A few days later. St. Freya High School. Commercial Street
Inside a shop in the northwest area of the commercial street, Kiana looked at the swimsuits before her and couldn't help but feel that...
Ah, this combination is still so weird.
Especially after Bronya calmly picked out a children's swimsuit, she actually started leading me over to these ones...
I'm grateful to her, of course, but this feeling is just really strange.
"Big Sister Kiana, is something wrong?"
Looking at the conflicted Kiana, Bronya glanced at the swimsuits and asked.
"Is there nothing here that you like?"
"Well, how should I put it..."
Kiana recalled Siegfried's 'method for picking up guys' that he'd told her when he was drunk, and she asked Bronya in a quiet voice.
"It's not that I think these swimsuits are bad, it's just..."
"My stinky old dad said that all young guys are perverts."
"These swimsuits are pretty, but..."
"But?"
"They're not... revealing enough—isn't there a bit too much fabric?"
Hearing Kiana's words, Bronya let out a helpless sigh.
"Well, Big Sister Kiana, your line of thinking isn't wrong."
"Although Leo doesn't usually show much interest in this area, Bronya firmly believes that—as long as his *orientation is normal, he definitely likes pretty girls."
"A swimsuit with less fabric can indeed catch his eye."
"But, Big Sister Kiana, you have to analyze the specific situation."
"A swimsuit with less fabric can easily attract attention at first glance, but—you need to think clearly, where does your advantage lie?"
"My... advantage?"
If this were the old Kiana, she would have confidently listed a whole string of advantages she believed she had.
But now, after the experiences of the past two months, Kiana no longer dared to overestimate herself.
In terms of strength—among the students in the dorm, two were Herrschers, one could solo a Pseudo-Herrscher, and another had resolved several large-scale Honkai crises.
And the last one, Bronya, while not exceptionally strong, had support and logistics skills that were better than a professional's.
This made Kiana's strength, which should have been outstanding among her peers, seem completely unimpressive in front of her close companions.
It was fine at first, but after two months, Kiana had come to accept this fact.
Under these circumstances, the once supremely confident Kiana thought for a few seconds and discovered with horror—that she couldn't even find a single good quality about herself.
In terms of combat power, not counting Anna who just transferred to the Far East Branch, she was the second to last among the students in the dorm.
In terms of academic performance... let's just skip that for now.
In terms of looks, she was a beautiful girl, no doubt, but there was no shortage of beauties in this dorm.
Her personality was even less worth mentioning. Who would like an arrogant lazybones?
"Big Sister Kiana, you... why did you stop talking?"
Seeing the even more embarrassed look on Kiana's face, Bronya truly felt that her life was too difficult.
The old Kiana was extremely confident, even a little arrogant.
But because of this arrogance, she ended up sleeping in class, which led to a decline in her grades, which in turn caused a chain of subsequent events—like the Kaslana radar being triggered a few days ago, which, in a sense, was also related to her laziness.
If she hadn't slacked off during her first few months at the academy and had actually finished her courses, she could have taken the initiative to ask Leo Ash out.
And if Leo Ash had been asked out, the incident between him and Fu Hua might not have been triggered at all.
You were too arrogant in the past, and now when you're asked to find your strengths, you've become insecure.
Wow, it's a good thing that the old idiot Big Sister Kiana has become more sensible.
But now that you're too sensible, you're...
My head hurts so much.
"Forget it, Bronya will just say it directly."
Bronya, who had originally intended to guide Kiana into thinking about her own strengths, could only choose to state her thoughts directly.
"Wearing less does make it easier to attract the attention of young men, but, Big Sister Kiana—you and Leo have been together day and night for almost two months. He's already tired of looking at you."
"For a man and a woman to enter the honeymoon phase, there must be enough excitement and novelty. You think showing skin in a swimsuit is one way, but the problem is—you are not suited for such a gaudy style of dress."
Picking up a swimsuit, Bronya said with a serious expression.
"I don't know what kind of psychological changes you've gone through recently, but in terms of appearance and temperament, you can be a little more confident."
"Kiana Kaslana is, without a doubt, a youthful and beautiful girl."
"For a beautiful girl like you, choosing a swimsuit that can highlight your 'lively' characteristic is much more valuable than one that simply has less fabric to add some cheap allure."
"Is... is that so?"
After Bronya's long speech, Kiana doubtfully took the swimsuit from her.
Then, she nodded forcefully and walked towards the changing room with the swimsuit.
Hmm, this should be fine, then.
