In Honkai, But Integrated Strategies Activated

"Really? No way," Kiana's eyes widened. "Wouldn't that make her just like Mei?"

"No, she's not like Mei, because she passed all her psychological tests."

"Uh, I did have some psychological issues back then..." Mei lowered her head, embarrassed.

"It's okay, no matter what kind of Mei you are, I like you just the same!" Kiana seized the opportunity and pounced on Mei.

"Silly Kiana, stay away from Sister Mei." Soon, Heavy Armor Rabbit finished 'punishing' Kiana.

"Cough, cough, back to business."

"The other party proposed an exchange period of at least one week. With such a long time, I definitely can't get away," Theresa looked at Xia Ling. "So, little Xia Ling, are you willing to go?"

"Huh? Me?"

"It's probably because of the paper Xia Ling published before," Himeko seemed to suddenly remember something. "I recall one of them was about Pseudo-Herrschers, based on the mission when you two first met?"

"Ah, I wasn't referring to that. I mean, am I qualified to go?" Xia Ling quickly waved her hands. "After all, I've only been with the Far East Branch for half a year. Isn't that a bit... inappropriate?"

"You don't need to worry about that. The reason Oceania sent me a private email instead of an official letter is probably because they don't want to make a big deal out of this," Theresa speculated.

"I guess they've encountered technical problems and need someone with experience dealing with Pseudo-Herrschers to help."

"The last large-scale appearance of Pseudo-Herrschers was during the Second Honkai War. Basically, the Valkyries who experienced that event have either sacrificed themselves or retired. Even if some are still on duty, they probably can't get away."

"So, they sent me an email, likely wanting you to participate in this matter."

"I see... Alright then, when should I depart?"

"The other party didn't mention a specific time, but by convention, it should be about a week from now," Theresa thought for a moment and said. "You don't need to rush. It'll be after New Year's Day anyway. After the holiday, you can hand over your work and then prepare to depart."

"Okay, the two courses I'm teaching aren't too specialized. I'll have to trouble Teacher Yang then. And Kiana, I'll check your homework when I get back."

"Don't do that, Sister Xia Ling!"

"Lord Bishop."

Amber walked into the Bishop's office, carrying a stack of documents.

"Ah, Amber. What is it? Did something happen?" Otto's fingers flew across the keyboard at lightning speed, then he looked up and asked casually.

"Lord Bishop, you were playing Kallen Fantasy during work hours again, weren't you?" Amber quietly stared at Otto's computer screen. Although it was a question, her tone held no hint of doubt.

"Ahahaha, it's just... just a little relaxation," Otto chuckled nervously and quickly changed the subject. "What is it, Amber? You coming to see me at this hour must mean something important."

"Yes, Lord Bishop, take a look at this." Amber sighed, pulled out a page from a stack of documents, and handed it to Otto.

"Oh?" Otto read quietly, his eyes gradually deepening. "Something from Oceania..."

After a while, Otto put down the document.

"Interesting, very interesting."

"What are your thoughts on this matter, Lord Bishop?" Amber asked respectfully.

"I read Theresa's paper. To be honest, its authenticity is debatable. I studied creatures like Pseudo-Herrschers during the Second Honkai War. Rather than calling them Herrschers, they're more like some kind of powerful dead soldiers..."

"In short, when they lack a personality, they shouldn't have the possibility of spontaneously developing strong intelligence, let alone what's mentioned here about breaking free from Honkai control."

"Are you saying they're lying?"

"They don't have the guts for that. Facing me, they'd at most conceal some information," Otto sneered. "It's hard to judge right now whether this Pseudo-Herrscher is a setup for me, or a special situation like I suspect..."

"Amber, where is Rita right now?"

"Lord Bishop, Lady Rita is currently leading the Immortal Blade on a Honkai Beast cleanup mission in South Africa," Amber replied after thinking for a moment. "Do you need me to call Rita back?"

"No, let her continue her mission normally," Otto shook his head slightly. "Didn't the branch chief say she also invited my dear granddaughter to participate in the research? Send him a reply, telling him to give me a detailed report after the exchange research is concluded."

"Lord Bishop, if that's the case, they might not provide much useful information even after the research exchange is over."

"It doesn't matter, I wasn't expecting much from them," Otto snorted. "Those sent there were just some 'consumables' I prepared."

"After Rita's mission is over, I'll have her go there."

"Understood, Lord Bishop." Amber nodded and withdrew. "Oh, and please be aware, Lord Bishop, you need to finish these documents by tomorrow."

"If you continue to indulge in Kallen Fantasy, you might not have any days off for New Year's."

Otto's confident smile instantly collapsed.

