"Aunt Himeko, are you okay?" Kiana quickly asked upon hearing Himeko's words.
"Mm, I don't feel the Honkai energy's corruption anymore, and… I think the stigma on my back has changed somehow."
This time, Himeko didn't mind Kiana's address and answered her question, though her tone was uncertain.
"Your feeling is correct. I've upgraded your artificial stigma to a natural one. Now, it won't harm your body at all—instead, it grants you even greater power."
Wu Tong didn't mind Kiana interrupting him and confirmed Himeko's speculation.
As for the natural stigma, Wu Tong had gained the ability to create them after analyzing Raiden Mei's stigma while studying the core of the Herrscher of Thunder.
By deciphering Mei's stigma, he had mastered the structure of natural stigmata and could now craft various types as needed. The one he created for Himeko was inspired by the Honkai Impact 3rd game, a handcrafted natural stigma.
"Eh? You can even do something like this? As expected of an organization that spans countless worlds. Truly unbelievable." Himeko exclaimed in astonishment.
Wu Tong blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her words.
Did she misunderstand something?
Before he could ponder further, a surprised voice sounded from behind Himeko.
"Huh? Teacher Himeko, your stigma looks like me, Mei, and the others!"
"!!!"
The group immediately crowded around Himeko, following Kiana's gaze to the stigma on Himeko's lower back.
There, a stigma was clearly visible.
Wu Tong had designed it in the shape of the Key of Destruction, vertically engraved on Himeko's back.
The stigma consisted of three distinct parts, appearing intricate at first glance but revealing its secrets upon closer inspection.
The upper component formed the hilt of the sword, featuring none other than Kiana Kaslana—her hair tied in a high ponytail, clad in her Flamescion attire, standing in the academy. Surrounding her were figures like Theresa, Raiden Mei, Bronya Zaychik, Himeko, and Fu Hua, creating a warm and harmonious scene.
Kiana • Herrscher of Flamescion [Top]
The middle part depicted Raiden Mei. At the sword's guard, the image showed Mei in her Shadow Knight attire, bathed in moonlight. The red horns on her head sharpened her aura, and her cold, determined gaze was fixed in profile.
Raiden Mei • Herrscher of Thunder [Middle]
The lower blade section displayed Bronya Zaychik. She sat in what resembled a library, dressed as the Herrscher of Reason, intently studying documents with a thoughtful expression.
Bronya Zaychik • Herrscher of Reason [Bottom]
"It really is them. I never thought my students would become my strength. How dreamlike."
Himeko chuckled as she examined the photos of her stigma taken by the others.
But her composure shattered instantly. "Still, why did it have to be their Herrscher forms? Is this a constant reminder that I taught a bunch of Herrschers?"
"Aiya, Himeko, don't dwell on it. How does the new stigma feel?" Theresa quickly changed the subject, fearing the conversation would implicate her.
After all, she was the founder of St. Freya Academy. If this topic continued, the blame would inevitably land on her.
"The new stigma is excellent. The boost it gives me far surpasses the artificial one." Himeko replied after a moment of reflection.
The other girls took turns asking Himeko about her experience with the new stigma.
After hearing her description, their expressions shifted, and they all turned to Wu Tong with gleaming eyes.
If this natural stigma technology could be mastered, the chances of overcoming the Honkai would increase dramatically.
Everyone present was well aware of the power of stigmata. Artificial stigmata had already created the Valkyries, a force capable of resisting the Honkai. Natural stigmata would be an even greater asset.
Strictly speaking, Durandal, the strongest Valkyrie of Schicksal, was the pinnacle of the Kaslana and Schariac family stigmata.
Even before reaching her peak, she could hold her own against Kevin in his base form. After perfectly fusing with her stigma and becoming Durandal: Dea Anchora, her power skyrocketed. Teaming up with Kiana, she could even trade blows with Otto the False God.
Even if Otto hadn't used his full strength and had been holding back, that was still an incredible feat.
Who was Otto at that time?
A False God who had seized part of the authority of the Imaginary Tree, his power rivaling—if not surpassing—that of the Star Gods from other worlds.
Feeling the girls' gazes, Wu Tong's hand, reaching for the mapo tofu, froze.
Can't I even eat in peace?
With a resigned sigh, he extracted all the knowledge related to natural stigmata—construction methods, research data, and technical information—and imprinted it onto a USB drive using his Analysis and Construction authority.
Without a word, he handed the drive to the eager girls.
To Wu Tong, this was no big deal. He had no issue sharing it, especially since he admired the Valkyries who risked their lives to protect the world.
Besides, he wasn't giving it away for free.
First, even with the ability to create natural stigmata, widespread use was impossible without sufficient resources. They could only be applied to Valkyries—who would eventually become his subordinates.
Thus, the fruits of Otto's labor would ultimately fall into Wu Tong's hands.
Second, constructing stigmata was tedious. Wu Tong had no interest in mass-producing them. Letting other factions handle the work while he took a cut as compensation was far more efficient.
"This is amazing! With this, we'll definitely overcome the Honkai." Himeko, deeply moved by the power of natural stigmata, spoke with excitement.
"Naturally. With this, I'll have a better chance of persuading Kevin." Fu Hua gazed at the USB drive in Himeko's hand, her thoughts profound.
Moreover, with natural stigma technology, there was no need to consider the soul master system from Wu Tong's world. After all, that system couldn't compare to stigma technology in terms of combat power or versatility.
…
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(End of Chapter)