The Hyperion came to Schicksal HQ. The Hyperion was dismantled.
Himeko, with a wave of her hand, had the Hyperion completely overhauled. What to do if there wasn't enough money? Dismantle the old to pay for the new!
Most of the Hyperion's weapon systems were ordered to be removed by Himeko, leaving only the main cannon and a few other weapons.
Those weapon armaments were only effective against some small-scale Honkai Beasts and struggled to cause damage to anything over ten meters. They were also easily damaged by Honkai Beast attacks, and each repair was a huge expense.
"Hahaha, how could it be that I can't afford them! It's just that the strongest weapon on the Hyperion is me, Himeko! With me, it's enough. The Hyperion doesn't need these useless weapons!"
Himeko spoke grandly to the engineers, telling them to dismantle as much as they could. Once the space for these weapon systems was freed up, Himeko wanted to replace them all with defense and energy systems.
"Himeko!" "Teacher Himeko!"
Ryn, Kiana, and the others ran over, happily waving at Himeko. They had gained a lot these past few days, benefiting immensely.
"Seeing you all so happy reassures me." Himeko smiled benevolently at Ryn and the others, then pulled out her 40-meter battleship-slaying sword from behind her back.
"You brats, just how did you turn the Helios into such a pile of scrap metal!!"
Halfway there, Ryn, Kiana, and the others slammed on the brakes, then scrambled and rolled back the way they came.
Without looking back, Ryn shouted at Himeko, "The weather is nice today, Teacher Himeko, we'll be on our way."
Kiana also shouted, "Durandal still has a set of fist techniques she hasn't finished teaching me, I'm leaving too."
"Dr. Nagamitsu's new equipment for Project Bunny hasn't been calibrated yet, the Bronya is leaving too." Seeing that Ryn and Kiana had both made up lame excuses, Bronya also found an excuse for herself.
Mei also tried to say something, but Kika did a flying leap onto her back.
"If you can't think of anything, then don't! Just run!"
"But we really were in the wrong..."
"Where are your eyes! If that 40-meter greatsword comes down, I'll be visiting your grave this time next year!" Kika grabbed Mei's ponytail, flicked it like she was riding a horse, and even shouted "Giddy-up!"
Although Mei felt like something wasn't quite right, Himeko was already catching up, so Mei had no choice but to follow Bronya, who was at the very back, and run.
Himeko, holding her 40-meter greatsword high, chased them relentlessly from behind.
Finally, tired of chasing, Himeko just stood on the Hyperion, sword in hand, waiting for Ryn and the others to come to her. After all... Kiana, Mei, Kika, you don't want to be unable to return to St. Freya High School, do you!
Not long after, realizing they probably couldn't hide and would have to face the music eventually, Ryn and the others came back to the Hyperion one by one like lambs to the slaughter, where they were given a stern lecture by Himeko.
On the Hyperion, Kiana clutched her head, squatting together with everyone else who was also clutching their heads, and said:
"Do you guys think Teacher Himeko is so angry because the Hyperion and the Helios have a father-son relationship, and we broke the Hyperion's child, which is why she's so mad?"
"Kiana, Hyperion and Helios are just from Greek mythology! How could the Helios possibly be the Hyperion's child!"
"No, no, Mei, you know, the Helios might actually be the Hyperion's child, because the Helios has always been docked on the Hyperion, it's the Hyperion's escort ship."
"See, see, even Ryn said so!"
Mei's vision went dark. She felt that what Ryn said was strangely correct, but something also seemed off.
"Forget it, we've paid the money and taken the scolding anyway."
——————————————
After returning to St. Freya High School, Kiana excitedly went to find Fu Hua.
"Class Rep, I have undergone a hellish trial. The me now can take on ten of my former self! This time, I will definitely defeat you!"
"Full of fighting spirit, that's very good. But Kiana, being too arrogant is not a good thing..."
"Cut the crap! Today, either I defeat you, or you defeat me!"
Kiana shouted and charged at Fu Hua, and the two began to fight.
"Kiana's improvement is indeed remarkable. She can even parry and neutralize my inner force and neutralizing force. Then I should also show some of my real skills."
Fu Hua quickly closed in on Kiana, her fist held at her abdomen, and then suddenly charged towards Kiana.
"Inch-Punch: Sky Opener!"
The speed was too fast. Before Kiana could react, she felt as if her body had been folded in half at her stomach. The intense pain made tears stream down her face uncontrollably.
Kiana flew back several meters, tumbling on the ground, unable to get up again.
Kiana vs. Fu Hua, 105th match. Fu Hua: 104 wins, Kiana: 1 win.
"This performance was still not perfect enough."
Fu Hua adjusted her glasses and turned to leave in a hurry. If she didn't run now, in a few minutes when Kiana recovered, she would be pestering her to fight again.
Kiana's recovery ability was as monstrous as her strength. In the past, Fu Hua didn't know any better and ended up fighting Kiana more than a dozen times in one day. Finally, after Kiana was completely down, Fu Hua let her guard down and prepared to help Kiana up.
"Class Rep Fu Hua, you've fallen for my trap!"
Caught off guard, Fu Hua was hit in the face by Kiana, who had found a gap in her defense. Her face was knocked askew by the punch.
This dishonorable young person, Kiana, had tricked and sneak-attacked her, a person of thousands of years.
In the end, Fu Hua, sporting a black eye, never let Kiana win again. Every time after a fight, she would leave the scene at top speed.
However, in just a few short months, Kiana was already able to make her use Inch-Punch: Sky Opener. Fu Hua was looking forward to the day when Kiana could force her to use the Edge of Taixuan with just her own strength, without relying on a Valkyrie battlesuit.
After fighting the junior during the day, the senior came at night.
Fu Hua's daily routine was very regular. For example, an hour after dinner, Ryn would precisely block her door.
Well, don't get the wrong idea. It wasn't to avenge Kiana. How could he come for revenge just because of some damage sustained in combat training! Ryn solemnly stated that he was here to learn.
Ryn had previously heard from the Stigmata that in their world, there was an Azure Empyrea who looked just like Fu Hua, whose punch could split mountains and part seas. The world respectfully called her Granny Azure Empyrea.
Didn't Ji Lin call Fu Hua 'Chiyuan'? After figuring it out, Ryn immediately ran to Fu Hua to ask for teachings.
Fu Hua said she did have it. An ultimate skill that transcended the power and skill of traditional martial arts, born from the metaphysics of the heart—the Taixu Sword Ki, a fusion of heart, power, and skill.
But Fu Hua said the first few forms were useless for Ryn. As a Herrscher, he had already far surpassed the limits that the Heart and Form states of Taixu Sword Ki could reach.
As for the later forms... Fu Hua said she forgot.
How could Ryn believe such a ridiculous reason? He figured his attitude towards learning wasn't sincere enough, so he emulated the ancient scholars from books and came to block Fu Hua's door every night.