Buzz—
The starship once again descended upon the capital of the Starsea Empire.
Unicron's mechanical body was towed by the Research Division to the vicinity of the Moon. After activating anti-gravity devices, it now floated in the starry sky.
From Earth, when one looked up, there was now an extra massive moon hanging overhead.
"Ababa..."
This war trophy they had hauled back exceeded everyone's expectations.
Akashi simply brought a group of Bulin and set up camp directly on Unicron, researching this enormous behemoth brought back from another world.
A crowd of Bulin often carried Ultra Rainbow Hammers, drills, wrenches, and all sorts of tools, knocking and hammering away at it, then drafting structural blueprints that only they could understand.
"That wraps up the leftover issues from the Transformers universe."
Inside the administrative center, Setsuna marked the Transformers universe as "Cleared" on the interface.
"From now on, we can dispatch research teams there to explore the cosmos. As for humanity in that solar system, just leave it under Sophon's management."
"Oh, and if the Autobots run into any trouble again, notify me."
"Understood."
Sophon nodded.
The Transformers had split into two factions. Optimus Prime and most of the Autobots remained on Cybertron to rebuild their homeworld, while Megatron led the Decepticons into the universe to explore.
For those two old rivals, this was indeed a good outcome.
"Honestly, I think Megatron admires the Commander even more than Optimus Prime does."
Gudako scratched her head.
"The Decepticons are already claiming territory under our banner. Tsk."
"That's just how the Decepticons are."
Setsuna smiled.
In a certain sense, he and Megatron were the same type of person. They had plenty of common ground.
"What about Unicron? What are we going to do with that big guy from now on?"
Formidable twirled the hair over her shoulder and asked.
"We'll modify it a bit. Install some weapons. In the future, we'll use it as a war puppet. When fighting other worlds, we can toss it out to beat people up."
Setsuna swiped across the holographic interface.
After eroding it, he had gained a better understanding of Unicron's structure.
Its interior consisted of pure chaotic energy. Now that its will had been erased, what remained was a planet-sized mechanical shell—naturally, it had to be put to good use.
Though damaged, it was still the body of a conceptual god.
If supplied with sufficient energy, it could still unleash tremendous combat power.
"Hmm..."
Grey flipped through the data for quite a while.
"Filling it with energy and weapons won't be difficult. Unicron stayed in the Dead Universe for too long before, so its strength was less than one percent of its peak."
"Setting everything else aside, that thing is genuinely tough. Unless it runs into someone like you or Nyaruko—someone capable of polluting concepts—I don't think it can really die?"
"If we run into enemies, don't overthink it. Just throw Unicron at them first. Even if it gets damaged, it doesn't matter. It has self-repair capabilities."
Unicron was the embodiment of destruction, chaos, and darkness. Without reaching an equivalent level of existence, even if an enemy destroyed its physical form, they could not completely eliminate it.
Even if its body were smashed to pieces, its concept would still exist, drawing energy from destruction and chaos to reconstruct itself.
Simply put, there was no need to feel bad about using it.
"I remember Unicron has other forms too, meow...?"
Akashi scratched her ear and pulled up information on Transformers.
"Aside from its planetary form, it can transform into a super-giant Transformer too? Should we try fusing it with the Commander?"
"Then we'd have to search other parallel universes for its alternate forms, thanks."
The nanorobot's face darkened.
"Additionally, in theory, as a conceptual god, Unicron can absorb powers like destruction and chaos."
"If we find a universe rich in destruction, chaos, or dark energy, maybe we can pull off something flashy...?"
"???"
Setsuna knocked Grey on the head.
"Destruction and chaos? Hm? What are you implying?"
"Fine. I'm writing that down in my little notebook."
...
After settling matters in the Transformers universe and handing Unicron over to the engineering department,
The expedition fleet once again returned to stability.
This trip had only taken a few days. On the way, Setsuna made a casual inspection tour around the capital.
The Research Division and the magic academy were in full swing, entering information into the Starsea Empire's database.
This was a nationwide, monumental undertaking. According to Observer, its significance was no less than developing faster-than-light technology.
Every combat squad—whether ordinary humans, Spirits, Heroic Spirits, or even dragon girls—had to demonstrate their abilities one by one. After being digitized, the data would be stored.
On the training grounds, various teams showcased their talents every day.
