Chapter 35

Chapter 35

At the Tulas family mansion, more than one Insect had seen the trending topics on the star network.

Clicking open the most widely shared photo from the hot searches, black pupils scanned the architectural sign behind the Male Insect in the photo repeatedly, unable to believe their eyes.

Confirming that he hadn’t misread, Siluan brought his hand down hard on the table, instantly understanding why Philo had been so busy lately.

No wonder he hadn’t attended any of their Male Insect banquets. No wonder his promised visit to express gratitude had been repeatedly postponed. No wonder he kept saying he was busy studying recently.

So, he went to apply for the Military Academy?!

What on earth was this guy thinking? Did he really think the Military Academy was like a high-end institution where he could just coast through? And what was there to coast in that place? It was dirty, exhausting, and smelly, with all the field exercises and drills. Had his brain been left with lasting damage after that beating from Yi Jia Fa?

At this thought, Siluan’s gaze swept over the Male Insect’s profile in the photo. Pressing his lips together, the black-haired Male Insect couldn’t help but curl his lips in disdain.

Wasn’t he supposed to have scars from the beating? Why did he look exactly the same as before—no, even better than before?

Gripping the small amethyst drum in his hand, the black-haired Male Insect snorted coldly, pushing aside any further thoughts.

He’d just wait and see if this guy could even pass the exam. After all this preparation, if he ended up failing, Siluan would absolutely mock him to his face!

Before His Highness Philo even took the next day’s individual combat assessment and physical fitness test, the black-haired Male Insect was already imagining his failure. Though his words were full of scorn, his fingers couldn’t stop scrolling through the trending topics.

Another Male Insect behaving similarly was Ya Jin from Qiankesilan.

Honestly, after seeing today’s fresh news, Ya Jin was growing more and more interested in this Male Insect from the barren planet. The speed at which he created buzz was practically outpacing ten of them combined!

Come to think of it, he hadn’t really interacted with any current Military Academy students, especially those from Kalms Military Academy. Unlike graduated Military Females, students were always under stricter supervision from the school.

If His Highness Philo really managed to pass the exam this time, maybe during his next visit to express gratitude, Ya Jin could ask him to keep an eye out for good prospects in the academy—especially the young, physically fit ones.

At this thought, the Male Insect rolled happily on his bed. But as he rolled, he suddenly remembered Nimir next door.

That guy had been holed up in his room designing clothes ever since returning from the Tulas family’s banquet, probably too preoccupied to check the trending topics. But something this entertaining—how could he not know?

Most importantly, heh, this was the perfect opportunity to remind him again. That iridescent black gemstone hat he wanted last time was no joke—it directly affected whether he’d be in the mood to agree to His Highness from the Tulas family’s visit to express gratitude.

With this in mind, the Male Insect swiftly rolled off the bed and headed to the next room with a mischievous grin, ready to disturb the hardworking Female Insect.

Though the young Male Insects currently interacting most with His Highness Philo were Siluan and Ya Jin, other Male Insects reacting to the star network’s trending topics responded similarly.

Some were shocked, some didn’t understand, some were intrigued—but more than anything, they were curious whether he could actually pass the Military Academy’s assessment.

It wasn’t as if no Male Insects had ever wanted to attend the Military Academy before. With so many pleasure-seeking Male Insects around, there were always one or two with atypical aspirations.

But unfortunately, once they learned that Male Insects also had to take the same entrance exams as Female Insects—even if the content was supposedly much simpler—the idea of enduring any hardship at all was enough to discourage them. Born without the need to suffer, even the slightest difficulty was too much for them.

Male Insects, whose interests were inherently transient, naturally wouldn’t voluntarily endure hardship. After all, if they wanted, they could easily play with Military Females of any rank or branch.

But now, it seemed there really was a Male Insect among them who could endure hardship. Considering this Male Insect from the Tulas family’s life experiences, the others weren’t entirely surprised.

