Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Inside a certain spacecraft.

The uniforms of Melville Military Academy are golden, said to be inspired by the first ray of sunlight that filters through the golden stained glass of Melville Church at sunset. But the real reason is simpler than people think.

It's their hair color.

The golden hair that the Melville family takes pride in, the purest and most noble color in their perception.

"Senior, do you have a moment now?"

A brown-haired male youth cautiously knocked on the door. When no response came, he tried to open it.

The door was not locked, and with a creak, it opened a crack. Suddenly, a black shadow shot out and lunged straight at the youth's face—

A flash of blood, and a piercing scream echoed through the air!

Two minutes later, a group of Melville Military Academy students in identical golden uniforms rushed over, helped the blood-soaked youth to his feet, quickly cleaned up the bloody mess on the ground, and whispered reprimands.

"What happened? Didn't anyone warn him not to come here?!"

"I thought you told him!"

"What's all the noise?" A bespectacled male youth adjusted his glasses, his somewhat scholarly demeanor not giving him much authority in the group, but the moment he spoke, everyone went silent. The youth glanced at the injured person's face, "Take him to the infirmary first; don't delay the match with Imperial Honor Military Academy."

With hurried steps, the ground was soon restored to its pristine state.

The youth glanced at the ground, gave a slight shake of his head, and raised his hand to knock on the door.

"It's me, Lei Li. Senior, do you have time now?"

Silence hung in the air as he stood there, waiting for a full 10 minutes.

"Come in," a deep voice said.

Lei Li let out a sigh of relief and gently pushed the door open.

The smell of smoke wafted in first, a white mist floating, the interstellar rainbow light refracted through the transparent glass, casting colors on the corners of the walls, creating a chaotic, dreamlike atmosphere in the room. In the center of the room, on a sofa, a golden-haired male youth with a cigarette in his mouth leaned back, his tall, slender body filling the single sofa, his long legs stretched out.

He seemed unaware of Lei Li's entrance, staring motionlessly at the ceiling like a lifeless corpse, but his chest was still rising and falling, white smoke slowly curling from his lips.

Beside him, a huge golden cage held a white-headed sea eagle, the cage door only slightly ajar, meaning the top predator could burst out at any moment, just as it had pounced on the youth's face to eat his flesh.

Even after being by Eugene's side for a year, Lei Li still felt fear when he saw the sea eagle. He tried to stay calm, "Senior, we'll arrive at Imperial Honor Military Academy in an hour."

The sea eagle's eyes suddenly turned, staring straight at him.

Lei Li felt a chill run down his spine, his hands and feet cold and heavy, but after a moment, he heard the youth speak, "It's full today, you can be nervous tomorrow."

Lei Li's sweat dripped, his throat moving, "Thank you, senior."

The youth held the cigarette, tilted his head, and his eyes, filled with a heavy sense of menace, emotionlessly scanned him, his brow bone deep, with two marks left from years of pressing his brow.

"You have a foul stench on you," he said.

"Sorry," Lei Li lowered his head, "It won't happen next time."

Eugene was sensitive and disgusted by the scent of others' pheromones, and Lei Li had tried his best to suppress his own before entering.

Eugene remained reclined on the sofa, the cigarette burned down to his fingertips without him moving. "Who did the Imperial Honor Military Academy choose to compete this year?"

In fact, Lei Li had already sent him the detailed list, but knowing Eugene's personality, he definitely hadn't opened it. So, Lei Li dutifully projected the list again. Fifteen photos and profiles were symmetrically arranged. Eugene propped up his head, quickly scanning the faces in the photos, pausing at the last photo, narrowing his eyes with a dangerous glint.

Bai Chuan Langley.

Lei Li knew Eugene would notice this person named "Bai Chuan" for no other reason than their striking resemblance.

Only those who had truly seen Eugene would understand just how similar their features were. If Lei Li hadn't been certain that Bai Chuan was just an Omega from a remote planet, and that Eugene's parents had died shortly after his birth, making it impossible for him to have a sibling, he would have thought they were brothers.

However, anyone seeing someone who looked so much like themselves would be startled. But Eugene's reaction was calmer than Lei Li had expected. He only lingered on the photo for a few seconds before closing his eyes and lying back down.

"How dull."

Lei Li turned off the projection: "This year, there are also members from the Odellia family and the Meihua family."

"You mean that redhead who only knows how to fight and that mentally unstable lunatic?"

Lei Li wanted to say, 'Do you realize you embody both of those traits?'

But he didn't dare speak up, silently nodding instead.

Eugene tossed the long-extinguished cigarette aside, not even deigning to comment further on the list. He gestured for Lei Li to leave, and Lei Li immediately bowed, quietly closing the door behind him.

After leaving the room, he opened his terminal to inquire about the injured student's condition. The response was that the student had a facial fracture, with most of the flesh on his left cheek torn away. Lei Li sighed heavily, proceeding with the usual compensation process.

At the same time, he prayed for the students of the Imperial Honor Military Academy:

Let's hope no one dies in this competition.

...

"Can you walk faster? We're going to be late!"

