"Ugh... why is Grandpa meddling in the affairs of St. Freya High School again? So annoying."
"But if I don't agree, the funds approved by the headquarters for the academy won't come down. My head hurts... I should watch some manga, drink some bitter melon juice, and eat some snacks to relieve the stress!"
In the office of the Third Reich of the German Empire (referring to Theresa's will leading St. Freya, the third force relatively independent of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy, and a powerful force), the walls were filled with bookshelves, and the bookshelves were neatly arranged with documents, clean and tidy.
Anyone who entered the office would have an uncontrollable urge to raise their hand 45 degrees. Judging from the height of the bookshelves, this was definitely not cleaned by Theresa, whose head just passed the level of the desk when she sat in the chair.
"Crunch... crunch..."
The crisp sound of potato chips being crushed made Theresa dazed and fell into the cradle of happiness.
Carefree and at ease.
As for that inspector sent by the Schicksal HQ? Haha, what inspector? St. Freya is full of good people, what is there to investigate?
Just as Theresa was enjoying her happy life, an untimely knock on the door sounded.
"Wait! Don't come in yet!" Theresa frantically tidied up the things on her desk. In her haste, she even knocked over the bitter melon juice on the table. The green liquid flowed on the floor, but Theresa had no time to care. She quickly put the manga under the official documents, swept the potato chip crumbs with her arm, and hid the potato chip bag in the trash can by the side of the desk.
By the time everything was tidied up, a full five minutes had passed.
In the past, Murata Himeko would have impatiently kicked the door open. If it were other faculty and staff, they would have knocked again if they didn't get a response within three minutes, but today was an anomaly. The person outside the door seemed to be very patient.
"Alright, come in," Theresa sat in the chair, straightened her posture, and put on a dignified and serious look.
Just kidding, she was the respected principal of St. Freya High School. She could not show that childish look in front of outsiders.
"Huh? Himeko..." Theresa said the name of the visitor with some confusion. "Why are you so patient today? You didn't break down the door. If I had known it was you standing outside, I wouldn't have been in such a hurry. My heart was about to jump out just now."
Anyway, Himeko already knew that she was reading manga, so it didn't matter.
Murata Himeko did not say a word. She looked around the office and then slowly turned to look at Theresa.
"The floor is dirty," Murata Himeko said faintly. Then she walked forward, picked up the rag behind the door, and bent down to wipe the water stains on the floor.
The slime king on her chest bounced up and down, making Theresa tremble with fear. Sense of crisis, get!
"Ahem, don't worry about the bitter melon juice on the floor for now. Himeko, what do you want from me? Did my good niece... no, I can't use 'good' to describe her... did Kiana do something bad again?"
"Climbing the wall? Skipping class? Sleeping in class? Or stealing women's underwear?" Theresa said Kiana's "glorious achievements" with a dark face.
Ever since she came to St. Freya High School, her niece had not been serious, wasting her top-notch talent. It was obvious to everyone that Kiana was talented. As long as she put her mind to it, it wouldn't take long to become an S-rank Valkyrie, but she was never serious.
Sigh... this is the balance of the world. Kiana was nothing like Cecilia. Instead, she had inherited Siegfried's promiscuous nature. Even her sexual orientation was the same. Poor little girl named Raiden Mei was about to suffer at the hands of her niece.
I heard that she was the vessel of the Third Herrscher. Under the joint efforts of Cocolia and her father, the Herrscher's awakening was used to offset the influence of her natural Stigma. But this move also buried the thirty million people of Nagazora City...
According to Himeko's report, Raiden Mei had thought of committing suicide, but she was stopped by her. An electromagnetic bomb was installed in her heart. If the Honkai Energy detected reached a certain threshold, the bomb would be activated, and they would both perish.
Murata Himeko stopped wiping the floor and stared at the bitter melon juice flowing on the floor, muttering the words she had heard: "Bitter melon juice... Kiana... climbing the wall... skipping class... sleeping... stealing..."
At this time, Theresa noticed Himeko's abnormality and asked, "Himeko? What are you dazed about?"
Murata Himeko stood up and put the rag back in its original place, "It's nothing. Kiana has indeed been a bit restless recently. She needs more 'care.' I have something to do in my classroom, so I'll leave first."
With that, Murata Himeko turned and left the principal's office.
The office was once again plunged into darkness, with only a little light remaining at Theresa's seat. The light shone on the ground, illuminating the bitter melon juice flowing on the ground very clearly, with no signs of being wiped by anyone.
However, Theresa did not notice this. She took out her manga and snacks and continued to enjoy life leisurely.
