Honkai Impact: My Power Grows When Valkyries Fall For Me — Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Birthday

Two weeks slipped by in the blink of an eye.

The days passed in a gentle, almost dreamlike rhythm, and Lucian gradually found himself settling into the unique cadence of life at St. Freya Academy. Mornings were for routine patrols and the quiet solitude of gate duty; afternoons were invariably spent in the training room, the scent of sweat and ozone a constant companion.

Sometimes, Mei would join him, her patient guidance helping him refine the fundamentals of his swordsmanship. Other times, he would be alone, pushing his limits, honing his reflexes, and exploring the nascent abilities stirring within him. His bladework was still unrefined, and the gains in his physical conditioning came at a glacial pace, but he could feel the change. He was no longer a walking collection of vulnerabilities, a fighter with more openings than defenses.

“Hmm… morning already?”

At the break of dawn, Lucian’s internal clock stirred him to wakefulness, just a few minutes before his alarm was set to go off. It had become a familiar habit.

The sky outside the window was painted in the pale, hazy light of early morning. A gentle sea breeze drifted through the open window, carrying the salty, damp fragrance of the coast.

He rose, washed his face, and expertly gathered his long hair, tying it into a high ponytail. After changing into a set of simple casual clothes, he was ready to face the day.

However, when he pushed open the dormitory door, the quiet morning he expected was nowhere to be found. Or rather, something was there that shouldn’t have been.

Lying on the floor just outside his threshold was a plain, unadorned white envelope and a heavy-looking box.

“Huh?”

Lucian bent down, his fingers brushing against the items. The envelope felt cool, its texture speaking of high-quality, expensive paper. The box, in contrast, was dense and weighty in his hand.

Puzzled, he slid a finger under the envelope’s flap. Inside was a single card, filled with an elegant, flowing script that was almost calligraphic in its beauty.

> When you read this letter, you must already be bathed in the warm morning light of St. Freya, perhaps preparing for today’s patrols and training.

>

> First, allow me, in both my personal capacity and as the Overseer of Schicksal, to offer you a belated blessing—Happy Birthday, Mr. Lucian.

>

> I have prepared a gift for you. It may answer some of your questions, or it may simply bring you more.

>

> Do not worry. This is not a scheme, merely a personal sentiment.

>

> —Otto Apocalypse

At the bottom of the card, the golden emblem of Schicksal Headquarters was embossed, gleaming faintly in the dim hallway light.

Lucian’s fingers tightened on the card, crinkling the edge slightly.

He had completely forgotten. In the whirlwind of recent events, his own birthday had become a trivial, forgotten detail. He never imagined Otto, of all people, would not only know but go to the trouble of sending a gift.

After a moment of hesitation, he retreated back into his dorm room, the heavy box in hand, and locked the door behind him.

He sat on the sofa, placing the mysterious package on the coffee table. The box was stark black, crafted from some kind of alloy, with no markings or seams to be seen. His fingertips traced the cool metal surface. Taking a deep breath, Lucian found and pressed an inconspicuous latch hidden along the edge of the lid.

With a soft click, the lid popped open, revealing the contents within.

It wasn’t some devastating confidential document, nor was it a relic pulsing with immense power.

It was just a slip of paper. On it, a single, terse line was scrawled in a familiar hand.

Get stronger quickly, or you’re done for.

Lucian’s gaze froze. He stared at that brief, urgent command, a jolt running through him as he recognized the handwriting. It was his own.

“…”

He shook his head, a helpless, wry smile touching his lips. This note had to have been left by his future self, somehow intercepted and delivered to him by Otto. A stark reminder, a kick in the pants from across time.

Get stronger…

Lucian carefully folded the note and put it away. He stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the slowly brightening world. The message was clear. His daily training was well and good, but perhaps he had allowed himself to become a little too comfortable, a little too lax.

“But how do I get stronger…” he murmured to the empty room, sighing.

The path he was on was proving to be a long and arduous one. Clearly, he needed to hurry up.

After getting himself ready, Lucian headed to the security office as usual, prepared to resume his quiet life as a campus guard.

But when he pushed open the door, he froze in the entryway.

Inside the small, cramped room, Theresa Apocalypse was sitting in his usual chair, a bright smile on her face as she looked at him. Leaning against the wall nearby was Himeko, her arms crossed and a lazy, half-amused smirk playing on her lips as she watched him.

“Well, look who finally decided to roll out of bed,” Himeko spoke first, her voice a low, teasing purr. “Our little birthday boy. I was starting to think you’d sleep in and miss the first morning of your adult life.”

Theresa hopped down from the chair, planting her hands on her hips with a practiced air of authority, though the smile on her lips softened the effect. “Happy birthday, Lucian.”

Lucian stood in the doorway, blinking at the two of them. The sight of the Headmaster and St. Freya’s top Valkyrie waiting for him in the tiny security office was enough to leave him momentarily dazed.

“Th… thank you, Principal Theresa, Major Himeko.”

It took him a moment to gather his wits. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “You really didn’t have to wait for me here so early in the morning, though.”

He walked over to his usual post, looking somewhat helplessly at the chair Theresa had just vacated.

“That’s what I said,” Himeko shrugged, casting a playful glance at Theresa, who immediately bristled.

Theresa lifted her small chin, her cheeks flushing a faint pink. “W-what’s wrong with it?” she retorted defensively. “As the Headmaster, isn’t it perfectly normal for me to care about the well-being and mental state of one of my employees?”

“Besides,” she added, her tone softening, “today is the day you officially become an adult. It’s a special occasion.”

Himeko chuckled softly and decided to let her off the hook. Her gaze shifted back to Lucian. “Alright, enough joking around.”

“Theresa’s right. Today is your eighteenth birthday. We’ve prepared a little… hmm, let’s call it a birthday surprise.”

As soon as she finished, Theresa chimed in, her expression earnest.

“You have the day off today. Come to our dorm tonight. We’re going to celebrate your birthday properly.”

“…”

Looking at Theresa’s expectant face, Lucian couldn’t help but smile. He gave a small, obedient nod. “Okay, I understand. Thank you for your generosity, Headmaster.”

“Mm-hmm. We’ll be going, then.” Theresa nodded, satisfied. She hopped down from the chair completely and patted the non-existent dust from her skirt.

Himeko pushed herself off the wall, the lazy, knowing smile returning to her face. “See you tonight. And remember to… dress up a little? Look sharp.”

She deliberately drew out her words, her eyes sweeping over Lucian’s neatly tied-up hair. “After all, your girlfriends will all be there~”

Leaving those meaningful words hanging in the air, Himeko sauntered out of the security office with Theresa in tow.

Lucian was left standing alone in the sudden quiet. The sound of their footsteps grew fainter and fainter, eventually swallowed by the morning breeze. He slowly walked over to the open window. The salty, damp air drifted in, ruffling the stray strands of hair at his temples.

“Birthday, huh…” he murmured to himself. His fingertips unconsciously brushed against the note tucked away in his pocket.

When he first arrived in this world, he hadn’t even known the age of the body he inhabited, only that he looked to be about fourteen. It was only after a thorough check-up by Schicksal that his precise physical age was confirmed.

Now, four years later, today was his eighteenth birthday. The day he officially became an adult in the eyes of the law.

But for Lucian, it felt more like a warning.

Get stronger quickly, or you’re done for.

“Can’t keep going at this leisurely pace anymore…”

He had to double down on his combat training. And at the same time… he had to earnestly pursue the Valkyries to grow his power.

After hesitating for who knows how long, staring out at the endless blue sea, Lucian finally made a decision. He was going to have to become a scoundrel.