In Honkai, But Integrated Strategies Activated

"Mmm... I know this one. I know Theresa best," Xia Ling said, shyly twirling a strand of her hair with her finger. "I'm actually..."

"Stop, wait a moment," Himeko said, holding up a hand before pointing towards the door.

Theresa immediately understood Himeko's meaning. Still fuming, she stomped over to the door and yanked it open forcefully.

With a collective yelp, the three little ones leaning against the door all tumbled to the ground.

Author's Note

Hello everyone, this is the author of this book, Qing Guang.

Before I knew it, this book has reached its paid chapters. It's quite a feeling. In the past, writing 120,000 characters would have been unimaginable for me. Now, I've gotten used to updating 4,000 characters daily, and I can even build up some drafts when I'm not stuck.

The initial inspiration for this book actually came from the synopsis, that part about the snake-girl scam. I remember that was last year, I think. I was playing Roguelike and watching some streamer play Elysian Realm. During the snake-girl segment, I suddenly had an idea and jotted it down.

I had actually been thinking about writing a Honkai fanfiction for a while. This inspiration helped me decide on the type of cheat system for this book, which is the system in the book now.

However, I had to prepare for my postgraduate entrance exams, and I was rejected in the re-examination this year. With nothing better to do, I decided to put my outline into practice.

I didn't expect so many people to enjoy my wild ideas. Although the results aren't particularly outstanding, for a novice author like me, it's already more than enough to be a pleasant surprise.

As I mentioned in the previous chapter's closing remarks, I don't have very high expectations for this book's performance. As long as people are reading it, I won't stop updating due to its performance. If I ever do stop, it might be because life got me, like being sent to another world myself (laughs).

Alright, now let's talk about the book's outline and answer a few questions.

First, I mentioned in the comments section before that the book's outline is complete. Well, that's not entirely accurate. Specifically, before the "Final Lesson," which is the fifth volume (tentative), I have a detailed timeline of events, including the participants and the timeline for each event.

Before the "Thousand-Man Herrscher," I only have the general plot points and some key elements for each volume, random inspirations, and plot directions. Beyond that, honestly, there are too many variables, and it's hard to say for sure right now.

The reason I'm saying this is to let you know that I'm not an author who only knows the plot one day ahead of you.

Having an outline has its benefits, like some foreshadowing that might be laid out for a longer time, while others might be revealed in the next volume, such as Xia Ling's poor sense of direction.

But this also brings another problem: it's very troublesome to revise the text every time.

For example, suggestions in the comments recommending I add a certain Operator. It's possible to add them, but you probably won't see it happen anytime soon...

Well, then, another issue: the comments section often features questions like "why would this person know this at this time?" or "how did this person end up here?" similar setting-related issues.

Well, this has to do with the background setting. For example, the concept of the Sea of Quantum only began to enter players' view on a large scale after Chapter 9 of the main story. Before that, it was only mentioned in the X-10 experiment or by Durandal.

Does this mean Theresa wouldn't know? From a realistic perspective, this is absolutely impossible. This isn't classified information. Forget Theresa; any Schicksal researcher should know, and there should be related records in textbooks and libraries.

So, some content in this book is actually a supplement or original creation to the details of the original worldview to some extent. Of course, if there are parts that clearly contradict the original work, please point them out directly, and I will reply in a separate post.

Oh, and about the book's fan group. I'll consider that when the average subscription reaches a thousand. I'm a bit socially anxious, and it would be awkward if I created a group with no members.

So, moving on, the content of the second volume will continue as scheduled. To reveal a bit, at the end of the second volume, there will be another detailed depiction of the Elysian Realm Roguelike, and the synopsis of this novel also comes from this trial.

Of course, at the end of this trial, the second volume will also conclude in an unexpected way, thereby kicking off the plot of the third volume. The second part of the Elysian Realm will also appear as one of the contents of the third volume.

Well, that's about it for the author's note. Normal updates will resume tomorrow. This early paid chapter release has pretty much used up all my drafts.

However, there will still be a bounty for the paid chapters, but it will take about a week. On one hand, I need to see the initial subscription results to decide how to set up the bounty. On the other hand, I need to save up some drafts. I'm quite dependent on inspiration and my state when writing, and without drafts, my updates might not even be stable.

Finally, the paid chapters start tomorrow. Thank you all for your support along the way. Please give me your first subscription and any votes you can spare. That's all for now. Goodnight, everyone.

o(*≧▽≦)ツ

Chapter 17: Xia Ling: Time for a Confession

"Ouch, that hurts... Auntie, what are you doing..."

Kiana, who was at the bottom, clutched her butt. Mei, who had also fallen, was on top of her. The only one unaffected was Duck Duck, because she was floating, so she only leaned forward and stabilized herself.

