Collapse, Kiana's Cross-Dressing Strategy

The camera is ready!

After a simple agreement on the time and place, Kiana sneakily slipped back into the room.

Once Kiana was confirmed to be gone, Bai Yan instinctively began his routine work report to his female superior.

This was beneficial for him to think about the next issues.

Strictly speaking, his influence on Kiana's growth might accelerate things, causing Otto to advance his original timeline plans.

For Kiana, the boost from the intelligence multiplier was too great; if this continued, he might have to make an early escape.

First, he would give his work report, then without leaving a trace—though Sister Ta Zi would be able to tell—he would mention his fear and worry about Raiden Mei, and perhaps act a little spoiled towards Sister Rita...

The information between Rita and Bai Yan was asymmetrical. These words expressing worry would be magnified. She knew where the real danger lay, and therefore would treat it with greater caution.

Then Bai Yan saw the reply, which exuded gentleness in every word.

After being satisfactorily comforted by Rita, Bai Yan expressed his determination to persevere and they said goodnight before logging off.

Just as he was about to change, Bai Yan remembered something.

He hadn't entered the Hyper-Dimensional Space tonight yet, had he?

He should probably go in.

Lighting a spiral mosquito coil while sensing that peculiar, eternal feeling, he familiarized himself and stepped onto the water-soaked ground again.

The water level seemed to have risen slightly, causing Bai Yan to frown.

If this continued, would the master and disciple end up communicating in the water in the future?

Imagining that scene, Bai Yan's frown relaxed.

It actually seemed quite nice; let it rise.

Hm... Hm?

Bai Yan looked up and saw Jingliu.

She wore an eyepatch, held a long ice sword, her white hair was disheveled, and the hem of her skirt was stained with drops of crimson.

At this moment, Jingliu's posture gave off a feeling of drawing her sword and looking around in confusion.

"Master, what is this?"

"..."

Jingliu froze for a moment, looked around, then sheathed her ice sword and removed her eyepatch.

"Today, it seems to be a bit late," she stepped forward and gazed at Bai Yan.

At this moment, Bai Yan finally understood.

If she hadn't met him, she might have endured the Mara-struck state, but once there was a chance for relief, it was hard not to get addicted.

"I encountered some unexpected issues tonight, so I'm late."

"Mm, be careful. Once you get stronger, you'll be able to handle all sorts of situations."

Bai Yan didn't correct her small misunderstanding and seized the time to start today's sword practice.

Jingliu's teaching was always diligent, but tonight she was particularly serious, even personally testing Bai Yan's practical combat effectiveness.

The brief meeting left Bai Yan drenched in sweat.

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

Just as Bai Yan was being severely trained by Jingliu, Durandal sought out Ragna.

"I'm not clear on that either, after all, his mission is completely confidential. Why don't we ask Rita?"

"Rita has an obligation of confidentiality, as it's her responsibility."

"Uh, do you think I don't?"

"The Bishop didn't mention it, and Rita didn't either."

"So, little Bianca, you're trying to exploit a loophole?"

"No."

"I think you should just wait. Perhaps he'll contact you proactively one day when he has time?"

Durandal realized for the first time that Ragna could also be evasive, and left somewhat unhappily.

"Little Yan is getting a bit troublesome..." Ragna watched her retreating back and sighed inwardly.

Volume 1: Chapter 19: Dumb Goose Found Out

The new semester at St. Freya had fully entered its stride, and some students with clear deficiencies were beginning to face their difficulties head-on.

Take Miss Bai Yan's Miss Kiana, for instance, who had already started acting as a crutch for each other.

Anything that required thinking was a critical hit to Kiana.

Even with the motivation of passing the A-rank exam and Bai Yan's help, Kiana was still in a state where she needed Hua's surgery every day.

From Himeko and Theresa's perspective, this girl's transformation was simply earth-shattering.

Theresa was starting to panic.

What would she use to fulfill her promise to Kiana?

Surely she, as the "aunt," wouldn't go bankrupt in less than a year, right?

Bai Yan...

Theresa looked at the files on her desk. After repeatedly messing up her hair, she still couldn't come up with a solution.

Was she supposed to tell Kiana not to help her? Then would she even be considered an elder? That was ridiculous!

Theresa squatted on her chair, her white hair a mess, several buttons on her clothes undone as if she couldn't breathe otherwise, and clutched her head in pain.

If Bai Yan knew she was in such a state, his heart would be bleeding.

School Director, your student is willing to solve your worries!

With just a few dozen photo sets, Siegfried's whereabouts, the aunt's authority, and her niece's trust will all be secured!

If I give these photo sets as gifts, connections and progress will also be a non-issue.

With my network and position elevated, my room for maneuver will increase.

Sometimes Bai Yan felt that he indeed had a talent for being a speculator.