Kaiser frowned, urging Yi Ye, who was leisurely strolling along behind him.

Today was the official opening of the military academy competition. While other students had been up before dawn, preparing, Yi Ye had been sprawled out in bed, his blanket on the floor, showing no urgency whatsoever. If Kaiser hadn't dragged him into the bathroom, he would still be snoring away.

"It's just the opening ceremony... No one will notice if I'm not there."

With so many students from the Imperial Honor Military Academy and other academies, who would notice his absence? Yi Ye yawned lazily, leaning on Kaiser's back and chuckling, "Hey buddy, why don't you carry me?"

Kaiser's back stiffened, and he turned his head away awkwardly. "Get up and stand properly!"

Alright, he's getting mad again.

Yi Ye straightened up: "Alright, alright, let's hurry up, Young Master."

Fortunately, Kaiser's urgency paid off. When they arrived, Ling Pei stood solemnly in the front row of the audience seats, with Instructor Clark holding the attendance list nearby. Seeing Yi Ye, Ling Pei nodded to Instructor Clark: "Start the roll call."

Instructor Clark: "...?"

Yi Ye was just glad he had escaped the misfortune of being scolded by Instructor Clark face-to-face. He quickly spotted Bai Chuan in the crowd and noticed two empty seats to his left. Delighted, he sat down. As soon as his butt hit the chair, a shadow fell to his left.

"Aren't you supposed to sit in the front?"

Kaiser: "Who said so? I'm sitting here."

Yi Ye: "But if you're here, Instructor Clark will easily notice me. I still want to sleep, you know?"

"...Do you think the person next to you isn't noticeable?"

Yi Ye followed his hand to look at Bai Chuan.

Seems like it.

Why is he always surrounded by such attention-grabbing people! Whatever, Yi Ye is used to maintaining a good attitude at all times; after all, there's plenty of time to catch up on sleep in this life.

The opening ceremony officially began, with all Imperial Honor Military Academy students, except for the fourth graders, present. Yi Ye also noticed a large number of students in other military academy uniforms sitting nearby, presumably all here for the competition. He glanced around and noticed everyone looked quite serious, so he obediently sat back down.

On stage, Instructor Clark, the representative mentor, delivered a passionate speech, while below, Yi Ye was quietly discussing with Bai Chuan which uniforms corresponded to which academies and whose uniforms looked better. After comparing, he still thought the Imperial Honor Military Academy's uniform looked the best.

But soon after, someone kicked his chair. At first, he ignored it, thinking it was an accident, but the frequency and force gradually increased.

Yi Ye had had enough: "Young Master, why are you kicking my chair?"

Kaiser calmly replied: "It was an accident. Besides, this is the opening ceremony; as a student, you should be paying attention to the mentor's speech."

"Oh. Do you know what Instructor Clark just said?"

"No, who pays attention to such boring stuff," Kaiser said without thinking.

Yi Ye: "..."

Kaiser realized belatedly: "..."

Bai Chuan: "..." Hmph, always scheming.

Bai Chuan pulled Yi Ye's attention back: "I've read Instructor Clark's speech draft and I remember most of it. If you want to know, you can ask me."

Yi Ye was moved to proud tears.

This is the protagonist he raised, look! How amazing!

Kaiser snorted unwillingly: "A pointless speech draft, who would waste time memorizing that, too bored."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yi Ye kicked him in the ankle, causing him to hiss in pain.

"Don't talk about my brother that way."

Kaiser looked at Bai Chuan behind him: ...?! Maybe you should check your brother's expression before saying that?

Amid their whispered bickering, Instructor Clark finished his speech and stepped down from the stage.

After the mentor's speech, it was time for the student representatives from each military academy to take the stage. The speaker from Imperial Honor Military Academy was Elia, the acting president of the committee and a third-year student, making him the most suitable candidate. But speeches, after all, are rarely fun, especially in formal settings.

Halfway through, Yi Ye, bored out of his mind, started fiddling with Bai Chuan's sleeve, buttoning and unbuttoning the cuff buttons. When he glanced up idly, he caught Kaiser's complicated gaze.

"...Do you want to play too?"

"Not a chance."

Why not play with him. Kaiser thought.

"Next, please welcome the representative from Melville Military Academy to the stage."

The atmosphere in the room instantly turned icy. A youth walked up the steps on the right side of the podium. Yi Ye only saw the person's back—very tall, probably among the taller ones in the Alphas. The uniform was worn exceptionally neatly, tightly covering the body inch by inch, the hair color dazzlingly golden, especially conspicuous in the crowd.

Yi Ye quickly looked to the right.

What a strange coincidence.

Their hair color is exactly the same.

Who the hell is this guy?

"Good morning, everyone. I’m Eugene, the representative from Melville Military Academy. I doubt I need to repeat my last name—most of you probably already know who I am."

His brow was furrowed, radiating a violent energy, like he was ready to kill at any moment, his thick fingertips gripping the microphone, with fresh burn marks on the side of his hand. He carried himself with an air of superiority, and Yi Ye had only seen that kind of natural disdain when he first met Kaiser. He hated that look—the kind that made people feel like slaves.