Big Sister Yuna said that our tactics can't be the same, otherwise, we won't be able to see which one is more effective.
Besides, there was one more thing Bronya didn't say.
Big Sister Kiana's rivals are undoubtedly Class Rep and Big Sister Mei. Bronya doesn't know if Class Rep will buy a swimsuit, but her figure...
Hmm, her three-sizes are actually not that different from Big Sister Kiana's.
But you can't tell from her usual clothes.
However, on Big Sister Mei's side, you can see that her buns are a little bigger than Big Sister Kiana's.
If they both choose swimsuits with less fabric, Big Sister Kiana's advantage in figure will be magnified instead.
If a frontal assault won't work, we'll just have to break through from other angles.
But after saying so much, this was all Bronya could do.
After teaching Big Sister Kiana a few suggestive poses, the rest would be up to her.
And, although it's a bit late to be thinking about this now, but...
—with Big Sister Yuna pushing things behind the scenes, is she sure this won't backfire?
..
Meanwhile
In a shop in the southeast area of the commercial street, Mei blushed as she stared at the swimsuits before her, feeling that...
"Yuna, are you really sure these swimsuits are okay?"
"Huh?"
Picking up a swimsuit at random, Yuna glanced at it and then turned to the blushing Mei with a puzzled look.
"Is there something wrong with these swimsuits?"
"This is just too..."
Looking at the swimsuits, each with less fabric than the last, Mei stammered in a small voice.
"It's too bold..."
Hearing Mei's comment, Yuna sighed helplessly.
"...Sigh."
"Although I expected you to feel this way, now that I've heard you say it, I still feel that—Mei, you still don't understand the situation."
[That's right. Poison Ivy is right. Mei, you really don't understand the situation.]
Huh?
What are you guys talking about?
Hearing the question Mei voiced in her heart, the Herrscher of Thunder didn't speak immediately, but waited for Yuna to continue.
Unaware of the conversation happening between Mei and her Herrscher Personality, Yuna continued on her own.
"Mei, you might not have noticed this, but..."
"—According to my observations, among us in the younger generation, you have the biggest buns."
?
??
???
Yuna, what on earth have you been looking at?
Why do you even care about things like that???
"This is your advantage, and you should use it."
Picking up a swimsuit that Mei didn't dare to look at directly, Yuna said to her very seriously.
"Senior is usually a gentleman when it comes to relationships, but even the most rational-looking gentleman has a beast living inside him."
"This swimsuit can maximize your figure's advantages, thereby awakening the beast within Senior—once he notices your charm, are you still worried he won't fall for you?"
"This... this... this..."
Doubtfully taking the swimsuit, Mei went into the changing room and put it on anyway.
Then, her face instantly turned even redder.
This, this, this...
—I still can't accept it!
[You really are useless.]
Hearing Mei's inner voice, the Herrscher of Thunder sneered.
[I don't know what Poison Ivy is thinking, but I can feel that she genuinely wants to set you and Leo Ash up.]
[You have someone helping you, yet you yourself are not trying hard enough—you don't even dare to wear a set of clothes. What are you going to do when you have to be honest and open with him in the future? Are you going to perform a fainting act on the spot?]
Honest... and open?
[What, does Miss Mei want to prohibit premarital s**?]
Isn't... isn't that a normal way to think?
[Ridiculous!]
[The women around Leo Ash are still relatively modest for now, but that modesty will eventually fade away.]
[If you don't seize the initiative now, you probably won't even get to be a bridesmaid—if you want to be modest, go ahead and be modest. I'm already prepared to watch you make a fool of yourself!]
...
You're right.
I can't hesitate anymore.
Yuna is helping me so sincerely, I must work harder!
[I hope this time it's not just talk.]
[But I still don't get it. Why is Poison Ivy sincerely helping you?]
Eh? Is it strange that Yuna is helping me?
[Isn't that obvious—don't tell me you haven't noticed that she has feelings for Leo Ash too?]
...No.
I feel like she's so natural around Leo Ash that there isn't that kind of atmosphere.
[Wrong! Completely wrong!]
[She's just clear about her own heart, that's why she's not all awkward and shy around Leo Ash like you little girls.]
Just so you know, I was her senior back in Nagazora City. I'm... a little older than her.
[But you're not mature enough mentally, you get it!]
[Natural means no barriers, no barriers mean it's easier to get closer, and being closer means it's more convenient to make a move!]
[That's why I'm curious why Poison Ivy isn't making a move herself, but is instead pushing the relationship between you and Leo Ash.]
Is... is that so?
