The Dimensional Codex of Destruction

Theresa's expression changed in an instant. "You and Cecilia..."

Chapter 12: A New Stronghold

"Theresa actually thought I was a junior cultivated by Cecilia? She should look at my age."

On his way to Himeko's dorm, Qin Mo recalled the previous conversation. Theresa, seeing how much Qin Mo knew, suspected he was familiar with Cecilia. She believed that after Cecilia's death, he had inherited her will and was traveling the world to gather the power that would "complete" Cecilia's legacy for St. Freya Academy.

Naturally, Qin Mo didn't give a direct answer.

However, Theresa seemed to have imagined a lot, like his deep-seated grudges, his hatred for Otto, who killed Cecilia, and his desire to hide his identity from Otto and find Cecilia's daughter.

She didn't press Qin Mo for an answer and instead told him to leave and go to Himeko's dorm.

"I've completed two missions, and I'm only 50 short for two ten-pulls."

The missions to escape Chang Kong City and join St. Freya were done, leaving only the last stronghold mission.

When Qin Mo arrived at Himeko's dorm, he found that the third mission could also be completed, but he didn't confirm it, as he estimated that completing it this time would establish Himeko's dorm as the stronghold.

Choosing this place as the stronghold would surely guarantee a reward.

"Ahhh! Qin Mo! Come help!"

Kiana, buried in a pile of trash, shouted at Qin Mo.

"So, why are you guys cleaning?"

Qin Mo walked over and pulled Kiana out of the trash pile.

Mei, also wearing a headscarf and mask, with an apron wrapped around her, came out from the kitchen. "The Head of the Academy asked us to live here from now on, and it's too messy."

"Well, I've been living alone, so I haven't cleaned much. I didn't expect anyone else to move in," Himeko said a bit sheepishly.

"Bronya thinks the idiot Kiana will only cause more trouble here," Bronya said, emerging from beside Mei and looking at the scattered trash.

"Ah, about that, I just finished talking with Theresa. In a few days, we'll be able to move into a new, bigger house."

"Ahhh!! So I've been suffering for nothing?!" Kiana immediately cried out upon hearing this.

"Idiot Kiana, it's in a few days. We still have to stay here today. If we don't clean it up, we won't have anywhere to sleep tonight."

Mei also chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah, it's already like this."

Himeko, however, found it strange. "Theresa actually let you move out? Where are you going to live? Don't you need supervision anymore?"

"The house isn't built yet. I thought Teacher Himeko would also want to move with us then. Oh, no, we'll be colleagues from now on, so I should call you Senior Himeko."

"Huh?"

It took Qin Mo over ten minutes to explain to the four of them that he would become a teacher at St. Freya Academy and had acquired a villa through a trade.

"Is the Ripple you mentioned really that powerful?"

"Do you want to experience it? I think Theresa will probably ask Senior Himeko to learn it too, since you're also a Valkyrie."

Himeko put down the feather duster she was holding. "Can this be experienced? Don't you have to learn it slowly?"

"Ah, Ripple is quite special, and there are methods for rapid mastery, but it still depends on personal talent. Those with poor talent won't be able to learn it even with accelerated methods."

Himeko nodded. "Then let's try it."

"Okay! I'll do it, I'll teach you, Auntie Himeko!"

As soon as Kiana finished speaking, Himeko pressed her head down. "It's Sis! Ter! Himeko!"

"Besides, Kiana, you clearly have ulterior motives. Let Qin Mo do it."

"Idiot Kiana is trying to trick Senior Himeko," Bronya chimed in, never missing an opportunity to put Kiana down.

"Hmph! Bronya is the idiot! Didn't I poke you a few times!"

Watching Kiana start arguing with Bronya, Himeko broke out in a cold sweat. She really was trying to trick her.

"Alright, what do I need to do?" Himeko asked Qin Mo.

"Just stand still."

After Himeko stood properly, Qin Mo suddenly moved, his finger piercing her lung.

"Pfft!"

After another familiar process, Himeko finally recovered. "This... this is Ripple?"

Looking at the intermittent ripples on her body, Himeko frowned. "Why does it seem like it's about to disappear?"

"This means your talent isn't very good. It's probably because your body isn't in the best condition, but as long as you train more, you can still cultivate it."

Himeko was a little unconvinced by Qin Mo's words. "My body isn't good? I'm an A-rank Valkyrie."

"You're just putting on a brave face. Your body must be a wreck from the Stigmata, doesn't it hurt often?"

"..."

Himeko couldn't speak, because it was the truth.

"What! Ms. Himeko, are you alright!"

"Ahaha, I'm fine, I'm fine. We're Valkyries, getting injured is normal."

Qin Mo shook his head, understanding Himeko's desire not to worry others.

"In short, the Ripple I teach is for dealing with this kind of situation. The Ripple can relieve pain, nourish the body, prolong life, and even maintain youthfulness."

