21: Chapter 21 Talent Retest!! The Shock of the Star Battlefield

Talent retesting! This was the thing he was most worried about.

His F-grade talent had an initial record in the system, and the gap between it and the "B-grade Light Energy Messenger" he was currently feigning was quite massive. Laya, moreover, was a person who had appeared out of thin air. Although the system guaranteed the reliability of the disguise, and it could be explained away by saying she hadn't been recorded yet due to her age, he couldn't help but feel apprehensive now that the moment had arrived.

"Relax," Laya said, seemingly sensing his tension. She gently squeezed his hand and whispered, "It'll be fine."

Soon, it was their turn.

First was Laya. She calmly placed her hand on the Talent Crystal. Light swirled within the crystal ball, eventually stabilizing into a soft yet bright milky-white glow. Data clearly popped up on the connected display screen beside it:

【Name: Laya (Unregistered)】

【Talent: Song of Light (B-grade)】

【Status: Vital signs stable, no signs of mental pollution】

The recording soldier nodded and gestured for her to enter the Deep-Scan Pod nearby. A few minutes later, Laya walked out with a normal expression, giving Li Yuan a slight nod to indicate everything went smoothly. After all, it was normal for a sentry planet to have an extra person or two; as long as they were confirmed to be human or an allied race, it generally wasn't a big issue.

However, her B-grade talent evaluation still caused quite a stir within the rescue team, and several of the recorders were whispering among themselves.

Next was Li Yuan. He took a deep breath and placed his hand on the cold crystal ball.

The moment he touched it, he could clearly feel that power belonging to the Lord of Light within his body. Under the system's regulation, a wisp of gentle light energy was separated and injected into the crystal.

The data on the display screen refreshed rapidly:

【Name: Li Yuan】

【Original Recorded Talent: Intent of the Northern Darkness (F-grade) - Energy Affinity】

【Current Talent: Light Energy Messenger (B-grade)】

【Status: Vital signs stable, no signs of mental pollution】

"Talent evolution? From F-grade to B-grade?" The recording soldier looked up in surprise, scrutinizing Li Yuan with a look of disbelief in his voice. Other survivors and staff waiting nearby also cast astonished glances.

While talent grade evolution was fairly common, jumping from F-grade to B-grade in just over ten days was a bit excessive.

"Yes, during the previous battles, I was fortunate enough to make a breakthrough," Li Yuan replied calmly, following his prepared excuse.

The soldier didn't pay attention to Li Yuan's reply. According to standard procedure, this type of person was a typical "problem case" and needed to enter the Deep-Scan Pod for a detailed inspection.

Lying in the scanning pod, Li Yuan could feel various unknown rays and energy fields sweeping over his body. It felt as if all his body's secrets were being laid bare, making him a bit nervous.

A few minutes later, the scan ended. The hatch opened, and this time, an officer who appeared to be of a higher rank walked over, holding the newly generated report.

"Corporal Li Yuan, your check-up shows no problems. Congratulations on breaking through your limits in a desperate situation." The officer's tone carried a hint of admiration, but was mostly businesslike. "We have recorded and reported your situation. While talent evolution is rare, it is not without precedent, especially on the brink of life and death. However, a direct leap from F-grade to B-grade is indeed a first for our records. Additionally, regarding the situation of you and Ms. Laya..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Li Yuan and Laya standing nearby. "Two B-grade talent holders, left behind on the Edge Star No. 7 sentry planet... Although there seem to be valid reasons, a specialized investigation team will verify this later. The responsible parties will have to explain this and provide compensation."

Li Yuan expressed his understanding. Two "Seeds" who should have been prioritized for evacuation were abandoned in a place of certain death; regardless of the reason, the people who made the decision and executed the evacuation mission were to blame. It seemed someone would have to write a self-criticism, or perhaps even face more severe punishment.

The commotion subsided for the moment, and Li Yuan and Laya successfully boarded the Landing Craft.

With a burst of intense vibration and a feeling of G-force, the Landing Craft slowly ascended, accelerated, and finally broke through the atmosphere into the cold space of the universe.

Looking out from the porthole, Li Yuan, who came from a Level 0.6 civilization, was once again deeply shocked.

