The Master Cosplayer in the World of Honkai Impact 3rd

Chapter 22: What If You Can't Win?

"Mr. Li Pu, surrendering isn't an option."

"If you surrender, it will be considered a breach of contract."

Mei's figure appeared behind Li Pu like a ghost. She seemed to have seen through Li Pu's little scheme and said, "Since you are a volunteer for this test, Mr. Li Pu."

"Please consider the test. We need to obtain accurate data."

"This data is very useful for adjusting the equipment."

Even though she said that.

Li Pu wasn't slacking off either. He knew that since he had decided to participate in the test, if he didn't cooperate actively, the consequences of distorted data could be very bad. Especially for equipment that posed a danger, more realistic data was needed.

It was just that, why did he feel like this test was so strange?

What was wrong?

That medieval era!

Do your students look for jobs in the medieval era after graduation?

"I understand," Li Pu said helplessly. "It's really hard to get off a pirate ship once you're on it."

"Then let's begin!"

Mei raised her hand and said, "The first sword test begins!"

Mei didn't rush to draw her blade. She gripped the hilt, ready to strike. This was Iaido. Whether it was Hokushin Itto-ryu or other schools, Iaido could be considered a very basic yet practical tactic.

Iaido emphasized counter-attacking after the opponent's move, not taking the initiative.

After the opponent attacks, one would seize the opening or weakness and draw the sword at close range to attack.

She focused intently on the young man in front of her, observing his every move. To be honest, this young man was full of openings. She felt that even if she approached him at ten times slower than usual and attacked, she could defeat him.

Unsteady footsteps, careless demeanor, stiff hands, vacant eyes.

There wasn't a single decent thing about him.

Other than having a good face, the rest of him looked no different from trash.

Was he really an opponent that required her full effort?

Mei felt that no matter how serious she was, she couldn't muster the energy. No matter how highly she regarded him, it seemed he really wasn't worth her attention.

Was this a young master who had already achieved unity between swordsman and sword?

Or was he someone who knew nothing?

Mei shifted her stance slightly, gradually closing the distance.

Whichever it was, only trying would yield the true result!

She decided!

She would strike first!

She drew her blade!

With a backhand draw, the curved katana, still in its saya, was pulled out with a swish and transformed into a silver-white flash of light, slashing horizontally towards the young man's abdomen.

Although she couldn't figure out her opponent's strength, Mei still gave it her all.

In combat!

Giving your all is the greatest respect to your opponent.

Watching the long blade slash horizontally towards his abdomen, rapidly approaching, the young man in front of her showed no reaction at all.

Had she misjudged him?

This was the real deal!

If it actually hit, it would cut him in half!

Should she hold back?

It was too late!

Clang!

At this critical moment, just as the blade was about to reach the young man's abdomen, he suddenly reacted. His hands became incredibly agile. The seemingly clumsy Knight Greatsword moved as lightly and nimbly as a swift, swish, it slanted upwards from below and struck the connection point between the katana's blade and guard.

Such immense power!

Mei was instantly shocked. This power was truly overwhelming! It was completely unexpected, and the katana was knocked out of her hand.

The next second, the Knight Greatsword spun around and slashed down.

It stopped precisely in front of Mei's forehead.

Silence!

Kiana, standing nearby, felt like her throat was choked. The hands she had just raised to cheer for victory were abruptly stuck in her throat, unable to make a sound.

What just happened?

What happened?

Why did Mei's katana fly out of her hand? Why did that guy suddenly counterattack? Didn't that guy look like a completely useless piece of trash who knew nothing?

How did he win so suddenly?

"Hey! Stop!"

Li Yiyi quickly called a halt to the match.

She had the same mindset as Kiana before, planning to watch Li Pu make a fool of himself. She didn't feel particularly good or bad towards Li Pu; he was just an ordinary colleague.

But she couldn't say she felt good about his greed.

Moreover, she only had a vague understanding of that machine.

Was this learning machine really useful?

Or was his previous performance just an act?

If it was an act, it was a very convincing one.

"Let's take a break! Let's take a break!" Li Yiyi quickly called out, "That was too fast, the camera probably wasn't adjusted properly."

"Mei, come here for a moment."

