Theresa's Admonition

"Long time no see, Yuno, Su Qing'an."

"You guys have definitely exceeded expectations for this mission. You've been quite a handful. I received the data and brief report from your school badge earlier. Based on the Honkai Energy fluctuations and reactions, this mission is at a level that requires the deployment of A-rank Valkyrie."

The girl sitting in the office chair in the projection leaned forward slightly and said to the two in a lecturing tone, "I told you long ago, something like Living Doll sounds like an abnormal mission, and the personnel should be reassigned. You two are quite stubborn."

After uttering her worried reproaches and complaints, Theresa adjusted the veil over her white hair and said seriously:

"Congratulations on completing your first mission."

"But even if I say congratulations now, you won't be happy, will you?"

The girl's voice suddenly softened, and she looked directly at the two silent figures projected onto the communicator with her gentle, azure eyes, as if trying to soothe them, and said:

"I originally planned to have you return to the St. Freya Academy directly on Schicksal's armed helicopter, but how about I give you a break now? You already have two tickets on your communicators, allowing you to return at any time within the next three days."

"At least, attend his funeral."

Theresa had seen countless similar examples; the world's Honkai events were in a constant cycle of birth and death, almost every minute.

Due to the sheer number of tasks assigned, the allocation of tasks by Schicksal may sometimes fall short of expectations.

This task, which was clearly beyond their capabilities, was just like that. In Theresa's opinion, it was already quite an achievement that the two of them were able to complete the task. Moreover, after hearing their task report, Theresa could tell that the client's death was an unexpected and sudden event.

But even if I comfort them now, saying that I've done a good job, it will only make them more upset.

Even if both of them are indeed outstanding, they cannot avoid feeling guilty.

After all, they are still children who need to grow.

Until then, I, as the headmaster, will tolerate their willfulness.

"Thank you, Headmaster Theresa." Su Qing'an nodded in response. He could feel Theresa's gentleness and kindness, and the boy silently kept it in his heart.

He really liked the headmaster, and if given the chance, he hoped to repay such pure kindness.

But even this tolerance is not enough to ease his turbulent emotions.

The boy, who had suffered so much hardship, was still too naive.

In such a world, he is still...

I don't want to lose anything.

"Kiana and the others' mission is just as troublesome as yours. Why are you all so unlucky?" Theresa sighed helplessly, seemingly deeply understanding the unusual situation the five of them were going through this mission.

"However, they can be considered to have completed the mission, although there were some bumps along the way, but fortunately there were no major setbacks in the end."

"They'll probably be back at the St. Freya Academy today. They specifically asked me to let you know they arrived safely."

"So, cheer up, Yuno," Theresa said to the girl who had been silent.

Upon hearing this, Satou Yunona responded with a faint smile and asked:

"Yes, thank you for your concern, Headmaster Theresa. Please rest assured, I am much better now."

"By the way, are Kiana and the others injured?"

The way you're saying that makes me even more worried.

Theresa became increasingly distressed, knowing that she needed to ask Himeko to pay more attention to her after Satou Yunona returned.

"Don't worry. Compared to Su Qing'an's injuries, theirs are just minor wounds that can be ignored quickly."

Theresa looked at the boy with a helpless expression and said:

"Although I know that you will only use Stigmata in very critical situations, I still hope that you can be a little more cautious in using Stigmata."

Theresa's tone gradually became heavy; she still couldn't forget the violent rejection reaction and the final strangeness that the Artificial Stigmata had exhibited on the boy's body that day.

"Your situation is different from that of ordinary Artificial Stigmata transplant recipients; you should understand that, right?"

"...I understand." Su Qing'an was silent for a moment before replying.

He wasn't unaware of these things; it's just that without the Stigmata, he wasn't even qualified to finish off Satou Yunona.

Whether it was the sword that severed the barrier or the sword that killed the Living Doll, assuming no Stigmata were used, relying solely on martial arts skills and his own Honkai Energy adaptability, Su Qing'an would only be slightly stronger than a B-rank.

However, if it involves burning one's life force and wielding the Stigmata at that moment, even Honkai Beast of Emperor-class would be a match for the boy's sword.

Su Qing'an has experienced helplessness far too many times, but now, with just a small price to pay, he can protect more precious things.

He was destined to never stop.

The power of the Stigmata is an addiction he can't break.

Su Qing'an did not covet power.

He just... hates losing.

I hate it, I hate it so much.

He, too, will one day burn out because of this reason.

Theresa understood the meaning of that expression; she felt a phantom pain, as if her heart were clenching, and the past surged forth like a tide, only to vanish just as quickly.

They're all like that... Without exception, anyone who makes that expression is an extremely stubborn idiot.

The name that Theresa couldn't forget among those idiots flashed through her mind.

Cecilia.

"... It seems I can't convince you. But if you go too far, I'll have a serious talk with Himeko." Theresa was silent for a moment, then finally resorted to her usual tactic of threatening him.

This argument sounds like a teacher who has no other recourse but to sue the students' parents.

Ignoring Su Qing'an's bewildered expression, Theresa continued:

"Okay, that's enough of that, I still have work to do."

"All you need to remember is that everyone at the St. Freya Academy is waiting for you to come back."

After she finished speaking, Theresa hung up the call.

The projection disappeared.

The two looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Yuno, do you think the job the headmaster mentioned refers to reading comic books or processing documents?" Su Qing'an turned her head and said quietly.

"It's a document, isn't it? Headmaster Theresa is quite dedicated," Satou Yunona said with a puzzled look, as if she didn't know why Su Qing'an would ask this question.

Satou Yunona, who rarely interacts with others, was clearly unaware of some of the rumors circulating about the St. Freya Academy.

For example, Headmaster Theresa half her day reading HOMU comics and the other half trying to rub Judah on tiptoe.

For example, Headmaster Theresa often pushes most of her workload onto Major Himeko due to her excessive workload.

Su Qing'an heard Himeko complain to him about these things when they occasionally drank together at coffee shops, so their veracity should be reliable.

However, in order to preserve Theresa's authority as the school principal, Su Qing'an ultimately chose not to explain things clearly to Satou Yunona.