A few days later.
Outside the capital.
A new academy, resembling St. Freya, rose tall and grand.
With the incredible efficiency of the Bulins and Angeloids, they had almost perfectly replicated the original St. Freya according to the blueprints.
The internal facilities were specially modified based on the Starsea Empire's conditions, replaced with far more advanced models.
At the opening ceremony—
"Ahem..."
Setsuna stood at the podium, cleared his throat, and looked down at the gathered girls.
Some were students from St. Freya, while others were little lolis interested in learning about Honkai energy.
The Starsea Empire's education system was incredibly open. If you wanted to study science, you could. If you wanted to train in magic, that was fine too. You could even ask Mio to turn you into a Spirit if you wished.
Those with enough ambition could, like Gudako, dabble across multiple fields—becoming a Chaldean Spirit Master piloting a Gundam and wielding the Edge of Taixuan.
"In the Imperial Valkyrie Academy, you will primarily train and study disciplines related to Honkai energy," Setsuna announced.
"Since Honkai has already been eradicated, the purpose of this academy extends far beyond its original mission. You will set forth among the stars—representing the Starsea Empire as you conquer other universes."
"Of course, if you simply wish to live peacefully within the Empire, I won't object. I only hope you'll use your power wisely."
His calm yet commanding words stirred the hearts of everyone present.
"Wow..."
Mei, Bronya, and Seele gazed up at Setsuna with admiration.
Back at St. Freya, Otto had often lectured them with lofty ideals like exploring space, resisting Honkai, and protecting humanity. Like most school principal speeches, they had been dull and tedious.
But here, at the Imperial Valkyrie Academy, the very thought of venturing across the galaxy and fighting in other universes filled them with burning excitement.
In their minds, they could already imagine themselves standing alongside fleets that blotted out the stars, leading Angeloid legions to storm through enemies like thunder and storm.
—Not long ago, they were the astonished "natives." Soon, they'd have the chance to make others feel the same.
"He's so handsome..." Liliya whispered to Rozaliya as the two whispered to each other.
Teenage girls had no resistance against this kind of young man—a powerful ruler of an interstellar empire.
Even the domineering CEOs from soap operas paled in comparison, like ants before a god.
"Commander, sir! We heard you've mastered the Power of Finality—the strongest user of Honkai energy. Will you be teaching us personally?" Liliya raised her hand to ask.
"Normally, no."
"Eh—"
Setsuna's reply drew a wave of disappointed sighs from the crowd.
"The academic courses will be overseen by the Research Division. They'll guide you through the Empire's science, technology, and history. As for combat training, Kallen, Cecilia, and other veterans will handle that."
"Beyond mastering Honkai energy, there are also courses in cosmology. The Space Academy will teach you how to pilot real starships—true faster-than-light vessels, not those toy-class ships like Schicksal-1."
"..."
Seeing their expressions, Setsuna paused briefly.
"Of course, as I mentioned before—students with exceptional performance will be granted Herrscher authority, forming the elite Herrscher Corps."
"If anyone truly reaches that level, I'll personally train them."
As the Empire's Commander, it was impossible for him to personally teach every class. But those capable of handling Herrscher powers were worth his personal attention.
"Wow—"
The students erupted into excited chatter.
Herrscher authority—training directly under the Commander who wielded the Power of Finality—it was beyond their wildest dreams.
"I'll do my best!!"
Raiden Mei, Bronya, and the other St. Freya elites were filled with determination, already aiming to secure a spot in the first group.
Meanwhile, the more laid-back ones like Sirin and Seele simply wanted to experience what it felt like to study in an interstellar-age academy.
Especially Sirin—ever since being rescued from the Babylon Labs, she was content as long as she could stay by Cecilia's side.
"Ah, what about me??"
Kiana suddenly felt doomed.
"Aren't you the biggest insider in the entire school?! Just go ask your all-powerful Commander father for help!" Durandal grumbled, resisting the urge to smack her.
"No... I'll rely on myself!!! Even without anyone else, I'll become the strongest Valkyrie!!"
The white-haired dumpling puffed up defiantly.
"...If you fail the makeup exam again, don't come crying to us."
After the grand ceremony, the Imperial Valkyrie Academy officially opened.
Students entered their newly decorated classrooms according to class assignments, curiosity lighting up their faces as they saw the advanced devices inside.
"Hi everyone, I'll be your physics teacher from now on."
"This is your biology teacher, and this one handles history..."
Looking at the group of little lolis standing on the podium, the students were even more surprised.
"Wow, they look even younger than Aunt Theresa! Are kids this small really teaching us?..." Mei whispered to Bronya.
"Hmm... I've reviewed your academic curriculum from St. Freya," said the research-loli, tapping open a holographic display, her tone serious.
"Those courses were far too simple—roughly equivalent to a fifth or sixth-grade level. From a practical standpoint, our plan is to have you complete 70% of middle school material within two months."
