The next day, the funeral of Roland began. The body, or what little remained of it, was taken and carefully placed in a coffin, at rest and at ease. A high representative of the Church of the Saint King was present to bless the coffin and wish the one inside a peaceful afterlife.

As it was carried through, at her own insistence, Einhart was also present. When it passed in front of her she said a short, modest, firm. "I am sorry."

Next to her, Vivio bowed together with her friend. Both of them were in adult form and both went through the entire ceremony.

Behind Vivio stood Nanoha and Fate in their barrier jackets, flanked by a fully armored Artoria and praying Joan, with Nove to the right of Artoria.

Hayate led the procession with dignity and grace, walking in front of the coffin as it was put in its final resting place.

The coffin contained mostly dust and relics. Despite the archaeologists' best effort, no body could be properly recovered. Every single one collapsed into dust as soon as it was touched or moved and the same had been true of Roland. The dust was collected with care and placed together with the relics into the coffin.

Next to Hayate walked Vita and Shamal; just as dignified and graceful in their own barrier jackets.

The ceremony took close to an hour and Hayate moved to speak with Nanoha after it was over.

"I'd like to speak with you."

Nanoha gave her a nod. "Vivio,you can take Einhart and go rest up at home, if you wish."

"Yes." Vivio replied before leading her friend away, Joan and Nove moving along with the children.

"How's that order to rest going?"

Nanoha laughed awkwardly which made Hayate sigh.

"Right, Rin and Sakura will need a proper magical trainer. I know you take to resting like a lion to a chain, so I'll have you be their trainer. I trust you'll keep yourself healthy for the sake of your students."

Fate grinned as her from behind Nanoha.

"Thank you Hayate. You did ask them about agreeing to my standards, correct?"

"And then some." Hayate nodded

Nanoha bowed, taking Hayate by surprise.

"Thank you Hayate. I will make sure all of us are healthy."

Hayate just smiled. "You always manage to take me by surprise. Come on, then."

Signum, Medusa, Agito, Zafira and Rein Zwei had gone back to the Bureau headquarters in Dimensional space early in the morning. Yuuno was expecting them.

"Alright, for the time being I understand we'll be just scouting."

Rein nodded seriously. "Yes. Hayate wants us to clear the Infinity library carefully. Once the command room is clear, we'll have you help us actively."

Yuuno nodded back. "Very well. Here is the access to the outside control panel."

Rein connected to the panel and began scanning the areas previously opened in the Infinity Library. She looked on with concern.

"There are at least three hundred undead within the areas we know of." She said, pointing out said areas. "There's no way to tell how many there are in other places."

"If we manage to clear the explored area we can return and cleanse each new section." Medusa spoke calmly.

"I concur." Signum backed her up.

Yuuno nodded. "Very well. Any danger they might try and attack the rest of headquarters?"

"Nothing for certain, but we can't be too careful. The people working here have already scanned but I'll do one myself, just to be safe."

Rein focused for a few good minutes.

"Alright, no hostiles present outside the Infinity Library. And no sign of them trying to get out. However, their disposition does suggest they're ready for us."

"No surprise, there's only one proper entry." Signum spoke calmly.

"So we go in today?" Agito asked with gravity.

"No. Reinforce has confirmed the possible number so we can better prepare."

Medusa spoke calmly. "We need at least three members who can reliably take down undead in order to go in."

Rein nodded."I'm afraid so. Especially since mistress Hayate emphasized safety."

Shamal and Hayate escorted Nanoha to the facility where Rin and Sakura were finishing the latest rounds of tests.

"How is their condition?" Hayate asked the doctor.

Shamal answered emphatically. "Sakura still needs rest. Her body has recovered quite a bit, but I can't in good conscience give her a pass at any real magic activities. On the other hand, Rin is in very good shape for a young woman, even as a magic based life form. I would give her the go ahead, with the usual warning not to push herself too hard."

"So I'll test her abilities then?" Nonoha raised an eyebrow.

"By all means."

"Does she have a device ready?"

Shamal shook her head. "Not yet. We need her magical ability properly tested and that can't happen before we test her body."

"Leave that to me then."

Rin had been waiting Nanoha with some trepidation. As events had unfolded she'd hated every moment of just waiting for things to happen, powerless to influence it in any way. Now was her chance and she was determined to seize it.

