I Am Honkai

"Join you? My ass!"

Senti's arrogance flared as she shouted, but then she quickly averted her gaze, muttering softly under her breath, "If you sincerely invite me... this immortal might reluctantly agree... it's not entirely impossible..."

Such insincerity! Why did this feel so much like dealing with a bratty kid at home?

"In that case, I won't force you."

Fu Hua, unwilling to indulge her antics, began to pull back her outstretched hand. "I'll just let Her Majesty kill you, then..." She deliberately drew out her words.

"Wait! You heartless bastard! Fine, I agree!" Senti sprang up immediately, grabbing Fu Hua's hand with both of hers.

"Hmph, agreeing so quickly without even thinking it through?" Fu Hua shook her arm as if brushing her off, feigning disdain.

Yet, if one were to carefully observe Fu Hua's expression, they might catch the fleeting glimmer of joy in her eyes. Her words didn't quite match her true feelings—she clearly cared about Senti more than she let on.

"Hah?! You've got some nerve asking! Isn't it all for you? How could you be so heartless?! I must have been blind to worry about you! Bastard! I was so concerned, and this is how you treat me?!"

Senti's tirade escalated as she tugged at Fu Hua's arm. Her so-called tough, heroic persona shattered completely as she started ranting, her voice becoming more agitated and her words sharper with each sentence.

"Meanwhile, you're here, feasting and drinking in the banquet hall while I'm out there getting beaten up! What kind of screwed-up world is this?! You even conspired with outsiders to deceive me! You shameless pervert!"

As she vented, Senti let go of Fu Hua's arm.

"And that absurd breasts! Why aren't you still carrying it around? I've never seen someone as shameless as you! Ugh—!"

Wearing the same face as Fu Hua, Senti leaned in close to her and continued her tirade. Her refined, delicate face twisted into an exaggerated grimace, pretending to retch as if disgusted.

"Senti, calm down. Be civil..." Fu Hua urged, maintaining her composure.

"Spit! What Senti?! That ridiculous name was given by some tasteless illiterate! Why are you called Fu Hua while I get saddled with this third-rate throwaway name?!"

"Senti, watch your words. There's a reason for it," Fu Hua patiently explained.

"Reason, my ass! I'm going to bash her head—"

Enough!

No amount of "Edge of Taixuan" meditation could suppress Fu Hua's growing frustration. If this brat wasn't stopped now, she wouldn't just tear the roof off—she'd uproot the whole foundation!

And so, bang!

The venerable immortal delivered a clean punch to the head, decisively subduing the "rebellious" Senti on the spot.

"Quiet down!" Fu Hua bellowed. "Her Majesty is watching!"

"You dare hit me?!"

"You still dare talk back?!"

Bang!!

"Ow! You scoundrel!"

The veins at the corners of both their eyes throbbed in unison. Noticing the suppressed laughter of Her Majesty Selene and the odd expression on General Esdeath's face, Fu Hua wished she could string Senti up and give her a proper beating right then and there.

Clap! Clap!

"Fu Hua and Senti have such a great relationship," Selene clapped her hands lightly, tilting her head with a delighted smile.

"We do not have a good relationship!" ×2

Aside from Senti's louder voice and more exaggerated expression, their movements were surprisingly synchronized.

"Since you've joined us, you're now one of us. Senti, you've had quite the journey. No unexpected incidents along the way, I hope?" With her hands clasped together, Selene squinted her eyes and smiled warmly at the "brat" in front of her.

Call it insincere if you want, but Selene's facial expressions were impeccable—no flaws to be found.

Tough journey? Absolutely. Unexpected incidents? More than a few. Thanks to her subordinates, especially that ice-wielding woman, her consciousness had nearly been obliterated!

"No, none. Thank you for your concern," Senti muttered, peeking out from behind Fu Hua like a frightened chick, her petite frame revealing only her small head as a blush crept across her cheeks.

Of course, those words only existed in her mind. She wouldn't dare say them in Selene's presence. She valued her life, after all.

Ahem! This wasn't cowardice—it was the fault of the cowardly Core of the Herrscher of Sentience. It had nothing to do with Senti herself. She was incredibly brave, and everyone knew it.

Quickly regaining her composure, Fu Hua maintained her calm demeanor and nodded at Selene. "Your Majesty, we can begin now."

"Very well." Selene nodded slightly.

"?" Senti glanced around in confusion. What did they just say? Why didn't she know anything about it?

The next moment, Senti's jaw dropped. She froze, blinking as she swallowed repeatedly, her throat suddenly feeling dry.

