Honkai Impact: My Power Grows When Valkyries Fall For Me — Chapter 77

Chapter 77: Mei Wants to See You Tonight

“…”

Lucian stared down at his hands, a deep silence enveloping him as cool, purple Honkai Energy flickered to life around his fingers once more.

Ever since that day, he had discovered a new, unsettling ability: he could draw power directly from the Imaginary Space, converting it into Honkai Energy for his own use.

Just like a true Herrscher.

There was, however, a critical difference. Unlike a Herrscher, his body was still fundamentally human. He possessed none of their innate resistance to Honkai corruption.

His gaze remained fixed on the violet glow coalescing in his palm, his eyes a storm of complex emotions. He could feel it—the boundless energy of the Imaginary Space flowing around him, being smoothly processed and transmuted into pure Honkai Energy by some mysterious, internal mechanism.

The entire process felt as natural as breathing, an instinct he never knew he possessed.

He was a true Herrscher in this regard. No, perhaps even purer. Some Herrschers required a catalyst or a conscious trigger. He didn’t. He had no need for the mark in his right eye or any other medium; he could simply will the energy into existence, drawing it from the Imaginary Space to serve his purpose.

Lucian watched the orb of purple light pulse gently in his palm, mesmerized by the steady, rhythmic flow of power.

“It seems that holing yourself up in the Training Room every day has yielded quite a bit of progress.”

A familiar voice echoed from the doorway, sharp and clear.

Lucian looked up, his concentration breaking. Theresa stood there, arms crossed over her chest, a complicated expression warring on her small face.

“Theresa?”

She walked into the Training Room, her boots clicking softly on the polished floor. A faint smile touched her lips. “I was making my rounds through St. Freya and remembered you’ve been spending every afternoon here. I thought I’d come check on you.”

She paused, her gaze dropping to the violet glow still cradled in his hand. “And then I saw this.”

Lucian made no move to dismiss the Honkai Energy. He let the cluster of purple light continue to flow, its rhythmic pulsing akin to a second, ethereal heartbeat.

“Impressive, right?” he asked, a hint of self-deprecation in his tone.

Theresa was silent for a few seconds before giving a slow, deliberate nod. “Yes. Very impressive.”

With her hands clasped behind her back, she began to circle him, her small figure casting a long, distorted shadow under the stark lights of the Training Room.

“But…”

After completing her lap, Theresa stopped directly in front of him. She looked up, her face a mask of feigned helplessness. “It’s certainly impressive, but did you perhaps forget something very, very important?”

Lucian blinked, momentarily stunned. “What?”

“Did you eat lunch today?”

The sudden, mundane question made him flinch, and the purple glow in his palm wavered.

“…”

He had. He had completely forgotten.

He’d entered the Training Room this morning and hadn’t left since. Now, the light filtering through the high windows had shifted from the bright glare of midday to a warm, dim yellow. In his focused state, researching the flow of Honkai Energy and experimenting with its compression, the thought of food had never once crossed his mind. Time had simply melted away.

Theresa studied his guilty expression and let out a long, theatrical sigh. The mature, world-weary sound was a stark contrast to her youthful appearance, creating a strange and endearing dissonance.

“Sigh, I knew it…” she lamented. “Mei mentioned it at noon. She said you probably hadn’t eaten and asked me to remind you if I saw you.”

Lucian’s lips twitched. He glanced at the mellow afternoon sunlight outside, then back down at the Honkai Energy still swirling in his palm.

“Noon?” he repeated, his voice faint. “Judging by this light, it has to be four or five in the afternoon.” He looked at her, a tentative question in his eyes. “So, you’re here to remind me to eat lunch?”

Theresa planted her hands on her hips, puffing out her chest as she looked up at him. The attempt at a majestic pose, combined with her petite stature, only made her look more like a determined child.

“Of course not!” she declared. “I’m here to supervise you eating dinner!”

Lucian was speechless. “… “

Looking at Theresa’s triumphant expression, he could only shake his head with a helpless smile, unsure of what to even say.