Suddenly, Theresa felt a rush of heat in her head, and her hands clenched into fists and collided with the cloth.
She had an epiphany.
Theresa suddenly put down her snacks and manga, and a smug smile appeared on her lips uncontrollably. She remembered how much trouble her niece was.
"Hmph, Kiana, that hot-blooded idiot, has nowhere to hit a wall. I'll just let the new inspector deal with her. I can already imagine the inspector's scalp tingling and a look of pain on his face!"
"I'm a genius!"
Theresa evaluated her own plan.
Letting Kiana and Li Mo meet... was indeed a rather "genius" decision. Ordinary people couldn't do it.
After hiding her manga and snacks, Theresa jumped off the chair and walked quickly towards the school. The bitter melon juice on the floor was still flowing.
Along the way, many faculty and staff greeted Theresa, and Theresa responded with a standard smile. Soon, Theresa came to the school area of St. Freya High School and walked into Himeko's office.
"What's wrong? Theresa, do you want to delay my salary again? I'm the captain of the Hyperion. If you don't pay me, I'm not going to do it anymore~ Of course, the teacher's salary can't be delayed either!"
Himeko held up two fingers and said loudly. There was no one else in the office, only her and Theresa.
Theresa wanted to get angry, but she was too short. Even if she was angry, she looked like she was acting cute. Instead, Himeko took advantage of her and walked forward, rubbing her head like she was petting a kitten.
"Alright, about the salary... my grandpa said he'll help me make up for it. I came to you this time for another matter," Theresa said seriously.
"Oh?" Himeko raised her eyebrows and smiled, "It's for the new inspector, right? What? Is there something in our academy that can't be seen? Let him come. What's there to be afraid of? Let me see if he's a young and handsome guy. If he is, then I'll... hehe..."
Himeko had a mischievous smile on her face, like a desperate old woman who couldn't find a man.
Theresa was speechless. She jumped up and kicked Himeko's knee hard, "Stop fooling around. That's someone sent by my grandpa. If the inspector's evaluation of our school is low, the headquarters will reduce the preferential policies and subsidies for St. Freya. My grandpa made a harsh statement this time, saying that if the inspector's evaluation is too low, he will at least cut off my pocket money for two months, and no matter how much I act cute, it won't work... Grandpa is serious!"
Theresa remembered Otto's resolute expression on the screen. Although she didn't quite understand why Otto would attach so much importance to such an insignificant matter, from Otto's expression and words, he was serious.
If the inspector's evaluation of St. Freya Academy was very low, the entire academy would have to tighten their belts. No activities could be held, the students' battlesuits and weapons could not be updated, and there were also the maintenance of the campus buildings and so on.
This matter was very serious! The consequences were very serious!
There was nothing more serious than cutting off funds. At least for Theresa, she alone could not maintain the normal expenses of St. Freya Academy. You know, the biggest sponsor of St. Freya Academy was a certain God of Pure Love in Honkai who did not want to be named, the Schicksal Overseer: Otto Apocalypse.
The rest of the sponsors were mostly to give Otto face, do him a favor, and get familiar with him. Once Otto stopped sponsoring, the other sponsors would also withdraw one after another. At that time, without sponsorship and with a broken capital chain, what would they use to carry out teaching and repair equipment?
Use love to generate electricity? They would starve to death...
Therefore, before finding a rich backer, Theresa would not annoy Otto too much, and would stop at the right time. She still had to listen to Otto on key matters.
"Hiss... thinking about it this way, it is indeed a bit serious. If St. Freya's capital chain breaks, wouldn't my salary for this month also be gone?"
"But there are many imperfect equipment and buildings in the academy. Heh, Theresa, this is all your credit."
Himeko teased. Because she paid too much attention to the physical and mental development of the students, St. Freya would hold an activity every half a month, such as the Spring Festival, Summer Festival, New Year, Fireworks Festival, and so on. If the funds wasted on these were used for proper teaching, the inspector would not give a too low evaluation no matter how strict he was.
"So isn't this why I let Kiana hold him back? Kiana, that idiot, always leads the topic astray. Maybe the inspector will get tired of talking and go back to rest?" A bright light flashed in Theresa's eyes.
Himeko sighed and lamented Theresa's naivety. If the other party was really a professional, Kiana might not be good enough.
"Who knows? But Theresa, have you thought about where the inspector will sleep at night? The student dormitories are full. The newcomers, Kiana, Mei, and Bronya are living in our teachers' dormitory. It's fine if the inspector is a woman, but if it's a man, are you planning to let him into the teachers' dormitory? It's all women here. I don't mind, but what do you think Kiana and the others will think?"
