A qualification just under the threshold of a B-rank Valkyrie? That alone could be considered quite promising.
Besides, the child was still young. Didn't she have plenty of potential left to develop?
After Himeko delivered the results, Theresa found herself in a surprisingly good mood. After all, in theory, girls only reached peak physiological compatibility with Honkai energy around the age of eighteen.
Lunelle was just fourteen, and she was already brushing close to the B-rank boundary. She might not be a born prodigy like Kiana with her inhuman bloodlines, but—
Among the students at Saint Freya, she was at least mid-tier. Not outstanding, but definitely not at the bottom.
"Principal, I think you should take a look at this child's report in person."
Seeing Theresa's hopeful expression, Himeko hesitated for a moment before quietly handing her the blood test results.
"Hmm? Is there something unusual about this child?"
Theresa blinked at the stack of papers in Himeko's hand. Though puzzled, she took them and gave them a quick read-through.
And when her eyes landed on one line of abnormal data...
"This...! What is this!? A stigmata compatibility of zero percent?!"
Theresa's eyes widened. Her pupils contracted. She rubbed her eyes multiple times in disbelief, checking the data over and over.
After confirming the results several times, she lowered the report, still unable to believe it.
"You're surprised too, aren't you, Principal? Even average people usually show some stigmata adaptability. But this child—someone like Seele, who clearly has decent Honkai adaptability—comes up with a shocking zero percent."
Himeko sighed softly, rotating her sore shoulders. Her tone held a note of helplessness.
"Zero percent stigmata compatibility... That means none of the artificial stigmata in our Saint Freya storage will work on her. Even if we try to force it, the procedure will just fail.
Sigh... maybe Seele simply isn't meant to become a Valkyrie."
Theresa had thought that, if Lunelle's results were decent, she could enroll her at Saint Freya alongside her niece.
But this gentle-looking girl, who seemed to have so much promise, turned out to be entirely incompatible with the artificial stigmata held by the Far East branch of Schicksal.
Of course, there was always the chance of requesting a suitable stigmata from headquarters. The main library had more variety and a wider pool.
However, with Lunelle's ability not even meeting the lowest standards of a B-rank Valkyrie, Theresa wasn't confident the higher-ups would approve such a request for someone so... average.
"Forget it... When the child wakes up, I'll tell her everything myself. Maybe not being fit for combat isn't such a bad thing for a delicate girl like her."
With Lunelle unable to receive any stigmata transplant, Theresa abandoned the idea of her joining Saint Freya as a combat Valkyrie.
But knowing Theresa's character, there was no way she'd throw the child out like garbage just because she lacked practical value. Especially not someone as sweet and well-behaved as Lunelle.
Besides, her niece and the Third Herrscher both seemed to care a lot about Lunelle. It didn't take Theresa long to come to a decision.
"So you've already made up your mind, Principal. Then what do we do with these girls——?"
Himeko, who understood her well, asked the question calmly as she watched Theresa's frown soften and her thoughts settle.
"Kiana and Mei will proceed according to our original plan. As for Seele... she'll join our logistics department."
"The logistics department? That's fine. She does look fragile... Anyway, I'll take my leave now. I need to apply for Hyperion's maintenance budget."
Himeko stood up and headed out, continuing with her busy schedule.
Seeing Himeko's bruised body, Theresa couldn't help but speak up, reminding her to rely less on the armor.
But Himeko didn't seem to care about that advice at all.
Ever since she voluntarily underwent the artificial stigmata procedure in her twenties, Himeko had already accepted what was coming.
Rather than stay powerless and watch others suffer, she chose to burn what time she had left for the strength to keep fighting.
Not long after Himeko left, Theresa picked up signs of an abnormality in Nagazora City.
Just as she was preparing to investigate personally, despite it being unpaid work, she received a message—Lunelle, still under intensive care, had woken up.
"Huh? Seele was only brought in three days ago. How can she already be awake after such severe injuries?"
Apparently, the girl's recovery rate was far better than she'd expected. Since she had some free time, Theresa decided to check in on her.
Given the almost complete lack of survivors from Nagazora, Theresa remained deeply concerned for Lunelle's well-being—not just because of the disaster, but because of her ties to Kiana and her own niece.
Before leaving, Theresa paused to consider her own petite stature. According to Seele's file, the girl was already 149 cm at just fourteen.
Technically, that made her only 4 cm taller than Theresa.
Still, in order to maintain her dignity as Saint Freya's principal, she figured it best to bring the Oath of Judah with her.
Sitting on it during their conversation would help prevent her from needing to look up at someone she was supposed to mentor.
Especially when meeting such a cute future student for the first time. Even if she did slack off and read Homu manga all day—
As a woman in her forties, she needed to keep some semblance of pride.
--+--
T/N: Theres your 5 chapters. If the HI3 fans could tell me the name of the battlesuit that is corrupting Himeko I would greatly appreciate it.