For Male Insects, an A-Class Male Insect choosing to apply to a Military Academy might just be a passing amusement—something they’d forget after a brief chat. But for Female Insects, especially those who’d long had their eyes on this Tulas family Male Insect, this was an entirely unexpected development.

Even within the same social circles, His Highness Philo had always been hard to approach due to his disinclination toward social engagements and banquets. Now, with him applying to the Military Academy, unless they were current students, other Female Insects would find it even harder to see him.

Unlike Female Insects from ordinary backgrounds, those who attended the Tulas family’s banquets mostly came from similarly privileged families. What they wanted wasn’t just the dispensable role of a secondary consort—they wanted to be the primary consort.

An A-Class Male Insect didn’t just guarantee decades of glory for his own family. If he could produce high-grade Male progeny with Female Insects from other families, those families would also continue to thrive.

With this in mind, the major families of the capital planet wouldn’t easily divert their focus from this young, still-unbetrothed Highness.

Especially since, in the past, some Female Insects might have been unwilling to make familial concessions by marrying high-psychic level Male Insects they didn’t like. But with this Tulas family Male Insect, such conflicts were far less likely to arise.

Thus, after learning of His Highness Philo’s decision to apply to the Military Academy, the major families of the capital planet paid close attention—so much so that their concern arguably rivaled His Highness Philo’s own.

Though at the center of this storm, His Highness Philo himself had no time to dwell on the intense scrutiny. Returning to the Tulas family mansion via flyer, the Male Insect was currently… asleep.

Yes, after living like an Earth student preparing intensively for university entrance exams, the moment the pressure lifted, His Highness Philo couldn’t help but succumb to sleep.

The Tulas family, fully aware of how hard he’d worked lately, naturally didn’t disturb him. The final results wouldn’t be out until three days after the exams anyway—for now, they just wanted their young Highness to rest as much as possible so he’d be refreshed for tomorrow’s physical fitness test.

Though the Male Insect slept soundly, the same couldn’t be said for the other Insects who’d taken Kalms Military Academy’s entrance exam that day. With news spreading that a Male Insect had participated, hardly any of them could sleep.

Seriously, how could anyone sleep after this? Just imagining the possibility of becoming classmates with a Male Insect in the future was enough to keep them excited all night. Male Insects had always attended high-end comprehensive academies—never the Military Academy. To witness this unprecedented event firsthand was beyond thrilling! And to top it off, the Male Insect in question was that unbelievably handsome Highness!

At this thought, the Female Insects, who’d been trying to sleep, rolled around in bed again, secretly wondering whether the Male Insect would also participate in tomorrow’s individual combat assessment.

Whether these speculations were reasonable or not, the more they thought, the more excited they became—to the point where none of them could sleep a wink.

Clearly, Kalms Military Academy was determined to test the mental fortitude of these young Female Insects this year.

Thus, the next day, as soon as all students entered the simulated battlefield for the individual combat assessment, they received the same announcement:

"Attention: One Male Insect Highness is participating in this assessment. His results will not be included in the individual combat ranking. All participating students are prohibited from attacking the Highness or seizing his resources. Accidentally injuring the Highness will deduct 10 points; accidentally killing the Highness will result in a full score deduction. All other competition rules remain unchanged. The assessment begins now."

The simulated battlefield’s announcement used the same monotone, digitally generated electronic voice typical of military communications.

Though the Insects usually remained indifferent to this tone during training, this time, after hearing the full message, they were barely able to restrain their exhilaration.

Aaaaaah!

They’d guessed right! The Male Insect was really in the simulated battlefield with them!

Oh stars! He was even participating!

Seriously, was this kind of event even worthy of someone like him?!

Excited beyond measure, the Insects rubbed their hands together like flies. Any pre-assessment nerves were long gone—their faces flushed as if they weren’t about to face a brutal combat test, but rather a long-awaited date.

A few particularly overjoyed individuals even planted two big kisses on their virtual notification screens. The way they clung to them, you’d think they were embracing the Male Insect himself, not just a screen with his title on it.

