"The Predecessors of the Previous Era, huh... I feel like your class is the most colorful one I've ever taught, regardless of identity, status, or experience."
"The Second Herrscher, the Third Herrscher, the Anti-Entropy Saintess, the Schicksal Young Master—"
"Hmph, hmph. When I die, I can go brag to all my old comrades. I, Murata Himeko, may never have become an S-rank Valkyrie, but as a teacher, I've reached the level of an Imperial Tutor to both Schicksal and Anti-Entropy."
"According to Shenzhou tradition, shouldn't I confer the title of Grand Tutor upon you, Teacher Himeko? That would place you among the Three Ducal Ministers, at the First Rank..."
Snow's lip twitched, and she rolled her eyes.
"Mhm, mhm, mhm. And while we're at it, how about 'permission to enter court without hastening,' 'wearing a sword and shoes in the Emperor's presence,' 'being addressed by title instead of name,' and 'bestowal of the Nine Bestowments'—" the red-haired Valkyrie chimed in, getting carried away.
"Teacher Himeko, do you actually know the other hidden meaning behind the Nine Bestowments in Shenzhou history...?"
"Oh? What is it?"
"Seizing power and usurping the throne... You're planning to divide Schicksal into three, aren't you?"
"So, the Eastern and Western Roman Empires are evolving into the Three Kingdoms?"
Snow's lip twitched.
"Ahem, let's not talk about that. Honestly, Teacher... I don't have much time left. Even though you students and Theresa worry about my health every day, I know my own body best. This thing would be wasted on me. It's better to give it to you all, especially that girl, Kiana..."
Himeko coughed, then pulled two single-use injectors from her battlesuit.
"This is the Honkai-Neutralizing Serum I got from Dr. Tesla. It can clear Honkai energy corrosion within a minute... It might be useful for Kiana, considering she has a Herrscher Persona inside her, right?"
"..."
"As a teacher... your actions go far beyond what mere 'dedication' can describe, Teacher Himeko."
Snow stared at the red-haired Valkyrie before her, her expression unreadable.
"Because I'm a teacher at St. Freya, Snow. It's not that I look down on teachers in ordinary society—"
"As teachers of this Academy, everything we teach and impart carries a weight—a sorrow—far greater than that of our counterparts in secular institutions."
"Their students graduate and dedicate themselves to advancing human civilization, contributing to society in countless ways."
"Yet the very space for civilization to progress, the very hope for our species' survival—all of it is built upon the armed protection of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy. While their students step into society, ours step onto the battlefield."
"The path forward for civilization cannot be illuminated by wisdom and reason alone. In the darkness lurks a beast named Honkai, stalking those who lead the way, tearing flesh and bone from any who falter."
"Humanity needs warriors armed with sword and fire—warriors who must forge ahead of scientists and scholars. They must carve a path through the darkness, filling the chasms with their own bodies and the corpses of beasts, so that those who follow can build and thrive in a new, stable era."
"Human civilization, shrouded in the shadow of the Honkai, has long been warped. It is no longer scientists at the cutting edge of their fields who forge humanity's path forward, but warriors—sword-wielding warriors. The scientists merely follow in their wake."
"Yes, they all deserve respect. But compared to researchers, warriors often give far more than they receive. They sacrifice their youth, their emotions, their very lives... People may mock me, Himeko, for dying alone, but how many Schicksal Valkyries ever find a partner to spend their lives with?"
"And among those, how many dare to express or reciprocate love, whether their own or another's? A typical Valkyrie's career rarely lasts beyond age 30 or 40. After retirement, their battle-worn bodies seldom allow them to live to old age. What ordinary people call 'growing old together' is nothing but a distant dream for these girls..."
"The profession of a Valkyrie has never been a good one."
"Snow Apocalypse, what do you think I feel, as an introductory instructor for such a profession? What could I possibly feel?"
"As much as this body allows, I can only encourage them, help them, shoulder their burdens, and watch them grow as they press forward... They are my children. Even without blood ties, they are more than family to me."
The woman's voice grew softer and softer, as if she were about to drift off to sleep.
"...You're tired, Himeko."
"Yes... I'm so tired. I might not live to see that day, Snow... I'm destined never to witness humanity's victory over the Honkai—I truly wish I could see it. What kind of world would that be?"
Her faint voice gradually faded into silence, but the young woman beside her committed every word to memory.
"You will... You absolutely will... You must—"
Catching the red-haired Valkyrie as she collapsed, the blonde girl swiftly injected the blue liquid from a single-use syringe into her body. Then, she removed the Gem of Serenity—the source of the infinite burden on Himeko's body—from her battlesuit.
Just then, an indigo-haired young man with disheveled clothes climbed through a violently torn opening in the wall.
"So this is the student Einstein and Joachim mentored back in college... Sigh, they're all cut from the same cloth. Birds of a feather really do flock together. Miss Snow, please lay Miss Himeko on the bed... We'll repair her body."
The young man projected a medical bed, gesturing for Snow to place the red-haired Valkyrie upon it.
"Hmm... Extensive old injuries to her muscles and ligaments, severe wear on her cartilage... Just how many battles has she fought? Her internal organs are also heavily damaged. The harm from Honkai energy erosion hasn't disappeared even after the erosion itself was cleared."
"Whew, thankfully, her brain tissue and most of her neural structures are unharmed. Liver function is slightly suboptimal, though. She should really cut back on the drinking—"
After projecting various medical instruments to conduct a thorough examination, Joyce delivered his conclusion.
"She's not going to die. We can save her. Even without any cybernetic enhancements, she'll be able to live a healthy life to a hundred, as long as she doesn't go looking for trouble."
"If she decides to look for trouble, none of us can stop her... Teachers have a natural advantage and a special attack bonus against their students."
Snow curled her lip in resignation. If Muninn hadn't pulled some strings to put Himeko temporarily to sleep, she probably would have had to wait until Himeko passed out or forcibly pin her down just to administer the serum she was holding.
"Fine... It's true what they say: 'like attracts like.' They all have the same damn stubborn temper."
"I'm going to start repairing her body. Want to lend a hand?"
"Sure."
To Snow's utter disbelief, Joyce pulled out a massive black-and-white knight's lance—
"...I am the Black of the Abyss, the White descended from the Skies. Born before Creation, existing after Annihilation; I will give freely from the Spring of Life to all who thirst."
"What the hell did you snatch from Dad and that blockhead...?"
"Ah, just borrowing it for a bit. It belonged to an old acquaintance, after all. Besides, Miss Bianka seemed pretty drunk... she just handed it over. I'll have to make a trip to return it later."
"And this thing makes the healing process much smoother."