"Construct it, my towering citadel, and let the supreme light shine here!!!"
"Blacker than black, darker than darkness—let my crimson-gold radiance descend here!!"
"Appear—Zafkiel!!!"
"..."
Boom—boom—boom!!!
The testing grounds were lively. The Siren girls and research lolis acted like judges, faithfully recording the resolution and reproducibility of each ability.
Even the monitoring equipment had to be replaced several times a day. Something always malfunctioned due to excessive firepower.
Some particularly destructive abilities could only be tested in outer space.
Setsuna glanced casually at the data they were inputting. It was no longer limited to magic-related abilities. They were even planning to project ship rigs in the form of False Epigraphy.
Even if only a downgraded frigate or space gunboat could be materialized, its power would still be enough to dominate within a planet.
"Commander, Commander, are you free next week? We want to record the data of the Eternal Snowfall. It's our trump card!!!"
Observer enthusiastically waved her tentacles at Setsuna.
"Also, lend me a few of your stored units. Strike Freedom, Turn A, and Strelizia all need to be recorded once."
"Oh... right! The Herrscher authorities too! We'll need to set aside an entire week just to log your ability data!"
"...Sure."
Setsuna didn't mind contributing. Though he was rather skeptical about how much ordinary people could truly master.
Boarding a ship, he traveled all the way to the Moon.
The headquarters of the Life Sciences Division was located there.
Within the research base enclosed by transparent domes, all kinds of bizarre creatures were bred together in concentrated areas.
Danger Beasts, Honkai Beasts, and magical beasts captured from other worlds were all domesticated by the Life Sciences Division—either to extract genes for super-transformation surgeries or to serve as raw materials for magical tools.
At the very least, they could be sent to the chefs of Totsuki as exotic ingredients.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, he noticed that near the experimental building, several thousand Flügel were crowded together.
Under the guidance of the research lolis, they were filling out some kind of forms.
"Master! Master!!!"
Jibril spotted Setsuna, rising onto her toes and waving with her wings spread wide.
"What's this...?"
"Master, we're preparing to undergo modification!"
Jibril's face was brimming with excitement as she hurried to his side after he landed.
"Kayo Senju said that after genetic enhancement, our strength could increase dozens of times over. Did you come to accompany me?"
"That's right."
The little girl beside them nodded, her face full of pride.
"We conducted a comprehensive analysis of Flügel genes and are preparing to enhance them using a method similar to super-transformation surgery."
"Strength, agility, recovery ability, magic adaptability, and reaction speed will all experience exponential improvements."
"Most importantly, we've developed a breakthrough technology—allowing them to freely switch between their adult and juvenile forms!"
When Flügel unleashed Heavenly Smite, they would become powerless young girls after exhausting themselves. This trait was clearly a debuff in battle.
After casting their ultimate move, they could only wait helplessly on the spot, relying on others to retrieve them.
Originally, the Life Sciences Division had planned to remove this trait entirely. But at the suggestion of Setsuna and a certain nanorobot, it had been modified into a controllable skill.
"Oh? So that means you can switch between Jibril and little Jibril at will now?"
Setsuna pinched Jibril's cheek. He had to admit, little Jibril was indeed adorable.
"It's not just that!"
"Theoretically... this technology works on all living beings."
Kayo Senju pondered for a moment.
"Anyone can freely switch between their juvenile and adult forms. Of course, cognitive ability won't change—only body size will vary."
"Director Grey calls it the 'Loli—Maiden Conversion Technology.' You'll understand once we run a demonstration."
"Huh???"
Gudako, who had come along, froze in place, her head full of question marks.
"That name doesn't sound very proper..."
"Being able to freely switch between loli and maiden? A magnificent invention."
Setsuna quickly grasped the concept and nodded in full agreement.
In an instant, countless possible applications flashed through his mind.
"..."
On a terrace not far away,
A blue-haired little girl in a white dress, barefoot, sat atop a tall chair, painting something onto a canvas.
Little Griseo held a palette in one hand, dipping her brush into paint as she depicted the "color" of the Moon.
The colors of the Starsea Empire were endlessly vibrant. One could never grow tired of them—there was an infinite starry sky, and all kinds of people waiting to be painted.
"Hm?"
She suddenly sensed something and turned her head.
