At the cafeteria, Luo Hong met the newcomer. She had a few distinct traits: white hair, blue eyes, a bit of a dunderhead, and the Kaslana bloodline flowing in her veins. She was close friends with Bronya and Mei.
Yes—it was the "World's Cutest," Theresa Apocalypse!
However, she wasn't in her usual nun habit. Luo Hong had her dressed as [Magical Girl ☆ TeRiRi]. The first thing he noticed were the long, white bunny ears matching her hair and the cute little crown. The fluffy pink magical dress made her look like a princess from a fairy tale. Below that were sacred white stockings and pink shoes.
It was an incredibly "stimulating" outfit. The moment Luo Hong saw it, he already had her defeat CGs planned out. In fact, at least half of her [Level 31] experience came from this specific outfit. It was only after he unlocked "new ways to play" involving bandages and band-aids that he had finally changed her clothes.
Now that conscious minds were inhabiting these bodies, Luo Hong didn't want to scare them off immediately, which was why he had changed the Valkyries back into the "skins" he liked. Otherwise, even Himeko standing on the battlefield might have been forced to wear nothing but "band-aids." After all, in his philosophy, the less you wear, the higher your combat power... at least for his combat power!
At that moment, Theresa was drinking bitter melon juice with a dazed expression. Every day at this time, "she" would run out of the Lord's office, stand with one hand on her hip, and down a full glass of freshly squeezed bitter melon juice.
"The taste... is actually not bad?"
Theresa muttered to herself, a peculiar look on her face. "But where am I?"
She walked up to a glass door and looked at her reflection... Magical Girl ☆ TeRiRi?!
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she looked down at herself. It was a magical girl outfit she only dared to think about in her dreams.
So—am I dreaming?
She stood frozen before the glass door, unable to process the situation. Just then, she saw two people approaching in the distance: Bronya and Mei.
Instinctively, her body moved before her mind could decide; she hid before they could spot her. If they saw her like this, her dignity as the Principal would be utterly destroyed!
"Bronya..."
Mei walked into the cafeteria after her training and asked, "Did something pink just flash by?"
"Pink?" Bronya, who had been busy talking to Mei, hadn't noticed anything unusual. She shook her head. "Sorry, Sister Mei. Bronya was focused on our conversation and didn't notice the cafeteria. Even if there was something, it was probably just an NPC."
She didn't care much. According to Luo Hong's theory, NPCs in the territory appeared randomly anywhere to give him a "fresh experience." Sometimes in classrooms, sometimes on the rooftop, sometimes even in the toilets... What a beast!
So, an NPC in the cafeteria wouldn't surprise her. But... pink? In her mind, the only person associated with that color was Theresa in her magical girl outfit.
"It's nothing then," Mei nodded. "Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me. Let's go in and rest."
After yesterday's battle, Mei was acutely aware of her own weakness. So, for the past two nights in the dream world, she had requested training from Luo Hong.
As for the price—Mr. Luo Hong actually wanted to eat a bento made by her own hands... What a gentle request.
Her face flushed slightly. It was because she wanted to satisfy Luo Hong that she had ended today's training early. Yesterday, being her first time, she hadn't managed the training intensity well; by the time they finished, there was no time left to cook, or she would have missed preparing breakfast for Kiana and the others. Today, she was determined to make it up to him.
Entering the kitchen, she put on a purple apron and began preparing the meal. The kitchen was stocked with a vast variety of ingredients and professional tools, allowing her to fully showcase her skills.
"Sister Mei..."
Watching the determined Mei, Bronya spoke in a subtle tone. "I thought you said we were coming to the cafeteria to rest? Why are you busy again? If you want to eat something, you just have to order it, and the food will manifest."
Even as she spoke, Bronya knew exactly who Mei was cooking for. She couldn't help but feel a slight pang of bitterness.
"Food tastes better when you make it yourself," Mei replied, her lips pursed as she avoided Bronya's gaze. While not a lie, it wasn't the whole truth. She felt too embarrassed to tell Bronya she was making a bento specifically for Luo Hong.
"Fine. Then Bronya will look forward to Sister Mei's feast." Seeing Mei's blushing face, Bronya didn't press further. "Is there anything Bronya can help with?"
"Phew..." Mei sighed in relief and smiled. "Then please help me prep the vegetables. I'll handle the meat."
"Okay." Bronya put on a blue apron and started working as a sous-chef. Soon, a rich aroma filled the kitchen.
"Sister Mei." Observing Mei pack the bento box with a little of everything and even drawing a smiley face with ketchup, Bronya threw a "straight-ball" question. "This is for that guy, isn't it?"
"...Yes." Mei paused for a moment. Now that Bronya had pierced through the final layer of pretense, she could only nod. "This is the price Mr. Luo Hong asked for in exchange for my training. Bronya, I think you have a misunderstanding about Mr. Luo Hong."
Since Bronya had brought it up, Mei decided to address the issue. She had tried to talk to Bronya about it several times before, but Bronya had always dodged the topic. Now that she had mentioned it herself, Mei wasn't going to let the opportunity slip.
"Misunderstanding... B-Bronya... does have a 'misunderstanding' about that guy."
Seeing Mei falling deeper and deeper into the trap, Bronya was prepared to expose her own shame just to show Mei Luo Hong's true colors. But at that moment, she was horrified to feel someone embrace her from behind.
Luo Hong's voice—that scoundrel's voice—whispered into her ear: "Bronya, you wouldn't want your Sister Mei to see you like this, would you?"