"Mm... I know that. I understand Theresa better than anyone." Xia Ling embarrassedly twirled a strand of hanging hair around her finger. "Actually, I'm..."
"Stop, wait a second." Himeko made a gesture, then pointed outside the door.
Theresa immediately understood what Himeko meant. Still simmering with anger, she stormed to the door and yanked it open.
Amid a chorus of startled cries, the three little troublemakers leaning against the door all tumbled to the floor.
Thoughts on Going Premium
Hello, everyone. This is Qingguang, the author of this book.
Before I knew it, this book had reached the day it went premium. It was really something to reflect on. In the past, writing 120,000 words would have seemed unimaginably difficult to me. Now, I had gotten used to updating 4,000 words a day, and when I wasn't stuck, I could even save up a few chapters in advance.
The original inspiration for this book actually came from the synopsis—the part where Serpent pulled a honey trap scam. I think that was last year. I was playing the roguelike mode and happened to see some streamer clear Elysian Realm. When I got to Serpent's section, inspiration suddenly struck, so I jotted it down casually.
I had actually been thinking about writing a Honkai fanfic for a long time. That inspiration helped me settle on the type of cheat ability for this book, which was the system currently in the story.
But I had been preparing for my postgraduate entrance exams at the time, and then I got eliminated during this year's retest. With nothing else to do, I decided to put my outline into practice.
I never expected so many people to enjoy my wild ideas. The results might not have been especially good, but for a rookie author like me, they were already more than enough to count as a pleasant surprise.
Just as I said in the previous end-of-volume notes, I didn't have particularly high expectations for this book's performance. As long as someone was reading it, I would never stop updating because of poor results. If I ever really disappeared one day, it would probably mean life had ganked me—for example, if I got sent to another world too. Haha.
Alright, next, let's talk about this book's outline and answer a few questions along the way.
First of all, I previously said in the comments that this book had a complete outline. Well, that wasn't entirely accurate. More specifically, before The Last Lesson—that is, Volume Five, tentatively—I had a detailed chain of events, including the participants in every event, the timeline, and so on.
Before the Thousand-Man Herrscher arc, I only had the general plot of each volume, some key elements, scattered ideas, and the overall direction. Beyond that, honestly, there were too many variables, so it was hard to determine anything yet.
What I'm trying to say is that I'm not the kind of author who only knows the plot one day before you do.
The benefit of having an outline was that some foreshadowing could be planted for a long time, while some would be revealed after a volume or so—for example, Xia Ling's terrible sense of direction.
But that also brought another problem: revising the story became very troublesome every time.
For example, suggestions in the comments to add a certain Operator or something. It was possible to add them, but you probably wouldn't see them anytime soon...
Mm, next was another question that often appeared in the comments: why did so-and-so know this at this point, or how could so-and-so appear here? Questions about settings like that.
Well, that involved the background setting. For example, the Sea of Quantum only began entering players' view on a large scale after Chapter Nine of the main story. Before that, it was only mentioned in the X-10 experiment or in Durandal's storyline.
But did that mean Theresa didn't know about it? From a realistic perspective, that was absolutely impossible. It wasn't some classified information. Not just Theresa—any researcher in Schicksal should know about it. There should also be relevant records in textbooks and libraries.
So, some similar content in this book was, to a certain extent, supplementary or original detail for the original worldbuilding. Of course, if there were parts that clearly contradicted canon, please point them out directly. I would reply in the chapter comments.
Oh, and regarding a reader group, let's talk about that after the average subscriptions pass a thousand. I'm still a little socially anxious, and it would be pretty awkward if I created a group and nobody joined.
As for what comes next, the contents of Volume Two would continue as scheduled. Here's a little spoiler: near the end of Volume Two, there would be another detailed Elysian Realm roguelike run, and the content in this novel's synopsis also came from that trial.
Of course, that trial would end Volume Two in an unexpected way, opening the plot of Volume Three. The second part of Elysian Realm would also appear as one of Volume Three's storylines.
Well then, that was about it for these premium-release thoughts. Starting tomorrow, normal updates would resume. Going premium early this time had pretty much used up all my saved chapters.
However, there would still be a premium-release bonus event, though it would have to wait about a week. On one hand, I needed to see the first-day subscription results before deciding how to run it. On the other hand, I needed time to stockpile chapters. My writing depended quite a lot on inspiration and condition, and without saved chapters, even my updates might become unstable.
Lastly, the book goes premium tomorrow. Thank you all for your support along the way. Please give me a first subscription and some votes. That's all. Good night, everyone.
Hahaha!
Xia Ling: This Round, I'll Come Clean
"Ow, that hurt... Auntie, what are you doing...?"
Kiana, who had been crushed at the bottom, clutched her butt. Mei, who had also fallen, was on top of her. The only one who escaped unscathed was Duck Duck. Since she was floating, she merely tipped forward before steadying herself.
