227. Thank Goodness I Didn't Say It
"It's Rita, come in," Theresa greeted.
Rita pushed open the door and was greeted by Yun Ling.
"Miss Rita? The owner of the dessert shop?" Yun Ling raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.
"Oh dear, I didn't expect to run into you here. So you're also a student at St. Freya Academy?"
Rita's pink lips parted slightly, her slender fingers spread in front of her face, a hint of surprise on her expression.
"Rita, you know Yun Ling?" Theresa asked in confusion.
"So your name is Yun Ling... Replying to Lady Theresa, I own a dessert shop in the food street not far away. Mr. Yun Ling and his girlfriend happened to patronize my shop before, and they left quite an impression on me."
Rita explained with a smile.
"I see." Theresa nodded.
"Then I'll take my leave. Goodbye, Headmistress, goodbye, Miss Rita." Yun Ling waved and walked outside.
"Goodbye, Mr. Yun Ling." Rita nodded gently, bidding farewell to Yun Ling.
After Yun Ling left, Rita took out some snacks and bitter melon juice and fed them to Theresa.
"Rita, did Grandpa send you here for a task?" Theresa asked while enjoying Rita's care.
"Reporting to Lady Theresa, His Holiness the Archbishop did indeed give me some tasks, concerning the investigation of Raiden Mei and Bronya Zaychik's identities."
"After all, both of them have intricate connections with Anti-Entropy. His Holiness the Archbishop is worried that they might be Anti-Entropy's spies, so he specifically sent me to investigate." Rita explained.
Hearing this, Theresa breathed a sigh of relief. She had thought Rita was here to investigate the Third Herrscher.
If Yuna and Mei, the two Herrschers, were discovered by Schicksal while they were at the school, it would be disastrous.
"Don't worry about that. I'm not that careless. I've had people keeping an eye on them, and after observing them these past few days, they should be fine," Theresa waved her hand.
"And even if there were problems with Teacher Fu Hua here. Theresa will definitely be alright."
Fu Hua was Theresa's biggest source of confidence; she was someone even her grandfather wouldn't dare to offend.
"That's true. Teacher Fu Hua really gives me a strong sense of security," Rita softly agreed.
It was precisely because Fu Hua was here that Otto didn't dare to come to St. Freya Academy so easily, but instead sent Rita to investigate.
After all, Fu Hua deeply hated Otto. If Otto weren't the Archbishop of Schicksal, Fu Hua would probably have crushed his Soul Steel head with a single blow.
And Rita's mission was certainly not as simple as it seemed on the surface.
After all, if it were just about investigating potential Anti-Entropy spies, there would be no need to send an S-rank Valkyrie. Otto's true target is Yun Ling!
And Yun Ling is Fu Hua's Achilles' heel.
If Otto truly doesn't want to anger this Immortal Jingwei, who can overturn Schicksal in an instant, his wisest course of action is to stay away from Yun Ling.
But he is... Otto!
...
"It seems Yun Ling has been studying much more diligently lately," Kiana said, propping her chin on her hand and tilting her head to look at Yun Ling beside her.
"Because I have a goal, I have the motivation to strive," Yun Ling said, flipping through the book in his hands, which contained instructions for delicate surgeries.
"Another medical book? What's your goal? Is something wrong with your health?" Mei asked worriedly.
"Don't you know whether something's wrong with my health?" Yun Ling said, winking.
Mei blushed and spat, ignoring him.
"I'm preparing to complete a groundbreaking surgical procedure. I'll tell you all after it's finished," Yun Ling smiled mysteriously.
"Riddler, you're so annoying." Kiana rolled her eyes.
"Yun Ling, I've prepared some water for you." Yuna gently handed him a glass of warm water.
"Thank you, Yuna." Yun Ling took it and thanked her.
"No…you're welcome." Yuna shook her head, blushing.
"By the way, where's Bronya?" Kiana suddenly realized that their five-person team seemed to be missing someone.
"Bronya? Well, she lost to me in the hacking competition last time, so she's in seclusion, working hard." Yun Ling took a sip of water and replied.
"Your hacking skills have surpassed Bronya's?" Kiana looked somewhat incredulous.
"Didn't I tell you? I'm a genius, I learn everything quickly." Yun Ling replied with a grin.
"That's perfect! The monthly exams are coming up soon. Help me catch up! If you don't help me, my minor course is doomed!" Kiana grabbed Yunling's hand and pleaded.
"How could that be? I doubt you'll even pass your main course, Kiana," Mei chuckled, covering her mouth.
"Mei~" Kiana looked aggrieved, her voice almost sickeningly sweet.
"There's only a week left until the monthly exam… and after that, it's the Valkyrie Exam! I heard Aunt Himeko say that the monthly exam results will affect the Valkyrie Exam!"
"Then pay attention in class, stop sleeping on your desk all day. And if I hear you calling me 'Aunt' behind my back again, I won't let you off the hook."
Himeko suddenly appeared beside Kiana's ear and grabbed it.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch… Teacher Himeko, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Seeing Kiana admit her mistake, Himeko released her ear.
"I checked your scores in the simulation training room. Kiana, Mei, Yuna, and Bronya, the four of you have already reached the level of a B-rank Valkyrie. Some special A-rank Valkyries can't even compare to you without their Valkyrie armor."
"That means you can skip the D-rank and C-rank Valkyrie assessments and directly apply for the B-rank Valkyrie test. I don't need to elaborate on the benefits of becoming a B-rank Valkyrie, right?"
Himeko glanced at Kiana, her meaning clear.
"Uh...can we go out on a mission?" Kiana asked tentatively.
"...It's applying for Valkyrie armor!" Himeko rubbed her forehead. Kiana had really gone to a whole new level of stupidity.
Thinking about becoming a B-rank Valkyrie at this rate seemed far too early.
"Valkyrie armor can significantly enhance a Valkyrie's combat abilities, increasing their fighting power several times or even dozens of times. Of course, the prerequisite is that you must possess the power to wield the Valkyrie armor, and a B-rank Valkyrie is the minimum requirement for using it. I've explained this more than once in class, Kiana. How come you didn't remember?"
Himeko considerately gave Kiana a crash course.
"Of...of course I remember!" Kiana shouted weakly.
Seeing this, Himeko didn't bother to torture her any further, because Kiana was just an idiot.
"Then, can Yun Ling apply for A-rank?" Mei inquired about Yun Ling's situation.
"To be honest, with Yun Ling's raw strength, applying for S-rank wouldn't be a big problem. It's just that S-rank requires reporting to Schicksal headquarters, so it depends on whether he's willing." Himeko turned her gaze to Yun Ling.
Of course, she also noticed the book on surgery in his hand, and her heart warmed.
Yun Ling seemed genuinely searching for a solution to the side effects of the 'artificial holy marks,' not just paying lip service.
This small detail did indeed pique her interest.
"No, there are so many pretty girls at St. Freya Academy, I haven't even had a chance to get to know them all yet. We'll talk about it later," Yun Ling refused without hesitation.
Well, thankfully, he didn't say it aloud.
...