Honkai Impact

Does this girl even visit that kind of website?

Ling Feng didn't disturb Tesla, just watched silently. Tesla, meanwhile, was slowly working through a practice test. However, in Ling Feng's opinion, it was all completely unreliable. Take this question, for example…

If you had a child, what flavor of milk powder would you give them?

"Three Angry?" Does she not want to pass this thing at all…

"Super Rich Milk?" I've never heard of that!

"Cute Cow?" Speaking of which, what does milk powder have to do with romance?

And so, Tesla chose one of the options…

Finally, the results appeared…

"What the heck? 'Because you're a tsundere, you'll have trouble finding true love?' How is that possible? I'm not a tsundere! I knew this test was unreliable. If it doesn't even have scientific backing, hmph!" Tesla immediately closed the website!

Ling Feng: "..." If you knew it was unreliable, why did you still take the test? As a scientist, why are you so superstitious?

Tesla stretched and stood up from her chair, then noticed Ling Feng standing beside her…

"Huh? Eek…"

Tesla was startled and tried to step back, but her foot caught on the chair. Her body then lost its balance and tipped backward, about to fall with the chair…

"Hey, be careful…"

Seeing that Tesla was about to hit the back of her head on the ground, Ling Feng quickly reached out his right hand and caught her by the shoulders, crucially steadying her and preventing the tragic fall. However, this brought their faces very close together…

"Are you okay…"

Ling Feng breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he caught her. If Tesla had actually fallen, something terrible would have happened, as she was just a normal person!

"Wuuu…"

Being so close, Tesla's face immediately turned crimson, incredibly red. Inside, it felt like she'd been hit with a hundred thousand volts, and she had no idea what she was thinking…

So close, she could even feel Ling Feng's breath…

"You… let… let go of me…"

Tesla struggled and twisted her body to the side. As a result, the chair lost its balance again. Because the floor was too slippery and the chair now only had two legs on the ground, its legs slid forward, and Tesla's body fell directly towards the ground…

"Watch out…"

But at a time like this, Ling Feng certainly wouldn't stand by. He quickly stepped forward and used his own body to block Tesla, taking the fall himself. Tesla, in turn, landed on his chest, so she wouldn't get hurt…

But doing so had side effects, such as…

Now, Tesla was completely sprawled on top of Ling Feng. Although her face couldn't be seen, judging from Tesla's slightly trembling body, her condition seemed far from stable…

"Uh… hey, are you okay?"

Ling Feng asked softly. Tesla didn't move, and Ling Feng didn't actively push her away…

"This must be the suspension bridge effect…"

Tesla muttered very quietly, her face extremely red…

"Huh?"

Ling Feng didn't hear what Tesla said clearly, as her voice was too quiet. However, judging from her reaction, there shouldn't be any major problems!

Ling Feng moved slightly, wanting to get up…

"It's nothing, don't move…"

Tesla quickly pressed him down. If Ling Feng got up now, he would see her expression and condition, and she absolutely didn't want that…

She knew what the suspension bridge effect was, and she knew that it was definitely because of the suspension bridge effect that she mistook it for a flutter of the heart. But subconsciousness was something that couldn't be controlled by willpower, so she couldn't calm down even if she wanted to…

What should she do? Should they stay like this forever? Moreover… Ling Feng must have seen her browsing that romance test website just now. Damn it, why did she get so engrossed? She knew perfectly well that such tests were unreliable…

Tesla felt dizzy now, not knowing what to do. Her brilliant brain and extraordinary intelligence were useless at this moment. No wonder they say that people in love suffer from a drop in IQ. She hadn't even started a relationship yet, and just a brief contact made her feel like she was about to die…

Feeling her heart race uncontrollably, Tesla desperately wanted to calm down, but it was impossible. However…

Staying like this, pressing down on him, wasn't a solution. She had no choice but to force herself to speak, "Um… is there something you need from me?"

"Um… huh?"

Ling Feng didn't hear clearly…

Because being pressed down by Tesla like this, Ling Feng was also a bit flustered internally. He hadn't felt anything at first, as it was just an accident. But Tesla was unwilling to get up and kept sticking to him, which was quite awkward…

Moreover, compared to Kiana, this tsundere's "charm" only increased, not decreased. Even through the thick layers of clothing, Ling Feng could clearly feel Tesla's heart racing…

Speaking of which, what exactly did this girl want to do? She wasn't planning to frame him, was she? I don't have any money…

Chapter 56: Will Eventually Become the Captain!

Tesla quickly took the opportunity to get up and then turned her back to Ling Feng, crossing her arms. Although her face was still a little red, she tried her best to maintain a cool demeanor. "I asked… why are you looking for me?"