Chapter 32: Xia Ling: I'm Coming to Your Door

"Wendy, Wendy, time to get up."

Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Highmore came to Wendy's bed and gently nudged the girl's exposed shoulder.

"Mmm, so early. I want to sleep a little longer... I don't think I have any experiments today."

Wendy opened her emerald green eyes, trying to adjust to the harsh morning light.

"Did you forget? Dr. Ryan said yesterday that someone from the Far East Branch would be coming today to jointly research and discuss the experimental progress."

"There's still a lot to do today, you can't rest yet~"

"So that's how it is... I played until past one last night, I'm a bit groggy." Wendy shook her head and slowly sat up, completely unconcerned about the revealing glimpse of her skin. "Highmore, help me~"

"Alright, alright... Sigh, I remember Dr. Ryan clearly told me to take better care of you at the start. How come it feels like you're the one taking care of me now?" Highmore complained verbally, but her hands moved with exceptional skill, quickly helping Wendy get dressed before picking her up and placing her in the wheelchair.

"Because I'm disabled, isn't it normal for you to take care of me?"

"But you could still take care of yourself a few days ago. It feels like ever since I helped you once, you've become more and more dependent on me."

"Because Highmore's service is really thoughtful. Besides, I didn't have a roommate before, what else could I do but take care of myself?"

"Huh?" Hearing this, Highmore looked utterly confused. "Oceania doesn't even have a service staff member responsible for your daily life?"

"Actually, they did before. But I occasionally felt their gazes on me from behind... they were so piercing, and they were clearly a little scared of me."

Wendy tapped her finger on her lips, recalling the past when she first arrived in Oceania.

"Although I disliked their gazes, I also didn't want to cause too much trouble for others. Instead of enduring discomfort from both sides, I decided to just take care of myself. After all, I was an A-rank Valkyrie before. It was just a bit troublesome..."

"After all, even though Schicksal doesn't say it, everyone knows in their hearts that the reason my experiment is in Oceania is because it's far from the main continents. Even if I were to completely lose control here, the impact wouldn't spread too far..."

"What do you mean 'alone'? Isn't I here with you now?" Highmore leaned over the back of the wheelchair, resting her head next to Wendy's and nuzzling her:

"I'm a Pseudo-Herrscher, my status is probably even less likable than yours. If that's the case, then we're both in the same boat."

"Besides, my life is also likely tied to your experiment. I probably won't be able to leave you until the day I die."

"You, don't suddenly get so close!" Feeling the warm, fragrant breath next to her cheek, Wendy's face flushed slightly. She quickly maneuvered the wheelchair herself, "I'm going to wash up. You, you go make breakfast first."

Before Highmore could turn around, Wendy's small head suddenly poked out from the doorway of the washroom, "Also, don't talk about dying or anything like that in the future. It's really unlucky."

Watching the door close with a bang once again, Highmore shook her head with a chuckle.

"Sigh, Wendy, tsundere isn't popular anymore, you know?"

A week had passed since Highmore was "captured" in Oceania.

Since Highmore and Wendy hit it off the day they met, Highmore moved in with Wendy that same night under Dr. Ryan's arrangement.

Of course, it was just in the same dormitory, not the same room.

Initially, Wendy was a bit shy and resistant when Highmore offered to help with her daily life.

But after Wendy fell due to mobility issues one time, perhaps because Highmore saw her embarrassing state, Wendy became somewhat resigned and simply accepted Highmore's help.

As a result, she found it surprisingly good within a few days.

Of course, this new roommate brought more than just convenience to Wendy's life. To alleviate the boredom of days without experiments, Highmore started playing games with Wendy.

Perhaps because she hadn't relaxed like this in a long time, Wendy quickly became engrossed, often dragging Highmore into playing until one or two in the morning, which led Dr. Ryan to repeatedly emphasize the importance of a reasonable schedule these past few days.

While the two were having breakfast, on the other side, Xia Ling had already been talking with Dr. Ryan for a while.

"Ah, I see. No wonder that paper was published jointly by you and Ms. Theresa. So you were a firsthand witness to that Pseudo-Herrscher incident," Dr. Ryan said with sudden realization.

"Please, don't say that, Doctor. You're too kind. The main force at the time was Headmaster Theresa. I was just a little follower tagging along," Xia Ling repeatedly waved her hands, modestly.

"Oh, that's just you being humble. Being able to hold your ground in a battle of that magnitude is enough to prove your strength. Someone like me, if I hadn't met Highmore, I probably wouldn't have had the chance to personally interact with a Pseudo-Herrscher in this lifetime."

Amidst a flurry of polite compliments, Dr. Ryan finally got to the point.

