What if your Honkai Star Rail was like this?

Chapter 16: Chapter 16: The Ultimate Test of Strength

”...Are you sure this is how we should compete?”

”Of course. You are guests who have come from afar; we can’t truly cross blades, can we? This method of sparring has always been a tradition among the Silvermane Guards. It tests strength without harming harmony.”

”W-well, alright then.”

On the desk atop the steps, Stelle and Gepard each knelt on one knee on opposite sides of the table, extending a hand to grip the other’s tightly.

When Stelle initially heard Gepard wanted to test her strength personally, she thought she was about to face a boss battle alone and had even pulled out her bat. Unexpectedly, Gepard seriously waved his hand and proposed an arm wrestle.

However, at this moment, Stelle’s slender, pale forearm stood in stark contrast to Gepard’s. The muscle lines on Gepard’s arm looked capable of snapping Stelle’s arm in an instant.

”Ready?”

”Ready... wait a moment.”

Stelle removed her glove to ensure she could exert her strength perfectly, then nodded vigorously. ”Let’s go!”

”Three, two...”

”One!”

Both exerted force simultaneously, but due to the difference in strength, Stelle was at a disadvantage from the very first moment. Gritting her teeth, she used almost all his strength just to avoid being crushed instantly.

The entire hall was silent. The few spectators surrounding them held their breath, staring intently at the two locked hands, silently cheering for Stelle in their hearts.

Who would win?

Gepard, who held the advantage from the start? Or Stelle, with his sudden burst of potential?

The difference in strength... is just too great!

Stelle didn’t even dare to breathe at this point. Wasn’t he supposed to have a ”golden finger”? Wasn’t it promised he could ”guarantee getting through the plot”?

So why was she about to lose now?! Aaaaah!

Ten seconds passed...

Thirty seconds passed...

A full minute passed...

She didn’t know how long she had held on. Stelle felt her consciousness beginning to blur; the only sound in her ears was the frantic beating of her own heart. The stalemate continued—she still hadn’t lost.

Gepard, sitting across from him, was also surprised. In terms of pure strength, almost no one in the Silvermane Guards could rival him. As a former Silvermane Guard Captain, he had fought thousands of Fragmentum monsters. Both his physical power and combat will had been tempered through countless desperate battles.

Yet this young girl, whose physique was so vastly different from his own, could persist for so long. Clearly, she was not as simple as she appeared.

”Raaaaaah! Rules are meant to be broken!!!”

Stelle let out a hysterical roar. At this moment, the energy of the Stellaron within her erupted. The hem of her clothes and strands of her hair fluttered wildly under the immense pressure. She mustered every last ounce of her strength for a desperate counterattack!

”By ice wrought, this will shall never be broken!!”

Sensing that Stelle had revealed her trump card, Gepard felt his blood boil with excitement. In this moment, he staked the honor of the Preservation to decisively determine a victor with Stelle!

March 7th & Dan Heng & Welt & Serval: ...

What are these two getting so fired up about?...

Crack—

At this most critical juncture, a crisp cracking sound rang out. A rock shattered the window from outside and, as if by fate, flew directly towards the two at the table—

Bang!

With remarkable synchrony, Stelle and Gepard released their grip and leaped back. The rock crashed down, smashing the entire table to pieces.

”Who’s there?!”

Seeing this, Serval immediately jumped through the window but found no suspicious figures.

”Sis, no need to search.”

Gepard appeared remarkably calm in the face of this sudden incident. He expertly picked up the rock and smashed it open with a punch, revealing a parchment filled with writing inside:

To the Honorable Supreme Guardian,

It has been many days since we last met. Regarding the conditions proposed by our ’Wildfire,’ how are you considering them?

The Upper and Lower Districts were originally one. The ”half autonomy” we request is merely a part of the power we rightfully deserve.

Initially, we hoped to give you ample time to consider. But now, our patience is wearing thin. You have one day left.

One day from now, if you remain indecisive, then let the weapons in our hands become the method of our future communication.

...

”This looks like... a threat letter?” Stelle said with a grave expression. Hearing about it from Gepard earlier hadn’t fully registered, but seeing it with her own eyes made her gradually realize the severity of the situation.

Open war between the Upper and Lower Districts—this was a plot development he had never anticipated.

But why would this world’s ”Wildfire” become such an extremist, anti-establishment organization? Based on her experiences these past few days, even though various characters’ personas had changed to different degrees, at least they hadn’t turned into antagonists.

Yet now ”Wildfire” is intent on starting a war. What about the people in the Lower District: Seele, Natasha, Luka, Oleg... what have they become?

...To understand what’s really going on, he needed to see it with his own eyes.

Thinking this, Stelle looked at Gepard. ”Sorry, it might not be the best time to bring this up, but please grant us permission to accompany you to the Lower District tomorrow for the peace talks.”

”Mm, alright.”

”This isn’t just about sealing the Stellaron. As Nameless, we have a duty to help... Wait, what did you just say?”

Gepard smiled slightly. ”I agree. To be honest, I underestimated you. I haven’t met many in the Silvermane Guards who could arm wrestle me to a standstill. I acknowledge you.”

”To grit your teeth and persist for ten minutes while at a disadvantage from the start... Your willpower, I acknowledge it!”

Serval’s mouth twitched slightly. Her younger brother was so cringey and embarrassing...

”Acknowledged?” Stelle blinked, then turned around and laughed heartily. ”March, Dan Heng, Mr. Yang! I did it! With me here, I’ll definitely help clear all obstacles for everyone!”

”Truly worthy of you,” Dan Heng said calmly, giving a thumbs-up.

”Reminds me of my younger days,” Welt remarked emotionally, putting on his glasses. ”Back in the day, I also single-handedly...”

March 7th tilted her head, looking at Stelle with what seemed like a smile. Gently stroking her cheek, she said in a soft voice, ”Yes, you’re the best.”

”Right?! Hahaha!” Stelle, completely oblivious to anything amiss, laughed heartily with her hands on her hips. ”Actually, when I first compared the thickness of our arms, I thought I was done for. But I never imagined I had this kind of potential!”

”Yes, of course.”

March 7th continued gently kneading Stelle’s cheek, seemingly unable to get enough. Gradually, Stelle began to sense a slightly unusual atmosphere.

”...Huh? Wait, March, isn’t this a little... inappropriate?”