Theresa Gets Pinned Against the Wall / Altered Memories

After a while, Yae Sakura opened her eyes and asked, "How do you feel?"

"Ah?"

Xia Ling looked completely bewildered. "Feeling? What feeling?"

"Just now, I tried to use erosion on you," Yae Sakura explained. "I tried to rewrite your mind so that you would think I was holding a wooden stick."

"It seems that, let alone rewriting, you haven't felt anything affecting you at all."

"So, this thing is broken?"

Xia Ling took the Kishinuma from Yae Sakura and tried waving it around.

Indeed, Xia Ling could feel a sense of acceptance from it, and because the compatibility was so high, Xia Ling clearly sensed that something was missing from this knife.

"I see..."

Xia Ling muttered to herself.

"No wonder Yae Sakura couldn't use the Corrosion Power just now. This thing... should be just an empty shell now."

"What? You need to specifically ask me such a simple question?"

On the table, the green Serpent looked disdainful.

"Isn't it obvious? Rin isn't dead. Although the Herrscher Core isn't in her body, the power of corruption is still in Rin."

"Without power, that Divine Key is definitely useless."

"But what about Ling's current situation..."

Xia Ling looked troubled.

After a consultation with experts from the Elysian Realm, everyone understood Rin's general condition. Although Rin could retain her consciousness, she couldn't control much of the corrosive power. However, she had an incredible compatibility with the Corrosion Virus that Mobius had developed.

It can be said that although Rin has the power of corrosiveness, she now basically survives by using the Corrosion Virus as a carrier.

"What's so difficult about that?"

The Serpent gave a soft hum.

"Take this back to Vill-V and have her modify it for you."

"Since we can't make it into a proper Divine Key, why not make it into a consumable one? At worst, you can make a few more trips, use up the Corrosion Virus inside, and then have Ling recharge it for you."

"Does that girl really think she'd reject you?"

"Of course, this method will be weaker than the orthodox Corrosion Key, but there's no other way. Ling can't go out casually right now. Once she's away from these Corrosion Virus, she'll basically disappear immediately."

"It's alright, so what if it's a weakness? I wouldn't joke about Rin's life."

Xia Ling shook her head repeatedly. "Besides, there aren't many occasions where we'll actually need to use this knife."

Chapter Twenty-One: Theresa Gets Rocked Against the Wall

With the discovery of Kishinuma, Xia Ling's mission in the Stigmata Space has essentially come to an end.

Yae Sakura began to study how to master the Stigmata Space again. Sakura and Rin had a long-awaited reunion in the Stigmata Space. When Sakura's summoning time ended, Mobius and Vill-V would begin to focus their research on how to rehabilitate Rin.

After sending Su back to Xi and then Ai Elysia back to the Elysian Realm, Xia Ling finally ended this nearly half-day adventure in the Stigmata Space.

"Miss Xia Ling, are you planning to leave?"

Just as Xia Ling was about to leave the Stigmata Space, Yae Sakura suddenly came looking for her.

"Yes, we've been inside for so long. If we don't go out and check on things soon, Theresa will probably start to worry." Xia Ling nodded.

"It is indeed time to go out and see the world, but before you leave, I plan to give you something."

Yae Sakura took Xia Ling's hand and covered the back of Xia Ling's hand with the palm of her other hand.

A moment later, a mark that looked like a Stigmata appeared on the back of Xia Ling's hand.

"This is... it looks like a Stigmata?"

Xia Ling looked at the mark on her hand with curiosity. With her abilities, she could easily sense the connection between the mark and the Stigmata Space.

"That's right, but that's only what it looks like."

Yae Sakura explained, "After all, my Stigmata is still bound to Theresa. As for this thing... you can think of it as an entrance to a Stigmata Space."

"Through this, you can enter the Stigmata Space at any time, whether for refuge or to request help."

"At the same time, once the Kishinuma is modified, you can also place it in the Tenshukaku."

"Putting it in the Tenshukaku... Indeed, if this thing were left outside, it would probably attract the attention of many people with ulterior motives. Keeping it in the Tenshukaku can at least keep it hidden from view."

"Furthermore, I remember that Yae Sakura can also use Kishinuma, right?"

"That's right, that's exactly what I wanted to say." Yae Sakura nodded. "When I held the Kishinuma, I didn't feel the same sense of rejection as when I held Theresa's cross. I even had a feeling that as long as I carried it, I could temporarily create a body for myself that could move in the real world."

"It can be like this?" Xia Ling was somewhat surprised. In the original work, after all the powers were recovered, it was indeed mentioned that Yae Sakura could use Kishinuma to create a body to go to the mortal world, but she herself refused.

Xia Ling never expected that this Kishinuma, whose power was now greatly diminished, could still do the same thing.

"That's right, I find it strange too. Even Rin can't create a body using only her powers, but I can." Yae Sakura was clearly puzzled as well. "I asked that green-haired Doctor, and she speculated that it might be because I was once Pseudo-Herrscher. After becoming Stigmata, the core identified me as part of the host and recorded my body data."

"The reason doesn't matter; in short, it's a good thing."

Xia Ling looked at the Stigmata on her hand with delight. "Now, if there is an emergency, I can call on another helper."

"Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking. If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask."

It can only be said that Yae Sakura and Sakura are indeed identical entities, even the words they say are very similar.

After giving Xia Ling the mark, Yae Sakura did not try to keep her any longer. Instead, she personally opened the Stigmata Space and sent Xia Ling's consciousness out.

"Dean, where is Sister Xia Ling? I haven't seen her all morning."

During lunchtime, Kiana ate heartily while casually asking a question.