"Not sleeping in the middle of the night, and eavesdropping on adults talking, huh?" Theresa grabbed Kiana by the ear and hauled her up from the floor. "Were you pulling an all-nighter playing games again?"
"I wasn't! I didn't!" Kiana shook her head rapidly like a cat shaking off water. "It was obviously because you guys were being too loud, so..."
"You still dare lie?" Theresa had already been angry, but that explanation made her even angrier. "You think I don't know you? Once you fall asleep, you're like a dead pig. You wouldn't wake up even if someone threw a bomb on your head!"
Wait, Theresa said that to Kiana... Host, wasn't that a little too dark?
"Stop talking. If you keep going, I won't be able to hold back my laughter. I don't want to lose all the good karma I worked so hard to save up." Xia Ling hurriedly stopped the system from continuing.
Seeing the Big Three trembling together, Xia Ling quickly stepped forward. "It's fine, Theresa. I don't mind them knowing about this. Besides, they're all good girls. I trust them... But please do me a favor and don't tell anyone else."
And so, ten minutes later...
Looking at the people gathered in her room, each carrying snacks and wearing expressions like they were waiting for juicy gossip, Xia Ling felt somewhat speechless. "Wait... what kind of setup is this?"
"This is called a midnight story session!" Kiana said as though it were obvious.
"Alright, alright... Then I'll start from the beginning." Xia Ling shook her head with an amused smile. "First of all, I'm a transmigrator."
"Huh? A transmigrator?" Kiana's eyes immediately lit up. "Did Sister Xia Ling travel back from the future? Does that mean I became Schicksal's strongest S-rank Valkyrie in the end?"
"Ha..." Mei and Bronya sighed, unable to bear watching, and turned their heads away.
"Mm, yes. Kiana really did become Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie." Xia Ling nodded solemnly.
"Haha, see? Auntie Himeko, I told you I would definitely become Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie—ow!"
Before she could finish, Theresa slapped Kiana on the head.
"My dear little niece~ You didn't listen to a single word in my Sea of Quantum theory fundamentals class, did you~?" Theresa's voice rang out behind Kiana, laughing in fury.
"The Sea of Quantum? What's that... No, no, no, Auntie, stop hitting me."
Within Schicksal, due to the widespread use of all sorts of black technology like spacetime fracture devices, the theoretical education system had evolved from basic education alone into a variety of elective interest courses.
The goal was not to make Valkyries master them, only to provide introductory knowledge as a matter of interest. Naturally, Sea of Quantum theory fundamentals, which included knowledge about the Sea of Quantum and World Bubbles, was among them.
After all, for Schicksal, it wasn't knowledge worth keeping secret. Of course, because of all the obscure and difficult terminology, hardly anyone chose the course over the course of a year.
But the Big Three were different. Because of Seele, Bronya had a deep interest in the course. As for Mei and Kiana... naturally, they signed up along with her.
And as it happened, there weren't many teachers in the academy capable of teaching the course. The only one who had studied the relevant knowledge was Theresa, who had once been an S-rank Valkyrie. After all, the theoretical knowledge requirements for an S-rank Valkyrie were also quite extensive.
The S-rank Valkyrie title's most prestigious moment.
"Fine, fine, fine. You dare not pay attention in my class? Xia Ling should double your homework every day!" Theresa said viciously.
"Alright, alright, we can talk about makeup lessons later." Xia Ling cleared her throat and continued, recounting in detail how she had met Theresa and how she was actually a wanderer from the Sea of Quantum.
"So Sister Xia Ling wasn't some retired Valkyrie from the Schicksal roster, but someone Auntie happened to run into and bring home?" Kiana looked as if she only half understood.
"Kiana, remember to hand in double tomorrow's homework."
"Sister Xia Ling, no!"
"That explained why Sister Xia Ling was so strong back then." Mei also wore a look of sudden realization.
"The Sea of Quantum..." Bronya remained expressionless as she murmured softly, but Xia Ling could hear the faint tremble in her voice.
"Mm, and that brings us to what you saw just now. After resting and recovering for some time, my abilities successfully recovered from their previously overdrawn state. Since they're spatial abilities, I directly drew quite a bit of power from Imaginary Space to restore my body and Honkai Energy reserves. Then I just got a little... uh, indigestion."
"Wait, Xia Ling, are you saying your abilities have completely recovered?" Himeko immediately caught on. "Then does that mean you..."
"Y-you're leaving?" Theresa also understood, asking with a trace of loss.
"Uh, don't overthink it. I never said I was leaving..." Xia Ling did not know whether to laugh or cry. "Honestly, even though I haven't been here long, I can tell that everyone here is a wonderful person..."
"So, I might have to shamelessly keep mooching meals off you for a few more years, Theresa."
