I Am Honkai

Since Selene replaced Thomas Platinaburg as a board member, all the small secretive actions targeting her have disappeared entirely.

Selene took this opportunity to clean up the research institute, removing all personnel placed by other board members and institutions.

The Destiny Institute officially entered a new phase of development.

...

Time flew by, and a month later.

"Mm, okay, I understand..."

Under the warm sunshine and gentle breeze, Selene sat up from the deck chair by the balcony railing, put down her phone, and comfortably yawned.

That was Shuji Matsuzaki reporting the formation of the institute's security department.

After a month of testing, the disadvantages of the "Ideological Branding" barrier have become apparent: it cannot affect high-level ability users with strong AIM diffusion fields, only impacting low-level ability users at Level 1 or below, and ordinary people.

Although the current limit is not high, it is sufficient for now.

Also, thanks to Shuji Matsuzaki's efforts over the past month, the Destiny Institute has made significant breakthroughs in the human enhancement drug field, with the drug named Project T-R.

In the morning, Selene arrived at the central building of the institute.

Upon entering the large conference room, nearly a hundred security personnel, who had been vetted, were already waiting.

"Alright, please sign a non-disclosure agreement."

Selene wasted no time and signaled the staff to hand out the contracts to the attendees. "Once this agreement is signed, you will undergo closed training, during which you will not be able to leave until the training ends."

The crowd exchanged glances and hesitated slightly.

"What if the training takes a long time to finish? Does that mean we won't be able to leave for a while?" someone couldn't help but ask.

"This issue..."

"About two months. If you're willing, sign; if not, we won't force you." Suddenly, Selene interjected.

Hearing Selene's words, everyone signed without hesitation. After all, the salary and benefits were attractive, along with the provision of high-tech equipment. A two-month closed training period was within an acceptable range.

Once everyone had signed, Selene called Shuji Matsuzaki and other management personnel to the office, placed a metal box on the desk, and revealed several 1cm diameter Honkai crystals.

"What is this?"

Everyone gathered around. "Are these for researching the T-R drug?"

"That's right," Selene reminded them. "Even though you've already undergone human enhancement with my help and gained some self-defense capabilities, that's far from enough. Strengthening our security force is imperative, as I can't keep an eye on the institute all the time."

Then, turning to Aoki Youichi, she said, "Aoki, you'll be responsible for their equipment procurement. Make do for now, and when the institute has more capacity, we will conduct related research."

Aoki Youichi is a talent Selene recently discovered. Standing about 190cm tall, with skin that appears sun-tanned and a face resembling Western features, he might be of mixed race. His hair is slicked back in a shiny black, and he wears a black suit. It is said that he used to be a mercenary in the Middle East and only came to Academy City after being injured and disabled.

But that's not a problem. After undergoing Honkai energy-enhanced body modification, his physical injuries were healed. During the injection process, he exhibited the highest adaptability among all subjects, making him temporarily the strongest combat force under Selene's command. Together with Shuji Matsuzaki, they make an ideal intellectual and physical duo.

"Understood," Aoki Youichi replied and then turned to leave.

Meanwhile, Selene continued with other instructions, "Regarding..."

Half an hour later, Aoki Youichi returned, "Boss, the arms order has been placed and will be delivered within three days. Is there anything else you'd like me to do?"

"No, that's it. The meeting is over." Selene made a gesture for him to follow and then turned to leave the laboratory building.

Arriving at the parking lot outside the central building, Selene's stretch limousine was parked in the corner. "Ever since I bought this car, I hardly use it; I always teleport when going out."

Aoki Youichi opened the car door and asked with a smile, "Boss, are you planning to take in the city sights?"

"You could say that. I don't have a driver's license yet, so you drive. It's a good chance to explore; aside from the School Garden, I'm unfamiliar with the rest of Academy City."

...

District 7, inside the stretch limousine.

With the car windows open, gazing at the changing urban scenery outside, Selene suddenly asked, "Are you interested in becoming the head of the security department?"

Aoki Youichi did not immediately answer but instead began recounting his experiences. "Boss, did you know? When I was injured and disabled, it felt like the sky was falling. That period was the darkest time in my life, and I still don't know how I got through it."

"Now, thanks to Boss's help, I've recovered."

"So, Boss, I'll do whatever you ask of me."

Selene was not surprised by this. She understood that this was merely the cumulative effect of the "Ideological Branding," as long as she didn't intentionally mistreat them, their will and consciousness would be subtly influenced to remain loyal to her.

This is quite a powerful tool for ordinary people and low-level ability users.

"Very well, from now on, you'll be the head of the security depart..."

Ring ring!

"Hmm?" Before she could finish, the sudden ringing of a police siren from the roadside caught Selene's attention, her gaze settling on a nearby post office.

In broad daylight... why is the post office closed?

