——————St. Freya Academy · Principal's Office——————
"Theresa, I'm coming in."
Himeko pushed the door open directly, only to see Theresa sitting upright at her computer desk, seemingly reading something with great focus.
"Yo, that's rare. I thought I'd catch you secretly reading Homu manga again."
"Look at what you're saying. Can't I have a moment where I'm serious?" Theresa rolled her eyes, clearly somewhat dissatisfied with her frenemy's words.
Himeko shrugged. "It's precisely because I never see you being serious usually that I'm so surprised. So, have you finished the work that piled up over the past few days?"
"I finished it ages ago." Theresa searched around the side table, pulled out a document, and placed it on the desk. "You came at the right time. Hand this document to Irene later."
"What's this?" Himeko stepped forward, picked up the file, and flipped through it. "Identity proof?"
"What else?" Theresa nodded. "It's inconvenient for Irene not to have identification. Besides, it was simple enough to handle, so I just got one done. Is there a problem?"
"No problem at all." Himeko flipped through it briefly. Theresa had been lazy enough to just insert Irene's identity information into Nagazora City's registry.
However, since Nagazora City had suffered such a catastrophe, verifying survivor information was impossible anyway, so it was indeed convenient.
After a quick look, Himeko put the document down. "But I didn't expect you to put so much effort into this. Can I ask what exactly happened? Don't worry, there's no one else here, and I won't spread it around."
"Nothing happened. I've said everything I needed to say." Theresa shook her head rapidly. She had absolutely no desire to let Himeko know about her experience of screwing up twice in a row and being rescued.
"Come on, you might be able to fool others, but do you think you can fool me?" Himeko pulled up a chair and sat next to Theresa. "I know, you know. What were you doing at the research lab? And what is going on with that stigmata on your back?"
Himeko had wanted to ask Theresa for details earlier. First, she had been busy tutoring Kiana and observing Irene's condition. Then, once she had free time, she found that Theresa had disappeared after finishing her official duties.
She couldn't find her anywhere until she used her clearance to discover that Theresa had been in the research lab for the past few days. The subject of the research was the strange stigmata that had suddenly appeared on Theresa's back.
Himeko knew perfectly well that there had been no stigmata on Theresa's back before. The only time Theresa had been out of her sight recently was during the period she went to Nagazora City to deal with the Pseudo-Herrscher.
Therefore, the stigmata must have appeared during that time.
"So you found out." Theresa's expression stiffened immediately. A stigmata had indeed appeared on her back. It was given to her by the girl named Yae Sakura to save her when she was rescued the first time.
However, what was strange was that she couldn't utilize the abilities related to the stigmata like other awakened users. After testing, her various stats didn't seem to have risen significantly either.
It was as if the stigmata on her back was just a decoration—or rather, a sudden tattoo that couldn't be washed off. However, the people at the research lab proposed another theory: the stigmata was rejecting her usage.
As for the reason, the researchers were unclear. After all, the existence known as 'Stigmata' held too many mysteries for them.
After attempting to inject more Honkai energy to activate it, the only result was that the stigmata became more distinct and even emitted a faint pink glow.
The research records over the past few days were basically zero. But since it was a stigmata nonetheless, the research lab recorded it tentatively, noting any possible properties to help refine and continue the development of Artificial Stigmata.
"Sigh, forget it." Knowing she couldn't hide it anymore, Theresa sighed. "I'll tell you the whole story. You might find it a bit bizarre, but hear me out first."
Theresa quickly recounted everything she knew about what had happened in Nagazora City to Himeko.
During the narration, the expression on Himeko's face gradually shifted from initial seriousness to confusion, and finally to deep respect.
"To be honest, if I didn't know that you wouldn't lie at a time like this, I would suspect you were trying to make up a thriller story to brush me off."
Himeko looked at Theresa with amazement in her eyes, but then a look of contemplation appeared on her face. "But how did that Yae Sakura manage to give you a stigmata?"
