19. Sirin: Humanity Will Surely Defeat the Honkai! / 20. Sirin: Herrscher of the Void? Who's that... Oh, my sister?

However, Sirin didn't see her parents' departure as a problem; after all, she was used to their secretive work. Instead, she was more worried about something else.

Sister Xia Ling and Elysia, who lived next door, also disappeared at the same time.

Chapter 19 Sirin: Humanity will surely defeat the Honkai!

[Sirin's worries did not come to pass; in fact, Xia Ling and Elysia returned safely three days later.]

However, they brought back another piece of bad news.

Sigfried and Cecilia were killed in a gas explosion while en route to Siberia on a business trip.

For a twelve-year-old girl, such an accident is far too sudden.

"Sister Elysia, what did you say...?"

Sirin's eyes flickered with helplessness and panic as she stared blankly at Elysia.

"I'm sorry, Sirin..."

jei? u⊙Delete8 (seven) u "They... have indeed gone to a very far place."

"If you're very sad, just cry it out. I know Little Sirin is very strong, but it's okay to be vulnerable sometimes..."

"Waaah..."

Sirin suddenly threw herself into Elysia's arms and burst into tears.

She had just started a new family, but in the blink of an eye, it fell apart. For Sirin, this was incredibly unfair.

Elysia lovingly stroked Sirin's hair, letting her tears soak her chest.

While Xia Ling could certainly offer comfort, the fact that she was the one who created this dream scenario makes it feel like a Sirin returning to the scene after committing a crime.

However, it wasn't without its price for Elysia to comfort Sirin. Seeing Little Sirin crying her heart out, Elysia couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

Hmm... I've decided. Tonight I'll bully Xia Ling a little, as revenge, shall I?

While comforting Sirin, Elysia pondered how to "punish" Xia Ling that night.

[A sudden tragedy at home plunged Sirin into isolation. Thanks to the constant comfort and care from Kiana, Xia Ling, and others, Sirin gradually emerged from her grief.]

However, this period of peace was short-lived. Just as Sirin's life had begun to return to normal, a new crisis struck.

This time, the bad news comes from Kiana.

As the older sister, Kiana already knew the true cause of her parents' deaths and decided to follow in their footsteps to become a Valkyrie.

Therefore, she will soon be attending St. Freya Academy, founded by Theresa, a close friend of her mother.

However, regarding Sirin, despite childhood tests demonstrating Sirin good Honkai Energy resistance and talent, she didn't want Sirin to learn the truth about the world so early. She believed Sirin deserved a purer childhood.

So she simply told Sirin that she had been accepted into a boarding school far away and would only be able to come home once a year.

However, young Sirin still needed someone to care for her. At this time, Xia Ling took the initiative to take on the responsibility of caring for Sirin, bringing the autistic little pufferfish into her home.

"Sister, are you... leaving too?"

Sirin clung to Kiana's sleeve, reluctant to part.

"Yes, sister has more important things to do."

Kiana smiled and smoothed down Sirin's hair, pressing down the stray hairs that were sticking up on both sides.

"I've already spoken with Sister Xia Ling and the others. From now on... they'll continue to take care of you."

"You can continue living at home, or you can go live with her."

"No, I'd rather stay at Sister Xia Ling's house."

Sirin shook her head. "A place where family is... can be called home."

"Okay, then I'll stay with you for a while after I get back."

"Then, sister, when can I come to see you?"

"... At least two years from now. If Sirin still thinks that way by then, Sister Xia Ling will tell you the answer."

Kiana pondered for a moment. If Sirin really insisted on becoming Valkyrie, then fourteen years old was indeed a time that was neither too early nor too late.

"Okay, sister, I'll come find you in two years."

Sirin nodded emphatically and held out her finger. "We'll pinky swear."

"Okay... I'll be waiting for you at the academy."

Kiana stood up and looked at Xia Ling and Elysia.

"Then, Sister Xia Ling, Sister Elysia Sirin in your care."

"Don't worry, Kiana, as long as we stay here... no, I mean, live here, we'll definitely raise Little Sirin to be plump and healthy."

Elysia deliberately omitted two words.

"Then let's not... Sirin looks pretty good as she is now. If she gets any fatter, she'll really turn into little pufferfish..."

Xia Ling covered her face with one hand, trying her best to control her expression. For this part that was not a genuine expression of emotion, Elysia's acting skills were really a bit worrying.

After all, she's not usually one to lie...

Fortunately, Sirin didn't pay attention to any of that; her attention was mostly focused on something else.

As she was stationed there, Sirin couldn't help but think of her parents' strange working hours.

I will definitely find out the truth...

Sirin silently made up her mind.

[As it turns out, although Sirin's performance during the Second Honkai Outbreak was worrying in the official timeline, if she had received a normal education, Sirin talent wouldn't have been bad; in fact, it could be said to be exceptional.]

[Especially when Sirin is highly motivated.]

Two years later, Sirin graduated from school with the highest score in the entire school and perfect marks in all physical fitness tests. At the same time, an invitation letter was sent to Xia Ling's home.

"Sirin ..." Looking at the graceful young woman in front of her, Xia Ling couldn't help but feel a little emotional.

Although they didn't experience all of that time together, she and Elysia were like playing a nurturing game, personally raising Sirin and helping her become better little by little.

