In Honkai, But Integrated Strategies Activated

"Hey! Who are you calling a mascot!" Theresa stomped her foot in anger.

"See, it's like this," Himeko gave Xia Ling a helpless smile and turned to leave with a flourish.

A few minutes later, with a roar of engines, the Hyperion slowly docked at the port of St. Freya Academy.

After the ship was secured, Theresa and Xia Ling disembarked and strolled together across the academy's plaza.

"Here, remember this wall. Usually, if a student skips class, they'll climb over this wall to get out. If you want to catch her, waiting here is your best bet."

So it's here... Xia Ling looked wordlessly at the wall and instinctively asked a question she already knew the answer to: "Then why don't you make the wall higher?"

"It's already been raised twice," Theresa gazed into the academy, her eyes showing a hint of helplessness and fondness. "Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to have improved the situation of students skipping class."

"I was just planning to raise it again recently, but I probably won't after this. If I raise it any higher, I'm afraid they'll get hurt falling."

Chapter 18: St. Freya's New Assistant Teacher

"And here, this bush is also where people often hide. Take my niece, for example, who loves skipping class. She's only been here a month and has already skipped four or five times."

"Every time she skips, she comes here to hide. I still don't know why."

"Perhaps because the sun is best here," Xia Ling's face also showed a smile tinged with sadness and nostalgia.

Xia Ling and Theresa chatted as they walked, passing many places that brought back memories for Xia Ling. Before long, the two had traversed more than half of St. Freya Academy and arrived in front of the teaching building, where Theresa's office was located.

"By the way, Xia Ling," Theresa said, sitting at her desk and opening her computer, then looking up. "What kind of identity do you want?"

"Identity?"

"Yes, do you want to be a student, an assistant teacher, or a teacher?"

"Uh, may I ask what you plan for me to teach?"

"Don't be so lacking in confidence," Theresa chuckled. "I think your level is good enough to teach them math or something. Or literature, you should be able to pick it up quickly with some tutoring."

"Let's forget it. If I were to be a teacher or a student, it would be too troublesome for you to prepare a complete set of identity information for me."

Xia Ling shook her head like a rattle drum. "Being an assistant teacher probably wouldn't require such a complicated process. It's better to keep it simple."

"It's actually pretty much the same... and not that troublesome," Theresa muttered softly, then said, "Fine, since you don't want to be a teacher, I'll count you as an assistant teacher for now. If you want to become a full teacher later, you can find me."

"So, what does an assistant teacher usually do?"

"Hmm... that's hard to say," Theresa thought for a moment. "If I had to describe it, your duties would be similar to a homeroom teacher. After all, besides teaching, Himeko is also the captain of the Hyperion and has a lot to deal with every day."

"And you can't help much with the specialized courses. At most, you can help with a few cultural classes."

"I see, I understand," Xia Ling nodded. "Then I have no problem with that. And if I can help Himeko alleviate some of her pressure, I'd be very happy to."

Seeing that Xia Ling had no objections, Theresa was relieved. She took out a set of identification documents, a teacher's terminal, and two keys to Himeko's villa, along with the first month's salary from a cabinet, and handed them all to Xia Ling.

What, you ask why there's salary? Because Xia Ling is penniless right now. Without a salary, she couldn't even afford lunch today.

"Then, Xia Ling, you can spend the rest of the time exploring St. Freya Academy on your own. The teacher's terminal has a map of the academy. If you get tired of walking around, you can also go home and rest. Although Himeko usually comes back very late, there's a master chef at the villa who can treat you to a good meal."

"These are keys to Himeko's house?" Xia Ling looked at the keys in her hand. "I thought..."

"You're Himeko's assistant teacher, so you'll definitely live with her," Theresa said with a sly smile. "But Himeko's villa is very large, so there are quite a few people living there. My niece and her two friends also live here."

"Don't be shy, get along well with your roommates."

She wants me to get out of this semi-reclusive state by forming new friendships and bonds, and also to observe the situation by keeping me close? Theresa really is...

Understanding Theresa's good intentions, Xia Ling looked up and, for the first time, gave Theresa a faint smile. "Thank you, Theresa."

Turning to say goodbye to Theresa, who was a bit flustered by her sudden directness, Xia Ling opened the teacher's terminal and navigated to the commercial street.

After all, she was starting a new life from today, and she needed to prepare some personal belongings. This wasn't like when she was in the system, where she could have anything materialized whenever she wanted.