Nanoha arrived with Shamal and Hayate. The knight of the clouded sky smiled at Rin, who had chosen to change her attire for sports clothes.

"Your last tests are complete. You are now ready to begin the tests for entry."

Nanoha stepped up. "Alright, I want 20 push ups, 50 sit ups and a 3 kilometer run in 18 minutes Rin." She said in her usual cheery tone. "Raising Heart, if you would?"

"Starting Timer. 3, 2, 1. Go!"

Rin went about her task with exemplary dedication, finishing the run with a good few minutes to spare.

As Rin did her workout, especially during her sit ups, Hayate gazed with open lust at her shapely figure, laughing quietly the way a perverted old man would. That was until Nanoha turned and gave her a dangerous smile.

"Hayate, darling, if you keep staring so much, I'll have you join since you seem to be enjoying it."

Hayate went into coy mode. "Oh whatever could you be talking about?"

Nanoha giggled with menace.

"I shall take my leave then." Hayate said hurriedly as she turned around and walked away. "Happy training."

Shamal quickly leaned in toward Nanoha. "She's just blowing steam, you know?"

"Oh I know. Doesn't mean I'll let that pass."

Rin finished her exercices with a smile.

Nanoha nodded in approval. "Very good. Two minutes rest and then do it again."

"Understood."

Raising Heart began the countdown again as Rin relaxed for the duration breathing calmly and stretching her limbs.

"3, 2, 1. Go."

Rin went back to the exercises without a hint of hesitation.

Meanwhile Nanoha was monitoring her attentively. Heartbeat, breathing, muscles, sweating even.

"She's just like any other person her age." She commented.

"Yes, she is." Raising heart responded emphatically.

"Any signs of problems?"

"None detected."

"How is her linker core?"

"Strong and stable."

"Output readings?"

"S+."

Nanoha's smile turned feral. "Wonderful."

Shamal laughed awkwardly."How are we ever going to get her though the higher ups with no limiter?"

Nanoha didn't hesitate. "That doesn't actually reflect her rank. We can have Hayate designate whatever rank we need for her to keep others happy."

"True." Shamal conceded. "And I doubt anyone will growl too much if we can take care of the undead properly."

"I'd like to properly train her first. Her and Sakura. There's great potential, both for good and for ill." Nanoha replied.

Shamal nodded. "I'm sure they're safe in your hands."

Rin finished her second run with another few minutes left.

"Very good." Nanoha praised the brunette. "Now for the last tests. Rest for two minutes, then give me 80 push ups in two minutes."

Rin steeled herself. "Understood."

Raising Heart kept the timer as usual. "Be ready."

Rin nodded.

"3, 2, 1, Go!"

Rin completed the task in just under two minutes, two seconds under two in minutes in fact.

"All body parameters are within normal ranges." Raising Heart announced.

"Keep monitoring."

Rin was breathing heavily by the end of the exercise.

"Alright, two minutes rest and 80 sit ups in two minutes."

Rin nodded, drawing breath heavily.

"Get ready. 3, 2, 1, Go!"

Sakura encouraged her sister from the sideline.

"Do your best, Nee-san!"

By the end of the exercise Rin's legs were trembling but she'd finished within time.

Nanoha smiled at her. "Alright. Last test, you have 45 minutes to do a 10 kilometer run. Two minutes rest and you're off."

Rin breathed heavily and stretched, relaxing her body for the final run.

"3, 2, 1, Go!"

Rin set off with determination, Nanoha watching her like a hawk.

"Raising Heart?"

"Subject's parameters are well within normal range."

"Very good, tell me if it ever changes."

Rin managed to run the distance in just under time. She was a mess of sweat by then and panting heavily.

"...And done. That's the test over with. From now on, we'll work on keeping in shape. You are done for today."

"Thank you. I hope." Rin panted heavily. "I hope I can get my device soon."

Nanoha smiled. "You will. But don't be in such a hurry."

Sakura moved to hug her sister. "Hooray, you did it!"

"Hey Sakura, easy, I need to take a shower." Rin protested weakly.

"I don't care."

After a moment, Rin simply returned the hug with a tired smile.

Nanoha coughed. "Right, hit the showers and relax for the rest of the day. We'll be talking about the devices starting tomorrow."

"Alright, you heard it Nee-san, time to hit the showers." Sakura replied happily, pushing Rin gently.

Rin also started laughing. "Alright, alright I'm going."