Bengtie, I'm really not a villain!

However, at this moment, it was like a sharp dagger, shattering the peace in her heart and making her involuntarily recall the eerie, chilling light that flickered like a dark ray deep in Jing Ye's eyes when he looked at Kiana's back.

"Mei-neechan?"

Bronya's clear voice suddenly broke the brief silence. The blue light from the holographic projection, like a ghostly glow, shone on Bronya's youthful yet composed face.

Looking at Raiden Mei, who seemed somewhat lost in thought, she said again, "Regarding the next mission, the third part of the operational plan needs your confirmation."

At this moment, Raiden Mei suddenly realized that her fingertips were unconsciously pressing hard on the edge of the conference table. Due to the excessive force, several shallow and barely noticeable finger marks had been left on the smooth surface.

She quickly let go, trying to hide her absent-mindedness, and forced a smile, but the smile was stiff and distorted, even uglier than crying.

"Sorry, I was just... thinking about tactical details." She explained in a slightly hoarse voice, her eyes still wandering.

Her gaze wandered uncontrollably among the attendees, as if searching for something, or perhaps guarding against something.

She watched Theresa's slender fingers flipping through the documents, and those nimble movements reminded her of Jing Ye's pale fingers dancing silently in the darkness, as if manipulating a deadly game of chess.

Himeko's wrist, holding the coffee cup, was elegant and composed, yet in her eyes, it inexplicably overlapped with Jingye's hands, which concealed a great threat.

She knew Jing Ye's methods and scheming all too well. Even though she had used all her strength last night to temporarily silence him with a kiss, preventing him from saying those hurtful words,

But she knew all too well that those malicious hands lurking in the shadows could reach out at any moment without warning to anyone she cared about or cherished, bringing unpredictable disaster.

At lunchtime, the cafeteria was bustling with activity, filled with the sounds of plates clattering and people's laughter.

But Raiden Mei seemed to be in another world, oblivious to the surrounding noise. She sat at the dining table, her hand gripping the chopsticks tightly, but her hand seemed frozen in mid-air, unable to fall.

She even went against her usual practice by not cooking for herself in her dorm room, but instead chose to eat at the cafeteria.

Kiana blushed and felt embarrassed about what she had witnessed yesterday. She sensed that Mei was probably tired, so she didn't say anything and just followed along.

Bronya, who was traveling with them, wanted to ask a question, but Kiana quickly covered her mouth, looking puzzled.

The rising steam from the plate blurred her vision, but the familiar aroma now felt like a death knell, making her stomach churn, because it inexplicably evoked the memory of the blood seeping from Jing Ye's lips.

The smell of blood, mixed with complex emotions, was deeply imprinted in her memory, lingering there.

In the afternoon, people came and went in the corridor, but Raiden Mei paid no attention. The dim, yellowish light in the corridor cast her lonely shadow long and slender.

It was as if it were a manifestation of the endless worries deep in her heart. She dragged her heavy steps to the viewing window, leaned against the cold window frame, and quietly gazed at the nebulae flowing in the universe.

Those magnificent nebulae bloom freely in the vast universe, like a dream, yet they cannot dispel the gloom in her heart.

Himeko stood tall and straight beside the projection screen for the tactical theory class. Her crisp black uniform clung to her figure, highlighting her dashing and spirited demeanor.

She gracefully supported herself on the podium with one hand, while holding a pointer in the other. She precisely tapped the key tactical points on the map, explaining various tactical points in a steady and infectious voice that echoed slowly in the classroom.

In an inconspicuous corner behind her, Theresa laboriously carried a small stool, plopped down, and her cheeks bulged like a little hamster as she chewed on a Houmu biscuit with relish, a few crumbs still clinging to the corners of her mouth.

As she listened to Himeko's explanation, she would occasionally look down and doodle in her notebook. The notebook contained no serious notes, but rather a series of funny little drawings she made on the spot.

Inside the classroom, the Valkyrie students were immersed in absorbing knowledge, the rustling of notes filling the air. Occasionally, a student would raise their hand to ask a question, breaking the silence. The atmosphere was serious yet orderly.

