"My starship has arrived," Rodgraim said calmly.
Wolff stood beside him, looking at both the Aether Dominion and then back at Rodgraim with disbelief. To own an S-class ship, one would have to be exceptionally wealthy or powerful—likely a major figure in the Star Alliance. Claiming such a ship as his own was nothing short of an offense to whoever its real owner must be.
"Are you out of your mind?" Wolff exclaimed. "This is an S-class ship! Only planet lords or senior officials in the Sun Alliance hold S-class ships. If you offend the owner, no one will be able to protect you!"
Wolff couldn't believe Rodgraim would make such a claim over this ship. Did he know what S-class ships meant? The people around them started to back away, not wanting to be a part of the fallout.
"This kid actually dares to say that he owns an S-class ship. Whoever owns that ship must have strong connections!"
"That is an S-class ship, right?" someone mumbled. "Is there a new planet lord in the solar system?"
"'It does not matter who it belongs to; that boy is done. There has to be a limit to boasting. How in tarnation can a boy like him own an S-class ship? I would not dare think of such a thing, even in my wildest dreams!'
Rodgraim's behavior was as absurd as a lunatic claiming all a planet for himself.
Just at that moment, Luna ran to him, concerned. "Rodgraim, have you gone mad? This is an S-class ship! Even if you're going to boast, you have to know your limits!"
But Rodgraim's expression never shifted. "My ship is this S-class ship."
The crowd thinks he has indeed gone out of his mind.
He had the hatch of the Aether Dominion open with hissing air as he, along with his observers, fell silent, swallowing nervously. Not one person could guess what such a powerful figure owned in this kind of S-class ship, but now, not even Luna could save him.
The hatch stood open wide, offering the line of Marvin robots standing on both sides at attention.
"Captain, please board the ship!"
Rodgraim walked straight to the cabin door, nodding at the Marvin robots lined up for him. One can't help but appreciate the caring system onboard, without all the robots it would have been impossible to manage such a big vessel alone.
Luna and Wolff stood in shock, unable to believe what they were seeing. He was actually the captain?
"He… he went in?" Wolff stuttered, his head was spinning. He couldn't believe that Rodgraim owned an S-class ship; no mind could.
As she watched him step inside, all her emotions were a turmoil like a storm. Now she understood why Rodgraim had refused to be her crew member. If she owned an S-class ship she would not agree to be the crew of anyone too.
And then, out of the blue, the lad who had just mocked Rodgraim hurled himself at the young lord's knees. "Big brother, forgive me! Let me join your crew! I don't need pay—I'll even swab the decks!"
People were now tumbling over each other to get into the line. "Boss, I'm a B-level mechanical engineer. So many machines on this ship; you're sure to need a good mechanic!"
"Boss, I'm a B-class pilot. You can rely on me!"
End
"Sir, I'm a C-level space nutritionist; I don't even need pay!"
"Bugger off! Even a C-level certificate holder thinks he's fit to apply?" another snapped.
Moon Star Harbor erupted in excitement. Some of the typically self-assured B-level personnel eagerly threw themselves forward, and even a few A-level credential holders began to seriously consider whether they should jump at the chance to crew on the Aether Dominion.
It was an S-class ship-an incredible credential in itself. Just to be allowed on board could be the talk of a lifetime. Imagine being asked in the future which starship you'd served on and being able to casually say you'd been on an S-class ship!
Inside his Moon Star Harbor office, Moon Lord Jufer Ur stared out at the docked Aether Dominion with some shock. "That is a real S-class ship. How did this kid manage to acquire that?"
His face furrowed in consideration as he recalled Rodgraim's humble beginnings. Born on Earth, and here was one kid possessing an S-class ship right under the nose of the Sun Alliance. That kid certainly had something very special.
From another shore of the harbour, looking upon Rodgraim with a slight smiling smile was Lord Dragion Ur. "One day, this kid's name's going to be written across the stars."
The harbor manager, standing nearby, swiped the sweat from his forehead. Today had been whirlwind activity for Moon Star Harbor: not only did Dragion Ur himself appear, but an S-class ship docked at the same time. Usually, such an event made him anxious, but both of them on one day was unprecedented.
Just then a soldier rushed in. "Lord Ur, urgent! Miss Ur is missing!"
"What?! Damn it!" Dragion bellowed, visibly shaken. He had come here today specifically to make sure that his sister makes it back in one piece into his lunar fleet. She was an S-class ship manager, and Dragion did not want her navigating those treacherous starways alone.
Reckoning the dangers of deep space, Dragion called out to her through the intercom, "What are you waiting for? Go find her!"
Meanwhile, Rodgraim addressed the throng gathered in Star Harbor: "If any of you want to join my crew, you can-as long as you hold an S-level skill certificate."
Those who had been buzzing with excitement instantly became silent. S-level skill holders were few and were dominated by the Sun Alliance. Not only were they difficult to find in Moon Star Harbor, but even all throughout the solar system, S-level skill holders were readily grabbed by the Sun Alliance.
After hearing Rodgraim's conditions, even the A-level personnel became restless; they all wanted to change teams, realizing just how high the bar had been set.