Collapse, Cross-Dressing Strategy Kiana, Then

As he did these things, he casually asked, "So, here's the question: if she's connected to him, have you ever noticed any signs of it?"

"..."

Kiana stared silently at the bottle, bubbles rising one by one, only to burst on the surface of the water.

"So, you have to think about it this way: to achieve your goals, you need strength. If A-rank isn't enough, then become S-rank. If that's still not enough, keep getting stronger.

"If you don't have enough power, then increase your knowledge. If you don't have enough knowledge, then gain more experience...

"It's not like he wouldn't show himself even if his daughter became the focus of the world's attention, right?"

Kiana seemed to have figured something out, her expression completely renewed.

Then she got up and darted into the bathroom.

At this moment, Bai Yan was completely submerged in bubbles, with only his head sticking out, stretching his neck to drink cola.

Kiana stared intently at Bai Yan.

Bai Yan reached out and flicked water high into the air, splashing her face. Only then did she obediently squat in front of the bathtub, facing Bai Yan.

"Xiao Yan, does your brother look like you?"

"Yes."

"Oh, oh, I heard he's quite famous at headquarters."

Bai Yan's mouth twitched, but in Kiana's eyes, it looked like a Mona Lisa smile.

He was indeed quite famous.

High Collapse Energy adaptability, normal behavior, and good looks. Even Otto could only claim two of those.

And Bai Yan often appeared within their sight, participating in logistical preparations and post-mission cleanup for every major operation.

The Valkyries' biggest regret about this wasn't that Bai Yan lacked combat power, but that Rita had already marked him.

Who would dare to truly treat Rita as just a maid?

"I'd only heard about it before, but recently I heard from Teacher Himeko that he's your brother. But when I thought about how much that guy resembles Xiao Yan, I understood."

"Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

"Actually, it was mentioned in passing when people were discussing when Schicksal was at its strongest."

She still couldn't forget her initial ideal: to become Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie.

"Xiao Yan, how much do you know about that Durandal?"

She knew far too much.

"A little."

"Is she really as strong as the rumors say?"

"...The rumors spread that way because people don't understand her."

"I see." Kiana felt relieved.

"If they understood, the rumors wouldn't be so conservative."

"Huh?"

"Don't aim too high. If you really want to beat her, maybe set a smaller goal first, like beating the class representative."

Only to a certain extent, of course.

As long as the class representative didn't go all out, everyone was still good buddies in the shallow end.

"Oh..."

Kiana didn't feel the slightest bit of disappointment. Instead, her face was full of defiance.

Bai Yan chuckled inwardly. She'd get honest after getting wiped out a few more times.

"Alright, I'm done soaking. You go out first."

"We're both girls, Xiao Yan. You're too shy."

"Get out, get out."

Splash!

Water flew up, scattering and forcing the girl to dodge repeatedly until she retreated from the bathroom, no longer daring to cross the threshold.

"She really is shy... Ugh! Mei?!"

Volume 1: Chapter 29: Theresa's Unfortunate Ambush

Raiden Mei looked into the bathroom.

At this moment, Bai Yan had already quickly dried himself off, changed into his pajamas, and walked out, drying his hair.

"Classmate Mei?"

"It's nothing. I just came out to look for Kiana when I didn't see her in the room. I've found her now."

Raiden Mei left with Kiana.

Bai Yan returned to his room with half a bottle of soda.

After drying his hair, he specifically listened at the door for a moment, confirming no one was outside before taking out the mosquito repellent.

Hyperdimensional Space.

Jingliu leaned against a large rock, gazing at the full moon for a while. She looked down at Bai Yan as he approached.

"How was it?"

"I tried it today, and the effect was decent, but I still feel a slight obstruction. Otherwise, One Sword Startling Swan could have sealed the opponent's vision for longer."

Jingliu nodded. "It's normal to feel that way when you've just grasped something new."

After speaking, she crouched down and gently ran her hand over the surface of the water.

Light and shadow flickered across Jingliu's face, reflecting the swordsman's cool and peerlessly beautiful features.

"Do you need to fight recently?"