Her voice was airy, tinged with confusion.
"Commander, you've been looking at me this whole time. Is there something you need?"
...
"Then we'll begin by modifying the Flügel."
Inside the laboratory, Kayo Senju invited Setsuna and Jibril to enter first.
Compared to the equipment used for genetic modification on ordinary humans, the devices prepared for enhancing the Flügel were far more complex.
Not only were there high-tech medical pods frequently used by the Life Sciences Division, but members of the magic academy were also present.
The tables were piled high with magic scrolls, and intricate magic circles were even inscribed across the floor.
Technology and magic were intertwined, bizarre and strangely harmonious.
"Compared to mechanically constructed Angeloids, the Flügel are biological beings, so they fall under Life Sciences. However, as a created species, they also possess complex magical structures."
"So aside from enhancing their genes through conventional biological science, we'll also need to employ certain magical methods."
Kayo Senju explained.
After all, the Starsea Empire possessed both technological and magical systems. Blending the two was nothing unusual.
"Ooh..."
Jibril casually opened a magic scroll to take a look. Inside were dazzling, sealed spells that made her eyes spin.
"Additionally, when Flügel cast magic, they rely on the spirit corridor and Spirits. That's Disboard's native magic system, and its adaptability in other worlds isn't very high."
"We're going to comprehensively remodel the spirit corridors within their bodies, reconstruct the magic system, and turn it into something similar to magic circuits."
"It's far more advanced than the one in the Nasuverse. To be precise, we should call it... magic circuits?"
The little researcher projected a holographic interface as she continued.
From the list of modification procedures displayed above, it was no exaggeration to say they were practically remolding the Flügel from scratch.
Both physical capabilities and magical adaptability would undergo comprehensive enhancement.
"Wow—"
Even someone as intelligent as Jibril felt dizzy looking at it all.
"After the modification, will I become as strong as Master?"
Stars sparkled in her eyes.
"...Do you think that's realistic?"
Kayo Senju's face darkened.
"Th-then... what about as strong as Grey? Can I go take revenge on her?!"
"...Do you have some misunderstanding about the Gray Tempest? She's a galactic calamity-level entity."
"What about Nyaruko? Is Nyaruko's level possible?! Or maybe someone like Shabuko?!"
"We don't have the ability to turn people into Outer Gods, you know?!"
Thud—
The research loli had no desire to continue indulging Jibril's daydreams.
She summoned two Angeloids, who worked together to stuff Jibril into a hibernation pod.
Click—
The transparent cover descended, securing her inside the human-sized medical chamber.
"Eh—eh—eh..."
It was Jibril's first time undergoing so-called genetic modification. She felt a little nervous.
She folded her wings and curled up.
But when she glanced over and saw Setsuna watching her with concern, she gained a bit more confidence.
Hiss—
White mist filled the pod. Jibril and the other Flügel participating in the procedure gradually fell into deep sleep.
[Genetic enhancement ready]
[Initiating Type-II super-transformation surgery]
[Reshaping magic circuits: 2%... 5%... 7%...]
The AI issued mechanical prompts.
So-called genetic modification surgery was, in essence, performed by nanoscale medical robots. The research lolis weren't actually going in with scalpels.
Their task was to oversee the overall situation through holographic interfaces, monitor conditions, and formulate different enhancement plans.
Injection after injection of reagents was administered. The Flügel's bodies began to undergo precise modification at the genetic level.
Their wings—originally the location of their spirit corridors—were also reshaped by another magical force.
The entire process was no less than crafting them brand-new bodies.
"Mm..."
"As expected of an irregular individual. Commander, Jibril's physical capabilities far surpass those of the other Flügel."
The little researcher clicked her tongue in amazement.
"Even Azril is a tier below her. The gap between them is like that between Ikaros, Nymph, Astraea and mass-produced Angeloids."
"She might be missing a screw in her head, but she's definitely strong."
Pfft—
Setsuna chuckled.
Compared to Ikaros, Jibril's emotions were clearly more intense. She loved causing trouble and was curious about everything.
"..."
The genetic enhancement didn't take long. The nanoscale medical robots operated at astonishing speed.
Several hours later.
[Magic circuit reconstruction complete]
[System self-check: Compatibility 100%, genetic enhancement complete...]
Click—
The chamber doors opened, white mist dispersing.
