Seeing Himeko waiting quietly not far away, Ming Yu wasn't surprised at all. After all, he never intended to hide his tracks on this trip.
In terms of time, as soon as he left the hospital, Theresa and the others would have been notified. And in terms of speed, Himeko with her long legs was obviously much faster than a patient like him.
In fact, even after receiving the news and discussing some things with Theresa, Himeko arrived here almost as quickly as Ming Yu. Since she didn't come forward to disturb him, there was no need for Ming Yu to interrupt what he was doing.
Looking at the boy before her, still in his hospital gown, Himeko couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Compared to half a month ago, Ming Yu was a bit thinner now, and the slight redness in his eyes showed what kind of emotional turmoil he had just been through. Even with Hiyokumaru's care, a half-month-long coma and hospitalization had left him looking somewhat disheveled and weak.
Seeing that Ming Yu had no intention of speaking first, Himeko rolled her eyes at him and finally broke the silence.
"The Honkai Beast you encountered has been confirmed by Schicksal to be a newly appeared Emperor-class Honkai Beast, named Agni."
Upon Himeko's explanation, Ming Yu's eyes flickered, and he replied calmly, "Oh."
"You little brat…"
Seemingly dissatisfied with Ming Yu's indifferent attitude, a hint of anger appeared on Himeko's face. She was about to open her mouth to scold him, but thinking about what he had been through, she held back her words and chose to forgive him.
"According to Theresa's wishes... in the public report, Agni will be credited as being killed by me. And you will be recorded as a survivor."
After a slight hesitation, Himeko slowly said these words, which sounded a bit like she was stealing his credit.
"Mm, I understand."
Ming Yu nodded seriously, indicating that he understood the decision.
After all, people would be more willing to believe that an elite Valkyrie like Himeko killed an Emperor-class Honkai Beast than a newcomer. Moreover, this would allow him to keep a lower profile and not attract so much attention.
Furthermore, the achievement of killing a single Emperor-class Honkai Beast was just another feather in Himeko's cap. As a high-ranking member of the Far East Branch and the right-hand woman of the supreme commander, she didn't need such things to embellish her record.
As for Ming Yu, he didn't care about such things at all. For him, who was already on Theresa's radar, as long as the Principal knew the truth, the official data was just data and meant nothing.
Seeing Ming Yu's indifferent expression, the anger Himeko had suppressed began to flare up again.
The Far East Branch should bear responsibility for the situation with Squad 16; after all, it was a failure of the intelligence department and command system.
So, even if Ming Yu had angrily questioned her, Himeko would have felt it was justified and could only silently endure his anger.
And she was prepared to bear all of it. Although the matter had nothing to do with her, who else could but her, a high-ranking member of the Far East Branch?
But it was Ming Yu's current indifferent attitude that infuriated her the most, making her feel like she had punched a ball of cotton.
Ming Yu should have been the angriest one, but she was the one filled with rage, and she couldn't even vent this emotion.
Clenching her fists, Himeko's mouth twitched a few times before she suppressed her anger and said fiercely, "Don't you have anything you want to say?"
Shaking his head, Ming Yu looked directly into Himeko's amber eyes and said seriously, "If possible, I hope to return to the battlefield as soon as possible."
Hearing Ming Yu's request, Himeko's brows furrowed.
Although the report only briefly mentioned Ming Yu's performance, both of them present knew that it was Ming Yu's recklessness that led to the current situation.
Even though he ultimately eliminated that Emperor-class Honkai Beast, he should still be punished. At the very least, he should be temporarily removed from the battlefield to cool down and reflect on his actions.
Noticing Himeko's hesitation, Ming Yu quickly figured out the reason and knew that his request was somewhat unreasonable. But even so, he had no intention of giving up.
"I know how out of line my actions were this time, and I am willing to accept any punishment. I am determined not to make the same mistake again. But the one thing I don't want to wait too long for is returning to the battlefield."
After a moment of thought, Ming Yu once again stated his request firmly, his eyes fixed on Himeko's face without hesitation.
"Besides, you can't stop me!"
As he said this, Ming Yu beckoned towards the central cathedral of St. Freya High School.
Just as Himeko was wondering, a cloud of black mist quickly flew over from the cathedral, coalescing into a long black sword in Ming Yu's hand.
