It is my first time talking to Himeko personally. My first impression of her goes as far back as when I played the game. Her character is pretty clear at that time. A middle-aged woman who has consecutive failed dates under her belt. She loves drinking late at night, worries about salary increases, and possesses a mature mindset suitable for a teacher at Saint Freya. Her maturity led to her utmost teaching inside the academy, which ultimately pushed her to save Kiana's life in exchange of hers.
Himeko trusted Kiana enough in that endeavor—that Kiana would inherit the ideal she carried amidst her time in the battlefield against the honkai. The time she treaded each step, her surroundings filled with her comrades' corpses, taught her a fine lesson—
To fight for all that is beautiful.
I never got to know her beyond that. Aside from our occasional, brief meetings, we haven't really talked about things.
"I have to thank you for the nice retirement plan you gave me."
Hearing her words emboldened the "bachelor" tag slapped to her forehead. Though I could understand where she's coming from. Who would dislike a retirement package that lets you do anything you want?
In Himeko's case, her cultivation and status allowed her to slack off despite being the Peak Master of the Fire Vein.
"It isn't much of an issue. The Principal here is also retired, no?"
My question prompted Theresa, who is behind us, to speak.
"Not really."
"Hm..?"
"Those guys… they can't let go of me."
She flashed a tired look. The kind one would get after committing to consecutive overtimes with no pay.
"They are always using my name as a form of emergency button whenever there's a massive dispute at the Federation's council!"
Theresa's rants spilled out continuously. From her words, the Federation treated her like a typical Sect Ancestor in a cliched xianxia novel. Whenever they face trouble that far surpasses their capabilities, they would go to her home and ask for help. Theresa is someone who could not bear to say no to them, which led to their current situation.
"...If they ever asked for my help again, I won't hesitate to teach them a small lesson..!"
Himeko, who is on my right, wore a doubtful look. I met her gaze, with our thoughts echoing out.
There's a high chance she won't do it.
That's how Theresa is—someone who helps others wholeheartedly. Someone who goes the opposite way Otto Apocalypse treaded. The things she learned during the time she was Schicksal's Overseer honed that character of hers… at least that's how I saw it.
Himeko, as someone beside Theresa for centuries, clearly saw more.
After this talk, Teriri became more proactive with talking. It did not take long before we arrived at our destination—Himeko's house. She brought it up herself as the best place to drink at. Perhaps Himeko isn't too fond of bars, more so with her history of failed dates. Maybe she considered mine and Theresa's preferences. Though I felt it was weird to invite me inside her house, I chose not to think much about it.
The city held a transit area for any outgoing person. It is similar to a toll gate that hands out 'checks' that allow one to fly in the airspace. Similarly, it is also the hub of teleportation arrays that connects not just Earth, but other planets too.
The moment the staff saw Theresa's face, they immediately straightened their backs and performed a military salute.
""Greetings to the former President!""
"...Acknowledged."
Once her words passed, the two military personnel lowered their hands. Himeko saw my curious look and walked closer to my side.
"There is a curriculum later passed on all academies certified by the Federation. One of them dealt with our history against the honkai as well as her tenure as the Federation's 'Greatest' President."
From her words, it seemed like I am not the only one who got glazed to the heavens. Then again, it is a worthy glaze. Theresa worked very hard for it.
We watched her deal with the matters related to our usage of the teleportation array. She walked up to an access terminal—a pale silver stele half of my height—and connected to it through her divine mind. The process isn't long, only about five minutes.
Before I realized it, the teleportation array beneath my feet 'sucked' me inside an independent imaginary space.
Is this the might of the Star Network..?
Back then, the Star Network was merely a prototype formation formed by me, Bronya, and Kiana. Its ultimate evolution is a pinnacle eighth-grade formation that connects all of the solar system's humanity into one. The connected cultivators can use this connection to absorb spiritual qi, communicate with others, and escape back to their pre-designated area. Once needed, the formation spirit, Promy, could borrow all of humanity's strengths to unleash devastating might upon the real universe.
I pushed aside these thoughts as I examined the 'Cave Heaven' around me. A garden surrounded the villa in its center. All sorts of flowers are planted in a symmetrical, planned manner. There are also trees that bore all sorts of colorful flowers. The scent of their nectars combined with each other, creating a refreshing scent.
With a hint of laziness, Himeko led us to her front door. She pushed the wooden gate open, revealing an eastern-type courtyard. The wooden floor extended outside the walls, serving as convenient pathways covered by the extended roof. A part of the courtyard is filled with a small pond. I caught sight of several fishes swimming. Each one of them held spiritual qi, fulfilling the legends of 'carps leaping over the dragon gate'.
Imagining Himeko with a bunch of dragons at her call is a cool moment, indeed.
"If Miss Himeko wants them to turn into dragons, you can approach Kiana for assistance. We have the resources needed for nurturing Demon Beasts."
"..?"
Her confused look greeted my eyes. Several thoughts flickered in her eyes as her embarrassment became apparent in my eyes.
"I… alright."
…
Did she casually place them here? And all of them are Demon Beasts?
To find animals capable of evolving into demon beasts all depended on luck. Since they aren't genetically modified unlike humans, the population of Demon Beasts had always been at a constant low.
"I was thinking of grilling a few for later…"
Hearing her faint whisper, I could only send those poor carps a look of pity.