Being a Cosplay Master in the World of Honkai Impact 3rd

Having just escaped the awkward situation with Kiana, facing Theresa Apocalypse immediately afterwards was truly exhausting.

"How should I even talk to these people," Li Pu sighed, "You didn't bring everyone here, did you?"

"Sirin... don't tell me she's here."

"Siegfried, I don't want to see him either."

Being forced into a maternal role already made him feel drained. If he was forced into a wifely role too, would he really end up sleeping with Siegfried?

Absolutely not!

"How did you notice?" Li Pu didn't want to dwell on that topic.

"Because I've been monitoring you," Theresa Apocalypse said without reservation. "How should I put it? I just felt you were too suspicious, so I've been keeping an eye on you."

"Oh, right. Otto too. But he seems to have other intentions for you."

"As expected," Li Pu sighed. "I figured as much. Otto..."

"You probably know by now, right?"

"This should be the time," Theresa Apocalypse said. "Rita might have already told you."

"So, this is indeed an academy for training Valkyries, right?" Li Pu asked, hands on his hips. "Kiana and Mei, they are Valkyries, aren't they?"

"For now, they're just reserves," Theresa Apocalypse said. "They have the potential, but they haven't been officially selected yet."

"But it's basically confirmed."

"Why, aren't you happy?"

"No..." Li Pu shook his head. "As expected, I felt it would be like this. But... that's fine."

So this world really did have Honkai and such.

Even though he had already expected it.

Now that he knew, he didn't have much of a reaction. The situation was what it was; this was bound to happen sooner or later. It's just that the Honkai hadn't arrived yet.

"I know, I know," Theresa Apocalypse said, as if seeing through Li Pu's thoughts. "But someone has to step up."

"To fight for this beautiful world, we cannot let the Honkai run rampant."

"And we certainly can't stand by and watch the Honkai destroy this world."

"Speaking of which," Theresa Apocalypse looked at Li Pu, "It'll be soon. By the second half of this year at the latest, Kiana and Mei will know everything."

"They will eventually make their choice: to become Valkyries or to live as ordinary people."

"As the director, I think I understand them quite well."

"They will definitely become Valkyries," Li Pu said, crossing his arms. "No one can stop them. This is probably destiny, no one can stop it."

"I'm sorry..." Theresa Apocalypse said. "I won't let them become tools that can be sacrificed at any moment."

"The purpose of establishing this academy is for them to become true Valkyries."

"Not tools with the name of Valkyries."

Li Pu chimed in. Honestly, he was rather uninterested in these matters. He felt like he was having a cross-dimensional conversation with Theresa Apocalypse right now. So, he wouldn't break the illusion.

"Speaking of which," Li Pu suddenly thought of a question. "Do you know about that machine?"

"The one Otto used on me."

Li Pu was still very curious about this. After all, he no longer believed that machine was just some learning device.

"I don't know about that," Theresa Apocalypse shook her head. "Although I founded this place, Otto was the one who acquired the land, and he also provided most of the funding and the engineering team."

"So, I'm not entirely sure about these things."

"But thanks to you," Theresa Apocalypse said, "I now know that Otto was hiding these things here."

"I'll talk to him and have him dismantle all of it!"

"No matter what it is, I won't let him harm those children."

"Oh..." Li Pu thought for a moment. "I think I might be able to negotiate with Otto myself."

"I'm quite interested in that machine."

"If possible, I plan to continue using it."

Li Pu didn't want Theresa Apocalypse to go and tell Otto to dismantle that thing. Although he didn't understand the machine's specific purpose, he had a slight grasp of it after using it once.

That machine must have some kind of beneficial effect on him.

And Otto would definitely know about this now.

So, why not be upfront?

Since it seemed unavoidable that he would be Kiana's "mother," why not use this machine to enhance his own strength?

After all, the first time he caught the System providing incorrect information was thanks to this.

Perhaps he could have a chat with Otto.

Chapter 33: This Death Was Not in Vain

"What should I call you?"

Otto maintained his usual smile.

"Can we not talk about titles?"

Li Pu intended to avoid the topic, naturally sidestepping the question as she said, "I really hope I can use that machine again."

"You mean that 'learning device'."

Although Li Pu didn't know what that thing was for, she felt now.

That thing was useful to her!

Not just a little useful, but extremely useful. Perhaps she could use that machine to obtain information she didn't know yet, clues or secrets.

In any case, there was nothing to do right now, and some things were already on the table.

She might as well ask openly.

"Is that so?" Otto chuckled, "I don't know what 'learning device' you're talking about. And even if such a device existed."

"Why should I let you use it?"

"Valkyrie Cecilia or cleaner Li Pu?"