It has a sense of accomplishment, much like raising a daughter.

"You have indeed lived up to my and Elysia's expectations, and you have also lived up to your parents' expectations..."

Xia Ling took out an admission notice.

"This is your admission notice from the St. Freya Academy. Of course, I haven't opened it yet, which means you still have a chance to back out."

"You already know all the truth about this world, the real cause of Sigfried and Lady Cecilia's deaths, the Herrscher and the Honkai..."

"So, if you want to back out, now is your last chance."

Xia Ling placed an acceptance letter from the St. Freya Academy in front of Sirin.

"Are you... really going to accept this offer and fight for all that is good for humanity?"

"Of course, Sister Xia Ling."

Sirin opened it without hesitation.

"I want to... become a Valkyrie."

"Humanity will surely defeat the Honkai!"

Chapter Twenty: Sirin: Herrscher of the Void? Who is that... Ah, my sister?

"Waaaaah, Little Sirin, I'm so touched qwq..."

Elysia hugged Sirin, and the determination and resolve on the girl's face told them that she was ready.

However, after being hugged by Elysia, Sirin seemed to soften up again.

Having spent two years with Xia Ling and Elysia, and been cared for by them closely for another two years, Sirin's feelings for them were no less than those for real family.

Now, she is about to leave this home to pursue her dreams, how could she not feel a little lost?

"Oh, although I should be happy to see my sister soon, I also miss you all..."

"Alright, that's exactly what I've been waiting for."

Xia Ling's voice gave Sirin, who was burying her face in her hands and sobbing, a bad feeling.

"Eh?"

Sirin abruptly lifted her head from Elysia's chest, her tear-streaked face showing a look of confusion.

Then, she noticed that Xia Ling was holding a small pink megaphone, which looked like she had just finished recording.

Seeing that Sirin was in a daze, Xia Ling silently took out a form that looked very familiar to Sirin. Sirin vaguely remembered that this thing seemed to be used to register and admit students.

Seeing Xia Ling simply fill in a number in her class section, then skillfully sign her name in the class teacher section, and then sign "Elysia" in the counselor section, Sirin's expression immediately froze.

"Sister Xia Ling... you are St. Freya's teachers?"

"It wasn't like that before, but it was just a short time ago."

Xia Ling revealed a sly smile, "Since Sirin is so reluctant to part with us, how could I bear to let my little pufferfish go to school alone?"

"I... I'm not little pufferfish!" A blush spread across Sirin's face. "Give me that megaphone, and then, forget what just happened!"

Having successfully gained admission to the St. Freya Academy, Sirin felt nothing but relief.

My efforts have paid off; I'll soon be reunited with my sister and won't have to be separated from my family anymore. Everything seems to be moving in the best possible direction.

At the same time, she finally learned the murderer of her parents— the Second Herrscher.

Although the campaign two years ago came at a great cost, according to Xia Ling, the Second Herrscher did not die; her core is missing and may reappear in the world at any time.

She silently vowed that, in her lifetime, she would completely eradicate the Second Herrscher from this world.

Time flew by, and the new school year began. Sirin, suppressing her excitement, arrived at St. Freya.

Her older sister Kiana came to greet her personally. Judging from the admiring looks in her classmates' eyes, her sister must be very outstanding, and her grades must be among the best.

After packing her luggage, she went to her classroom, silently anticipating what would happen next.

Just as she expected, while the students were still guessing who the homeroom teacher was, Sister Xia Ling and Sister Elysia walked in.

[Among them, Sister Xia Ling is the class teacher, responsible for teaching and academics, while Sister Elysia is the counselor, mainly responsible for life and daily life.]

Her deskmate was a girl with long, gray-blue hair Bella. For some reason, Sirin felt a strong sense of familiarity with this girl.

However, because she had focused her energy on her studies for a long time, she was somewhat hesitant to speak in such interpersonal interactions.

[If it were Sister Elysia, she could probably strike up a conversation easily and naturally...] Sirin couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Fortunately, the other party spoke first.

"Um, Your Majesty... oh no, Sirin, hello?"

Bella greeted him somewhat awkwardly, "My name is Bella. I look forward to working with you for the next few years."

(Idiot, I almost let it slip with my first sentence! Won't Sirin think I'm some kind of chuunibyou idiot?)

This is a private chat with the love strategist, Ling.

While Xia Ling and Elysia were going through the earlier parts of the story, Bella and Ling had a good chat.

Although it's unclear what they talked about, afterwards Rin started acting as Bella's strategist, poring over a bunch of romance comics.

All I can say is that one dares to say something is doubtful (eight) Lingqi Lu (one) Qun is the one who dares to believe it.

"Hello... Bella."

Sirin gave an awkward smile, "Sorry, I'm a little... but it's nice to meet you, Bella."

Bella nodded coolly on the surface, but inside she was screaming.

(Keep your voice down, you idiot! Your thoughts will reach me directly!)

(Where did you come from, you perverted woman?)

For Sirin, her time at the academy was probably the happiest time of her life.

My teachers are my most trusted family members, my dear older sister lives upstairs, and I've made many new friends, some from my class and some from my sister's side of the family.

Most importantly, she found a good friend she could confide in: Bella.