As a symbiotic being, I raise children amidst the chaos.

"Phew... I'm so tired... I really don't want to go to class!" As evening fell, the setting sun cast a blood-red glow, bathing the room in golden light. Kiana dragged her exhausted body, which seemed to have all her strength drained away, slowly making her way back to Himeko's dormitory.

As he walked, he kept muttering to himself, "Why are there so many academic classes? I wish there were more practical classes! Those roughhousing classes are more suitable for me!"

Just then, Raiden Mei, who was standing nearby, heard Kiana's complaints. She chuckled softly and said gently, "Alright, Kiana. Stop complaining. Actually, studying hard is very meaningful."

As she spoke, Mei carefully took out a report card from her bag and handed it to Kiana. "This is the result of your hard work and progress. Mr. Chenyuan will definitely be very happy to know this."

Bronya, who had been quietly playing her handheld game console, looked up at the report card and commented expressionlessly.

"Indeed, Kiana has made great progress this time. Back then, you were always the one who failed, so it's unbelievable that you actually passed this time."

"Alright, alright!!! You two, please stop bringing this up!" Kiana felt her face flush when she heard their words.

She stomped her foot, both embarrassed and annoyed, as if trying to punch a hole in the floor. Then, she quickly grabbed the doorknob, and before opening the door, she couldn't help but turn back to argue, "Hmph! It's only natural that I, this young lady, will make progress! But..."

Kiana stopped mid-sentence, her gaze fixed on the thin report card in Raiden Mei's hand, her pearly teeth gently biting her pink lower lip, as if she was trying her best to suppress some kind of emotion.

'But... it seems that Chenyuan can't see all of this... how long will it take for that guy to come back to my side?' Kiana murmured to herself, a hint of disappointment showing in her eyes.

No one knows the real reason behind Kiana's relentless pursuit of knowledge and frantic physical training; only she herself knows the truth.

Recalling that battle at the amusement park, she still felt lingering fear; she had felt so weak and helpless back then. Although Chen Yuan had formed a symbiotic relationship with her, the power she possessed was simply too insignificant.

She was almost powerless against powerful enemies, let alone able to offer any substantial help to Chenyuan, especially after Raiden Mei appeared and displayed such overwhelming power.

He completely overwhelmed her from beginning to end, making Kiana deeply aware of the huge gap in their strength.

Kiana knew perfectly well that if Raiden Mei had been the one fighting alongside Chen Yuan, the outcome of the battle would have been entirely different.

Whenever she thought of this, her already heavy mood became even more depressed, as if a thousand-pound burden was weighing her down, making it hard for her to breathe.

However, even though reality is so cruel, Kiana never thought of giving up. She secretly vowed to become stronger and one day become someone who could support Chen Yuan, fight enemies together, and even... protect him.

"Kiana, what are you thinking about?" Raiden Mei looked at the girl in front of her, her brows furrowing slightly, a hint of concern in her eyes.

He slowly extended his right hand and gently placed it on Kiana's forehead, asking softly, "Why have you suddenly become so quiet? Are you feeling unwell?"

Feeling the heat on her forehead, Kiana shook her head violently, as if trying to shake off all the thoughts in her mind. Then she took a deep breath and forced a smile.

"It's nothing, Mei. I just feel like all my efforts have been far from enough." She said this, but the worry deep in her eyes was hard to hide.

Just then, Bronya spoke up. She sighed softly and said slowly, "Idiot Kiana, stop thinking about all that nonsense."

"Actually, you've already tried your best. Besides, being silly like this is who you are. Just continue being that innocent and naive Kiana."

Hearing this, Kiana immediately became annoyed. She glared at Bronya with displeasure, muttering something under her breath.

"You little dwarf, how dare you call me stupid! Humph, that's too much..." Kiana complained as she reached out and pressed the doorknob in front of her.

But the instant the door opened, Kiana froze, as if struck by a spell. Her eyes widened, her face filled with astonishment and disbelief.

