A Person in Honkai, But Integrated Strategies Activated

[Ding, new trial theme—Elysia and the Everlasting Paradise has met the unlock conditions and is being installed.]

[Initializing trial theme... Initialization progress 1%... Initialization progress 2%...]

As the system popped up the notification, Flame Willow's communication also rang out simultaneously: "How was it? My performance was flawless, right?"

"Flawless. It's just a shame you didn't let Little Island Explode Crow perform Feathered Arrow Returning Edge," Xia Ling expressed high praise. "Since you're done over there, hurry and find a new base, then prepare to check out the Elysian Realm trial tonight."

"Of course, I can't wait to see the real Elysia!"

End of Volume Reflections

Good morning, afternoon, and evening to all readers, this is Qing Guang, the author of this book.

As per tradition, here's a section for end-of-volume reflections, serving as a summary of this volume and a preview of the next.

As the first volume of this book, it mainly details how Xia Ling, after transmigrating, obtained a stable identity at St. Freya, familiarized herself with the system, and acquired abilities.

As the saying goes, "Actors in place, the show begins." For a transmigator without an identity, achieving "actors in place" is a difficult task.

So, in the upcoming second volume, Xia Ling will further make some "foreshadowing" for the future main storyline.

I must mention here that due to issues with the early plot settings of Honkai Impact 3rd, I've decided for Xia Ling to temporarily avoid the Chiyou Chapter and Moon Shadow Chapter plots at the academy. The only one she'll likely participate in is the Anti-Entropy Invasion Chapter.

Conversely, during these two years before the main story begins, I will arrange some other plot content for Xia Ling. The story will also see a multi-threaded progression towards the end of the second volume. Besides the protagonist's main body, there are currently three tentatively planned plotlines, each with a different identity for the protagonist.

Of course, besides plot progression, the second volume will also feature a heavyweight guest—our Pink Fairy Lady, Elysia!

However, her entrance might be a little... unconventional?

In any case, the second volume will also kick off the first segment of the Elysian Realm plot in the outline. As for why it's the first segment... you'll find out by the end of the volume.

Chapter 1: System: Isn't This Just More Overtime?

[I say, do you two really need to be this excited?]

The system looked at the two people already sparring idly in the training ground, then at the clock hands that had just reached eleven, and felt speechless.

[There's still about an hour until the trial refreshes. Why are you two waiting here so early? Are you trying to grab a UID?]

"That's right. I can't forget the tragedy of believing the Honkai Star Rail official's nonsense, logging in at ten to grab a UID only to find the server had already been up for an hour."

"You're right, but I have nothing to do hanging around in Changkong City. Can't I just come in and wait?"

The two sparring turned their heads, retorting one after another.

[I can understand Flame Willow having nothing to do, but for someone to drop a line about having a stomachache and run back to their room... I really can't stand it.]

[You'd think she got her period or something.]

"You could also say Theresa has arrived," Flame Willow added.

"This is my love for Elysia!" Xia Ling exclaimed dramatically, as if she had converted to the Flame-Chasing Star God's faith. Then, Flame Willow seized the opportunity and blasted her face with a fireball.

"Hey! Sneak attack, are you serious? You're so dishonorable!" Xia Ling, who was waiting to respawn, grumbled indignantly. She opened her scythe, too annoyed to even argue with the system, vowing to give her other self a Heart's Delight.

Although the gap in their strength was huge, the speed-specialized Xia Ling was perfectly matched against Flame Willow, who was restricted to ranged attacks. It was a case of using her strengths against the opponent's weaknesses, and for a while, their sparring seemed evenly matched.

[Did those two misunderstand something? Elysia isn't even in the trial Elysian Realm...]

[But at this point, would it be too bad to remind them... Never mind, there's still an hour. Let's put in some overtime. At least make it look presentable so they aren't too disappointed.]

Having made up its mind, the system watched as the two of them didn't notice the commotion on its side. It quietly opened its panel and started to operate.

An hour later.

[Ahem, now, allow me to grandly introduce the expanded trial content of the Integrated Strategies System—Elysia and the Everlasting Paradise!]

"Is it just me, or does the system sound... out of breath?"

Xia Ling stared suspiciously at the system's light screen.

[No, does my voice sound different from usual? What is this strange feeling!]

