Regarding the question of whether one thousand lives are enough to beat Honkai Impact 3rd.

Ten years? Hearing this answer, Su Qing'an felt a surge of joy.

Theoretically, for a seventeen-year-old boy, the fact that he only has ten years left to live should cause him pain, sorrow, and even despair.

But the boy accepted it calmly.

Having died twice, Su Qing'an vividly remembers the experience of death, and the fear he faces is far greater than that of a normal person.

Because what he was facing was not something unknown, but a purgatory that was truly etched into his soul.

The Su Qing'an of the past was fearless.

But as he got to know more and more people and things in this world, he gradually began to lose that indifferent, self-destructive courage.

He used to think, "I don't know anyone in this world anyway. If I die lying in an alley, no one will collect my body. No one will be sad because of my loss. No one will feel uncomfortable, uneasy, or even unhappy because he's gone."

It's no big deal if you die, since you're like a ghost in any world.

This kind of thinking is like that of a stubborn child sulking, yet he never thinks of gaining anything by harming the world. What he thinks about most is simply finding a place to end his own life, cleanly and decisively.

But in his previous world, he felt he hadn't gotten tired of cola, the anime was quite interesting, and he had savings in his bank account. Living in seclusion like this didn't seem so bad. Besides, suicide was a painful and stupid thing to talk about.

Although he thought his life was worthless and he could die anyway, he felt that living a miserable life was acceptable.

After arriving in this world, what he thought about most was not why the gods chose him.

The question is why they couldn't just die a quick death.

Although Su Qing'an struggled with all his wits and strength in every moment before his death, and felt fear and reluctance, he also genuinely felt that death was an acceptable end.

Everyone dies eventually, especially since you have nothing and no one to rely on in this strange world.

There will always be a barrier between you and everyone; when you communicate with anyone, you leave three parts room for maneuver and seven parts distance.

So be it, the world won't be any different without you.

He hadn't even considered the conditions for defeating the Honkai. It was the Honkai, the Honkai that had enhanced civilization. He could only flee in disarray when facing Ganesha, so how could he possibly defeat the Honkai that the entire human civilization was helpless against?

That's how it should have been.

But he met Hua, Kiana Kaslana, Yuno Sato, and Himeko Murata.

He suddenly realized that he wasn't completely destitute, and that he could have a place somewhere.

You too can be treated gently.

So afterwards, his dilemma wasn't about whether he could just die cleanly, or how this was too agonizing.

Su Qing'an was thinking, "You could at least give me a more powerful cheat, but this modified version of Taixu Sword Qi has some annoying side effects. Who are you going to play?"

Actually, he was quite envious of the protagonist of a novel he had read before. In that novel called Dragon Raja, the protagonist, Lu Mingfei, was such a pathetic and useless person, but as long as he was willing to burn a quarter of his life, he could have the power to change his fate.

Something for nothing.

Once those words were uttered, power and authority were in his hands.

Su Qing'an was also willing.

What's the price of burning a quarter of your life? It's far too cheap compared to what you really don't want to lose.

The real tragedy is often not about how much you have to pay to achieve the result you want.

It's not that no matter how much you pay, even if you cry hysterically, even if you risk your life with your flesh and blood burned away, even if you trade your soul to the devil, even if you have truly lost everything, you still can't do it.

You still can't do it.

So the fact that it can still burn is itself a lucky thing.

Having less than ten years left to live is a price that must be paid.

The artificial holy mark broke through his innate shackles and shattered his despair. As for his lifespan, he could take it or burn it if he wanted.

As long as it's before that.

He would gladly give up anything to save what he wanted to save before he died.

This world is not a playground where you can easily play house.

"Tsk." Seeing Su Qing'an's almost indifferent expression, Nishikujo Sara made an unpleasant sound.

Even though she knew all along that most people in this academy were such idiots who didn't care about their own safety, Nishikujo Sara still couldn't get used to it.

Even St. Freya Academy, which is like paradise compared to other branch academies, has a casualty rate.

Sara Nishikujo was always unhappy looking at those fools with sunny smiles who were destined to die young.

At the same time, she was also very sad.

Perhaps occasionally a metal box or a coffin will be returned containing a familiar person, perhaps a corpse, ashes, or even just a photograph.

The photos often capture her most youthful, vibrant, and radiant moments, and the girl in them is always smiling.

Because the girls at St. Freya Academy all love to laugh.

Sara Nishikujo has been at St. Freya Academy for ten years, making her one of the most senior employees.

But she probably will never get used to it.

"Your physical fitness test report is out. Most qualified B-rank Valkyries can't reach your current level. The artificial stigmata improved your Honkai energy resistance and also enhanced your physical fitness."