The Landing Craft, which had looked incredibly massive on the ground, seemed like a tiny skiff after entering space. Surrounding it was the boundless cosmic background, dotted with countless cold stars.

Even more soul-stirring was the massive fleet of warships cruising through the starry sky!

One by one, giant steel ships floated quietly in the void. Their sizes ranged from dozens to hundreds of kilometers. Huge gun barrels, dense missile launch arrays, energy shield generators... various weapons and equipment covered their hulls.

Set against these interstellar behemoths, the Edge Star No. 7 planet below, where he had once struggled for survival in solitude, now appeared so small.

"The one on the left is a 'Yazi-class' destroyer; it's fast and has fierce firepower," a fleet staff member accompanying them introduced at the right time, his tone filled with pride. "The one further to the right is a 'Baize-class' cruiser, a shield ship responsible for escorting the flagship and processing and distributing battlefield information. We are heading towards the fleet flagship—the 'xihe-class battlecruiser'."

The Landing Craft, like a bee returning to its hive, slowly flew toward the xihe-class battlecruiser, which resembled a mobile city of steel, and was finally swallowed by the massive hatch in its belly.

As "Seed" survivors who had reached B-grade talent but were left on the planet, Li Yuan and Laya were granted an audience with the fleet commander.

In a reception room filled with a sense of high technology, a middle-aged man with general's stars on his epaulettes received them. He was the Commander of the Seventh Fleet of the Prey Star Domain.

"Corporal Li Yuan, Ms. Laya, welcome back to the ranks." The Commander's voice was steady and powerful as his gaze swept over the two. "On behalf of the military, I express my deepest apologies for the disaster that occurred on Edge No. 7 and the survival hardships you endured."

"Our war with the Zerg is long and drawn out, and we do not hold the advantage. The number of Zerg is too great compared to the star systems we control; they always pop up from all sorts of unexpected places. Sentry planets like Edge No. 7 exist to use sacrifice to buy early warning and reaction time for humanity."

His words were honest and heavy, lacking hypocritical pleasantries, directly revealing the brutal nature of the war.

Li Yuan remained silent. He could understand the logic, but having personally been one of the sacrificed "cornerstones," his feelings were still complicated.

The Commander seemed to see through his thoughts and didn't continue the topic. Instead, he turned and pointed to the infinite starry sky outside the porthole—in the distance, the light of energy explosions still flared occasionally.

"Out there, the battle is not yet over. This time, the Zerg attacked several sentry planets on the border simultaneously. The Early Warning Base on Edge 7 was destroyed by an infiltrator Infector," the Commander said. "We humans have only just gained a foothold in the vast universe. Within the Ten Thousand Races Alliance, many races are still constantly retreating under the Zerg's military might. What we face is a battle for survival that concerns the existence of our civilization."

He withdrew his gaze and looked back at Li Yuan and Laya, his eyes filled with expectation. "Therefore, you young people need to grow up faster. The battlefields of the future need your strength."

He paused and continued, "The fact that you were able to survive a desperate situation like Edge Star No. 7 is enough to prove your potential and character."

"As compensation, I will officially recommend you to the North Star Central Military Academy for further studies in the name of the Seventh Fleet Commander, and cover your normal expenses during your schooling. That place gathers the top resources, mentors, and legacies of the Human Alliance; it is the best stepping stone on the path to becoming a powerhouse. I hope you will accept my suggestion."

North Star Central Military Academy! Li Yuan's heart stirred. This was the most famous military academy in the Blazing Dragon Federation, a palace that all young awakened ones who intended to join the battlefield dreamed of. In the memories of his predecessor, it was an unreachable existence.

Without any hesitation, Li Yuan exchanged a glance with Laya and then solemnly saluted the Commander. "Thank you for your cultivation, Commander! We are willing to go!"

A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on the Commander's face. "Very well. Someone will notify you of the specific arrangements. I look forward to your performance at the academy, and even more so to seeing you shine on the battlefield in the future."

Leaving the reception room, on the way to the temporary rest cabin, Li Yuan looked at the magnificent fleet and distant stars outside the porthole, his heart surging with emotion.

What would a military academy in the interstellar era look like? What would it teach him?

His journey had only just truly begun.