"It's the same, that's why I said it's a feeling," Xia Ling said proudly, hands on her hips. "It's a beautiful girl's intuition!"

[...Anyway, let's get back to the point. I'll introduce this special Elysian Realm trial to you.]

[Before I introduce the content and rules of the Elysian Realm trial, I need to clarify the origin of the Elysian Realm trial so you can better understand the meaning of some of the rules.]

[I mentioned before that if you successfully complete the Elysian Realm trial, you can connect to the real Elysian Realm, right?]

"Yes, and you also said this trial version of the Elysian Realm was created by copying some of the Elysian Realm's data source."

[So, if the host wishes, the system can actually send the host into the Elysian Realm now, by sneaking in.]

[However, sneaking in requires strength. Even if we don't mention the Herrschers, at the very least, the host needs to be able to deal with the Elysian Realm's defense mechanisms on their own. The trial Elysian Realm is precisely to help the host adapt to potential battles and events in the Elysian Realm in advance.]

[And after the host successfully completes the final difficulty of the trial Elysian Realm, a portal to the true Elysian Realm will be added to the system space as the final reward for the trial Elysian Realm.]

[Of course, whether to enter or when to enter is entirely up to the host's decision.]

"So I just have to open the gate, right? Alright, alright," Xia Ling said speechlessly. "This system of yours is really pathetic. I was hoping you'd get me some kind of identity, like disguising me as a World Serpent executive or something. So I have to figure it out myself, huh?"

[I believe a small identity won't be a problem for the host.]

[Alright, after understanding the low-level mechanics of the trial Elysian Realm, next are the rules of the Elysian Realm.]

Strictly speaking, the Elysian Realm trial is quite different from the previous three trial themes. It's more like the gameplay loop of the weekly Elysian Realm in Honkai Impact 3rd.

Only one person can enter the trial each time, while other characters can participate as support, with a maximum of two.

After the trial participant uses a support skill, the support character will enter the current node and join the battle, lasting for one node with a cooldown of three nodes.

However, unlike the Elysian Realm in Honkai Impact 3rd, the nodes in this trial will not be so singular. Instead, it adopts the node classification from Arknights, such as "Unexpected Encounter" or "Wish Fulfilled."

At the same time, the Elysian Realm trial cannot detect the situation of the subsequent map; only the classification of the next node can be seen.

"Uh, excuse me for interrupting." Flame Willow was sweating more and more as she listened. "Who's going to make up for the Herrscher Imprints I'm missing then?"

"Good question, and the answer is: no one."

"Huh?"

"After all, this is the real world, not a game, host."

"If you wanted to obtain those Herrschers' Imprints, it would involve their core data as memory cores. If these things were tampered with, the Herrschers would not be able to remain completely unaware as they are now."

"As for those Imprints in the game, the system can indeed simulate them, but it's meaningless because these Imprints cannot be brought into the real Elysian Realm when the host enters."

"However, the good news is that you can still obtain some collectibles within the trial, and the collectibles that the host obtains and can use in the real world can also be used in the trial."

"So you just canceled the Imprints, didn't you?" Flame Willow clutched her head and let out a wail. "You're reducing the workload, but I'm going to have to die several more times!"

"Rest assured, I believe in your healing output."

"There are also some rules that can only be understood through combat. If I describe them now, the host probably won't have much of a grasp. How about we just jump straight into a round?"

"Okay, then let's activate the Elysian Realm directly."

Instantly, the environment around the two began to shatter and change. After a while, a reception room that looked very familiar appeared before them.

"Ah, familiar sights." Xia Ling looked around.

"It's not that familiar, actually. We rarely stay in the lounge after finishing missions, and this place doesn't seem to have all its functions..."

Before Flame Willow could finish speaking, she was interrupted by a surprised exclamation from Xia Ling.

"Elysia?!"

"Huh?" Flame Willow quickly followed Xia Ling's gaze and saw it. Indeed, on the sofa in the reception room, a Pink Fairy Lady with a sweet smile was looking at them with a grin.

As if sensing their gazes, the Pink Fairy Lady on the sofa suddenly spoke, "Still not sleeping so late? You're thinking of me, aren't you?"