Suddenly, with a sharp creak, the classroom door was flung open. Raiden Mei rushed into the classroom, pulling Jingye along with her.

The two figures were silhouetted against the light at the doorway, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Himeko, who was focused on explaining, suddenly had her pointer suspended in mid-air. Her delicate eyebrows rose slightly, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

Theresa was about to take a bite of the cookie when her movement froze, and the cookie in her mouth fell predictably onto her lap with a "thud."

Her eyes widened, her ahoge stood up straight as if she'd been electrocuted, and her face was filled with disbelief.

Kiana, who was sitting in the front row, had just picked up her water glass and taken a sip when this sudden scene caused her to choke on the water and cough violently. Water splashed uncontrollably onto the table, wetting the notes spread out in front of her.

Everyone's attention was quickly drawn to Jing Ye, whose neck was covered with countless red marks of varying shades.

Under the pale blue light of the projection screen, the red marks appeared particularly glaring, like delicate red plum blossoms blooming on the white snow, standing out vividly.

These hickeys silently testified to the intense confrontation of the previous night, naturally becoming the focus of everyone's attention.

Raiden Mei is usually seen as a virtuous and gentle person, like a warm spring breeze.

But at this moment, she resembled a lioness protecting her cubs, exuding an aura that was not to be trifled with. Her five fingers were like iron pincers, gripping Jing Ye's wrist tightly, her knuckles turning white from the excessive force.

Her face was tense, and her originally gentle eyes were now filled with vigilance, as if Jing Ye were a bomb that could explode at any moment.

Jingye remained as lazy and playful as ever, a faint smile playing on his lips, his eyes revealing a hint of nonchalance, a stark contrast to Raiden Mei.

“This is…” Himeko broke the silence first, raising her eyebrows more noticeably, her voice carrying a hint of surprise that even she herself didn’t realize.

The pointer in his hand tapped lightly on the podium unconsciously, making a crisp sound.

Bronya sat in the middle of the classroom, her eyes full of confusion.

She had missed the scene where Kiana and Raiden Mei brought Jingye back to the dormitory because she was away on a mission, and she knew nothing about Jingye's background or the reason for all of this.

Theresa was completely stunned. She opened her mouth, almost blurting out a question to Mei about what was going on, but her gaze couldn't help but fall on the suggestive marks on Jingye's neck, and the shock on her face deepened.

Kiana blushed, hurriedly lowered her head, and frantically tried to tidy up her water-soaked notes.

The sounds she heard last night kept echoing uncontrollably in her mind, making her ears burn even hotter.

Upon seeing this, the students in the back row instantly erupted in chatter, their whispers spreading like a tidal wave.

Some trainees whispered among themselves, speculating about the relationship between the two, their words filled with curiosity.

Some trainees craned their necks, pointing and whispering about the marks on Jing Ye's neck, their faces full of gossip.

Theresa shook her head, trying to recover from the shock and regain her usual composure as the headmistress.

She cleared her throat and said loudly, "Ahem! Even if you're a new member, you should announce it beforehand! Find a seat first!"

But her gaze seemed to be firmly drawn to Jing Ye's neck, as if by a magnet. Her hand holding the biscuit tightened unconsciously, and biscuit crumbs fell down in a flurry.

From then on, Raiden Mei seemed to become Jingye's shadow, taking him with her wherever she went.

On the training field, the sun blazed down, and the ground was scorching hot. Raiden Mei, dressed in a tight-fitting training suit, practiced her fighting techniques, sweat pouring down her face and wetting her hair.

Jing Ye, on the other hand, leaned against the training equipment like a leisurely bystander.

The cafeteria was noisy, and the aroma of food filled every corner.

Raiden Mei, carrying a tray, sternly forced Jingye to sit opposite her. During the meal, her gaze was like a searchlight, intently watching Jingye's every move; even the slightest action couldn't escape her notice.

Her focus drew curious glances from the other Valkyries around her. They whispered among themselves, speculating about the relationship between the two, their voices echoing throughout the cafeteria.