"Some of the content may be beyond your current level. If you have any questions, ask immediately—I'll answer them."
"Hmm?"
"Elementary level?" Mei felt something was off.
The next moment, when the projected teaching materials appeared, everyone was stunned.
"First, many of the theories you've previously learned have been proven flawed or require revision. Under conditions of faster-than-light travel and higher dimensions, new physics and mathematical axioms must be relearned..."
"???"
Raiden Mei and Bronya suddenly felt like they had stumbled into some elite research symposium.
One moment they were still reciting basic equations at St. Freya, and the next, the Riemann Hypothesis and Goldbach's Conjecture were flying at their faces.
These once-unsolved mysteries had long been conquered by the Research Division, now taught as standard theorems—mandatory for all students, like the Pythagorean theorem.
Mei and Bronya dared not relax. They focused intensely, feeling as though enlightenment itself was being poured into their minds.
What they learned in a single class here contained more knowledge than a month's worth at St. Freya.
"Ah..."
After half a day, both girls had taken a mountain of notes and were completely exhausted.
"It's tiring... but we really learned a lot," Mei sighed, staring at her textbook in awe.
Durandal, Wendy, and Seele were visibly dizzy, still struggling to wrap their heads around what they'd just heard.
"Bronya finds this acceptable. St. Freya's lessons were too simple," the 180-IQ genius said calmly—finally finding subjects that challenged her.
Then she turned her head.
"Zzz..."
"Zzz... Zzz..."
Kiana was fast asleep on her desk, drooling contentedly.
"Kiana, if you flunk out here, you'll embarrass the Commander, you know?" Mei pinched her cheek.
"Why do we even need to learn all this theory... A Valkyrie just needs to be strong enough to beat up her enemies... Zzz..."
"The combat classes here aren't that easy. You'll be sparring one-on-one against Kallen and Cecilia!"
"..."
Kiana smacked her lips in her sleep.
"How about we go learn to pilot a Gundam instead? I think I was saved once in a movie by a red-and-white mecha—she was awesome..."
"...You've been hanging around Fujimaru Ritsuka too much!!!"
...
"Not bad, very good."
Setsuna strolled through the newly built Imperial Valkyrie Academy.
The academy's educational operations had already settled into motion. The girls from the Honkai world, after undergoing standard genetic ascension and hyper-evolution surgeries, had their physical abilities greatly enhanced.
Likewise, the academy's curriculum was far more rigorous. In addition to standard lessons, subjects such as astronomy and magic were also included.
According to the reports from Theresa, Raiden Mei, Bronya, and the other top students were studying diligently, eagerly absorbing new knowledge of the interstellar era.
Shigure Kira, Himeko, and the other former St. Freya instructors also needed to cooperate with the Research Division to learn about the Empire's systems.
As for Kiana...
As long as she was happy.
The white-haired bundle of energy seemed to possess endless stamina, curious about everything in the capital.
Shipgirls, Gundams, Heroic Spirits...
She often wandered into different sectors, exploring and chatting with people. Within just a few days, she had become quite well-known around the capital.
From Cthulhu deities to the crimson-haired lolis of the Magic Academy, everyone had heard of the new, energetic, slightly airheaded girl.
"Eh, at this rate, Kiana's going to fail her exams again." Cecilia sighed worriedly, looking like a mother fretting over her daughter.
"It's fine. Mei and the others will tutor her when the time comes," Setsuna chuckled.
Kiana wasn't in any rush to grow stronger or fill in her shortcomings.
Here, she had the freedom to choose her own path. Perhaps one day, when her abilities matured enough, she would awaken the Herrscher of the Void core within her.
Until then, a carefree academy life was exactly what suited the girls from the Honkai world.
"..."
Just as Setsuna returned to the administrative center, Head Maid Belfast curtsied respectfully and entered with two girls in maid uniforms.
One wore pink, the other blue. Both had short, neat hair and white headpieces, dressed in specially modified short maid outfits paired with white stockings and small leather shoes.
They resembled maids from the European Renaissance era—but their attire tastefully revealed their shoulders, highlighting their graceful, youthful figures. Elegant yet alluring.
"Commander, during your recent expedition, two new members passed the Maid Corps' evaluations. From now on, they'll be attending to your daily needs."
"Oh?—"
Setsuna raised an eyebrow, then smiled.
"Wait, aren't these Ram and Rem?"
Back when he had rescued them from the village in the Re:Zero world, they were still just little girls.
After studying at the academy and adapting to life in the Starsea Empire, they were entrusted to the Royal Maid Corps under Belfast's supervision.
"Wow, catching little lolis and raising them into maids—how indecent!" Gudako clicked her tongue teasingly.
"No, Ram and Rem are very intelligent. They completed the Starsea Empire's standard education program in a very short time," Belfast replied, shaking her head.
"I gave them full freedom to choose their future—whether to join the Research Division, the Magic Department, or live an ordinary life in the capital. They chose to join the Maid Corps of their own will."
