"Since you're asking me such a question..."
Yotsuba held the clothes in her hands, seemingly recalling something: "It was a Valkyrie who saved me from being surrounded by Zombies. They selflessly rescued many people who had survived the first wave of Honkai Energy erosion but were trapped by Zombies and Honkai Beasts and couldn't escape. The moment I was rescued, I truly felt that they were the most beautiful people in this world."
Yotsuba smiled at Ais: "But it's true, many Valkyries are young girls like Miss Ais. They dedicate the most beautiful period of their lives, just like Schicksal's motto..."
"For all that is beautiful in the world..."
...
"Regular skills can only reach LV6 at most, and they come with one supernatural ability. The intensity of supernatural abilities can vary wildly, but as long as they involve supernatural abilities, they will inevitably upgrade to A-rank. If the intensity is too high, they will reach S-rank. Moreover, an A-rank character card can at most bear one supernatural ability and one non-supernatural ability, or three non-supernatural abilities, or one non-supernatural ability exceeding LV6."
After a long period of common sense, Takatsuki finally probed the threshold and upper limit of A-rank character cards. He constantly threw in skills he obtained by disassembling character cards, and from this, he roughly tested the level of his Haki. His Armament Haki was probably LV2, and his Observation Haki was LV1. It could be said that his talent was really not great.
Fortunately, thanks to the previous gacha pulls, he drew some A-rank mobs, some of whom had Haki and some had Chakra. After disassembling them into skill scrolls, he could directly increase Takatsuki's level
Chakra had significant limitations; people from outside the Naruto world couldn't mold Chakra, so Takatsuki didn't plan to include it as a regular combat force. Unless he drew irreplaceable powerful ninjutsu or Kekkei Genkai, he didn't intend to use the Chakra system.
"Teacher..."
Just as Takatsuki was putting more items into the disassembler, Ais walked over
"Does it look good?"
Ais was wearing a simple casual outfit. Because St. Freya Academy was on an island and the current season was relatively warm, Ais's clothing consisted of a very ordinary shirt and a short skirt.
Combined with Ais's innocent demeanor and delicate, doll-like features, it prominently highlighted the youthful and pure feeling of her age.
"It looks great! Have you made your choice? Do you want to try anything else?"
"Mm, Miss Yotsuba said she wanted Teacher to see."
"Yotsuba?"
Takatsuki thought for a moment before realizing, then gave an apologetic look to the shop assistant who was waving at him from a distance.
Looking at the stack of clothes piled next to her, Takatsuki asked Ais, "They're very nice! Do you like those clothes?
She seemed to ponder whether she liked them or not, then Ais nodded: "They all look good."
"Is that so? Then wrap them all up."
Takatsuki was not short of money; at least he had enough to buy these clothes.
However, what the shop assistant named Yotsuba said when he was checking out made Takatsuki a little puzzled
"Mr. Takatsuki, your girlfriend is very beautiful! You are truly blessed.
"?"
Takatsuki ignored Yotsuba's words, settled the bill with a stern face, and then left the store with the packed clothes and Ais.
Putting the bag of clothes into his King's Treasure in a corner, Takatsuki said to Ais, "Let's go. I'll take you around."
Ais, dressed in modern casual clothes, no longer looked like someone from another world. She could walk openly in St. Freya Academy without being suspected.
After all, although this was the Far East Branch, primarily composed of Asians, the origin of Schicksal was in Europe, and it had branches all over the world, so a blonde, blue-eyed foreigner was quite normal.
"Do you want something to eat?"
Leading Ais through the snack street area of the commercial district, Takatsuki pointed to a roadside shop and asked.
Ais blinked, looking in the direction of the takoyaki Takatsuki was pointing at: "No Jagamarukun?"
"Jagamarukun, huh? We really don't have them."
The famous Orario snack, Jagamarukun, were essentially small, deep-fried mashed potato balls with filling, somewhat like fried potato cakes.
The few people who came from the Honkai world weren't very interested in them, as they had eaten better things. Kiana did like fried food, but she preferred meat and dishes made by Mei.
