23: Chapter 23 Entrance Exam!! A Shocking S-Rank

"We... live together?" Laya looked at the access card, then at Elia, her expression a bit subtle.

Elia explained: "Academy dormitories are mostly suites, private rooms with a shared foyer and training facilities. Usually, people from similar origins are arranged to live together." She looked at Li Yuan and Laya, "I estimate that in this year's intake, we are the only three students from Edge 7; those who evacuated with us before didn't choose this place."

Li Yuan's gaze fell on Elia as he asked, "Elia, after you evacuated back then, did you come straight to North Star?"

Elia's ice-blue eyes dimmed slightly, and she shook her head: "The evacuation fleet first arrived at the Prey Star Domain hub for placement assessment. The 'Sparks' who evacuated at the same time were diverted based on talent and intent; some went to the Federal Academy of Sciences, some chose the Holy Alliance's 'Sanctuary Monastery', or the Olympia Empire's 'Pantheon Academy'. Most went to comprehensive universities, and very few came to military academies, likely because of the Zerg Tide back then."

"The battlefield back then was indeed quite terrifying." Li Yuan nodded and asked casually, "Then why did you come here to North Star Military Academy?"

Elia's gaze instantly sharpened: "The disaster of Edge No. 7 requires the Zerg to pay the price."

Li Yuan felt a stir in his heart, feeling a bit more identification with this girl who was cold on the outside but fervent within. He still remembered how she had tried to participate in the resistance of Edge 7 back then.

"A very reasonable choice." Li Yuan expressed understanding, "Let's re-introduce ourselves. Li Yuan, talent [Light Energy Messenger], B-rank." He pointed to Laya beside him, "She is Laya, talent [Song of Light], also B-rank. We both manifested B-rank talents after the planet fell."

Laya showed a sweet smile at the right time and nodded to Elia, but inwardly she muttered that her master seemed to pay too much attention to this silver-haired girl.

A hint of surprise flashed in Elia's eyes, followed by understanding: "Survivors from after the fall, that kind of Zerg Tide... impressive." She also introduced herself: "My talent is [Moonlight Condensing Ice], Star and Frost attributes."

"Sounds like a very powerful talent." Li Yuan praised sincerely.

"Thank you." Elia responded politely, taking out her personal terminal—a thin card with energy patterns flowing around the edges, "Is it convenient to add each other as 'Feixing' friends?"

"Of course." Li Yuan also took out his military-grade enhanced terminal. The three of them quickly finished adding each other.

Laya watched the interaction between the two, her small mouth pursing imperceptibly as she tightened her grip on Li Yuan's arm.

Building 7, District A, top floor, Room 701. The access door slid open, revealing a spacious and luxurious foyer. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows was the core landscape of the academy, with the distant roar from the training grounds faintly audible. A high-end holographic entertainment system, a small bar, and comfortable sofas were all present, along with a door leading to a training room equipped with gravity adjustment and energy targets. Four independent bedrooms were lined up on both sides, with names already displayed on the doors.

Elia went straight to her room: "I'll go tidy up first, I won't disturb you." Girls' things were still quite numerous.

"Mhm, we'll go out for a stroll later." Li Yuan responded politely.

After Aria closed her door, Laya excitedly started pulling Li Yuan, checking his bedroom like she was inspecting her territory, then ran to see her own, and finally rolled around on the sofa in the foyer: "Master, this place is great!"

"As long as you like it. Rest well these next few days and prepare for the test." Li Yuan smiled.

Laya sat up from the sofa, tilted her head, her azure eyes blinking, her voice carrying a hint of coquettishness: "Master~ that Elia, silver hair and blue eyes, like a doll made of ice and snow, isn't she particularly good-looking?"

Li Yuan was browsing academy information on his terminal and didn't even look up, casually replying: "Mhm, very beautiful."

Laya puffed out her cheeks, leaned closer to Li Yuan, and bent down slightly, her neckline revealing a deep cleavage: "Then... does Master think I'm better looking, or is she?"

Li Yuan looked up, meeting her indignant gaze, and found it a bit funny. He reached out and gently pinched her cheek: "Don't make blind comparisons. You are you, and she is she."

Laya hummed dissatisfiedly; she decided to redouble her efforts.

...

Returning from the gourmet street, night had already fallen. Li Yuan returned to his room to review materials when the door was gently knocked.

"Master, are you asleep?" Laya's voice came through the door.

"Come in."

The door pushed open, and Laya leaned in. At this time, she had changed into a silk camisole nightgown. The soft light purple complemented her fair skin, and the hem only reached her thighs, outlining her graceful curves. Her blonde hair was lazily scattered, and her eyes looked exceptionally moist in the dim light. She was barefoot, stepping on the soft carpet like a nocturnal cat.

"Master, I'm a bit unfamiliar with the bed, I can't sleep..." She walked to the bedside and sat down next to Li Yuan. The fresh scent after bathing, mixed with her unique fragrance, lingered at the tip of Li Yuan's nose. She turned slightly, and the nightgown's shoulder strap slipped a bit down her smooth shoulder, revealing her delicate collarbone.

With a beauty before him, Li Yuan, a former life otaku programmer, was naturally attracted. He put down the terminal and patted the bed: "Come here, let's browse the news together for a while, you'll get sleepy soon."

Laya lightly pounced onto the mattress, the silk nightgown rippling with her movement. Li Yuan reached out to straighten the slipped shoulder strap for her, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against her warm, soft skin.

The two lay side by side against the soft pillows, the terminal's light screen casting a soft glow in the dimness. Although Laya stared at the screen, her gaze was wandering, her slender fingers unconsciously twirling a strand of hair.

