The alarm blared across the Galactic Academy grounds, a shrill, urgent cry that sent cadets scrambling toward their assigned dropships. Elias Vale tightened his mech gloves, feeling the familiar pulse of the System in his mind. This wasn't training. This wasn't a sparring simulation. Today, the cadets were being sent outside the academy walls for their first real mission—an observation and reconnaissance task at the edge of the Tethys Star Cluster.
His chest thumped in rhythm with the dropship engines. Anxiety mixed with excitement. This was the real test of everything he had gained over the last few days—the sparring, the System upgrades, the recognition from the academy's elite.
He glanced at the other cadets as they boarded their dropships. Serena Lark stood a few meters away, arms crossed, her blue eyes fixed on him. For a moment, Elias felt her gaze like fire, burning with an emotion he couldn't immediately read: was it concern? anticipation? admiration? Or a mix of all three?
Lira Toren leaned casually against her mech, smirking. "Don't worry, Vale," she teased softly. "Try not to embarrass yourself again. That would be… awkward." Her green eyes sparkled mischievously. Elias felt the System nudge him subtly:
HAREM ENGAGEMENT DETECTED: SERENA/LIRA +2%
He ignored the hint, focusing on the mission. Power first. Attention could come later.
The dropship's engines roared as it lifted off, cutting through the thin atmosphere. The Tethys Star Cluster sprawled below, a chaotic mix of jagged terrain, abandoned mining outposts, and jagged cliffs. Dust swirled in the early light, scattering around broken machinery and rusted hulls of old mining drones.
Elias's mech sensors activated automatically, the System analyzing the terrain with precision. It highlighted areas of potential threat:
Energy signatures: Weak, scattered
Structural hazards: Cliff edges, unstable ground, and debris piles
Tactical zones: Good for cover and ambush
SYSTEM ALERT:
Mission Readiness: 84%
Combat Rating: A+
Pilot Synchronization: 97%
The System pulsed again, reminding him subtly: "Optimal strategy detected. Proceed with caution, expected success: 78%."
As the dropship touched down, a faint shimmer on the horizon caught Elias's eye. Moving near a ruined facility were small, irregular energy signatures—almost invisible to the naked eye.
The System highlighted them immediately:
"Enemy Presence Detected. Probability: 63%. Small threat. Weakly armed."
He felt a thrill of anticipation. This was his chance to demonstrate real field skill, not just simulated power.
Serena's voice came over the comm, clipped and sharp:"Vale, don't get cocky. Remember what happened yesterday?"
He smirked faintly, tension and excitement coiling in his chest. "Understood. I'm not here to show off… just to survive," he muttered, his voice low, though Lira caught it.
Lira replied teasingly, "Sure, Vale… but surviving isn't nearly as fun as winning, is it?"
No sooner had they advanced a few meters than the energy signatures converged into shapes: small, scrap-built drones armed with makeshift plasma cannons. They hovered menacingly, firing erratically but enough to be dangerous.
SYSTEM ALERT:
Hostiles: 15 drones
Weak Points: Motor joints, exposed circuits
Recommended Strategy: Concentrated fire with evasive maneuvers
Elias's pulse quickened. The System displayed trajectory paths for each drone in real-time, highlighting weak points and calculating optimal firing sequences.
Weapon Accuracy: 97%
Reaction Time: 95%
Damage Output: 94%
He moved first, his mech dodging the drones' fire with fluid motions that felt almost preternatural. Plasma cannons fired in precise sequences, each shot hitting weak points. Sparks flew and metal clattered as drones fell one by one.
Serena's voice over comms: "Vale… that move just now… you anticipated them all." There was a strange softness to her tone, admiration barely hidden under her usual sternness.
Lira leaned closer to her HUD, whispering with a grin: "I told you. He's no fluke. That's strategy, precision… maybe genius."
Elias felt a warm rush at their praise but pushed it aside. Focus on combat, not compliments.
System Update:
Combat Rating: A+ → S-
Pilot Synchronization: 99% → 100%
Weapon Damage Output: 97% → 99%
Harem Engagement: +4%
Just as the last drone fell, a massive shadow stretched across the ruined facility. A pirate ship, Class C, appeared on the horizon, scanning for targets. Its hull gleamed under the sunlight, and energy weapons glinted ominously.
Instructor's voice cut through comms, tension sharp:"Cadets, stay sharp! That's no training! Enemy starship detected—prepare for real combat!"
Elias's heart pounded. This was the first real threat that could destroy them instantly if he miscalculated. His System ran scans, calculating weapon output, evasive trajectories, and energy shield weaknesses:
Enemy Starship: Class C
Weak Points: Forward hull energy shields
Tactical Options: Evade, repair, overload weapon systems
The System suggested a coordinated strategy with Serena and Lira: flanking formation and synchronized attacks.
Elias glanced at them. Serena's eyes gleamed with intensity; Lira's smirk carried confidence. They were ready to follow his lead.
He nodded subtly. This was no longer just survival. This was command, strategy, and leadership.
Elias felt the System pulse in his mind, almost like reassurance: "Field operation initiated. Probability of survival: 92% with optimal strategy."
He exhaled slowly. For the first time, he felt truly alive—not just learning or training, but tested in the real galaxy, under pressure, with lives at stake.
And with every glance from Serena, every teasing smirk from Lira, he realized something else: power draws attention, and attention draws influence.
Tomorrow, the academy would talk not just about his skills… but about the force he was becoming.