Anna? Would you mind continuing your studies at St. Freya?

Luo Mo strikes again! That devil managed to outsmart Kiana during their last run, leaving her frustrated but more determined than ever.

Kiana let out a frustrated sigh – finding her mom was the top priority right now. Still, she knew deep down that this wouldn't be her last showdown with that shitty boss. She swore to herself, she wouldn't get tricked like that again!

Kiana replayed Luo Mo's smug face in her head, all the times he'd managed to escape.

In the name of the Kaslana family, she'd get her payback…or maybe just swear off fried chicken for a day before her revenge plot. But even Kiana had to admit, that was a promise she might struggle to keep.

Mei and Bronya, who were next to them, smiled at their interaction and did not stop them.

Luo Mo wasn't too worried about Kiana and the others chasing him. The other party's reaction was just a 'normal' reaction after meeting her respected boss, which was normal.

Therefore, he planned to stay in the company until almost midnight before going out.

As for redeeming his system rewards, well, that could wait until the 24-hour mark.

No need to rush, right? Funny how time works – when you're out and about, it seems like there's nothing to do, but once you sit down at work, the tasks pile up!

He pushed his employees to finish up some of those game plot summaries - you know, the short videos and stuff that let players recap what's happened with the previous Chapter and all that.

He doesn't have to update the game plot summaries so quickly – things are moving along at a good pace already.

But hey, why not pay tribute to the original story? Plus, it's a great way to train up the new employees, right? It's not like he has to do everything himself.

For now, he was naturally ready to take a closer look at the first employees he had never noticed.

The system says that even with him in the picture, the whole Herrscher selection process should stay mostly the same. That means he can basically predict who's going to become a Herrscher, with maybe a few surprises here and there.

Okay, so the Herrscher of the Void is Sirin. Got it.

The system wouldn't make that kind of mistake, right? Luo Mo could barely stop himself from smacking himself in the head.

Of course, the system was right, but he still found it annoying to have to ask to confirm it.

"Anna Schariac?" he asked.

The girl across from him nodded, a bit nervously.

Luo Mo checked the old recruitment files, then looked back at her. He twirled his pen, more for dramatic effect than anything else. This wasn't a serious interrogation, but hey, sometimes a little drama helped!

The young woman in front of him had long, silky hair (was it brown? Or maybe more of an ash blonde?) and gentle eyes. Her hands fidgeted nervously beneath the table.

Her whole posture was tense, like a startled deer – clearly, she wasn't expecting to be called into her boss's office like this.

But hey, she'd done her job and changed the personnel files – no mistakes there.

...Or were there? She couldn't help but wonder how the boss would even remember her in the first place.

When she came here all she did was work and work, forgetting that she was sent here to be a spy, and to send the latest company information to Schicksal.

When the work flow was stable she just remembered it, quickly wrote a report letter to HQ, but didn't get a call back.

ahh, has HQ forgotten Herself? the thought always whispered to her, but she still sent reports regularly, hope… not

Luo Mo had mixed feelings. This girl named Anna definitely triggered some memories, but something was off.

He remembered someone with long, white, or maybe ash blonde.

Simply put, he was Not sure he'd never seen this girl before.

Luo Mo tapped his fingers on the table, figuring out the best way to start this conversation. His whole plan was to lure this girl to St. Freya and make her the star pupil in his special class for Herrschers! Of course, as someone who started on the company team, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

Things hadn't exactly gotten easier. Most Herrschers are still tied up with those big organizations – Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, you name it. Honestly, that's to be expected. If you've got real power, why on earth would you come work for him? It makes way more sense for those people to stick with Schicksal.

Therefore, he was sure that the only people who had nothing to do with Schicksal were neutral Flame-Chasers and Flame-Chaser who Work for him like Griseo and Sakura, but that was not important.

He wasn't trying to start a whole revolution here. Does he really think he can convince all these people to rebel against Schicksal?

