Chapter 18: "After-Class Instruction"

Yae Sakura, a shrine maiden from the current era in Shinano 500 years ago, found it quite challenging to search for a school in the modern city or the ruined Nagazora City.

"Then we'll have to wait slowly."

Yae Sakura's fox ears twitched slightly. "Wait for what?"

"Wait for the appearance of another pseudo-Herrscher like you."

When that happens, the powerful Honkai energy released will be perceptible to Yae Sakura.

"....Pseudo-Herrscher."

Yae Sakura glanced at Hellmaru and asked, "Are there any other beings like her around?"

"What do you mean 'like me'?"

Hellmaru was on edge, feeling that every word from Yae Sakura was directed at her.

However, both Yae Sakura and Ye Feng ignored her.

Ye Feng said, "In any case, keep an eye out. If you see a white-haired dwarf carrying a giant cross, make sure to save her."

The Thousand Feather Academy might give birth to a pseudo-Herrscher. Theresa went there alone and almost got killed.

Fortunately, Yae Sakura arrived in time to prevent a disaster.

Now that Yae Sakura's path had shifted slightly, Ye Feng wasn't sure if he could save Theresa again.

Ye Feng didn't want Theresa to perish.

He was looking forward to everyone coming to his world.

And if Theresa perished, the Theresa in his world would also disappear, which would be a huge loss.

"Hellmaru, you need to help too."

Ye Feng looked at her kindly.

"?"

"If Yae Sakura gets injured, hey."

Ye Feng raised his finger rhythmically.

The Corruption Herrscher's mouth twitched. She was familiar with this gesture.

Whether it was the Corruption liquid rampage or the current state, it seemed to follow this gesture.

Though she didn't understand the principle, her body deeply remembered the excruciating, electric-like pain.

"Do you see me with a big belly and still ignore me? Forcing a pregnant woman to fight, you are even more wicked than a destructive Herrscher."

"Do your best. If you perform well, I might shorten your pregnancy."

Hellmaru's eyes brightened, but she lifted her head disdainfully and said, "You lowly human, do you think I will submit to your tyranny?"

"If you're happy with your big belly, I don't mind."

"...."

"Who is the 'white-haired dwarf carrying a giant cross' you mentioned?"

Yae Sakura asked.

"Theresa Apocalypse."

It's uncertain whether Yae Sakura truly has a "loyal dog" trait or if the world 500 years later made her overly confused, or perhaps both.

She had already prioritized the task given by Ye Feng as her top priority.

After "waking up" again, Yae Sakura gazed at the ravaged ruins for a long time before leaping from a shattered building, her agile figure gliding beneath the huge round moon.

She needed to find the Thousand Feather Academy as quickly as possible.

A few hours after Yae Sakura left, Kiana arrived in a huff.

With only three days left, she was determined to catch up.

Otherwise, last night's meal would have been wasted.

The sunk cost was too high.

"Come on, tonight I'll show you just how amazing I am!"

Kiana put her hands on her hips.

Ye Feng, however, waved his hand. "No hurry. I just remembered something."

"W-what is it....."

"Don't be so scared. It's about the real world. When you go back, find your aunt and tell her not to act alone if she finds traces of a pseudo-Herrscher at the Thousand Feather Academy. It's best to bring Fu Hua along."

"Herrscher.....?"

Kiana recalled that day when Mei suddenly floated in the air, with high concentrations of Honkai energy forming lightning wings that radiated destructive brilliance.

The cold gaze and violent lightning seemed to make everything submit.

Even now, thinking back, Kiana still felt uneasy.

It wasn't fear of Mei. It was whether she could reclaim Mei from "her" if it happened again.

"It's not a Herrscher, but a pseudo-Herrscher."

Ye Feng emphasized.

Although this concept only appeared early on, there were hardly any pseudo-Herrscher sightings afterward.

"Pseudo-Herrscher, I remember learning about it yesterday. Pseudo-Herrscher refers to humans infected by Honkai energy. They possess abilities similar to a Herrscher but lack the true Herrscher core, and their power is far less than a real Herrscher. Even I can handle them, let alone my aunt, who was an S-rank Valkyrie."

"Confidence is good, but don't be arrogant. Otherwise, you might end up in trouble."

Ye Feng projected the process of Theresa encountering pseudo-Herrscher at the Thousand Feather Academy.

Kiana looked on with skepticism.

"Would Aunt really fall for the same trick twice?"

"After all, it's Theresa. If it were a bug, she wouldn't."

"Don't call me a bug! Also, what's with the sudden appearance of someone with donkey ears? She seems to be able to possess others?"

"That's not important. Just know that if that person isn't there, your aunt might die twice."

"Alright. I understand. Regardless of the truth, since it concerns my aunt's safety, I will certainly pass on the message."

"Not just pass it on, but take it seriously. Also, you should remember the characteristics of the pseudo-Herrscher I mentioned."

Kiana initially nodded, but then shook her head vigorously, staring at Ye Feng with suspicion.

"Eh? Wait. Why are you so concerned about my aunt?"

The "bug" realized something.

It didn't make sense.

According to his claim, he had never been to this world and had no connection with her aunt.

But his level of concern was clearly strange.

Could he be plotting something?

Ye Feng looked at Kiana's clear sky-blue eyes and said, "Because Theresa is your aunt. Isn't it natural for me to care about her safety?"

"??"

Kiana was taken aback, then stepped back, hugging herself as if feeling a chill. "It's really disgusting when you say things like that."

Ye Feng laughed. "You're really strange. I said I would teach you, and you didn't react like this."

Kiana turned her head. ".....Anyway, it's not my body. Do whatever you want."

"Forget it, let's continue with the 'after-class instruction.'"

"Let's go! Now it's Kiana time!"

The "bug" was full of confidence.

And then, it repeated yesterday's pattern.

Kiana obediently knelt and sat, neatly folding her newly changed shrine maiden outfit beside her.

Ye Feng smiled and said, "Not bad, definitely an improvement from yesterday. But still not enough, Kiana. Let me see what was triggered this time. Oh, it's this."

Hearing Ye Feng's surprised voice, Kiana's heart skipped a beat as she cautiously asked, "What is it?"

Ye Feng showed his sturdy teaching rod.

"You see, this rod is 18 centimeters long. Now, continue answering questions quickly. For each wrong answer, I'll add 1 centimeter of punishment. For each correct answer, I'll subtract 1 centimeter. Be quick, if you don't answer within three seconds, it's considered wrong."

"..." Wait, why am I punished even for answering correctly?

Once the mechanism was triggered, the body could not resist.

Kiana helplessly lay on the desk and started answering questions again.

But,

"Ugh~~ It hurts so much!"

The rod hurt much more than before.

The "bug" turned around, her frown seeming to accuse.

Ye Feng explained:

"It's not my fault. Just past midnight, today is Monday, and the world has reset."

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