"Uh… me…"

This time, Ling Feng finally heard her and quickly got up, scratching his head and smiling. "Theresa sent me. The Academy Head gave me the Moonlight Throne and told me to find you!"

"Moonlight Throne? That soon?"

Tesla clearly already knew about this. She subtly touched her face with both hands. It wasn't as hot anymore, but she figured it was still red, so she continued to keep her back to Ling Feng. "Cough, cough, alright, I get it. I'll help you modify the program right away!"

As she spoke, Tesla pushed her chair back and sat down in front of the computer again, her hands flying across the keyboard. "I've already modified the Moonlight Throne's control program. It's currently using our St. Freya Academy's developed AI, Ai-chan system. Because the Moonlight Throne is a relatively advanced intelligent warship and it's quite small, it doesn't require any staff. The Academy also doesn't have any extra personnel, so Ai-chan alone is sufficient!"

"Eh? Wait a minute..."

Ling Feng suddenly realized something. The Moonlight Throne, said to be his warship, was really just a warship. It didn't even come with its own crew? "You mean there isn't a single staff member on the Moonlight Throne?"

"Of course not!"

Tesla couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle at this. "But it's fine! The Moonlight Throne isn't that large, and it doesn't need any employees. The cleaning isn't difficult either, just a periodic wash of the deck. Oh, and I haven't equipped you with drones or carrier-based aircraft yet, so the deck doesn't need frequent cleaning!"

Ling Feng: "..." They were already arranging cleaning duties? Was he the captain or the janitor...

"Alright, that's fine for now. When can I use it? I want to depart as soon as possible!" Captain or janitor, it didn't matter. Ling Feng just wanted to take Mei and the others to Japan to find the gift as soon as possible!

As for the cleaning, didn't Mei quite enjoy cleaning the house? Besides, if Mei went, Kiana would probably go too, so it shouldn't involve him. After all, he was the captain; didn't he have this much authority?

"Depart?"

Tesla turned to look at Ling Feng, a hint of confusion in her eyes. "The warship can be used anytime, but where are you going? It doesn't seem like there's a combat mission."

"It's not a combat mission, I just want to take some leave to go to Japan!"

Ling Feng didn't choose to hide anything from Tesla, smiling. "Actually, it's because of Mei's father. Her dad said he left a gift for Mei in Japan that can help with the situation if Mei were to become a Herrscher in the future. And Mei's current Honkai energy is becoming more and more unstable, so I hope to find the gift as soon as possible!"

"I see..."

Tesla nodded thoughtfully. She knew Mei's background story, but this was the first she'd heard of a gift. But that wasn't important. Tesla directly asked, "Ling Feng, if I recall correctly, your team's budget isn't very large, is it? Will you have enough money for this trip to Japan?"

"Uh... if we're careful with our spending, it should be fine!"

Regarding the budget, it would be a lie to say he wasn't worried, but after careful calculation, it should be just enough. "After all, we have our own transportation. Oh, and the Moonlight Throne's fuel costs can be reimbursed, right..."

"Fuel costs can be reimbursed, you don't need to worry about that, but..."

Tesla looked at Ling Feng, seemingly considering, yet also hesitant. She asked, "Ling Feng, if the funds aren't enough, have you considered borrowing some from others? Money is a small issue, but if you don't have fun, it feels like a waste!"

"Who do you want me to borrow from?"

Ling Feng had certainly considered this issue, chuckling helplessly. "Don't forget who I am. Who do you think I can borrow money from in this era? I already asked the Academy Head, but I was ruthlessly rejected!"

"Eh... that's true, Theresa is like that..."

Tesla wanted to say something but felt it was inappropriate to speak...

Besides, she shouldn't have to be the one to bring this up. Also, what did this guy really think of her? He was willing to ask the Academy Head, that stingy guy who liked to withhold wages to buy manga, but not come to her? Was he looking down on her or thinking she was too poor to lend him money?

"Then Tesla, you continue with your work, I'm leaving now!"

With the warship sorted out, Ling Feng didn't want to linger for a moment. He'd rather familiarize himself with the warship now, then notify the "Big Three" to pack what they needed, and then directly pilot the warship to Japan!

"Eh... wait, wait a moment!"

Tesla quickly called out to Ling Feng...

"Is there something else?"

Ling Feng turned back to look at Tesla...

"Eh..."

Tesla froze for a moment, then a flash of inspiration struck her. She suddenly thought of something and looked enlightened. "Wait... wait for me for a moment..."

As she said that, Tesla turned and walked into a room on the left. Ling Feng wasn't in a hurry and waited silently!

"Here, take this!"

Soon, Tesla came out, holding the Stigmata Chi You in her hand. "Although Japan has our Schicksal organization, we're not united. And our enemies aren't just Honkai Beasts; Anti-Entropy and rebels are also enemies. Without Stigmata, your combat power is too weak. And if the situation from last time happens again, it'll be troublesome, so..."