Theresa and Bronya remained bewildered. Every time Theresa saw Raiden Mei and Kageyo inseparable, she would rest her chin on her hand, blink her large, watery eyes, and mutter to herself in confusion.

"When did Mei start dating? How come we haven't heard a thing about it?"

Bronya would silently pull up the data analysis, trying to find a reasonable explanation from the two's behavior patterns, but the characters flashing on the screen were like a tangled mess that she could never untangle.

Because she discovered that Mei's gaze towards Jingye contained not only simple love, but also other complex emotions such as hatred and gratitude.

It was too difficult for Bronya to understand, and for the others, who didn't know what had happened between Jingye and Raiden Mei, it was equally incomprehensible.

Only Kiana knew the truth, but whenever Theresa tugged at her, pressing her with curiosity for details, Kiana would blush and wave her hands frantically, like a startled rabbit with its fur standing on end.

"Oh dear, it's just a normal relationship! Stop asking!"

After saying that, he slipped away and ran off, leaving Theresa standing there, looking bewildered and full of questions.

"Bang—!" A deafening roar, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, exploded across the spacious training ground.

The sword in Raiden Mei's hand, carrying a powerful aura, was like a surging silver lightning bolt, striking the metal target heavily without reservation.

In an instant, countless dazzling sparks burst forth like fireworks. These flying sparks traced delicate and winding paths in the air, flickering and leaping for a long time before reluctantly dissipating into nothingness.

This sudden and impactful sound instantly shattered the original order of the training ground, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples and quickly alarming the Valkyries who were focused on training nearby.

Kiana was immersed in training, each movement accompanied by even and steady breathing, her forehead covered with fine beads of sweat that slowly slid down her cheeks.

However, the loud noise was like a heavy hammer blow, striking her heartstrings and freezing her hand in mid-air, as if she had been frozen in place.

Her cheeks, which had been glowing with a healthy rosy hue from exercise, were now filled with astonishment. Her eyes widened as she stared in disbelief at the source of the sound.

Bronya was completely focused on adjusting her tactical equipment. Her tactical goggles gleamed with a mysterious, eerie blue light, and various complex data scrolled and changed rapidly on the lenses like a flowing stream.

The moment the loud noise came, her sharp eyes immediately focused on the training field. At the same time, her tactical goggles automatically and quickly switched to analysis mode, emitting a slight but rapid buzzing sound, trying their best to interpret the sudden abnormal situation in front of them.

Theresa, the school principal who usually had a touch of childlike innocence, was sitting comfortably on a bench nearby, enjoying a Houmu cake in her hands. The sweet aroma of the cake filled the air around her, and there was a little cream on the corner of her mouth, making her look utterly adorable.

The loud noise startled her so much that she almost choked, nearly dropping the half-eaten cake. She hurriedly put the cake down, her round eyes wide, her signature ahoge (cowlick) trembling violently with shock, making her look like a frightened little animal.

Under the varied gazes of the crowd, Raiden Mei seemed oblivious, continuing to immerse herself in her training rhythm.

In the past, when she used her swordsmanship, her posture was light and graceful, and every move was smooth and free, just like a clear spring flowing in the mountains, agile yet elegant, showing the beauty of flowing clouds and water.

But at this moment, standing on the training ground, she seemed like a completely different person. Her sword strikes were as fierce as a howling gale, and wherever she passed, the dust on the ground was swirled high, forming a pervasive cloud of dust.

Each swing was laced with a desperate, all-or-nothing resolve, as if she were facing not training equipment, but an irreconcilable enemy.

As the blade sliced ​​through the air, it emitted a sharp, piercing whistling sound. The sound was mournful and high-pitched, as if it were the long-suppressed cries of pain and indignation accumulated deep within her heart, echoing endlessly across the empty training ground.

What's even more heart-wrenching and unsettling is that her eyes are empty and cold, like a bottomless pool in the cold night, without a ripple, so calm it's frightening.

