beast and leaving a gaping hole in the wall behind it. The sheer power of the attack sent shockwaves through the room, the ground trembling beneath their feet.

Theresa and the others were momentarily stunned, their eyes wide with a mix of awe and disbelief. Kate stood amidst the aftermath, her expression calm and composed.

Theresa finally spoke, her voice carrying a note of cautious respect. "Impressive. Your ability is indeed formidable. But there's still much we need to understand."

Kate nodded. "I understand. I'm here to cooperate and assist in any way I can."

Himeko, still skeptical, crossed her arms. "This power... it can be a great asset, but also a great danger. We need to be certain of your intentions."

"My intentions are to help," Kate replied earnestly. "I seek strength, but not at the cost of others. I want to use my abilities to aid in your fight against the Honkai."

Theresa exchanged a glance with Himeko, then nodded. "Very well. We'll proceed with caution. For now, you'll be under our supervision. Prove to us that you can be trusted."

Kate smiled slightly. "Thank you. I won't let you down."

As the session concluded, Kate knew she had taken the first step in gaining their trust. There was a long road ahead, filled with challenges and tests, but she was determined to prove her worth and make a difference in this new world.

Kate entered the room through the east door, her curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar surroundings. "What is this?" she asked, glancing around.

"To become a Valkyrie, one must have Honkai energy within them to enhance their strength," Himeko explained. "Sit here," Theresa ordered, indicating a chair in the center of the room.

Kate complied, her determination unwavering. Theresa and Himeko left the room and moved to the viewing window, where they could monitor the procedure. "Kate, can you hear me?" Theresa's voice crackled through the intercom.

Kate nodded in response. "Yes, I can hear you."

"Alright then, Kate. If you want to absorb the Honkai energy as efficiently as possible, you can remove your clothes," Theresa suggested, her tone professional but concerned.

Without hesitation, Kate began removing her clothes, her resolve to get stronger evident in her actions. "Principal?" she called out as she stood ready.

"What is it?" Theresa asked, watching intently.

"If I can't absorb anymore, I'll tell you, so please don't stop the procedure," Kate requested.

Theresa considered her words carefully before deciding. "Alright, we'll proceed as you wish."

With a press of a button, the Honkai Reactor beneath the room activated, filling the chamber with a visible, swirling energy. Kate stood resolute, feeling the energy begin to penetrate her body. The initial sensation was intense, a mix of searing heat and electric shock.

Her muscles tensed, and she gritted her teeth against the pain. She focused on absorbing the energy, channeling it through her body. The room around her seemed to pulse with the power being unleashed.

Outside, Theresa and Himeko watched with a mix of concern and awe. The Honkai energy radiated around Kate, her skin glowing with an ethereal light. She was absorbing the energy at an astonishing rate, her body straining against the influx.

Minutes felt like hours as Kate continued to draw in the energy. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, but she refused to give up. The pain was excruciating, yet she endured, driven by her desire to become stronger.

Finally, Kate's body began to reach its limit. The energy absorption slowed, and she felt herself nearing the brink of what she could handle. "Principal, stop the procedure!" she managed to call out, her voice strained.

Theresa immediately hit the button to deactivate the reactor. The room's energy flow ceased, leaving Kate to collapse onto the floor, panting heavily. Her body ached, and she felt as if she had been through a battle, but she had done it.

Theresa and Himeko rushed in, concern etched on their faces. "Kate, are you alright?" Theresa asked, kneeling beside her.

Kate nodded weakly, a small smile of triumph on her lips. "I did it. I can feel the power. I'm stronger now."

Himeko helped her to her feet, supporting her weight. "You did well, Kate. You've taken the first step to becoming a Valkyrie."

Kate's determination burned brighter than ever. She had absorbed the Honkai energy, and now, with this new strength, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Theresa, observing from the viewing window, glanced at the data displayed on her tablet. "Kate Apocalypse... she managed to absorb 500 Honkai Welt on her first attempt?" she thought, astonishment clear in her eyes. She looked up, watching Kate recover with Himeko's help.

Himeko glanced at Theresa and shook her head slightly. "No Honkai corruption either. Her body accepted the Honkai energy as if it were a natural process," Theresa mused, her mind racing with the implications.

Kate stood, still catching her breath but visibly stronger. The Honkai energy coursed through her veins, a newfound power she had never felt before. "I did it," she murmured, her voice filled with determination and a hint of wonder.

Himeko supported Kate, offering her a reassuring smile. "You've done exceptionally well, Kate. This is just the beginning."

Theresa stepped into the room, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "Kate, you absorbed an incredible amount of Honkai energy without any signs of corruption. That's unprecedented. How do you feel?"

Kate met Theresa's gaze, her resolve unshaken. "I feel stronger, more capable. I knew I could handle it."

Theresa nodded, her mind already turning to the potential applications of Kate's unique abilities. "We'll need to monitor you closely, but if what you've achieved here is any indication, you could be a significant asset in our fight against the Honkai."

Kate nodded, her eyes blazing with determination. "I'm ready for whatever comes next."

Theresa smiled, a rare expression of warmth and approval. "Welcome to St. Freya, Kate. Let's see what you're truly capable of."

