A few days passed in peace after Kouga and Mei's date.Kiana had finally taken her history retake exam — and though she didn't ace it, she passed with a comfortable score.
"See?" Kouga said with a grin as he handed her the result sheet. "Told you you'd make it."
Kiana puffed her cheeks. "It's not like I didn't try hard!"
He laughed and reached over, patting her head gently. "Good job, Kiana. You earned it."
Her face brightened instantly, and even Mei smiled, proud of her progress.
Later that day, the group returned to Himeko's residence. The house felt unusually lively — they could hear voices from the living room even before stepping inside.
When Kouga slid open the door, he froze mid-step.
"Sakura?" he said in surprise.
Sure enough, Yae Sakura stood there in her familiar pink outfit, speaking politely with Himeko. Kallen was sitting cheerfully on Sakura's head like a tiny mascot, while Higokumaru floated lazily nearby, her foxfire tails flickering softly.
"Oh, Kouga," Sakura greeted with her usual calm tone, smiling gently. "It's been a while."
Kiana leaned closer to Mei and whispered, "Uh… Kouga knows her?"
Mei gave a small nod, equally curious.
Kouga scratched his head awkwardly. "Yeah, we met when I went on that mission with Theresa."
Sakura nodded politely. "And now, it seems fate has brought us together again."
Higokumaru floated forward, bowing slightly. "I am Higokumaru! It's nice to meet you all!"
Kiana's eyes sparkled. "She's so cute! Can she talk?!"
Higokumaru puffed her chest proudly. "Of course I can talk!"
Kallen, still perched atop Sakura's head, waved her tiny hand. "Hi again!"
Bronya, who had just walked into the room, raised an eyebrow. "It appears our household population has increased by approximately three."
"Yeah," Mei added with a small smile, "it's getting pretty lively around here."
Himeko chuckled and leaned back in her chair. "Lively is one word for it." Then she turned to Kouga, smirking playfully. "You know, Kouga… with all the women you've been bringing around lately, you're starting to look more and more like a harem protagonist."
Kouga froze, his face flushing slightly as the others tried — and failed — to hold back laughter.
"W-wait, it's not like that!" Kouga protested. "It's just coincidence!"
"Oh sure," Himeko teased, "first Mei, then Theresa, now Sakura. At this rate, we'll need to start assigning rooms by your popularity rank."
Kiana clapped her hands dramatically. "Sensei, you're right! He's totally like one of those dating sim main characters!"
Mei covered her face with her hand but couldn't hide her small smile. "You guys are terrible…"
Even Sakura giggled softly, though she tilted her head in confusion. "Harem protagonist? I'm not sure I understand, but… it sounds rather flattering."
Kouga groaned. "Don't encourage them, Sakura…"
The laughter echoed warmly through the room.
Eventually, Himeko calmed down and gestured toward Sakura. "Jokes aside, she'll be staying here for the time being. Theresa sent word that she's officially joining HQ as her security aide — and since she's still adjusting to modern life, I thought it best she stay with us until she's used to it."
"That's fine by me," Kouga said with a smile, scratching the back of his neck. "It'll be nice having more familiar faces around."
Kallen raised her tiny hand again. "Yay! We get to stay together again!"
Sakura smiled warmly, brushing her fingers through Kallen's hair. "Yes. I look forward to learning more about this world — and spending time with all of you."
Kiana leaned closer to Mei. "I can already tell this house is going to get even crazier…"
Mei nodded slightly, hiding a small laugh. "You have no idea."
Kouga sighed as everyone began chatting around him .
The day of evaluation finally arrived — the moment every Valkyrie cadet had been preparing for.Each of them would be graded on their performance and ranked: B, A, or S.For most, it was nerve-wracking. For Kouga, it was another day to prove that a "Knight" could stand among Valkyries.
The morning air was sharp, carrying the chatter of dozens of trainees as they gathered on the academy grounds. Kouga stood beside Kiana, Mei, and Bronya, hands casually tucked into his jacket pockets.
Himeko cleared her throat loudly, instantly commanding attention."Alright, fairies," she said, her tone firm yet warm. "We're heading to the training grounds. From this point on, your performances will determine your official rank — so don't slack off."
The students straightened up and followed her. But as they approached the massive open-air field, an unfamiliar tension filled the air.
