Unable to sleep, Feng Mo immersed himself in studying the blueprints for the T3 Battle Armor and calculating the costs. The results were jaw-dropping: building a set of T3 Battle Armor would cost close to 40 million Yunshan credits, more than three times the expense of constructing the Storm-class Battleship.
The primary reason for the exorbitant cost wasn't the armor's engines, shell, or weaponry, which only ran a few million credits. The real expense came from the memory metal, a cutting-edge material priced at nearly one million credits per pound. Crafting the armor would require over thirty pounds of it.
Shocked by the price, Feng Mo put the thought aside. As fatigue set in, he slowly drifted off to sleep.
---
On October 1st, Feng Mo arrived early at the classroom, habitually punching Wang Chongsheng's shoulder before taking his seat.
"Mo, here's the latest intel," Wang said. "This time, the senior-year field training for all 72 military academies across Yunshan Empire will be directly supervised by the Military Department. That means we'll be participating in real combat together with students from the entire empire."
"Where exactly are we headed?" Feng Mo asked, startled by the implication of being deployed to the frontlines.
"I wore down my old man for four hours to get the details: We're probably heading to the frontlines," Wang revealed.
The frontlines? In the interstellar era, the Human Federation wasn't without its enemies. Quite the opposite: the galaxy was rife with hostile forces. The Federation faced threats from all directions.
To the north were the Zerg, to the south the Mechanical Legion, to the east the Beastmen, and to the west lay the Chaotic Star Sea—a region plagued by space pirates who pillaged and killed without mercy. It was also where Feng Mo's parents had gone missing.
The battlefield wasn't a playground. It was a place of extreme danger where even a small mistake could lead to shipwreck and death. Yet, despite the risks, Feng Mo had one thought.
"Old Wang, if we're really heading to the frontlines, does that mean we'll earn military merits?" Feng Mo asked eagerly.
"Of course!" Wang confirmed. "You know there are only two ways to earn military merit nowadays: going to war or space exploration. If we're fighting, there will definitely be merit to gain."
Feng Mo felt a surge of excitement. Military merit was essential for elevating one's noble rank, and Wang was right about the two options. The battlefield was incredibly dangerous and restrictive; any loot collected belonged to the military, redeemable only through points, though the military merits were abundant.
Space exploration, while less dangerous, was more lucrative. Discovering an unclaimed planet could yield a fortune in both military merit and Yunshan credits. Each path had its own advantages and drawbacks, depending on one's ambitions.
The two continued their conversation until a distinct tapping sound interrupted them.
Their homeroom teacher entered the classroom in person, not as a projection, signaling the importance of the announcement.
"Students, senior-year field training has officially begun. Let me explain the details," the teacher began. "This time, the training will be co-hosted by the Military Department and the academy, lasting for six months at the northern defensive front."
"Participation is entirely voluntary. Students who wish to join can sign up on the academy's star network. Departure is scheduled for October 3rd at 8 a.m."
"Now, let me outline the benefits of participating in this training," the teacher continued. "First: The Military Department has promised that participants will receive a half-rank promotion upon graduation, with priority in recruitment. Second: The same military merit rules apply as on the battlefield. Exceptional performance will be rewarded with significant military merit and military points. Third: The Military Department will establish a ranking system, where students who destroy enemy Zerg starships and troops will earn points. The top 100 students on the leaderboard will receive additional military rewards."
"If any of you wish to join the Military Department after graduation, this is an invaluable opportunity. Those who choose not to participate will be assigned to logistical roles by the academy."
The homeroom teacher left no room for coercion, leaving the choice entirely up to the students before departing.
As soon as the teacher stepped out, the classroom erupted into a cacophony of voices. The excitement was palpable, as if the energy alone could lift the roof.
Wang Chongsheng pulled Feng Mo aside into the hallway.
"Mo, when we get to the frontlines, let's team up. We can even recruit a few reliable classmates to form a temporary fleet," Wang suggested.
Feng Mo pondered for a moment before agreeing. "Sounds good. There's strength in numbers, but reliable people are hard to come by." An idea suddenly struck him. "What about Moxue?" he asked, watching Wang's face fall in mock exasperation.
Moxue was Wang Chongsheng's fiancée, arranged in a childhood betrothal. Her family's roots lay outside the Yunshan Empire, and they had specifically enrolled her in Yunshan Interstellar Military Academy to strengthen her bond with Wang.
Despite her sweet-sounding name, Moxue was a no-nonsense, authoritative figure—a complete dominatrix. Most importantly, she could easily overpower Wang, who dreaded their hand-to-hand combat classes where he was perpetually the victim.
As Wang's close friend, Feng Mo only had a passing acquaintance with Moxue. He made a point of keeping his distance, adhering to the code that you should never get too familiar with a buddy's future wife.
"Count me in for the team! And, Feng Mo, can I check out your big cannon?" came a voice from behind, startling both boys.
Turning, they saw a girl nearly six feet tall, with an eye-catching figure and an innocent, baby-doll face. It was none other than Yue Xiaomeng!
"Big cannon?" Wang raised an eyebrow, smirking at Feng Mo, as if to ask when he had started flirting with her.
Feng Mo was just as confused, shaking his head. He hadn't had much interaction with Yue Xiaomeng. Ever since starting university, his time was consumed by studies related to starships, leaving little room for a social life.
"I mean your 2600mm turbo laser cannon on your T3 battleship, of course!" Yue Xiaomeng clarified.
Feng Mo sighed with relief. Yue Xiaomeng had a knack for making innocent comments sound suggestive.
"You're welcome to check it out anytime," Feng Mo replied. "As for teaming up, that's fine, but you'll have to follow orders."
"Don't worry, Feng Mo. I'm very good at following orders. Just tell me what to do," she chirped in her sweet, teasing voice.
Trying to change the subject, Feng Mo turned to Wang. "Don't forget to tell Moxue. With Xiaomeng joining us, the four of us can form a solid temporary fleet. I'm heading out now. See you on the 3rd."
Feng Mo's decision to include Yue Xiaomeng wasn't arbitrary. Her family had equipped her with a T3-class star carrier, the priciest ship in their class. Used wisely, it could be a game-changer in critical moments.
Plus, it aligned with Feng Mo's new task:
[Task: Destroy 100 Zerg Hiv
e Motherships. Progress: 0/100. Reward: 1000 points and a T3 Star Mech blueprint.]