Designing Armor

On the second day of school, regular classes began.

Cultural classes were held in the morning, training in the afternoon, and after school let out at four, they could do whatever they liked.

After afternoon training ended, Himeko stood before the group with her hands behind her back.

"Today, I have two pieces of news for everyone. One good news..." Himeko paused deliberately, then continued after seeing the puzzled looks on their faces, "and one even better news."

"This week, the academy will be preparing combat armor for all of you. Next Monday, we'll test everyone's armored combat abilities and determine the position where you can best demonstrate your strengths in battle."

A lively girl in the ranks hurriedly asked, "Then what's the other news, Teacher?"

Himeko smiled. "St. Freya High School encourages students to express their individuality, so everyone is allowed to customize the appearance of their armor however they like."

No girl disliked dressing herself up, even if she was a Valkyrie. The girls immediately burst into cheers.

Han Jiang liked cool-looking things too, but he was hopeless with his hands. Even if he could have something custom-made, he had no idea what kind of design would look good enough.

So regarding the armor's appearance, he could only hope St. Freya's original combat uniforms and armor looked good enough.

"That's the two pieces of good news. Hand in your design drafts for customized appearances as soon as possible—by Friday at the latest. Otherwise, you'll have to wear standard-issue combat armor." With that, Himeko dismissed everyone on the spot.

The girls left the training grounds in twos and threes, chatting excitedly. Himeko remained where she was, her gaze fixed tightly on the two people who had yet to leave.

Himeko raised two fingers, pointed at Han Jiang and Kiana, then pointed sharply at her own eyes. "You two can either go study in the classroom or go to the library. If I see you anywhere else, the consequences... you know them yourselves."

Han Jiang and Kiana exchanged an awkward glance. Kiana snorted and turned to look elsewhere.

"Mei, Bronya, help me out. If I fail the exam, I won't get to join the off-campus combat training." Kiana miserably tugged on Mei and Bronya.

"I admit I'm kind of dumb and not good at studying, but there's someone else who only got five points in history. That proves the test is genuinely difficult—it's not just my problem." Even while playing the victim, Kiana did not forget to drag Han Jiang into it.

Han Jiang's eyes widened. That idiot actually wanted him to share Mei and Bronya's firepower.

In the classroom, Han Jiang flipped through his history textbook.

Mei and Bronya initially began helping Kiana study, but after only half an hour, the three of them had gone from discussing schoolwork to discussing what kind of armor appearance they should customize.

As they talked, they had already begun sketching and writing on paper.

They were seated close together. Han Jiang glanced over and saw that only Bronya was still drawing Homu, while the other two had begun designing their own armor.

"So, does the armor I designed look good?" Noticing Han Jiang's sidelong glance, Kiana raised the sheet of paper in her hand and asked him.

Han Jiang nodded. "It's alright. Aside from a few impractical parts, there's nothing seriously wrong with it."

The armor Kiana had designed was in a Wild West Ranger style, like the Ranger character in the game.

However, instead of the final version's cape, she had drawn a heavy trench coat on the back.

"What nonsense are you talking about? The armor I designed is completely practical. Let me see what's so great about the combat uniform you designed that you dare say mine is bad." Kiana protested.

Han Jiang ignored that and pointed directly at Kiana's design. "Look at this trench coat. It's too heavy for a girl, and it'll get in the way of movement. You can't possibly take it off every time you fight, can you? Or are you going to change outfits after every battle?"

"That's true." Kiana thought it over carefully, then nodded. "It really would be inconvenient for a girl to fight in a trench coat. More importantly, it wouldn't look stylish enough."

"Then let's do this. I'll change the trench coat into a cape. That'll be much better." As Kiana spoke, she pulled out another sheet of paper and started drawing again.

Ding: Kiana Kaslana's favorability +10. Favorability has reached 60. Skill acquired: Gun Fu.

Han Jiang happily raised his brows. The first step of the long march had finally begun.

Though Kiana was terrible at studying, she was quite skilled at drawing. Before long, she had sketched out the cape's general design.

Meanwhile, Mei had already finished her own design. Han Jiang looked over.

Mei's combat uniform interwove dark pink and black, the same Crimson set from the game.

"Why hasn't Bronya Classmate designed armor for herself?" Han Jiang could not help asking.

Without even raising her head, Bronya replied in her usual flat tone, "Bronya thinks the academy's standard-issue armor is already good enough. There's no need to waste extra effort on this."

"What do you mean waste effort? Mei is also drawing design drafts for her combat uniform and armor," Kiana retorted.

"Mei's armor concept is [Melee Specialization Assault Armor]. Mei is skilled with the Tachi, so her design is meant to improve her combat capabilities."

"But dumb Kiana's combat uniform is full of personal flair. You're a gunner who thinks about fighting Honkai Beasts in melee the moment you see them. You're only designing armor to make it look better." Bronya mercilessly exposed Kiana's intentions.

Kiana instead puffed out her cheeks. "Looking good increases combat power! Besides, nobody said armor can only come in one set. Later, can't I ask Auntie and Aunt Himeko to personally design combat armor for me?"

Kiana was right, leaving Han Jiang and the others unable to find even the slightest reason to argue.

"Melee Specialization Assault Armor?" Han Jiang looked at the Crimson armor on Mei's draft and asked in confusion.

Mei smiled gently. "Yes. I specialize in the Tachi, so this armor is better suited for close combat."

"Yesterday, I saw that Han Jiang Classmate also used a Tachi. Some of the ways you used your blade seemed rather similar to my family's inherited swordsmanship." Mei continued.

Han Jiang was delighted inside. Mei had raised this question—this was his opening to get closer to the three of them.

Judging by the timeline, it had not been long since the three of them left Changkong City. Their personalities would inevitably still be affected by the Second Honkai, making them somewhat more withdrawn than ordinary students.

Before that, Mei's father had been framed and later disappeared without a trace. Nothing showed on the surface, but there was surely some lingering issue in her heart.

If Han Jiang wanted to learn Hokushin Itto-ryu, he either had to raise Mei's favorability enough to obtain it through the system, or have Mei teach him personally. Both required him to build a good relationship with her.

"Hokushin Itto-ryu has had a deep influence in Japan. I only happened to watch a few videos online and imitated what I saw. If possible, I'd still like Raiden Classmate to teach me more." Han Jiang immediately took the opening.