223. The Last Stop
Stigmata Awakeners typically possess exceptional Honkai energy resistance and formidable strength. Before the advent of Valkyrie armor, Stigmata Awakeners normally bore the brunt of the fight against Honkai.
After all, at that time, ordinary firearms could only eliminate lower-class Honkai Beasts and assassins. Against Templar-class or even Emperor-class Honkai Beasts, firearms couldn't even penetrate their defenses.
This is where Stigmata Awakeners came in.
Stigmata Awakeners were not only powerful, but most of them were also capable of wielding 'Divine Keys' as weapons.
"Your Senior, Wendy, who has already graduated, is also a Stigmata Awakener," the teacher briefly mentioned before continuing the lecture.
The earliest origins of Stigmata Awakener can be traced back to the 'Kaslana Family,' one of the three great families of Schicksal, and the Divine Key 'Judgment of Shamash', used by the Kaslana family head for generations.
This is because the Kaslana family's Stigmata are unique. Every member of the Kaslana family can awaken a Stigmata, but the degree of awakening varies.
However, surprisingly, even those Kaslana with extremely low awakening levels possess Honkai energy resistance far exceeding that of ordinary people. With training, they can take to the battlefield.
Therefore, the Kaslana family members are natural warriors, which is why they are one of the three major families.
Although the Stigmata are extremely powerful, naturally awakened Stigmata users are incredibly rare; finding them is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
In this world where Honkai is rampant, the number of Stigmata Awakener users possessed by Schicksal is far from sufficient.
Therefore, Artificial Stigmata were born.
After years of research, Artificial Stigmata were developed, and those implanted with Artificial Stigmata can also possess formidable strength.
However, the drawbacks of Artificial Stigmata are also quite obvious: they erode the recipient's body, meaning they require consuming the recipient's lifespan to fight.
Not only that, but those who receive Artificial Stigmata often endure excruciating pain. When it flares up, even highly trained soldiers struggle to withstand the agony.
This is why Himeko is always drinking heavily.
Alcohol numbs her senses, allowing her to endure that agonizing period.
"Valkyries implanted with Artificial Stigmata generally don't live past 35. Even if they retire early, their bodies, eroded by the Artificial Stigmata, still can't last past 40… Hopefully, Schicksal can find a solution soon."
A faint sadness flickered in the teacher's eyes. This method of sacrificing lifespan to fight the Honkai was definitely not what she wanted to see.
But as it turns out, this is currently the only optimal solution.
For ordinary people who want to become warriors against the Honkai, who want to possess the power to fight the Honkai, Artificial Stigmata are the best choice.
Otherwise, they can only become D-rank administrative Valkyries or C-rank reconnaissance Valkyries.
"Teacher, are there any Artificial Stigmata recipients around us?" Yun Ling suddenly asked.
"...Your instructor, Major Himeko." The teacher hesitated for a moment before finally telling him.
This wasn't a secret at St. Freya Academy; many teachers were well aware of it.
Moreover, Himeko was already of retirement age, yet she persisted in her work, still at the forefront of the fight against the Honkai.
This was tantamount to playing with her life.
The teacher told Yun Ling that she actually hoped he could persuade Himeko.
"I understand, thank you, teacher," Yun Ling nodded.
Thus, the prerequisite for guiding Himeko was met. Perhaps, given some more time, he could help Himeko remove the side effects of the Artificial Stigmata.
The next day, Yun Ling got up early, washed, and changed into a handsome outfit.
Today, he was going to play the role of the perfect boyfriend!
However, this perfect boyfriend suffered a crushing defeat right from the start.
Himeko overslept again! Yun Ling closed his eyes and pondered for a moment. Sure enough, a perfect boyfriend needs to do a wake-up call, right?
So, Yun Ling decisively broke into Himeko's house again. Facing Himeko, whose attire was already quite conservative (even a light touch would be considered revealing), he patted her cheek.
"Himeko, it's time to get up. It's time for our date."
"Ugh~ Let me sleep for five more minutes..." Himeko replied subconsciously, burying her head further into the covers.
"Did you stay up late again last night?" Yun Ling asked gently.
"...A little insomnia...?" Himeko seemed to realize something, her previously closed eyes widening instantly.
Looking at Yun Ling so close to her, she immediately wrapped the covers around her body, exuding the allure of a mature woman.
This guy actually broke into her house again!
Himeko's cheeks flushed slightly, whether from embarrassment or anger, it was hard to tell.
"Insomnia... Would you like me to give you a little massage? I learned some massage techniques in medical class the other day; it might help relax your body." Yun Ling seemed oblivious, still asking with concern.
"Shouldn't you have explained why you're here before that?" Himeko narrowed her eyes, slightly annoyed.
Last time Yun Ling barged in, she accidentally hurt him and even promised to go on a date with him.
But afterwards, she remembered that Yun Ling seemed to have broken into her house!
That's practically trespassing!
"This is a perfect boyfriend's wake-up call service. I originally wanted to give Himeko a good morning kiss, but considering she might beat me up when she wakes up, I've temporarily abandoned that idea," Yun Ling shrugged.
"I still want to beat you up to vent my anger!" Himeko threw a punch, which Yun Ling easily dodged.
"Himeko, I don't recommend you do any strenuous exercise right now. You're dressed quite lightly, and I might accidentally get a morning treat if you're not careful, although I wouldn't mind."
Yun Ling gently grasped her wrist and slowly lowered her hand.
"What did you call me?" Himeko raised an eyebrow.
"Himeko, of course. Today I'm Himeko's boyfriend for a day. Our beautiful and generous Himeko wouldn't go back on her word, would she?" Yun Ling tilted his head.
"...That's hard to say." Himeko glared at him fiercely.
Before Himeko could continue speaking, Yun Ling discreetly left the apartment and waited outside.
About half an hour later, Himeko finally emerged from the apartment.
"You look so beautiful! Did you do your makeup especially for our date?" Yun Ling looked at Himeko and couldn't help but compliment her.
Her long, fiery red hair was styled in an updo, with a few strands framing her face. Her alluringly fair face was adorned with light makeup.
Below her slender neck, her delicate collarbones were displayed prominently before Yun Ling, and her high, full breasts accentuated their ample shape, as if to flaunt her figure.
"After all, I did promise you, and you took it quite seriously. If I were to just give you a perfunctory answer, I'd feel a little guilty," Himeko said helplessly.
Clearly, she wasn't particularly fond of Yun Ling, treating him purely as a student or a junior.
"That would be perfect," Yun Ling replied with a smile, seemingly unconcerned by Himeko's words.
"Yun Ling, you… seems a little off today," Himeko said suspiciously.
"Maybe it's because I had such a great date with Himeko. Speaking of which, I had a bit of insomnia last night, because thinking about..."
"Alright, alright, those cheesy words don't work on me." Himeko waved her hand dismissively, already guessing most of what Yun Ling was going to say.
"So, Himeko, is there anywhere you'd like to go today?" Yun Ling asked, getting straight to the point.
"Hmm... a bar?" Himeko suggested at the opportune moment.
"A bar would be a good last stop for today. Before that?"
"You should have already planned it out, right? You can arrange it." Himeko said casually.
"Okay, then our first stop will be a love hotel."
"You want to die, huh?"
"Sorry, I got it backwards. That was the last stop."
"..."