Himeko's "Graduation" and New Year Qipao

Himeko looked unsurprised. "If all the Valkyrie in Schicksal are like the Captain, I think I might actually be looking forward to life in Schicksal?"

"Himeko, you really changed your attitude very quickly."

Liu Bai couldn't help but complain.

"But then again, if Valkyrie of Schicksal were Ragna... that would be quite tempting."

"Something feels off about what you're saying."

Himeko's expression was strange.

She said, "It's all because of the captain, this kind of Valkyrie," but Liu Bai said, "It's all because of Ragna."

... This guy is definitely a maid fetishist, isn't he?

"... Why do I feel like people are talking about me?"

"You guessed right, a maid fetishist."

"..."

Chapter 186 Himeko's "Graduation" and the New Year's Cheongsam

One month later

"Another day of getting beaten up."

Liu Bai couldn't help but laugh as he watched Himeko "crawl" back to her dormitory.

"Ragna is indeed very strong, isn't he?"

"Nonsense, Captain Ragna is the captain of the Valkyrie Assault Team and the combat instructor of Schicksal Headquarters... I've been lying down for half a month and training for half a month, how could I possibly beat Captain Ragna?"

The cuter the character, the more ruthless they become. Himeko, wielding a training greatsword, couldn't even defeat Ragna, who was rushing back with a mop.

Well, from another perspective, Ragna could easily beat Himeko up even with a mop in hand.

Himeko in her current recruit form is truly a weakling that anyone can easily crush...

In the past two weeks, Himeko has come to fully understand the true value of her seemingly unproductive captain.

I work as a maid on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; I volunteer on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; and I take Sundays off...

"But speaking of which, it seems like Schicksal doesn't have any S-Rank Valkyrie anymore?"

Having spent a lot of time with the senior members of the Stormtroopers, Himeko was no longer a newbie to Schicksal and had learned about various rumors and gossip.

"It seems like the strongest one is Captain Ragna, an A-rank Valkyrie."

"The S-class Schicksal has indeed died out, but if we really have to talk about it... there's still one lying in the refrigerator."

"Ha?"

What does it mean to lie in the refrigerator?

"It's just an old relic, lying in a hibernation pod."

Liu Bai waved his hand, saying that Himeko couldn't care less about Li Sushang or anything like that.

"There's another trump card... Isn't Schicksal's trump card a bit unfair?" Himeko in disbelief.

"That's how it is when you have a big family business." Liu Bai shrugged, indicating that he couldn't do anything about it. "Oh, and there's also an S-rank who pretends to be an A-rank, but his head was damaged and his strength has declined quite a bit."

Liu Bai was naturally referring to his own disciple Fu Hua... To be honest, he really didn't know where his disciple was wandering around now.

However, Fu Hua knew that she should take shelter from the rain and not pick up things from the ground to eat, so Liu Bai didn't need to worry about her.

"You know a lot of people." Himeko's lips twitched. "Speaking of which, Liu Bai, do you have any... um... quick learning methods? Or some kind of ultimate technique that even crabs can use?"

"Then why don't I teach the crab and let the crab beat you up?" Liu Bai said irritably.

"..."

"But then again, I have actually figured something out." Just as Himeko was feeling disappointed, Liu Bai changed the subject, "Although I don't have any training methods, I've managed to dismantle most of Ragna's moves in the past two weeks."

"... You know about this?"

Himeko's expression turned strange.

How come you seem to know a little bit about everything?

"If we're talking about talent alone, I'd probably be considered a martial arts prodigy, but it's just that I'm not very good at martial arts."

Liu Bai was someone who had obtained the full-level martial arts talent from Fu Hua. Although he had somewhat wasted it, he had managed to master Ragna's swordsmanship by watching Himeko get beaten up and Ragna beat people up every day for the past half month. He had even improved his skills to a higher level.

"... That's a rather extravagant thing to say."

Himeko felt that she was not very talented, felt a bit envious and jealous.

"Alright, let's not talk about talent anymore. I'll teach you an optimized version of Ragna's swordsmanship first. Figure it out yourself."

"Okay!"

[On the first day of learning a new sword technique, I got beaten up.]

[The next day, I got beaten up.]

[Day 3, I got beaten up]

[Day 4, got beaten up]

"Something's not right! Why am I still getting beaten up?"

"Because your physical condition is too poor."

Liu Bai glanced sideways at Himeko, who had "crawled" back again.

"But didn't we make progress today? We were able to repel Ragna in some individual exchanges."

