Chapter 23: Angel, Promoted to B Grade

"Boom!"

After the bandages were removed, the month passed quickly as St. Freya Angel continued to recuperate from her injuries.

"Neko cha..."

"Honkai Fist - ten percent!"

"Boom!"

The young girl's petite body, with perfect curves outlined by the white tight-fitting battle suit, sped across the training ground like a cannonball. But that's not important, let's not mention it.

Anyway, this period was all about trivial routines, and apart from establishing her dominance in the science curriculum through two monthly exams, Angel didn't have any more gains. After all, many of the advances in the theater space couldn't be explained to anyone.

"I don't believe it, how can I, Kiana, not beat a freshman who hasn't had a practical class in two months? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

"Foolish, witless, you've lost your temper. Retreat, Kiana!"

"Boom!"

Ahem, please continue to ignore the above murmurs, they're all inconsequential and trivial.

However, after being cooped up inside for so long, Angel was finally settling into that warm environment. Although her favorite was still Himeko, she had also learned to mock Kiana's intelligence, compliment Mei's cooking, and watch the Homu anime with Bronya without any help.

By the way, she's also mixed up with Theresa.

With this configuration, when viewed by a Honkai Impact 3 player tourist relatively unfamiliar with the plot, no one would believe it if they said that Angel wasn't the main character of the group, right?

"Is that all you can do, hide... Puh uh!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Before Kiana could finish her harsh words, she was flanked by the swift and sensitive cheetah-like Angel, who closed in from the side, followed by a period of completely unrecognizable chain beatings.

"Kiana..."

Raiden Mei covered her mouth with both hands and let out a trembling cry of horror. As Kiana's best friend, how could Raiden Mei stand by and watch her suffer this ordeal? Raiden Mei clenched her teeth and her fists with determination.

Then closed her eyes.

At the same time, Himeko and several female Valkyrie teachers were holding evaluation sheets, nodding their heads at Angel's performance.

"Well, the movements are very standard, and judging by the force and timing, it looks like she's truly integrated the basic physical arts, rather than just mastering the stance."

"Indeed, the standard is perfect for a reservist. And this black armor, it's called [Hunter Suit - Spectre], right? It perfectly utilizes advantages in speed and stance. It seems we have another talented female martial artist."

"Himeko-sensei, congratulations, it looks like this year's chief student can be decided, and this armor set is going to be taken by her!"

"I heard that you brought this child up. It seems you have special educational skills. When will you have time to teach us? Truth be told, the kids in our class this year... alas, one term is not as good as another!"

"Hahaha! Don't make a fuss, it's purely because she's competing on her own. Angel had already mastered the basic physical arts before she stopped classes. During her time recuperating, she often asked me for advice on practical combat. With this kind of performance, her self-awareness and talent are more important. There's no need to ask for advice, but we can go for a few drinks together in the evening, hahaha!"

The teachers laughed and joked, happily watching Angel perform and Kiana take a beating.

At this moment, Kiana received a heavy punch and flew high into the air, dazed and annoyed. She didn't think about anything else; she just wanted to release a big move first.

"Aaaaahhhh! Neko cha..."

"Break!"

"Boom!"

High above Kiana's head, the figure of Angel suddenly appeared. Angel slammed her foot down like a heavy axe, instantly smashing Kiana into the ground.

Angel then landed and rushed into the dust Kiana had kicked up in another instant.

"Honkai Fist - twenty percent!"

"Boom!!!"

The aftermath of the fist's energy was like a gust of wind, instantly dispersing the dust that obscured the view.

What was reflected in the eyes of the onlookers was a clear and unrivaled image of Angel's tiny fist resting in front of Kiana's stiff expression.

"Overall evaluation: Angel is excellent. Kiana... fails," Himeko said slowly as she tallied up the scores.

Angel lowered her fist, which had stopped in front of Kiana, and turned to Himeko, giving an expressionless victory sign.

Kiana fell limply to her knees, losing her balance and falling forward, her whole demeanor grayed out. "Failed theory class, failed practical class... I don't want any more remedial classes ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Himeko gave Angel a thumbs up, then glanced at the wailing Kiana, shook her head, and sighed.

Although it looked quite pitiful, when she remembered how Kiana dozed off in theory class and was routinely distracted in actual combat class, she felt completely unsympathetic.

"Angel's performance in all subjects is excellent. Although her enrollment time is short and her mission experience insufficient, based on her comprehensive performance, she is competent enough to be a B-class female Valkyrie. I announce that Valkyrie Angel is officially promoted to B rank and at the same time receives the right to use the [Hunter Suit - Spectre]."

"As for Kiana... remember to return the [White Comet] to the Equipment Department after class. You are not yet qualified to possess it."

"Next group, Raiden Mei versus Fu Hua. Both students, please make sure your armor is on correctly and be ready to start if there are no problems."

Himeko announced the result in a businesslike manner, giving Angel a look in the process.

Angel instantly understood and reached out, picking up the back of Kiana's collar and dragging her toward the field.

As she passed Raiden Mei, who was walking toward the arena, Angel could clearly see the worried look on her opponent's face.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of Kiana. Go Mei, beat that guy!"

Angel encouraged with a serious look on her face.

Of course, she knew Raiden Mei wouldn't be able to beat Fu Hua, even using the [Crimson Impulse], or even if she turned on the Conquest Gem to become the Herrscher of Thunder.

However, since Fu Hua hadn't come to see Angel these days and the two hadn't made any progress in their relationship, the hostile setting was still there. With Raiden Mei taking care of Angel these days, Angel could only encourage her.

Raiden Mei smiled reluctantly. It was clear she was more interested in comforting Kiana than focusing on her semester quiz grades.

"Well, thanks for the encouragement. Anyway, congratulations in advance, Angel. We'll talk about the rest when I get back. See you later."

Raiden Mei stroked Angel's little head, concerned about Kiana but not oblivious to Angel's amazing performance.

The three staggered past.

Angel dragged a discouraged Kiana to the sidelines. Kiana lay on her back on the ground, her eyes staring lifelessly at the sky.

Angel squatted down and stretched out her slender fingers, poking Kiana's soft face.

"Kiana, are you dying?"

"Scram! Thanks to me letting you have the last chicken leg last night, you're doing this to me today?"

"It can't be helped, I, Angel, am strong and invincible!"

Angel raised her little face and moved her hands upward in a motion of bulging her large arm muscles. Although there was no very obvious muscle bulge, the smug gesture already showed her pride.

Kiana glared at her in exasperation, then helplessly sat up and focused on the battle between Raiden Mei and Fu Hua. Pissed off as she was, having been defeated by Angel, who had been suspended from practical combat classes for two months, Kiana knew she had no one to blame but herself.

"Ugh, at this rate, when am I going to become an S-rank Valkyrie..." Kiana lamented.

Without becoming a B-rank, she couldn't move towards S-rank. Without reaching S-rank, she couldn't ask her great aunt about the whereabouts of her stinky dad. Had she known that she wouldn't have bragged about S-rank when her great aunt mentioned she'd reveal the news if she reached A-rank!

How confident she was when she boasted, and how much it hurts to be hit in the face right now!

Life, it's so hard!

Angel looked at Kiana's depressed appearance and felt a little bad. But the identity of an honor student is a favorable basis for the next action, and defeat at the hands of the school scum Kiana is something she really could not accept.

Therefore, Angel could only lie on Kiana's back and gently touch her head as a way to express her feelings of comfort.