Hoo—
After learning to personally modify the Eternal Snowfall, life aboard the space station became simple and modest.
Aside from occasionally inspecting progress at the Research Division, Setsuna's days were spent taking care of his child and figuring out how to upgrade his own ship body.
Given the immense scale of the Juggernaut, it was impossible to complete all the modification procedures in one go.
Setsuna wasn't in a hurry. Every day in the shipyard, he followed the shipborne AI's blueprints, modifying his body bit by bit.
Starting from scratch to shape one's own ship was deeply fulfilling. Even when small mistakes occurred, he could quickly fix them with the power of the Herrscher of Dominance.
"Hmm..."
One day, after finishing the day's modifications,
Inside the space station, Setsuna suddenly realized it had been a long time since he'd checked in on Earth.
He connected to the Sophon and projected information from the planet below.
At St. Freya Academy, peace and harmony reigned.
Valkyries were training there, studying the courses arranged for them by Schicksal.
In just a short period of time, the academy had expanded severalfold.
Children from all over the world were enrolling in an endless stream. Even ME Corp's young heiress had joined as a transfer student.
"Ho, looks like everyone's gathered now."
Setsuna nodded with satisfaction. Without the influence of Honkai, this truly was the perfect setting for a youthful school-life drama.
As he watched—
"Hm?"
"Papa, what's that?..."
A fluffy white-haired bundle suddenly squeezed into his arms.
Kiana looked curiously at the projection, eyes wide as she gazed at the scenery of St. Freya Academy.
"Oh, that's a school on Earth. Those are students attending classes inside, called Valkyries."
Setsuna explained.
He remembered that since Kiana had been born aboard the space station, she knew almost nothing about Earth.
From the moment she was born, her entire world had been the vast galaxy and endless void of space.
"Woah..."
The holographic projection was vivid and lifelike. Kiana watched, utterly captivated.
Sailing the stars aboard a spaceship was fun, of course, but over time, it could get lonely.
Going to school, studying, playing, and growing up with friends—those were things every child longed for.
"Can I go to school too?"
Kiana tilted her head up, eyes full of innocence.
"Of course. If you want, I can send you to a school in the capital."
"Whether it's science or magic, it doesn't matter. Your classmates would include shipgirls, other children your age, dragon girls, and even Spirits..."
Setsuna gently patted her head.
"Woah..."
Kiana nodded slightly, her eyes shining with longing as she watched Bronya, Raiden Mei, and Seele studying, reading, and training together.
"Can I become a Valkyrie like them someday?"
"Of course. You could be as strong as Fu Hua—or even stronger. There's a tremendous power sleeping inside you."
Setsuna pinched her cheek.
"Mmph..."
Kiana bit her finger, thinking for a while before pointing at Bronya on the screen.
"Then can I go to St. Freya to study? I want to play with them."
"Huh?"
Setsuna couldn't help but laugh.
Was this some kind of strange bond between the Three Houses?
But thinking about it, it suited little Kiana's personality perfectly.
"Isn't it nice here on the space station? I can stay with you..."
Cecilia hugged Kiana close and asked gently.
"Mm, but I wanna visit Earth and play..." The little Kiana wiggled, shaking her head in protest.
"..."
Setsuna thought for a moment. Letting Kiana meet her companions from the original story didn't seem like a bad idea.
He called over Grey.
"Have you ever simulated this kind of situation?"
"Hm?"
Grey turned to the decision tree on her holographic panel.
"An interstellar dad's daughter wanting to hang out with the locals? Hmm..."
"Shouldn't be a big problem. We can forge her identity data. No one will notice anything wrong. St. Freya Academy is relatively independent and won't be interfered with from the outside world."
"Just one thing to remember—you mustn't tell anyone down there about this place. Of course, not that anyone would believe you anyway."
"Mm!!"
Kiana nodded vigorously.
"Also, you might not see your parents for a while," Grey added. "The Commander and Cecilia have important work to do here, so they won't be able to stay with you."
After gaining control of the Power of Finality, Setsuna would soon have to confront the Cocoon of Finality, so naturally, he wouldn't be able to focus on matters concerning Earth.
"Mm..."
Kiana lowered her head, silent for a moment. Then she looked up, eyes full of determination.
"Kiana understands! Kiana will study hard!"
Pfft—
Setsuna couldn't help laughing.
"You're okay with not seeing the Commander for a long time at the academy?" Cecilia asked gently.
"Mm... it's okay!"