Yuna... you're doing this for me...
[Ah, you should be a little touched.]
[Even I'm impressed by this level of dedication—she must have been smoking too much of her own plants if she's not afraid of being cuckolded.]
Looking at Mei, who had changed into the swimsuit, Yuna nodded in satisfaction.
After talking with Bronya, the two of us chose two different plans.
Kiana and Mei both have good foundations. They will definitely become much more charming after being carefully dressed up.
Under these circumstances, Senior should be a little moved, right?
Sigh, thinking about it, Senior is a bit...
If you like Class Rep, just say it. Why do you have to sneak around for a kiss?
If this operation can stimulate him and make him face his own heart, then my goal will have been achieved.
If he's willing to have a harem, that's a good thing, of course.
If he's not willing to have a harem, there's always one type of beautiful girl that will suit him.
So, this time...
I've prepared so much, Senior. You'd better not disappoint me.
...
Meanwhile. At Himeko's house
Leo Ash, who was at Himeko's place, suddenly sneezed.
"Tsk, who's plotting against me now?"
[...Why is your heart so dark? Maybe a beautiful girl is thinking about you?]
Give me a break.
It's not like they don't talk about me all the time. If I sneezed every time they mentioned me, I'd be sneezing dozens of times a day.
[Hehehe.]
Say something!
[Didn't you say the System was annoying? Then the System will be quiet today.]
After the System proactively fell silent, Leo Ash immediately looked up at the girl in front of him.
"Leo Ash... you really do get distracted often, just like everyone said."
Looking at Leo Ash, who had just snapped out of his daze, Anna said worriedly.
"Why don't you go see a psychologist at HQ? Your condition..."
"—If you get distracted during a battle, you'll definitely be in danger!"
The moment Leo Ash heard this, he suddenly saw the character introduction template thrown out by the System.
[Name: Anna Schariac]
[Identity: A girl from the Schariac family, a Schicksal B-rank Valkyrie, currently assigned to the Far East Branch.]
[Current Favorability: 50]
[Note: Don't look at me, this favorability score is definitely real.]
I give up.
I haven't done much recently, so how did her favorability jump by five points again?
[Even if you ask the System, the System can only say—the System is also clueless about this matter.]
[If I had to explain it, I could only say that the 'beautiful, strong, and tragic' archetype is a hit with everyone, regardless of gender.]
[Especially since Anna already has a high enough favorability towards you, she would naturally come up with the conclusion that 'Leo Ash has been forced into an avenger by the Honkai, so he's always thinking about how to deal with the Honkai, which makes him easily distracted'—a conclusion that seems correct but is actually complete nonsense.]
I give up. I came to the Honkai world, not the world of Overlord, right?
Why does it feel like everyone is constantly overthinking everything?
[Isn't it because you act so well, Cold, Handsome Man?]
Forget it, I can't keep talking nonsense with you.
If I keep this up, their overthinking syndrome will only get worse.
"Don't worry, Anna."
Looking at the unconcealable worry on Anna's face, Leo Ash said calmly.
"I know what's important. I definitely won't have these problems during a battle."
After all, the System doesn't pop up during battles. If it doesn't show up, I won't end up like this.
[Hehe, you never know.]
I can't be bothered with you anymore. I can't afford to get distracted again.
"Is that so?"
Looking at the boy who was making a solemn promise, Anna said doubtfully.
"I feel like you're just trying to brush me off."
"Forget it, let's not worry about that."
Looking at Leo Ash's attire, Anna suddenly asked with a hint of curiosity.
"Are you planning to go out?"
"Ah, I have to go see Major Himeko and Branch Commander Theresa."
A few days ago, Fu Hua, who had returned to the Far East Branch from Schicksal HQ, brought the Blank Key back to the dorm.
According to Fu Hua herself, she had suddenly gone to Schicksal HQ because Lord Bishop Otto wanted her to bring this suit of armor back for Leo Ash to use.
But Leo Ash knew very well that there was no way Otto would do this at this stage.
The Blank Key was one of Otto's trump cards. He might give it to Leo Ash—but the timing would absolutely not be now.
In the original story, one of the plans Otto stated to Fu Hua, Rita, and the others was to rely on the combination of the Blank Key, the Gem of Haste, and an S-rank Valkyrie to unleash Herrscher-level power to stop Sirin's rampage.
And it's not that his plan was fake, just that he didn't tell the whole story.
It was precisely because of this that Leo Ash judged that, with the timing not being right, Otto would not inexplicably hand over the Blank Key to him.