"Based on past cases, such a leap in promotion is rare. You are now theoretically qualified to join the front line, but the Far East Branch does not provide armor for men, so you will most likely be assigned to the logistics unit after graduation."

"That's all. There's nothing else wrong. You can go now if you're alright."

After speaking, Nishikujo Sara lit a cigarette again. She seemed to be a woman who was forever entangled with the smell of tobacco. Even the sea breeze could not carry away the scent of tobacco and perfume mixed in with her clothes. Her bones were full of decadence and the maturity that came with the years.

"Teacher Nishikujo, can you keep my health condition a secret from Sister Himeko?" Su Qing'an asked.

Having witnessed Himeko's distress not long ago, he didn't want her to know his current situation, at least not now.

Principal Theresa seems to have some understanding of this, and hasn't proactively informed Himeko Murata yet.

Su Qing'an's decision to conceal this matter from Ji Zi was his own arbitrary decision, which is no different from a child's concern for an adult.

This concern is mixed with a stubbornness that doesn't want others to worry. But for Himeko Murata, is this decision a good thing or a bad thing?

Nishikujo Sara and Murata Himeko are friends, but even she is somewhat unsure of the answer.

After a moment of silence, she finally answered:

"...Principal Theresa has already mentioned it to me, so don't worry, I won't say anything to Himeko."

"But how long can you keep this a secret?"

"...At least for now, I don't want her to know. I don't want her to be sad."

He didn't know how long he could keep it a secret, but before he had the courage to face her sad expression, Su Qing'an didn't want to tell her.

Is this considered weakness? He suddenly felt somewhat bewildered.

Then a hand pressed down on his head and rubbed it vigorously in a venting manner. A faint scent of mint and tobacco filled his nostrils, which smelled strangely pleasant.

"Your childish behavior shows that you care about her a lot. There's nothing to be confused or upset about. Kids like to overthink things, it's such a hassle."

"And in the infirmary, just call me doctor, doctor, understand?"

"Alright, alright, if you're free now, you should go."

Nishikujo Sara exhaled a smoke ring towards the sea before withdrawing her hand and waving it impatiently at Su Qing'an.

After being chased away by Nishikujo Sara, Su Qing'an silently complained as she walked down the hallway.

Why do you all like to ruffle my hair?

But then he found it a little funny.

The boy gazed out the window at the distant horizon, the dazzling golden waves and pure azure reflecting in his eyes. The wind ruffled the hair on his forehead, and he couldn't help but think.

St. Freya Academy is really great.

Shortly after Su Qing'an left, Nishikujo Sara threw away her cigarette butt and, as usual, took out another cigarette from her Marlboro box.

Actually, she didn't really like Marlboro cigarettes. Based on her own preferences, she preferred a Russian brand.

That kind of cigarette is stronger and wilder, making the mint flavor of Marlboro seem incredibly gentle in comparison.

But when the aroma of mint and tobacco mingles with her scent, she always recalls the image closest to her memories.

Sara Nishikujo's life has been filled with too many stories. That's how people are, right? They are gradually molded into their current form by the stories and years they have experienced in the past.

There's nothing wrong with that, right? At least you can unknowingly leave behind many, many unforgettable things.

For example, she only smokes Marlboro cigarettes, there are always dolls on the table that don't suit her temperament, and there's always a cup in it that only contains instant coffee.

This is good. Some things are ingrained in her bones, just like those people are still there. They accompany her in a different way, trying their best to keep her from feeling lonely.

Therefore, Nishikujo Sara is not alone.

But upon seeing Su Qing'an, she suddenly recalled a scene for some reason.

That happened not long after she arrived at St. Freya Academy. Although Theresa, the short headmistress, hasn't changed at all, it was indeed a long, long time ago.

That's the story about why Nishikujo Sara likes to smoke Marlboro cigarettes.

It's an old, boring story that probably no one would want to hear.

Nishikujo Sara stubbed out her cigarette, thinking to herself.

The embers of the cigarette smoke fell and faded into silence along with the memories.

The sea breeze still blows over St. Freya Academy, listening to countless stories of the past.

5. Himeko Murata chooses to confess.

2014 4 Month 7 Day.

This was half a month after Su Qing'an officially enrolled in school.

in the afternoon.

The afterglow of the setting sun cast a golden glow on the sign bearing the words "coffee shop" in front of the building near the island's coastline.

The wind chimes hanging by the door fluttered in the breeze, and the sound of waves crashing against the rocks mingled with the chimes, creating a distant and ethereal melody.

This place is quite far from the teaching buildings of St. Freya Academy, and the coffee shop only opened recently.

The reason Su Qing'an opened the coffee shop again was simple: it was Ji Zi's request.