25: Chapter 25 The "Monsters" of the Academy

The aftershocks of the freshman assessment echoed throughout North Star Military Academy for three full days.

To Li Yuan's surprise, he and Laya, those two strange B-ranks, did not cause any particular stir.

This was because two more S-ranks appeared during the subsequent tests, completely igniting public opinion at the scene. You have to understand, having 3S-ranks in a single cohort—the last time this happened was hundreds of years ago, during the mass awakening when the Destiny System first descended.

As for the other two S-rank talents—

One was named Chen Jingyi, from a military family with a long history in the Blazing Dragon Federation. She was a typical Oriental beauty, very quiet and composed, looking even more reticent than Elia.

She had smooth, jet-black hair that hung straight down, the ends gently brushing against her hips. Her eyes were calm, like an ancient well without a ripple.

Her talent was called [Daoyan Military Nexus]. During the test, she just stood quietly amidst a pile of complex tactical parts. Those parts were controlled by invisible hands, assembling and deforming on their own, eventually forming a multi-functional robot.

Then, a terrifying thing happened. These robots possessed intelligence, multiplying from one to two, two to four. Coordinating with each other, they built a war fortress with comprehensive defensive capabilities within half an hour, complete with unmanned garrison forces covering sea, land, and air.

"It appeared! It appeared! The ancestral talent of the Donghua Chen family! Daoyan Military Nexus!"

"The Defense of Prey Hub Starport 200 years ago! It was Five-Star General Chen Tianyu who, using the Daoyan Military Nexus talent, built Prey Hub Starport in 30 days, which was the only reason the Zerg Tide's invasion was blocked!"

"Prey Hub Starport? That star-class fortress with a diameter of 350,000 kilometers!"

"That's the one. Unfortunately, General Chen passed away shortly after the war!"

"Long straight black hair + stoic girl! I love it, I love it!"

Prey Hub Starport. Li Yuan recalled that massive starport, compared to which a xihe-class battlecruiser was like a grain of sand! Was this something humanly possible?

S-rank talent is truly terrifying!!

The other S-rank was an exchange student from the Olympia Empire, Saiwei Krol.

He had brilliant blonde hair, handsome features, and a tall, upright figure, but between his brows, there was always that air of arrogance inherited from the nobility of the Olympia Empire.

His talent was [Thor's Descent]. During the test, the celestial phenomena of the entire North Star were triggered. A bolt of lightning connected heaven and earth, and the scattered lightning branches seemed like the manifestation of the World Tree, Yggdrasil. The electromagnetic pulse generated by the bursting lightning, had it not been for the venue's shielding, would likely have disrupted the power supply of the entire capital.

"Did you see that?! That is the 'Son of Thor' of the Olympia Empire! He has the purest mythical bloodline flowing through his veins!"

"I heard that his father, the God of Thunder—Prince Krol, Noah Krol, evaporated the souls of all the Zerg on the entire planet with a single move during the battle of Zerus!"

"As expected, only the long-standing god-descended nobility of the Olympia Empire could give birth to such a powerful bloodline! Our Blazing Dragon Federation must face the gap!"

"You bootlicking contrarian, if we look back, who in our Blazing Dragon Federation can't count a few gods in their lineage? Someone like General Chen Tianyu, who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with gods with a mortal body, is what's truly worth worshipping."

...

The night after the test ended, the academy's internal forum was completely ignited by these three names. However, the most dazzling one was still Elia.

Because she was Tier 3! An 18-year-old Tier 3! A Tier 3 who grew up in one month!

"S-rank [Moonlight Condensing Ice], Tier 3! Froze the test platform with one strike!"

"Silver-haired Ice Princess! The strongest contender for this year's Rookie King!"

"On the Aesthetics of Moonlight Shining and Ice Crystals Dancing—Elia Combat Image Analysis (Includes HD Screenshots)"

Such posts appeared one after another. Elia's cold figure, stunning beauty, combined with her terrifying strength that could freeze everything, almost satisfied everyone's imagination of a 'Chosen One,' quickly becoming the focus of heated discussion among freshmen and even upperclassmen.

...

Later, the academy announced the class assignment plan based on the test results.

Elia, Chen Jingyi, Saiwei Krol, along with a dozen other A-rank talents who performed well in the test, as well as several B-rank students with special tactical value like Li Yuan and Laya, were all included in this year's elite class.

...

The elite class classroom was located in a floating independent building, with spacious interiors and advanced equipment. When Li Yuan walked into the classroom with Laya, who was still sleepy-eyed, and Elia, he immediately felt the focused gazes.

There was curiosity, scrutiny, and envy.

The most eye-catching thing was Saiwei Krol's undisguised arrogance and hostility toward Aria.

Chen Jingyi sat alone in a corner, with a miniature holographic star map floating in front of her, quietly performing deductions, turning a deaf ear to the surrounding noise.

