"An A-grade evaluation can be passed by killing two Chariot-class Honkai Beasts. In truth, the combat strength of a Templar-class Honkai Beast is roughly on par with a Chariot-class, while an Unknown-class is on a completely different level compared to a Templar-class."
"I could have passed the practical assessment long ago."
Although Inori was merely stating facts well known among the trainees, some of the onlookers still mistook it for arrogance, and jealous voices arose: "What are you showing off for? Compared to Blanche, you're still far behind."
"If I put in a bit of effort for a year or two, I could pass it too..."
Inori cast a light glance toward the direction of the voice, and that area instantly fell silent.
The killing intent in her gaze, honed from her time in an underworld family, was still effective—even though Inori hadn't expected to use it in a place like this.
She sighed inwardly. As expected, wherever there were people, there would be conflict. Even at St. Freya Academy, there would always be those with ill intentions.
Yamanashi smiled gently, easing the atmosphere. "After all, your ability really is hard to control. Sister Zofia is just worried about your safety."
If Idovia hadn't been involved. Inori thought silently.
Inori subconsciously touched the strange scar at the back of her neck. "Yeah. If it were MOTH, I probably wouldn't escape the laboratory for the rest of my life. But if it were Mad Hatter, I actually wouldn't mind being researched."
"What are you talking about?" Yamanashi grabbed Inori's calloused hand. "I don't want to see you turned into a 'specimen' standing beside a blackboard."
"Mad Hatter would never allow that," Inori said with confidence. "The only ones who will become 'specimens' are our enemies—MOTH and the Herrschers."
Yamanashi pouted, clearly unconvinced. She knew just how much her best friend idolized Mr. Mad Hatter.
As long as Mr. Mad Hatter asked, she would definitely agree without hesitation.
Was it that she didn't value herself, or that she was simply too willing to devote everything?
It couldn't be that she had fallen in love with the mysterious Mr. Mad Hatter, could it?
Seeing Yamanashi's serious expression, Inori chuckled and lightly flicked her nose. "Alright. Even if I wanted to join, Mr. Mad Hatter hasn't let me, has he?"
"I submitted an application to become a reserve Valkyrie, but Mr. Mad Hatter refused to let me participate in Project Valkyrie, saying my mindset isn't suited to becoming a Valkyrie."
Mr. Mad Hatter strictly selected every candidate for Project Valkyrie, conducting comprehensive evaluations before deciding whether they could join.
But Inori could never understand—she had already achieved excellence in all aspects, possessed the will to protect her companions, the resolve to sacrifice herself, and absolute loyalty to Mr. Mad Hatter. Why, then, was her application still rejected?
"Valkyries..." Yamanashi revealed a complicated expression of admiration and fear.
She knew how powerful Valkyries were, but she also understood that among all paths to strength, this was the most difficult.
Because every current Valkyrie was a pioneer forging a new path, not someone resting under the shade of an established tree.
Unlike MOTH, Mad Hatter did not conduct large-scale human experiments on innocents. Everything relied on volunteers—heroes willing to walk the path of Valkyries step by step.
So far, not a single Valkyrie had met a peaceful end—including Idovia.
"This time, I'll definitely make Mr. Mad Hatter recognize that I have the resolve too—mmph!"
Hearing Inori grow more and more worked up, Yamanashi stuffed an ice pop into her mouth.
"Alright, alright, our top student. I've heard this dozens of times already. I'm so jealous—you won't have to stay at St. Freya Academy as a trainee anymore."
Inori gave Yamanashi a strange look. She knew that Yamanashi's combat ability was far from weak—when she threw her spear with full force, almost no one could confidently block it.
Noticing Inori's expression, Yamanashi spread her hands helplessly. "Can't be helped. I only know how to throw spears, and right now Mad Hatter is focusing on researching sword-type weapons."
Swords were currently the main research direction of the Mad Hatter organization.
After all, their funding was limited. They couldn't afford to research every type of weapon like MOTH did.
The number of weapons scientists they could recruit was extremely small, and most of them specialized in firearms. In modern times, how many scientists still focused on cold weapons?
Of course, Vill-V could create any weapon—but they couldn't expect her to custom-build weapons for every single member. That would exhaust her to death.
Thus, to apply for a personalized weapon, one had to at least become a cadre-level member—and even then, it depended on Vill-V's mood.
"To become a cadre, you need a suitable weapon. But without a suitable weapon, how do you become a cadre? It's a perfect dead loop."
"Alright, alright, enough complaining. Go offer up your 'first time.' Mr. Mad Hatter is waiting."
"I'm just receiving a 'departure mission'! Can you not make it sound so indecent? And it's just a recording from a mission terminal—I won't even meet Mr. Mad Hatter in person!"
"What, worried that someone as noble as Mr. Mad Hatter wouldn't notice you? Our Inori is so cute—if you confessed, you'd definitely succeed... oh, you're blushing."
"Ugh, stop it already..."
...
The once-every-seven-days Honkai Beast tide had temporarily ended. But for the residents of Barcelona, this meant their suffering was only just beginning.
Because now, the gangs had the spare energy to extort and plunder the people.
While replenishing resources to resist the next Honkai tide, they also vented the resentment accumulated during the battles.
Bang!
In the Miaohu District of Barcelona, a group of robbers armed with shotguns burst into a clothing store. They looted all the goods. The shop owner let out a terrified cry and helplessly hid in a wardrobe, clutching her head.
Sweat streamed down her forehead, soaking her clothes. Listening to the noise of the robbers outside, she feared making even the slightest sound that might attract their attention.
Only after waiting quietly for them to leave, when the store finally fell silent, did she dare to step out trembling from the wardrobe. By then, everything before her had been completely ruined.
All the shelves had been emptied. Clothes and shattered glass were scattered across the floor. What remained were only empty hangers and piles of plastic garment covers.
Faced with the robbers' looting, the shop owner could only collapse onto the ground helplessly, choking on her sobs.
A man in a black jacket entered the store with a group of heavily armed thugs, striding in arrogantly.
The thugs all had ghost-face tattoos on their bodies, while the man leading them bore a dragon tattoo.
They paid no mind to the shop owner's fear, chatting casually in front of her as if they were customers browsing the store.
"Things have really gotten chaotic lately. A lot of strong people have popped up."
"I heard that Er Zhuzhu ran into a tough opponent while collecting protection fees. Now he'll be stuck with a hospital bed for the rest of his life."
"Say, the owner of this shop is pretty good-looking, yet she hasn't been 'eaten.' Could she be some kind of dangerous character in disguise?"
"No way. Stop being paranoid. The only reason she hasn't been 'eaten' is because our boss can't perform..."