St. Freya's library had a very rich collection of books. Not only did it have popular novels and magazines of the day, but it also had a full range of books in various categories. What Ming Yu was looking for was content related to Honkai Zombies, Herrschers, and Stigmata. In the field of Honkai research, studies on Honkai Zombies and Honkai Beasts were the most numerous, with titles like "On the Evolution of Scythe-type Honkai Zombies" and "Traveling with the Scythe Queen."
There was even a book titled "The Two or Three Things I Have to Say About My Time with the Scythe Queen." Out of curiosity, Ming Yu opened it only to find that the author had actually tried to cultivate a relationship with the Scythe Queen and ended up getting killed off. This made Ming Yu sigh at how the world was full of wonders; no matter which world you were in, there were always people who liked to court death. However, the author's scientific spirit was still worthy of encouragement.
The reason there was so much research on Honkai Zombies was largely due to the similarities between them and Valkyries, both having been eroded by Honkai Energy. The difference was that Valkyries relied on their resistance to Honkai Energy to fight off the corrosion of the Honkai's will, retaining their self-awareness and gaining the power to control Honkai Energy from it. Honkai Zombies, on the other hand, were completely controlled by Honkai Energy, turned into monsters that only knew destruction. But strangely, Honkai Zombies had a better utilization rate of Honkai Energy than Valkyries, which was a research direction for many.
In comparison, books on Herrschers and Stigmata were much scarcer. After all, Herrschers and Stigmata were not something ordinary people could come into contact with, and the related knowledge and technology were highly classified, far beyond what someone of Ming Yu's level could access. This disappointed Ming Yu a little, but it was also within his expectations.
Since Mei was planning to make fried chicken legs tonight, the four of them didn't stay in the library for long. They borrowed the books they needed and left, taking a detour on the way back to the dorm to buy ingredients.
As soon as they returned to the dorm, Bronya eagerly turned on her game console. Ming Yu also joined Bronya's team. Mei went into the kitchen, and Kiana followed to help, though she was most likely looking for a chance to sneak some food, a trait inherited from the Kaslana family's foodie lineage.
Looking at the three of them, each busy with their own thing, Ming Yu felt a warmth rise from the bottom of his heart. Since coming to this world, this was the first time he had experienced the warmth of a home. Perhaps this was why many students chose to stay at St. Freya even after reaching the graduation standard.
Himeko returned just as dinner was almost ready. Seeing the meal Mei had prepared, Himeko couldn't help but exclaim, "So lavish today! There are even chicken legs."
Kiana picked up a chicken leg, took a bite, and said proudly, "You have me to thank for this."
Mei slapped Kiana's hand that was holding the chicken leg and said with mock anger, "Alright, Kiana, dinner is about to be served."
Sitting at the dinner table, Ming Yu said with some confusion, "Speaking of which, I haven't seen the Principal all day." Since tasting Mei's cooking, Theresa had decided to come over for a free meal whenever she had time. She even planned to move Mei into her apartment, but Himeko rejected the idea on the grounds that the Principal was too busy with her duties.
"I don't know," Himeko said, shaking her head. "Probably working overtime somewhere. Don't worry about her, let's eat first."
Ming Yu had some guesses about this. After Mei, the true Herrscher, had left, the residual Honkai Energy in Nagazora had given birth to another Herrscher. However, due to insufficient Honkai Energy, it only created a Pseudo-Herrscher, a being between a Honkai Zombie and a Herrscher. Theresa had likely gone to deal with this problem.
However, due to Theresa's carelessness, she was poisoned by this Pseudo-Herrscher. She was found by Yae Sakura, who used her own Herrscher Core to detoxify her, but Yae Sakura also turned into Theresa's Stigmata and disappeared from this world.
Thinking of Yae Sakura's fate, Ming Yu felt a little sad. At heart, Yae Sakura was truly a kind person. She had even taught him swordsmanship. Although it was only for a day, that time was one of the few moments of peace Ming Yu had during his time in Nagazora.
"Maybe the Principal really is busy with something. She'll come next time when she has a chance. Let's eat first," Mei said, thinking Ming Yu was down because Theresa hadn't come, not suspecting any other reason.
"Yeah." Hearing Mei's words, Ming Yu also perked up to face the feast on the table. After all, feeling sad now wouldn't change anything. Of course, there was another reason: Kiana had already started her rampage, and if he didn't make a move soon, he'd be left with nothing but soup.
After the meal, Ming Yu consciously helped clean up to avoid seeming like a complete freeloader. Himeko, as the owner of the apartment, had no such scruples and slumped onto the sofa, patting her stomach, her impressive figure on full display. Kiana looked at her and fell into a deep depression. Bronya was focused on her game. Ming Yu glanced over and then silently went into the kitchen to help Mei with the dishes.
Late at night, feeling slightly agitated, Ming Yu walked out of his room. Looking at the night scenery outside, he was moved by an impulse and went to the balcony to cool off.
St. Freya was very quiet late at night. Looking out from the balcony, the roadside trees obscured the light from the streetlamps, and the bushes in the night were a dark green, noticeably deeper in color than their surroundings. There were few pedestrians on the road, making the entire campus feel spacious and tranquil. Closing his eyes, it felt as if his whole heart had calmed down.
"Looking for any pretty girls?" Himeko's teasing voice suddenly sounded by his ear. He didn't need to turn around to imagine the smile on her lips.
"No," Ming Yu said, looking a bit embarrassed. He had never been teased like this before.
"So? St. Freya is alright, isn't it? How do you feel?" Himeko asked, leaning against the balcony and staring into Ming Yu's eyes.
"It's great," Ming Yu replied after a moment of thought. "Much better than Nagazora. I feel very safe and warm here."
"I really don't get what you've been through before. You don't seem that special. I can't figure out what your previous organization saw in you, or why they would abandon you," Himeko said with a sigh, looking puzzled.
When the topic of his "past" came up, Ming Yu didn't speak rashly. Besides, Himeko's words confused him. *Did I have a previous organization? What have they been imagining?*
"But you can rest assured here. As long as you don't do anything to harm St. Freya, we will definitely protect you," Himeko said, patting Ming Yu's shoulder with a promise.
"Thank you, Auntie Him—... sis~" Ming Yu was touched, but seeing Himeko's expression gradually turning serious, his strong survival instinct made him change the address at the last second. The lesson from Kiana this afternoon was still fresh in his mind. If he called her "Auntie," he would probably be dragged out for extra training, even if it was the middle of the night.
"Mm, good boy~" Hearing his address, Himeko beamed, her eyes crinkling happily as she patted Ming Yu's head.
Ming Yu felt a bit helpless. Who told Himeko-sis to be both older and stronger? He had no choice but to silently endure the head-patting. *I'll write this down in my little notebook and get back at her sooner or later.* After staying for a little longer, Ming Yu said goodnight and escaped back to his room.
Watching Ming Yu's somewhat flustered retreat, a smile appeared in Himeko's eyes as she murmured, "What an interesting little guy."