Moreover, why are people... starting to gather there?

Considering the possibilities, Selene became slightly excited, "Is this a robbery?"

It's quite common for other travelers to encounter small-time thugs first and earn their "first blood." But Selene, after being here for so long, had yet to experience such an event.

"If there are no small-time thugs, then robbers will do. Today, Selene will be a good Samaritan."

Just as Selene was lost in thought, suddenly, a figure seemed to appear outside the closed shutter door of the post office as if teleported, startling the gathered crowd and causing Selene to narrow her eyes.

This is... a phenomenon of being moved by a spatial ability user. Selene, a master of space manipulation, was very familiar with this kind of spatial fluctuation.

Looking closely at the figure that was transported out, Selene's eyebrows furrowed for a moment.

This figure... looks familiar?

The figure was a petite girl wearing a rose-red dress with a white shirt underneath and thick tights, looking quite youthful.

However, the most noticeable thing was not the girl's attire but the colorful flower-like decorations adorning her short black hair.

"Is this Uiharu Kazari?" Selene immediately recognized the scene from the storyline where Shirai Kuroko and Uiharu Kazari were attacked in the post office.

Uiharu Kazari seemed momentarily stunned when teleported out, then looked around blankly. The next moment, she realized she had been transported outside. Her face changed drastically, and she immediately turned around, knocking on the closed shutter door of the post office while shouting.

"Shirai-san! Shirai-san!" The girl's anxious voice carried a hint of despair. "Why was I the only one sent out? Please come out! Shirai-san!"

When there was no response from inside, the girl almost burst into tears, turning around with tears in her eyes, and cried out to the onlookers for help.

"Someone, please help!"

"Please help me! There's a robbery inside, and a Judgement member has been attacked."

"Please help me!"

Despite the girl's desperate pleas, although the crowd stirred, no one stepped forward.

Among the crowd, a scarf-wearing girl with chestnut-brown shoulder-length hair saw this and was about to step out, but suddenly, she stopped.

Because Selene had already teleported in front of the metal shutter door.

In Uiharu Kazari's surprised eyes.

"Step back a bit." Selene said softly.

"... Oh." Uiharu Kazari quickly moved aside.

Electric arcs flickered in her hand.

It was as if the air froze for a second, and then...

Boom!

Accompanied by blinding lightning, a terrifying shockwave burst forth, forming a column of energy several meters thick. The metal shutter door in front of Selene instantly vanished...

...

Inside the post office, Shirai Kuroko, wearing a yellow hoodie and with tea-colored twin ponytails, sat on the ground holding her injured ankle, "It's good that Uiharu is out..."

Opposite her, a man in a brown down jacket with messy hair approached, "Let me guess what's on your mind. The alarm has been going off for a while, and the Anti-Skill should be getting into position."

"As long as you ensure the hostage's safety and manage to stall me, it's your victory. Am I right?"

"But how do you know I can't escape from here?"

As he spoke, the man took out an iron ball, ready to throw it...

Boom!!!

The metal shutter door of the post office exploded with lightning, and a blue-white flash erupted from the entrance, causing the steel ball in the man's hand to vanish in an instant, followed by a scream.

The man was directly hit by the shockwave, sent flying backward, and slammed into the safety glass of the post office. With a cry, he spat blood and fell unconscious.

In Shirai Kuroko's incredulous gaze, Selene approached, squatted in front of her, and placed a hand over her injured ankle, emitting a gentle glow.

"Everything's fine now, brave girl. I've seen your will, and I believe you'll become a good member of Judgement."

As the injury quickly healed, Shirai Kuroko was astonished and looked up at this "mature big sister," about to ask, "Who are you?"

Uiharu Kazari immediately rushed over, hugged Shirai Kuroko, and tearfully said, "Shirai-san, are you okay? I was so worried..."

While the two girls comforted each other, Selene had already treated Konori Mii's wounds and quietly left.

Just as Uiharu Kazari was about to bow and express her gratitude, Selene had already disappeared.

"Thank you very much, may I... huh, where's the person?"

"Uiharu, she's already gone." Shirai Kuroko patted Uiharu Kazari.

"Judging by her uniform, she should be a student from Tokiwadai."

"What?!!"

"Doesn't that mean the one who saved us is a Tokiwadai lady?" Uiharu Kazari said, her eyes wide with awe and admiration, gleaming with delight.

Selene's image perfectly matched Uiharu Kazari's every fantasy of a lady. Gentle, elegant, powerful, beautiful...

Watching Uiharu Kazari, who was daydreaming and imagining, Shirai Kuroko did not refute her words this time.

...

Back in her dormitory, Selene felt quite pleased as she finally confirmed the timeline.

In just a year, Shirai Kuroko would enroll in Tokiwadai, marking the official start of the storyline.