I'm a Speculator at Schicksal

Theresa was in a complete panic. After thinking it over and over, she still felt she should talk to that child, Bai Yan.

She could use Bai Yan's recent combat performance as an excuse, his scores always fluctuating between 40 and 59, never reaching the true standard of a B-rank Valkyrie.

In a way, this was a more troublesome problem student than Kiana.

If you say you're not good at combat, then let me ask you, what's the point of having such high Honkai resistance?

What would those battle-hardened veterans who constantly endured Honkai corrosion despite their low resistance think?

And what about those newcomers with poor talent who could never break through their ceiling no matter how hard they tried?

Theresa's gaze became resolute.

As the School Director, she had to make that child succeed!

Even if it was just as repayment for helping Kiana, she had to do something!

Meanwhile, Bai Yan took advantage of the weekend and found a quiet hotel by the hour for a direct, secret call with Rita.

This was all for safety, as the chances of being accidentally overheard in the dorms or cafeteria were too high.

"I've currently gained the target's trust, and I have at least one opportunity for completely private time each week...

"I haven't had a chance to contact the head of the Far East Branch yet, but I estimate she'll notice me soon..."

Besides the person he was approaching, Bai Yan also reported other intelligence he had gathered, such as security forces and the deployment mechanisms of the Valkyrie units.

A professional and ambitious spy often collects intelligence that isn't limited to the mission parameters but also seeks out related information independently.

Bai Yan's superior saw his strength in knowing when to act on his own, which was why she took him under her wing.

As for the succubus physique? It was only useful for the first impression. Women like Rita had extremely high immunity to it.

Getting back to the main topic.

Submitting a small part of the Far East Branch's Valkyrie deployment mechanisms was necessary from any perspective.

When Bai Yan was in logistics, he once used his understanding of the headquarters' Valkyrie mission mechanisms to help one of Dumb Goose's teammates.

After the mission report, Rita didn't seem to want to stop; instead, she brought up other topics.

[Little Yan, Madam Durandal still hasn't given up looking for you. You should be mentally prepared for this.]

"I'm no longer trying to avoid being discovered. It's just a bit awkward with an old friend; besides, Bianca is an understanding person and wouldn't easily let her emotions affect her work."

"Awkward" was actually a coded message meaning his identity as "Bai Yan" was exposed.

[Little Yan, aren't you quite approving of her like this? Why do you keep refusing? Of course, this is just idle chat.]

Bai Yan held the phone in one hand and aimlessly fiddled with the muted TV with the other, saying casually, "Even you, Sister Rita, have to try so hard to keep up with her. It'll be even harder for me. My current position is fine."

On the other end, Rita sighed quietly.

[Are you getting used to things over there recently? For example, do you feel unaccustomed to completely different environments?]

This was also a coded message, meaning "living as a girl."

"It's quite awkward, but I'll get used to it."

[If there's anything that makes you unhappy, remember to tell me. Keeping it bottled up will be very painful.]

"Mhm, I will."

[That's good—Madam Ragna, do you have anything to say to Little Yan? Hmm, alright—Little Yan, Madam Ragna wants to speak with you.]

With distant words from the other side, Ragna's voice came through the receiver.

[Little Yan, it's been so long since you last spoke to me. Do you miss me?]

"Yes, Ragna is like my mother. How could I not miss you?"

"Your little mouth is so sweet. Go on, how many have you tricked at the Far East branch?"

"I don't have time for missions, and I never lie..."

Rita retreated behind Ragna, a smile playing on her lips as she listened to their conversation. She quietly exited the room, closing the door softly.

The moment she turned, she was met by a pair of cold blue eyes.

Rita felt as if she couldn't breathe for an instant.

At this moment, Durandal had a slight sheen of sweat on her forehead. Her golden hair was tied back in a ponytail, and a sweat towel hung around her neck. Her form-fitting sportswear accentuated her curves.

When had she arrived?

Rita believed her conversation wouldn't arouse suspicion, but Ragna had been too careless with their encrypted call!

As if responding to Rita's concern, Durandal stared at her, her eyes conveying "don't interfere." Then, she pressed her ear to the door.

Her expression remained cold. Even after eavesdropping for a while, there was no change.

In fact, when Ragna blurted out "Far East branch," she had already begun to form a guess.

Rita remained silent, knowing that anything she said now wouldn't help and might even backfire.

Time ticked by, and Durandal showed no sign of leaving.

As she overheard the latter half of the conversation, Rita couldn't tell what Ragna had said, but Dumb Goose's expression grew darker and darker.

Finally, she pulled away from the door and took two steps back.

The next moment, the door opened.

"Rita, I'm done talking, you—uh, Little Bianca..."

For the first time, Ragna felt a pang of guilt towards his most outstanding student.

Durandal reached out her hand, and Ragna silently handed her the communicator.