Okay, things would be different if that schemer Otto was still running Schicksal.

Maybe then he'd be forced into some crazy rebellion, just because Otto would probably want him dead for messing up his plans. Maybe he could still win over the good folks at St. Freya, play the helpless victim, and help Theresa take charge... but none of that matters now.

Kallen's in charge. Why would he need to rebel against her?

Wait, hold on. What was he even thinking? Why did his brain keep jumping to rebellion? He wasn't some kind of born revolutionary!

Luo Mo shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Time to focus on the important question here: "So, Anna… how would you feel about going to St. Freya? You know, to further your studies?"

"Eh?"

Anna's eyes went wide, like a startled deer caught in the headlights. She clearly didn't see that question coming.

"So, Anna Schariac, because of your amazing work here, the company is sending you to St. Freya! You'll get to learn all sorts of useful things." Luo Mo gave Anna a serious look, even though he knew he was talking nonsense.

As for her knowledge, it is obvious that she needs to continue to go to the Herrscher class for further study.

There were not only Wendy, who studied air flow physics; Raiden Mei, who frowned at electromagnetism; Bronya, who let the heavy-duty bunny learn quantum knowledge; and Sirin, who used her space ability to skip school.

Seele's words supplemented the relevant knowledge she missed when she was not in school.

they all studied the physics branch for their theoretical powers, although some did not take it seriously.

Presumably, they will welcome Anna to join them. 

Anna tilted her head, confusion washing over her. She'd heard of students doing internships at companies, but employees going to school? That was a new one.

Did her boss even realize she was a Valkyrie? He had to know, right?

She stood up quickly, bowed slightly, and her face was slightly red.

"Boss, I'm sorry if I have affected the company because of me. I didn't intentionally hide my identity as a Valkyrie, and I definitely didn't leak company information to competitors."

Anna is naturally not short on money, but she likes the atmosphere of the company very much and gets along with other employees very comfortably. However, because of the responsibility of Valkyrie, she was very distressed some time ago.

Before, she'd told herself it was just another way to fight the Honkai, a way to justify staying. But then she realized it was true – she was making a difference here. That's what made her hesitate, made her want to stay.

Also... she has found someone here.

"So..." Anna took a deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut. She couldn't bring herself to look at her boss, so she just kept talking, the words tumbling out, "If you're going to fire me, please… please give me a few days to hand everything over. Um..."

Her voice trailed off, and Anna could almost feel herself biting her tongue in embarrassment.

"Anna, relax! I'm not trying to get rid of you," Luo Mo said, trying to sound reassuring. "I just think you might need to spend some more time at St. Freya, that's all."

He wasn't planning on awakening her Herrscher powers just yet.

The timeline of this world was already a mess in his head. Plus, technology was developing way slower here than in Otto's world, Even Anti-Entropy seemed hesitant to dive into the really advanced stuff.

Who knows how long it might take for her Herrscher core to awaken naturally?

This is good; Herrscher's grudge is still deeply rooted in Valkyrie's concept, and, from a certain perspective, this is not completely wrong.

Even though Valkyries can sympathize with the struggles Herrschers face in the game, that doesn't change a thing. They're still trained to see Herrschers as the enemy, the threat to humanity.

Luo Mo figured Anna needed more time at St. Freya mainly because of this mental block. From what he remembered, she struggled a lot with her Herrscher core.

Anna's nervous behavior only confirmed his suspicions. Was this really an A-level Valkyrie? (Definitely not.)

"But... but I already graduated? I mean, if you need me to, as the boss..." Anna glanced at Luo Mo, hoping he wasn't pulling her leg. Finally, she let out a sigh of relief – at least she'd kept her job.

Her co-workers, those late-night gaming sessions, and the chance to get the latest game updates... It seemed like her life wouldn't change too drastically after all.

"Well, as long as you agree, I will go back to Theresa to connect with her." Luo Mo nodded.

