Collapse, I became Duck's daughter at the start?

"This is from someone else."

Lin Li watched her, her eyes darting around, clearly wanting to return the money and the items, and felt a surge of annoyance.

Why is this child so foolish? Didn't she hope to inherit Bronya's clever little brain back then?

"You still have to say thank you."

Lin Li said seriously.

"…"

"Lin Li" was speechless.

This child's values might be much more upright than I imagined.

Come to think of it, I inherited the courage and bravery of my main body, leaving behind the timidity. Combined with Seele's good-girl genes, and this body that's only a little over ten years old...

It's not surprising that she developed this kind of personality.

"Go buy something to eat, your stomach has been hungry for a long time."

Since the hard approach didn't work, "Lin Li" could only resort to persuasion.

Although a bit silly, Lin Li's current appearance was too adorable, and "Lin Li" felt a pang of heartache watching her.

I wonder if that maximum same-sex attraction thing works on me too.

Maybe it's just an illusion. After all, I am her. How could I possibly be interested in myself? I just can't stand watching anymore.

"Um… I'll go help with some part-time work. That way, I should be able to eat something at noon."

Lin Li thought for a moment. Although she was very hungry now, she couldn't use this money; she had to return it.

"I…"

"Lin Li" felt an urge to kill everyone on this street.

Like Seele, Lin Li had a Stigmata on her chest, but she couldn't use it skillfully yet. "Lin Li," on the other hand, was almost the embodiment of a Stigmata, able to skillfully wield the scarlet claws and scythe inherited from Seele.

She was based on Black Seele, but far surpassed her in terms of control.

"Lin Li" could only watch her inquire from shop to shop with a look of melancholy.

Based on her appearance alone, no shop refused her, and they offered her food for free. However, she generally couldn't help them with anything, so Lin Li refused.

It wasn't until she reached a cake shop that they said she could help with packaging. After confirming she could be of assistance, Lin Li stayed.

"To possess such significant power and use it for something like this… how laughable."

Watching the cute and serious expression of the good girl, "Lin Li" propped her chin and sneered.

"Hm?"

"Lin Li" noticed a dangerous aura outside the door.

"Hello, do you have any bitter melon flavored cakes here?"

Theresa was a bit annoyed. She had been searching all morning without finding the person. It was just a small area, and she hadn't expected it to be so hard to find.

"Yes, we do."

Hearing Theresa's request, Lin Li glanced at the cake list. Although it was strange, there really was a bitter melon flavored cake.

"Are you one of the children from this shop? So cute."

Theresa sat in a chair, propped her chin with one hand, and looked at the girl before her with some surprise.

It was the first time she had seen such a beautiful little girl. She felt as if the girl shone a bit brighter than those around her, and her gaze was involuntarily drawn to her.

"Sigh, if only our Kiana could be as cute and well-behaved as you."

Theresa sighed.

"Thank you."

Facing Theresa's compliment, Lin Li just smiled faintly and then packed the cake for her.

As she was placing the cake, Theresa happened to notice the pattern on her chest.

"Stigmata…"

Theresa murmured to herself.

This girl…

"Lin Li" kept a close eye on Theresa. If she made any rash moves, she would immediately seize control of the body.

A Stigmata Awakener? Could it be her? Are those two people child traffickers?

Theresa deduced the general situation.

She hadn't found anyone after searching for so long, but she had an unexpected gain while trying to buy a cake.

"Little girl, would you like to come to St. Freya Academy with me? There are many cute little ones like you there."

The shop owner, who had been somewhat wary of Theresa's words, relaxed upon hearing the name St. Freya Academy.

In this place, the Far East, they had frequently suffered attacks. Although they didn't know how St. Freya Academy trained its Valkyries, its reputation in the surrounding area was excellent.

"Let me think..."

Lin Li looked at "Lin Li" with a hint of anticipation.

"Go if you want to go, see your mom if you want to see her. Let's see if she recognizes you."

The moment "Lin Li" saw her expectant look, she knew what she was thinking.

But she also knew that no amount of persuasion would change her mind.

First of all, Lin Li herself had no mother. Secondly, she was currently heavily influenced by her body's instincts and had a natural dependence on her parents.