"It can even maintain youthfulness!!"

So, all that talk was far less effective for women than a single mention of maintaining youthfulness.

"But speaking of which, the Ripple probably can't resist the erosion of Honkai, right?"

Himeko suddenly asked.

"That's correct, why do you ask?"

"I discovered it a while ago and have been meaning to ask about your Honkai sickness."

She pointed to Qin Mo's neck. When they met in Chang Kong City, there were still some purple patterns there, but now they were completely gone.

"Oh, you mean this? I already told you, I'm fine. It's a problem with my physique, I can't make others like this."

"According to Bronya's analysis, this is highly unreasonable. A comprehensive physical examination is recommended."

Bronya also chimed in. It was the first time she had heard of a Honkai sickness healing on its own.

"I don't think it's necessary. Alright, aren't you guys planning to sleep today? Haven't you cleaned the place? It's already noon, can we eat lunch here?"

Qin Mo quickly changed the subject.

"Now that you mention it, that's true. The kitchen is completely unusable right now."

Mei said with some worry. If the kitchen were usable, she could cook.

"Ahahaha, I'll treat you all to lunch at the cafeteria."

There was no other choice. The group followed Himeko towards the cafeteria. Just as the door closed and shadows once again enveloped the room, several three-dimensional shadows appeared within it.

They gradually transformed into several figures clad in black.

Chapter Thirteen: The True Power of Heaven's Gate

"The food at the cafeteria is nowhere near as good as Mei's. Mei's food is much tastier."

Kiana couldn't help but say on the way back.

"According to Bronya's observation, Kiana ate the most just now."

"Th-th-that's because cleaning is tiring!"

Kiana hastily explained, "Mei, you have to believe me. I think your cooking is the best."

"Okay, okay, I believe you, Kiana."

Mei appeased Kiana with a chuckle.

"Eh, Mei is a good cook? Then we'll have a feast later."

After lunch, the group returned to the entrance of the dormitory.

"Alright, since we've finished eating, we need to clean properly this afternoon."

Even though it was her own room, Himeko felt a headache just thinking about cleaning. The garbage in this dormitory wasn't accumulated in just a day or two; who knew how many years it had been piling up.

So the cleaning would naturally...

"Eeeek!!!"

Himeko let out a surprised cry as soon as she opened the door.

"What happened, what happened?"

Kiana, Mei, and Bronya poked their heads out from behind Himeko and saw a spotless room.

"Who cleaned the room?"

"I don't know. We were only gone for a short while, and it's so clean. It couldn't have been done by just one person."

"According to Bronya's analysis, it would take at least ten professional cleaners to completely clean this room within the hour we were at lunch."

Qin Mo watched the astonished four without saying anything, only sighing inwardly...

The Shadow Legion is truly useful.

The Ninja Legion is the most human-like among the Shadow Legions. They are incredibly agile and can even transform into shadows to enter corners inaccessible to humans, making them perfect for cleaning!

When Qin Mo obtained the Fire Demon, he had tried to use the power of the black energy it contained to absorb the power from the Nika Mask, and he had succeeded.

However, he could only use it while maintaining the form of the Fire Demon.

The advantage was that he wouldn't suffer the negative effects of the mask, nor did he need to use his own shadow to generate the Shadow Legion. In fact, Qin Mo had also tried to see if he could control Honkai Energy using the Fire Demon's power, but he failed.

"Ah! So bright! It's reflecting the light!"

The people who entered the room began checking different areas. As expected of Kiana, the first thing she decided to check was the refrigerator, only to find it sparkling clean.

"There isn't a speck of dust in the cabinet seams either."

Mei gently wiped her finger along a seam, and nothing came off.

"Bronya's area is the same. Even the underside of the table legs has been cleaned. It's impossible for someone who isn't a professional to clean this perfectly."

Heavy Tank Bunny gently placed the table it was holding back in its original position.

"I've checked, and no valuables are missing."

Himeko emerged from the bedroom holding a can of beer and leaned against the door, saying, "Forget it. It doesn't matter. It looks like a good thing anyway."

"Yeah, yeah. If we had to clean it ourselves, who knows how long it would have taken."

"If I'd known we didn't have to clean, I would have taken you to get your textbooks and uniforms right after we ate."

Himeko downed the beer in one gulp. "It's not too late to go now. Let's go!"

"You guys go ahead. I still have some things to take care of."

Getting textbooks and uniforms held no meaning for Qin Mo, as he wasn't a student but a teacher. Teachers at St. Freya Academy didn't have a uniform.

"Ah, right. You're not a student. I almost forgot."

After the others left, Qin Mo entered the bedroom and closed his eyes, observing the System's panel within his consciousness.

Although the possibility of being monitored was low, Qin Mo didn't want to risk being discovered.