Maid Captain Ragna

Of course... yes.

Although it feels a bit strange, isn't this the right path for Himeko?

"Yes, if you have talent, Schicksal will take you." No power can ever have too much talent.

"Talent? That definition is too broad, isn't it?" Himeko frowned slightly.

"It's quite broad, but not difficult—for example, your previous goal was to become a PhD."

"... Isn't this taking a little too long?"

Himeko frowned. She was well aware of her own limitations. To become a doctor, she would need at least three or four years. The courses required for further study could not be completed in a short time.

"If you're willing to change your direction, a year is enough for me to train you into a PhD."

A confident smile appeared on Liu Bai's face.

"I don't understand aerospace. Black hole thermodynamics is a 'new' discipline that only appeared in 1972. But if you remove the word 'black hole,' engineering stuff is a piece of cake for me."

"... Could it be that you're actually quite smart? A top student?"

"What do you think? Himeko, you need to know that knowledge is power—how about it, do you want to change direction? And it's not about giving up your current subject; you can learn it anytime you have the opportunity in the future."

It would be a waste for someone with a doctorate to enter Schicksal and become a Valkyrie.

"You're really good at hiding your true abilities—learn! Of course I'll learn!"

It's not like she's giving up on her dreams, so Himeko had absolutely no reason to refuse Liu Bai's suggestion.

But... this world is truly amazing.

A ghost is teaching a college student how to become a PhD.

A perfect blend of feudal superstition and modern science (confirmed)

With the events surrounding Murata Ryusuke concluded, while sorting through Ryusuke's belongings, Himeko obtained information about Schicksal and solidified her new goals.

Soon after, Murata Ryusuke's funeral arrangements were completed, his memorial tablet was placed in the ancestral grave, Himeko began to focus on mechanical engineering.

As for living expenses, there haven't been any problems thanks to Reanna's care—the only issue is that Reanna feels it's a waste to send Himeko to Schicksal to become a Valkyrie.

Coincidentally, Liu Bai thought so too. Why not set up a shell company and pretend it 'Schicksal?

However, Himeko wasn't stupid; she actually knew the truth.

But then again, given Reanna's current relationship with Himeko, she might actually be able to get Himeko to agree? After all, Reanna has been supporting Himeko these days.

If we directly discuss the matter of Anti-Entropy, it's inevitable that Himeko will have other ideas.

So after much back and forth, and with various concerns, Reanna gave up.

After all, his ambitions lay elsewhere, and Murata Ryusuke's death was related to Anti-Entropy.

Soon after, with your help, Himeko began publishing papers in international journals. Thanks to Himeko's talent and Yang's deliberate assistance, Himeko successfully obtained her doctoral degree.

Do you even know what the territory of Anti-Entropy is?

While opening the floodgates to release water is impossible, releasing a little water—especially given the qualifications—is still possible.

"The next step is to figure out a way to join Schicksal, right?"

Himeko was overjoyed to receive her degree certificate; in a way, she had broken Professor Einstein's record.

—Although Himeko knew she had taken a shortcut.

"That's right, but if you're willing to look for connections, you definitely can." Liu Bai agreed with an air of seriousness.

Oh my god! The Anti-Entropy Leader is preparing to lead his people to join Schicksal!

Yang's face twitched as he looked at the two people in front of him who were discussing how to join Schicksal.

"Well... if it's about joining Schicksal, then I do know something about it."

Yang couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up.

"In recent years, Schicksal has been expanding its recruitment of Valkyrie. The simplest way is to go directly to the Vienna headquarters for an interview. As long as the aptitude is about right, you can pass."

... Wait a minute, won't he become a sinner for all time for pushing his own Alliance Leader to the brink of Schicksal by doing this?

"... Is it really that simple?" Isn't this style a bit strange?

"Yes, it's that simple. Because Schicksal has been really short of Valkyrie these past few years, branches in various regions have opened their doors to recruit Valkyrie."

Yang pushed up his glasses. "But I have to mention, the Valkyrie's casualty rate is really unusually high."

"Well, in that case, let's buy tickets to Vienna."

Himeko seemed not to have heard Yang's last sentence at all.

"... Truly, a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger."

However, with Liu Bai around, Himeko certainly has the confidence to be fearless.

This whole thing is a mess...

"Name."

Murata Himeko

"Age?"

"Sixteen."

"Sixteen... okay, what about your academic qualifications?"