"Indeed, our headquarters wants to assess the strength of each branch and has organized a special exhibition match. They're sending Valkyries from headquarters to the branches for guidance matches."

"That sounds a bit childish."

Bai Yan's lips curved into a smile. He squatted beside Jingliu, looking at his own toes in the water.

"Actually, it might be related to my mission objective. That girl is the core of the Bishop's plan."

"Oh?"

"He intends to use the girl's power once she has fully grown."

Jingliu looked up.

"What role do you play in this?"

"I'm just one of his subordinates, with the objective of approaching that girl."

"Don't hide anything."

"Alright, I'm just guessing that I might be one of the candidates for sacrifice, exchanging deep-seated regret for transformative growth."

"That's the reason you crave power. It seems our time is very tight."

Jingliu stood up, a faint bloody light flashing in her eyes.

The moment she heard the word "sacrifice," she felt an urge to storm Schicksal Headquarters.

This Hyperdimensional Space could only suppress the Mara-struck, but it couldn't suppress her killing intent.

"Don't worry for now. I'm not ranked high among the sacrifices. It's just that the deeper the bond, the more likely one is to be chosen."

Jingliu felt slightly relieved.

Then, she casually conjured an Ice Sword, which was unsharpened and a bit short.

She used it to poke Bai Yan.

"Don't always think about taking shortcuts. Even if you deliberately provoke my concern, I won't use those risky methods."

Bai Yan chuckled awkwardly to cover his embarrassment.

"Come on, let's try the Luoshen Transformation again today."

"Again?"

Jingliu smiled enigmatically. "Your senses seem limited, yet in my eyes, they've undergone some change."

Bai Yan took the blunt Ice Sword, his expression becoming serious.

Jingliu put one hand behind her back. "Let's go."

Bai Yan nodded and took out another earring from his pocket, skillfully putting it on.

Watching his actions, Jingliu nodded in approval.

Good, this little disciple has the right mindset.

As the earring was successfully worn, a mysterious power surged through him, making his whole body feel light, as if he could take flight at any moment.

Bai Yan held his sword and thrust it fiercely at Jingliu.

Jingliu still extended two fingers, silently meeting the Ice Sword. The parry was completed in an instant, and she could counterattack at any time if she wished.

But she stopped, firmly gripping the long, blunt Ice Sword.

"As expected..."

"What is it?" Bai Yan retracted his sword and habitually swept his slightly messy hair aside with his left hand, forming a hand seal.

"Sixty percent."

"..."

"You don't look very happy. Are you dissatisfied with this level of growth?"

Jingliu was puzzled.

In her opinion, increasing the power by 10% in such a short time was something to be proud of.

This ability, combined with Bai Yan's actual strength, could be called a divine skill.

"Master, did you forget I'm a guy?"

"No, but I think this is an acceptable price. Besides, you look so lovely as a woman, perhaps you were just born in the wrong body?"

Jingliu wore no smile, but her eyes betrayed an undisguised amusement.

Bai Yan pouted. "Even Master is like this..."

But soon, a fair, slender hand rested on his head.

"So, when you're willing to return to your male form, the conflict over there will be completely resolved, right?"

"Mm..."

The Luoshen Transformation requires complete "attire," with six elements: earrings, shoes, socks, top, skirt, and makeup. None can be omitted.

All must be women's items; unisex ones won't do.

This was something Bai Yan discovered and secretly tested out in a hourly-rate hotel after that incident.

Becoming stronger was ultimately a good thing, but the motivation spurred by this expectation, mixed with his discomfort, left Bai Yan deeply conflicted.

The thought that all these efforts would ultimately require cross-dressing to be effective made him harbor endless doubts about Collapse Energy.

Are you truly omnipotent?

At St. Freya, Theresa was even more conflicted than Bai Yan.

During this period, dark circles even appeared under her eyes.

Inexperienced observers might assume the headmistress was worn out from overwork, but those who knew her understood it was due to concerns about a crisis with her allowance.

She had already developed a grudge against Durandal and was practically making voodoo dolls of her these days.

Bai Yan and Himeko stood in a corner of the office, silently watching Theresa, each lost in their own thoughts.