"Mm-hmm. This principal is loaded. I can afford one more mouth to feed." Theresa finally relaxed and said happily.
"Then... Theresa, about my raise..." Himeko spoke gloomily from the side.
"Ahahaha, Himeko, you know how it is. A raise at your level needs approval from Schicksal Headquarters..." Theresa instantly switched back into playing dumb.
After that, the others, who were deeply interested in the worlds Xia Ling had experienced before, pulled her into answering all sorts of questions. As long as they did not touch on Xia Ling's "painful past," she was happy to tell them about those World Bubbles of all shapes and forms.
After all, the trials served as a template. Those were Xia Ling's personal experiences, so her stories felt incredibly authentic.
During that time, Xia Ling also noticed that Duck Duck had wanted to say something, but never managed to speak.
Good times always came to an end. After chatting for nearly an hour, the Big Three, who still had class tomorrow, were chased back to sleep by Himeko. Xia Ling was finally freed and able to lie back down in bed.
However, was she really free?
Hearing that there was no more movement upstairs, Xia Ling opened her eyes again.
"Sigh, I still have to go out once. After waiting so long, Teacher Welt is probably about to lose his patience."
Welt: This Familiar Feeling of Being Set Up
Sitting up from bed and changing back into her clothes, Xia Ling set her destination to Welt's distant location. With a wave of her hand, she opened a portal and stepped straight through it.
Then...
"Ow!"
Xia Ling stepped into empty air and fell straight down from midair, startling Welt beside her.
Looking at Xia Ling sprawled on the ground before him, Welt's mouth twitched, and more than half of his vigilance faded.
As everyone knew, comedic characters generally weren't villains.
"Um, Teacher Xia Ling, do you need me to help you up...?"
"No, no. It was just a mistake. I only just recovered my strength, so I'm not quite used to it yet. Hiss—"
"Mm... Although your entrance was 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, Alliance Leader Welt."
Welt's gaze sharpened as he said in a low voice, "That really is... direct. How did you find out?"
"Uh, wouldn't it be stranger if I hadn't found out?" Xia Ling looked at Welt speechlessly.
"After all, you didn't even change your name or appearance before brazenly 'infiltrating' the academy."
"Logically, Theresa shouldn't have failed to recognize you. According to the information I found, Theresa should have participated in the Second Honkai Outbreak with you."
"So, was it some kind of cognitive interference or memory alteration?"
Before Welt's shocked gaze, Xia Ling laid bare his entire background in just a few sentences. She had even deduced more than that.
Welt completely put away the slight contempt he had shown earlier and asked, "To investigate all of this so clearly, Teacher Xia Ling's true identity must not be simple either."
"True identity? No, no, no. There's no true identity." Xia Ling promptly stopped Welt from overthinking.
"You may not believe it, but I only just told Theresa everything about my identity. Otherwise, I wouldn't have made you wait so long."
"I know you're curious about my situation too. Before I came here, Anti-Entropy had probably already investigated my identity inside and out, right?"
"But it doesn't matter. I don't mind. The foundation of a deal is mutual trust. I know everything about you, while you know nothing about me. Obviously, that isn't good."
"Then tell me. What do you want us to do?"
After thinking for a while, Welt spoke.
"No rush. You can first listen to where I came from." Xia Ling smiled. "I can tell just by thinking about it what information Anti-Entropy could find about me. A blank slate, right?"
"If I didn't make my identity clear first, I'm afraid Alliance Leader Welt would spend the whole night on guard, wondering who I really was."
For some reason, Welt suddenly thought of someone—a blond man.
Talking with Xia Ling reminded him of several confrontations with that man. It had been the same then. On the surface, the other party always seemed to be at a disadvantage, but in reality, he himself had constantly been caught in the other party's rhythm, forced back step by step.
"If you stay silent, I'll take that as confirmation." Seeing that Welt had not spoken for a long time, Xia Ling began recounting the background she had already prepared.
Since it was already the second time she had explained it tonight, Xia Ling spoke even more smoothly.
"A visitor from a World Bubble..." Welt muttered thoughtfully.
"Joachim, she is probably telling the truth." Einstein's voice came through the miniature earpiece at the same time.
"At least based on the information we have currently gathered about the Sea of Quantum, there is nothing that contradicts what she said."
"Moreover, our intelligence department truly cannot find any information about this girl. She appeared out of nowhere."
"However, she should still be concealing something. As a visitor from a World Bubble, she should not understand our world to this extent."
"If her experiences are true, someone must have told her some things."
"Mm, it looks like you've already discussed it. Then we can talk about the deal."
Seeing the slight change in Welt's expression, Xia Ling knew that Anti-Entropy's doctors must have provided him with some information. At the very least, they had accepted this part of her story.
"You should have conducted some research on the Sea of Quantum as well, right?"
Before you continue