Each strike of the knife seemed to vent her endless loneliness and emptiness, making one imagine that she had wandered alone in a dark abyss for countless long days and nights, losing everything she cherished, completely losing her way forward, and losing all hope for life.

"Mei-neechan's knife..."

Bronya pushed up her glasses, her eyes behind the lenses focused and deep, the data in her tactical goggles flashing and updating like a waterfall.

"Compared to three months ago, the attack efficiency has increased by 237%, which is completely contrary to the conventional combat logic."

Her voice was calm and steady, carrying clearly through the noisy training ground, exuding an undeniable professionalism and rationality.

Kiana, who hurriedly jogged over, listened to Bronya's data report.

Her face was filled with worry, her brows furrowed tightly, forming a deep "川" (river) shape.

"I always feel that Mei looks really strange right now."

As she spoke, she shook her head, her gaze fixed intently on Raiden Mei's figure on the training field.

"Before, when she wielded her knife, her eyes were full of light, brimming with confidence and determination, but now..."

Her voice gradually faded, as if shrouded in an invisible haze, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't, her eyes filled with confusion and worry.

Just as everyone was lost in thought and puzzled, a shocking scene unfolded without warning.

Raiden Mei seemed to have just completed a round of intense training, abruptly sheathing her sword and standing upright. Her posture was sturdy, yet it exuded an indescribable sense of loneliness.

Then, she actually glanced at Jing Ye, seemingly seeking his guidance.

This action, in the eyes of everyone present, was no less than a powerful bomb, instantly creating a huge uproar in the crowd.

It's unbelievable that the powerful Raiden Mei would bow down to a mysterious outsider who suddenly appeared!

Theresa's reaction was the most direct; her ahoge stood up straight as if struck by an electric current, and her eyes widened even more, almost bulging out of their sockets.

Himeko had quietly arrived at the edge of the training field at some point. She stood gracefully to the side, arms crossed, observing quietly.

At this moment, she narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp as a hawk's, scanning back and forth between Jingye and Raiden Mei, trying to glean some key information from their interaction.

Chapter 149 Another Encounter

Himeko had quietly arrived at the edge of the training field at some point. She stood gracefully to the side, arms crossed, observing quietly.

At this moment, she narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp as a hawk's, scanning back and forth between Jingye and Raiden Mei, trying to glean some key information from their interaction.

"For Mei to humbly seek his guidance, this Jingye is probably far more powerful than he appears on the surface."

She murmured softly to herself, her voice low yet revealing a calm and certain understanding of the world.

Jing Ye maintained his languid posture, leaning against the wall with a faint smile on his lips, as if everything happening before him was within his expectations.

Because of the distance, the others could not hear his words clearly, but they saw Raiden Mei nod seriously after listening to him. Her hand, which was originally holding the knife, tightened even more, and her knuckles turned slightly white from the force.

When she swung her sword again, her swordplay underwent a subtle yet crucial change, becoming more cunning and ruthless. Each attack was like a meticulously planned fatal blow, making it impossible to defend against.

Upon seeing this, the Valkyries watching immediately erupted in a commotion, whispering and gossiping among themselves.

Their eyes were filled with doubt and shock, and they kept glancing at Jingye and Raiden Mei, as if trying to find clues to solve the mystery from the two of them.

What is the background of this Jingye? What exactly happened between him and Raiden Mei?

Jing Ye's strength is probably unfathomable.

What no one knew was that whenever Raiden Mei's gaze fell upon the blade, a bone-chilling cold would suddenly spread from her line of sight to her heart, making her temples throb, and images would uncontrollably explode in her mind.

She saw herself and her mother being forced to retreat by Jingye's iaido sword, and saw Teacher Himeko being suppressed by Jingye's sword force and forced to kneel on one knee in a sorry state.

Seeing Fulibas being brutally struck on the shoulder by Jing Ye with the back of his knife, his entire body pressed into the mud, his dignity utterly lost.

Those moments when Jingye and Izayoi humiliated her surged back like a tidal wave. The chill emanating from the new sword seemed to be a key to unlocking painful memories, revealing the past she least wanted to face.