Collapse, Kiana's Cross-Dressing Strategy

I was then called to the headmaster's office.

I didn't have time to grab my bag, so I couldn't take any photos of Theresa's casual wear. What a shame.

"Ahem," Theresa cleared her throat and stood on her chair, looking down at me. "Bai Yan, your recent exam results have been excellent. You've become a role model for the entire school. You must remain humble and not let your guard down."

"The headmaster is right."

Bai Yan was a bit confused; this demeanor wasn't like Theresa at all.

"So," Theresa's gaze sharpened, "to better help you shore up your weaknesses, after discussions between myself and Teacher Himeko, we believe that exceptional students like you deserve more care and encouragement."

Bai Yan's heart skipped a beat.

"Fu Hua!"

Bang! The door was pushed open.

A gray-haired female student wearing glasses walked in upright.

"Starting today, you are to help this student diligently and strive to improve her practical combat scores to the school's average."

"Yes, Headmaster!"

Fu Hua pushed up her glasses and approached Bai Yan. "Student Bai Yan, I look forward to working with you."

Her serious attitude made Bai Yan feel as if the pressure was as immense as Mount Tai.

Theresa, meanwhile, broke into a smile, her cherry lips curving into an "ω" shape.

She secretly thought, Now you won't have any chance to hang out with Kiana all day.

Besides, her actions were perfectly justifiable.

What? Kiana can't learn well without her?

Then let me ask you, hasn't Kiana also affected Bai Yan's practical combat scores and delayed Bai Yan's progress?

She, Headmaster Theresa, is selfless and treats all students equally. She won't show favoritism just because someone is her niece!

As for Kiana, she has other arrangements. Just don't worry about it!

Bai Yan's eyes met Fu Hua's, but he received no information other than goodwill.

Clearly, Fu Hua didn't know about his identity either. The secrecy measures were quite effective...

Now, practical combat class had become Bai Yan's biggest headache.

This act would be hard to pull off. Unless ancient figures as experienced as Otto or Fu Hua were watching closely, it would be difficult for him to avoid being seen through at his current level.

Perhaps Jingliu could offer some suitable advice, or even teach him a quick, ultimate move that he could just unleash at a crucial moment.

He needed to find Master Jingliu quickly tonight.

Volume 1: Chapter 23: Fu Hua: I'm Done For, But It's Fine

With the only exit closed, only Fu Hua and Bai Yan remained in the room.

The immortal, who had lived a second life, stared at the results of the simulated combat test, her forehead covered in black lines.

59 points, 59 points, 59 points...

Attitude is the mask of the heart.

Miss Bai Yan took out her makeup case and was touching up her makeup, meticulously repairing the parts that had been scratched by the equipment.

He crossed his legs and casually swung them without restraint, observing Fu Hua's reaction out of the corner of his eye while applying makeup.

The immortal seemed to be overheating.

Fu Hua's expression was about to collapse when faced with such a rigid immortal.

Bai Yan looked into the vanity mirror, subtly shifting his gaze to glance at her a few times.

Alas, his Dao heart was unstable. Old people were just too impetuous.

"Student Bai Yan, you..."

"What? The test is over. From now on, I'm a C-rank Valkyrie in charge of logistics. Please don't look at me like that. I don't like your type. You're bringing me down!

"And putting facts aside, are C-rank Valkyries inherently inferior?!

"C-rank Valkyries also fight against the Collapse, we just have different roles."

"..."

Fu Hua had never been so speechless.

"Your abilities are clearly more than that, why must you be like this?"

Bai Yan raised his eyebrows.

He closed the makeup case and picked up his bag, putting it inside.

Miss Bai Yan slung her bag over her shoulder and stood up.

"Wait a moment!"

Bai Yan flicked her hand away with disgust, saying dismissively, "A man and a woman should not touch. Don't be so handsy."

Fu Hua felt as if her heart had been struck.

"Oh... you're a girl? My apologies, I didn't notice. Please don't mind me," Bai Yan said, feigning realization and waving her hand casually.

Fu Hua: -_-#

"Hey, hey, hey, the test is over. Can I go now?

"Give up on me. I'm really not cut out for this. You should focus your energy on other promising talents, like Kiana. She's quite good.

"She's the principal's niece and a warrior of the Kaslana family. With just a little guidance now, she can undergo a qualitative change..."

Fu Hua quickly dispelled her negative emotions and said calmly, "No, I believe Bai Yan has astonishing potential, no less than Kiana."