Anna seemed gentle, even timid, which was good in some ways. But he'd need to be careful when her Herrscher powers awaken – would she have the willpower to control them?

He'd have to find someone reliable to keep a close eye on Anna.

"Don't worry too much. I'll let you know when it's time for you to head over," Luo Mo said, giving Anna a wave to signal she could leave.

Luo Mo was about to let Anna go when something clicked in his head. Wait, wasn't her file in the... what was it called... the 'fantasy' team?

"Hey, Anna, sorry to drag you back. You're with the 'fantasy' team, right? Could you do me a favor and give me a quick rundown of those games we have in development? "

Honestly, with all the focus on Honkai Impact 3rd, Luo Mo had nearly forgotten about their other projects. He remembered outsourcing some mini-games, but there were a couple that his own team had a hand in.

Luo Mo was pleasantly surprised after digging into the details.

This project was supposed to be just another outsourced side gig, right? The funding even came partially from Bishop Kallen's own pockets.

Compared to Otto's absurd spending on that "Kallen Fantasy" mess, this project's budget was a much-needed breath of fresh air for Schicksal's finances.

But after seeing the demo, Luo Mo couldn't shake the feeling that this project had been made with genuine care and passion. These two games show how much the world view and story are the same from two different perspectives.

About the plot? correlation or historical inaccuracies? Well, the word "fantasy" was in the titles for a reason,

The game's core structure is taking shape nicely. They've already got some story paths and endings worked out, but there's obviously a lot of work left to do. Luo Mo's decided to boost this team's funding – most of their budget seems to be going towards art and other assets.

Initially, Luo Mo figured they'd rush this game out the door, but he's changed his mind. He wants to release it after "Thus Spoke Apocalypse" Chapter launches.

Players are going to eat up the whole "what if" angle of this game.

After wrapping up a few loose ends and having a quick chat with Anna, Luo Mo finally sent her on her way.

Workdays always fly by, and before he knew it, darkness had crept in.

Luo Mo took a moment to reflect and couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction with how his day had gone.

If only he didn't have to deal with all the side-eyes and gossip. And really, could his screenwriter stop giving him those death glares every time he walked into the room?

...

The Golden Courtyard wasn't entirely swallowed by darkness. A few rooms still glowed with warm light. Eyo-sensei, bless her heart, was already fast asleep – she was still a child after all.

Elysia was sitting in front of the dressing mirror, Her long pink hair cascaded down her back, her freshly-washed skin practically shimmered. She delicately adjusted her bangs, the lingering scent of a floral bath wash filling the air.

She studied herself in the mirror. Her expression was fine, her skin flawless, her hair perfectly in place... everything but her smile. That was still a work in progress, and it was all thanks to that Nasty man.

Elysia forced the frown from her face. This was a beautiful night, and she didn't want to waste it dwelling on unpleasant things.

"Honestly... I'm always this adorable, aren't I? ♪" Elysia gave her reflection a satisfied nod.

Then she waited quietly for the arrival of a guest. If the other party still remembers what she said to her during the day,

"Well, if they forget..." Elysia trailed off, a playful glint in her eyes. "I suppose I'll just have to gift them this stigma. My only flaw is being too kind, after all. ♪"

She let out a soft sigh and turned her attention to the giant pink wardrobe.

In a girl this fabulous, of course everything had to be pink! ♪

The wardrobe held a few special treasures: dresses she'd rushed to order, even some Cos costumes Honkai Impact 3rd characters. Luo Mo had asked for those in advance for her, of course. Only that other company would be bold enough to produce Honkai Impact 3rd cosplay outfits! If that happen emm let's not talk about that

"I'm really looking forward to it. What will Mobius look like in such clothes? ♪ "

And with a few scattered knocks on the door, Elysia's eyebrows couldn't help but curve up, and her mood became more and more joyful. The other party still kept her promise!

She hummed the melody she heard during the day and opened the door gently.

