I am, Flame-Chaser of Previous Era

Chapter 97 - Stronger

Unaware that things were just beginning, Ryan rushed to the tenth-floor auditorium, pushing open the door to find it already full.

On stage, Kevin and Hua stood side-by-side, their chests adorned with Fire Moth's Courage Medal. This medal was awarded to outstanding new recruits who'd single-handedly defeated Emperor-Class Honkai Beasts or risked their lives saving comrades.

With humanity increasingly confined to defensive positions, such individuals were rare.

Risking their lives for honor.

Ryan's gaze softened. He found a nearby seat and applauded along with the hundreds of attendees.

Clap clap clap.

The applause was enthusiastic. Regardless of the underlying schemes, Fire Moth was fundamentally a fighting organization, deeply respectful of powerful warriors. The expressions of the two on stage, however, differed significantly.

Unbeknownst to each other, Kevin looked serious, showing signs of nervousness. The juxtaposition of battlefield horrors and this ceremonial setting created a subtle impatience in his eyes.

Hua remained expressionless, her gaze sweeping across the audience, her expression growing darker until she finally spotted Ryan in the back row. She smiled faintly, her eyes fluttering.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Hua and Kevin are only representatives. After the Third Honkai Impact, more and more people worldwide have joined Fire Moth, willing to become heroes protecting humanity. Do you know why?"

As Ryan breathed a sigh of relief, Director Karius strode to the podium. The nominal commander of Fire Moth looked sharp; his salt-and-pepper hair meticulously combed back, his voice firm and resonant.

"As soldier Kevin just mentioned, he joined to protect his loved one. Some join for justice, others for reward. Regardless of the reason, Fire Moth provides the best platform to achieve their goals."

"Whether logistics personnel, soldiers, scientists, or politicians, they can realize their aspirations within Fire Moth, simultaneously upholding the highest justice—"

"Protecting human civilization!!"

Roar.

The applause thundered; even Ryan clapped vigorously. This Karius was impressive.

Fire Moth Directors served four-year terms and couldn't be re-elected. Regardless, his speech was masterful.

He didn't preach about grand ideals; he even acknowledged some joined for financial gain, avoiding discussions of Honkai's severity. He presented Fire Moth as a platform for realizing ambitions—luring talent first, dealing with the consequences later.

So, what about after Honkai ends?

Ryan smiled wryly. He was tired of this old problem. While Karius stepped back and the crowd began singing the anthem, he carefully observed the two on stage.

Hua had replaced anger with joy, silent yet content. Kevin, however, seemed strangely out of place, his expression at odds with the celebratory atmosphere. His eyes held a weary, melancholic quality, like an outsider observing the festivities.

Clearly, the battlefield had impacted him deeply.

Ryan sighed. Kevin constantly cycled through combat zones; it wasn't a leisurely trip. Some psychological counseling might help, but...

Both individuals on stage had a history of losing teammates; his teams with them hadn't ended well.

This was something Ryan couldn't change. He'd seen the reports: Kevin, now a squad leader, led a special mobile unit to black Africa and encountered an Emperor-Class Honkai Beast.

His squad suffered heavy casualties, but they ultimately succeeded. Kevin returned with the bodies of his fallen comrades to receive his award.

Mei played a key role, but she was entirely focused on her work and didn't even attend the ceremony. What was she up to?

Mei undoubtedly loved Kevin, but Ryan didn't understand women; she might be doing something incomprehensible. And what did she mean by those inexplicable things she told me?

Ryan stroked his chin, pondering. Mei's vision extended 50,000 years into the future. Although Kevin's pain was palpable, it was a necessary sacrifice she'd deemed certain, and one that ultimately succeeded.

Kevin's reckless behavior was the foundation for defeating Honkai... Wait, is she planning to make me reckless?

The crazy thought popped into his head; continuing to ponder, he saw the possibility. Combat prowess, connections, academic achievements, and almost prophetic arrangements—wasn't me just a power-amplified version of Kevin?

Without exaggeration, even if everyone in the Previous Era were dead, leaving only plans, Ryan could handle everything alone, and possibly even improve upon it.

'Don't be so paranoid; Mei wouldn't be that pessimistic.'

Ryan shook his head. It was a bold hypothesis; careful verification was needed.

The Fusion Warriors had been created years ahead of schedule; God Keys were on the agenda. Although humanity's territory was shrinking, the situation was improving; the Director was clearly in good spirits, hosting this commendation ceremony.

But the Third Herrscher's words about 'extraterrestrial' lingered in his mind like a spell, refusing to fade.

Thwack.

Lost in thought, a small hand struck the table, jolting Ryan awake. The ceremony was over; most people had left.

