Research Institute Riot

St. Freya Academy.

Underground research institute.

Theresa is listening to the researcher's report.

It was a pale-faced young man wearing a white lab coat. He adjusted the silver-rimmed metal glasses on his nose with his fingertips and said:

"Minister, after testing, this fragment is essentially a special Honkai Energy condensate, and its abilities are almost identical to those described in your report. It possesses infection-like capabilities."

"No, erosion would be a more appropriate description."

"Both inorganic and organic matter will be eroded and lose their autonomy within three seconds, including specially designed mechanical instruments."

"Mechanical instruments?" Theresa asked, frowning.

"Yes. In the initial research, we tried watering it with a very small amount of Honkai Energy to test its activity."

"As a result, we were eventually forced to open the safety valve and release a large amount of nitrogen and Honkai Energy Inhibitor to calm it down again. The robotic arm used to place items and the surrounding high-strength walls were covered with black and red patterns."

"It can now be confirmed that these are markings created after the object was manipulated. We compared these seemingly meaningless patterns with database data and found that they are similar to the markings created on humans before they were infected and turned into Zombie."

"Of course, there hasn't been any progress in this area yet; it's just that we've gained another direction to explore."

"What we now know and can prove is that it possesses a tenacious and almost immortal vitality, as well as the ability to absorb Honkai Energy and regenerate itself."

"I have reason to suspect that, given enough Honkai Energy and time, it can revert to its original form and then reshape that monster."

Theresa sighed upon hearing this:

"What a dangerous and bizarre force! They encountered something like this on their very first mission. Is it good luck or bad luck?"

"Fortunately, they accepted the mission; otherwise, the outcome would likely be very different."

"... Minister," the researcher seemed hesitant to speak, but finally said, "I believe that such strangeness and ability can only be explained by the residual power of Herrscher."

"Yes, you're right. It's highly likely that it was left behind by Herrscher." Theresa nodded in agreement.

When she connected this fragment with Yae Sakura, she vaguely understood that the essence of this fragment was likely derived from the Herrscher.

Only Herrscher could create a monster of Emperor-class Honkai Beast status using only a fragment of their remaining power.

"Have you increased your monitoring and control over it?" Theresa asked.

In her view, it's not an exaggeration to attach great importance to what appears to be a power left behind by Herrscher.

Given the resources and financial strength available to Schicksal, preventing accidents with all our might is the most basic requirement under these circumstances.

The researcher nodded and said, "Yes, of course."

"We have already overdrawn a large amount of funds for this."

"I hope that you, Minister, can apply to His Lord Bishop for more funding next year."

"Wait, you said a lot of overdraft, roughly how much...?" Theresa suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Just two months ago, Minister, the one ton of Honkai Energy Inhibitor you used was already a considerable sum. Moreover, you spent even more on the extra mission equipment you provided for the trainees beyond the standard budget. The budget was already overdrawn."

The researcher said quietly:

"With this repair and reinforcement, next year's budget has probably already evaporated."

"Okay, I understand. I'll figure out the funding. You guys just need to focus on your jobs," Theresa said, rubbing her forehead in frustration.

She had been slacking off on recent reports and paperwork, to the point that she was almost completely unaware that the budget had been exhausted long ago.

But Himeko probably knows that, right?

Hmph, she's probably gloating.

Theresa felt a little guilty about dumping the work on Himeko, but she quickly became self-righteous, since as the headmistress, she was the one who had to solve the problem of funding.

It's understandable to slack off at work occasionally, right?

Thinking about how she would definitely get a beating if Himeko found out, Theresa suddenly sensed something was wrong.

A moment later, the warning red light shone brightly!

The communicator lit up; the person requesting the communication was a researcher on duty for surveillance.

Without hesitation, she answered the phone, and a voice came from the other end:

"Minister! The fragment has acted strangely! The Honkai Energy Inhibitor was forcibly evaporated within a second, and the safety valve has automatically opened. However, according to calculations, it is highly unlikely that it can stop its advance. It is expected to reach the outer area where you are within a minute!"

Upon hearing this, Theresa calmly issued the order:

"Understood. Turn on the broadcast and notify all researchers to evacuate!"

In this situation, it would be pointless to keep the technicians on board.

Even the regular armed forces are of little use in the face of such a bizarre situation.

Since the opponent can corrode the safety valve, it can naturally corrode the B-rank Valkyrie armor as well.

