"Um... excuse me... who are you?"
Staring at the tiny figure of Theresa, who didn't exactly radiate "authority" in any sense, Lunelle fought down the urge to make a sarcastic remark.
Instead, she put on a voice tinged with timidity and confusion, pretending she didn't actually recognize this pint-sized auntie.
She knew full well that the childlike appearance in front of her was essentially a forty-something woman clinging to her youth.
But as a current patient recovering from injuries, Lunelle wasn't about to be reckless like Kiana and call her a "midget" right off the bat—after all, getting tied up by the Oath of Judah for some playtime...
No way, no way!!!
Ahem... "Um... you're Seele, right? I... I'm Theresa, the head of the Far East Branch of Schicksal. You seem to be recovering quite well, dear?"
Even though she'd accidentally smashed the hospital room door upon entering and likely disturbed the child's rest, Theresa, firmly convinced of her own "maturity," did her utmost to adopt a dignified, adult demeanor.
Unfortunately, she'd walked right in to find Lunelle wide awake.
With no time to prepare her opening lines, Theresa ended up more nervous than Lunelle herself.
To any outsider, it would seem Lunelle was the composed adult here, while Theresa, oddly flustered by Lunelle's sweet scent, came off more like a fidgety child.
"Yes! Thank you for your concern, Lady Theresa."
"Um... how are Kiana and the others doing? I was hurt so badly I passed out, so I have no idea how everyone's doing now..."
Seeing Theresa stumble over her own introduction like a total goof, Lunelle could only pretend she hadn't noticed and stick to her soft, adorable persona.
After all, she was currently staying in a Schicksal hospital.
If she accidentally offended Theresa, she didn't have the "niece buff" like Kiana did. Theresa could simply make her settle the medical bill.
And if that happened, broke as she was, she'd be completely helpless!
Not to mention, all her assets had been buried in the Honkai disaster in Nagazora.
When you're under someone else's roof, you have to bow your head~
"That foolish niece of mine wasn't hurt, but she's far less polite than a good girl like you! She actually called her own aunt a midget!
"I couldn't help but tie her up with Judah and give her a spanking... ahem…"
"Anyway, your three friends are all fine. In fact, you were the one who got hurt the worst!"
Hearing Lunelle's immediate concern for her companions warmed Theresa's heart. Being a bit of a softie herself and deeply valuing comrades, she couldn't help but think even more highly of Lunelle.
"Phew... So everyone's okay. That's a relief."
Hearing that Kiana hadn't been slashed, yet the plot seemed to follow the original script, Lunelle genuinely felt a wave of relief.
After all, if she'd pushed Kiana out of the way only for Kiana to still get stabbed, wouldn't that have been a complete waste?
But thankfully, her impulsive act hadn't been for nothing—at least the outcome had changed somewhat!
Thinking this, Lunelle naturally let a hint of relieved expression show, as if a weight had been lifted knowing her friends were safe.
Yet, remembering her main purpose for coming today was to persuade this child to take on support work, Theresa found herself struggling to broach the subject.
Sigh... such a good kid! But why couldn't she have a compatible Stigmata for transplantation?
"Seele? Would you be willing to join St. Freya Academy?"
Theresa sighed inwardly but decisively extended the invitation to Lunelle.
"Huh? What's St. Freya Academy?"
Lunelle tilted her head slightly, putting on an adorably puzzled expression while playing dumb.
"St. Freya Academy is essentially the world's only authoritative institution for training warriors to fight the Honkai—Valkyries!"
"Oh, and your three friends—Raiden Mei, Bronya, and my foolish niece Kiana—have all decided to join."
After saying this, Theresa felt an inexplicable guilt and found it hard to meet Lunelle's clear, pristine, sea-blue eyes, which held not a trace of impurity.
To be honest, given Lunelle's unique circumstances, even if she refused, Theresa would have no choice but to firmly place her within Schicksal's Far East Branch.
After all, Lunelle was now a crucial asset for handling the 3rd Herrscher. If someone who could directly threaten a Herrscher slipped from their control and remained unfound, that was one thing.
But if Lunelle fell into the hands of a hostile force, the consequences were unimaginable, even for Theresa.
Even though Mei, to prevent herself from losing control, had already agreed to have a special bomb installed in her heart by Schicksal!
"Eh... but someone like me... probably isn't qualified to become someone as amazing as a 'Valkyrie,' right?"
"A useless person like me, even if I tried to be a Valkyrie, I'd probably only be fit for support work at best, wouldn't I?"
Hearing Theresa offer the expected invitation to join St. Freya, Lunelle politely "self-deprecated" on the surface, but inwardly, she felt a spark of joy.
After all, Lunelle knew that since she'd become a girl and lacked a natural Stigmata, the only way to truly reach Valkyrie-level combat prowess was to get an artificial Stigmata transplant at St. Freya Academy.
Hehehe, so my incredible potential was finally recognized after all?
Even if turning into a girl somewhat hampered this master's performance, since you, Theresa, a discerning midget, have invited me, I'll reluctantly accept your offer!
Thinking that with Valkyrie-level strength, she wouldn't have to fear a certain duck-related lady anymore, Lunelle grew impatient to get a Stigmata installed ASAP.
"Eh... So you'd prefer support work too, Seele? That's actually what I came to discuss with you."
"After all, your Stigmata compatibility is, well... a 'bit' lacking... ahem... a bit low."
"But since you're already mentally prepared, that puts my mind at ease."
But Lunelle never expected blunt Theresa to immediately sigh in relief upon hearing such "self-awareness," not even bothering to hide her reaction.
Hearing Theresa's relieved words, Lunelle's expression froze slightly.
"Uh... okay, thank you, Lady Theresa!"
Of course, Lunelle couldn't voice the curses running through her mind in front of Theresa.
Instead, she had to offer an awkward yet polite smile, indicating she was satisfied with the arrangement.
But inside, Lunelle was already wailing hysterically.
Huh??? I—I was just being modest! How did I suddenly get shoved into support work?
My Stigmata! My within-reach Stigmata!
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.