"Ahhh~~"
"Why do I still have to take exams even after becoming a Valkyrie?!"
The white-haired girl lay sprawled on the floor in a posture of defeat.
The perky curve of her bottom beneath her pleated skirt was enough to make one look twice.
As the woman facing that bottom directly, Bronya Zaychik resisted the urge to give it a slap.
"Kiana, a proper cultural education is an important quality for becoming a qualified Valkyrie."
Even knowing that this white-haired fluffball would surely jump up and give her a piece of her mind, she still faithfully carried out her duty as a roommate.
"You can't possibly expect a bunch of illiterates to save the world from the Honkai, can you?"
"Who says!"
Kiana admitted that her academic performance was poor, and that she was a dropout who hadn't completed her compulsory education.
But she would never admit to being illiterate.
"Even though I fail every subject except combat training, I can at least read, okay!"
Bronya's expression was blank. "So are you prepared to become a D-rank logistics Valkyrie for failing your academic courses?"
Schicksal's Valkyrie ranks were S, A, B, C, and D. B-rank was the minimum level for stepping onto the battlefield; the two lower ranks were responsible for logistical work within the organization.
Although Kiana's monstrous strength would make her an excellent manual laborer, one had to remember... Schicksal's technology was overwhelmingly superior to the outside world's. Tasks like moving supplies had long since ceased to require brute force.
If Kiana's grades didn't pass, she probably wouldn't even qualify for manual labor in Schicksal and could only hole up in Theresa's office as a freeloader.
At these words, the white-haired girl's face was full of embarrassment.
"I know, I know, my genius beauty Bronya, can't you help me think of something?"
Even though she knew that not becoming a Valkyrie wouldn't lead to her ending up back on the streets, forced to swallow frozen dumplings whole like before.
But as a Kaslana, Kiana had some pride.
Her stinky old dad, whom she still hadn't found, was so powerful, taking down Sanctuary-class Honkai Beasts with a single shot; she, his daughter, might be a bit lacking, but she couldn't be *that* much worse, right?
Bronya: "Then are you prepared?"
"Prepared for what?"
"Prepared for tutoring."
She got a perfect score of 100 because the test was only out of 100.
For the wise and invincible Silver Wolf of the Urals, tutoring a mere Kaslana who barely had a brain was, of course, a piece of cake.
That's what Bronya thought, but she had underestimated the extent of Kaslana wisdom.
"Like this... and this... and then you can get..."
"..."
Who am I? Where am I? What am I facing?
Even though she wasn't in a classroom, Kiana felt like a hundred teachers were nagging in her ear.
She recognized every word in the problem, but when they were combined, she couldn't make heads or tails of it.
Wrong, wrong, wrong... all wrong!
Besides the multiple-choice questions where she could guess seven or eight correctly, the other problems...
"Zero points!"
The breathtaking wisdom of a Kaslana was suffocating. Only the multiple-choice questions, which were all guesswork, were somewhat surprising.
"Kiana, your brain is just like a cat's."
"Is that a compliment on how smart I am? Hee hee~~"
A truly mind-numbing smile.
If her own brain hadn't been injured, Bronya felt she would be making a very exasperated expression right now.
That sentence, much like calling her a paramecium, was clearly an insult, yet Kiana took it as a compliment. That was a first.
It was common knowledge that besides being snobbish and disloyal, cats had another very obvious flaw: they were stupid.
Their brains were only the size of a walnut, and one that had been polished with an angle grinder at that.
Just like the Kiana before her now.
Bronya sighed. "Kiana, why don't you just ask the Principal to change all the questions to multiple-choice? That way you won't need tutoring."
Tutoring this Kaslana was torture for her, and torture for herself.
If this white-haired fluffball hadn't insisted on dragging her in to find a solution, Bronya would have washed her hands of it long ago.
At this moment, Kiana finally realized Bronya was insulting her.
She muttered, "Cats are so cute, how could they be as stupid as me?"
"What did you say?"
"Nothing."
Kiana was very well-behaved.
Seeing Kiana like this, and with no serious study methods to speak of.
Bronya knew that trying to get Kiana to the passing line her way would be incredibly difficult.
It was time to turn up the heat on this white-haired fluffball.
Immediately.
"To pass, are you willing to accept anything?"
Kiana patted her chest: "That's right! As long as I can become a B-rank Valkyrie, I can do anything!"
Very good!
The cold and ruthless Silver Wolf of the Urals immediately turned to call for backup: "Brother Brian, Kiana said she wants you to help her improve her academic qualifications."
"Hiss—!"
The Kaslana-family-heirloom blue eyes widened in an instant. Kiana made an outstanding contribution to global warming on the spot.
Let that inherently evil Blondie from next door tutor her?
No way, my dearest friend!
I trusted you so much, yet you, a Russian loli, want to push me into a pit of fire?
The events that took place inside Chiyou were still fresh in her mind. Kiana could even recall the feeling of that guy's wandering hands taking advantage of her.