"I don't know. People with natural stigmata are simply too rare." Theresa shook her head. "But perhaps stigmata can be transferred to others under certain circumstances. We simply know too little about these gifts from the Previous Era."
"Now we can only see if the data extracted can push the technology of Artificial Stigmata forward a bit. Perhaps it will be of benefit to you."
Artificial Stigmata were a fundamental foundation of Schicksal, and the greatest backing that allowed the vast majority of Valkyries to fight against Honkai Beasts.
But Artificial Stigmata were not natural stigmata, after all. They caused great harm to the Valkyrie's body, even causing Honkai energy to gradually erode the Valkyrie's physique.
And what Himeko used was precisely an Artificial Stigmata. Furthermore, Himeko's health was already in a very bad state.
"..." After a moment of silence, Himeko shook her head. She knew her own body. Simple improvements to Artificial Stigmata would hardly be enough to cure her; they could only alleviate the symptoms.
"Alright, let's not talk about that shrine maiden Yae Sakura for now." Himeko sighed, then changed the topic, looking at Theresa with a serious face.
"Are you sure you saw Irene using Judah?"
"I'm sure. Although the appearance was slightly different, that was definitely Judah." Theresa nodded vigorously. Even if the look had changed somewhat.
That Power of Binding—she would absolutely not mistake it. It was a Judah completely different from her own; the second Judah in this world.
"I see. No wonder you are so certain that she isn't from this world." Himeko nodded. She had been wondering; although Theresa was naive, she wouldn't just believe anything. Probably.
If that was the case, it made sense. As a Divine Key, the Oath of Judah could not be replicated even with Schicksal's technology because its material was unique.
It came from the core of the Herrscher of Binding of the Previous Era. Since the Herrscher of Binding had not yet been born in their current era, there naturally couldn't be a second one.
And this was yet another strong piece of evidence that Irene indeed came from the Sea of Quanta.
There wouldn't be a second Judah in this world unless she wasn't from this world.
"Sigh, I'm really curious. What kind of world did Miss Irene come from?" Himeko shook her head. "Is it an 'Echo' of that world? Is it a special application of Honkai energy, or does Irene herself possess some peculiarity?"
"I don't know." Theresa shook her head, then added a warning. "But it's best not to ask Irene. It's such a sensitive issue. Her world was destroyed. Unless she wants to talk about it, it's best not to ask."
"Of course I know that. Do I look like the kind of person who deliberately rubs salt in people's wounds?" Himeko rolled her eyes. Theresa's words were practically the greatest distrust of her.
"However, Theresa." Himeko's eyes shifted slightly, as if she suddenly thought of something, and she looked at Theresa with a smile. "Do you want to ask Irene for advice?"
"She might use Judah even better than you do~"
Theresa's mouth twitched. "None of your business! Hurry up and go do your own work!"
"Alright, alright." Himeko shrugged. "By the way, Irene is going to do a test this afternoon. Do you want to come and watch together? You should be mostly done with your official duties, right?"
"Mn, let's go together then." After hesitating for a moment, Theresa immediately nodded.
She would just be reading Homu manga in the office anyway, and she had already finished even the latest issue. Going to check on Irene's situation was a decent choice.
"Okay, I'll call and ask Irene if she can set off soon." Himeko took out her phone. Irene had a phone, of course, but it was bought with advanced wages.
After all, aside from herself and the clothes on her back, Irene hadn't brought anything with her—not even the phone in her pocket.
Fortunately, Theresa was quite understanding. After Irene informed her of this, she promptly advanced her this month's salary.
Himeko's ringtone didn't play for long before the sound of the call connecting came through. Irene's voice drifted out: "Hello, is this Teacher Himeko? Do you need me to come to the testing area now?"
"Yes. Have you rested enough?"
"No problem, my stats are fully topped up. I'll come over right away." After Irene finished speaking, she hung up the phone. Himeko put away her mobile and looked at Theresa beside her.
"Do you think I should go down there and test her personally?"