“Let’s go.”

Not waiting for a response, Theresa reached out, grabbed the sleeve of his uniform, and began to drag him towards the exit.

“Time to eat!”

Lucian stumbled forward, the sudden movement causing the Honkai Energy in his palm to dissipate into nothingness. He looked down at Theresa’s small hand clutching his cuff with surprising strength and found the situation unexpectedly amusing.

“Theresa, I can walk by myself.”

“No!” she shot back without looking back, continuing to pull him along.

——————

In the bustling cafeteria, Theresa pushed him down into a seat before running off to the counter to order their food.

Lucian sat there, a fond smile on his face as he watched her small figure deftly weaving through the crowd. A gentle warmth spread through his chest.

Before long, Theresa returned, carefully carrying two trays. She slid one in front of him, the steam rising from the hot food carrying a delicious aroma.

“Eat.”

Lucian looked from the steaming meal to Theresa. She was now sitting opposite him, holding a large cup of what was undoubtedly Bitter Melon Juice in both hands. She took small, deliberate sips, her eyes glancing over at him from time to time.

“You’re only drinking that?” Lucian asked, picking up his chopsticks.

Theresa gave her cup a little shake, a satisfied smile blooming on her face. “Bitter Melon Juice is the best! Do you want a cup?”

“No, thanks.”

Lucian lowered his head and began to eat. After a full day of intense training, he was ravenous. The moment the food touched his tongue, the tangible feeling of satisfaction made him realize just how long it had been since he’d eaten a proper, timely meal.

Theresa sat across from him, sipping her drink as he ate. As time passed, the cafeteria gradually filled with students finishing their classes. The low murmur of conversation swelled into a lively buzz.

A few passing students recognized Theresa and offered her salutes from a distance.

Theresa, still holding her Bitter Melon Juice, would nod back with grave solemnity. Her attempt at a majestic, principal-like demeanor created a bizarrely charming contrast with her height.

Lucian couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle at the sight.

“What are you laughing at?” Theresa put down her cup and glared at him, though there was no real heat in it.

“Nothing.” Lucian quickly lowered his head and focused on his food, but he couldn’t hide the smile playing on his lips.

Theresa huffed and took another defiant sip of her Bitter Melon Juice.

“By the way,” she said, suddenly remembering something. She set her cup down and looked at Lucian seriously. “Mei asked me to tell you something. She said she has something to discuss with you tonight.”

Lucian’s movements paused. “What is it?”

“I don’t know.” Theresa shook her head, then picked up her cup with both hands again. A mischievous smile crept onto her face. “But judging by her expression, it shouldn’t be anything bad.”

Lucian’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. He had been completely engrossed in the Training Room these past few days, and his time with Mei had dwindled to almost nothing. They would occasionally bump into each other in the hallways, but it was always just a simple greeting before they hurried off in opposite directions.

Now that he thought about it, ever since their relationship had deepened so significantly, they hadn’t truly had a chance to connect.

“What are you thinking about?”

Theresa’s voice pulled him from his reverie. Lucian looked up and met her knowing gaze.

He answered honestly, “I’m wondering what Mei wants to talk to me about.”

Theresa tilted her head, studying him. “Are you really just thinking about that?”

A faint blush crept up Lucian’s neck. “…What else would I be thinking about?”

Theresa didn’t answer. She simply raised an eyebrow, picked up her Bitter Melon Juice, and took another long sip, her eyes sparkling with amusement over the rim of the cup.

“I feel like you’re hiding something from me.”

The blush on Lucian’s face deepened. “I’m not.”

“?” Theresa’s brow furrowed slightly as she looked at him.

When did this guy start making expressions like that? In her memory, hadn’t he always carried himself with an air of being completely in control of everything?

Lucian felt increasingly uncomfortable under her scrutinizing gaze, and the speed at which he shoveled food into his mouth increased noticeably.

Theresa stared at him for a few more seconds, but she didn’t press the issue. Instead, she let out a soft, airy huff and went back to enjoying her Bitter Melon Juice.