Although important places like her butt and chest hadn't been defiled, her slender waist and little tummy were no longer pure.
The Blondie's intentions were as clear as day!
Just as he'd said at the very beginning, he wasn't here to break up her and Raiden Mei, but to join their family!
He didn't just want to sleep with her personal cook, he didn't want to spare her either.
And the most crucial thing was that her great-aunt and Teacher Himeko seemed to have some misunderstanding about their relationship, constantly trying to set them up in various ways.
She had tried to explain several times, but her great-aunt not only turned a deaf ear but also did as she pleased.
Kiana even believed that if she dared to nod, that man with ulterior motives would appear in her bed that very night.
If she let this guy guest-star as her tutor...
"Bronya! You're trying to harm me!"
She rolled up her sleeves and, in a very unladylike manner, strode forward, intending to use her monstrous strength to pry open Bronya's skull and show her the price of betraying a dear friend.
But the cold-blooded and ruthless Russian loli was completely unmoved, instead saying, "Kiana, for you, not being able to become a Valkyrie is something that doesn't feel real at all."
After all, her great-aunt was the highest commander of the Far East Branch. Although she was a bit of a mascot, as long as Theresa said the word and changed some data, Kiana could still become a B-rank Valkyrie.
It couldn't be helped; the basic unit of civilization is humanity.
As long as humans exist, one cannot escape the web of social relationships.
Besides, Kiana's surname was Kaslana. Her being unable to become a Valkyrie would be the real problem.
"If you're to feel any real pressure, we have to put some real danger right in front of you!"
Bronya's script was complete.
The girl's pupils trembled, but she couldn't change the fact that Bronya had already made her decision.
"Bronya, can I just not do the tutoring?"
Compared to mere grades, she felt her chastity was more important.
"No!"
Bronya retorted, then adopted a tactic from the Far East island nation, "Kiana, you don't want the Kaslana name to be mocked because you can't become a B-rank Valkyrie, do you?"
The white-haired girl was completely cornered by Bronya!
Instantly, Kiana was torn.
A little devil and a little angel had just appeared above her head, ready to battle to the edge of the universe and grind away her world-shaking intellect.
But then, the Russian loli had another idea, leaning in to whisper in her ear: "Kiana, I know what you're worried about, but we're out here in the open. Even if he has any ideas, we'll be here watching for you."
This was a lie.
Bronya had already colluded with Raiden Mei. Naturally, she would turn a blind eye to the white-haired fluffball's plight to a certain extent.
Besides, she hadn't complained; maybe this girl was actually enjoying it.
Hearing this, the struggle that had just begun in the white-haired girl's mind vanished in an instant.
That's right! Out here in public, even if that guy had ideas about her, he wouldn't do anything blatant.
If Mei and Bronya found out, with witnesses and evidence, it would be the perfect opportunity for her to win Mei back!
"Alright! I agree!"
In an instant, Kiana's eyes were filled with fighting spirit.
As she finished speaking, two figures appeared at the door.
Kiana's personal cook, whom she longed for day and night, had heard the entire conversation between Kiana and Bronya. The expression on her delicate face gradually shifted from troubled to playful.
Bronya had decided to turn up the heat on this big dummy Kiana. As her owner, she couldn't let her own pet become a pitiful D-rank Valkyrie.
She could turn up the heat, too.
"Kiana, why don't we make a deal?"
The only man present was ignored by Kiana. The rebellious girl only had eyes for Raiden Mei. "Mei, what kind of deal do you want to make with me?"
"How about this: if you can pass all your subjects with Brian's tutoring, I'll agree to one small, not-too-excessive request of yours."
For some reason, an ominous premonition grew in Kiana's heart. "And what if I can't do it?"
"Then you'll just have to marry over with me as my consort-maid."
"..."
"!!!"
Before Kiana could react, Raiden Mei turned and left, with Bronya quickly following.
The light gradually faded from the white-haired girl's eyes. "Before my eyes, there is only darkness!"
She, a prodigy of the human race, has been tragically harmed by villains, betrayed by her best friend. Just V her 60 points to help her return to her peak, and I guarantee you'll get 60 points on every exam!
Really, just 60 points!
The white-haired beauty was in a daze, but that didn't mean Brian was indifferent.
Since Raiden Mei had given the order, he naturally had to do his best to help this fool Kiana get a passing grade. At the very least, he couldn't let the future lady God of Earth be illiterate.
"Kiana, come over here! It's time for tutoring!"
"Oh!"
The crestfallen beauty sat back down, only regaining her composure when Brian's figure appeared in her field of vision.
Kiana gritted her teeth, the sound of her grinding her silver teeth audible.
"I'm warning you, don't you dare lay a hand on me!"
"That depends on whether you're obedient enough!"
Brian flashed a wide, toothy grin, sending a chill down the white-haired girl's spine.
The tutoring began.