"Uh... such familiar voice lines..." Xia Ling seemed to have noticed something and leaned closer to Elysia, whispering, "Say another one?"

"Did you finish today's tasks? Great job, I'll praise you!"

"As expected, these are bridge voice lines." As a veteran Elysia fan, Flame Willow also realized this, and the two looked at the system, which hadn't spoken for a long time.

"System, explain?" ×2

Chapter 2 Elysia: Where is this place?

"Ahem, it's like this..."

The system's somewhat embarrassed voice echoed in the hall.

"I saw that you hosts really liked Elysia, so I intercepted a small portion of Elysia's data and then created an image of Elysia to place here."

"After all, only an Elysian Realm with Elysia can be called the Elysian Realm."

"Hiss... that's a very familiar operational flow." Flame Willow felt goosebumps rise all over her. "Are you going to start calling yourself Little Erosion next?"

"Then, what's with these voice lines? I feel like Elysia's replies are... quite intelligent? Even though they're using bridge voice lines."

"Although it's only a small portion of the data, the system can indeed perform a certain degree of reverse simulation based on this data... Wait, the more I talk, the more it sounds like erosion."

"Ahem, in short, you can consider this Elysia as an interactive mascot for the trial Elysian Realm. Of course, this Elysia will not respond to you."

"So, this Elysia is just a big, interactive collectible figure? One with voice lines." Xia Ling's eyes lit up.

"That seems correct, but this Elysia should have some simple intelligence. At least it can respond based on the entries in the voice pack."

"Let me try too!" Flame Willow also ran to Elysia's side and poked Elysia's soft cheek with a finger.

"When you're alone with a girl, you should look into her eyes, okay?"

The cute Pink Fairy Lady immediately turned her head, looked directly into Flame Willow's green eyes, and wore a gentle and sweet smile on her face.

"Wuuu—" Flame Willow immediately covered her face, instantly turning into a steaming machine, stammering, "The, the lethality is too great..."

"You two are already like this without even meeting the real Elysia. I can't imagine if Elysia herself were to ask, would you spill the beans about being a transmigrator?"

The system's voice, filled with disappointment, sounded out.

"It's fine, even if I say it. Otto still has a bunch of soul-bound bodies anyway. I wasn't planning on hiding it from Elysia anyway." Xia Ling said nonchalantly. "Besides, if it were Elysia, she would probably help me keep the secret."

"And you." Xia Ling pulled Flame Willow, who was engrossed in poking Elysia, off the sofa. "A hero's grave in a beauty's land. You can't get lost in Elysia's beauty. It's my turn... no, it's time to start the trial!"

"Okay, okay, okay... As if you're not the same..."

Flame Willow mumbled as she stood up and clicked a few times on the system's light screen.

"Alright, I'm ready to depart. Remember to try out the support characters later."

As her voice fell, Flame Willow's figure disappeared from the hall.

And if we rewind time by an hour...

In the Elysian Realm.

"Ugh, I'm so bored. That girl who came for the trial last time never took off her hood. I don't even know if I should go talk to her."

The beautiful girl with pink hair sat in the reception hall, idly fiddling with a pink crystal flower in her hand.

"I wish something interesting would happen. All the Valkyries coming for trials lately seem so dull. When will I get to meet some new, beautiful girls?"

"Hm?"

Elysia's fingers paused as she played with the crystal flower. She keenly sensed that a part of her data seemed to be acting strangely.

"Weird, is this Mobius playing a prank? Or Aponia?" Elysia tilted her head. "Oh well, whoever it is, I'll find out soon enough."

"Miss Fairy's detective game is about to begin."

As everyone knows, the systems on Cih-Nih-Nih-Mao are generally not very reliable. This is a common understanding among transmigrators.

What's even scarier is that most system users don't have a clear grasp of their own system's unreliability.

Take Xia Ling's system, for example.

At this moment, the system, having transformed into a data thief, was engaged in a thrilling and intense thieving activity within the data stream of the Elysian Realm.

[Hmm... the data used to construct Elysia's image is almost enough, but I should steal a bit more of her emotional data to make it more realistic.]

Of course, under normal circumstances, memory cores wouldn't feel much from this kind of copying. It's just a shame that Elysia isn't an ordinary memory core. As the Origin Herrscher, even as a memory core, she possesses some unique qualities.