Although Takatsuki's cooking was also good, Kiana preferred food with a beautiful girl's touch
He led Ais to the takoyaki shop.
"One serving of takoyaki, please."
"Coming right up!"
Soon, a fresh serving of takoyaki was ready. Takatsuki picked one up with a toothpick, put it in his mouth, and then handed the box to Ais.
"Want to try?"
Ais also imitated Takatsuki, picking up a takoyaki and putting it in her mouth.
"How is it? Is it good?"
"Mmm, delicious."
St. Freya Academy was in the Far East and on an island, so seafood was abundant, and the ingredients for the takoyaki were very fresh.
Takatsuki remembered that Orario also had takoyaki, but he had tried it once, and how should he put it?
It wasn't as good as Jagamarukun.
After all, Orario was not by the sea, so the ingredients weren't fresh, the industry was small, and consequently, the craftsmanship was mediocre.
The two quickly finished a box of takoyaki. Takatsuki saw that Ais still had some craving but didn't buy a second box
"Let's save some room. There are many other snacks here we haven't tried yet."
"Okay!"
In front of delicious food, even the usually emotionless girl showed a rare longing.
Takatsuki led Ais along the snack street towards the next shop
The snacks within St. Freya Academy were mainly from the Far East, with occasional glimpses of dishes from Shenzhou.
What Takatsuki found a bit strange was that he and Ais hadn't encountered the mascot duo who had left before them on their way.
However, they did see many Valkyrie students heading to the snack street as lunch break began.
"Hello, Mr. Takatsuki!"
"Good afternoon."
"Hello, Teacher!"
"Mm."
Everyone in the commercial district recognized Takatsuki, and these Valkyries were no exception. Takatsuki couldn't remember how many Valkyries he had greeted along the way
"They all call Teacher, 'Teacher'."
"That's right." He waved to a few passing girls and then explained to Ais, "Because I am a teacher at St. Freya Academy."
"Teacher means, a Valkyrie's teacher?"
"Yes, the students in this academy are all Valkyries or aspiring Valkyries."
Hearing Takatsuki's words, Ais thought for a moment: "Then am I also considered a Valkyrie?
"Huh?"
Takatsuki hadn't expected Ais to think that: "Of course not. Ultimately, Valkyrie is just a profession, not that anyone who studies with me is a Valkyrie.
"…"
"Teacher."
"Hmm?"
"Do Valkyries fight for the good of the world?"
Ais suddenly asked Takatsuki this question
"How do you know that phrase?"
Takatsuki was too familiar with this phrase; it was practically the iconic line of the game Honkai Impact 3rd. Of course, in this world, Takatsuki also knew it was Schicksal's external propaganda slogan.
"It's not wrong to say that. At least the people in this St. Freya Academy are working hard for it."
"Then, can I become a Valkyrie?"
Ais suddenly asked Takatsuki this question
"Eh?"
Takatsuki didn't expect Ais to suddenly say something like that.
"Why did you suddenly say that?"
Ais tilted her head: "Is it not allowed?"
"It's not a matter of whether it's allowed or not. If you want to, you certainly can, but can I know why you suddenly want to be a Valkyrie?"
"A goal."
"What?"
Ais put down the croquette she was holding and looked seriously at Takatsuki.
"I want to find a proper goal."
"A proper goal?"
Ais nodded.
"Originally, all I wanted was to become stronger, stronger, and then seek revenge on the One-Eyed Black Dragon, but the Black Dragon is already dead."
Ais's brows drooped slightly, like a lost child.
"I don't know what the strength I've cultivated until now is for. I want to use this strength to do something right, so as not to betray this strength, and not to betray all my past efforts."
So, this child's efforts until now were all for revenge?
Takatsuki only just realized this. In that case, he could understand why Ais was so "frenzied" when facing the Black Dragon back then
"So that's how it is. I'm glad you have this idea. What I say doesn't count for becoming a Valkyrie; Theresa needs to agree."
"I agree!"
As soon as Takatsuki finished speaking, a clear voice came from behind them
"There, that's how it is."
Takatsuki had already noticed Theresa arriving behind them; the previous conversation was intentionally said for her to hear.