As she spoke, Ram stepped forward and nodded.
"Commander once saved us. So Ram wants to repay him—just like Sister Belfast..."
"Please rest assured, Commander," Belfast added. "They've passed all maid etiquette and skill exams. Even by Royal Maid standards, they're fully qualified."
"In addition, they possess some basic magical ability. Ram, in particular, shows strong talent in wind-element magic."
Thanks to Setsuna's timely intervention, the Ram standing before him was now the horned version—among the strongest individuals in the Re:Zero world.
—Though, truth be told, that extra combat power wasn't really needed here.
"Very well."
Setsuna gestured for Ram and Rem to come closer, gently patting their heads.
"From now on, you'll be part of the Maid Corps. The work here is in your hands."
"Understood."
Ram and Rem nodded in unison, swiftly entering work mode as they served tea and tidied up. Cecilia watched in amazement.
Counting on her fingers, she realized—the Commander's Maid Corps had grown alarmingly large.
This included, but was not limited to, the original Royal Maid Corps from the Royal Navy, the dragon maid Tohru, members of the Pleiades, and a group of adorable catgirls created by the Life Sciences Division to act as companions.
Occasionally, even strange individuals like Nyarlathotep would drop by to guest-star.
"Big sister, big sister, the Commander invites lots of people to sleep with him every night. Should we go too?"
"Rem, Rem, we don't have the qualifications yet. For now, we can only help wash the bedsheets the next morning."
"Big sister, big sister, we're so pitiful..."
"Rem, Rem, I heard that the Chaldean Master has been working for ages and still only gets to push butts. We have to seize our opportunity..."
The two new maids whispered as they worked, their gossip making the others twitch.
"Do you have a passive skill for seducing girls or something?! You're not planning to go after the maids too, are you?" Cecilia asked, deeply suspicious.
"No."
Belfast replied solemnly.
"Serving the Master's needs is part of a maid's duty. The Royal Maid Corps is always on standby."
"Mmhm!!—"
The other maids nodded furiously in agreement. Sirius's eyes turned into hearts as she leaned close.
Her generous chest pressed against Setsuna's arm as she whispered softly in his ear:
"My proud Master, you've been apart from Sirius for too long... It's time for me to serve you again..."
"Ahem, we'll talk tonight."
Setsuna silently thanked his multi-core physiology—otherwise, he'd have been drained dry long ago.
...
After settling down the girls brought back from the Honkai world and handling the small incident caused by Ram and Rem, Setsuna finally began to seriously study what he had acquired from that world.
The Cocoon of Finality—and the Power of Finality.
Whoosh—
The colossal form of the Eternal Snowfall was projected into orbit above Earth.
Einstein, Edison, and other Honkai scientists bustled about alongside several Research Division lolis, eagerly boarding the ship.
On the space station, their progress had been limited by equipment constraints, but now back in the capital, they could finally study this mysterious artifact in full.
Joining them were several Siren girls. Purifier and Observer soon discovered that after its journey to the Honkai world, the Eternal Snowfall had evolved to a higher dimension.
They recalled that before departure, it had only been a battleship-class transdimensional vessel.
"Ah, I used the Law of Reason's authority to modify it myself," Setsuna said, shrugging. "I figured it was fine, so I kept using it."
"If you have a better idea, feel free to make adjustments."
"...It's mostly fine," Observer said, poking around the ship's propulsion and engine modules with her tentacles.
Aside from a few minor rough edges, everything functioned perfectly.
It was now a true hyperdimensional starship, capable of expanding into six-dimensional space—free to traverse past and future alike.
Compared to merely increasing its size, enhancing dimensionality yielded far greater power.
"Could you start helping Bulin with the shipwork, then? Maybe you could modify other shipgirls' hulls too?" Purifier asked boldly.
"No. The Eternal Snowfall is part of me. If anything goes wrong, I can instantly correct it. But other shipgirls' hulls are a bit... troublesome."
Setsuna shook his head.
"Uh... so from what we can tell," Tesla said, glancing at Kayo Senju and Plank, "the Cocoon of Finality gave the Commander a portion of the Power of Finality, but now the Cocoon itself has become part of him?"
"So its current state is similar to a Wisdom Cube or the Allspark?"
In contrast to the original timeline—where Kiana obtained recognition from the Cocoon and became the Herrscher of Finality—Setsuna had gone one step further.
He had directly fused the Cocoon of Finality into the Eternal Snowfall, making it, alongside the Wisdom Cube and the Allspark, one of his ship's core systems.
"The Cocoon of Finality is the singular Imaginary Point and the only true Herrscher Core. Now that the Commander and the Cocoon have merged, he's essentially become one with the very concept of Honkai itself..."
"In theory, anything Honkai energy can do, the Commander can do as well."
Kayo Senju sat on the floor, staring at the endless streams of data on the holographic interface.
"Uh... and if we add his personal power on top of that... he's basically omnipotent now, right?"