250. Thank You for the Treat
"Auntie, when can we go on a mission?" Kiana looked at Theresa expectantly.
"You have to call me Headmistress in front of outsiders!" Theresa, hands on her hips, glared at Kiana with displeasure.
"We can go on a mission in about a month or two. By then, the Valkyrie armor will be basically finished, and you'll be assigned some simple tasks to familiarize yourselves with it."
"Ah~ it'll take that long." Kiana immediately deflated, her newly ignited enthusiasm extinguished.
"It's okay, I can go on missions alone. I'll buy you a small cake after I finish the mission and earn some money." Yun Ling reassured her.
He was an A-rank Knight, and he didn't need the armor, so naturally, he could go on missions.
"Do you think I'm a pet?" Kiana puffed out her cheeks, looking at Yun Ling.
"You're overthinking it. You need to complete at least three missions as a team before you can go on a solo mission." Theresa glanced at Yun Ling.
"When did this rule come about? It's not in the school regulations." Yun Ling pulled out a small booklet with an air of importance.
The booklet prominently displayed the words "Valkyrie Code."
"I just added it. After all, it would be a huge loss for Schicksal if such a promising talent like you were to be lost," Theresa explained.
"No wonder the booklet ends with 'The right of interpretation belongs to Headmistress Theresa'..."
Yun Ling finally understood; this was Theresa's privilege!
After settling everything, Theresa dismissed the five of them. She wanted to relax and read some Homu manga.
"It feels like a dream. Just two months ago, we were just ordinary students, and now suddenly we're Valkyries..." Mei couldn't help but sigh.
"I guess life is unpredictable," Yun Ling shrugged.
"We passed the Valkyrie exam, shouldn't we celebrate?" Kiana noticed something amiss.
She'd put in so much effort for this exam, and now she could finally relax a bit.
"It's time to celebrate! Mei and I are going to buy some things. You guys go back and get ready, then meet me at my place later." Yun Ling nodded in agreement, tossing the keys to Kiana.
"Yay!" Kiana cheered, raising her hands high.
Bronya and Yuna, of course, had no reason to refuse; it was time to relax, too.
Yun Ling and Mei went to a nearby supermarket.
"Are we really going to buy a turtle? I feel like my body's actually okay."
Yun Ling narrowed his eyes at Mei, wondering if she was being a bit presumptuous.
"Can't I just eat it myself?" Mei blushed and glared at him.
Yun Ling instantly understood. He'd thought Mei wanted to strengthen him, but it turned out she wanted to strengthen herself.
After all, that demonic monk's power was just too long; it was practically reaching her stomach in one go.
Having carefully selected a fine turtle, Mei was determined to avenge her previous defeat and utterly crush Yun Ling!
When the two returned, Kiana and the others were already sitting on the sofa, snacking and playing games.
"How about we invite Sister Himeko too?" Yun Ling suggested.
"Yes, Teacher Himeko has been working very hard for us lately," Mei nodded in agreement.
"Let's go call her later, let's get ready first." Yun Ling put down the ingredients and began tidying up.
"Yun Ling, Mei, do you need any help?"
The little angel Yuna also wanted to contribute to the banquet.
"Then help us wash all these vegetables, please." Yun Ling didn't stand on ceremony.
"Okay!"
Yuna, happily carrying the ingredients over, was pleased with her task.
Mei and Yun Ling worked together, and soon a delicious aroma filled the room.
Suddenly, a small hand nervously reached out from under the table, stealthily approaching the freshly made fried meatballs.
But it was mercilessly stopped by a fist.
"Mei...Mei, I'll never... Oh, it's Yun Ling."
Kiana was about to apologize, but upon seeing it was Yun Ling, she instantly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Isn't it hot to eat with your hands? There are chopsticks here. I brought you an extra serving; I knew you'd sneak some." Yun Ling gently tapped her forehead.
Kiana's cheeks flushed slightly; this unexpected little moment of romance made her heart race.
Yun Ling picked up a meatball with his chopsticks and brought it to Kiana's lips.
"!" Kiana cautiously glanced around, making sure Mei wasn't looking, before opening her mouth and eating the fried meatball in front of her.
"Alright, you can have this one. Sister Himeko will be here soon, so you can't sneak any," Yun Ling pinched her cheek and explained.
"Mmm!" Kiana immediately grabbed her plate and quietly slipped away.
"You really spoil her," Mei said sourly.
"If Mei wants, I can spoil you like this too," Yun Ling said, picking up a dish and handing it to Mei.
Mei tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and gently bit it.
"How is it? Is it good?" Yun Ling asked.
However, Mei didn't answer Yun Ling with words, but with actions.
The aroma of food wafted into Yun Ling's nostrils from her pearly teeth, and her delicate face, so close to his, held a hint of allure.
Yun Ling successfully tasted the food from Mei's mouth; this was the legendary imported food.
"...As expected of my cooking, I want to eat it again." Yun Ling praised himself narcissistically, looking at Mei expectantly.
"...It's almost done, go call Teacher Himeko!" Mei blushed and pushed Yun Ling out of the kitchen.
"Okay, okay." Yun Ling nodded helplessly.
He arrived outside Himeko's residence and skillfully pried open the door.
"Sister Himeko, would you like...thank you for the treat?"
Yun Ling watched Himeko lift her clothes; he seemed to have coincidentally arrived just in time to see her changing.
The black bra contrasted sharply with her fair skin, and her slender waist was perfectly toned.
Himeko's hands abruptly stopped changing, and she quickly pulled her clothes back up.
"If you don't give me an explanation today, you're dead." Himeko glared at Yun Ling.
"If I said I came to invite Himeko to the celebration dinner, would I survive?" Yun Ling asked tentatively.
"Not enough." Himeko shook her head; this wasn't a reason to pick the lock.
"I specially bought Himeko a bottle of good wine." Yun Ling tried to struggle.
"You're in for a beating." Himeko's knuckles cracked as she walked step by step toward Yun Ling.
"Then please stomp on me hard, thank you." Yun Ling pleaded.
"…"
Himeko's face showed a moment of surprise, then a look of speechlessness.
…