"Chen Tianwen, you should know that most of the Valkyries in the world who can fight the Honkai come from families with long, storied histories.
They fight with the full strength of their clans, vowing to resist the Honkai to the death, but in the end, their fate is the same as the Mushoku family's—not even a name is left behind.
The most famous of the Valkyrie clans, the Kaslana family, was nearly wiped out five hundred years ago in the fight against the 'Black Death' while resisting the Honkai.
They still haven't recovered, with only a few Kaslana members still active today.
The Honkai is endless, but the families that have passed down the tradition of fighting it are finite.
In the last century, the number of Valkyries had dwindled to the point where even the Schicksal Overseer, Otto, had to personally join the battle…"
Ryn's tone shifted, and he paused his story to ask Chen Tianwen beside him:
"But why has the number of Valkyries suddenly increased in this century? Do you know why, Chen Tianwen?"
Chen Tianwen thought for a moment, then pointed to the massive Roman-style triumphal arch at St. Freya High School and said firmly, "Because of the establishment of St. Freya High School…"
"Not entirely correct, but close enough."
Ryn ruffled Chen Tianwen's hair, and the two continued walking on the small path leading to the academy's back mountain.
"The Schicksal Overseer, Otto Apocalypse, through studying the bloodlines of the Schariac and Kaslana families, extracted the Honkai antibodies from their blood, achieving the development of 'artificial Stigmata'.
But even for natural-born warriors against the Honkai like the Schariac and Kaslana clans, the number of those who could awaken 'natural Stigmata' could be counted on one hand.
Due to the lack of research samples for 'natural Stigmata', although the Overseer successfully developed 'artificial Stigmata', its performance was completely inferior to 'natural Stigmata' and even placed a huge burden on the user…
Yet, in order to fight the Honkai, the Valkyries resolutely accepted the implantation of 'artificial Stigmata'. And the site of these experiments was right here, under our feet at St. Freya High School."
Chen Tianwen: "But wasn't St. Freya High School established in 2009? The development of artificial Stigmata happened much earlier!"
Ryn: "Yes, because that happened later…
After the Second Honkai War, Overseer Otto developed a brand-new technology, which is the 'Valkyrie Surgery' now commonly used by Schicksal.
It is precisely because of the emergence of the 'Valkyrie Surgery' that there has been a continuous stream of new Valkyries joining the fight against the Honkai.
Valkyries who received 'artificial Stigmata' implants wouldn't live past 35… but those who underwent the 'Valkyrie Surgery' could marry, have children, and live to old age…
Because of the 'Valkyrie Surgery', the lifespan and safety of Valkyries were greatly improved. Principal Theresa believed that Valkyries should no longer be 'strategic consumables' after receiving artificial stigmata, which is why she founded St. Freya High School.
Theresa wants to teach us Valkyries the meaning of life, to make us cherish our own lives. Only by living can we better change this world.
We're here. The back mountain of St. Freya High School…"
Ryn and Chen Tianwen stood at the foot of the back mountain, looking up at the small, tall hill.
The mountain was ordinary, so ordinary that Chen Tianwen felt it shouldn't even be part of St. Freya High School…
The hillside was bare, with not even a few saplings, and at the foot of the mountain was a seemingly endless row of tombstones.
Ryn: "It's strange, isn't it? Why a mountain like this is so barren, with almost no vegetation."
Chen Tianwen: "Yes… given the climate and environment, it shouldn't be like this. And since this is a burial ground… the vegetation should be even more lush, not like a desert as it is now…"
Ryn: "It's simple. The influence of Honkai energy has ravaged the life force of the trees.
This is the tomb of heroes, and the small mountain you see is their resting place. The effects of artificial Stigmata and the Valkyrie Surgery run deep in their bones. Even after they die, the Honkai will not let them go…"
"Most of the Valkyries are survivors of Honkai eruptions. This is not only their future grave but also the grave of the families they once had.
Their hearts burn with a fierce fire of vengeance. To achieve their revenge against the Honkai, they fearlessly bear the burden of 'artificial Stigmata' and the immense risks of the 'Valkyrie Surgery'.
They turn themselves into firewood, throwing themselves into the starry fire of the fight against the Honkai, until they burn to ashes and return to this final Pure Land, to sleep eternally with their families."
Ryn and Chen Tianwen walked past row after row of tombstones, reading the illustrious battle records left behind by each Valkyrie.
"This is the Hall of Heroes. To be buried here is the lifelong pursuit of most Valkyries…"
"Will their stories ever be made public?"
"If we defeat the Honkai, then yes. If we don't, then everyone will become a part of this, and whether it's public or not won't matter."
"…"
——————————————
Ryn led Chen Tianwen on a full circuit of St. Freya High School's back mountain, carefully placing incense and sweeping the graves for each tombstone.
Ryn: "Chen Tianwen, do you want to become one of them, to vow your life to fight the Honkai?"
Chen Tianwen: "…"
Ryn: "You are still young. You have plenty of time to consider whether to accept this heavy fate.
The battle against the Honkai is far more brutal and hopeless than what you read in texts. Tianwen, you are also a survivor of a Honkai eruption, so you should know…
Also, did you know? Neither Theresa nor I really care how extravagantly you live. Whether you have a lewd party or spend money lavishly, that is your freedom and your right.
In this long war against heaven, you need an outlet like this. In fact, if it's only these things, it's already considered good…"
Chen Tianwen: "But the Principal was clearly very angry… and even you came to find me, Brother Ryn…"
Ryn took out some documents and handed them to Chen Tianwen.
"Because both Theresa and I know about your and Chen Tianwu's situation, and you are currently making a mistake without realizing what your mistake is."
Chen Tianwen was a bit confused, not understanding why Ryn would say that. But when she opened the documents and saw the photos of Chen Tianwu carrying out dangerous bounty missions, being beaten in the underworld, training desperately, and the lines of text describing the mission summaries… Chen Tianwen's eyes widened, her pupils trembling.