"Huh? Immortal Celestial? Why does that name sound a little familiar?"
Theresa frowned and stroked her chin. She suddenly felt as if she had seen that name somewhere before, but she couldn't quite recall where.
"Immortal Celestial? Class Monitor, you had a title like that? Speaking of which, the term 'immortal' sounds like something from Shenzhou," Raiden Mei added.
"Shenzhou... I remember now!"
Mei's reminder was like a flash of inspiration for Theresa, and she instantly recalled it.
"The Immortal Celestial, the guardian of Shenzhou. Since ancient times, she has watched over the continent of Shenzhou, repelling the invasions of the Honkai beasts."
Theresa finally remembered seeing the name in Schicksal's database. At the time, there wasn't much information about her, just a simple record, making it seem more like a legend. After all, how could an ordinary person possibly live for hundreds of years?
"Y-You're really that Immortal Celestial? It's not just the same name, is it?" Theresa's jaw dropped, her face a picture of disbelief.
Good grief, does this St. Freya Academy of mine have to be so ridiculous?
First Herrschers, now an Immortal. Her humble little St. Freya was somehow housing all these crouching dragons and hidden phoenixes. It was truly becoming a classic tale.
"Sigh. Principal, you're not mistaken. Many years ago, people did indeed call me the Immortal Celestial."
Fu Hua sighed. Her cover had been completely blown. There was no point in hiding it anymore, so she might as well just admit it.
"Then you really are the guardian of Shenzhou? And you've lived for hundreds of years? How did you do it? Are you a real immortal? Can you live forever?" Theresa's eyes lit up, and she fired off a series of questions like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.
"Theresa, calm down. If you ask so many questions at once, how do you expect Fu Hua to answer you?" Himeko pressed her hand to her forehead, exasperated, and managed to cut off Theresa's frantic questioning.
"Um, Fu... Immortal Celestial."
"You can all just call me Fu Hua."
Himeko had been about to say 'Student Fu Hua,' but thought it might be inappropriate. However, seeing as Fu Hua herself said it was fine, she gladly accepted.
"Alright then, Student Fu Hua. Please answer the question first. As for your story... if you wish to tell us, we would be happy to listen. But if you don't, that's fine too. Everyone has their own secrets, and we won't force you."
"Thank you."
Fu Hua gave Himeko a grateful look. She did indeed have many secrets, and some of them she herself had even forgotten. It was truly inconvenient to tell others about them.
"I choose A."
[Answer... Correct.]
[Congratulations, you have received one copy of The Six Styles Training Manual.]
A small booklet materialized from the void and fell into Fu Hua's hands.
She subconsciously flipped through it and was immediately captivated by the various techniques and cultivation methods within.
As a grandmaster who had cultivated martial arts to the pinnacle, she instantly understood the profound mysteries contained within the training manual.
Some of the techniques were things she had never even conceived of. If she could master them and integrate their essence into her own martial arts, it would provide a significant boost to her current combat prowess.
Moreover, she could give it to Kiana and the others to practice. She believed it could enhance their strength considerably as well.
"So the Class Monitor only became a Valkyrie to protect Shenzhou," Kiana said, sighing with admiration in her heart. The Class Monitor really is a good person.
"It was merely a transaction," Fu Hua said, shaking her head.
Just as she was about to say more, an image appeared in the Q&A space.
In the image, her own figure was seated inside a bamboo house. Across from her sat Otto, a cup of clear tea on the table between them.
"This is..."
Although she had already heard about the miraculous nature of the Q&A space from the others and had seen images of the future, seeing a scene from her own past play out like a movie still felt surreal to Fu Hua.
"Is this what the Class Monitor used to look like? So beautiful, just like a true immortal."
Watching the figure in the image—clad in azure and white cloud-patterned robes, with gray hair cascading down to her waist like a waterfall, and a serene and otherworldly aura, like a lone orchid in a secluded valley—Kiana and the others were all captivated.
Although her facial features were the same, the change in her clothes and temperament made her seem like a completely different person.
At that moment, Otto's voice came from the image.
"Old friend, it's been a long time. How have you been all these years?" Otto said with an easy familiarity, smiling as he lifted his teacup for a light sip.
"What is it?"
Fu Hua's face was devoid of expression, and her voice was calm and ethereal. Without any unnecessary pleasantries or nonsense, she cut straight to the point.
"Old friend, we haven't seen each other in so long. Shouldn't we catch up first?"
"..."
"Alright, alright." Seeing that Fu Hua was the same as ever, Otto shrugged and got straight to the purpose of his visit.
"Old friend, I've come this time to invite you to join Schicksal."
"..."
"Hehe, don't look at me with that expression. I'm not joking," Otto said, taking another sip of tea.
"Why?" Fu Hua asked calmly.
"There is no 'why.' I simply need your help," Otto replied.
"If you came here just to say that, then please leave."
"Old friend, don't be so heartless. After all, I did save your life back then."
"..."
Seeing that Fu Hua still had no reaction, Otto chuckled and said unhurriedly,
"Old friend, how much power do you have left now? Hehe, don't be nervous, I mean you no harm. I just want to ask you, with your current strength, can you still protect the land beneath your feet?"
"...I will continue to protect it." A slight change appeared on Fu Hua's face. Otto's words had clearly struck a nerve.
That's right, she thought. How much strength do I have left? And for how much longer can I protect Shenzhou?
"How about this? Why don't we make a deal?" Otto proposed again.
"You join Schicksal and work for me, and in return, Schicksal will help you protect the continent of Shenzhou. How does that sound?"
"..."
Fu Hua remained silent, but a flicker of hesitation crossed her eyes.
"My friend, the strength of one person is ultimately insignificant. Even if you gather another group of followers, can you guarantee they won't betray you like those few did?"
"Trust in the power of Schicksal, Immortal Celestial. I will not deceive you."
With that, Otto said no more, leisurely sipping his tea.
An unknown amount of time passed before a slightly hoarse voice finally sounded in the bamboo house.
"Alright."
A smile spread across Otto's face, and the image ended.