Cultivating in Honkai!

"Hm."

I stretched my arms. It is currently morning… 7:30 AM, or so the desk clock says. My cultivation session remained mostly the same.

I woke up at 5 o'clock and started a round of [Ten Direction Body Art]. My body, which became stagnant after the completion of the jing dantian, grew slightly stronger. The complex postures, breathing rhythms, and spiritual qi circulation is quite a pain to deal with.

Nevertheless, I carried on with completing it once a day. It will be easier to practice it on the Foundation Establishment with a higher mastery.

It is something similar to the [Xiutian Yin-Yang Jue Art]'s ability to let me practice all sorts of job-exclusive traits.

The [Ten Direction Body Art] gives a 'shield' that absorbs all sorts of impact, spells, and attacks. These absorbed attacks can redirect half of the absorbed attacks.

The same goes to the [Xinhai Wuji Heart Sutra]. It has a specialty of increasing the effects of epiphanies, increased mental strength, and a clearer mind. I maintain my efforts of practicing these two techniques every day.

After I clocked in at 6:30 AM, I started a round of qi cultivation. It is still the main focus. The rest of my time is spent either in qi cultivation, [Toushen Manual], or teaching Kiana.

That's my schedule for an entire day.

"Breakfast starts at 8…" I looked at the sleeping Kiana with a drool on her mouth. "...and she's still sleeping."

I can't fathom how Kiana can sleep easily. She's spending twelve hours a day sleeping.

As a fresh college graduate, I can't relate. My sleep schedule is fucked up.

I decided to take a quick bath first. 

Towel, my box of soap, shampoo…

I realized something.

Inside this orphanage, I haven't met a boy yet. I saw some girls playing in the garden and some in the study rooms. They sent me a curious look, but I decided to wait until today's breakfast. That will be our formal introduction.

That's it, I need to bring my change of clothes too.

After packing everything up on my arms, I left our room and walked towards the bathroom. It is located at the end of the hallway. Behind a door, another set of hallways greeted my eyes. 

The doors on the right are bathrooms. Each one of them is separated. Unlike the room's wooden floor, it is made of blue tiles.

I looked at the doorknobs and saw red most of the time. That means occupied.

When I reached the second to the last bathroom, I saw it was green. My hand touched the doorknob and pushed it forward.

Just then, I 'heard' someone breathing inside. The shower is off, but slight amounts of mist can be seen seeping in the door. The light is turned on as well.

Nope.

Anime tropes, begone.

I closed the door. I deliberately made it noticeable.

"Please lock the door next time." I said.

"A—?!"

A high-pitched voice came from the other side. To prevent further awkwardness, I decisively looked at the final bathroom. It is green.

I opened the door slightly. Seeing there is no light, breathing, or fog, I knew this was empty.

Just like that, I took a hot shower.

*****

"They will be living with us for a while."

The introduction reminded me of my first day in school. I transferred in high school. New faces, curious gazes… and my social skills that sucked at that time.

Like a duck following her parents, Kiana walked behind me. We proceeded to walk at the end of the table.

Unfortunately, we have to separate. The vacant seats are separated. 

I looked back at Kiana and pointed the other one to her.

"Hm."

She gave an affirmative nod. Her messy hair swayed on her back. She hasn't taken a bath yet. I had to wake her up minutes before the supposed breakfast. I regretted waking her up after taking a shower.

"Oh…"

The girl on my left is a stranger, but I recognized the girl on my right.

"Hello."

"Um. Hello…"

Seele looked anxious. The hand holding her cutlery trembled a bit. I wanted to break down this layer of awkwardness with my greeting, but it failed. Her face turned red.

Did I do something wrong to her?

...

My previous bad habits struck.

Whenever I don't know what to do, I fall silent. I tend to overthink a lot of things. My Sword Heart prevented its occurrence sometimes, but not all.

I am surnamed Shi, not Gotoh.

…

Wow, the lighting is a bit good. Our breakfast is pancakes. It did not contain much fillings. The jam itself is poured outside. It's just enough for a typical breakfast…

…but not for the Tuna.

I blinked and saw Kiana's pancake disappear. Did she inhale it all in one go?

Even the other kids around her looked surprised. It's as if they saw a magic trick.

Fortunately, Bronya briefed us about the house rules. For food, as long as there is a surplus left, it's free to be taken.

Still…

The orphanage's situation isn't as good as I thought… or was it because of the cooks underestimating Kiana's stomach? 

My eyes danced around the silent dining table. I can see why these kids are oppressed—Cocolia.

The house rules discussed earlier made it apparent how Cocolia disciplined the kids. There are adults assigned in the kitchen. When it comes to doing the laundry or washing the dishes, they cycle around the kids. She did not want to pamper them.

It's just a normal day as an Asian kid, I guess.

I know.

I am one.

I finished my set of pancakes for a while. I did not take more. Part of it is embarrassment; another part is the kids themselves.

I might be mistreating my stomach, though.

Ever since I completed the early stage, my stomach space expanded exaggeratedly. I can match Kiana's appetite. It's just that the food we ate is considered 'normal food'.

Cultivators at my stage eat 'spiritual food' like rice grown on spirit veins, monsters possessing trace amounts of spiritual qi, and so on. Not only is it more filling, it also boosts cultivation speed and likes.

I am broke.

The world of honkai did not possess a single blade of spiritual material. I ignored this problem before. It became more apparent now, though.

My only hope is to raise the [Two Phase Art] to small success and convert things into immortal cultivation things. That, or find other alternative solutions.

Considering the insufficient food because of two T-Rexes (me and Kiana), I decided to hold back.

Breakfast soon ended while I was trapped in my thoughts. Cocolia said some reminders for the kids before leaving. She took her plate and glass with her. The kids followed her example. They were all silent as they headed to the kitchen.

Hushed whispers began to arise.

"I… I haven't thanked you properly… last time."

Seele spoke right as I stood up. Her gaze avoided me and looked all over the place. Her English is fluent.

"You already did. That is enough."

"...Still." She seemingly made up her mind and looked up at me. "Thank you."

I realized it weighed on her mind for a while.

"You are welcome."

I smiled at her.

Her gaze looked all over the place again. Her back now faces me. By the time I arrived at the sink… rather, sinks, I saw Bronya standing on a stool. She, along with two other girls I do not know, started washing the dishes.

I mean, Bronya… standing on a stool?

…

I nearly let out a laugh. My face needs to lock in.

While preventing my lips from curving, I passed my plate and glass to her. 

I wanted to ask Bronya about something when I realized the small line behind me. I decided to leave it for later.

I passed by Kiana when I walked.

"I'll wait for you here."

"Um."

I chose not to comment on her stack of plates. It took some time for her to meet up with me.

"You know… we can buy some food in the city."

"Hum. What a good idea!"