The scene shifted, and the pace of time quietly advanced several standard months.
The planet Grum IV, once soaked in despair and pain, had now been completely reborn, radiating an unprecedented, vigorous vitality.
The miraculous workmanship of the Empire's Engineering Division, combined with rigorous ecological control technology, had completely repaired this planet from the trauma left by the Qu civilization, making it even better than before.
On the planet's surface, the vast plains were divided into neat agricultural blocks. Using vertical farming and precise drip irrigation technology, high-yield and nutrient-rich genetically modified crops were cultivated to provide a stable food source for the rapidly growing population.
The former meat blanket coverage areas had now become continuous forests and grasslands. Flora and fauna introduced from the Empire's ecological gene bank, adapted to the local environment, formed a healthy and balanced new ecosystem. The fresh air was filled with the fragrance of vegetation and the vitality of life.
The meandering rivers, dredged and purified, dotted the land like azure ribbons, with parks and leisure trails built along their banks.
The towns and villages prepared for the reborn were no longer empty models.
Now, they were busy and vibrant centers of life.
The lines of the towering buildings remained rigid, but green plants were placed on the balconies, warm lights shone behind the windows, and the streets were bustling with traffic—
There were both highly efficient and energy-saving hovering public transport vehicles and light vehicles for private use.
The markets buzzed with voices, shop windows displayed a dazzling array of goods, cafes emitted enticing aromas, children played in the squares, and the elderly leisurely sunbathed on benches.
Everything was orderly and full of the lively atmosphere of the human world.
In low orbit, the scene was equally spectacular.
Several massive silver-white space stations orbited the planet like exquisite geometric artworks.
They were transportation hubs, material distribution centers, observation posts, and the locations for some light and heavy industries.
Further out, several orbital shipyards that had just taken shape were slowly rotating. Giant mechanical arms, like the fingers of a giant, silently assembled new ship modules in the vacuum environment, adding strength to the Empire's continuous presence in this star sector.
Patrolling Imperial ships acted as loyal guards, leaving regular tracks in orbit.
Sunlight spilled onto this reborn planet, dispersing the last trace of gloom.
Compared to the dead purgatory once covered by the meat blanket, filled with silent screams and eternal pain, the current vitality and prosperity formed the sharpest and most moving contrast.
This was no longer a place of suffering under the Qu civilization, but a new home full of hope established by the Human Empire in the 22nd Universe...
If one were to pull the perspective closer to a large metropolis named New Hope City in the northern hemisphere of the planet;
It was currently early morning, and the soft light of the star shone on the building complexes constructed of alloys and composite materials, reflecting a warm luster.
The city had long been on the right track, operating like a precise clock.
The streets were clean and tidy, and the maglev transportation network ran efficiently and quietly.
Holographic directional signs and public service robots could be seen everywhere, providing convenient information and assistance to residents.
The air was permeated with a positive and upward atmosphere, completely different from the lifelessness of the late 20th and early 21st centuries in the main universe before the Empire was established, where people were alienated by capital, classes were solidified, and ordinary lives were full of anxiety and uncertainty.
Here, Imperial laws guaranteed basic fairness and order, and a perfect social welfare system eliminated worries about survival.
Educational resources were equally open to all those of age, and the medical system was advanced and universally accessible.
People clearly knew that as long as they worked hard, fulfilled their duties, and contributed to the construction and development of the Empire, they would certainly receive corresponding rewards and respect—
Whether it was material rewards, social recognition, or the realization of personal value.
This was a prosperity built on hope and certainty.
In a corner of the city, above a residential area, several streamlined hovering commuter crafts painted with the emblem of the education department were flying smoothly along their set routes.
They were not old school buses packed with exhausted students, but spacious, bright vehicles with individual seats.
They made brief stops at the docking platforms of residential buildings one after another, picking up students who lived further away.
Energetic children wearing uniform school attire boarded the crafts in an orderly manner, greeting their companions, their faces beaming with the vitality of the morning.
In the blocks closer to the school, more students chose to walk.
In twos and threes, they walked and chatted along specially planned, tree-lined aerial pedestrian walkways.
These walkways, several meters to dozens of meters above the ground, were completely separated from the ground traffic, ensuring safety and offering excellent views.
The children's laughter, the sounds of discussing homework, and conversations full of longing for the future merged into a brisk morning melody.
Among this group of teenagers walking to school, there were three figures. They were about thirteen or fourteen years old, exactly at an age full of fantasy and passion.
Leading them was a boy with bright eyes and a vigorous build. His steps were brisk, and he was enthusiastically telling his two companions something.
"…So, I've decided!"
The little boy clenched his fists and waved them forcefully in the air, his face written with determination. "I must pass the selection and become an Astartes! Just like those legendary heroes, wearing power armor, holding a bolter, fighting for the Emperor, and purging all enemies and filth across the galaxy!"
His bold words immediately resonated with a companion beside him who wore glasses and looked a bit quieter.
The bespectacled boy pushed up his frames, his eyes also flashing with light, "Me too! I want to be an Astartes as well! And I want to join the Dark Angels Legion! I've studied their battle history. They are one of the first three great legions, with the strictest discipline, specializing in dealing with the most dangerous heretics and aliens! That's what you call majestic!"
