Himeko · Lesson One

"Hello... hello? Can you hear me, Reanna?"

The large-screen communicator was connected, revealing Edison's face.

"Sorry, the signal in my lab isn't very good... I received your report. So you successfully retrieved the test subject who developed a second Herrscher Persona and persuaded the entire Valkyrie squad to surrender, right?"

"I can hear you—I've made arrangements for the Valkyrie Stormtroopers, but the Siegfried father and daughter still need your decision, Miss Nancy," Reanna replied.

"This is our second meeting, Lord Siegfried."

Edison gave a brief greeting.

"I'm quite busy here, so please let us get straight to the point. I'm currently unavailable, but I can find two suitable places for your daughter to stay."

"Please speak."

"First, our Anti-Entropy cadre Cocolia established an orphanage in Siberia, which houses many children of similar age to your daughter, who are also our experimental subjects."

This Liu Bai is really familiar...

"An orphanage..."

Siegfried fell into deep thought.

It wasn't that he had a prejudice against orphanages, but his daughter's personality meant she definitely wouldn't be content in this place—after all, she was the child who dared to sneak out to fight Honkai Beast to help him.

It has to be said that although she is not his biological daughter, her personality is exactly the same as his biological daughter's.

"Don't worry about Cocolia's character." Edison thought Siegfried was worried about Cocolia, a complete stranger. "Ten years ago, your wife Cecilia saved her life in Siberia. She won't mistreat your daughter."

"... Could you tell me about the second option?" Although he was somewhat tempted, Siegfried was long past the age of making impulsive choices.

"Second... Schicksal, Far East Branch, St. Freya Academy."

Edison revealed a location that greatly surprised Siegfried.

"Wait... isn't this Theresa... uh, you guys got in touch with Theresa? When?"

Although Theresa and Otto haven't gotten along over the years, Siegfried never expected that Theresa would actually connect with Anti-Entropy.

... Her intelligence is slightly inconsistent with Siegfried's perception of Theresa.

"When the Second Honkai War ended and Theresa was preparing to establish St. Freya Academy, I gave her an investment she couldn't refuse—just like the European Reconstruction Plan that Otto and I signed sixty years ago."

Edison was recounting a trivial matter.

"Theresa probably doesn't need me to say much, but I must remind you that even though Theresa has distanced herself from Otto over the years, the Far East Branch is still Schicksal's Far East Branch, Otto can easily reach out to her."

"..."

Edison's words put Siegfried in a dilemma.

Needless to say, in terms of trust, Siegfried would definitely trust Theresa more, but if he were to linger under Schicksal's nose...

"... Miss Nancy, which option do you think is better?"

"Me? If we're talking about stability, then it's Cocolia's orphanage."

Edison was not surprised that Siegfried had thrown the question back at him.

"But if it's for growth, I still recommend St. Freya Academy. After all, the teaching quality at the orphanage is somewhat worrying... and I think Theresa and Otto's breakup might only be a matter of time—maybe that child will be that moment."

"..."

After a moment of contemplation, Siegfried made a decision.

"Let's send Kiana to the St. Freya Academy. That child has a restless personality... As for Schicksal ... could you send a few bodyguards?"

"Bodyguards? We Anti-Entropy don't rely on individual combat power... Um, wait a minute."

Edison suddenly remembered something.

"It seems like St. Freya is short of teachers. She asked me to advertise for her a few days ago... These Valkyrie are all elites, right? We could pick two trustworthy ones to be Theresa's teachers."

Become a teacher?

The Valkyrie of the stormtroopers exchanged glances, and then, except for Ragna and Himeko, they all silently took a step back.

Just kidding, they know their own limitations. Wouldn't they be misleading students if they went to become teachers?

"Oh? Two people have volunteered?"

Edison looked at Ragna and Himeko with great interest.

"Could you introduce yourself?"

"Ragna Rodblock... A-rank Valkyrie, former captain of the Schicksal Valkyrie Assault Team, and a combat instructor directly under headquarters."

"Murata Himeko, A-rank Valkyrie, PhD from California Institute of Technology."

"A PhD from California Institute of Technology?" Edison's face lit up with interest.

"Yes, my professor is Dr. Einstein," Himeko replied, displaying a composure far beyond her usual demeanor.