"This... this... this..."

In her view, right before her, a human-sized mannequin was rapidly taking shape. Its skin shimmered with the lifelike glow of flesh.

Black short boots encased its rounded, athletic calves. Moving upward, the figure wore black, tight-fitting shorts, and a slim body was draped in a black-cloud cloak styled after ancient Shenzhou designs.

It was an exact replica of Senti's own appearance as a consciousness entity.

"A physical body—this will serve as your reward for joining the Empire," Selene declared. At that moment, Senti felt as if she had glimpsed another side of this so-called Empress Selene. Perhaps she wasn't so bad after all.

"Wait a second..." Senti suddenly thought of something. A mannequin construct? Did that mean that in the previous illusion, the person she met was...

Raising her head, Senti opened her mouth to ask, but Selene preempted her. "Hmm? Is there a problem?"

"N-no, no problem at all." With a look of obedience, Senti quickly refocused her attention on the mannequin. As she studied it, a bold thought crept into her mind.

Since it's a new body, does that mean I can customize certain parts? It wasn't like Senti had any ulterior motives—she just wanted to appear a bit more feminine.

"Um, could I perhaps..." Senti began, her face lighting up with anticipation as she gestured toward Selene, but before she could finish her sentence, she caught sight of Fu Hua's darkened expression.

"You're still being picky? Get in there!"

With a sudden shout, Fu Hua lashed out with a flying kick, sending Senti's consciousness hurtling toward the mannequin.

"Wait! I haven't finished adjusting it yet! No! Fu Hua, you're just jeal—mmmph!"

"Get in!" Fu Hua, her face devoid of emotion, adjusted her red-framed glasses as they flashed ominously. Her unrelenting iron grip clamped down on Senti's head.

Moments later, the mannequin gave a faint quiver. Senti's gathered consciousness began to dissolve, merging seamlessly into the mannequin's form.

"Finally, some peace and quiet," Fu Hua murmured as she wiped away nonexistent sweat and turned around. "Apologies, Your Majesty, for letting you witness such an embarrassing scene."

"No need," Selene replied, resting her chin on her hand, her serene smile exuding warmth. "I think it's a sign of good rapport. With her around, Fu Hua, your life will never be dull."

For a moment, Fu Hua was dazed by Selene's expression. It was as if tranquil clouds, holy light, and a choir's low hymns surrounded Selene, radiating an ethereal aura.

"Take her away," Selene instructed, glancing toward the others. "Take Mei, Pardofelis, and Theresa with you as well. Keeping them here feels too restrictive and boring."

Except for Mei, Selene thought privately, sneaking a glance at the scientist who was vigorously petting a cat.

"Understood!" Fu Hua knelt on one knee, bowing respectfully.

At this point, Fu Hua had truly submitted. As long as Selene refrained from launching an indiscriminate massacre of human civilization, Fu Hua couldn't find a valid reason to oppose her.

Holding the unconscious Senti in a princess carry, Fu Hua turned and led Theresa and the others out of the hall.

Watching them leave, Selene swirled her wineglass slightly. She pondered if there was anything she might have forgotten...

"Well then, everything has been settled. Enjoy the banquet. Leiva's efforts are wrapping up, and with Grey Serpent's assistance, the complete eradication and confiscation of World Serpent's assets is only a matter of time."

"In other words, this campaign is ending in victory."

A thunderous roar erupted in response, reverberating through the hall.

...

Meanwhile, Li Sushang sat cross-legged in mid-air, balancing on a single finger planted on the ground. She called it her post-meal exercise.

"Bronya is worried. Is this really good for digestion and not detrimental?" Bronya asked, her tone flat as she observed Li Sushang's precarious balancing act.

"Rozaliya and Liliya are concerned," added the Olenyeva sisters in unison.

"Senior Li Sushang, please stop," Seele pleaded as she stood up, her expression filled with concern.

"No need to worry," Li Sushang replied nonchalantly. "With Edge of Taixuan protecting me, ordinary human physiology doesn't apply to martial artists like us."

As she spoke, her sharp eyes caught sight of Fu Hua returning. With a graceful flip, she landed on her feet and spun around. "Master Fu Hua!"

"Class Monitor!"

From the staircase, Fu Hua could hear Kiana's energetic voice even from a hundred meters away. She waved back in acknowledgment.