Otto wouldn't give the Blank Key to Leo Ash at this point in time, yet the Blank Key had appeared here—no matter how you looked at it, it was Fu Hua who had secured this powerful suit of armor for him.
He owed her a great deal, and Leo Ash felt that there was no need for sentimental words now.
All he could do was accept Fu Hua's kind intentions and continue to strive to become stronger.
Although the Blank Key had lost the Gem of Haste and could not unleash the full destructive power of the [Herrscher of Flame], this suit of armor, when paired with other Herrscher Cores, could still greatly enhance Leo Ash's power.
As for other available Herrscher Cores...
First, let's exclude the Pseudo-Herrscher of Reason Core in his body, which had already consumed some of its power and, strangely, wasn't acting up.
This thing was a far cry from a genuine core. Relying on it to connect with the Blank Key and unleash great power was less likely than Otto not causing trouble.
And Yuna and Mei—well, Leo Ash really didn't want to use his two companions as human batteries.
And the Jizō Mitama in his hands...
Rin's resentment towards him had lessened considerably, but it hadn't completely disappeared.
Rin, who was now floating around St. Freya High School, still didn't give Leo Ash a pleasant look whenever she ran into him.
Reforming an unlucky soul who had been screwed over by the Herrscher of Binding was not something that could be accomplished overnight. At least in the short term, Leo Ash felt it was unlikely he could fully master the power of Jizō Mitama.
Besides, the power of Corruption was not a frontal assault ability.
Compared to such an esoteric authority, Leo Ash was more interested in the core authority of another Divine Key.
The Key of Judgment [Seven Thunders of Retribution], this weapon brought to the Far East Branch by Ms. Cioara, was currently lying in the Far East Branch's armory.
Dr. Mei of the Previous Era had directly connected the Judgment of Shamash with the Herrscher of Flame's core to use its power.
And Leo Ash, a Honkai Energy warrior far more powerful than Dr. Mei, should be able to display even greater strength than her by using the Blank Key as a relay station.
Although great power inevitably comes with risks—Dr. Mei, who used the Blank Key back then, suffered incurable internal injuries after switching cores three times, but...
—Having cards to risk your life with is better than being killed with no cards in hand when you want to fight for your life.
Now, if Leo Ash were to apply to use the Seven Thunders, he felt that Theresa and Himeko probably wouldn't stop him... right?
But seeing that Leo Ash was preparing to go out for work again, Anna became anxious on the spot.
After interacting with her new dorm mates for a few days, Anna deeply felt just how absurdly dedicated this tryhard Leo Ash was.
Lord Bishop Otto had already given a direct order for him to take a mandatory vacation, but in the past few days—he was either on patrol or training. It was a vacation in name only.
And today, he was going out for work again. Seeing Leo Ash like this, it would be a miracle if Anna could remain calm.
Even now, Anna could feel that her heart was still filled with shyness.
But at this moment, the determination to save Leo Ash took the upper hand and easily suppressed this feeling in her heart.
He's so tired he's constantly zoning out, and he's still grinding. And everyone else just happens to be out today.
There's no other choice, it has to be me!
"Some things can wait another day, right?"
Mustering her courage, Anna suddenly grabbed Leo Ash's hand and said to him with a blush.
"Today happens to be my day off too. I'm... I'm still not familiar with what's fun to do or good to eat around the commercial street. Can you take me there for a walk?"
[Wow, a very unexpected development.]
[The System thought she would be a little more subtle, but I didn't expect—that she would be much more proactive than the others!]
[I misjudged her. I really misjudged her this time.]
Alright, please just say a few less words. If I can't help but talk back to you, they'll suspect something's wrong with me again.
Looking at the courageous Anna before him, what else could Leo Ash say?
To refuse her now... well, he felt it wouldn't be a big deal.
Anna was a qualified Valkyrie, after all. She wouldn't turn into a Herrscher just because she was rejected once—if she did, what kind of super glass heart would that be?
But...
Sigh, it's hard to refuse such a kind offer. Never mind, never mind.
"Let's get this straight first, I rarely go out myself, so if you're not satisfied with the places I take you..."
"—I definitely won't blame you!"
At that moment, Anna seized the opportunity to hug Leo Ash's arm and said to him with a happy smile.
"Alright, alright, don't be so hesitant. It's just a stroll around the block, not a fight to the death with Honkai Beasts. Why so serious?"
Yeah, why am I so serious?
Anna's right. It's just a walk, it should be...
—Nothing bad will happen, right?
.....