"Sneaking around late at night, listening to adults talk." Theresa yanked Kiana up by her ear. "Were you playing games all night again, huh?"

"I wasn't, I didn't!" Kiana shook her head rapidly like a wet cat. "It's just that you guys were too loud, so..."

"You dare lie again!" Her explanation only made Theresa angrier. "I know you! You sleep like a log, I could throw a bomb on your head and you wouldn't wake up!"

[Wait, Theresa saying that to Kiana... Host, isn't that a bit too harsh.]

"Don't say any more, if you keep talking, I won't be able to hold back my laughter. I don't want to lose the good karma I've accumulated." Xia Ling quickly stopped the system from continuing.

Seeing the Big Three trembling, Xia Ling quickly stepped forward. "It's okay, Theresa. I don't mind if people know these things. Besides, they're all good kids. I trust them... Of course, I'd also appreciate it if you could help me keep it a secret."

And so, ten minutes later...

Looking at the group sitting around her room, complete with snacks, clearly waiting for gossip, Xia Ling couldn't help but feel a little speechless. "No... what kind of situation is this?"

"This is called 'Midnight Story Time'!" Kiana said matter-of-factly.

"Alright, alright... then I'll start from the beginning." Xia Ling shook her head with a chuckle. "First, I'm a transmigrator."

"Huh? A transmigrator!" Kiana's eyes lit up. "Xia Ling, are you from the future? Then does that mean I eventually become Schicksal's strongest S-rank Valkyrie?"

"Sigh..." Mei and Bronya sighed, unable to bear watching, and turned their heads away.

"Yes, Kiana did become Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie," Xia Ling nodded with a serious expression.

"Haha, see, Auntie Himeko, I told you I'd become Schicksal's strongest Valky... Ouch!"

Before she could finish, Kiana was smacked on the head by Theresa.

"My dear niece~ You haven't been paying attention in your theoretical quantum sea course at all, have you~" Theresa's voice, laced with furious laughter, echoed from behind Kiana.

"Quantum sea? What's that... No, no, Auntie, don't hit me."

In Schicksal, due to the widespread adoption of various black technologies like spacetime distortion devices, Schicksal's theoretical education system evolved from basic education to a wide range of elective courses.

The goal wasn't to make the Valkyries learn everything, but rather to provide popular science knowledge as an interest. This included the theoretical foundations of the Sea of Quantum, naturally encompassing knowledge of the Sea of Quantum and World Bubbles.

After all, for Schicksal, this wasn't knowledge worth keeping secret. Of course, limited by the obscure terminology, very few people actually took this course each year.

But the Big Three were different. Bronya had a deep interest in this course because of Seele, and Mei and Kiana naturally enrolled in it as well.

Coincidentally, there weren't many teachers at the academy who could teach this course. The only one with relevant knowledge was Theresa, a former S-rank Valkyrie. After all, the theoretical knowledge requirements for S-rank Valkyries were quite extensive.

The most valuable episode of the S-rank Valkyrie title.

"Alright, alright, you dare not listen in my class? Xia Ling should double your homework every day!" Theresa said fiercely.

"Okay, okay, we'll talk about the make-up lessons later." Xia Ling cleared her throat and continued to reveal the story of her encounter with Theresa, and the fact that she was actually a wanderer from the Sea of Quantum.

"So, Xia Ling isn't a retired Valkyrie from the Schicksal sequence, but was just found and picked up by Auntie?" Kiana looked bewildered.

"Student Kiana, remember to hand in double the homework tomorrow."

"Xia Ling, no!"

"Then it's no wonder Xia Ling was so strong back then," Mei said, looking enlightened.

"Sea of Quantum..." Bronya remained expressionless, murmuring softly, but Xia Ling could tell her voice was trembling slightly.

"Yes, so that's what you saw just now. After resting for a while, my abilities have successfully recovered from the previous state of overdraft. Because it's a spatial ability, I drew a lot of power directly from the Imaginary Space to restore my body and Honkai Energy reserves, and then Cheng had a bit of... uh, indigestion."

"Wait, Xia Ling, you mean your abilities are fully recovered?" Himeko immediately reacted, "Then you are..."

"Are you... are you leaving?" Theresa also reacted, asking with a hint of melancholy.

"Uh, don't overthink it, I didn't say I was leaving..." Xia Ling looked exasperated, "Honestly, although I haven't been here long, I can feel that everyone here is a good person..."

"So, I might have to shamelessly mooch off your meals for a few more years, Theresa."

"Mhm, mhm, this Headmaster is wealthy and doesn't lack one more mouth to feed," Theresa said, finally relieved and happy.