"That's not a bad idea." Theresa nodded. "If Irene's combat power is stronger than yours, I feel I could kick you off the front lines with a clear conscience."
Himeko's physical condition didn't really allow her to continue fighting on the front lines. When pulling Irene in, Theresa hadn't failed to consider this aspect.
Because a Valkyrie with at least A-Rank combat power was considered a high-level asset in any branch.
Take her Far East Branch for example. Aside from her, an S-Rank Valkyrie, only Himeko and Fu Hua could be called A-Rank Valkyries.
With Irene joining, the Far East Branch would have an extra pair of hands, which could reduce the frequency of Himeko's deployments to a certain extent.
The fewer times she deployed, the fewer chances she had to use Honkai energy, and Himeko's body could get more time to recuperate. For Himeko, this was beneficial in the end.
——————St. Freya Academy · Testing Area——————
"Why did you take so long?" Irene looked at Himeko and Theresa walking over together. "And good afternoon, Principal Theresa. Haven't seen you for a while."
"Just had some things to do recently." Theresa looked at Irene. "I hope you're prepared. Don't be nervous; it's just a formality to test your Honkai Resistance."
"And to conduct an evaluation of your combat power. Don't worry, these are all routine tests."
"Combat? I understand." Irene nodded. She couldn't hide it forever. Whether it was the system's missions or if she wanted to be directly involved in certain Schicksal events, she needed combat power as a foundation.
Without visible combat power, she couldn't receive those missions.
After nodding, Irene followed Himeko and Theresa into the testing area. Then, under the guidance of the staff, she changed into a set of form-fitting clothes and walked into a glass room.
The staff member looked down at the various values on the operation panel, nodded after confirming there were no errors, then looked up at Irene inside the glass room and gave a reminder.
"If you feel any discomfort, Miss Irene, you must signal us immediately by any means, and we will shut down the system instantly."
"No problem." Irene raised her hand and made an 'OK' gesture. Subsequently, she heard a mechanical sound from her surroundings, and then Irene felt the Honkai energy gradually filling the air.
This was the standardized method used by St. Freya—or rather, all of Schicksal—to test Honkai Resistance. It could test a person's Honkai Resistance quite accurately.
After a while, the surrounding Honkai energy began to be rapidly extracted, and the staff member also made an 'OK' gesture to Irene.
"Quite decent Honkai Resistance." The staff member operated something on the panel with their head down. Afterward, a small door opened behind Irene, guiding her to the next location.
Just as Theresa had said, this was just the simplest test to establish a file for her; it wouldn't be very troublesome. And finally...
Irene walked through the passage, only to discover she had arrived in a massive room. Opposite her was Himeko, who had already picked up her greatsword. "Hm? I wasn't told about this part beforehand."
"Well, consider it something I added myself." Himeko shouldered the greatsword and smiled. "After all, the rank you need to obtain is A-Rank Valkyrie. In that case..."
"According to the assessment, you have to fight against an A-Rank Valkyrie. Of course, I personally want to see your abilities too."
"I see." Irene smiled faintly. As soon as her voice fell, she was pinching Pardofelis's card in her hand. "It just so happens I also want to test exactly what degree my current abilities can reach."
"Then~ Here I come!"
Accompanied by a burst of azure light, Irene's body had already transformed into another appearance.
The girl's body crouched low, like a cat about to hunt. Slightly yellow cat ears twitched atop her head, and as azure points of light condensed in her hands, two ring blades appeared in her grasp.
Himeko looked at Irene, who had changed her appearance just as Theresa had described. However, that fellow Theresa definitely hadn't finished speaking. Rather than saying she changed her appearance...
It was more like she had swapped into a different person. Be it appearance or aura, they were completely different.
"An Echo from a past world?" The corner of Himeko's mouth hooked into an arc, and she couldn't help but feel her blood boiling. She lowered the greatsword from her shoulder and assumed a combat stance.
"Then come on! I won't go easy on you, you know?"
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