Because Xia Ling chose to enter the Stigmata Space on a weekend, the Big Three were all staying at the villa at noon today.

"Why are you asking me where Xia Ling went?" Theresa's eyes were somewhat unfocused. "I'm not her, how would I know where she went?"

"But you two were clearly sleeping in... Waaaaah, I, I won't say anymore."

Before Kiana could finish speaking, Theresa stuffed a bitter melon into her mouth. The bitter taste made Kiana's expression contort, and she quickly begged for mercy.

"Hmph, Xia Ling asked me for leave, saying she has something to do today and may not be back tonight."

Theresa turned her head away and sighed.

"See, I told you Aunt Flo would know." Kiana and Bronya whispered to each other as they took out the bitter melon, completely unaware of Theresa's darkening expression.

"You give me your food!"

After lunch, Theresa returned to her room and sat worriedly on the edge of the bed, looking at Xia Ling, who still hadn't woken up.

Although Xia Ling had warned Theresa beforehand that it might last from a few hours to a day, Theresa still couldn't help but worry that Xia Ling might actually have some problems because of her.

At this moment, a change occurred that made Theresa's heart tighten.

To Theresa's astonishment, a mark identical to the Stigmata on her back appeared on Xia Ling's hand.

Theresa grabbed Xia Ling's hand and carefully felt the mark.

"It's not Stigmata, but it's clearly related to the Stigmata on my body... Oh no, could something have happened to Xia Ling?"

Theresa frowned. After learning what kind of existence the thing on her body was, Theresa also used her S-rank Valkyrie privileges to look up a lot of information.

A significant portion of this information suggests that the Herrscher of Corruption possesses the ability to possess others.

Thinking of this, Theresa couldn't help but clench the golden cross tightly.

If that doesn't work, I'll first use the Divine Prayer Barrier to disinfect her, then take her to the Schicksal Headquarters and ask Grandfather for help. Although Xia Ling's identity and background are unclear, if I'm firm, Grandfather shouldn't do anything to her...

However, just as Theresa was having a fierce internal struggle, Xia Ling suddenly opened her eyes.

"Hey Theresa, how does it feel to have the problem solved?"

"Huh? Why do you look so wary?"

Seeing Theresa almost rush over excitedly at first, and then suddenly suppress her excitement and show a wary expression, Xia Ling almost burst out laughing.

She probably already understood what Theresa was worried about.

"You... you... how can you prove you are Xia Ling?"

Theresa held a spear of light in one hand, the Judas' Vow had already been unfurled the moment Xia Ling awoke, ready to attack at any moment.

"Oh dear, this is indeed a difficult problem. How can I prove it?"

Xia Ling revealed a mischievous smile and slowly moved closer to Theresa.

"You, you stay away! I'm going to call for help!" Theresa looked like she was about to explode.

After all, she knew what kind of person Hi-maru was. The wicked smile on his face clearly showed that Xia Ling was planning some kind of prank again. However, she wasn't entirely sure, and she didn't know whether to pick up the light spear or put it down.

"Hmph, even if you call for help, no one will save you. Just surrender obediently."

Xia Ling activated her ability and teleported in front of Theresa. She grabbed Theresa's wrist, lifted it above her head, and pinned her against the wall in a "wall slam" position.

"What are you going to do?"

Theresa's eyes began to dart around. The familiar aura and abilities told her that this was the real Xia Ling, so faced with Xia Ling's affectionate gestures, she simply gave up struggling and nervously closed her eyes.

Then...

"Dean, we sensed the Honkai Energy fluctuations from your use of the Divine Key. Has something happened?"

Theresa's room door suddenly opened, and Kiana, Bronya, and Mei, all fully armed, appeared in the doorway.

Chapter Twenty-Two: Modified Memories

With the sound of the room door being kicked open, Theresa opened her eyes.

Then, together with Xia Ling, they awkwardly stared at the Big Three at the door.

"..."

"..."

"I'm sorry, Dean, we were wrong, we shouldn't have bothered you!"

After speaking the entire sentence at an extremely fast pace, Mei was very experienced in opening doors, immediately grabbed one person with each hand and fled the scene of the accident.

"Xia-Ling!!!"

Then came Theresa's angry roar of shame and indignation.

"My dean's authority and reputation are completely gone! Aaaaaaah!"

"Take it easy, Theresa, you didn't have these things to begin with anyway."

Xia Ling pinched Theresa's cheek and then let go of Theresa's hand.

Although Theresa was indeed sweet, soft and very cute, Xia Ling didn't intend to actually kiss her at first. She thought Theresa would be more resistant. Unexpectedly, Theresa actually closed her eyes. If the Big Three hadn't barged in at that moment, she really wouldn't know how to handle the situation.

"Ahem, shall we go out and explain now?"

Xia Ling pointed to the badly damaged door.

"There's no rush for explanations. It's already happened, so it doesn't matter whether it's sooner or later. Now, tell me clearly what exactly happened in the Stigmata Space?"

Just as Xia Ling was about to leave, Theresa grabbed her hand.

Seeing the worry in Theresa's eyes, Xia Ling felt a warmth in her heart. "I didn't expect our Dean to care about me so much."

"You only entered the Stigmata Space because of me, so who else should I care about if not you?"

Theresa put away the spear of light from the Judas' Vow and sat down to the side.

"It's actually quite complicated..."

Xia Ling recounted some of her experiences from the past half-day.

Because Elysian Realm was involved in this matter so much, Xia Ling did not focus on explaining the process, but only gave a general account of the result.

"So, with the help of a group of friends, you defeated Hi-maru, and at the same time gained a Stigmata Space and Yae Sakura's favor?"