"... That's true, but getting beaten up in the end is just too frustrating."

"Practicing martial arts is also a process of gradual and persistent effort. Keep it up, Himeko."

... This guy is just making sarcastic remarks, isn't he?

Himeko now misses the time she spent lying in the hospital bed—at least Liu Bai could take care of her.

"Hiss... Come here, help me apply some ointment, I can't reach my back."

"I can't do anything with you... that piece?"

"In the middle, in the middle, I was hit, and it hurt so much!"

Bang--!

"You're getting stronger, Himeko."

As the two swords clashed, Ragna couldn't help but take two steps back, a relieved smile appearing on his serious face.

"I... I've been beaten by you, Captain, for so long. What's wrong with putting up a little resistance?"

Himeko held the greatsword in one hand, and swung the other hand—it felt a little numb.

I almost lost my grip on the greatsword.

The combat power of a seasoned A-rank Valkyrie is truly formidable. Although she has gradually approached Ragna in all aspects through training, Himeko also knows that her training has its limits—and Ragna is currently adapting to the swordsmanship that Liu Bai taught her.

"Your current strength even surpasses that of many B-rank Valkyrie."

Ragna, a combat instructor, has never hidden his praise for his students.

"Himeko, I hereby announce that you have graduated from your Claymore class."

"... My greatsword?"

Himeko suddenly realized that there seemed to be something slightly off about this statement.

"Yes, besides greatsword, your courses also include close combat and ranged shooting."

"... So you mean?"

Ragna smiled as he looked at Himeko seemed somewhat unable to accept reality.

"In other words, you're going to be working with me on a new project."

Ragna produced two pairs of gloves from somewhere, tossing one pair to Himeko and silently putting on the other pair Ragna.

"Himeko, would you like to have some water and rest for a while?"

Wearing gloves, Ragna, who was symbolically warming up, took the initiative to check on Himeko already looked utterly hopeless.

"... Can I ask for the day off?" Himeko had finally gained a slight advantage, now wanted to run away.

Her stamina was almost depleted, while Ragna didn't seem too tired—if the fight continued, Himeko definitely wouldn't be able to defeat Ragna.

"No, you're perfectly fine right now, keep practicing!"

Once Ragna entered instructor mode, he suddenly seemed somewhat rigid.

Clearly, Himeko could imagine herself being beaten by Ragna again in the future.

The emancipated serfs were forced back into power before they could even sing their praises, right?

"When you're out in the wild without weapons, your fists are your most intimate weapons. It's easy for us to send small to medium-sized Honkai Beast flying with a single punch."

"... Or is it because I'm too weak?"

Himeko cannot accept this.

However, Ragna in instructor mode doesn't have so many hidden agendas; he just does things his way.

However, this made things very difficult for Himeko.

—This is also part of growing up, right?

Yeah, right!

While it is indeed a part of growth, combining them completely seems a bit too cunning, doesn't it?

"Or to put it more bluntly, it wasn't me who got beaten up anyway?"

At this moment, Liu Bai finally revealed his true intentions and said with a smile.

... This guy is really asking for a beating.

Three months later.

"Congratulations, Himeko, you have 'graduated'."

After three months of being practically used as a punching bag, Ragna finally uttered the words Himeko had longed to hear.

Moreover, in just three months, Himeko was promoted from "corporal" to "sergeant"... although in Schicksal, military rank is not that important, what is more important is the Valkyrie's rating.

However, this is still an encouragement for Himeko, a "newcomer".

"By the way, my current rating is..."

"B".

Ragna smiled and nodded.

"From now on, you are qualified to go to the battlefield with us... Oh, by the way, this is a gift for you."

Ragna turned around and took out a greatsword that was blue and black.

"Look, Hröngr, the Divine Key developed by the St. 1504 Institute super heavy sword series. They originally wanted to equip me with it, but I, the King Serpent, am very used to it and have no intention of changing weapons."

The Valkyrie Stormtroopers all use the "super heavy sword" series of weapons.

Most of the team members wield the "Super Heavy Sword - Charge," while Captain Ragna's weapon is the "Super Heavy Sword - King Cobra."

But compared to Hröngr... you know the difference between a four-star weapon and a five-star weapon, right?

From any perspective, Ragna, as captain, is undeniably devoted to his players.

"From now on, it's yours."

Ragna solemnly handed the "Hröngr" to Himeko.

"I look forward to the day when you wield this sword and display your might on the battlefield."