Cloud Mountain Empire, Cloud Mountain Military Academy.

"In the era of interstellar exploration, the Stargate technology is vital for any empire's survival. Using the Stargates, an empire's fleet can freely travel between star systems, even across entire star regions."

"Star systems are synonymous with endless resources, so the more Stargates a power controls, the greater its influence."

"Currently, the Cloud Mountain Empire controls only five Stargates, placing it third within the Federation." 

In a technologically advanced lecture hall, the professor's holographic projection stood at the podium, eloquently delivering the lesson.

Meanwhile, sitting in the back row, Feng Mo was deep in thought.

As a transmigrator, he had arrived in this era of interstellar exploration. Orphaned, an only child, and the sole heir of a fallen noble family, Feng Mo's starting point was enviable by transmigrator standards.

As the saying goes, even a dilapidated ship still has thousands of nails. Despite their decline, the Feng family still controlled three planets within the Xianyun star system, bringing in an annual income of nearly a million Cloud Mountain Credits, even after expenses.

One of those planets was a life-supporting world that required constant investment, rather than generating profit. Additionally, maintaining a fleet and the territorial defense systems didn't leave much left over.

Furthermore, the tuition at the Cloud Mountain Military Academy wasn't cheap. Feng Mo's annual expenses were at least 100,000 Credits. The academy was the top military institution in the empire, and Feng Mo was enrolled in the elite Command Department's junior class.

With no major worries and a lifelong fascination with starships, coupled with a typical transmigrator's cheats, Feng Mo had already passed the exam to become a Junior Starship Engineer during his university years, granting him the authority to design and build starships.

The tuition might be steep, but admission to this prestigious academy required one to rank among the top 300 in the empire, both in theoretical knowledge and genetic aptitude.

With only a year until graduation, Feng Mo planned to assemble an interstellar fleet, venture into the Wild Star Sea, and perhaps even search for his parents, who had gone missing over a decade ago.

The Federation's empires were currently promoting space exploration, known as "pioneering," offering generous rewards and, most importantly, military merit.

For natural planets with life, discoverers could report to the empire and receive 30% of the profits, or capture the planet themselves for 80%.

For resource-rich planets, reporting them yielded 50% of the profits, while self-mining could net up to 90%.

"Class dismissed. The semester is ending, and next year, you'll begin your practical internships," the professor announced.

"You may be sent to the frontlines to face space orcs, insectoids, or the mechanical race. Alternatively, you might head to the Wild Star Sea for interstellar exploration."

"As cadets in the Starship Command Department, you're required to have your own starship by the start of next semester. There are no restrictions on ship type or grade. You may buy one or use academy credits to exchange for one."

"As for your ship's captain and crew, you can recruit from other departments within the academy or purchase personnel from the slave market, as long as it's legal under imperial law."

With that, the professor's hologram vanished, and the class erupted into animated discussions about their starship preparations.

The Starship Command Department admitted only 100 students across two classes each year. Most cadets came from wealthy or noble families, though a few were exceptionally talented commoners.

The empire's highest starship grade was T5. Most students' families provided them with T2 ships, though some nobles prepared T3 ships.

The academy's exchange program offered mostly T1 ships, occasionally T2, but these were century-old models refurbished by the Starship Maintenance Department. Despite being overhauled, they couldn't escape their outdated designs and materials.

"Ah, it's a shame. I'm just a concubine's son, so the family only got me a T2 interstellar destroyer."

"A destroyer is decent, but real men should pilot a battleship. Giant ships with massive cannons are a man's romance!"

"Well, those nobles have it good. Me? I'm just a commoner. I'll exchange for a frigate, finish my studies, and join a fleet as a worker after graduation."

Listening to his classmates, Feng Mo pondered his own first starship. After all, what man hadn't dreamed of soaring across the universe?

"Mo, have you decided what starship to get? You should hurry; break is coming up, and you'll also need a crew," Wang Chongsheng, sitting nearby, leaned in.

"How about you, Old Wang? Show me what you've got!" Feng Mo replied.

Grinning, Wang Chongsheng lifted his arm to project a hologram from his smart terminal, revealing an ancient-looking starship model.

"A T3 Bald Eagle-class interstellar destroyer, market price: 26 million Cloud Mountain Credits!"

"My dad ordered it for me, and even hired a crew of retired veterans from the military, all with over 30 years of service!"

Wang hesitated, then continued, "Mo, I've got some extra funds. How about we pool resources and get you a T3 ship too? My dad could get a discount."

"No worries. I've got plans for my starship. You'll see it after break!" Feng Mo smiled.

Wang Chongsheng's family was incredibly influential. His uncle led the empire's interstellar trade, and his father held the rank of earl. The family's power ranked among the top ten in the Cloud Mountain Empire, so a 26 million Credit ship was hardly surprising.

The two friends chatted as they headed to the academy cafeteria.

Wang noticed Feng Mo's pensive expression and assumed he was still contemplating starship options.

In reality, Feng Mo's status wasn't low. He had inherited the title of viscount after his parents' early deaths and still owned three planets in the Xianyun star system.

The planets had been in Feng's family for generations. His great-grandfather, once a fleet commander for the Cloud Mountain Empire, had been awarded the rank of earl and a fiefdom for his military achievements. But with each generation, the family's accomplishments dwindled, and by the time Feng Mo inherited, the title had downgraded to viscount.

According to imperial law, ducal titles were hereditary, but marquis, earls, viscounts, and barons needed military achievements to maintain their status across generations.

Feng Mo's parents had made one last desperate attempt for military merit when he was eight, selling off resource planets to fund a T3 fleet led by a T3 battleship to explore the Wild Star Sea. They never returned.

"Feng Mo, come on, let's sit over there," Wang suggested, trying to steer him away from a certain group.

But it was too late. Feng Mo had already seen them: Jiang Wei and Zhao Zhicheng.

The two were longtime rivals of Feng Mo and Wang Chongsheng, though they maintained a facade of brotherhood. The animosity dated back to their grandfathers' e

ra.

Wang rolled his eyes. "Just our luck. These two idiots are everywhere."