Himeko turned around and analyzed the situation objectively for Theresa. She knew that Theresa's brain capacity was not large, so she analyzed the matter relatively clearly to let Theresa have a better judgment of the situation.
(Kiana: I'm going crazy.)
(Bizarre Kiana: Hehe... hehehe...)
(Mei: Are you serious?)
(Emotionally detached duck: Oh.)
(Himeko: A man!)
"Huh?" Theresa showed a stunned expression. She had only just realized this problem. After thinking for a long time, her not-so-bright brain came up with a decision she had made in a certain parallel universe.
"It's fine, it's fine. I have a plan. I'll talk to him personally when the time comes," Theresa said confidently, patting her flat chest.
Himeko was suspicious and muttered, "Is that so... I hope nothing goes wrong."
I can't rest assured at all... I hope Theresa won't make a too out-of-line choice.
At the same time, Li Mo and Shigure Kira were sitting in the airship sent by Schicksal. Li Mo sat in front of the window, overlooking the city below gradually turning from desolate and ruined to prosperous and dazzling.
The metropolis at night was always bustling. Neon lights flickered alternately, car headlights formed arcs in the darkness, and the wide river reflected them, creating a charming scenery. The bustling night scene was like a poem or a painting, revealing endless vitality in its brilliant colors.
"..."
Li Mo fell into endless silence, his turbid pupils staring at the brightly lit city below, his mood indescribably... painful.
Yes, not angry, not complicated, but painful.
After three deaths, it was not that he couldn't feel emotions, but they were very few, so few that they could be almost ignored. Just like the physics problems he did in school, friction was ignored, but that didn't mean it didn't exist.
If he only saw the bustling scene, or only the desolate scene, he wouldn't feel this emotion. Especially when he saw the constantly moving people on the road, the broken families and displaced people in several marginal cities near Nagazora City, this pain became more and more intense.
"The price... is unequal..."
Li Mo couldn't help but clench his right fist, his left hand unmoved. The perpetrator of the great Honkai, the mastermind behind the scenes, did not get the punishment he deserved. The passing of thirty million lives, although meaningless to the world, did not mean it was meaningless.
"Phew..."
"Li Mo?"
"Hmm? What's wrong? Why are you not sleeping at night? You won't be able to be energetic tomorrow. We'll be at St. Freya in seven hours, you..."
Li Mo was still talking when Shigure Kira suddenly hugged him from behind and brought her head closer.
Then... a warm feeling spread from her lips, transmitted to her teeth, mouth, and the root of her tongue... despite this, Li Mo still had no expression.
"Ngh... ngh..." Kira let out a weak gasp, greedily demanding more and more. But Li Mo did not respond, just sat there dazedly, letting Kira take whatever she wanted.
"Hah... hah..."
"You, you idiot!"
Kira's face was flushed, her expression a little angry, angry at him for not fighting, and sad for his misfortune.
"I'm an idiot?" Li Mo pointed at himself and fell into self-reflection. He couldn't understand why this word could describe him.
"Hmph! I'm not talking to you anymore. Be happy. Don't always immerse yourself in sadness."
With that, Shigure Kira turned her head and returned to her room, leaving Li Mo alone to ponder what Shigure Kira had just said.
A minute passed.
"..."
Five minutes passed.
"..."
Half an hour passed.
"Forget it."
Li Mo found that he couldn't figure it out at all. Perhaps this was the aspect of "idiot" that Shigure Kira was talking about. It was probably because he had died too many times that his reason was partially lost. But his pain had indeed been relieved a lot.
The clenched fist naturally relaxed. Li Mo no longer observed the scene below. Continuing to look would only deepen the pain that had just disappeared.
Li Mo closed his eyes. After three deaths, it was difficult for him to sleep naturally. When he completely became a Bizarre, he would never be able to fall asleep. But this was not something he had to think about now.
The airship was traveling fast. Li Mo took out the new phone MEI had given him. It was the same model as before. In addition, MEI had also reminded him, just like last time, to remind him that her message was stored on his phone.
The waiting time was not too long. The curtain of the night was quietly replaced by the elves. Li Mo couldn't feel the light. Shigure Kira woke up Li Mo, who had closed his eyes.
"Hey, idiot, get up. We're here. Don't you think the sun is very dazzling?"
Shigure Kira put on a baseball cap and tied her hair into a high ponytail, which came out from the hole in the back of the hat. She was wearing a simple pure white dress. Surprisingly, her lips were unexpectedly bright red, and her face seemed to be much whiter than before, shining brightly under the sun. She had the style of a youthful and beautiful girl.