"Cough, cough—"
Jibril and the first batch of enhanced Flügel slowly awoke.
They opened their eyes, gazing around in confusion, as though they had just experienced a dream.
"Master?"
Jibril extended her hand instinctively, letting Setsuna pull her up.
Standing on the ground, she rubbed her eyes.
"I..."
She examined herself, moved her body, and flapped her wings.
"I—I—I'm so strong!!!"
Immediately, Jibril and the other modified Flügel felt the surging power within their bodies.
Physical enhancement was the most obvious change. Their movements became instantly lighter and more agile.
"The spirit corridor is gone?! This is... the Starsea Empire's magic?!"
Their bodies were brimming with abundant magical power, completely replacing the system that once relied on Spirits to cast spells.
"Yes. The two magic systems are somewhat different, but they're not difficult to master. You should adapt quickly."
A loli from the magic academy explained.
"You can still use the spells you previously knew. Fundamentally, they're just different manifestations of energy."
"Waaah—"
Jibril spread her wings and shot into the sky like a meteor, leaving behind a streak of pink light. Ordinary people couldn't even track her movement.
Her speed had increased dozens of times over. Even she wasn't fully accustomed to it yet.
"Jibril, when using magic at full acceleration, you can approach near-light speed for short bursts."
"Don't fly around recklessly. It wouldn't be good if you crash into something."
Kayo Senju called out.
"Light speed?!"
Originally, a Flügel could traverse thousands of kilometers in one or two seconds—already considered top-tier mobility in Disboard.
But compared to light speed, that was still an insurmountable gulf.
"Reaching light speed with a physical body... damn, magical creatures really are something else."
Ritsuka Fujimaru smacked his lips.
"Ohhh..."
For the first time, Jibril soared through space under her own power.
When she used to fly through the skies, the Dwarves and Elves on the ground had looked like ants to her.
But now that her perspective had expanded into the starry cosmos, she realized that everything on a planet was merely an insignificant fragment of the universe.
Her expression grew slightly dazed.
Gazing at a distant meteorite, a sudden thought crossed her mind.
"Master, can I try using Heavenly Smite?"
"Don't cause destruction in the solar system. If you want to play, go somewhere farther out later."
The little researcher cleared her throat.
"A Flügel's Heavenly Smite can concentrate the power of an entire legion onto a single individual. Jibril, if the Flügel army entrusted all their Heavenly Smite to you, conservatively speaking, you'd possess the power to destroy a stellar system. So don't use it recklessly at home."
"Otherwise, you're getting locked in a dark room."
"Huh?!"
Jibril jumped in shock.
She had never imagined that one day she would step into the realm of destroying stars.
After soaring through outer space for quite a while, she finally returned to Setsuna's side, somewhat reluctantly.
"Also, after releasing Heavenly Smite, you won't collapse into a juvenile form due to exhaustion anymore. This transformation ability is now controllable."
Kayo Senju patted Jibril's wing.
"Try compressing your power and see what happens."
"Hm?"
Jibril did as instructed, clasping her hands together as magic radiated from her body.
Boom—
As if shrinking, Jibril transformed into little Jibril right in front of Setsuna.
Her clothes instantly became oversized, slipping down over her head.
"Eh?"
Even her voice became noticeably younger as she tilted her head up, looking at Setsuna pitifully.
She ran and hopped around. In her loli form, she was no longer completely powerless like before, but her physical abilities and strength were still somewhat restricted.
"Turning into a child?!"
"Wh-what's the point of an ability like this...?"
Jibril asked in a soft, childish voice.
"For being cute, of course."
Setsuna lifted little Jibril into his arms and teased her playfully.
"Ugh..."
"Master, this function is so strange..."
Jibril puffed out her cheeks, then poof—she returned to her maiden form.
Setsuna immediately felt the weight in his arms increase noticeably.
Loli had its charm. Maiden had hers.
"Whoa, you can switch at will? I thought you'd need surgery every time."
Gudako watched with fascination.
"As long as the initial modification is completed, you can switch forms temporarily using magic. There's no need to undergo genetic surgery each time."
Kayo Senju replied.
"Hiss... hey, hey."
Gudako beckoned toward little Griseo.
"Griseo, do you want the Commander to turn you into an adult?"
"Eh?"