This sword was none other than Jizo Mitama, which had been stored in the armory!
Seeing the Divine Key suddenly appear in Ming Yu's hand, Himeko was shocked.
While Ming Yu was injured and unconscious, to protect the Divine Key, Theresa had chosen to store it in the armory beneath the cathedral, along with her own Judah.
This was indeed the safest method, preventing the Divine Key from being stolen and suppressing the corrosive field emitted by this Key of Corruption, thus preventing anyone from being affected by it.
And Ming Yu, having lost the Divine Key, would naturally have to quiet down and obediently accept the Principal's punishment.
But they had never expected that Ming Yu could still summon the Divine Key like this. Setting aside the layers of security, the distance of several thousand meters alone was astonishing.
Looking at the Key of Corruption in Ming Yu's hand and noticing the determination on his face, Himeko knew she couldn't stop this stubborn boy.
Could she really break his legs over this?
Nodding, Himeko said helplessly, "I will discuss it with Theresa."
Satisfied, Ming Yu retracted Jizo Mitama. His face returned to its usual calmness as he turned and slowly walked back towards St. Freya High School.
Looking at the boy's slightly thin back, Himeko sighed and murmured, "This kid, he really is a handful~"
…
A few days later, a black helicopter lifted off from the helipad of St. Freya High School, flying rapidly towards the clouds.
Inside the cabin, Ming Yu watched St. Freya High School slowly shrink, his thoughts drifting back to a few hours ago…
Watching Ming Yu packing his things into a suitcase, Hiyokumaru bit her lip and asked in a low voice, "Big Bro Yu, do you have to leave?"
At her words, Ming Yu's movements paused for a moment, but he answered without looking up, "This was decided long ago. St. Freya High School… is beautiful and peaceful, but it doesn't really suit me."
Indeed, under Theresa's leadership, St. Freya High School was a rare place of tranquility and peace within Schicksal. In this place, like a paradise, even Valkyries who walked the line between life and death could live the life of an ordinary high school student.
If Ming Yu had to give an evaluation, St. Freya High School was probably the most reassuring place in the Honkai world.
If it were the old Ming Yu, given the chance to live in St. Freya High School, he probably would have wanted to stay and never leave.
But now, he felt a strong sense of dissonance with this tranquil and peaceful atmosphere.
He understood that his heart, which yearned for revenge and strength, was no longer suitable for St. Freya High School, and he could no longer tolerate this kind of peace.
Compared to the beauty of St. Freya High School, he now craved the slaughter of the battlefield!
So, after getting Theresa's approval, he took the opportunity to request a transfer to the Far East Branch's military base.
The Principal only thought for a moment before agreeing to Ming Yu's request. She knew very well that she couldn't force an agitated Ming Yu to stay at St. Freya High School; it wouldn't be good for anyone.
Hearing Ming Yu's answer, Hiyokumaru was silent for a long while before saying, "I will… catch up to Big Bro Yu's pace as soon as possible."
She had wanted to suggest leaving with Ming Yu, but she knew her abilities were still insufficient. She wouldn't be of any help and would only be a burden if she went.
"Mm," Ming Yu replied casually, not paying too much mind. "For the time being, you can move into Teacher Himeko's apartment and live with Kiana and the others."
This apartment was not small, and it felt too empty for one person. Besides, Ming Yu didn't feel at ease leaving Hiyokumaru alone. Although her body hadn't had any problems recently, it was always better to be careful.
Replying softly, Hiyokumaru asked again in a low voice, "Did Big Bro Yu tell Big Sis Mei and the others about this?"
Hearing the girl's words, Ming Yu was slightly taken aback before slowly saying, "There's no need~"
Although Ming Yu's tone was firm, the low pitch made him sound somewhat lacking in confidence.
In fact, it was something that was very necessary. However, Ming Yu didn't want to see the pained expression on Kiana's face.
"I'll send them a message after I get there."
Placing the last item in the suitcase, Ming Yu zipped it up and said, as if with a sigh of relief.
"Okay." Looking down at the floor, Hiyokumaru replied softly. This was something Ming Yu had decided, and she had no room to object.
…
Looking at the base looming in the distance, Ming Yu took one last look at St. Freya High School disappearing from view and said softly in his heart, "Goodbye, St. Freya!"
————
(End of Volume One.)