Honkai Impact 3rd: My Days as a Captain in Schicksal

"I'm so tired... Mei, I want to eat hamburger patties!"

"Bronya seconded it."

"Okay, okay, everyone's worked hard today..."

Keng Huo's expression stiffened: "Didn't anyone pay attention to what I just said?"

Kiana rolled her eyes: "No way! Every time the cafeteria has a special meal, it's potato and pork rib stew. I'm so tired of it, and it's not as good as Mei's."

"All you ever do is eat! I've never seen you help out at all!" Mei playfully flicked Kiana's forehead. "You won't even wash the dishes for me."

"I can eat my food completely! That way I won't have to wash the dishes!"

The three of them walked towards the dormitory, bickering and joking, leaving Keng Huo alone, standing there forlornly holding his little flag, like a statue.

"Sigh...a winner in life...it's so nice..." Keng Huo sighed, put away the little flag, unscrewed his water bottle, poured out two pills from the small medicine bottle in his pocket and swallowed them. "Potato stew with pork ribs is such a perfect dish, why can't you guys understand..."

In the blink of an eye, the three-day adaptation training period has passed. Today, both the Hunter Squad and everyone else in the academy are ready to meet the challenge. The assembly and trial operation of the [Subspace Mass Projection Device] have also been completed in an orderly manner. All that is left is to carry out the formal mission.

"I'm feeling a little nervous." Keng Huo, wearing a thick [anti-Honkai radiation suit], stood next to Theresa, surrounded by various instruments and buttons that would make an ordinary person dizzy just by looking at them. "But I'm saying, since none of us can understand these data, why are we even standing here?"

“Because this is the highest point, we can see who’s slacking off down here… Kanno Hana, where’s your uniform?” Theresa shouted from her small stool.

The female student named Kanno Hana, who was conducting the final test of the operational data of the [Subspace Mass Projection Device] below the platform, subconsciously shrank her neck. Only after realizing it was Theresa calling her did she timidly reply in a low voice, "I washed it yesterday... it's not dry yet..."

Theresa looked at the other person's black sleeveless shirt and short skirt with a headache: "Well... then go to the lab warehouse and get a set of [Anti-Honkai Suit]. Once the device starts operating, the radiated Honkai energy will exceed the safety limit, and your ordinary clothes won't be enough!"

"Oh...okay..." Kanno Hana replied softly, and left with graceful little steps.

Keng Huo remembered this girl named Kanno Hana; she was one of the few newly recruited Valkyries in the academy interested in scientific research, which was why she was assigned to participate in the device's pre-commissioning. Kanno Hana usually appeared quiet and reserved, seemingly without many friends, yet she unexpectedly got along well with Mei, and her eyes seemed to light up whenever she saw Mei…

"Um... By the way, I have something to tell you." Theresa said to Keng Huo as if she were not paying attention to the work of the Valkyries below, "I will be away from the academy for the next two days. I have to go out for some business. Himeko is still in Changkong City carrying out the hunting plan, so you will be in charge of this Abyss infiltration operation."

"You're going out? What important matter warrants your personal involvement?" Keng Huo asked, testing the curiosity of the child. "Did a wild Ultraman land on Earth?"

"...Himeko contacted me yesterday after returning from her mission, saying that during the last mission, they discovered unnatural Honkai energy fluctuations detected by the Honkai energy measuring device..." Theresa answered casually, as if it were a trivial matter, "After reporting it to the Research Department—although our Research Department is basically just for show now, they can still tell something like this—the Research Department said it might be the formation of a new Herrscher..."

"What did you say?" Keng Huo was taken aback. "But only one Herrscher can be born in a single Honkai event... Besides, isn't the Herrscher born in this Honkai event already under our surveillance?"

Keng Huo pointed to the three rectangular shapes side by side in the center of the empty hall, cabins whose shapes looked very ominous: "And later we will have to lie in those things that look very repulsive for the sake of the academy's development."

Theresa tugged at her braid hanging down her shoulder in frustration: "But the data shows that's how it is... Although the Honkai energy fluctuations this time were indeed smaller than the commotion caused by Raiden Mei, they were definitely far greater than the fluctuations caused by Honkai Beasts..."

"The so-called 'after eliminating all impossible options, the remaining option must be correct,' so there's only one explanation..." Keng Huo thoughtfully stroked his chin and nodded almost imperceptibly, "Chang Kong City lost its ruling Herrscher, and the remaining large amount of Honkai energy spontaneously gathered... wanting to..."

“That’s right, it has given birth to a new Herrscher.” Theresa turned to Keng Huo, her tone serious. “However, the good news is that the Research Department believes this Honkai energy is insufficient to form a new Herrscher core, so the Herrscher’s formation process will likely be very slow…”

"So you're planning to handle it yourself?" Keng Huo's voice rarely carried a hint of worry. "Are you sure? I think it's better to merge with the Hyperion and proceed gradually."