But more than that, he couldn’t help wondering—

Why does he look so much like Bai Chuan, anyway?

Before Yi Ye could process it, the guy on stage grabbed his attention again.

"I know this is the empire’s top-ranked military academy, and I was honored when I found out I’d be coming here." Eugene's deep blue eyes scanned the crowd of bright and shiny faces, biting his words meaningfully, "You could say I’m deeply honored. After all, Imperial Honor Military Academy used to be the alma mater of countless legendary commanders and warriors, and I don’t think anyone would consider it undeserving of its reputation."

"Of course, I said, it was once. As for the current Imperial Honor Military Academy, ha."

A short, mocking laugh instantly set the audience on fire with rage.

"What the hell is wrong with this guy?" "What’s he even saying? Someone needs to shut him up!" "Get off the stage!"

Curses and shouts erupted from the crowd.

In the corner, Lei Li buried his face in his hands, groaning. He knew Eugene would pull this stunt! He should’ve been the one to speak.

"Seems like I hit a nerve—why else would you be so mad? I think students from other military academies feel the same way, don’t you?"

Eugene raised his hand: "Do you really think Imperial Honor Military Academy deserves its top spot? Does it even come close?"

……

Students from other academies exchanged uneasy glances.

"He’s not wrong—what’s Imperial Honor Military Academy even good for now, even allowing Omegas to bring bodyguards? It’s ridiculous, just look at how many freeloaders have entered because of these policies."

Freeloader himself, Yi Ye: ...

"You haven’t heard the worst part—Betas can just waltz into Class S without even taking the test."

The only Beta in Class S, Yi Ye: ...

"You all don’t know, the funniest thing is their freshman assessment—a Beta actually took first place. How weak has Imperial Honor Military Academy become now?"

Yi Ye: ...

Why don’t you just say my name already?

"You’re looking for death, aren’t you!"

Before Yi Ye could even move, Kaiser exploded, charging forward in a rage, grabbed the guy by the collar, and punched him! That single punch sparked an all-out brawl! In just a few seconds, the hall was filled with the dull sounds of fists hitting flesh, shouts, cheers, curses, all crammed into the closed space, chaotic like a morning market scramble!

"I’ll beat you all to death, you outsiders, come on! Fight me for eight hundred rounds!"

"You think you’re great because you’re from Imperial Honor Military Academy? I’ve been wanting to beat you up for a long time, you trash!!"

"Ahhhhhhh I’ll kill you all!!"

"Uh, well... I was just passing by on my way home, my mom called me to come eat."

...

Yi Ye was stunned for a couple of seconds by the hysterical chaos, then immediately went to find Bai Chuan, only to discover that Bai Chuan was also in a fight and was actually winning.

Yi Ye: Help... stop fighting! If you're going to fight, do it in the dance studio!

Meanwhile, the instigator of the chaos stood on stage, coldly observing the pandemonium below.

See, he knew these people could be easily riled up.

"You shouldn't have done this."

Someone approached him, and he slightly raised his head.

...

Screech—

The sharp feedback from the microphone made everyone instinctively cover their ears. The students of the Imperial Honor Military Academy, their faces flushed with excitement—whether from being hit or the adrenaline rush—were clearly annoyed at having their brawl interrupted and glared fiercely at the troublemaker.

—It was General Lin Pei.

General Lin Pei spoke sternly, "Everyone, return to your seats immediately."

Everyone: ...Okay, we're going back now.

"Eugene Melville, you believe that the current policies of the Imperial Honor Military Academy are completely wrong, don't you?"

General Lin Pei's voice echoed through the microphone to everyone's ears.

Eugene shrugged, "I shouldn't have to repeat that."

"As a commander, I share your doubts," General Lin Pei continued, amidst the incredulous and indignant gazes of the Imperial Honor Military Academy students. "So we all need the Imperial Honor Military Academy to provide an answer worthy of its reputation."

"General Lin Pei, you're not planning to delay this until after the league, are you?"

"You want an answer now?"

"Of course."

General Lin Pei was silent for a moment, then his gaze suddenly fell on Yi Ye in the audience.

Yi Ye: I feel like something bad is about to happen.

The next moment.

"Yiye Langley, step forward."

...

The spotlight was blinding.

Yi Ye didn't know why he was in this place that didn't belong to him, under the intense spotlights, with the piercing gazes from below that could burn holes through him. People looked at him as if he were some kind of rare animal.

Although Yi Ye knew he had thick skin, this wasn't a reason for General Lin Pei to suddenly call him to the stage to give an impromptu speech! He wanted to cry but had no tears, his brain spinning rapidly, yet still unclear where General Lin Pei had gone wrong to have any expectations of him.

Sigh, since I'm here, might as well make the best of it. Since I'm here, might as well say something before I leave.

Yes. Since I'm here, life always goes on with this saying.

Facing countless fiery gazes, Yi Ye gripped the microphone, trying to appear as natural as possible, but with his brain currently in a state of shutdown, he struggled for a long time, not knowing what to say. Perhaps because his brain had been rattled by his father's wine bottle, he suddenly blurted out:

"Have you eaten yet?"