"Well," Bronya muttered flatly, "this isn't a planned event."
Kiana frowned. "What do you mean—?"She didn't finish.
Because standing on the opposite side of the training field was another group — older, stronger, radiating power that made the air itself feel heavier.
At the front of that group stood the Overseer himself — Otto Apocalypse. His piercing green eyes glowed faintly beneath the sunlight, reflecting intelligence and something darker.
Beside him stood Theresa and Sakura — the latter dressed in a brand-new combat suit: a sleek, dark bodysuit lined with armor on her shoulders and waist, a fox-shaped mask obscuring her calm expression. Kallen, thankfully, was back at Himeko's residence, keeping company with the Plasmonster.
Behind them, two other figures stood quietly, their aura unmistakable even from afar.
Himeko's posture stiffened immediately. "Overseer," she greeted cautiously. "What can I do for the party of our most… honored guests?"
Otto smiled, a courteous curve that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Oh, we need nothing, Miss Murata. I merely wished to meet our promising Valkyries during their initiation." He gestured slightly with one gloved hand. "However, I believe you may have something to discuss with my associates."
He stepped aside, and Himeko's eyes widened slightly as she recognized the pair behind him. "Ah. I see…" she muttered, stepping away to speak privately with them.
Meanwhile, Otto turned back to the cadets, spreading his arms in a mock-grand gesture."My dear students — the pride of Schicksal's next generation. Today, you take your first step toward becoming true defenders of humanity!"
The crowd of trainees half-listened, whispering among themselves instead.
"Wait, are those two behind Himeko who I think they are?""No way— that's Durandal and Rita Roseweisse!""Two S-ranks here in person? Why is the Overseer even here!?"
Kouga sighed quietly. Of course he's here.
Every word Otto spoke grated against him. The man's presence carried the same arrogance that Kouga had seen countless times before — in emperors, gods, and immortals who believed themselves above mortals.
He kept silent, though his hand subconsciously brushed the buckle on his belt.
Otto's smooth speech was cut short by a loud, excited voice from one of the trainees."Could we have a mock battle? You know, to see how strong S-ranks really are?"
Otto blinked, then smirked faintly, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh? A bold suggestion. I admire that spirit." He turned to the side. "If my guests have no objection…"
The two women — tall and composed — gave slight nods of approval.
"Splendid," Otto said smoothly. "Then let's make this more interesting. A practice spar, yes — and I believe," he turned toward Kouga, "we have just the perfect challenger."
Kouga's stomach sank.Oh no.
Otto's grin widened as if he could read his thoughts. "You joined as a Knight, correct? A unique case — one worth evaluating on equal footing with Schicksal's finest."
Kiana's eyes widened. "Wait— Kouga's gonna fight them!?"
Bronya muttered, "The Overseer appears to be deliberately provoking him."
Mei frowned slightly. "Kouga… you don't have to—"
"It's fine," Kouga said simply, his gaze locked on Otto. "If he wants to see what I can do, he'll get his wish."
Durandal stepped forward first, her voice clear and composed. "If this is to test his strength, then I'll be his opponent."
Behind her, Rita smiled gently, though her tone was sharper than it seemed. "Oh, but don't leave me out, Durandal. I'd like to see how our 'Knight' handles pressure."
The two S-rank Valkyries approached — one radiant as dawn, the other darkly graceful as dusk.
Durandal's silver-blue armor gleamed under the sun, her spear resting effortlessly on her shoulder. Rita's scythe reflected the light like polished moonlight, her covered eye glinting faintly beneath her bangs.
Otto folded his hands behind his back, utterly delighted. "Then it's settled. Let this be his inauguration into our ranks."
Kouga met Otto's gaze — silent defiance burning in his eyes — before turning to face his opponents.
"Fine," he said, his tone low but steady. "Let's get this over with."
Otto's green eyes flashed with intrigue. "Excellent. Ms. Murata, if you would be so kind — lead us to the holographic training grounds."
Himeko sighed heavily. "Of course," she muttered, motioning for the group to follow.
As the students trailed behind, whispers buzzed through the air like electricity.
Two S-rank Valkyries. One Knight.And an Overseer who clearly wanted to see just how far Kouga would go.