Honkai Impact: Become Their Hero

"This school is pretty high-class."

Elias curiously examined Chiba Academy.

Although, according to the identity given by the system, he had already been attending this elite school as a transfer student for some time, today was actually the first time he had truly stepped through its gates.

From the uniform design to the architecture and interior decorations, everything had been meticulously crafted. Elias's evaluation? As expected of a school for rich kids.

Oh? Wait, I'm rich now too?

Then never mind.

"Good morning, Elias!"

"You're here early again today, Elias."

"Hey, Elias, want to head to the classroom together?"

Along the way, many students greeted him. Elias could only respond with an awkward smile and wave, as he didn't recognize a single one of them—he couldn't even recall their names.

And moreover...

"Uh, why is it only girls greeting me? Am I, like, super popular?"

[Ding! According to your identity settings, dear Host, your parents are deceased, you own a house and a car, and you possess considerable wealth. Even within Chiba Academy, where most students come from wealthy backgrounds, your financial status ranks among the upper class.]

[Additionally, your appearance alone is enough to make over 70% of the opposite sex develop favorable feelings toward you.]

"Being handsome is great. Being rich is great. Hehehe~"

[Furthermore, due to your personality, background, and exceptional looks, you are known within Chiba Academy as 'The Prince of Chiba Academy.']

"...I won't lose my mind. I absolutely won't lose my mind." Elias's steps suddenly halted.

His expression darkened. While the nickname sounded both embarrassing and a little satisfying, he couldn't help but recall a certain savior.

His face immediately turned even darker.

Thinking about how that person also had the title 'The Prince of Chiba Academy,' Elias felt a little uneasy.

"No big deal, no big deal. I have such a great mindset—so positive, optimistic, and full of love for life. There's no way I'd go insane. Impossible. Absolutely impossible!"

As he reassured himself, he seemed to have forgotten that this so-called savior had also started out as a cheerful, hot-blooded, naive paramecium.

And just like Elias, his journey at Chiba Academy began with an encounter—with a certain purple-haired, purple-eyed girl.

...

Inside the second-year classroom.

"Oh ho, System, you're really looking out for me. Thanks a lot. If this girl turns into a Herrscher, I'll be the first one to die. Isn't this a little too close for comfort?"

Upon entering the classroom, Elias was startled to see a purple-haired girl nearby, muttering to himself under his breath.

Raiden Mei.

One of the Honkai Main Trio. The Herrscher of Cooking—er, Thunder.

Long dark purple hair and soft lilac eyes, her hair tied into a ponytail with a butterfly-shaped ribbon adorned with purple spots. She wore a black sailor uniform paired with thigh-high stockings.

Elias couldn't help but take a few more glances.

After all, in the past, he could only see Mei's character model on a mobile screen. This was his first time seeing the real-life version, and he felt an urge to give a thumbs-up—because she was truly beautiful.

"Hmm?"

On the other side, Raiden Mei also sensed his gaze and blankly lifted her head.

However, the eyes that were supposed to be strong and gentle had lost their brightness. Instead, they were filled with dullness, exhaustion, and sorrow—clear traces of tears still visible.

At this moment, Raiden Mei resembled a withered lilac flower, looking pitifully fragile.

Seeing this, Elias immediately understood the timeline—Paramecium Kiana had yet to make her entrance, and Raiden Mei was still in the period where she was being bullied at school.

"School bullying, huh? What an awful thing. I really don't get those bullies."

If Elias's current status made him one of the wealthier students at Chiba Academy,

Then just half a month ago, Raiden Mei was undoubtedly the reigning queen of this school, despite being surrounded by the children of the rich.

She was the daughter of the CEO of ME Corp.

Born into immense wealth and status that most could never hope to reach, she received the finest education from childhood, and her beauty was nothing short of flawless.

And Mei lived up to her noble birth. In every aspect, she was exceptional, naturally making her the center of attention in the academy.

She became the most admired "Raiden Queen."

But while Mei basked in the admiration and adoration of her classmates, believing it to be genuine friendship—

Reality struck her with a ruthless blow.

Her father, Raiden Ryoma, the CEO of ME Corp, was recently exposed in a major financial fraud scandal. Not only was he removed from his position by the board, but he was also sentenced to prison, his reputation plummeting overnight.

And before Mei could even recover from the shock of her father's arrest, the so-called "friends" who once surrounded her all turned their backs on her.

Smiles became cold stares.

Praise became ridicule.

Admiration became torment.

Suddenly, Raiden Mei found herself unwelcome in the academy. Not a single one of the classmates she once considered friends remained by her side.

In that moment, she finally realized—the only reason they had ever wanted to be her friends was because of her family's wealth and power.

And now that she had fallen from grace, no one wanted to play the game of friendship with her anymore.

"Ah, how pitiful."

[Dear Host, would you like to make a move? Right now, you could easily win over Raiden Mei. In this most vulnerable period, even the slightest display of kindness from you would be enough for her to see you as someone special.]

"Hiss—System, you don't sound very proper right now."

[Target: Raiden Mei. Age: 17. Weight: 50kg. Measurements: 89/62/90. Birthday: April 13... Predicted success rate: 97%.]

"...Why are you suddenly telling me all this?"

[Wasn't it you, dear Host, who asked for all her information within a minute?]

"I wasn't! I didn't! System, you're falsely accusing an innocent man! Also, you're definitely not a proper system!"

I mean, you really didn't have to be that detailed.

It's not like I didn't already know.

All of this is recorded in the Valkyrie dormitory archives, anyway. Besides, my current favorite is Miss Pink Elf.