She didn't want to appear weak in front of him.

"Then you and our Anti-Entropy really do have quite a history."

Edison, unaware of Himeko's inner thoughts, sighed, then looked at Reanna.

"So, do you mind if I borrow these two?"

"I don't mind."

Although she felt a little regretful, Reanna always prioritized official business.

"However, please don't forget to arrange fake identities for them."

"... That Miss Nancy is surprisingly intimidating."

After turning off the communication, Ragna couldn't help but sigh.

"And you, Himeko, stop wearing that long face. I've never seen you this serious before."

"His face is just a little stiff..."

Himeko rubbed her face.

When it comes to a serious and dignified presence, Edison was one of the best among the women Liu Bai knew.

"I really wonder how you, Liu Bai, got along so well with that Miss Edison."

"Perhaps it's because strong women all have a soft side?"

Liu Bai said half-jokingly.

"Ah... that sounds surprisingly playboyish," Himeko, pursing her lips.

"I'm looking forward to my teaching career."

Ragna smiled as well.

"Speaking of teachers... I miss Rita a little. She always wanted me to be her instructor, and Bianka too... Ah!"

Speaking of this, Ragna suddenly remembered something.

"I haven't had a chance to say this yet, Mr. Siegfried, but your daughter did not fall to her death two years ago. Instead, I retrieved her, and then Bishop Otto took over her care and treatment. She survived, but she lost her memory and her appearance changed drastically. She was Bianka and is now in an orphanage in France."

"Bianka ... I understand, thank you for letting me know, Miss Ragna."

Siegfried did not show much surprise and answered calmly.

"I will find a way to deal with this matter. In the days to come, I will trouble you two to take care of Kiana."

Far East, St. Freya Academy

"It's been a long time, Ragna."

"It's been a long time, Lady Theresa."

Ragna carried the sleeping Kiana off the ship.

Theresa naturally recognized Ragna as one of the few A-rank Valkyrie currently in Schicksal —although their last meeting was during the pursuit battle two years ago.

"This child is... Kiana, right?"

Theresa looked at Kiana's sleeping face with a complicated expression.

"Phew... Don't worry, now that you've entrusted this child to me, I'll make sure she grows up safe and sound. Even Grandpa won't be able to cause her any trouble!"

That's quite an imposing sight...

Liu Bai looked at the short man in front of him.

The last time we met was seven years later when I was hunting down the Far East Branch with Rita.

The last time we met was seven years later... That's a strange thing to say.

"You're not interested in this one too, are you?"

Himeko glanced at Theresa's height and muttered to herself.

"Although this person has the body of a loli, she's past her prime... Or are you the kind of person who doesn't care about anything else as long as the body is loli?"

Is this person over forty?

"Although I really want to punch you, but... well, I have to remind you, the other person can hear you clearly at this distance."

"...?"

Himeko was taken aback, and looked up at Theresa with a stiff expression.

Sure enough, the petite white-haired loli was staring at her with an angry expression.

"You're only in your forties! Your whole family is over forty! I'm only thirty-eight!"

Chapter 200 Himeko: Lesson One

"Waaah..."

Looking up, Kiana was greeted by an unfamiliar ceiling.

"Where... where am I?"

"The Far East Branch Schicksal Academy, St. Freya Academy".

Kiana then noticed a red-haired woman not far from her bed.

"You slept for a total of 17 hours and 32 minutes, which is almost a day."

The red-haired woman's steady voice spoke of reality.

However, these words were somewhat difficult for Kiana to understand.

Schicksal?

St. Freya Academy?

Shouldn't I be with my dad?

She remembered... she remembered there seemed to be a group of bad guys...

"Where's my dad? Where's my dad?"

"Him? He's leaving you here in foster care."

The red-haired woman replied dismissively without turning her head.

Kiana then noticed that something seemed to be bubbling and simmering in front of the other person.

"Hey! What do you mean by that? What does 'foster care' mean?"

"I'm not called Hey, I'm called Murata Himeko."

Himeko used a towel to lift the iron pot.

"You will be my future teacher. As for what foster care means... it's simple. You're too weak. Staying with your father won't do you any good."

"I'm not weak at all!"

Kiana bared her teeth and brandished her claws.