The two smiled at each other, as if they had already seen their future selves wearing power armor and fighting side by side.
At this time, they looked at their third companion.
He was a boy with a slightly stocky build and a good-natured smile on his face.
Facing the gazes of his two good friends filled with noble ideals, he scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly.
"I... I want to become a Combat Knight."
The stocky boy said softly.
"A Combat Knight?" The little boy and the bespectacled boy looked at each other, both somewhat surprised.
Combat Knights were also powerful warriors of the Empire, and their requirements for faith and loyalty were extremely high.
"That's great!" The little boy patted his shoulder. "Knights are also pillars of the Empire's loyalty and require even firmer faith and dedication!"
"Exactly." The bespectacled boy nodded in agreement.
The stocky boy's face turned redder. He squirmed, and his voice became even quieter, "Actually... I just feel... if I become a Combat Knight, it seems... seems like I can... have better contact with the Sisters of Battle..."
...
"..."
The air suddenly fell quiet for a second.
"Huh?!"
"You... You want to be a Knight just for this?!"
The little boy and the bespectacled boy widened their eyes at the same time, and then burst into a fit of good-natured laughter and teasing.
"Wow! I couldn't tell! So your firm faith is right here!"
"Be careful not to get your head bonked by a Sister of Battle with a power halberd!"
The stocky boy flushed red from being laughed at and waved his hands repeatedly, "No! It's not just for that! I also really admire the spirit of chivalry! Really! It's just... just a passing thought..."
"Hahaha!"
The cheerful laughter and sounds of play fighting echoed on the aerial walkway, dispelling the last trace of the morning's chill.
The three teenagers chased and roughhoused with each other. The topic just now became yet another youthful memory they could tease each other about.
Chatting and joking, a magnificent building complex that blended Gothic spires with modern streamlined designs came into view ahead.
That was precisely New Hope City First Middle School.
Hovering commuter crafts were landing orderly on the landing pads at the school gate, and more students converged into the school entrance from all directions.
The three boys also adjusted their slightly messy uniforms and backpacks, put away their joking expressions, and with a thirst for knowledge and vague expectations for the future, walked with brisk steps to blend into the youthful crowd heading into the campus.
The brand new sun shone upon the brand new city, and also shone upon these young lives who had gained a new lease on life from the ruins, harboring different dreams in their hearts.
Moreover, as the three boys stepped through the grand school gates, a massive, clear hard-light holographic clock suspended above the foyer silently displayed the current date and time: Imperial Calendar: Year 0059, March 04 / Time: 08:31
There was still nearly half an hour until exactly nine o'clock, when the first morning class officially began.
The campus was already full of vitality. The students were not in a rush to charge into the classrooms, but lingered in the vast campus squares, green fields, open rest areas, or in front of the library, engaging in morning activities, socializing, or doing final reviews.
The atmosphere was relaxed and orderly.
This benefited from the educational philosophy promoted by the Empire, which aimed to cultivate comprehensively developed citizens.
For students below high school, including middle and elementary school, the main universe Empire strictly mandated a nine-to-five school schedule, strictly prohibiting any form of evening self-study or makeup classes that disguisedly occupied students' rest time.
This was not advocating for a laissez-faire happy education, but rather resolutely boycotting the high-pressure, cram-feeding teaching model that suppressed individuality and overdrawn the future, while ensuring sufficient quality of academic education.
The Empire encouraged students to participate in various clubs and activities such as sports, arts, technology, and social practice during their free time according to their interests, to cultivate a sound personality, a robust physique, as well as creativity and collaborative spirit outside the classroom.
Of course, the academic requirements during the basic education stage were not lowered in the slightest.
Core subjects such as mathematics, physics, history, and Imperial language all had systematic course outlines and reasonable assessment standards, only the teaching methods focused more on inspiration and practice rather than rote memorization.
After entering high school, students would be placed into different specialized classes based on their academic performance, aptitude tests, and personal preferences, such as pre-STEM, humanities and social sciences, art and design, military prep, etc., so they could be exposed to and deeply study the fields they were interested in or excelled at earlier.
The time spent at school during the high school stage would be appropriately extended to nine-to-seven to accommodate more specialized course requirements.
But Imperial law explicitly stipulated that Saturdays and Sundays must be complete rest days, and no school could occupy them for any reason.
In addition, there was a rule privately referred to by students as an iron law—
Physical education class hours were sacred and inviolable, and it was strictly forbidden for other subjects to encroach upon them.
A healthy body was regarded as the cornerstone for serving the Empire and realizing personal value.
As for the university stage, students would enjoy greater autonomy and room for choice. Course schedules were relatively flexible, encouraging independent research and cross-disciplinary exploration.
But this did not mean they could indulge completely.
The academic requirements at the university stage were more profound, and the assessments were stricter. Students lacking self-management and planning abilities would face immense pressure to graduate.
What the Empire needed were talents with genuine knowledge and skills, capable of independent thinking and innovation, rather than people who simply muddled through their days.
