Kay and Ella spent days helping the old hermit collect materials.
Resources in the slums were scarce.
Every trip was tough.
But their resolve never faded.
They searched every corner.
Dark alleys piled high with discarded machine parts.
Abandoned buildings on the edge, where ancient tech lay forgotten.
At last, they gathered everything the old man needed.
He cleared a small space in his hut, surrounded by strange gadgets and half-done experiments.
He set the crystal on a wobbly table.
Then he began attaching wires and devices to it.
Kay and Ella watched, breath held tight.
The air hummed with anticipation.
The old man adjusted his rough-made equipment.
His hands moved steady and skillful, despite his age.
"This might take a while," he muttered.
His eyes never left the crystal.
"The symbols are complex. The energy inside this crystal… I've never seen anything like it."
Kay shifted nervously.
He thought of the Federal Star Military Academy entrance exam.
Of what the crystal's secret could do for him.
Excitement and fear twisted in his chest.
Ella stood quietly, arms crossed, watching every move the old man made.
Hours passed.
Slowly, the crystal began to react.
It let out a soft, low hum.
The symbols on its surface blazed brighter.
The old man's face lit up.
"It's working! The energy from the materials is mixing with the crystal's field."
Suddenly, a beam of light burst from the crystal.
It projected a 3D image into the air.
It looked like a map.
Strange marks.
What seemed to be coordinates.
Kay's eyes widened.
"Is that a location?"
The old man nodded.
"It seems that way. But these coordinates don't match any star system in our records."
"This could be a place lost to time. Where the ancient race left their knowledge… or powerful artifacts."
Ella stepped closer to the floating image.
"If we can find that place, it could give you the edge you need, Kay."
"The power or knowledge there might be exactly what you need to get stronger."
Kay clenched his fists.
"We have to go. But how? We don't have a starship. And even if we did, we can't navigate those coordinates."
The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"I know someone who might help. An ex-starship pilot lives in the slums."
"He was once a top navigator. Ran into trouble and ended up here."
"If we can convince him, he might be able to get us to that location."
Kay didn't hesitate.
"Let's go find him."
The three of them left the hut and walked through the slums.
The ex-pilot, named Max, lived in a small, filthy shack on the edge of the slum.
When they arrived, he was sitting outside, drinking from a bottle.
His clothes were ragged.
A thick beard covered his face.
The old man stepped forward.
"Max, we need your help. We've found something that could change our lives. But we need a navigator."
Max looked up, eyes bloodshot.
"Why should I care? I've lost everything. My ship. My reputation…"
Kay stepped toward him.
"Because this could be your chance to get it all back."
"If what we found is as powerful as we think, it could help me… and let you rebuild your life."
Max stared at Kay for a long, heavy moment.
Then he slowly stood, swaying a little.
"Fine. I'll help. But if this is a waste of time… you'll regret it."
With Max on their side, they needed a starship.
The old man knew of an old, broken ship hidden in a junkyard outside the slums.
It had been abandoned for years.
But with Ella's mechanical skill, they hoped they could fix it.
When they reached the junkyard, they saw the ship.
It was a wreck.
Broken wings.
Rusted hull.
But Ella's eyes sparkled.
"I can fix this. It'll take time, but I can make it space-worthy."
Kay looked at the ship, then at Ella.
"I believe in you. We're running out of time for the exam. But this could change everything."
"Let's do it."
Over the next few days, everyone worked.
Kay carried heavy parts.
Ella fixed the engines.
The old man helped with the electrical systems.
Max studied the coordinates and planned the route.
As they worked, Kay thought about the road ahead.
The journey into the unknown would be dangerous.
They had no idea what they'd find.
But the thought of finally surpassing nobles like Karl…
Of reaching his dream of entering the academy…
It kept him going.
At last, after days of hard work, Ella smiled.
"The ship's ready for a test run."
"I've done all I can. Now let's see if this old girl can fly."
Kay, Ella, the old hermit, and Max climbed aboard.
Max sat in the pilot's seat, hands gripping the controls tightly.
He fired up the engines.
The ship rumbled to life.
They exchanged one nervous, determined look.
And prepared to fly into the unknown.