Chapter 483: Super-Hearing Ninja! March 7th Drops the Act Entirely!
After answering Mr. Reca's first two questions—the self-introduction and her personal strengths—Mr. Reca was thoroughly pleased with Stelle's performance!
Then came the third question.
"Now for the third question. Let's have her ask it."
"This little one is the assistant director and a reliable partner. Cinematography, continuity, editing… she knows it all, and her eye for talent is even sharper than mine."
The mechanical toad sat there quietly.
No matter how one looked at it, it was just a toy.
Yet, Mr. Reca said with genuine warmth, "Mm, her question is very sharp. Stelle, please answer."
At this moment, three dialogue options appeared:
[ She didn't make a sound.
She's so cute.
Ribbit, ribbit! ]
Little Gui naturally knew the protagonist's unhinged personality inside and out!
She decisively chose the third option.
Assistant Director: "…"
"Heh, you've amused her. What a humorous actor you are," Mr. Reca narrated.
"Now then, for the final question—"
"Nameless, your memories began at the terminal of Erudition, boarded the Astral Express of Trailblaze, and on your journey witnessed the will of Preservation, the resolve of Hunt, and the dispute between Harmony and Order…"
"You have traversed different sets and witnessed different stories. Now, have you found your own theme—or rather, your own dream?"
The moment these words were spoken!
All the players were instantly taken aback!
The live bullet chat exploded in an instant!
…
"??? How does Mr. Reca know all this?!"
"Is it because of the application materials Himeko submitted?"
"Himeko's submitted files definitely didn't include fighting Sunday's Order, right? The moment Reca mentioned Order, things got sus!"
"He must have played Honkai: Star Rail! [ joking ]"
"The guy is a Pathstrider of Remembrance, after all…"
"It's over, my memories have been completely laid bare!"
"I'm suing you Memokeepers! Defend personal memory privacy rights!"
…
Hearing these words, Stelle, who had been grinning cheekily in the cutscene, instantly widened her eyes!
She demanded, "How do you know so much?"
"Naturally, a director must read an actor's résumé thoroughly before an audition. This is standard practice."
In the end, Little Gui selected the option: [ Yes, I have found it. ]
Mr. Reca did not press any further.
Instead, he said, "I see. Congratulations. With such a clear goal, your film's box office is sure to be high."
"CUT—Your assessment is complete. Let's see the results…"
"Most of your answers were witty, fitting for a star before the camera. Coupled with your experience winning the Charmony Festival Auditions, the college best suited for you is—the College of Harmonious Music!"
Little Gui was naturally satisfied with this result.
It was definitely better than going to the College of Dreamweaving to pour concrete!
After the assessment concluded, March 7 grumbled, "Ugh… that Mr. Reca guy actually said the college that fits me best isn't Harmonious Music, but the College of Dreamweaving!"
"I thought I had quite the flair for acting, but in the end, I have to go pour concrete at the Dream's Edge? How does that make any sense?"
"So, did you accept it?" Dan Heng asked.
"Of course I—couldn't refuse. He said I'd encounter a future full of dramatic tension in the College of Dreamweaving. He sounded so solemn about it, it really piqued my curiosity."
"Well, there's nothing to lose anyway, so might as well give it a shot."
…
"Why did both March and I get sorted into Dreamweaving?"
"Huh? Is it different for everyone? I got the College of Fortune."
"Different choices lead to different results."
"As a real-life civil engineering dog, I got sorted into Dreamweaving. Pouring concrete in my dreams and in reality [ cries ]"
"So fake! How could our College of Dreamweaving have a cute girl like March? It's all burly, broad-shouldered bros and sisters!"
"I damn well switched to Harmonious Music. I'm the renowned Star of the Festival, and you won't let me perform?"
"Dreamweaving uses memory and imagination, which actually fits March pretty well."
"Maybe she can use Six-Phased Ice as building material lol"
"March 7th: Subject to organizational reassignment!"
…
After the exam, the three decided to head to the Creative Assembly to check it out.
First, they tasted pastries from the Dessert Club.
Then, they bought a Slumbernana Monkey from the Figurine Club.
So far, everything seemed completely normal!
It felt entirely like the everyday life of students at Paperfold University.
However, this was the main storyline of Honkai: Star Rail, not a life sim or campus life game.
The unexpected arrived very quickly!
"Baseball Bat Ninja! What a fateful reunion after such a long parting!"
Rappa made her entrance once again!
She enthusiastically greeted the Astral Express trio.
"And you two, Anonymous Ninjas, a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am the Dazzling Ninja Hero, AKA Rappa."
"Anonymous Ninjas? Do you mean Nameless? We have names, you know… I'm March 7th, and he's Dan Heng," March 7 explained.
Clearly, she was not yet accustomed to Rappa's style.
Rappa nodded earnestly: "What resplendent monikers—greetings to you, Ninja Ruri, and you, Flying Dragon Ninja!"
March 7 gave an awkward chuckle.
Dan Heng, with a deadpan expression, emphasized once more: "My name is Dan Heng."
"Understood, Flying Dragon Ninja, AOI, Lord Dan Heng."
…
"Master Dan Heng unlocks a new nickname, lmao"
"Rappa is really something when it comes to naming lol"
"Translation: Cold-faced Little Dragon."
"Did she see through Dan Heng's Vidyadhara dragon lineage in one glance? Or did Boothill mention it to Rappa beforehand?"
"How did she know he's a dragon? [ blank stare ]"
"Rappa: 'I could tell with one look that you two aren't ordinary humans!'"
"A ninja like Rappa probably possesses some kind of ability to perceive true essence…"
…
Back at the Paperfold University scene, looking at the bullet chat, March 7th couldn't help but lower her voice, whispering to Stelle beside her: "Rappa's read on people is scary accurate!"
"Do you think… our disguises were seen through right from the very start?"
Stelle glanced over toward Rappa and Boothill, feeling a bit uneasy herself: "Probably not… right?"
However, Rappa's expression shifted suddenly from her nearby seat!
Her gaze snapped right toward them!
Meeting Stelle's eyes head-on!
The next second, Rappa stood straight up!
She demanded:
"You two, this one has overheard your conversation."
"You truly have employed [ Ninjutsu 457: Disguise ]!"
"State your true identities at once, or this dojo shall harbor you no longer in peace."
March 7th covered her mouth in shock.
They had kept their voices so low just now!
She could barely even hear herself!
Yet this Rappa still managed to catch it!
Just how insane was her hearing?!
Meanwhile, in the cutscene, Dan Heng was musing: "The cosmos is vast and full of wonders. Perhaps a planet of Ninjutsu truly does exist."
"Is she the ninja you saw in your dream?"
Rappa answered: "Precisely. The Baseball Bat Ninja and I are sworn comrades bound by the Ninja Path, having braved life and death together, trapped in the malevolent illusions and sharing in mutual peril."
"Eavesdropping on others is hardly righteous conduct."
"A ninja's supreme hearing can detect even the decay of a proton. You discussing matters aloud before me does not count as eavesdropping."
Seeing this scene, March 7th finally came to a realization!
However, what immediately followed was a barrage of hostile voices directed straight at them!
"Miss Rappa is amazing!"
"Is this what a real ninja is like?!"
"I knew something was off about these two from the start!"
"Suspicious looks, extremely stealthy vibes!"
"Could these two be underlings of Dr. Primitive?"
"Fess up! What is your real motive for infiltrating our Paperfold University?!"
March 7th took a deep breath!
She seemed to have made up her mind!
"This lady has had enough!"
"No more pretending…"
With that, she took off her wig and ear clips.