The three of them found a place to sit, and the course schedule received on their terminals was—

"Advanced Mathematics," "Advanced Physics," "Interstellar Strategy," "Introduction to Talents," "Introduction to Talents," "Human History," "Introduction to Individual Combat Equipment," "Squad Tactical Coordination," "Technological and Tactical Development of Starry Sky Warfare"...

Laya whispered the course names, her azure eyes widening, her little face slowly collapsing, and finally she wailed on the table, "Why are there so many books to read... I hate reading the most..."

She was inherently lazy. Previously in the Angel Legion, knowledge was all inherited through bloodlines. For scientific and cultural courses like those of humans that required systematic learning, seeing the book titles made her dizzy.

Li Yuan patted her back, unable to laugh or cry, and comforted her: "It's okay, learn it bit by bit, you'll finish it eventually."

"I can't finish it... I can't finish it... I'll definitely be the bottom of the class! I don't want that!" Laya looked up suddenly in a breakdown, her eyes watery.

"It's okay, I'll help you preview and tutor at night." Seeing her pitiful look, Li Yuan's heart softened.

"Master is the best!" Laya instantly turned from cloudy to sunny, quickly kissed Li Yuan on the cheek, then pretended nothing happened and sat upright.

Elia, sitting next to them, was suddenly stuffed with dog food. Is it okay to show off affection in front of a single person like this? This is just tricking the dog out to kill it.

...

At night, Dorm 701.

Li Yuan had just finished washing up and was organizing the thick stack of electronic textbooks and student manuals he had received today, when the door was gently knocked.

"Come in."

Laya poked her head in. She had changed into a moon-white silk nightdress, barefoot, hugging her pillow and terminal. Her blonde hair was damp and draped over her shoulders, emitting a fresh fragrance.

She blinked her big eyes: "Master... you said you would help me preview..."

Li Yuan looked at her posture and stepped aside: "Come in."

Laya immediately slipped in, climbed onto Li Yuan's bed naturally, put the pillow in place, then patted the spot beside her, looking at him eagerly.

Li Yuan shook his head, picked up his terminal, and sat down beside her: "Which subject should we start with? 'Interstellar Strategy'?"

"Hmm... can we start with the simplest one?" Laya pouted.

"Then let's do 'Encyclopedia of Zerg', at least let's get to know our enemies." Li Yuan brought up the textbook, and they started previewing together.

However, Laya wasn't prepared to listen at all. She started making small movements constantly, playing with her hair for a while, stealing glances at Li Yuan, and then brushing her hair tips against Li Yuan's arm.

Li Yuan would remind her at first, but later he just let her be. After all, having Laya with him made studying more efficient, didn't it? Hehe!

Time passed bit by bit, and the simulated starry sky outside the window slowly changed.

Just as Li Yuan was looking at the energy gland distribution of the Fire Roach, he suddenly felt his shoulder sink. He turned his head and saw that Laya had fallen asleep, leaning against his shoulder at some point, her eyes closed, long eyelashes casting soft shadows, her breathing even and long—she was asleep.

The terminal slipped from her loosening fingertips and fell onto the soft bed.

Li Yuan gently laid her flat and covered her with the quilt. He turned off the terminal and lay down gently as well. The two drifted off to sleep, snuggled together.

---

The next morning, as dawn broke, Laya woke up first.

She found herself being gently held by Li Yuan, her cheek pressed against his warm chest, an indescribable sense of happiness enveloping her.

She secretly raised her little face, looking at Li Yuan's brows and eyes close at hand, feeling as if her heart was being gently brushed by a feather, itchy and sweet. She couldn't help but act like a spoiled little kitten, gently rubbing her nose against Li Yuan's chin, and then contentedly snuggled back into his arms.

Not long after, Li Yuan also woke up. As soon as he moved, he couldn't help but gasp—his entire left arm, which Laya had been using as a pillow, felt a wave of intense numbness, almost losing all sensation.

"Hiss..." He instinctively wanted to pull back his arm to stretch it.

Laya sensed his movement and immediately hugged his waist tighter, murmuring: "Master... sleep a little longer..."

Li Yuan looked at the girl in his arms and gently rubbed her blonde hair: "It's time to get up, if we sleep any longer, we'll be late for class. My arm... is numb."

...

It was another flurry of chaotic waking up and fussing.

When the two finished washing up and opened the door, Elia's door next door happened to open at the same time.

Elia was already dressed and ready. She saw the two coming out at the same time and sneered internally: "People showing off affection early in the morning are all..."

But what came out was just a simple greeting: "Good morning."

"Morning, Elia." Li Yuan responded with a normal expression, continuing to stretch his arm.

"Good morning, Elia!" Laya greeted her happily, as if wanting to share her good mood, taking the initiative to step forward and hook her arm into Elia's, while her other hand naturally hooked into Li Yuan's arm.

Elia's body stiffened slightly, seemingly unaccustomed to such intimate contact, but looking at Laya's pure and slightly smug smile, she ultimately did not pull away, only giving a slightly awkward "Mm."

The three walked side by side toward the elite class classroom, heading forward into the morning sun.