The next day, Kate woke up in her new room. "I'm assigned to Captain Himeko's squad," Kate thought to herself. "I broke through to Qi Transformation 3rd Stage directly, and 300 years have been added to my lifespan. Just a little more and—" Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice at her door.

Kate opened the door to see another squad member standing there. "Mei-senpai?" Kate asked, surprised.

"We have a mission. A Honkai eruption was reported," Mei said.

Kate and Mei immediately headed to the briefing room. After the briefing, all of Squad 5 headed to the rooftop.

"What are we waiting for?" Kate asked.

"Our ride," Bronya replied.

"I have my own vehicle. Do you want to use it? It's faster than the vehicles of this world," Kate suggested.

"What do you mean?" Kiana asked, curious.

"I have a ship named Vimana. It's as fast as the speed of thought. Or, if you prefer, there's also the Ship Light," Kate announced confidently.

The squad members exchanged glances, intrigued by Kate's offer. Himeko stepped forward, considering the options. "If what you say is true, Kate, then let's use your ship. Speed is crucial in responding to Honkai eruptions."

Kate smiled and opened a gate. From within, the Vimana emerged, its sleek form shimmering with an otherworldly glow. The squad members stared in awe as they boarded the ship.

As they settled in, Kate took the controls. "Hold on tight, everyone. This will be a quick ride."

With a thought, the Vimana took off, soaring through the skies at incredible speed. The landscape below blurred as they traveled towards the site of the Honkai eruption, the urgency of their mission clear in everyone's minds.

In just a mere 8 seconds, Squad 5 arrived at their location. The speed of their travel excited and surprised the whole group.

"This really contradicts the physics we know today," Bronya remarked, clearly astonished.

"Let's leave the discussion for later," Himeko interjected. "Bronya and Kate will be on support, while Mei, Kiana, and I will handle the offensive."

Himeko's command was flawless as the group moved into battle. Kate and Bronya followed from above, with Bronya providing assistance to the three below and Kate taking care of enemies in the sky.

From her vantage point, Kate unleashed the Gates of Babylon, opening multiple portals to rain down precision strikes on aerial targets. Each enemy was swiftly dispatched, clearing the skies and preventing any aerial assaults on the ground team.

Bronya, with her mechanical prowess, deployed drones and precision artillery to support Himeko, Mei, and Kiana. The coordination between the ground and aerial support was seamless, allowing the squad to push forward effectively.

Kate monitored the battlefield, her eyes scanning for any threats. "Bronya, watch the left flank. There's a group of Honkai beasts approaching," she communicated through their comms.

"Got it," Bronya responded, adjusting her drones' positions to intercept the incoming threat.

On the ground, Himeko led the charge with her massive sword, slicing through Honkai beasts with fierce determination. Mei's agile movements and precise strikes complemented Himeko's raw power, while Kiana's explosive attacks created openings for both of them.

The synergy between the squad members was palpable. Each move was calculated, every action deliberate. The combined efforts of the offensive and support teams created a formidable force against the Honkai eruption.

As the battle raged on, Kate noticed a particularly large Honkai beast emerging from the shadows. "Himeko, we have a big one incoming. I'll target its weak points," she announced, opening several Gates of Babylon to prepare for a concentrated attack.

"Understood," Himeko replied, rallying Mei and Kiana to focus their efforts on the beast.

With precision and power, Kate unleashed a barrage of powerful weapons from the Gates of Babylon. Each strike was aimed to weaken the beast, creating vulnerabilities for the ground team to exploit. The combined assault from above and below overwhelmed the beast, bringing it down with a final, devastating blow from Himeko's sword.

The battlefield fell silent as the last of the Honkai beasts were defeated. The squad regrouped, their victory hard-won and well-coordinated.

"Excellent work, everyone," Himeko praised, her voice filled with pride. "Let's head back and debrief."

The squad boarded the Vimana once more, their spirits high from the successful mission. As they soared back to St. Freya, Kate couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging and camaraderie with her new team. She knew this was just the beginning of their journey together, and she was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

After the debriefing, Himeko addressed the team. "Kate, you did great this time," she announced, prompting a round of applause from the squad.

However, Kate's face was tinged with a hint of sadness as she spoke. "The countdown is almost done. I'll have to return."

"What do you mean?" Himeko asked, concerned.

"My travel to this world is temporary. Once the countdown finishes, I'll be forced to go back to my own universe. But don't worry, once the cooldown is over, I'll come back. I've enjoyed being here," Kate explained.

Her announcement dampened the mood, but Kiana quickly stepped in, offering a juice with a bright smile. "Then we'll wait for you here!"

Himeko, Bronya, and Mei echoed Kiana's sentiment, their supportive words and gestures warming Kate's heart. Despite knowing each other for only a day, this moment of camaraderie and genuine affection deeply moved Kate. She had been alone for so long, and experiencing such warmth and acceptance, even briefly, felt profoundly significant.

"Thank you," Kate said, her voice soft with emotion. "I won't forget this."

The team gathered around her, sharing stories and laughter, making the most of their remaining time together. As the countdown ticked closer to its end, the bonds they had formed in such a short time grew even stronger. And as Kate prepared for her return, she felt a renewed determination to come back and fight alongside her newfound friends once more.