In fact, the age of this body was indeed only eighteen. As for why, you would have to ask a certain someone what he did...
The Shigure Kira of this world was nominally dead and was now a singer in a bubble universe.
The development of everything in the native world did not deviate from the original plot. So Shigure Kira had to appear to the public with another identity.
"Welcome, welcome, the inspector from afar, and... miss?"
Two?
Theresa was dumbfounded. Didn't Grandpa say there was only one? Did she get the wrong person? No, she wouldn't mistake the airship number. It was this one.
"My name is Li Mo."
With that, Li Mo walked past Theresa and walked towards the academy.
St. Freya High School... he couldn't forget this place. Every blade of grass, every tree here, even with his eyes closed, Li Mo could walk to where he wanted to go at will.
"Hello, Principal Theresa. My name is Kira Star."
"He's the inspector, and I'm his assistant."
MEI had sent Shigure Kira a copy of the information before she left. When Li Mo entered the academy, he would definitely prioritize dealing with the Bizarre. So she would have to deal with these trivial matters.
It was rare to have a chance to show off. Shigure Kira had repeatedly chewed on the information until she had memorized it and could smoothly help Li Mo deal with these meaningless things.
Little did she know, everything was within MEI's plan...
Dealing with the Bizarre? The goal was to deal with the fantasy ghost in St. Freya High School? This ghost was raised by MEI herself. If she wanted to deal with it, she would have dealt with it when its integrity was low.
As for why she let Li Mo deal with it now, it was naturally to let him experience a rare "holiday."
After all... there was also a heavyweight in St. Freya High School: Kiana Kaslana.
MEI had studied Theresa's life history. To this, MEI only gave one evaluation: a little dwarf who was easily used as a tool.
The gate of St. Freya High School was crowded with many students. It seemed that they were very interested in the people coming down from the airship. Perhaps it was their idol. But after seeing Li Mo, they were dejected and felt that it was boring.
Li Mo was too gloomy, his face full of dead silence, like a corpse that had climbed out of a grave. His face was pale, and the temperature around him dropped by several degrees. Therefore, everyone stayed far away, without exception.
"..."
Li Mo suddenly stopped and walked towards the crowd. The crowd retreated one after another, and finally revealed the shy little girl with glasses at the back of the crowd.
"Saori Tsuruyo," Li Mo said her name.
Saori Tsuruyo was slightly stunned and carefully looked up, only to find the person in front of her extremely unfamiliar.
"Um, Inspector, why do you know my name... did I, did I do something wrong? I... can I apologize now?"
Before she could finish, Saori Tsuruyo was about to bow and apologize, but was quickly stopped by Li Mo.
"No need. I've looked at the student files. I only remember a few people, and you happen to be one of them," Li Mo lied. He hadn't looked at the student files at all, because it wasn't important.
"Huh?" Saori Tsuruyo was a little flattered.
A big shot of this level would actually remember her name, but she was just the most inconspicuous little character in the school. An existence that even the principal had to be respectful to, would actually...
Li Mo narrowed his eyes slightly. This was just a similar flower.
"You, are very good," Li Mo said this sentence and then turned and left, walking towards the deeper part of the academy.
There was a place he wanted to go and see now.
When he first came to St. Freya High School, Theresa had taken out her office for him to use as a bedroom because the student dormitories were full and the teachers' dormitories did not allow male students to stay.
He didn't know if Theresa would still make the same choice this time.
Would fate change, or would it be the same as always?
Outside the airship, Theresa was in a daze.
"Kira Star?" Theresa felt that this name was a bit familiar. After looking at Shigure Kira, she couldn't recognize her.
"Yes! You can tell me anything. My judgment is his judgment. Don't worry, I heard that St. Freya High School is a very humane place. I firmly believe this before I came, so I also believe that the leader here, you, Principal Theresa, must be a wise person. Don't worry, I will make an assessment level truthfully and will not bring personal grudges and emotions to work!"
Shigure Kira said forcefully, but it made Theresa's mouth twitch involuntarily a few times.
If it was one person, the divine beast Kiana might still have a chance to hold them back. If it was two people, Kiana would have no chance. In addition, this girl who called herself Kira Star was so enthusiastic, it felt like St. Freya was going to die!
Suddenly, a sound like a wind chime came from a distance. Yes, a wind chime, a wind chime filled with glass shards.
"Hey, old lady! Teacher Himeko said you were looking for me..."
Li Mo: "..."
Kiana: "..."
The lively Kiana suddenly became quiet the moment she saw Li Mo. Her footsteps slowed down, and she stood still.
Her pupils contracted, and she looked at the person in front of her in disbelief.
"Mo...?"