"It's like this, Miss Xia Ling. Judging from your conversation just now, that paper clearly showcased less than one percent of your true capabilities," Dr. Ryan flattered.

"The reason for inviting the Far East Branch this time is to ask someone like you, who has truly seen a Pseudo-Herrscher and has a certain amount of research experience, to provide an assessment from a third-party perspective."

"Doctor, you want us to assess the stability of the Pseudo-Herrscher?"

"Precisely, Miss Xia Ling, you are indeed intelligent." Dr. Ryan nodded. "Research is not accomplished in a day. Our research on Pseudo-Herrschers has only just begun, but regarding the stability of this Pseudo-Herrscher's condition, headquarters requires us to reach a conclusion as soon as possible."

"Although we have provided evidence through psychological tests and physical examinations of Miss Highmore, these are still not sufficient to increase its persuasiveness."

"I understand now. I understand what you mean, Doctor." Xia Ling revealed a knowing smile. "I will actively interact with Miss Highmore these next few days to assess her condition."

"I believe that in a week, we will all have an ideal outcome."

"Indeed, indeed. With a rising star in the scientific community like Miss Xia Ling assisting, I'm sure our research will progress rapidly." Dr. Ryan was naturally satisfied with this outcome and repeatedly spoke courteously, "If Miss Xia Ling has any other insights, please feel free to voice them. We will definitely consider them carefully."

"Then, would it be convenient for you to take me to see them?"

"Of course. To facilitate your assessment of Miss Highmore's condition at any time, in addition to daily experiment accompaniment, I have arranged your accommodation in the same building as Wendy and Highmore. You can go over anytime you need to."

"I'll take you to the accommodation area myself later to take a look."

Chapter 33: Is Gate of Opening Fun?

"This is it, Miss Xia Ling." Dr. Ryan stopped after bringing Xia Ling to the outside of the accommodation area. "This is the accommodation area. The building in front of you is the dormitory building where Wendy and Highmore are staying. Your room is also in this building."

"Since this is the girls' dormitory area, I won't accompany you inside. Our first experiment will begin tomorrow. I will send the details to your terminal then. I'll also send you the locations of your room and Wendy's room."

"You can decide for yourself when to go see them. I've already informed them in advance about this."

"However, because I had to meet with you this morning, the morning experiment has been temporarily suspended. These two children might have just woken up not long ago, please excuse their appearance."

"It's alright, I understand, I understand." Xia Ling readily agreed. "These matters of etiquette are minor issues. Your branch is housing a Pseudo-Herrscher and an implantee of a Herrscher Core, so I understand accommodating some things in this regard."

"This is also quite good, as it can indirectly reflect Miss Highmore's humanity."

"It's great that Miss Xia Ling understands," Dr. Ryan nodded with a smile. "Then please make yourself at home, Miss Xia Ling. I need to go back and prepare for tomorrow's experiment."

At this moment, in Wendy's room.

"Sigh, Highmore, why haven't anyone from the Far East Branch come yet?" Wendy sat at the table, idly rubbing her handheld game console, playing a two-player game with Highmore.

"It's probably soon. Dr. Ryan said the time would be around now."

Highmore manipulated the Homu to unleash a finishing blow, depleting the enemy's HP.

"Soon? Then we won't start another round?"

"Let's play one more. I don't think it'll be that fast. There's no activity outside right now," Highmore replied distractedly.

Although her words were a question, her tone was very certain. After all, Xia Ling had just told her in the channel that she had only just arrived at the dormitory area and was about to put down her luggage.

"Okay... Huh? Is there some movement at the door?"

"Movement? What movement?" Highmore took off her headphones.

"Maybe it's someone from the Far East Branch. I'll go check!" Wendy moved closer to the door, reaching it now and opening it.

Outside the door stood a petite, black-haired girl, laden with luggage and holding a room key card. She and Wendy stared at each other.

"Uh..." Seeing the familiar cyan figure before her, Xia Ling's mind momentarily froze.

"Did you mistake the room? Someone's already staying here," Wendy said gently, not recognizing her as someone from the Far East Branch.

"Ah, sorry, sorry." Although her mind hadn't caught up, Xia Ling's habit of getting lost made her apologize instinctively and quickly shut the door.

"What is it?" Highmore walked over.

"A new Valkyrie mistook the room," Wendy shook her head, not saying much more.

"Mistook... the room?" A certain petite, black figure immediately appeared in Highmore's mind.

Never mind. If it was Xia Ling, she'd probably get lost again...

As expected, shortly after they sat down, the sound of a failed room card entry echoed from the door again.

Highmore sighed. This dormitory building had a lot of sensor doors installed for security reasons, and the furnishings were basically identical everywhere.