Crossover Shipgirls: Building a Dimensional Empire from Scratch

After returning to Chaldea, the team underwent a series of basic physical evaluations.

Gudako and Mash were found to be in perfect condition. Their role in the Singularity had been primarily to cheer and shout "666," with little to no actual combat participation.

In fact, thanks to indulging in feasts aboard Taihou's ship, Gudako had even gained two pounds.

Setsuna, however, was the focus of special attention.

His ability to contract with three Heroic Spirits simultaneously was utterly astonishing, and Dr. Roman and Da Vinci used every device and even magecraft to examine his condition.

"You seem to have an exceptional adaptability to all kinds of magical energy. Aside from Ritsuka Fujimaru, you're the most adaptable Master I've ever seen…"

"No, actually, both of your stats are maxed out at 100%. But the power you're using isn't from this world at all."

"I don't think you're even human," Da Vinci remarked, staring at Setsuna's medical report.

Dr. Roman and Da Vinci were left scratching their heads, figuratively speaking, with tens of thousands of question marks hovering above them.

In terms of physical metrics—cardiopulmonary function, grip strength, thrust, and other standard tests—Setsuna far exceeded human limits.

Even by Heroic Spirit standards, his results were astonishing.

As for his endurance, there was no comparison.

Forget magical attacks—he could likely shrug off conventional small arms fire, or even artillery rounds.

"I'm a Gundam. You could also call me a ship father," Setsuna joked.

"By the way, your Command Spells are also different from those of regular Masters," Da Vinci noted as she examined his right hand.

The three shield-shaped Command Spells etched there had been partially used during Artoria's Excalibur attack, yet they had somehow regenerated.

"It looks like one regenerates per day, just like Gudako's," Setsuna explained with a shrug.

It dawned on him that he was essentially a male version of Gudako.

Both were non-magic users with extraordinary adaptability, and even their Command Spells behaved similarly.

No wonder Ritsuka Fujimaru was constantly trailing after him.

"People from other worlds really are built differently…"

"If I get the chance, I'd love to study that Wisdom Cube you're powered by. Its energy levels seem incredibly high…" Da Vinci mused aloud.

"That's classified information, I'm afraid. But if you join the Starsea Alliance someday, we can talk," Setsuna replied with a polite smile, deflecting her curiosity.

After the physical evaluations.

Dr. Roman led the group to the library.

"As thanks for your assistance in resolving the Singularity, here is the reward Chaldea promised you," Roman announced.

On the table was a neatly arranged stack of books.

Most of the pages were yellowed and curling at the edges, clearly aged.

Several volumes were even written in Latin, leaving Setsuna at a bit of a loss.

"Chaldea once had a vast library, containing nearly every form of magecraft and even magic itself. Unfortunately, after the explosion, many of the books were destroyed in the fire," Roman explained.

"We've salvaged some of the surviving materials for you. Take a look and see if they're what you need."

The magecraft system of the Type-Moon world was notoriously complex.

Setsuna decided that instead of dabbling in bits and pieces from various disciplines, it would be better to specialize in one area and thoroughly study a particular branch of magecraft.

He glanced at the stack of materials.

"These include foundational concepts of magecraft, as well as methods for implanting and transferring magic circuits and magic crests," Da Vinci explained helpfully.

"If you can understand these, it shouldn't be difficult to turn yourself—or someone else—into a proper magus."

In the Type-Moon universe, most magi were born with the ability to perform magecraft. Without magic circuits, magecraft was inaccessible.

While Setsuna could rely on the Wisdom Cube to circumvent this limitation, others could not.

"Oh, I'm seriously considering adding magecraft as a mandatory subject in our school curriculum," Setsuna quipped as he flipped through a few pages.

These books were essentially the foundational sciences of the Type-Moon universe, perfectly suited for civilizations just beginning to explore the magical side of existence—like his own.

"In addition, here are materials on gem magecraft and a few advanced forms of magecraft," Da Vinci added, handing over a few more books.

"If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me. I can explain most of it—though don't expect me to tackle anything too complicated."

Gem magecraft involved storing magical energy in gemstones and releasing it when needed, a technique frequently employed by Rin Tohsaka.

As for its power, it was roughly on par with a rifle, but its ease of use made it highly convenient.

Setsuna gratefully accepted the materials.