After shopping and having a good meal, Xia Ling arrived at Himeko's villa, found her room, and started unpacking.

"Mei, Mei, I passed my make-up exam! I'm eating ten fried chicken legs tonight!" Kiana excitedly showed off to Mei as she bounced along the road.

"Silly Kiana, it was Bronya's virtual reality connector that did most of the work. If it were up to silly Kiana's goldfish-like brain, she wouldn't have passed even after a month of review," Bronya and Kiana started their usual bickering.

"What are you talking about? It was my brilliant mind!"

"Alright, alright, since you passed your make-up exam, you can eat as much as you want," Mei said, looking at Kiana with a doting smile. "But, Teacher Himeko also asked me to prepare extra ingredients today, seems like she said it was for... a welcome party?"

"Sister Mei, I heard from a student who skipped class in the next grade that she saw a new face in the commercial street today, wearing a school uniform, but she'd never seen her before? Could the person we're welcoming be her?" Bronya thought for a moment and shared a piece of gossip she heard at noon.

"Hmm... it's likely," Mei mused. "Although we haven't been here long and don't know all the students, those who have been here for a year or two would generally have an impression of everyone in the academy."

"If they don't recognize her, then it's highly probable that she's the one we're welcoming."

"Yay! I hope this classmate also lives at Himeko's house!" Kiana cheered. "Otherwise, Himeko's house is so big, and Himeko and Theresa are often not home at night, so this huge villa always feels so empty."

"Silly Kiana, it's not really because Mei is cooking, so you can only play games with Bronya, and you have no gaming experience, so you're eager to find an opponent you can beat?"

Bronya mercilessly revealed Kiana's true intentions from the side.

"I can't beat you?" Kiana bristled again. "That's because I'm letting you win, you little shrimp!"

"Alright, alright, stop arguing. If anyone continues to argue, there will be no chicken legs tonight."

With their playful bickering all the way, the three finally arrived in front of Himeko's villa.

"I've got a strange feeling about this."

Bronya floated at the doorway, frowning as she scanned her surroundings.

"Huh?" Kiana followed Bronya's gaze, looking left and right, but couldn't figure out what she was seeing.

"Ah, I know!" Mei clapped her hands together, realization dawning. "It's because the area around the entrance has been tidied up. Look, these flowers and plants are much neater than they were this morning."

While the three were still examining the changes at the entrance, the villa door suddenly opened. A small head with smooth black hair peeked out, looking around in confusion.

Chapter Nineteen: A Peaceful Daily Life Finally Begins

"Are you... the guest Teacher Himeko mentioned?" Mei asked uncertainly.

"Yes, to be precise, I'm your future new roommate." Xia Ling pushed the door open and beckoned them inside. "Hurry up and come in, what are you all standing around outside for?"

"Wow, it really is a new roommate! How old are you, little sister? Are you a new transfer student too?" Kiana, ever the friendly one, had already approached Xia Ling and started bombarding her with questions.

"Li-little sister?" Xia Ling's forehead creased.

I might be a bit shorter than Mei and Kiana, but I'm still taller than Bronya, right? Do I look that young...

"Ahem, I'm a teacher," Xia Ling said, patting Kiana's head expressionlessly.

As expected of Bug-Bug, such nice hair...

"Te-teacher?" Kiana's goofy smile faltered.

As everyone knew, Kiana's grades in academic subjects were terrible.

"That's right. I'm a newly hired assistant teacher, mainly responsible for helping Himeko with daily tasks and teaching some cultural classes," Xia Ling explained, then turned to Kiana with a knowing look. "I've heard about your situation, Kiana. I hope we get along well."

"O-okay, Teacher..." Kiana could no longer smile. According to the law of conservation of smiles, her smile had transferred to Mei and Duck-Duck.

"Teacher, why are you wearing a student uniform? We heard some students say a new face in a student uniform appeared on the commercial street today, and we thought a new student was transferring in."

Bronya also asked expressionlessly.

[Seriously, are there two people with the 'no expression' trait in this house now? Their traits are clashing!]

The system complained in Xia Ling's mind.

"Oh, that..." Xia Ling tapped her chin. "I ran into a bit of trouble on the way and we had a bit of a fight. My clothes got pretty torn up, so Himeko found me a school uniform to wear for now."

Saying that, Xia Ling glanced at the dejected Kiana beside her, pulled her over, and ruffled her cheek. "Don't look so glum, I'm not going to eat you. Don't worry, I'll help you catch up on your missed lessons."

