HI3: I Don't Want to Be a Valkyrie

It wasn't that Kallen was stingy or unwilling to provide the Yae Sakura sisters with better weapons. The truth was they were still too young—one barely eleven, the other even younger. Their strength was limited, and their bodies had just begun to develop. Giving them powerful weapons at this stage would do more harm than good.

For others, Kallen might have hesitated to part with five-star weapons, but for the Yae sisters, such reservations never crossed her mind.

If their strength met her standards, Yae Sakura resolved that she wouldn't stint on providing two top-tier weapons.

These two katana were merely meant as transitional tools for them.

"Katana... for us?" Yae Sakura and Yae Rin looked at the blades in Kallen's hands, their faces lighting up with excitement.

They couldn't know Kallen's thoughts about powerful five-star weapons, but the one-star katana before them still appeared to be of high quality.

Better even than Yae Sakura's current blade, and now Kallen was offering it to them—how could they not be thrilled?

"Yes! Use these katana as stand-ins for now!" With that, Kallen promptly handed over the hilt of each blade to them.

"What beautiful katana..." Yae Sakura and Yae Rin took the swords, cherishing the weapons in their hands. It was important to note that not just anyone could possess a katana, especially one of exceptional craftsmanship.

A fine katana was to a samurai as a trusted weapon and partner for life.

Yae Sakura, being somewhat more experienced, fared better. Although this blade surpassed her own in quality, she had grown entirely accustomed to it.

But for Yae Rin, who had never handled a real sword before, this gift was the most extraordinary she'd ever received.

"Thank you... thank you so much, Kallen-nee," she said gratefully. "I'll definitely cherish it always." She cradled the katana reverently.

"Don't worry about it too much," Kallen replied with a smile. "It's just an ordinary katana. When you've grown more skilled, there will be even better weapons for you."

Not even in this age could anyone carry a blade. However, as priestesses of Yae Shrine... those from the Yae family were granted the right to bear arms.

Thus, both Yae Sakura and Yae Rin could legally carry a sword.

"Let's see how it feels in your hand!" Kallen suggested, her eyes smiling as she watched the Yae sisters admiring their weapons.

"Okay!"

With that, the two immediately drew the Muramasa blades, beginning to practice the Falling Cherry Blossoms Slash. The movements were fluid and precise, as if the sword had always been an extension of their bodies.

"How do they feel?" Kallen asked, observing the two as they familiarized themselves with their weapons.

"Amazing! Compared to wooden swords, these katana... they're just fantastic," Yae Rin said happily.

"It feels much better than my previous sword. Holding it makes me feel slightly stronger," the loli Sakura said, drawing back her katana as she shared her thoughts.

"I'm glad you like them. Then I still have one more weapon to give you," Kallen said, opening her hands... Four pistols appeared in her grasp.

One-star pistols... [Prototype Pulse Pistols].

(TL Note: Also called "Proto Pistols" on the wiki.)

The Prototype Pulse Pistol was based on the USP series, one of the lesser-known prototype designs for Honkai weapons.

Although Kallen's Prototype Pulse Pistol was a one-star weapon without any enhancements, it could grow alongside its owner. The highest known record was a pistol that evolved to four-star rarity.

"Here, take these weapons for now..." Kallen explained. "Just like your katana, they're meant to help you transition. Later, we'll give you even more powerful firearms."

As she spoke, Kallen handed each of the Yae sisters two guns.

"Guns? Are they like your old guns, Kallen?" The Yae sisters gazed curiously at the proto pistols in Kallen's hand.

"Ah, I'll give you a demo first!"

Setting aside two of the guns, Kallen took the remaining two pistols, aimed at several birds flying overhead, and fired.

Bang! Bang!

The twin shots startled the Yae sisters, but two birds immediately dropped from the sky.

"Firing is easy—the trigger just needs a squeeze. But be careful not to hurt yourselves. From there, practice accuracy and how quickly you can draw and conceal your weapon..."

As she spoke, Kallen handed the twin guns directly to Yae Sakura and Yae Rin.

"From now on, you won't just be training in swordsmanship. You'll also learn gun handling and gun-based combat techniques. Strive to combine the strengths of both sword and gun, maximizing their power."

"Sword and gun..."

"We definitely won't disappoint Sister Kallen," Yae Sakura and Yae Rin responded, their eyes glowing with determination, focusing intently on Kallen.

They had already witnessed the might of the guns.

Just imagine combining these long-range weapons with the close-quarters versatility of swords! Once they mastered this merger, how incredibly powerful they would become!

Suddenly, they felt brimming with confidence for the future.

"That's the spirit. Next, I'll begin teaching you the precision of gun handling, hidden gun tactics, and integrating them with your sword techniques... As well as mastering close-range combat scenarios where the blade can't reach, utilizing gun-based techniques to dispatch enemies effectively."

Looking at the two before her, Kallen felt quite satisfied...

These shrine maiden swordswomen, equipped with concealed guns, will surely astonish most people in this world with their combat style and strength, won't they?

Kallen eagerly anticipated their performance after graduation...

It was truly a pity they lacked the ability to conjure storage spaces; otherwise, concealing guns would have been even more convenient.

-

From that point on, Kallen was willing to teach, and Yae Sakura and Yae Rin were eager to learn. Their progress was incredibly swift; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they advanced a thousand miles a day.

As Kallen continued to instruct them in swordsmanship and gunnery, whether in close-quarters combat or at range, they never found themselves at a disadvantage. Though nominally miko... they had become more akin to assassins!

Unlike typical miko or samurai, these twin priestesses, each armed with a pair of guns, approached battle with a single-minded focus: killing the enemy. They cared little for reputation, employing whatever tactics—sneak attacks or dirty tricks—needed to get the job done.

They'd strike when you least expected, pulling out their dark weapons to deliver a lethal shot.

-

Although Kallen was now effectively the mentor to the Yae Sakura sisters, she didn't have them call her "Sensei" or "Teacher". Instead, she remained "Sister" to them.

The Yae sisters fully embraced Kallen in multiple roles: as a sister, (a mother), and even a mentor. Unconsciously, they found themselves increasingly relying on Kallen, who embodied all these roles in one person.