Honkai: Man(Sludge) From Future

"I saw a little girl just now, and she actually thought you and I were brother and sister!"

Kiana couldn't help but laugh.

If that little girl knew what this "brother and sister" duo usually got up to, her brain would probably overheat and start smoking.

"Alright, it's a good day if you just manage not to bully anyone."

Noldrei pulled her along.

"Come on, let's go see how that mental hospital of yours is doing."

---||---

The mental hospital primarily treated people with "Stigma Sickness," patients who were the first to fail synchronization with their Stigma Battlesuits.

Those admitted were either driven mad, had become simple-minded, or were trapped in dreams they refused to wake from.

The sudden news of their leader's visit for an inspection sent Shiro into an immediate panic.

As Sora's younger sister, Shiro had never imagined the leader of Academy City would come here. A casual gesture from Noldrei back then had decided her and her brother's fate. Even today, Shiro was still afraid of the Noldrei from that time.

So, upon seeing Kiana transformed into a little loli, Shiro didn't dare to look up for more than a glance. Whatever 'play' they were into was their own private business. If she said the wrong thing and caused any trouble, she'd only have herself to blame.

Soon, Shiro led Noldrei through the gardens and into her office.

"Hm, the environment is surprisingly well-maintained now," Noldrei commented, looking at the large garden filled with the songs of birds and the fragrance of flowers. In the garden, many patients were sitting together, playing cards as part of their recovery.

"Have they recovered? Is there anything else you need help with?"

Shiro quickly explained, "Those who were too deeply lost have been transferred. We've arranged for the people in Jerusalem to take over their treatment. The same goes for some of the ones who went completely mad. Their madness is the kind where they can't recognize their own state, lack any capacity for thought, as if they've been influenced by the Will of the Stigma."

"That is their own will, just amplified and fed back to them through the Stigma. It's perfectly normal," Noldrei said, unconcerned by such a minor issue. "As long as they keep training, they'll overcome these troubles sooner or later."

He then turned to Kiana. "And you? What are you planning to do next?"

"Huh? Me? Next, I'll... I'll check out pretty girls?"

Kiana answered the question cautiously.

Shiro felt the air around them turn three degrees colder. She discreetly made a little more space between herself and the two of them.

"Forget it... I'll deal with you when we get back." Noldrei took a deep breath, suspecting Kiana had picked up Tesla's habits and was just waiting for him to give her a couple of lashes to get her kicks.

If everyone was going to turn out like this, how was his empire supposed to continue? How was human civilization supposed to advance?

Into a masochist empire?

"Shiro, go bring someone who's recovering well and is about to be discharged. I want to ask about the mental state of the people here."

Shiro acknowledged the order and quickly returned with a pair of sisters.

They were a pair of beautiful sisters with a somewhat cool and detached demeanor. It was obvious they were exactly Kiana's type, which made Noldrei question her true motives for running a mental hospital in the first place.

The sisters looked a little nervous.

Noldrei glanced at the name tag on the girl's patient uniform and, switching to a friendly and sunny expression, asked, "Miss Takanashi, I'm sorry to call you over like this. I'm here on behalf of the research institute to see how you're all doing. My name is Noldrei, and this is Kiana, the main investor of this hospital."

"Hello, I... I'm Takanashi Tōka. My sister has almost fully recovered." Takanashi Tōka's hands rested tightly on Takanashi Rikka's shoulders. She was still very worried about a potential relapse in her sister's condition.

"Please, don't be nervous. Have a seat. Shiro, please bring our two guests some tea."

Noldrei sat down on the sofa across from them, pulling Kiana down with him.

Kiana watched Noldrei, who seemed like the young master of some noble house. She couldn't believe this guy could put on such a polite facade in front of outsiders.

Doesn't he understand human relationships perfectly fine?! Was he just pretending not to get it in front of us all this time?!

Kiana was internally raging at Noldrei's multifaceted behavior.

"Here's the situation," Noldrei began. "I've reviewed your sister's case. I understand the pain of losing a loved one, so I wanted to ask about your sister's wishes..."

His voice grew serious. "I was wondering if she would be able to face a Stigma Battlesuit once more."

Takanashi Rikka flinched, grabbing her sister's clothes in fright.

"No, it's better not to," Takanashi Tōka refused without a second thought.

"Please forgive my bluntness, but in the society to come, the use of Stigma Battlesuits will become even more widespread. This technology can enhance a person's mental strength and guide humanity to spontaneously evolve through the combination of genes and Honkai factors. In the future, your sister will be facing competitors who have already undergone this Stigma enhancement."

Noldrei paused, giving Tōka more time to think.

Takanashi Tōka was naturally aware of this situation. As a chef by trade, she had already noticed the changes brought about by the Stigma Battlesuits. Furthermore, there were the Kengan Association points, which could be exchanged for related genetic modifications.

Everything from taste and smell to the strength of one's hands was undergoing a drastic transformation, a revolution in biotechnology.

Takanashi Tōka knew that her hands, which had been away from her work for so long, might not be able to keep up with the pace of development in Academy City.

Noldrei's words made the older sister's heart sink.

Her sister's future was at stake. As the older sister, she had to be extra cautious.

"I know you're worried about whether the mental strain will harm your sister. You can be completely at ease on that point. The initial Stigma Battlesuits were developed for combat personnel, so they naturally came with immense mental pressure."

Noldrei leaned toward the timid younger girl and said comfortingly, "But this time, it's different. The new Project Stigma from Jerusalem was developed specifically to offset that mental pressure. The purpose of our research on Stigma in Academy City is to make human genetics more diverse and to liberate humanity more thoroughly."

"I am truly sorry for your family's situation, but people must always look forward. The silver lining is that your sister has emerged from her escapism and her 'eighth-grader syndrome.' Since you've already come this far, why not let her go and see her father for herself?"

Takanashi Rikka's eyes lit up for a moment, then she looked nervously at her sister again.

Her sister was hesitant, fearful of this man's invitation.

"If you're worried about safety, I suggest you go with her and see for yourself. Don't worry, we can reduce the cost, or even discuss it later."

"Everyone in the world has an equal opportunity to enter the Stigma Space. To be able to use it to heal the wounds in people's hearts is the earnest hope of our board of directors."

Kiana looked at the kind, smiling Noldrei as if she were seeing a completely different person.

Your act is a little too good, isn't it?!