What Kind of Student Did She Teach?

Roar!

Help!

The roar of a beast and cries for help suddenly came from the distance. Han Jiang and Theresa exchanged a glance. "A Honkai Beast!"

"Let's go take a look!" Theresa said, already heading toward the source of the sounds.

Han Jiang instinctively reached both hands behind his back, only to grasp at empty air. His Tang Dao was not on him.

"Damn it!"

The Stigmata Space had suppressed their strength, but Theresa had already rushed toward the civilians calling for help.

"Don't be afraid! Run!" Theresa shouted at the panicked villagers.

The villagers did not care whether Theresa was a child or not. They rushed past her, each wishing their parents had given them two more legs.

"Come with me! The two of us can't handle this Honkai Beast!" Han Jiang caught up with Theresa, grabbed her arm, and shouted.

Theresa shook off his hand. "We are Valkyries. The duty to protect civilians should be carved into our bones."

"Han Jiang, I don't want to hear such remarks again in the future." At that moment, Theresa seemed more like a mature senior and a warrior.

A bear-shaped Honkai Beast emerged from the forest. Parts along the edges of its body had already turned silicon-based, and its blood-red eyes fixed on the two as it pounced.

"To think such an ancient Honkai Beast still exists. Remember this, Han Jiang—this is the kind of Honkai Beast that only appears in history books!" Not only was Theresa unflustered, she was even teaching Han Jiang history on the spot.

The giant bear rose onto its hind legs, standing over three—perhaps nearly four—meters tall. Its millstone-sized paw did not stop just because its opponent looked cute, and it swung down at her.

"I told you, we can't handle it!"

Just as the giant paw was about to strike Theresa, Han Jiang sped up, leaped forward, and shoved her away.

The paw continued unabated, grabbing Han Jiang as easily as a chick.

"It hurts!"

Its immense size brought immense strength. Han Jiang felt as though his bones were about to be crushed.

Theresa climbed up from the ground and looked at Han Jiang, who had been caught by the Honkai Beast, in confusion.

"Why not just activate your armor to deal with it yourself? What kind of student did Himeko teach? Can't you even unleash Honkai Energy?" At this moment, what Theresa was worried about was actually St. Freya's teaching standards.

"Watch carefully, Han Jiang! Today, I'll show you the power of an S-rank Valkyrie!" Theresa shouted at Han Jiang, then charged at the bear-shaped Honkai Beast empty-handed.

Under normal circumstances, Theresa was a little monster possessed of monstrous strength. Against this sort of Honkai Beast, having a weapon or not made little difference.

"Die!" Theresa gave a sharp cry and punched the bear-shaped Honkai Beast.

Roar!

Perhaps finding Theresa too noisy, the Honkai Beast grabbed her in one paw.

"What's going on?" Theresa, now caught in the Honkai Beast's grasp as well, began to panic. "Why? Where has my strength gone? Why has it disappeared?!"

When human pain reached its limit, one would pass out. Han Jiang's vision began to darken, and he felt his consciousness starting to blur.

Suddenly, a crimson flash of blade light appeared amid the dense, lush forest, followed by the sound of a sword being drawn and sheathed.

Han Jiang felt the crushing force around him vanish instantly. The Honkai Beast's enormous head fell to the ground.

With no strength left to support it, the bear paw went limp, and Han Jiang fell to the ground with a thud.

"Headmaster Theresa, are you all right?" After landing, Han Jiang looked toward the other bear paw. Theresa had her eyes tightly shut and had already fainted.

"Are you all right? I heard the villagers say that a monster had appeared by the edge of the woods, so I hurried over immediately." The person who had intervened walked toward Han Jiang.

After confirming that Theresa was not in mortal danger, Han Jiang looked up and saw the sixteen-year-old Yae Sakura.

There were no fox ears, nor was there that oppressive feeling. The current Yae Sakura was still a girl with few worries.

"I'm fine. Please check on my friend. She's already fainted," Han Jiang asked Yae Sakura.

"Yae Village is just ahead. I am the shrine maiden of the village. If you trust me, you can bring your friend to the village." Yae Sakura said as she briefly examined Theresa's injuries.

"Thank you."

"Follow me."

Han Jiang carefully picked Theresa up from the ground and obediently followed behind Yae Sakura.

"We are travelers passing through this place. We suddenly encountered that vicious monster on the road. If it hadn't been for you, the two of us... would probably have been in grave danger."

"These monsters have indeed been appearing more frequently lately. But don't worry, Yae Village is still very safe." Yae Sakura smiled and pointed ahead. "It's right up ahead. We're almost there."

"Sorry for the trouble."

Yae Sakura's home was located not far from the shrine. As the residence of Yae Village's Shrine Master, it was naturally not small.

Han Jiang followed behind, observing the estate's surroundings. Behind the residence, he could see a seven-story tower.

"Greetings, miss."

"Miss has returned."

"..."

After entering the estate, the servants along the way greeted Yae Sakura, and she responded to each of them with a smile.

"You there, prepare some food for this gentleman, and some medicinal herbs as well." After giving her instructions, Yae Sakura led Han Jiang into a side courtyard.

A tall cherry blossom tree stood in the courtyard. After entering the room, Han Jiang set Theresa down.

"I'll examine your friend's injuries now. May I ask what your name is, sir?" Yae Sakura asked.

Han Jiang had been so concerned about Theresa's injuries that he had forgotten to introduce himself. He quickly said, "Just call me Han Jiang."

"Mr. Han Jiang, please go to the sitting room and have some food. Rest for a while. I'll let you know once your friend wakes up." Yae Sakura needed to inspect Theresa's injuries, so she motioned for Han Jiang to excuse himself.

Han Jiang nodded and left the room. He sat on the step outside the door and looked up at the tall cherry blossom tree.

It was the season when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom in the Stigmata Space. The petals drifted beautifully in the wind, a breathtaking sight.

"Who are you? Why are you in my sister's and my courtyard?" At that moment, a little girl entered the side courtyard and looked at Han Jiang with a puzzled expression.

This is Rin, then, Han Jiang thought.

"A monster appeared near the forest earlier. My friend and I were rescued by your sister. My name is Han Jiang. What's yours?"

"Rin! My sister is the greatest shrine maiden Yae Village has ever had!" Yae Rin cried happily.

Han Jiang chuckled. "Yes, she's an amazing shrine maiden."

"Mm-hm! My sister is the best. Both the villagers and the people at the shrine are always praising her." Yae Rin kept praising her sister, seeming even happier than if she were praising herself.

"As expected..." Han Jiang sighed, shifting his gaze beneath the cherry blossom tree.

Beneath the cherry blossom tree was a raised patch of earth covered by petals. A stone slab stood in front of it, bearing five characters worn so badly they were nearly illegible: "Yae Rin's Grave."

Han Jiang looked at the little girl beside him, chattering endlessly about how wonderful her sister was, and felt a bitter ache in his heart.

"Since I'm here, I should at least do something." Han Jiang rubbed his chin and pondered.