Collapse, Kiana's Cross-Dressing Strategy, Then Chapter 20

Anna nodded, took the file, and began reading it carefully.

Volume 1: Chapter 25: Theresa Starts to Panic

Bai Yan didn't sleep very well that night. He woke up at 5 AM, feeling completely disoriented.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Kiana wrapped around him like an octopus, her face buried in his stomach.

The sensation was actually quite pleasant.

Kiana was still quite thin, only slightly stronger than him.

With Fu Hua's example before him, he didn't need to wear a shock-absorbing front armor, which would make it harder to be found out.

If Kiana could eat so much, then the question was, what did she rely on to fill that black hole of a stomach during her time wandering alone?

Did Schicksal's "Mission Accomplished" air drops sustain her? But how could she have tricked the Kiana in the implanted brain stage?

No wonder Kiana was so thin. Before her period arrived, her meals were likely insufficient.

It took Bai Yan considerable effort to slip out of her bear hug and start making breakfast.

After preparing the ingredients and setting the steaming time, he walked back to the bedside and squatted down.

"Still drooling, let me take some blackmail photos as souvenirs."

Click, click...

Bai Yan glanced at the time, put his things away, and went to the kitchen.

As dawn approached, Kiana woke up.

"Mmm, what time is it... Huh? Where is this..."

She suddenly became alert. This was an unfamiliar room!

Hearing the sound of slippers from the kitchen, she darted into the kitchen.

"Xiao Yan?"

"You're awake? Breakfast will be ready in a bit, go wash up first."

"Got it, hehe... By the way, what are we having for breakfast?"

"Fried eggs, steak, and porridge."

Kiana looked at the steak in the pan, sniffed the aroma, and her eyes lit up.

"Wow, that's a lot! It smells so good!"

"Is that enough?"

"It's enough, it's enough..."

After they finished breakfast, Bai Yan quickly washed the dishes, wiped his hands, and took two boxes of milk from the refrigerator, handing one to Kiana.

"Thanks, Xiao Yan— Uh, sorry, I don't know how I fell asleep last night."

"It's fine."

Kiana no longer stood on ceremony and started eating.

Occasionally, Bai Yan would feel like he had gained a buddy, but her voice and appearance would always pull him out of the illusion.

As soon as he went downstairs, Bai Yan saw Bronya by the flower bed, silently watching him and Kiana.

Just as he was about to go over and greet her, he noticed her gaze shift slightly.

Bai Yan followed her line of sight.

Raiden Mei was staring at him.

"Mei, good morning!"

"...Mm, good morning, Kiana."

She forced a smile and, after a long hesitation, spoke.

"Kiana, why weren't you in your room last night?"

"Hi, I was doing practical training with Xiao Yan and the class monitor yesterday. After I helped Xiao Yan home, I felt really tired, so I fell asleep and only woke up this morning."

"Is that so..."

Raiden Mei's sharp gaze fell upon him, and Bai Yan felt as if he saw an illusion of heavenly lightning tribulation. The purple-haired girl looked as if she were about to grow horns and transform into a demon king.

Bang!

"What?!"

Theresa's anger surged, and she leaped up from the sofa, clearing the table in one go. She only managed to land after reaching Fu Hua.

"You're saying Kiana? She was here too?"

"Uh, is there something wrong?" Fu Hua asked, confused.

"...No, just a little surprised. It's all good, all good, haha."

Theresa forced a smile, feeling only that her luck was bad and her fate was harsh. All her careful planning had turned to naught, and she'd ended up shooting herself in the foot.

Originally, she was supposed to be the one guiding one prodigy; now, she had two prodigies in wheelchairs. Kiana was disabled, yet she could still aim to become an A-rank Valkyrie.

Her authority was about to be swept away…

Forget it, she gave up. Whatever.

Theresa slumped, dejected, and paced back to the sofa, collapsing onto it. She waved her hand, "Thanks for your hard work, Fu Hua. You can go prepare for class now."

"Understood, Headmaster."

Once Fu Hua left, Theresa grabbed the Humo plushie and hugged it tightly, as if she were going to squeeze it until it exploded.

Finally, she released the unfortunate Humo, sighed, and started thinking about how to talk to Kiana.

After all, she was doing it for Kiana's own good. Sigfried wasn't exactly a good influence either. Kiana's bad habits were probably all learned from him.