"What's wrong, Kiana? What's wrong with you? Are you really not feeling well? You don't seem to be doing well."

Seeing Kiana suddenly stop in her tracks, Raiden Mei looked into the room with a puzzled expression and asked softly, "Is there something in the room that's making you act this way?"

However, her words were cut short as if someone had grabbed her by the throat. Raiden Mei froze instantly, her dumbfounded and stunned expression exactly like Kiana's.

After a long while, she finally snapped out of her daze and murmured incredulously, "Kiana... am I... am I dreaming? Mr. Chen... Mr. Chenyuan has actually returned?"

Hearing this, Kiana couldn't help but smile wryly and replied, "Mei, actually, I was just about to ask you that question too." As she spoke, she slowly raised her right hand and pinched her thigh hard without hesitation.

In an instant, a piercing, excruciating pain swept over her like a tidal wave, quickly reaching her brain. Despite wincing in pain, Kiana kept her eyes fixed on her hand, muttering incantations to herself.

"No...it's not a dream...Chen Yuan really came back!" Before she could finish saying this, Kiana's original gloomy expression disappeared, replaced by an overwhelming sense of excitement.

At this moment, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes sparkled with excitement, as if she had seen the most precious treasure in the world.

Bronya said calmly, "I already knew about this, after all, there are surveillance cameras set up by Bronya here."

As she spoke, she struggled to squeeze between Raiden Mei and Kiana. Once she was on her feet, she added, "I just didn't tell you before."

Upon hearing this, Kiana's eyes widened, and she angrily pointed at Bronya, yelling, "You wretched little dwarf!!! If you knew, why didn't you tell us sooner!!!"

"Are you deliberately keeping this from us?" Before she could finish speaking, she could no longer contain her eagerness and pushed the door open forcefully, as if she was about to rush inside.

Just then, a noise from the doorway caught Chen Yuan's attention. He turned his head and saw three people huddled together.

He smiled slightly and said, "Yo, Kiana, you're back~" Then, as if remembering something, he added, "You're back just in time. Go wash your hands and then we can prepare dinner."

After saying this, Chen Yuan casually picked up a rag and wiped the water off his hands, then turned and walked towards the kitchen. As he walked, he turned back to say something to the others.

"Let's just make do with this for dinner tonight. There's only so much food left in the kitchen, so I can only whip up a few simple dishes. I'll go buy some fresh ingredients tomorrow and show off my skills!"

"Chen Yuan!!!" With this shout, before Chen Yuan could finish speaking, Kiana rushed over like lightning and threw herself into Chen Yuan's arms, as if she was afraid that he would disappear if she let go.

She hugged Chenyuan tightly, burying her face deep in his chest, fully enjoying the familiar and warm body temperature and the comforting aura.

"You're finally back! I really... really missed you!" Kiana's voice trembled slightly, as if she was trying her best to suppress the surging emotions in her heart.

"Alright, alright, look at you, you're a grown woman now, this won't do. Besides, it's only been a little over half a month since we last met." Chen Yuan reached out and gently patted Kiana's back, a tender smile always on his lips.

"I'm back now, and I've missed all of you just as much." Kiana reluctantly let go of Chenyuan's arms after hearing him say that.

However, her beautiful eyes remained firmly fixed on Chen Yuan, refusing to look away for even a moment. At this moment, Kiana's face was full of excitement, and even the corners of her eyes were glistening with tears.

It was clearly due to excessive excitement, and the heavy burden that had been weighing on her heart seemed to vanish into thin air in that instant.

“During this time, I have thought of you almost every day. In order not to disappoint you, I have been working hard to learn various skills and constantly improving my abilities.”

"Just so that one day I can become as strong as you, and be able to protect everyone around me!" Kiana became more and more excited as she spoke, her words coming out in rapid succession, but the people present could still barely understand what she was saying.

(Please give this poor author some free gifts!! A few clicks to urge me to update!! Thank you, readers!! Please~ Please~).