The Male Student (A Honkai Impact 3rd Fanfiction)

Chapter 28: Karna's Passing

"Another one gone."

The air was empty. There was no sound, nor was there any living being in the vicinity but him.

In this strange world where the only thing that had him surviving till the end was just this floating platform was ordinary for him.

The man stared as the bubble in front of him deflated before disappearing from his very eyes, ceasing to exist in this world he viewed.

"That's from branch number 2, sub-branch 91, leaf 21-- another one at 70.1.2. . . Damn, they're disappearing a lot faster now. Haven't seen that since. . . How long have I been here?"

Shoving his hands into his pockets, he watched as the bubbles continued disappearing in an oddly faster rate than he had anticipated, but he took count of all of them surprisingly. Soon, when the bubbles disappeared, He found himself staring at a bubble that had a label named 'Glynne', which led to him letting out a small hum.

"He's been doing well, as of late. Hopefully, that bubble won't burst."

He knew his words had little effect and acknowledged that it was inevitable, but he always clung onto hope that one day the branch would continue to grow and create its own seeds, before he stared at another bubble with the label 'Noah' on it. Noticing how close the branch was to the tree itself, he watched as the branch bubble teetered close but never converge on the tree itself as it continued to grow.

"These places do continue to grow. Now."

Looking at the tree itself, the tree was already inexplicably tall, with bubbles of unexplainable purposes all over it. Branches of the tree split away from the world itself, with a few somehow being able to converge back into the tree while the other branches went off in their own paths, likely to create their own story. He also noticed how a few seem to glow brighter than usual, which would usually mean that the bubble was usually bound to be doomed. However, unpredictability was detriment to his prediction, as sometimes, the bubbles just burst, and for some, the branches just fall off from the tree for no reason. He predicted that it may be from decay, or the instability of the branch made it unsustainable for the tree to hold on to.

But as usual, unpredictability becomes a detriment, so he can only guess what could happen to the world around him. Looking upwards, he looked at the branch that formed above him with the label, 'Max'.

"That branch has been desperate to fight against the decay. I wonder if it still would continue to grow, or destruction happens."

He had been observing that world for a long while, and he knew it was bound to be doomed, just like the rest, but it persisted throughout, much to his surprise. Even when the decay was approaching fast, the branch grew faster. Shaking his head, he focused his attention to the other branches and took note.

"2.55.1. 99.13.6. 1.21.66. . . . ."

Meanwhile

"How are you doing Kiana?" Mei asked. Her tone was concern and considerate, as Kiana was on her feet and grinning childishly.

"Mei-senpai, you worry too much! I can handle myself just fine!"

She was on her feet, with her limbs being completely wrapped by bandages and medical plasters that were mostly at her arms, with a small plaster on her cheek from Max's punch.

Max had already apologized to Kiana beforehand for punching a little too hard than he intended to do, but Kiana was all the more impressed by it. So much so, that she may have suffered brain damage that caused her to forgot entirely about her misandry with men.

Either that or she's keeping her end of the bargain when Max sucker punched her face to victory.

"Are you sure you're okay? Bandages are all over your limbs."