"When I grow up and come home, I'll marry the Commander!!"
"Cough—cough—cough—!"
Cecilia nearly choked to death at Kiana's innocent yet dangerous declaration.
"Who taught you that?!"
"Big sister Kayo Senju and sister Midori Fuse! They always say that when they get older, they'll marry the Commander. I'm younger than them, so I'll have to wait a bit longer!"
Little Kiana answered with total seriousness.
"You little..."
Cecilia pinched Setsuna's arm sharply.
"What? That's their idea, not mine!"
...
A few days later.
At St. Freya Academy—
"Hello everyone! I'm Kiana, nice to meet you~"
Standing on the podium, Kiana waved enthusiastically to the students below—Bronya, Raiden Mei, and others.
"Oh..."
Whether it was her imagination or not, Bronya couldn't help but feel that this girl gave off a mysterious aura.
"Kiana will be joining this class from now on, to study and live together with you all."
"Please take care of her."
Theresa addressed the chattering group of children before her.
Though she herself stood barely one meter forty, her actual age was several times that of her students.
"Ho..."
Himeko Murata glanced at the report in her hand.
"This kid's got quite the potential. Where did you find her?"
"She's a long-lost branch member of the Schariac family. Someone recently contacted me about her," Theresa replied.
Under the careful arrangement of the Sophon and the Angeloids, there wasn't the slightest flaw in Kiana's forged identity.
Theresa, of course, didn't notice anything unusual and simply thought she'd found a promising new student.
"Study hard here, and aim for the stars—to fight and overcome the Honkai."
She gave Kiana an encouraging pat.
"To the stars? Someday, I'll take you all on Papa's spaceship..."
"What?"
"Cough—cough—nothing! I'll do my best!!!"
...
During break time,
Himeko walked Kiana around the academy, explaining everything along the way.
The other children followed in a cheerful group, their curiosity piqued by the new classmate.
Especially Durandal—she couldn't shake the feeling that some invisible thread of destiny connected them.
"St. Freya Academy holds exams each semester. They include both written tests and Valkyrie combat training assessments."
"After each training stage, if necessary, we also undertake missions such as eliminating Honkai Beasts. If a large-scale Honkai outbreak occurs and a Herrscher appears, we are duty-bound to engage her..."
Himeko carefully explained the academy's structure and rules to Kiana.
"From time to time, there will also be Valkyrie rank exams. Those below Class C handle logistics and low-risk missions; Class B Valkyries can serve as combat personnel. Once you reach Class A, you can become a squad leader."
"Everyone should aim for Class A."
"Oh..."
Kiana scratched her head.
"What about Class S?"
"There haven't been many S-Class Valkyries in history. Unfortunately, the two strongest have both gone missing—along with their Divine Keys."
Himeko sighed softly.
"..."
Kiana recalled that the two missing ones were her actual mother and the one who wanted to be her mother.
She thought about it for a moment but didn't say anything.
After finishing the tour, Himeko brought Kiana to her dormitory.
"Durandal, Bronya, Raiden Mei—you girls still have a free spot, right? Kiana will be rooming with you from now on."
"Okay—"
The girls agreed in unison.
They spent half the day enthusiastically helping her tidy up her bed and belongings.
"Oh right, Kiana," Bronya asked after they'd settled in, "what about your parents? Should we tell them about your situation here? I can make a call for you..."
Since St. Freya was a closed-off academy, it was almost completely isolated from the outside world.
"Hmm..."
Kiana thought for a moment, gazing out the window. Then she shook her head lightly and said softly:
"No need. They're watching me from the sky."
"Ah..."
Mei and Durandal froze.
Bronya immediately panicked, hands flailing.
"I—I'm sorry! I didn't mean to... I-I really didn't know..."
She stammered as she tried to apologize to Kiana.
"Huh?"
Kiana blinked, utterly confused.
"They really are in the sky..."
Himeko looked at the young white-haired girl before her—so small, so calm, saying something like that with such innocence—and her heart twisted painfully.
That kind of acceptance was far too mature for a child. It had to be the result of some well-meaning lie from the adults around her.
She stepped forward and pulled Kiana into a tight embrace, tears welling in her eyes.
"Say no more, I understand. It's okay, it's okay."
"Here, I'll take care of you. You'll live well, and if you ever need anything—I'll be there."
Kiana was startled by the sudden affection from the big sister figure.
"...?"
"Ah, um... okay?"
—
—
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