236. New Sequence
Li Aozi was momentarily stunned, then immediately understood.
"…This is the interstellar era, how could so many people be killed?"
"Precisely because it's the interstellar era, the efficiency of killing is even higher. In cosmic warfare, there's often no return once you go in. A warship is both a weapon and a home; a single slip or bad luck can turn your entire family into space debris, drifting through the universe."
"No! In interstellar civilizations, typically there'd be at least two million Zeta-tier standing troops, right? Including Epsilon-tier tech specialists and Delta-tier logistics personnel to support those Zeta-tier forces, that could exceed ten million!"
Li Aozi gestured as he spoke:
"Night Butterfly is on about the same level as us. With so many people, they should've planned to fight for at least a hundred years, no problem, right?"
Nastisha raised her hand, extending five fingers.
"…Don't tell me they fought for five years and were wiped out?"
"Five months."
Nastisha said calmly:
"During the Galactic Eye campaign, the average lifespan of a Zeta-tier was only four hours. They treated every asteroid as cover, fighting between the spheres and the star cores. Sealed radiation signals and magical radio frequencies tangled together, creating mutual interference. As a result, non-combat losses were even greater than direct battle casualties."
"The overuse of forbidden weaponry severely damaged the space environment around the Galactic Eye. Occasionally, cosmic beasts or otherdimensional monsters would run rampant across the battlefield. Kappa-tier powerhouses flaunted their might like they were slaughtering chickens and dogs. Countless beings below Zeta-tier went mad, broke down, or even committed suicide after witnessing his cursed form for too long."
"To be honest, Leoz, if you hadn't defeated Remaining Moon and the [Mechanical Society]—if you weren't covered in so much glory—the Crystal Tower civilization would surely have sent you, this near-Zeta third-year student, to the front lines as cannon fodder."
Li Aozi pointed to his own eyes, which had turned a reddish-black:
"Even though I'm an Ascendant of the [Domination] path? Even though I'm currently a detained suspect?"
"Yes. That's how special wartime management works."
Nastisha spoke faintly:
"For the salvation of national civilization, for the preservation of materialist hopes, for a do-or-die outcome, the bigwigs have shipped both students and criminals off to the front. If they could command the Lady of the Lake, they'd have sent Sophia Marlin to the battlefield, too. The hands that should have been inscribing magic with quill pens are now gripping the triggers of slaughter."
"The good news is that we managed to eliminate the enemy's living forces; Night Butterfly's Zeta-tier numbers have been forcibly reduced to triple digits during this war, whereas we still have a handful of Zeta-tier powerhouses left."
"The bad news is—"
Nastisha looked at Li Aozi, her tone devoid of emotion, seemingly numb:
"The only reason we still have Zeta-tier powerhouses is because they're our college students."
"Good news: college students no longer need to worry about finding jobs. Employment will be allocated uniformly, they'll live on taxpayers' money, and they'll have standardized uniforms and equipment; the positions are quite secure…"
"Bad news: their employer is the conscription office…"
"That's why neither Night Butterfly nor we have sent reinforcements."
Nastisha explained flatly:
"Whether it's the Crystal Tower or the Night Butterfly Federation—our forces are similar, our strength is comparable, and our populations are almost the same, though theirs is somewhat older on average."
"But now, both civilizations have paid a tremendous price. Their Zeta-tier warriors have been all but used up. One Galactic Eye campaign consumed our centuries of accumulated strength."
As she spoke, Nastisha sighed.
"Originally…it was all for a single star."
"The universe is filled with these broken rocks. They say that abundant goods are cheap, yet I've watched generation after generation of young people trample upon the last boundaries of decency in pursuit of victory—turning from naïve kids into numb, seasoned killing machines. All for a rock they'd never even seen."
"Leoz, if you hadn't saved White Candle Star, I fear you'd have been thrown to the front lines, too."
Nastisha ruffled her own hair, fell silent for a moment, then continued:
"While you're in detention, I'll keep working to tidy up your records. Once you're released, you can resume your classes. You'll be a senior when the new term starts. In a year, I'll try to arrange for you to go directly into a graduate program, then plunk you into a workshop with at least decent benefits. Don't worry about anything else. Don't try to stand out. Lie low for five years, and after that, you can do whatever you want."
"Professor Nastisha, it sounds like you don't recommend I continue developing here on this planet?"
"After all, you came to White Candle Star in the Crystal Tower civilization because it has the best educational resources, right?"
Nastisha let out a light laugh:
"You'll see when you get out… White Candle Star may never again be the beacon of education it once was."
Li Aozi was surprised. He could sense some change, but Nastisha seemed unwilling to reveal any more.
So he didn't press further and they chatted about a few other things.
"By the way, Dean."
Li Aozi opened his Independent Spacetime Pouch and pulled out the infant-form Diaran:
"This one's also your student—Diaran, from the College of Magical Applications—who ended up like this for certain reasons…"
"Oh—the 'Regrowth' repair mechanism of the Molten Gold Titan?"
Nastisha had been a mother before, so she was quite adept at caring for children—especially this little baby who was once one of her star pupils.
"Mm, there's no real problem. You just don't understand the nutrients a Titan needs while growing, so the process is slow. I can bring her back and look into it."
She took Diaran and examined her, confirming everything was fine.
Then she glanced at Li Aozi:
"I didn't expect you, with your neat looks and delicate skin, to be so loyal to friends. Not bad—not a bad reflection on our college."
In a good mood, Nastisha casually pulled out a grimoire from thin air and handed it to Li Aozi:
"You really ought to catch up on your studies. This book's decent. Study it thoroughly."
The warden checked it and, finding no problem, formally handed the book over to Li Aozi.
The grimoire was held in place by a grayish metal frame. Opening the title page, a line of text appeared:
"Spell Authority • Dark Shine——O•B•Zobeia"
"So it's this one…"
Li Aozi's eyes lit up.
Was it coincidence or intentional? He figured it was mostly coincidence.
[Seems like the 10-point Legendary Reputation is kicking in. [Charm Star] is making me the one and only favored child of this planet. White Candle Star knows what's up.]
Authority spells can be understood as Omega Energy within magic—manipulating the world with a magical approach to simulate authority and thereby change reality.
The contents of this book aren't what matter… what matters is that there must be a synthesis formula for a Sequence Omega Energy related to authority spells!
[Truly, most people in the world are decent… The moment [Disaster] is gone, I instantly get a chance at a new Sequence Omega Energy synthesis formula.]
"Since I'm stuck in detention for a few days, it's time for you to come forth—my invincible true general, inheritor of my entire intellect!"
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