There is no need for meaningless sacrifices, Theresa reiterated this judgment:

"I'm notifying everyone again, that all trainees on duty should also evacuate the research institute!"

"I'm telling you again, everyone evacuate!"

"Yes!" the other party replied quickly.

Immediately, the broadcast efficiently conveyed Theresa's orders.

"Damn it, Judah wasn't brought along."

Theresa frowned. At a time like this, she was without her most trusted weapon, which made her somewhat irritated.

It's normal that Judah isn't by her side. Even though Theresa values Judas's Oath, carrying a cross weighing hundreds of pounds around all day would be both unsightly and inconvenient.

In contrast to her extreme caution on the battlefield, Theresa at the academy even had a student retrieve Judah from the library, something she had forgotten there.

The peaceful life at the academy had numbed her.

But in fact, this was the first time such a sudden incident had occurred.

If this incident goes smoothly, Theresa will likely be working behind Judah's back for a long time.

The researcher beside her entered her pupil and fingerprint, and the wall parted to reveal a glass cabinet. He entered the numerical password again, took out a golden long spear, handed it to Theresa, and said:

"Minister, take this."

"This is a semi-finished product that Minister Nagamitsu created last time. Because it is still being tested, it has been placed in the research institute. It can now be used in the battlefield. Even if it is not as good as your Judah, it is the best weapon that can be obtained here at this stage."

"I know your personality well. You wouldn't choose to retreat so easily, would you? Even if that's the optimal solution."

"I'll take my leave now. Technical staff should focus on their work. We will do our best to provide you with a response regarding this incident."

For a moment, the man showed a look of shame and humiliation, but in the end, he rationally said that he would take his leave first.

The young man, who has reached this point through his outstanding abilities and wisdom, can be said to have a deep understanding of the Honkai. He clearly understands that in this situation, he is nothing more than a burden.

After a calm assessment, he immediately found the unnamed, unfinished spear for Theresa.

Theresa took the spear and said with a smile:

"I understand. But Matsushima, if your response doesn't satisfy me, as the person in charge of this project, you'll be working non-stop for the rest of the year, working overtime until you die."

After the man named Matsushima Byakuya nodded seriously in agreement, he left the research institute without delay.

The dark red mist had gradually spread to the outer edges. Theresa glanced at the man's back, recalling the fleeting expression on his face, and muttered to herself:

"You've done very well. After all, that's the power of Herrscher; it's not surprising that human technology alone cannot fully control it."

"As for the areas outside of this, I'll take responsibility."

The girl gripped the spear tightly, and the black and red mist finally began to spread.

The safety valve didn't stop its movement for long; in fact, the material of the safety valve itself was distorted and shaped into a deformed monster by the mist.

The specially made metal walls and equipment data were all mixed together by the mist, forming a huge and eerie enemy.

The girl's body gradually became hot; the mist and her body seemed to be having an unpleasant reaction.

Theresa brandished her spear.

A terrifying, monstrous strength wielded a sharp weapon, tearing everything in its path apart.

Too weak.

Aside from the inherent hardness of their material, these monsters are slow and harmless in their movements and reactions.

Within just one minute, Theresa had wiped out all the monsters within the fog.

Even without Judah, Theresa's fighting prowess should not be underestimated.

After the monsters were all dead, the mist mysteriously dissipated.

But she could sense that her body temperature was still gradually rising.

Theresa frowned; her breathing became rapid due to the unusual sensation in her body.

"Damn it... was the reason that fragment went berserk and out of control because of me?"

A subtle, ant-biting pain welled up from the depths of her bones, and on her back, a crimson hue meandered, outlining a mysterious pattern.

It's Stigmata.

But the next second, all of that vanished in an instant.

The physical pain and fever had vanished without a trace, and the unusual appearance of the Stigmata had also disappeared without a trace.

The girl stood silently inside the chaotic research institute.

Her slightly panting breathing returned to normal.

After a long while, she muttered to herself:

"It seems that physical testing should be the top priority."

"That dream and the riot of fragments... the ominous premonition is getting worse and worse."

The entire research institute was completely destroyed. Fortunately, the research data was not lost because it was synchronized with the Far East Branch's database. However, the destruction of a large number of valuable instruments still resulted in another deficit in funding.

Theresa then underwent repeated physical examinations, but still could not find anything unusual.

Everything seemed to be fine.

But the fragments that disappeared in the research institute and the strange phenomena that had occurred in his body proved that things were not so simple.