"Yes, Teacher." Mei had just snapped back to reality. The shift had been too sudden, completely beyond her expectations. Mei was stunned, and as soon as she came to her senses, she quickly picked up her katana and went to her teacher.

"Mei! Mei!" Kiana rushed to Mei's side before Li Yiyi could even speak.

She widened her eyes and said incredulously, "What were you thinking?! Were you going easy on him?"

"I... I wasn't..." Mei said, feeling a bit flustered, "I just wanted to test him."

"I... I wasn't underestimating him!"

Mei truly wasn't underestimating him; she genuinely just wanted to test him. But this move had truly exceeded her expectations. According to her planned sequence, if Li Pu blocked, she would use her horizontal slash to leverage his block, stop her blade, release the force, and then quickly slide along his blade to strike him. She would then use this correction to change her horizontal slash into a vertical one and then thrust.

But being directly counter-attacked and having her weapon knocked away was something Mei hadn't anticipated.

"It's okay, I already told you not to underestimate him." Li Yiyi looked at Li Pu, who was still standing on the field, and put on an act as if she knew everything. "This person might be much stronger than you think."

"Get ready, and when you're prepared, we'll continue!"

This is truly unbelievable. Li Yiyi thought to herself, This is completely unscientific!

This feeling...

Li Pu himself hadn't expected it. He looked at the Knight Greatsword in his hand. He had never learned any swordsmanship. Although he had held this kind of Knight Greatsword before.

But those were just for show, wild swings that amounted to nothing.

And this time, being able to adjust and counterattack in such a short period.

It all felt like instinct.

This was not right at all!

Li Pu immediately closed his eyes and entered his System.

That machine wasn't just a learning machine!

It likely had other uses!

System! Check the mission progress. Li Pu thought, Check the mission progress for 'No One Understands King Arthur Better Than I Do'.

Has it reached a certain completion percentage?!

Chapter Twenty-Three: As Expected, the Test is Off

"Mission progress for 'No One Understands King Arthur Better Than I Do': 3%."

The System answered honestly.

"3%?"

Li Pu suddenly felt like he understood something. He immediately pressed, "How did this 3% come about?"

"1% for finding and reading materials, 0.5% for ordering related items, and 1.5% for experiencing King Arthur's daily life." The System replied very honestly.

Li Pu knew about the first two, but the last one, which accounted for the majority, was interesting.

"I understand." Li Pu didn't ask further and said, "Okay, that's all."

"Huh? That's it?" The System was actually confused by Li Pu. So, what exactly did this Li Pu understand?

Yes, that was all.

Li Pu opened his eyes and exited the System without saying more or interacting further with it.

As expected, why is this test so strange? Li Pu swung the sword in his hand and said, The Middle Ages, the blonde kid, brushing horses, organizing cavalry equipment, swordsmanship...

But it seems this System is not simple either.

Suddenly, there was a test. Despite such generous treatment, they still couldn't find anyone. He had just signed up and was immediately taken for testing. A learning machine for modern students somehow ended up in the Middle Ages.

Then, he was suddenly pulled in to test his swordsmanship.

This was definitely more than just learning.

There was no concrete evidence, but it was certain that those places had attracted attention. And the person who paid attention to him...

'Otto...'

Li Pu couldn't think of anyone else who enjoyed such underhanded scheming.

It wasn't just Otto's issue.

His System definitely still had some problems it hadn't disclosed.

Li Pu held the Knight Greatsword upright in front of him. He gazed at the blade, which reflected half of his face like a mirror, and his mind gradually became clearer.

He might have found it.

He had found the key to something.

"When do we start again?" Li Pu suddenly asked. "Teacher Li, how much longer do we need to rest?"

"Mei, go!" Kiana cheered from the side. "Definitely don't underestimate him. Losing to someone like that isn't the Mei I know."

"Give it your all," Li Yiyi also said. "But don't put too much pressure on yourself either."

"Prepare to begin."

"Yes," Mei said, gripping the hilt of her sword. "I understand."

"I will give it my all."

This time, he would definitely give it his all.

Mei became serious, focusing on the young man before her. He seemed to have disguised himself very well, completely pretending to be someone who knew no sword techniques.