Tesla shoved Chi You into Ling Feng's hand. "You should take this. It'll give you some fighting power if you encounter danger, though I hope you don't have to use it. And..."

Tesla then placed an envelope in Ling Feng's hand, crossed her arms, and said with a proud expression, "There's five thousand in here, but it's not for you. It's for you to bring back some local specialties from Japan. Not too much, a few hundred is fine. The rest is for you, as a fee for running errands. Alright, cough, cough, you can go now!"

After speaking, Tesla turned away with feigned aloofness, sat back in her chair, and remained silent, cold...

Looking at the Stigmata in his hand and the envelope from Tesla, this girl...

"Thanks, Tesla, I'll pay you back..." Five thousand isn't a lot, but it's enough. I didn't expect that at this critical moment, it would be the lazy Tesla who lent me money. In the future...

I'll take good care of her. However, the only thing I can help her with is probably research related to Stigmata...

After saying goodbye, Ling Feng left the laboratory. Tesla glanced back, then shook her head with some conflict. "I... I must have been kicked in the head by Kiana... And..."

"Hot springs and stuff, I want to go too. How could this guy not invite me along... That's too much..." Tesla lay back in her chair, looking dejected, like a salted fish...

She wanted to go, but she didn't want to speak up first, and then... there was no then.

Chapter 57: Cabbage, Two Rooms!

Since time was short and it wasn't a major event, there was no need for a commissioning ceremony or anything similar. Knowing he was the captain was enough!

To avoid disrupting normal class order, Ling Feng didn't inform the other three immediately. Instead, he went to the Moonlight Throne himself to familiarize himself with it. Honestly, this was his first time entering the Moonlight Throne. During the last combat mission, only Kiana and the others had been aboard!

"Boss, what are your orders?"

At that moment, a holographic projection of a cabbage head suddenly appeared before Ling Feng!

"Holy crap, a cabbage?"

Ling Feng was startled. He had seen many AI interfaces before, but this was the first time he'd encountered an AI that looked like a cabbage!

"How rude! I'm not a cabbage at all. I'm an AI, Ai-chan!"

At this moment, the cabbage... no, Ai-chan slowly turned around. Ling Feng then realized that the cabbage was just Ai-chan's hairstyle. Her actual body was still that of a humanoid AI, but... she really did look like a cabbage...

"Ahem, cab... Ai-chan!"

Even though she was just an AI, Ling Feng decided to be polite. After all, she was the core central unit of this battleship. If she got unhappy and went on strike, he wouldn't know how to pilot the battleship. He smiled and said, "First, tell me about the Moonlight Throne's current functions, and also introduce me to the battleship!"

"As you command, boss!"

Ai-chan happily agreed and then began chattering non-stop, introducing the battleship. Of course, this was all data that Tesla and a certain programmer had inputted into the database, and Ai-chan only needed to read it!

Through Ai-chan's simple introduction, Ling Feng gained a general understanding of the Moonlight Throne. It was built about ten years ago, but it had been used very little and had a short flight range. Its flight records were almost non-existent, though it was possible they had been deleted!

Overall, the Moonlight Throne wasn't a brand-new battleship, but the entire vessel was relatively new, and all its parameters met the requirements. In other words, it was like buying a Mercedes-Benz that didn't leak oil, then not driving it, but instead keeping it at home for ten years, maintaining it, and then taking it out to drive. That was roughly the situation with the Moonlight Throne...

However, this made Ling Feng even more frustrated. Who had so much free time to build a battleship just to let it sit there, and then suddenly give it to Kiana? Did Kiana have friends that rich?

Forget it, no need to think so much. He'd just make do with it. Once Mei or Kiana became an A-rank Valkyrie after some time, he could ask Theresa for help to apply for a brand-new battleship. It's just...

He felt like he was getting further and further away from his original goal of slacking off...

Sigh, there's no helping it. For his wife Mei's ideals, he had to push forward. Slacking off was impossible, it would never happen in this lifetime. Only by becoming a captain and living a life of leisure could he barely sustain himself...

As for the Moonlight Throne, to be honest, Ling Feng wasn't very fond of it. Firstly, its size was too small. Secondly, the living quarters were also too small, practically non-existent. More than half of the battleship's volume was occupied by the drive system. This thing was basically just a propulsion device...

After the morning classes ended, the four of them still ate lunch in the academy cafeteria. Ling Feng told them about the situation, then returned to the dormitory to pack his things, which were just some clothes. Finally, he boarded the Moonlight Throne and set off!

Around 5 PM local time, the Moonlight Throne finally arrived at Neon's largest city, Tokyo!