The little boy and his two companions chatted and laughed as they arrived at their classroom, Class 7 of the third year of middle school.
Many classmates had already arrived in the classroom, and the atmosphere was lively.
The children gathered in groups of three or five, sharing amusing anecdotes from the previous night, discussing newly released holographic games, or excitedly talking about events mentioned in the recent news, such as the Empire's military victory in some distant star system.
The topic quickly shifted back to their common object of worship.
"Did you hear? The Dark Angels Legion won another great battle!"
"That's nothing. The Night Lords are the truly amazing ones, appearing and disappearing unpredictably!"
"If you ask me, His Majesty the Emperor is the greatest! Without His Majesty, who knows where we'd be suffering right now!"
The little boy also joined the discussion, waving his arms, his eyes shining: "Exactly! So we must study and train hard, so we can serve the Empire and His Majesty the Emperor in the future!"
The innocent and passionate conversations of these teenagers were filled between the lines with a yearning for the Empire's glory and pious worship of the Emperor.
They did not know that these heartfelt beliefs and longings, like trickling streams, were quietly merging into the flood of faith that spanned the multiverse, continuously nourishing and strengthening the existence seated at the pinnacle of the Empire's power and might.
Just as the atmosphere in the classroom grew increasingly lively, steady footsteps came from the corridor.
Soon, a figure appeared at the classroom door.
It was a middle-aged man with a straight posture, wearing the neat and proper everyday uniform of an Imperial teacher.
His face had weathered storms, and his eyes were sharp and focused. He seemed to carry the rigorous temperament unique to an engineer, and the corners of his mouth always held a trace of indifference that had seen through the affairs of the world.
He was exactly the homeroom teacher of this class, as well as the physics and basic engineering teacher—Isaac Clarke.
This legendary engineer from the Dead Space universe had personally experienced the disaster brought by the Marker, and ultimately, along with his true love Nicole, was saved from the brink of destruction by the power of the Empire.
After gaining a new life, they did not choose comfort. Instead, with the support of the Empire, harboring hearts of gratitude and exploration, they traveled through multiple universes and planets, witnessing the grandeur and diversity of the Empire.
When they learned that the human compatriots in the 22nd Universe had suffered the heinous modifications and torments of the Qu civilization, the two were deeply shocked and sympathetic.
Isaac decided to contribute his own share of strength.
Relying on his superb engineering skills, rich practical experience, and calm, resolute personality, after learning that the educational resources on the newly colonized planets—especially teachers with rich experiences and professional technical backgrounds—were relatively scarce, he proactively studied the Imperial educational system and obtained the corresponding teacher certification.
After passing the review, he was assigned to New Hope City First Middle School to temporarily serve as a middle school homeroom teacher and science teacher, hoping to use his knowledge and experience to guide these reborn children toward a bright future.
Isaac walked into the classroom, his calm gaze sweeping over the students who instantly fell quiet.
No words were needed; the aura precipitated by age and extraordinary experiences was enough to make these lively teenagers stand in awe.
"Good morning, class." His voice was not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly and powerfully.
"Good morning, teacher!" the students replied in unison.
Isaac nodded slightly and walked behind the podium.
Almost simultaneously, the melodious preparatory bell rang across the campus.
Ding-a-ling—!
A new day and formal studies began...
Crossing the endless void to return to Earth in the main universe, deep within the Imperial Palace, inside the Meditation Hall that throbbed like the heart of the universe.
The light within the massive space was dim; only the Golden Throne itself emitted an eternal, gentle golden glow, illuminating the supreme figure seated upon it.
Samuel Young sat presiding there, his posture remaining as upright as ancient mountain ranges, his slightly closed eyes concealing the sea of stars flowing within them.
0
He was deep in thought.
Not handling complex government affairs, nor resisting the pervasive whispering erosion of the Warp, even though those were already normal occurrences for him.
His thoughts, like invisible tentacles, spread toward a more essential domain.
He perceived the power of faith, vast as the sea of stars, coming from every corner of the multiverse.
Among them, a trickle—though currently faint, but incomparably fresh, full of youthful vigor, and even infinite possibilities—was continuously merging in from the distant 22nd Universe, from places like New Hope City First Middle School.
That was the anticipation and worship of the new generation, the cornerstone of the Empire's future.
He also reminisced about the conversation with Alexia by the lake on the planet Grum IV not long ago, as well as the thrilling experience of his own power nearly going out of control and touching the critical point of divinity.
The backlash of the laws, the anchoring of humanity, the path of the future...
These grand propositions intertwined and collided within his profound consciousness.
At the same time, he split off a sliver of consciousness to pay attention to the Triangulum Galaxy, the battle reports of Lion and the other Primarchs leading the legions in the final purge of the remnant forces of the Qu civilization;
Being concerned about the 21st Universe, the progress of Vulkan's full-scale offensive against the United Empire;
And even the circumstances of human compatriots in countless other universes that were currently being integrated or waiting to be discovered.
His consciousness, like a bright mirror reflecting thousands of worlds, and also like a processor calculating the fate of the universe, operated in the silence, planning in deep thought the eternal future of the human race that spanned across the sea of stars...
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