"Your name is Ais, right?"
Theresa took two steps forward from Hestia's side, inserting herself between Takatsuki and Ais, and looked up at Ais
Takatsuki also looked at Hestia, who was greeting him. Hestia had also changed into new clothes by now, but
Why was it a nun's habit?
It was one thing for Theresa to wear a nun's habit, but Hestia was also wearing one. Was this the result of Theresa taking Hestia out?
No matter how Takatsuki internally grumbled, on the other side, Theresa had already started talking with Ais
"I already heard your reason just now. I'll confirm one last time: do you really want to become a Valkyrie to fight against Honkai? Honkai is something completely unrelated to you. You know, even the strongest Valkyrie can't say with 100% certainty that she can survive Honkai. In Honkai, you not only have to face the erosion of Honkai Energy but also powerful Honkai Beasts and Herrschers. Herrschers have the ability to destroy a city by themselves."
Ais heard Theresa's words and looked at Takatsuki, seemingly to confirm the truthfulness of Theresa's words
"Yes, just like the monsters in the Dungeon, the monsters in Honkai also vary in strength. As for Herrschers, their strength is probably comparable to the Black Dragon, but they don't have such exaggerated defensive power."
The Black Dragon's destructive power was actually not weak; after all, it destroyed Babel just by appearing. It's just that compared to its defense, its destructive power seemed weaker, but compared to other monsters, the Black Dragon's destructive power was still very exaggerated.
"Will they make more people cry?"
After getting Takatsuki's affirmation, Ais looked at Theresa.
"Eh? Cry?"
Theresa hadn't reacted yet, but Takatsuki had already answered: "Yes, Honkai Beasts will kill innocent people and make more people lose their loved ones.
"Then, my sword will cut them all down!"
Even Theresa, as slow as she was, understood Ais's meaning: "Being a Valkyrie isn't just about fighting Honkai Beasts; there's also rescue work. Well, never mind, if your strength is strong enough, rescue missions will be handed over to other logistical Valkyries."
"In short, since you have this intention, although it's a bit late to say it now, but…"
Theresa extended her hand: "Welcome to St. Freya Academy."
Ais used her free hand to grasp Theresa's outstretched hand.
"Since you've decided to be a Valkyrie, you'll start attending classes with the other students tomorrow. Is that okay?"
"No problem."
And just like that, Ais's joining St. Freya Academy as a Valkyrie was settled. After all, Theresa was the commander-in-chief of Schicksal's Far East Branch, plus she was the granddaughter of the Schicksal Overseer, so she could easily make decisions about recruiting a Valkyrie.
Then, with Takatsuki's nod, Ais followed Theresa to handle the procedures for becoming a Valkyri
"That's that, Hestia. Do you want me to show you around Saint Freya?"
Takatsuki asked Hestia.
"That would be troublesome for you, Takatsuki-kun."
"It's my pleasure."
Leading Hestia to continue shopping along the road, Takatsuki casually asked Hestia while introducing things: "Hestia, why did you choose to follow us to this world?"
"Hehe, that's because I've fallen for you, Takatsuki-kun."
Hestia said directly without any shyness.
"But I already have a girlfriend."
Unlike Bell in the story, Takatsuki, whether feigning ignorance or genuinely clueless, took Hestia's words as a joke
"I know, it's Mei-kun, right?"
"Mm."
Even though Takatsuki rejected her with the reason of having a girlfriend, Hestia showed no dejection and instead said with a smile: "I am a goddess. A goddess's love is heavy, and a goddess is willful, but also both selfish and selfless."
Are you really talking about a goddess? Are you not just a collection of contradictions?
Although he grumbled internally, Takatsuki didn't say it directly but listened to Hestia continue
"Takatsuki-kun, you already have a lover. Naturally, I won't try to steal you away, nor will I say that you must choose me. But I will wait. Takatsuki-kun, you can't stop me from loving you, can you? I will wait forever, until Takatsuki-kun falls in love with me, or until I no longer love you. Of course, for a goddess, this might be the end of a human lifespan.
This is truly heavy, and a bit terrifying.