“No, this operation must be a stealth assassination.” Theresa’s answer was without the slightest hesitation. “The Hyperion would easily attract the attention of high-level Honkai Beasts, and we don’t know the current situation in downtown Changkong City. The energy level of this Honkai eruption is too high; it’s not impossible for [Title-level] Honkai Beasts to appear…and they all have anti-air capabilities…”

“If the Hyperion just sails in like that, it could easily turn into a war, which is not what I want to see. Our current strength is simply not enough to support such a head-on confrontation.” Theresa frowned, as if deep in thought. “The Hyperion is indeed Schicksal’s most advanced airborne battleship, but… have you ever seen a battleship without cruisers and destroyers escorting it?”

“A lone floating battleship is practically a sitting duck. Sending such a Hyperion into Changkong City is like delivering a package… But you’re actually worried about me? Am I being underestimated?” Theresa said with a smile.

"No, you're the only one who can help me find Elisa. I don't want to die in Changkong City before you keep your promise." Keng Huo scratched his face sheepishly, but his words weren't exactly pleasant.

"Tch... So if I don't show you my true strength, you juniors will always think you're the best in the world." Theresa crossed her arms and held her head high with an air of arrogance. "Besides, the opponent isn't a real Herrscher, and may not even be a pseudo-Herrscher, so the Honkai creatures probably won't listen to her until she's fully formed... So now is the best time to get rid of her."

"Yes, yes, yes... The headmaster's skills are unparalleled, the best in the world." Keng Huo replied perfunctorily to Theresa, feeling as if he were coaxing a child, and couldn't help but reach out and pat Theresa's head.

It feels good.

"Go to hell, you rude scoundrel!" Enraged, Theresa kicked Keng Huo hard in the calf, making him wince in pain and squat down, clutching his leg. "You can't just touch a girl's head! And no other places either!"

"Ouch, ouch, ouch... Okay, okay, I was wrong!" Keng Huo rolled on the ground, clutching his calf.

Seeing Keng Huo's reaction, Theresa's expression became slightly awkward: "Uh...why don't you go sit in the lounge for a while..."

"Does this count as a work-related injury?"

"..."

"Don't stay silent, will the cost of the plaster be reimbursed?"

"—The subspace mass projection device has completed final debugging and is requesting launch." Suddenly, a clear voice came from below.

"Application approved. Optical camouflage device activated. St. Freya Academy, prepare for takeoff," Theresa ordered solemnly.

"Wait, take off?" Keng Huo, who was still rolling on the ground pretending to be injured, looked up in astonishment. "I think I just heard some incredible words?"

"—Optical camouflage device activated, calculating light particle distortion readings within range...Main Honkai reactor pressurization, 50%..."

"Wait, Theresa, what's going on?" Keng Huo scrambled to his feet, grabbed Theresa's shoulders, and shook her. "What kind of segment is this? Is it a large-scale April Fool's Day reality show?"

"--The main engine of the anti-gravity device is warming up well. The auxiliary power system has started. The gravity output pressure system has switched to automatic mode. The main collapse power reactor has been pressurized and is expected to stabilize at 95% output level in four minutes..."

"Wait, what's going on with this launch?" Keng Huo exclaimed in shock. "This research lab is going to launch?"

“No,” Theresa replied lazily, “when did I ever say that the research lab was going to take off?”

"-- Surface anchoring device unlocked, primary lock deployed... secondary lock deployed... propulsion engine starts well, ignition complete."

"So I was hallucinating? And what about the main engine..."

"--The anti-gravity device's main engine is preparing to start. Countdown: 10, 9, 8..."

"Yes, yes, it's the anti-gravity device main engine..." Keng Huo jumped up. He felt the ground beneath his feet tremble, and an unusual acceleration was gradually being applied to him. He felt as if his body was getting heavier...

No, it's not that it's gotten heavier, but rather it's similar to the vertical acceleration you feel when you're sitting in a rapidly ascending elevator.

"What's the big deal..." Theresa gave Keng Huo a strange look. "Didn't you already read the instruction manual for the [Subspace Mass Projection Device] that I gave you?"

"The manual doesn't say anything about taking off!" Keng Huo was now lying on the ground, as if only by being close to Mother Earth could he find a sense of security.

"The last page says: 'Because Honkai energy leakage may occur during the operation of the device, the operation of the [Subspace Mass Projection Device] must be carried out far away from the natural environment. Otherwise, the radiation and leakage of Honkai energy may cause the surrounding environment to deteriorate...' Theresa's brows furrowed even deeper. 'Did you even read the instruction manual properly?'"