In the current situation, if she saw her mother, she'd probably pounce on her.

The thought flashed through "Lin Li's" mind as she covered her face.

"What am I worried about?"

"Am I... afraid she'll be taken away?"

She suddenly realized that it wasn't just Lin Li who was being affected.

Chapter 4: Mom? Seele!

"Send a squad to continue the investigation. I'll take her back to the Academy first."

Although Theresa had a strong suspicion that Lin Li was the person she was looking for, she conservatively decided to have people continue the investigation.

"The Stigmata Awakener was threatened, and the power of the Stigmata was forcibly triggered..."

Theresa thought to herself.

She felt no sympathy for the two individuals who came equipped with a full set of tools for the crime.

Especially when it came to kidnapping children. Who could they blame if they were killed by a little girl?

If the Stigmata hadn't been activated, it wouldn't have been so clear who the victim was.

No matter how you looked at it, Lin Li was acting in self-defense.

"A natural Stigmata Awakener. If she's not one of Grandpa's people, then she'll be an excellent Valkyrie..."

In fact, besides the Kaslanas and the Schariac Family, there were no others in Schicksal with natural Stigmata. The vast majority of other Valkyries had artificial Stigmata implanted.

Natural Stigmata offered far greater advantages than artificially implanted ones. They were less affected by Honkai corruption and allowed for better utilization of strength.

"It's just that she's too young, this child..."

Theresa looked at the cute, quiet, and well-behaved girl and nodded gently.

At just over ten years old, she was indeed too young to undergo Valkyrie training. She would have to wait until she was around fourteen or fifteen, like Kiana and the others.

"That's so strange."

The moment Theresa took her hand, she felt her own hormone levels rising, and she found herself constantly glancing at Lin Li out of the corner of her eye.

"Mhm..."

Lin Li, however, didn't notice Theresa's change in expression. She hummed a happy little tune, looking forward to the upcoming meeting.

St. Freya Academy

"That clumsy Kiana fell asleep in class again."

Bronya, pretending to listen attentively in class, thought to herself as she watched Himeko accurately throw a piece of chalk at the white-haired girl's forehead.

She had finished the course material in a few days, and the rest of the time she either slacked off or played games, which was rather boring.

"Director Theresa."

Theresa's figure suddenly appeared at the classroom window. Bronya was a little curious, but then she froze.

Because following Theresa was a girl with shoulder-length, short hair, colored black with a bluish tint.

"Seele..."

The moment she saw her back, Bronya's heart was stirred by an uncontrollable wave of emotion, causing her body to tremble uncontrollably.

"No, how could Seele be here..."

Bronya's silver-grey eyes flickered slightly. She forced herself to resist the urge to go to Theresa's office, constantly trying to comfort herself.

"I feel so bad."

The already somewhat boring class became even more tedious in Bronya's eyes. The remaining twenty minutes felt like an eternity.

"Would you like something to drink? I have bitter melon juice..."

After bringing Lin Li to her office, Theresa asked.

"No need... I'm not very thirsty."

Hearing "bitter melon juice," even Lin Li couldn't help but shrink her head.

"Alright then, I'll pour you a glass of water."

Theresa nodded, then handed the water cup to her.

"By the way, I heard from people on the street that you've been wandering around, Lin Li. Are you looking for something? Where are your parents?"

Judging by her name, she seemed to be from Shenzhou, but her appearance didn't quite match.

"I... I want to find my mom."

After thinking for a moment, Lin Li decided to tell the truth.

"Looking for your mom? Can you tell me about your parents? I can help you contact them," Theresa said. Looking at Lin Li's appearance, such a beautiful and delicate little girl couldn't possibly be uncared for. Even in an orphanage, she would surely be cherished, not left to wander outside.

"I don't have a dad."

Lin Li shook her head gently.

"Um... this..."

Theresa suddenly felt a bit guilty.

"What about your mom? Where is she now? In Shenzhou?"

"I don't know. I only know that Mom should be coming to St. Freya Academy."

Lin Li shook her head.

She only knew that Bronya would come to St. Freya Academy, but she didn't know if she was here now.

"Is she a Valkyrie too?"

Theresa asked, a little surprised.