He stole my Cecilia and is now corrupting my niece! Sigfried, you are a heinous criminal!

"This Bai Yan… seems to have been recommended by Ragna. I have to admit, she's quite talented."

After calming down, Theresa's inner parental instincts kicked in.

"I should make things convenient for her. After all, no one else is useful; only she can make Kiana study obediently."

Theresa put down the Humo and paced back and forth in her office with her hands behind her back.

A moment later, she stopped.

"Kiana climbed over the wall again recently, but her grades are still acceptable, so it's better to guide than to block."

Theresa couldn't help but straighten her back; her perspective had broadened along with it.

"I can't let this brat corrupt Xiao Yan. Besides, if she can pass the A-rank exam, nine-tenths of the credit will go to Xiao Yan."

She narrowed her eyes.

No, it's all ten-tenths!

There's a loophole. My authority can be preserved.

From now on, any good things will go to Xiao Yan first!

What right does a mischievous niece have to claim credit? She's a slacker. This Headmaster will be fair to everyone.

Theresa crossed her arms.

This is the gravitas of a veteran S-rank!

"Hmm? A communication from Headquarters?"

She clicked it open.

A large projection of Rita appeared before Theresa.

[Greetings, Lady Theresa.]

"It's Rita. What's up?"

[Forgive my intrusion, Rita needs to convey a notification from the Bishop to you.]

"A notification? What does Grandpa want to notify me about?"

Theresa looked confused, unable to figure out what Otto was up to this time.

[This is not a notification specifically for you, but for Schicksal's many branches.] [As per instructions, to assess the results of each branch's Valkyrie training, Headquarters has specially prepared a guided sparring event…]

As Rita explained, Theresa's expression became increasingly complex.

The so-called event involved two S-rank Valkyries from Headquarters leading some A-rank Valkyries to challenge various branches—to conduct guided sparring matches.

Victory or defeat wasn't the key point; the crucial aspect was to assess the overall combat strength of each branch.

This was the packaged information, the content that branch leaders, including Theresa, would be privy to.

Otto's true intention was to observe the core of his plan and his beloved granddaughter.

As for Durandal… let's just say she wanted to visit the Far East Branch legitimately.

Schicksal has become so decadent. A small whim from a teacher and student duo would cause countless Valkyries to lose sleep.

Theresa was speechless.

Although the Far East Branch had some talented individuals, its overall teaching intensity was very low compared to other branches.

If they were to conduct an assessment, they might not even have their underwear left.

She forced herself to maintain a composed expression, not letting herself lose composure, and let Rita finish her explanation.

[The order of these matches is random, so please be prepared at all times, Lady Theresa. There's no need to be overly nervous; the Bishop merely wishes to understand the specific situation.]

"I, I understand. Are, are there any other questions?"

Rita subtly glanced at the beads of sweat on Theresa's forehead and bowed slightly.

[That is all the information to be conveyed. If you have no further questions, Rita will proceed to inform the next person in charge.]

"It's okay now, you can go back to your work."

[Rita bids you farewell and thanks you for your care.]

The projection vanished, and Theresa slumped down.

Shedding her earlier dignified demeanor, she gritted her teeth and thought, "Grandpa, are you doing this on purpose?!"

Volume 1: Chapter 26: All for This Vinegar

Classroom.

Whispers and unease filled the entire classroom due to the latest notice from Schicksal Headquarters.

The diligent students only understood two words: "Unified Exam."

Based on age, everyone who reached the designated age line would undergo an examination.

This naturally included Kiana and the others.

As is well known, the "Big Three" were transfer students at St. Freya, and their ages were similar to Anna's; Anna officially became a Valkyrie at 12 and was promoted to A-rank at 16.

In terms of time, Kiana and the others were all Valkyries who joined midway.

It was just that Bronya was a natural prodigy, and Raiden Mei was intelligent; the two could keep up with the pace thanks to their talent.

Kiana... was a difficult subject.

One could guess the quality of education Kiana received in Siberia during the period from when she was rescued from the laboratory until Sigfried left without a word.

Furthermore, from 2010 to 2014, Kiana wandered alone, from Siberia to Changkong City.

How many opportunities did she have for education during these years?

The three years at St. Freya were undoubtedly Kiana's happiest period, because during all other times, she had nothing but that awful dad.