"I checked! There's no such item at all!" Keng Huo frantically pulled out the "Regulations for the Use of Subspace Mass Projection Device" from the folder beside him, flipped to the last page, and shoved it in front of Theresa. "Look, the last item is [All personnel participating in the experiment must wear protective suits or Valkyrie standard armor]."

"Oh...I see!" Theresa seemed to suddenly realize something and smacked her left palm with her right hand.

"What was it like before!" Keng Huo shouted hoarsely on the ground.

"It seems the last page wasn't printed; I forgot to give it to you."

"..."

As he felt the increasing acceleration his body was experiencing, Keng Huo couldn't help but shudder.

"Holy crap... I'm flying..."

"I hope this thing doesn't fall down..."

Chapter 57 First Teleportation

"Ascent procedure complete. Optical camouflage system operating smoothly. School altitude 3762 meters, temperature 0.11℃. Nearby airspace cleared..."

"I said... is it over?" Keng Huo shakily got up from the ground. "That was so exciting... Achoo!"

"Holy crap, it's so cold!" Keng Huo shivered. "How high are we now?"

"Didn't you hear? 3762 meters, temperature 0.11℃," Theresa said nonchalantly.

"Then have you considered whether there's any way for a normal person like me to adapt to this altitude that only non-humans can endure?" Keng Huo felt tightness in his chest and shortness of breath. "What if I get altitude sickness?"

“Oh, well…” Theresa changed the subject, “I forgot…”

“…Alright…” Keng Huo surprisingly didn’t cause a scene as usual, but just sighed as if resigned to his fate, “Next time there’s such a big project, please let me know in advance… As the only ordinary human in this academy, I feel a lot of pressure having to adapt to your super-standard living conditions…”

"Cough cough... I'll definitely... I'll definitely..." Theresa said somewhat guiltily, "But you don't seem to be in any problems. It'll be fine once the outer [environmental isolation device] goes up..."

"Wait, what is this... Achoo! What is this?" Keng Huo asked hastily, afraid that Theresa would do something she hadn't told him about. If she changed the temperature again, he might become the first person in human history to freeze to death at an altitude of 3,000 meters...

“Well, it’s something like a cover.” Theresa stretched out her hands and tried to gesture the shape of a large, upside-down bowl. “It’s like a big bowl covering our academy. I can’t explain the exact principle in a short time, but it can isolate the environment inside and outside the floating island, creating a greenhouse-like environment suitable for human life.”

"Then why didn't you open it sooner!" Keng Huo yelled. "If you didn't open it soon, your most adorable subordinates would freeze to death... Achoo... freeze to death!"

"Ahem... I just forgot..." Theresa turned her head away guiltily again, muttering softly, "I've never taken ordinary people to the floating island before..."

Keng Huo pretended not to hear Theresa's last sentence and asked, trembling, "So, did we launch the entire research lab into space?"

"Didn't I already say that we didn't launch the research lab into space..."

"So you mean..." A sense of foreboding swept through Keng Huo's heart.

“The entire St. Freya Academy took off,” Theresa replied matter-of-factly.

"[Subspace Mass Projection Device] Preheating complete 99%...100%, preheating complete, please teleport Valkyries to their positions." A mechanical female voice came from above the hall. The three members of the Hunter Squad appeared on one side of the hall, already fully equipped with their armor: Kiana's [White Comet], Raiden Mei's [Crimson], and Bronya's [Chariot]. Underneath their armor were thin, almost invisible [Anti-Honkai Radiation Combat Tight-Fitting Protective Suit]. The flesh-colored bodysuit clung tightly to their skin, making it indistinguishable from real skin without close inspection.

Kiana seemed to see Theresa and Keng Huo in the high-platform monitoring room, waving her hands happily as if shouting something, but they were too far away for Keng Huo to hear clearly. Mei next to her seemed to remind her of something, and Kiana suddenly realized and searched around on the armor, finally finding a button and pressing it.

"Hey, you jerk, can you hear me?" Kiana's energetic voice rang out from the monitoring room. "Hello, hello, hello?"

“I can hear it. The [White Ribbon] communication system is functioning normally,” Theresa replied.

"Wow, Auntie, what are you doing here!" Kiana exclaimed. "Where are you?"

“I’m in the monitoring room.” Theresa looked completely bewildered.

"No, I can't see you..."

Theresa's expression suddenly changed, as if she had been mocked right in the face. She jumped angrily onto the control panel and shouted, "I'm right here!"

Kiana below seemed startled: "Ahhh, Auntie, sorry, from my angle I can only see that idiot..."

Theresa jumped off the control panel as if she had lost her soul, and squatted on the ground drawing circles.

"Ahem..." Keng Huo ignored Theresa's malicious attempt to act cute and turned to Kiana, saying, "Let Mei and the others test the communication system as well."

Coincidentally, Mei and Bronya's voices also rang out in the monitoring room.

"Hello? Is this Teacher Keng?"

"Di-"