"It's precisely because you look so serious and responsible that I'm feeling glum," Kiana muttered softly.

"Ah, right, Teacher, you haven't eaten yet, have you? Teacher Himeko specifically told me to buy plenty of ingredients today to welcome you." Mei lifted the ingredients in her hand.

"Right, right!" As soon as food was mentioned, Kiana's spirits instantly lifted. "Mei's cooking is really good, Teacher, so prepare to feast!"

"Please don't call me Teacher anymore, just call me Xia Ling." Xia Ling fiddled with a strand of hair by her ear, a little embarrassed. "I'm not that much older than you, so hearing 'Teacher' feels a bit awkward. Just call me Xia Ling."

"As for cooking, I'm actually quite good at it too. So, I'll help with dinner tonight."

"Oh, Sister Xia Ling can cook too?" Mei seemed to think calling her by her name directly might be impolite, so she added "Sister" at the end.

"Judging by the name, Sister Xia Ling is probably from Schicksal, so her cooking skills shouldn't be bad either," Bronya said from the side.

"Mmm... Schicksal, I suppose..." Xia Ling's words faltered for a moment, then she casually changed the subject. "But, I am indeed very skilled at Schicksal cuisine."

"Hooray, two master chefs!" Kiana cheered.

"Then I'll have to learn a lot from Sister Xia Ling." Mei smiled her usual gentle smile, a spark of determination in her eyes.

In the evening, after Xia Ling and Mei had worked together for two to three hours, a lavish feast was served.

Then, Himeko and Theresa joined them to celebrate Xia Ling's arrival.

After the welcome dinner, Himeko pulled Xia Ling aside and briefed her on the responsibilities of being a homeroom teacher and her work schedule.

She also repeatedly instructed Xia Ling to "take good care" of Kiana.

Under Kiana's pitiful gaze, Xia Ling readily agreed.

As night fell, Xia Ling, tired from a busy day, lay on her bed in her bedroom, appearing to be fast asleep.

However, her consciousness had actually entered the system space.

[How is it, Host? You've finally met the three you've been longing for. How do you feel?]

"How do I feel..." Xia Ling mused, still seemingly immersed in the welcome dinner from earlier. "Just like the first time I saw them."

"Therefore, I am even more determined to protect this beauty."

[Seeing that the Host is still so motivated, I am relieved.]

[However, Host, do you feel like you've forgotten something?]

"Huh?" Xia Ling tilted her head, looking completely bewildered. "For-forgotten something?"

[Reinstalling the system, Host! You don't want the beginner's gift package and compensation, do you?]

"!"

"Whoa, I really forgot about that!" Xia Ling smacked her forehead. "But you can't blame me! It's been a month since I first transmigrated, it's normal for me to forget."

"Yes, yes, yes, so do you want to reinstall now, Host? The system installation will take a day, during which you won't be able to use any of its functions. Of course, I can still chat with you."

"Sure, the sooner it's reinstalled, the better. Since there's nothing going on right now. By the way, System, do you know what's in the beginner's gift pack and the compensation?"

"Hmm... I'm actually not sure. I know the beginner's gift pack should be six Originium Ingots, but I really don't know about the compensation."

"Host, you have to understand that a teleportation system malfunction causing huge losses to a Transmigrator is a very serious case. This is the first time I've seen this situation, but it shouldn't be too bad."

"So the beginner's gift pack is for me to directly Evolve to Elite 1? Xia Ling was extremely sensitive to the number six Originium Ingots: 'So this is really a hellish start for me!'"

"Heh heh, that's why I said you're amazing, Host."

"However, a hellish start also has its benefits."

"Oh? What do you mean?"

"Including the six Originium Ingots from the beginner's gift pack, your resources will reach 3 Hope and 10 Originium Ingots."

"The first random six-star recruitment ticket is half price. After the discount, it only costs 3 Hope and 15 Originium Ingots."

"This way, as long as you pass at most two more trials, your first character card will be a six-star card, which will be of great help for the upcoming trials and the real world."

"That's true... But System, how are the star ratings of these character cards calculated? It shouldn't be based on strength, right?"

"Of course not. Regardless of how strong these characters are in the game, what you draw will be abilities that have been localized and modified. In terms of magnitude, they are all at the same strength level."

"However, the higher the star rating of a character, the greater their potential."

Chapter 20: Teacher Xia, Full of Authority

"Potential? Do you mean in terms of using and storing Honkai Energy?"

"You could say that."