"PhD in Mechanical Engineering from California Institute of Technology"

"Huh... sixteen years old?" The Valkyrie in charge of the interview looked astonished.

"Right."

"PhD?"

"Yes, this is my degree certificate."

Himeko obediently handed over her degree certificate.

"Check it again."

The Valkyrie was being interviewed, handed her degree certificate to the clerk next to her, and soon after, the test results came out.

"Real."

The clerk and the Valkyrie gave each other strange looks.

You're a PhD student playing Valkyrie? And a sixteen-year-old genius PhD at that?

Beep beep beep—!

Just then, the phone next to the clerk rang, and she quickly answered it.

"Huh? You passed? But the interview isn't over yet, there's a medical exam later... Yes! I understand!"

The clerk's confused tone suddenly turned serious, and it wasn't hard to imagine that someone must have given a strong order during the call.

"Ms. Murata Himeko, you have been accepted directly. Please go through this door."

After hanging up the phone, the stern-faced clerk immediately switched to a puzzled look, sizing up Murata Himeko as she spoke.

"Direct admission?"

Himeko was also somewhat bewildered at this moment.

"It's like a pie falling from the sky," Liu Bai said flippantly from the side.

This sounds like sarcasm, doesn't it?

Even though Himeko's original goal was to be accepted, a look of unease appeared on her face.

According to the normal procedure, they will also ask questions such as whether you have martial arts experience, how many people are in your family, and whether you have a boyfriend.

After the questioning, there were various physical examinations... but now all of that has been skipped, and it all feels strange.

However, since things had come to this point, Himeko wasn't the type to back down. She gave Liu Bai a look and then pushed open the door and went inside.

"Good afternoon, Miss Muryota."

After walking through the long corridor, in the lounge at the end, a white-haired woman wearing an orange eye patch was waiting for Himeko.

"What? It's Amber," Liu Bai muttered.

In this situation, she subconsciously assumed it was Rita —but it's still a long way from Rita becoming Valkyrie. Rita won't be rescued from the Honkai 3rd until next year, and the year after that, in 2008, when she'll be thirteen, she'll begin Valkyrie training.

There is a five-year age difference between her and Himeko.

"Good afternoon... May I ask why I came straight here?"

Although the other party was very kind, Himeko was still a little worried.

Speaking of which, is this woman's name Amber? It's a rather nice name.

"Please relax, Ms. Murata. I mean no harm, after all, you are Dr. Ryusuke's daughter... But may I ask, what is your reason for coming to Schicksal?"

"Me? I want to carry on my father's legacy... but in my own way, which is to become Valkyrie."

"To become Valkyrie..."

Amber's tone was inexplicable.

"It seems you're serious?"

"Yes, I'm serious."

"All right."

Amber nodded and turned to get something.

"By the way, miss, do you know the cause of my father's death?"

"... I don't know. I'm just a secretary."

After a brief silence, Amber shook her head.

"If you have truly decided to become Valkyrie, please sign this document."

"What is this...?"

This file doesn't look like anything good.

Coupled with this atmosphere, it's practically like some kind of legendary demonic pact.

"It's nothing strange, just a consent form for Artificial Stigmata transplantation surgery."

Chapter 185 Captain Ragna of the Maids

"... You're risking your life, Himeko."

Liu Bai couldn't help but sigh as he looked at Himeko lying on the hospital bed again.

"Several times I felt like I was about to trigger the insurance."

"How can you be Valkyrie if you don't risk your life?" Himeko smiled weakly. "But the fact that they directly asked me to do this kind of surgery means that Schicksal has a lot of opinions about me... or rather, about my dad. What exactly did he do back then?"

How could it not be big? Murata Ryusuke almost made a fool of Otto, nearly causing a new war between Anti-Entropy and Schicksal, and even allowing Anti-Entropy to breach the defense module of the Fourth Divine Key.

The question of which side the Fourth Divine Key belongs to remains unresolved.

"I knew it! Why become Valkyrie if you have nothing better to do..."

"You're such a Monday morning quarterback... By the way, couldn't you have peeled an apple for me? It's rare that Miss Amber even brought me a little something as a token of her appreciation."

Himeko's smile was hard to tell whether she was celebrating her success or mocking Schicksal's "kindness."

"Didn't you used to refuse to eat it?"

Liu Bai retorted while picking up an apple.

"Didn't I eat it before? Don't try to tamper with my memory."

Himeko said with a smile— Himeko now inexplicably has a bit of the carefree and reckless temperament of the future.

It's like going from a good student to a little rascal.