The auxiliary Hyperion sliced through the night sky, leaving behind the smoldering ruins of Nagazora. I, Mikael von Lindeman, sat in an improvised seat in the medical cabin, watching the cloudy horizon through the fogged window. The constant hum of the rotors vibrated in my eardrums, and the air smelled of hot metal, disinfectant, and a faint trace of dried blood. The wounded Valkyrie slept on a nearby stretcher, her chest rising and falling irregularly under the white bandages.
Rita Rossweisse sat across from me, legs crossed with impeccable elegance. Her black-and-white maid uniform caught the dim light from the lamps, and her violet eyes studied me as if I were a puzzle worth solving. "We'll arrive at St. Freya in a few hours," she said in a soft but firm voice. "Director Theresa has already approved your enrollment as a 'special talent.' Not many men survive the Honkai, let alone fight it directly. Any questions?"
I looked out the window, watching gray clouds swirl below like a stormy sea. St. Freya... the home of Kiana, Mei, and Bronya. This is where I can really start changing things.
"Just one," I replied, turning to her. "What happens if I don't share all the 'details' about my power?"
Rita smiled—a polite gesture that didn't quite reach her eyes. "The Overseer, Otto, is patient... but persistent. For now, focus on training. Lady Durandal might visit you for a personal evaluation soon."
Durandal... If she's as powerful as in the canon, she could be an invaluable ally... or a threat if Otto sends her. I nodded calmly. "Understood."
The rest of the flight passed in silence, interrupted only by system notifications in my peripheral vision.
[Template Progress: 400/1000. (Pending unlock: Basic Uzumaki at 500).]
[Secondary Mission Updated: Save at least 50 civilians in operations. Progress: 12/50.]
Uzumaki will be key against greater threats. I need to grind absorptions in secondary missions to reach level 5 soon.
(Note: Every 100 template points equals 1 template level; level 10 is the maximum.)
Upon landing, the soft impact shook the cabin. St. Freya Academy stretched out before me like a serene bastion amid global chaos: gothic gray stone buildings with tall towers, perfectly manicured green gardens, and salty air drifting from the nearby sea. Young Valkyries practiced in the open fields, their laughter and shouts of effort mingling with the wind.
Theresa Apocalypse waited at the main entrance, arms crossed and serious expression contrasting her diminutive stature. "Welcome officially, Mikael!" she exclaimed with sudden energy. "Follow me; I'll show you your dorm. Intensive training starts tomorrow. Oh, and by the way: we rescued three girls from Nagazora recently. Kiana Kaslana, Raiden Mei, and Bronya Zaychik. They'll be in your class."
They're already here. Perfect. "I will, Director," I replied, following her quick steps through the wide hallways lit by colorful stained-glass windows.
My dorm was simple but functional: bed with clean sheets, sturdy wooden desk, wardrobe, and a window with a direct view of the ocean. I closed the door and summoned a zombie spirit: it emerged silently from the shadow under the bed, purple eyes glowing and movements obedient. With Uzumaki, I'll be able to combine them into something truly lethal.
That night, lying down listening to waves crash against the cliffs, I planned in silence. Many tragedies ahead: the Herrscher of Wind, Sea of Quanta, Otto's experiments... I have to prepare.
The next day, in the spacious classroom with digital blackboards and windows overlooking the training field, Major Himeko Murata greeted us with her strong, direct voice. "Listen up, rookies! Today we'll have an anti-Honkai simulation in the virtual field with low- to mid-range beasts. Survive and clear the waves. After that... one-on-one combats to evaluate real skills."
The simulation was intense but controlled: I absorbed several simulated Chariot and Knight beasts, gaining points discreetly without revealing too much. When it ended, Himeko announced the 1v1 duels.
Kiana Kaslana approached me directly, blue eyes shining with competitive excitement, hands on hips and a wide smile. "Hey, you! The new guy who defeated an Emperor alone, right? I want to fight you! One-on-one, right now!"
I need to complete the mission to meet the main protagonists... and this is the perfect opportunity. I smiled slightly. "I accept, Kiana Kaslana."
We headed to the center of the training field, a wide reinforced circle surrounded by energy barriers. Mei and Bronya watched from the edge with other Valkyries; Himeko and Theresa acted as referees.
Kiana jumped into the ring with energy, summoning her white dual pistols. "I won't hold back, okay! Come at me with everything!"
"Same here." I extended my hand, summoning five spirits at once: four stumbling zombies with purple eyes positioned in a circular formation around her, and the spectral Chariot charging from the flank. At the same time, I reinforced my body with cursed energy—a cold, dark flow coursing through muscles and veins, boosting speed and strength.
Kiana's eyes widened in genuine surprise. "What are those things?! You summoned controlled Honkai Beasts?!"
I took advantage of her momentary confusion: ordered the zombies to surround her, limiting her movements, while the Chariot charged to force her to jump. In the air, Kiana fired a burst of energy bullets that dissipated two zombies, but I was already moving—running at enhanced speed, leaping, and striking her side with a fist infused in black aura.
The impact sent her flying several meters, rolling across the grass with a groan. The field filled with exclamations from the spectators.
Kiana stood quickly, laughing with pure adrenaline. "Hahaha! That hurt! You're really strong!" She brushed off the dust, eyes shining brighter. "Round two! Now I'm getting serious!"
She summoned her characteristic dual pistols and charged, firing bursts while dodging my remaining spirits. I ordered the Chariot to intercept, blocking a direct shot that temporarily dissipated it. Kiana jumped high, summoning the huge spectral cat paws that crushed the ground where I stood—I dodged by millimeters, feeling the shockwave.
I counterattacked: reformed the zombies to flank her and launched a direct combo—punch to the abdomen followed by a leg sweep. Kiana blocked the first with her crossed pistols, but the second unbalanced her. I finished with a soft uppercut (controlled to avoid serious injury) that sent her to the ground again.
Himeko whistled. "Enough! Victory to Mikael von Lindeman."
Kiana stood panting, but with a huge smile. She extended her hand. "You're amazing! I've never seen a power like that! I'm Kiana Kaslana, a future A-rank Valkyrie!"
I took her hand with a firm but friendly grip. "Mikael von Lindeman. Pleasure, Kiana. You forced me to use more than I planned."
Raiden Mei approached with a serene, warm smile, bowing slightly. "That was an impressive fight. I'm Raiden Mei. Welcome to St. Freya, Mikael-kun. I hope we can train together sometime." Her voice was soft, but her violet eyes showed genuine curiosity.
Bronya Zaychik floated beside her with Project Bunny, impassive expression and neutral voice. "Analysis complete. Subject Mikael possesses manipulation of controlled Honkai entities. Combat efficiency: high. Bronya approves your enrollment." A minimal pause. "Bronya also desires future sparring. For data collection."
I laughed lightly, feeling the initial connection form. Perfect. Now I can stay close and protect them when the time comes.
[System Notification:]
[Main Mission Completed: Enter St. Freya and meet the main protagonists. Reward: +50 points.]
[Template Progress: 500/1000 → Level 5 reached.]
[Reward: Uzumaki unlocked – Fusion of cursed spirits for combined techniques.]
In the following days, I participated in secondary Honkai cleanup missions in peripheral zones: absorbed dozens of minor beasts, saving civilians in the process. Progress climbed steadily, and I began practicing Uzumaki in secret—fusing spirits to create more powerful forms.
All while mentally preparing for the next major crisis: the mission in Oceania and the Herrscher of Wind.
Wendy... Bronya... I won't let it happen again.
End of Chapter :3