Hua, in a Fire Moth uniform, stood before him, her chest gleaming with the medal, her beret neatly perched atop her head. The dark uniform highlighted her slender figure; the hem of her skirt, falling just below her knees, revealed a pair of slender calves encased in flesh-toned stockings.

The young woman was mature, brimming with heroic spirit, exuding a certain uniform allure. Yet, her jade-green eyes held a question.

"Senior Brother, what were you thinking? You looked so lost in thought."

"Oh, nothing important." Ryan leaned on the table, studying Hua. "Congratulations. You received such an honor less than half a year after joining Fire Moth."

Hua smiled slightly, a hint of pride she tried to conceal. "That's all thanks to Senior Brother's guidance. Miss Elysia also taught me a lot."

Ryan nodded, readily accepting the flattery. Hua was the Flame-Chaser most influenced by him, and their relationship was the longest-standing. If things remained unchanged from the original timeline, his efforts these past years would have been wasted.

The young woman remained serious but thoughtful, even more resolute and powerful.

"Kevin, don't look so surprised. This is my junior sister, Hua." Ryan turned to the observing youth, inviting him over.

Kevin had never met Hua but knew of her existence from Chiba Academy. Hearing Ryan's introduction, he wasn't overly surprised; the only shock was Hua's appearance. He'd imagined Ryan's junior sister to be a muscular powerhouse.

If the senior brother was this extreme, the junior sister wouldn't be far behind. Perhaps she'd been thoroughly beaten by Ryan in the Far East; Ryan's combat prowess held immense weight in Kevin's mind.

He first lightly shook Hua's hand, then winked at Ryan, the meaning clear.

'You're quite the charmer. You have Mobius, and now your junior sister. How did I not notice you were such a beast?'

Ryan twitched at the corner of his eye and lightly raised his fist, the meaning equally simple.

'Say another word, and we'll spar.'

Kevin, his confidence recently skyrocketing, felt a surge of eagerness, but a chilling premonition made him raise his hands in surrender.

This pair was interesting.

Hua glanced back and forth; she'd heard Ryan mention Kevin, and now, seeing him in person, found it strange. On stage, he'd exuded the aura of a battle-hardened veteran, yet before Ryan, he acted like an ordinary, bright young man.

As expected of Senior Brother; he seemed to unite everyone like a banner.

Unaware of the praise, Ryan was discussing Mei with Kevin. Hearing that Mei was in a meeting upstairs, the young man's expression darkened slightly before returning to normal.

He was used to it; he understood his girlfriend's pursuits. In a way, he was like Hua—a follower.

"You look so dejected, like a little wife silently guarding from behind. Can't you be stronger?"

"How should I be stronger?" Kevin looked to Ryan for guidance, believing him to be more capable than himself.

Ryan glanced at Hua, leaning towards Kevin's ear, emphasizing each word. "Simple. Sleep with her. Let her know who's on top."

Kevin's mouth twitched; he quickly pressed on Ryan's shoulder. "Don't talk nonsense..."

"What, you're not a man? I'm giving you a chance." Ryan was frustrated. In the original timeline, Kevin's fusion surgery rendered him impotent.

"That's not what I meant; it's just..."

"Ryan, you're quite the strategist. Why haven't you been this clever before?"

A cold, familiar voice emanated from Kevin's chest, startling Ryan.

'Mei can't come, but she's participating in another way.'

A live broadcast, huh? Typical of you.

Ryan gritted his teeth, listening to the breathing from within the jacket, seemingly seeing the mischievous woman's blushing face and the extreme coldness in her eyes. He didn't speak, simply taking out the camera and crushing it into dust.

"Kevin, you're my friend."

"That's right."

"Then help me explain this. I'm doing this for you, to prevent Mei from constantly seeking revenge." Ryan's expression was serious. Seeing Kevin shake his head, he gritted his teeth. "I'll treat you to dinner. You choose the restaurant. Is that enough?"

"Let me... think about it?"

"Cut the crap. You accept my invitation; isn't that Heavenly Principles?" Ryan punched Kevin in the chest, sending him stumbling back. "Your pectoral muscles have gotten bigger. Can I check them out later?"

"Go to hell, you pervert!"

The two reverted to their academy days, bantering like old friends, causing Hua to chuckle. When Ryan's gaze fell upon her, she composed herself.

"Alright, stop pretending to be serious; you're coming too."

"Yes!" The girl's face lit up; she casually asked, "Senior Brother, why didn't you call Dr. Mobius?"

As Ryan and Kevin walked away side-by-side, he didn't dwell on it. "She's busy; she wouldn't have time for dinner."

He didn't see the even brighter smile on the girl's face, her fist clenched tightly behind her back.

Alright!