"This problem should be solved like this..."
The knowledge from her academic classes was explained clearly, no different from what the teachers taught.
It was just that Kiana had always slept in class, so she always failed her exams.
With danger nearby, this white-haired fluffball's intelligence was actually quite remarkable.
The white-haired girl progressed rapidly, but it was still impossible to avoid difficult problems.
"How do you solve this one?"
Her pencil tapped lightly on the desk as Kiana raised her question.
Brian sat down next to her, parsing the difficult problem with her.
Between the two of them, there didn't seem to be any tension.
In the kitchen...
"Sister Mei, can this really help Kiana pass her exams?"
Bronya never had any confidence in Kiana's intelligence.
Raiden Mei, who was preparing dinner, pressed down with her kitchen knife, dicing a carrot.
"Kiana is actually very smart, but she just doesn't like to use her brain. She always likes to stay under the protection of others."
"To get her to study seriously, you have to put some pressure on her like today."
Bronya tilted her head. "Aren't you afraid that something more than friendly will happen between them?"
This 'more than friendly' definitely wasn't about checking up on Kiana's dropout-level education.
"Don't worry, with me here, they won't start fighting."
Raiden Mei's smile was gentle, yet filled with the authority of the head of the household.
"Besides, do you think Kiana has no feelings for him?"
"That idiot is just deceiving herself."
...
"You need to use a different method to solve it."
Warm male fingers took the pencil from her own fingertips.
The white-haired girl was startled awake. She had just been so engrossed in studying that she had let this man sit right next to her!
The scent of a man was close at hand; Kiana could even smell Raiden Mei on him.
But when she thought about what he had done to her inside Chiyou's body...
"You bastard, stay away from me!"
Kiana gritted her teeth!
Without hesitation, she stomped on his foot.
Just being near this man, she felt like she was teetering on the edge of losing her chastity.
This guy was too scary. Maintaining a one-meter distance from him was her bottom line!
Sudden pain. Brian, who had been tutoring Kiana, lost the mood to continue.
What happened inside Chiyou was everyone's fault, yet this girl was still holding a grudge.
Since you're so heartless, don't blame him for being ruthless!
"Kiana, you stomped on my foot without any warning. Isn't that a bit much?"
"Who told you to get so close!"
"I was trying to help you improve your education!"
"None of your business!"
"..."
Since you are so ruthless, then don't blame me for helping you improve your *hole-y* education!
The close proximity provided the lecherous man with a perfect opportunity. The white-haired girl only saw a blur before a wandering hand landed on her thigh.
She was being taken advantage of again!
Realizing this was a good chance, Kiana was about to open her mouth and call Raiden Mei over to expose this pervert's true colors.
But for some reason...
A tingling, numbing, itching sensation...
It was like being scratched by a cat.
Even though he was just stroking her thigh, it felt as if every inch of her skin was being attended to.
She wanted to shout, but she couldn't muster any strength.
"What... what did you do to me?"
Her sapphire-blue eyes gradually filled with a watery sheen.
The white-haired girl's voice trembled. Her once-strong hands couldn't even hold a pencil steady, and she could barely support her body to keep from falling onto him.
Kiana didn't know what was happening to her, but she was sure it was this scoundrel's doing!
"You... you... let go!"
She wanted to make a fierce expression, but because she was so weak, it came out as a cute kitten's meow.
Brian understood completely.
In his experience, when a beautiful girl said no at a time like this, it often meant yes.
"You want more? Good girls can't be greedy, you know."
The man's expression was a half-smile, which made Kiana want to punch him right in the face.
This was his new development of the Hand of God. By not using its full power, just one or two-tenths of its strength was enough to make the target lose the ability to resist.
It was just right for dealing with Kiana, in his opinion.
After all, she was still a pure maiden. It wasn't suitable for her to enter the world of adults too early.
If he did something too excessive to her, once she recovered, it would mean an endless chase.
"You... you bastard!"
Her fingers trembled, and her delicate skin took on a bright pink hue.
Under this unprecedented sensation, the girl who was usually endearingly silly now showed the charm of a young maiden in love, making one's mouth water.
"You were the one who started it, how can you blame me?"
Brian looked completely innocent.
If Kiana hadn't stomped on his foot, he absolutely wouldn't have retaliated in kind.
After all, Raiden Mei and Bronya were still here; it wasn't appropriate to be too handsy with Kiana.
"..."
The delicate nostrils flared slightly, and the girl's seductive eyes held a hint of hatred.
The man's hand caressed her thigh, but she could only let him do as he pleased.
Now, she could only hope that Raiden Mei and Bronya would notice the abnormality here and rescue her from this predicament.
The tingling torment continued for an unknown length of time. The tender, watery light in Kiana's eyes was about to overflow.
A warm embrace seized the opportunity, wrapping around the girl's slender waist: "Kiana, you don't want Mei to find out you're a bad girl who seduces her boyfriend, do you?"
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