"Then... Theresa, about my salary increase..." Himeko said softly from the side.

"Hahahaha, Himeko, you know, for your rank to get a salary increase, you need approval from Schicksal headquarters..." Theresa instantly switched back to her act of feigning ignorance.

Then, the group, curious about Xia Ling's past experiences, peppered her with questions. As long as it didn't touch upon Xia Ling's "sad past," she was happy to tell them about those World Bubbles with their diverse forms.

Since the trials served as a template, they were all Xia Ling's personal experiences, making her stories incredibly vivid.

During this time, Xia Ling also noticed that Duck Duck had been wanting to say something but never did.

All good times must come to an end. After chatting for nearly an hour, Himeko sent the Big Three, who had class the next day, back to bed. Xia Ling finally felt relieved and lay back down on her bed.

However, was she truly relieved?

Hearing no more movement from upstairs, Xia Ling opened her eyes again.

"Sigh, I still have to go out. After waiting for so long, Teacher Welt must be getting impatient."

Chapter 18: Welt: This Familiar Feeling of Being Set Up

Sitting up from the bed, Xia Ling changed her clothes and set her destination to Welt's location in the distance. She waved her hand, opening a portal, and stepped directly through it.

Then...

"Ouch!"

Xia Ling missed her footing and fell directly from mid-air, startling Welt, who was nearby.

Looking at Xia Ling, who had fallen to the ground before him, Welt's mouth twitched, and his guard dropped significantly.

As everyone knows, comedic characters are usually not villains.

"Uh, Teacher Xia Ling, do you need me to help you up..."

"No, no, it was just an accident. I've only just recovered my strength and I'm not used to it yet, hiss—"

"Hmm... Although the entrance was a bit unexpected, at least it's a good start," Welt tried to ease the awkward atmosphere.

"Ahem, then let's have an open and honest talk between us, Alliance Leader Welt."

Welt's eyes narrowed, and he said in a deep voice, "This is truly... very direct. How did you find out?"

"Uh, rather, it would be a problem if I didn't find out," Xia Ling looked at Welt speechlessly, "After all, you didn't even change your name or appearance, and you're openly 'infiltrating' the academy."

"Logically, Theresa shouldn't have missed it. According to the information I found, Theresa should have participated in the Second Honkai with you."

"So, was it some kind of mental cognitive interference or memory modification?"

Under Welt's shocked gaze, Xia Ling, in just a few sentences, revealed all his secrets and even made further deductions.

Welt completely dropped his slightly dismissive attitude and asked, "To investigate these things so clearly, Teacher Xia Ling's true identity must also be extraordinary."

"True identity? No, no, no, there's no true identity," Xia Ling quickly stopped Welt's overthinking.

"You might not believe me, but I just revealed my identity to Theresa completely. Otherwise, I wouldn't have kept you waiting this long."

"I know you're also very curious about my situation. Before I came here, my identity should have been thoroughly investigated by Anti-Entropy, right?"

"But it doesn't matter, I don't mind. The basis of a transaction is mutual trust. It's obviously not good for me to know everything about you while you know nothing about me."

"So, let's hear it. What do you want us to do?"

After a moment of thought, Welt spoke.

"No rush. You can hear my background first," Xia Ling smiled. "The information your Anti-Entropy has on me, I'm guessing it's blank, right?"

"If I don't reveal my identity first, I'm afraid Alliance Leader Welt will be on edge all night wondering who I am."

For some reason, Welt suddenly thought of someone – a blonde man.

Talking with Xia Ling reminded him of their past confrontations. It was the same: the other party always seemed to be at a disadvantage, yet he himself was always caught in their rhythm, constantly being pushed back.

"If you stay silent, I'll take it as your default agreement," Xia Ling said, seeing Welt's prolonged silence. She then began to recount her prepared background story once more.

In fact, since this was the second time she was telling it tonight, Xia Ling's delivery was even smoother.

"A visitor from a World Bubble..." Welt mused.

"Joachim, she's likely telling the truth," Einstein's voice came through the tiny earpiece simultaneously.

"At least, based on the intelligence we've gathered about the Sea of Quantum so far, there's nothing that contradicts her claims."

"Furthermore, our intelligence department genuinely can't find any information on this girl. She appeared out of nowhere."

"However, she's likely hiding something. A visitor from a World Bubble shouldn't know this much about our world."

"If her story is accurate, then someone must have told her some things."

"Hmm, it seems you've made up your minds. Then, we can discuss the terms of our transaction."

Seeing Welt's expression shift slightly, Xia Ling knew that the Anti-Entropy's doctors must have provided some information, and at least her story had been accepted.

"You've also been conducting some research on the Sea of Quantum, haven't you?"