After flipping through the other magecraft books, Setsuna found most of them to be of little use and quickly lost interest.

Only an ancient text from the Holy Church caught his eye.

"This is Baptism Rite, the only magecraft officially permitted by the Holy Church, designed to combat spiritual entities or the undead."

"Are you interested in it?"

Dr. Roman seemed surprised, as Setsuna didn't appear to have any connection to religious practices.

"I remember this was the magecraft Amakusa used against Vlad during their fight, right? I think Kirei Kotomine also used it at some point…"

Setsuna recalled that this particular spell specialized in countering vampires, zombies, and other undead creatures.

Since it had a slightly higher "prestige" compared to ordinary magecraft, he decided to take it along.

"Is there anything stronger in these materials?"

The ship girls, having browsed through the collection, seemed disappointed.

They had expected to learn something akin to Excalibur or Reality Marbles, but after looking at the books, they found the magecraft to be underwhelming.

Even their onboard cannons packed more punch than most of the spells described.

"Those are Noble Phantasms. Only Heroic Spirits themselves can use them," Roman explained, shaking his head.

"In this world, magic and magecraft are two entirely different things."

"Phenomena achieved through miraculous means that could theoretically also be accomplished with technology are called magecraft.

"For example, a magus can use gem magecraft to pierce through steel, but you can achieve the same result with naval artillery. For you, that would be considered magecraft."

"Only phenomena that cannot be replicated by science can be classified as magic… And the number of remaining true magics is extremely small—there are only five left…"

"..."

Setsuna recalled some of these magics from memory.

The Third Magic, Heaven's Feel, was tied to the Holy Grail War in Fuyuki.

The Second Magic dealt with observing and traversing parallel worlds, something akin to his own abilities.

As for the others, perhaps he'd have a chance to meet Aoko Aozaki someday and ask her for more details.

"In addition, here are some design schematics for the Spiritron Calculation Engine," Roman said, handing Setsuna a stack of blueprints.

"The Spiritron Calculation Engine was originally a creation of the Atlas Institute. After the Incineration of Humanity, the Atlas Institute was destroyed, so we were unable to recover the complete blueprints."

"Chaldea still has some of the original drafts. As promised, I'm entrusting them to you."

Setsuna had always been fascinated by the Spiritron Calculation Engine, the system capable of projecting people into the past. It opened up endless possibilities.

"So the data isn't complete…"

Setsuna felt a tinge of regret. If they could repair all seven Singularities and save humanity, perhaps he could retrieve a full set from the restored Atlas Institute.

But given the state of the current world, it was impossible to ask for more.

For now, he'd have to rely on Akashi and Bulins to work on reconstructing the Spiritron Device as best they could.

After collecting a pile of materials from Chaldea, Setsuna felt he had what he needed to complete his objectives.

After some brief preparation, he began making plans to return to his own world.

One Early Morning

Setsuna gathered the ship girls and Heroic Spirits to bid farewell to the staff of Chaldea.

"I'll do what I can to help resolve the remaining six Singularities. Let me know once you've pinpointed their locations."

"And with that, we take our leave."

The group waved goodbye.

"Wait a second!"

The Chaldea staff suddenly noticed that Ritsuka Fujimaru and Mash were standing with Setsuna's team.

"Ritsuka Fujimaru, what are you doing?!"

Dr. Roman and Da Vinci hurriedly called out to Gudako.

"I'm going to another world to pilot a Gundam. What's the point of staying here?" Gudako replied matter-of-factly.

"Isn't this Earth already destroyed? Chaldea's activity space is tiny and boring. What's the fun in staying?"

"???"

Dr. Roman was utterly speechless, despairing at Gudako's lack of loyalty.

"But you're Chaldea's Master!"

"And who says a Master has to stay in Chaldea? We can implement an Offline Master System!" Gudako declared righteously.

"I'll hang out over there most of the time. When you locate a Singularity, I'll come back to deal with it. In the meantime, we can communicate through message bottles."

With that, Gudako followed Setsuna, running and skipping as she entered the spatial tunnel.

"???"

Dr. Roman and Da Vinci exchanged stunned looks.

What on earth was happening?

Had Chaldea's Master just defected?

She'd been lured away to pilot a Gundam?!

No magic studies, just mechas now?!