Upon completion of the second phase of the Cadet exam, the remaining testers enter room 30D. In this room are six seats arranged in the center, and at the front, an upper middle-aged man with green hair, eyes, and a mustache. He wears a pristine Ozanian Academy Uniform adorned with many medals and gleaming golden amulets, signifying a high ranking. "Sit down so we can start the test."
"Good evening, class. My name is Bartholomew, One of the three Admirals of The Academy, and I will be your instructor for this phase. This phase will be a 3v3 simulation where two teams will command opposing fleets to defeat each other. Since Jax and Soma have the highest scores so far, they'll be team captains. I'll leave it to you guys to pick your teams."
Jax and Soma approach the front of the classroom, feeling the eyes of their classmates on them. "Since you have the highest score, you pick your first teammate, Soma."
"With pleasure! I choose my best friend, Tsukamoto."
"Okay, Jax, whom do you pick?"
"I'll take Rojo!"
"Who do you pick next, Soma?"
Soma looks at a taller, lanky teenage Hybrid: Cat Class creature. "I'll take that guy!"
"Yuki is the only one left. He will be on Jax's team."
Everyone lines up horizontally according to their teams. "Ok, everyone, now that we have our teams set, let's go to the simulation room so I can brief you on how this exam will go."
Bartholomew and the testers enter the simulation room. This room has a large projector screen which will oversee the battle later, and six chairs with dome-shaped objects known as Neuro Simulators. "Everyone, please head to the three seats on the opposing sides of the room."
Bartholomew turns on a TV screen with instructions. "For this simulation, you must destroy the enemy's Main Frigate to win the battle. You all will have 20,000 ships at your disposal. You'll have the option of choosing stingers, Ozanian Fighter ships, Heavy Ships, and Transport ships, which carry up to 1,000 ships of any kind and are nigh-invulnerable to other ships' blasters. However, Transport ships can't deal any damage. How you distribute your ships and how they'll spawn throughout the battle will be up to you. During the battle, you'll have the option of choosing three bonuses. One bonus will be a 5,000-ship reinforcement, the next will be impenetrable shields on a legion of 4,000 ships, and the last is a blaster enhancement on a battalion of 7,000 ships. Once you enter the simulation, you'll have 20 minutes to discuss your strategy with your peers."
Bartholomew presses a green button, and then they hear a whirring sound as the dome-shaped objects descend over their heads. "Simulation Commenced," says The P.A. system.
When they enter the simulation, they are met with the sight of the long window showing them the space environment and three black chairs behind the control panel. Jax's eyes widen in awe as he twiddles his thumbs and moves his body around in the surreal replication of reality. "Wow! This feels so real!"
"Yeah, it's like we're actually in the real world," says Rojo.
Suddenly, Yuki creeps up behind Jax and Rojo. Yuki is a chubby human child with brown hair and gray eyes, wearing glasses, a dull gray long-sleeved shirt, and green shorts. "I think we should decide our strategy for the battle," said Yuki, who has a lisp in his voice. A glistening strand of snot dangles from Yuki's nostril.
"We'll figure it out. Just let us get used to this space around us."
Rojo gestures at the stringy snot hanging precariously from Yuki's nostril. "Hey, um, you got a little something hanging from your nose, man."
"Oh, this?" Yuki takes his index finger, wipes away the gooey snot from his nose, and then swallows it. "There."
Jax and Rojo feel their stomachs churn in revulsion. "Gross…" they both think to themselves.
"Okay, now we can discuss strategy," says Jax.
After they devise a plan for 20 minutes, Jax, Rojo, and Yuki feel the button depress beneath their fingers as they press it to begin the battle. To begin the fight, Soma's team unleashes an armada of 7,000 Heavy Ships, backed up by a reinforcement of 5,000 ships; 2,000 Stinger and 3,000 more Heavy Ships.
"Damn, they're taking one hell of a risk," says Rojo.
"What are you talking about?" asks Yuki.
"They're starting the battle with many more numbers than us. It's a risk because they're using their bonus right at the start of the battle. The bad thing is, if it's successful, that assault could bombard our defenses, and our frigate is toast.
"So why not send faster ships to bypass these defenses?"
"Yeah, we can use some of them to bypass their attack," says Yuki.
"So they're goin' out with an explosive offense. I don't know how long we can hold off that assault. But maybe if… that's it! I got it!" Jax thinks to himself. Jax flashes a toothy, confident grin. "I have an idea. Rojo, deploy 2,000 stingers!"