"Master." She suddenly turned her head: "You won't ignore me just because you have new friends, right?" Her voice carried a hint of tentative shyness.

Li Yuan turned to look at her and reached out to rub her blonde hair: "Don't overthink. Tomorrow we'll continue going out for a stroll and get you some new clothes."

Laya's eyes suddenly lit up, and she propped herself up, the nightgown's neckline swaying slightly: "Really?"

"Of course, the academy is quite large." Li Yuan smiled and tapped her forehead, "Can you sleep obediently now?"

She smoothed her brow like a cat that had received a promise, then suddenly leaned in and gave him a light peck on the cheek: "Master is the best!" With that, she nimbly jumped off the bed, her hem blooming in a light purple arc as she disappeared through the crack of the door.

Li Yuan looked at the gently closed door, the faint fragrance still lingering in the air. He shook his head and laughed; the news screen on the terminal was still flickering.

Leaving Edge Star No. 7 and undergoing nearly half a month of interstellar travel, the prosperity and tranquility seen upon first arriving at North Star held a fatal attraction for Li Yuan and Laya. For the remaining three days, the two of them went wild playing.

Things like Nebula Macarons, Lightning Pudding, Sichuan-style Aurora Fish, Crispy Whisper Birds; things like holographic photography, Stimulating Battlefield, World Creator, Quantum Sonata; and all sorts of stunning, sexy, pure, and rebellious beautiful dresses.

They played with all the delicious food, fun activities, and good-looking things!

When they returned to the dormitory on the last day, Li Yuan was completely unable to walk. After taking a shower, he flopped onto the bed and let out a happy sigh.

Laya was still immersed in the excitement of the day and sneaked into Li Yuan's room again holding a soft pillow. She had changed into a black lace camisole nightgown.

As soon as she entered, she dragged Li Yuan up and pulled him to look at the photos and videos taken over the past three days. She gestured animatedly, completely unaware that her shoulder strap had slipped, her neckline slightly open to reveal a hint of tempting spring scenery.

Half-leaning against the headboard, Li Yuan was involuntarily attracted by the vivid and fragrant scene beside him, which made him feel a bit dizzy.

"Cough... alright, alright, I'm exhausted today, let's look tomorrow." He reached out and turned off the terminal, "You should go back to your room and sleep too."

"I don't want to!" Laya pounced forward trying to grab the terminal back, reaching for it while acting coquettishly, "I'm not sleepy yet! Master, stay with me and look a bit longer!" Her pure and energetic body writhed in Li Yuan's arms.

"I'm going to sleep." Li Yuan, who was finding it a bit hard to control himself, simply fell backward, intending to show through action: "My lady, it's late, go back to your room and rest early."

"Ya!" Laya gave a light cry. Using Li Yuan's body for leverage, her center of gravity became unstable, and she was pulled down with him.

In the next second, Laya was lying flat against Li Yuan's side, her cheek resting right on his chest. Through the thin fabric, Laya could clearly feel Li Yuan's body temperature and heartbeat.

She froze completely, a surge of heat rushing to her cheeks. Even the tips of her ears turned blood-red, her mind went blank, and she didn't dare move.

However, the fatigue brought by three consecutive days of high-intensity fun was like the most effective lullaby. Li Yuan's tense nerves quickly relaxed, his heavy eyelids closed, and within a few breaths, the sound of rhythmic breathing came out—he had actually fallen asleep just like that.

Laya lay on top of him, her heart pounding like a drum at first as she tensely waited for what would follow. But after waiting for a long while, she only heard the even sound of breathing from above. She cautiously lifted her head and, by the light of the dim night lamp, saw Li Yuan's already sleeping profile.

She immediately puffed out her cheeks and grumbled in a very low voice: "Stupid Master... falling asleep like this..." She symbolically gave his chest a light punch, but didn't dare use force.

After lying there for a bit longer, listening to his steady heartbeat, a comforting weariness surged like a tide. She struggled a few times, her long eyelashes trembling, and then she slowly closed them too.

In the room, only the terminal's standby indicator light flickered weakly in the darkness, accompanying the silence of the room.

The entrance test day arrived as scheduled.

The Central Grand Arena was bustling with people. Thousands of freshmen gathered here, divided into batches according to instructions to undergo two tests: Cultural Theory and Ability Demonstration.

Setting aside Cultural Theory, in the Ability Demonstration part, most freshmen's talents were between C-rank and B-rank. A few A-rank freshmen only casually showed their strength without putting in full effort.

Li Yuan and Laya's tests were scheduled for later batches. They leaned back in their seats somewhat bored, their gazes scanning the tests currently in progress in the arena.

Finally, it was Elia's turn.

Her silver hair was still as white as snow as she walked slowly toward the demonstration platform. The platform was made of a special alloy, enough to withstand high-intensity impact.

"Elia, Edge No. 7, talent [Moonlight Condensing Ice], prepare for testing." The instructor's voice spread through the loudspeaker.

Elia calmly raised her right hand, her palm pressing down gently.

In the next instant—

"Buzz..."

A beam of moonlight poured down, enveloping Elia within it. Her silver hair rippled with clear light, looking like the Moon Goddess descending to the world!

Immediately after—

"Crack—Boom!!!"

Centered where her delicate feet stood, a visible ice-blue shock ring erupted in a spherical shape, expanding crazily at supersonic speed! Everywhere it passed, everything was frozen! The sturdy special alloy platform couldn't even last half a second; in a scalp-numbing burst of sound, it turned into powder!

In just an instant, the sophisticated energy sensors, data collection terminals, and protective field generators around... all the equipment within the demonstration area instantly shattered.