She pushed up her glasses and examined him carefully, as if confirming her judgment, then nodded in deep agreement.

Bai Yan, blinded by the reflection from her glasses, turned his head and said, "Doesn't Shenzhou martial arts emphasize the mind and spirit?"

"I will help you temper it."

"I can't keep going."

"I will find a way."

"I hate flat chests. Can you finish that before coming back?"

"???"

Bai Yan felt completely numb, so he decided to attack directly.

"Glasses, a braid, and dressed so unfashionably. I feel cheapened just being around you, so please move aside. I need to leave."

Fu Hua felt even more numb.

However, she endured these words with a firm will, still blocking the doorway.

"This is the principal's order."

He actually took Theresa's words seriously?!

If he didn't have a general understanding of her personality, Bai Yan would have suspected she had other intentions.

Bai Yan sat back down, thought for a moment, and sent Kiana a message.

He pretended to sigh, and after a period of stalemate, said to Fu Hua, "Fine, fine, let's train. Where should we start?"

Fu Hua breathed a sigh of relief and then began to systematically plan the tutoring program.

However, just as they were starting.

Bang!

The door was suddenly kicked open, and Kiana swaggered in.

"Xiao Yan, what did you call me here for— Oh, class monitor?"

Two gazes simultaneously fell on Bai Yan, who was composed.

"Mmm, much better," he said, feeling refreshed. "I can only train properly with Kiana around. Otherwise, it's unbearable~"

Fu Hua glanced at Kiana's braid. "Doesn't she have a braid too?"

"But Kiana's white hair looks really nice."

"..."

Kiana didn't understand what they were talking about and asked curiously, "What are you guys talking about?"

"Oh, it's just that the principal asked me to take remedial combat classes, but I can only train properly if Kiana is here..."

As he spoke, he gave Kiana a look.

Regardless of how Kiana interpreted it, she returned a "I get it" look.

Bai Yan turned to Fu Hua with satisfaction and said, "Let's train together."

Fu Hua thought about it. Since they were both problem students, as the class monitor, she had no reason to refuse.

She nodded. "Okay."

Evening.

Kiana supported Bai Yan as they slowly walked upstairs.

"That class monitor is quite strong, actually. She's on par with me. But Xiao Yan, you really need to train more. You're already like this after just a little while."

Bai Yan's mouth twitched, and he forced a smile. "Yes, yes."

"On par" meant that she was the bull the entire time while Fu Hua was the matador.

As for Bai Yan himself, although he had expected it, he hadn't anticipated his problems being this significant.

Before, he had only learned swordsmanship from Jingliu and hadn't paid any attention to stamina, strength, or the like. And with Jingliu's level of mastery, she wouldn't have noticed things of this degree.

You're learning my sword techniques, so you must be practicing your stance every day, right?

Bai Yan was helped into the room and immediately collapsed onto the bed, planning to rest for a bit before going to see Master Jingliu.

The next moment, Kiana was lying beside him.

"Phew—that was a great fight today!"

She turned to Bai Yan, "Xiao Yan, do you think if I keep this up, I'll become an A-rank soon?"

"I think you can do it."

"Heh heh... Ever since I came to St. Freya, I've felt happy every day, except when Auntie Himeko scolds me."

Bai Yan sighed inwardly. That "Auntie" title really needed to be changed.

"Mommy" was fine, but "Auntie" wasn't, just like "Daddy" was fine, but "Uncle" wasn't.

The reasoning was the same.

He'd correct her later; he wasn't in the mood today.

Kiana casually leaned closer to Bai Yan, linking her arm with his and nuzzling him.

"But she hasn't said much to me lately, Xiao Yan, you're really amazing, aren't you?"

"Not at all, Kiana, you're amazing too," feeling the soft, springy pressure against his side, Bai Yan steadied his mind before continuing, "I always feel like with you around, I don't have to be afraid even if we're surrounded by Honkai beasts."

"Hehehe, don't worry, when that happens, I'll definitely protect you, Xiao Yan."

As she spoke, Kiana simply wrapped her arms around Bai Yan's waist, resting her head near his neck, their posture extremely intimate.

Her hot breath blew out, but quickly stabilized.

Bai Yan was about to speak when he turned his head and found she had already closed her eyes.

"No way, how did you fall asleep so fast?"

He checked the time again; it was almost time to meet Jingliu.

He tried to move but found himself held too tightly to break free.