Then Elysia saw Mobius looking around, as if she was afraid that someone would see her.

Well, well, if it isn't Mobius herself! But why all the sneaking around? Don't act like you're having an affair! ♪ " Elysia leaned against the doorway, blocking Mobius's path with a mischievous grin.

This was too good an opportunity to miss – she had to tease Mobius a little!

After all, Mobius had been way too serious last time. Sure, she always put up that concerned front, talking about her companions' health and all that...

"Dr. Mobius, so glad you could finally make it," Elysia continued, her voice dripping with playful sarcasm.

"Shh, keep it down!" Mobius glanced over her shoulder, making sure no one was watching, then let out a sigh. "Can you stop with the theatrics?" she snapped, her eyes narrowing.

"Alright, Elysia, cut the games. Where's the stuff?" Mobius demanded.

She'd been in the middle of a crucial experiment when this whole thing had popped into her head. She'd rushed over without a second thought, praying that Klein wouldn't notice her absence.

Mobius really hoped this Fat woman would just get it over with.

Looking at Elysia, all smiles and playful energy, a knot of unease formed in Mobius's stomach. Was Elysia really going to let her go this easily? What in the world was she after?

Couldn't Elysia just be normal for once? Mobius, used to being the one labeled 'abnormal' by everyone around her, now got a firsthand taste of just how frustrating it could be to deal with someone else's unpredictable behavior.

Mobius mentally kicked herself. Why did she always have to walk right into trouble? Mobius felt a little headache.

"Don't worry, Dr. Mobius," Elysia's voice was all honey and smiles. "You haven't fulfilled our little agreement yet. You'll get your stigmata, I promise. After our last encounter, haven't you believed in Elysia's credibility? ♪ "

Elysia eyes narrowed, and there was a dangerous glint in them.

This was far from over ♪ The night was still young ♪.

"Come on, this way," Elysia urged, gently but firmly guiding Mobius back into the room. With a quick glance down the empty hallway, she licked her lips, a sly smile playing on her face.

And of course, the last step was always the most important: close the door.

The wooden door clicked shut, plunging the hallway back into darkness. From a shadowy corner, a small figure watched the scene unfold with wide, curious eyes.

She knew that was Elysia's room,

"It's really weird. The doctor keeps saying he hates her, but why does she run out to Elysia's room halfway through the experiment?"

Klein's hands disappeared into the oversized sleeves of her lab coat. It was clearly too big for her, but she paid it no mind. Her main concern was the experimental report she held, the one she was supposed to deliver to the doctor.

Klein rested her chin on her hand, watching the door thoughtfully as the last sliver of light disappeared behind it. A confused sigh escaped her lips, and she clutched the report a little tighter.

"Well, I suppose I'll just have to finish up the doctor's experiment for her. But seriously, if she doesn't come back soon, I might have to go get her."

Klein turned to leave but couldn't resist casting one last glance at the closed door. What in the world could be going on in there? She couldn't deny it – she was more than a little curious.

...

"Elysia... is this really what you wanted?" Mobius couldn't keep the anger from her voice. Yet, even as she fumed, she found herself submitting to Elysia's ridiculous dress-up demands.

The Mobius in the mirror was almost unrecognizable. Gone was the cold scientist in her usual attire, replaced by a green-haired girl in a flouncy pink dress, looking... bashful? It was utterly ridiculous.

Damn it all! Why on earth was she wearing this? She'd resisted the idea back in the Elysian Realm, but even here, even now, she still couldn't bring herself to refuse Elysia. If anyone else saw this, Mobius's reputation would be ruined!

"Don't worry, Mobius, this is just the beginning!" Elysia's smile was wide as she surveyed Mobius in the pink dress.

It wasn't quite what she'd imagined, but it would do nicely!

"Now, come on, try this one next, Mo ~ Bi ~ U ~ S ~ ♪" Elysia chirped, and to Mobius, her sweet voice sounded more like a demon whispering demands.