"On it!" Rojo releases a fleet of 2,000 Stingers. Soma and his team send a cloud of 6,000 ships and 3,000 stingers to counteract the fleet of stingers. Soma's counterattack wipes out most of the stinger ships deployed by Jax's team instantly. Soma's armada continues its raging pursuit toward Jax, Soma's, and Yuki's frigate, the ships roaring as they soar through the space environment. "Jax! They will push through our defenses and arrive at our main ship. Our defenses will fall!"
"Just wait, Rojo," The corners of Jax's mouth still stay up in a smile. "Yuki, deploy 4,000 transportation vessels," Yuki deploys 4,000 transportation vessels.
"Just what is he planning?" Rojo thinks to himself. Soma's team launches 3,000 stingers and 1,000 fighter ships, their hulls glinting in the light as they fly toward Jax's team's transport ship blockade.
"Jax, they're coming at us in full force. I think we outta send some fighter ships!" said Rojo.
"Don't you worry, Rojo, I got them right where I want 'em, Rojo. Watch the fun happen!"
Jax unleashes a massive squadron of 2,000 Transport Ships with the impenetrable shield bonus, and the vessels form a protective blockade in front of the others. The transport ships' shields spark and crackle as they withstand the onslaught from the stingers and fighters, the attacking ships exploding on contact. "Alright, Yuki, deploy 7,000 Fighter Ships and 500 stingers from these transports when I give you the ok."
"Got it!"
In response to the transport ship deployment, Soma's team dispatches 3,500 fighter ships and 3,500 stingers. "Ok, Yuki! Deploy them now!"
A cluster of stinger and fighter ships expertly maneuver around Soma's defenses and head toward the frigate. Rojo's eyes widen in awe as he suddenly understands Jax's plan. "I get it now! Jax used their offense against them. He let them come to him and patiently bided time until they reached a point where they expended all of their ships into their offense and abandoned their defense. Not only do we have the offensive advantage, but we also have the defensive advantage as he has transport ships with shields to keep them from our frigate! What a genius plan!"
Jax's ships crash into their Main Frigate, deeming them the winners of the battle. "Jax, Rojo, and Yuki. You have won this battle!" says the computer.
Bartholomew ends the simulation, and they return to the real world. "Yes! We won!" Jax Rojo and Yuki cheer in unison.
"That was some mighty fine work there, you guys. Because you won, the three of you have passed your Cadet Exam automatically."
"As for you, Soma, you also showed tremendous wits during this battle, so don't take this defeat too harshly. Since I think it'd be good for the future of The Academy, you three will also join Jax, Yuki, and Rojo."
"You all can go on to your resting quarters on this ship and take a breather because next week, you and the Entries will go on your first mission!"
A younger female Hybrid: Wolf Class enters the room with multiple stacks of paper. "Here are the test papers, Admiral."
"Thank you," Bartholomew hands them their results. The newly deemed Cadets exit the room and head toward the station's resting quarters. Jax looks at his results, and his eyebrows raise excitedly. "I got a 28 out of 30!"
"That's nice. Well, I only got a 21, but I passed, so who cares!" says Rojo.
Jax and Rojo arrive at the resting quarters and enter a room that boasts a window that overlooks the vast space environment, two bunk beds, and other necessary household appliances. "We have to stay at this station for a week. How do you think you will do without Navar and Miri?"
"I'll be just fine. I'm going to get some rest. That last phase has my mind tired from all that thinking."
"Yeah, me too," Jax and Rojo climb into their bunk beds, sinking into the feather-filled mattresses.
"Goodnight, Jax."
"Goodnight, Rojo."
We now go to the POV of Bartholomew sitting in an office organizing papers. His ears perk up at the sound of a knock at the door, so he walks toward it and opens it. The person who knocked on the door is a man concealed in a shadow. "Jax Okayasu shows incredible potential. The last time we had a 28 out of 30, that man became The Grand Admiral of The Academy," says a deep voice.
"Indeed, during that simulation, he showed the poise of a veteran pilot."
"I'm glad you let Soma pass. Both he and Jax have the potential to be Admirals of fleets. If they stay on the right track, The Academy might be the best it's ever been."
"Agreed, sir."
The man hands Bartholomew the papers, the crisp sound of the paper crinkling in his hands, before departing from the room. "I have other matters to tend to. Get the preparation for the first mission coordinated with 499."
"Yes, sir!"