As Fu Hua approached, Kiana quickly stood to greet her. She was about to give Fu Hua a warm hug when she noticed the unconscious Senti in her arms. Her smile faded, replaced by a softer expression. She patted Fu Hua gently on the shoulder and guided her to a seat at the long table.

"Principal," Mei Raiden stepped aside to make way and cast a glance at the two petite figures and the lounging green-haired figure trailing behind Fu Hua. "Who are they?"

"A certain old woman pretending to be young," Theresa grumbled, glaring daggers at Mei, who was casually scanning the surroundings.

"Excuse me?" Mei raised an eyebrow ever so slightly. An old woman pretending to be young… You sure you're not talking about yourself?

Suddenly, a pair of green and pink gradient eyes came unnervingly close. The green-haired girl smiled slyly. "The Third Herrscher—Herrscher of Thunder, right? Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Mobius. You can call me Dr. Mobius. I'm Fu Hua's… friend."

She enunciated the word "friend" with deliberate emphasis.

"Class Monitor's… friend?" Mei stared at the serpentine figure, her tongue darting out like a snake's. After a long pause, she remarked, "She certainly feels… threatening."

But it didn't matter anymore. This was Kiana's territory, and Mei was confident that Mobius wouldn't dare cause trouble here.

Reaching out her hand with natural grace and elegance, Raiden Mei exemplified the refined education befitting a young lady of a distinguished family.

"Meow~ Shake hands with me too! Let's get acquainted. My name is Pardofelis," Pardofelis extended a paw with an expectant expression.

"…Oh, hello," Mei replied, thinking to herself, What a carefree and energetic girl.

"Hehe," Pardofelis scratched her head sheepishly, her cheerful demeanor unmistakable.

Li Sushang, glancing at the unconscious Senti in Fu Hua's arms, suddenly blurted out, "Master Fu Hua, could this be my 'Little Master'? Who's my Master Ancestor? When did you—ow! That hurts!"

Clutching her forehead, now red from Fu Hua's flick, Li Sushang yelped and stumbled back a few steps.

"What are you even thinking?" Fu Hua, having anticipated this reaction, remained composed. "She was created as the Eighth Herrscher—Herrscher of Sentience—modeled after me during my severe injuries and slumber."

"Tsk…" Li Sushang clicked her tongue and let her gaze dart between Fu Hua, Kiana, Raiden Mei, and Bronya.

"A whole nest of Herrschers," she remarked with a sigh.

Although she had awoken late, Otto had provided her with crucial information, including details about Fu Hua's role as the Valkyrie class monitor at St. Freya Academy.

In hindsight, it was remarkable: the three main students under surveillance turned out to be the Herrscher of Reason, Herrscher of the Void, and Herrscher of Thunder. Then Fu Hua herself became the Herrscher of Sentience. Li Sushang couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

What were the odds?

As Li Sushang's commentary left the group in awkward silence, Senti opened her eyes, twisted her neck, and stretched like someone waking up after a long nap.

"How are you feeling? No signs of sluggishness, I hope?" Fu Hua inquired.

Senti nodded with satisfaction, a proud grin spreading across her face. "Of course not! Wow, this body feels amazing! There's practically no disconnect compared to before."

She flexed her fists, making cracking sounds as she moved her fingers. Her tone was full of arrogance. "Give me another round with that ice woman—I'll definitely send her flying this time!"

"Sure, sure. Hindsight is 20/20," Fu Hua replied, retaking her seat in a more relaxed manner now that she wasn't in the central banquet hall. She casually poured herself a drink.

"You don't believe me, huh? What's that? Want to spar with me?" Senti challenged.

"I believe you, of course," Fu Hua responded without even turning her head, dismissively. "As Her Majesty mentioned, there will be plenty of opportunities for sparring once we return to the capital. Don't come crying if you lose."

"Pah! You're as bad as a dog's mouth that can't spit out ivory! Who's going to cry?"

Gulp.

Fu Hua downed her drink in one go. She could already tell—Selene was right. With Senti around, her life would never lack excitement.

...

Elsewhere, in the ruins of Korosten, a town on the outskirts of Vienna in Central Europe:

"Ugh, I'm annoyed. Where did the Queen go? It's nighttime, and she still hasn't come to fetch me." Irritated, Alyssa kicked a piece of Soulium debris.

"Ahem. I am Otto Apocalypse. What troubles this beautiful young lady so? Perhaps you could share your woes with me. I'd be happy to lend you an ear."

"No."

"And why not? I'm quite curious."

"The Queen said you're a big, bad man and that not even a single punctuation mark of yours can be trusted."

"..."

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