"Have you forgotten something?" Otto's smile gradually faded, but didn't completely disappear. His voice was no longer as gentle as before, carrying a clear tone of command and the authority of a superior.

"I am the head of this school, and also a Bishop of Schicksal."

Li Pu felt sweat bead on her forehead. Only then did he realize his attitude had been a bit off. Even with the System as a cheat, its help wasn't enough to quickly give him the capital to stand on equal footing with Otto.

Moreover, whether it was his current identity or Cecilia's.

The former was a cleaner, truly not qualified to say this. The latter, although a Valkyrie, had Otto as her direct superior.

So, no matter which identity, he was at least one level, or many levels, below Otto.

It seemed neither of them had the right to make this request.

"This..." Li Pu's momentum immediately weakened considerably, "That... volunteer... test... this..."

He wasn't a transmigrator with kingly aura, whose mere presence could make people's knees buckle. In his past life, he hadn't been a high-ranking leader either, so his mentality and presence were still lacking.

As soon as Otto asserted himself, Li Pu's spirit faltered.

But he was unwilling to give up. If possible, he was still willing to take the risk.

As long as he didn't die horribly, Li Pu might be able to reach a higher level.

After all, opportunity and risk coexisted.

He still had faith in his Asian face, believing it wouldn't stay unlucky forever.

"I refuse." Otto gave Li Pu almost no room for hope, "You should just 'do' your own job. If there's a need in the future, you might be notified."

"Please return to your 'post'."

"Deserting your post is not a good thing."

Otto refused. Li Pu opened her mouth, wanting to plead further, but ultimately gave up. She stood up, put her hands in her pockets, and walked out of Otto's office.

"Lord Bishop?" Rita asked, sounding quite confused, "Didn't you want her to use your machine?"

"Why did you refuse then?"

"There's no need for so many questions." Otto said, "Go make me a cup of black tea, with a small sugar cube."

Otto didn't explain, and Rita didn't ask further. As a subordinate and a maid, she knew very well what she should ask, what she should say, and what she shouldn't ask or say.

Otto leaned back in his chair, his body shrinking slightly as if a little tired.

'Truly surprising.'

Otto half-closed his eyes.

The machine that awakened past lives ultimately did more than just awaken past life memories; it copied the entire past life. It used the current life's body to resurrect the past life.

It seemed like a good machine, but it had a drawback.

This drawback was determined by the current life, and also by reincarnation.

You didn't know who the current life's reincarnation was. Over the long course of history, a person could reincarnate two or three times. And this machine that revived past lives wouldn't specify which past life to revive.

During a complete reincarnation, if one accidentally reincarnated as a dog, and that dog reincarnated into a human now.

And when the machine revived the past life, it revived that dog...

This would be equivalent to completely wasting a good piece of material.

At the same time, you couldn't guarantee that the person you found was her reincarnation.

Under these numerous uncontrollable and unstable conditions, Otto had decided to seal the machine.

This time, although the activation successfully revived the young man's past life, an unexpected situation occurred.

'She's also Cecilia's reincarnation?'

She awakened a small part of King Arthur's memories, but first became Cecilia.

This made Otto uncertain about the current situation. While reincarnation was indeed a profound concept, the events unfolding now differed greatly from his predictions, making Otto feel as though things were slowly slipping out of his control.

From King Arthur to Cecilia, and then from Cecilia to the current youth.

The transition from King Arthur to Cecilia was understandable, but from Cecilia to this current youth...

The timeframe was a bit too short.

There were no precise birth and death dates, but through estimation and measurement, this youth could barely be considered part of the reincarnation cycle.

Regarding the concept of soul reincarnation, Otto's research couldn't precisely explain how long it took for a soul to reincarnate. Some souls reincarnated continuously.

But some souls did not!

'Still, this is an unexpected gain.' Otto thought for a moment and said, 'I feel like it's getting more and more interesting.'

'From King Arthur to Cecilia, and then to him, could there be other reincarnations in between?'

'Should I use that machine again to awaken her?'

'Suddenly, I'm a little excited.'

Li Pu, standing dejectedly at the door, truly hadn't expected to be refused. He thought that after meeting Otto, he'd unleash his aura, and Otto would immediately submit and let him use the machine again.

Now, it seemed he had overthought things.

"Well, whatever," Li Pu muttered to himself, shaking his head. "As expected, I need to make a long-term plan."

"But for now, it should be enough, right?"

He didn't know much about Cecilia and felt he couldn't utilize much of her combat power. For now, the Collapse hadn't arrived, and he still had time to prepare.

Besides, not being able to utilize much didn't mean having nothing at all.

An A-rank Valkyrie, though a lower rating, should still be able to display considerable combat power.