Himeko could only sigh in resignation.
If only someone could share her workload, she wouldn't be in this state.
Especially a certain someone with S-rank capabilities who never went out on missions and instead stayed in her office reading comics and eating snacks.
"Ahem, Himeko, you know that becoming an S-rank Valkyrie isn't just about strength—it also requires achievements. I'm helping you here. You know how much authority an S-rank Valkyrie has."
"Well, thank you so much."
What a classic case of a boss who knows how to make promises and a subordinate who can only eat those promises.
If it weren't for the fact that Theresa was genuinely capable, Himeko would have suspected that she became the head of the Far East Branch solely because of her father's influence.
"Ew, Auntie Himeko, you're so unhygienic. Even when I was wandering alone, I wasn't this messy."
Picking up a black lace item, Kiana said with a look of disgust.
However, she completely failed to notice that she had just invoked a forbidden title.
"Who are you calling 'Auntie'?!"
Without any surprise, Kiana's head received a loving strike from Himeko.
The pain made Kiana grimace.
"Well, it's true. Can't even let people say it."
If Kiana hadn't seen Himeko's messy side, she would have thought of her as a reliable big sister.
But after witnessing such a sloppy scene, she immediately associated her with the image of an "old leftover woman."
Thus, it was only natural for Kiana to start calling her "Auntie."
"You! Fine, fine, Kiana. I'll be paying special attention to you from now on. Remember that—special attention."
Himeko's veins were bulging with anger, but she ultimately held back from further violence.
After all, there would be plenty of opportunities to get back at her in the future.
Little did Kiana know that she would receive "special treatment" in her upcoming academic life.
Soon, Kiana and the others arrived at their rooms and began tidying up.
As for daily necessities, St. Freya Academy had its own commercial street.
After all, the students here weren't just students—they were also trainee Valkyries. They received a salary, and tuition was free.
"Kiana, although your abilities haven't been officially assessed yet, it's safe to assume you're at least C-rank Valkyries. Here are three cards—your first month's salary, paid in advance."
"Hehe, thanks, Aunt Theresa. You're the best, unlike that good-for-nothing dad of mine."
Hugging Theresa and planting a kiss on her cheek, Kiana took the card with a face full of joy.
"Achoo! Who's thinking about me?"
Sniffling, Siegfried felt a bit puzzled.
But he quickly shook his head. He still had to join Anti-Entropy and couldn't stay at the academy any longer.
However, he decided to take one last look at his daughter before leaving.
Not up close, but from a distance.
He knew just how much hardship his daughter would face in the future.
Sneaking into a corner, Siegfried watched his daughter's cheerful laughter and felt genuinely happy for her.
Then, he immediately set off to join Anti-Entropy—though not under Cocolia's faction.
"...Elysia, is it really okay for us to pose as students and join St. Freya? And this is a girls' school. What's a guy like me doing here?"
That's right. In the faculty dorm, Chang Yuan looked helplessly at Elysia.
Oh, great. So this is how they're playing it? Becoming the only male student in a girls' school? He'd probably be under constant scrutiny every day.
Besides, they were both tens of thousands of years old. What was the point of pretending to be students?
"Ah, you don't have to be a student. You could be a teacher, right? Look, the Herrscher of Reason is here as a history teacher. Why can't you do the same?"
"...Sure, why not? I might as well apply to be the captain of the Hyperion."
"That's not a bad idea either. I'm sure little Theresa would agree."
"..."
Chang Yuan stared at Elysia in silence.
But in the end, he couldn't win against her and nodded in agreement.
Of course, he wasn't going to be a student—he'd be a martial arts instructor.
After all, he hadn't spent all that time training in the Stigma Space for nothing.
When it came to martial arts, he could confidently say that even Fu Hua would pale in comparison.
"Yay! I'll call little Theresa right now."
Taking out her phone, Elysia dialed the number of the person saved as "World's Second Cutest" in her contacts.
Because she was the world's cutest, of course.
"Little Theresa, we want to..."
"Huh? Wait, you two elders really want to do this?"
After understanding Elysia's request, Theresa was completely baffled.
Oh, great. Two people tens of thousands of years old—one wants to be a student, and the other wants to be a teacher.
Being a teacher is one thing, but wanting to be a student? Trying to be the protagonist of a power fantasy novel, huh?
"Ah, is it not okay? I think it's fine. It won't cause any major issues."
"...Fine, fine, just come. Sigh, I can't do anything about you two. But you absolutely cannot show off your full strength.
According to the script, during the Wendy incident later on, if you're too strong, Wendy won't be captured because Kiana and the others will definitely come to you for help.
That would deviate from the original plan. We intend for Wendy to be captured so that Fu Hua can infiltrate later and use Fenghuang Down to alter everyone's memories, making them believe those events have already happened."
After all, Wendy was her student. Theresa couldn't possibly let Wendy die for real.
Not to mention, Wendy already knew about her future and willingly accepted the surgery to become the Fourth Herrscher.
However, the other Valkyries didn't ostracize her—they treated her like a friend and took care of her, so there was no way she'd turn to the dark side.
Her "fall" would just be an act.
At the moment, Wendy was bored out of her mind playing games and had even invited Theresa to join her for a duo match.
"Got it, got it. I won't show off. I'll only display a tiny fraction of my strength."
Elysia naturally knew what was going to happen.
So she planned to play the fool—or rather, a gentle, pink pig.
If she showed too much strength, Kiana and the others might rely on her, which would hinder their growth.
If Kiana failed the final test because of this, everything would be ruined.
"Alright, I've registered you. You'll be in the same class as Kiana and the others. As for you, Senior Chang Yuan, you'll be the martial arts instructor."