Eyebrows twitching, the examiners observing from outside the battlefield had expected the young Insects to behave undignified after hearing about the Male Insect’s participation—but they hadn’t anticipated such an immediate overreaction.

Clenching his fist, one of today’s assistant examiners—also the head of the individual combat department, Esther Sakdo—committed to memory the appearances of the most overexcited participants.

Heh. They’d better all pass the exam. Once they enrolled, he’d make sure these cadets learned what it meant to resist temptation. Loved kissing things, did they? He’d have them press their lips to frozen bars until they’d had their fill!

His teeth gritted, Esther’s dark expression was so obvious that the other examiners instinctively shifted away from him discreetly.

In contrast, holding a porcelain cup and taking measured sips of hot water, Kalms Military Academy’s headmaster—Aofu Yadonis, who rarely supervised freshman assessments—showed no trace of annoyance.

Heh. This was how assessments should be—lively.

In recent years, though the applicants were all young Insects, the exams had been lackluster proceedings. Such diminished vigor was unacceptable. This year, with the young Highness from the Zhousha family here, the assessment was bound to be far more exciting.

The old headmaster, using the young Male Insect as motivation for the Female Insect recruits, wore a smile of knowing expectation.

And indeed, as the headmaster predicted, the Female Insects—already eager to gain admission at Kalms Military Academy—were now demonstrating performance exceeding their usual capabilities, their competitive drive more intense than ever.

After all, today is not just an assessment but also a rare opportunity for them to showcase their abilities to this young master. Normally, if they couldn’t manage, they’d let it go. But today? They must—no matter what!

Gearing up at the starting point of the assessment, the female insects clenched their fists in excitement. Yet, despite their fervor, many female insects found parts of the academy’s warning unnecessary.

Come on, the school actually reminded them not to attack the young master or take his resources? As if! They’d gladly hand over their own supplies—what idiot would dare steal from him? They’d tear the culprit apart first!

And accidental harm? Or even killing?

Mark their words today—if anyone so much as makes the young master shed a single drop of blood, they’ll make sure that insect bleeds out tenfold!

Clenching their fists as the holographic screen faded, the female insects made dramatic, over-the-top vows. But in reality, compared to the few still caught up in their emotions, most had already efficiently adjusted their gear, shouldered their packs, and took off at a run with their mission maps in hand.

Morons! If anyone was going to leave the deepest impression on the young master today, it would undoubtedly be the first to complete the mission. Why waste time standing around? Were they all too starstruck to think straight?

Without hesitation, many shared this mindset and immediately sprang into action. Of course, unlike previous assessments, today’s participants couldn’t help but keep an extra eye out—just in case they got lucky enough to run into the young master.

Only one could claim first place, but even if they couldn’t win, catching a glimpse of him would be reward enough.

Unaware that many in the assessment field were hoping to bump into him, Philo had just finished reading his own set of instructions.

Unlike the female insects, his guidelines boiled down to two key points:

First, while he didn’t have to participate in the assessment, he had to follow it through to the end. If he quit midway due to discomfort or emotional distress, it would count as withdrawing his application. (Though being accidentally "killed" didn’t apply.)

Second, he couldn’t interfere with other examinees—no attacking or assisting them. Violating this would also disqualify him.

Honestly, Philo had to admire whoever designed these rules.

On the surface, they spared him from the physical demands of the assessment, ensuring his physical limitations wouldn’t hold him back. But the first requirement tested whether he could handle military training, while the second checked his obedience to orders.

It was a clever balance—giving him the privileges expected of a male insect while leaving room to weed out those unfit for discipline. If he were the type to throw tantrums or refuse orders, he’d fail regardless of his theoretical scores.

With a faint smile, Philo wasn’t bothered. Unlike other male insects who might balk at such constraints, he actually appreciated it.

At least it proved the instructors here weren’t like those in prestigious schools who coddled male insects. He didn’t need pampering—he wanted his application taken seriously. This school clearly valued real standards.

Standing up, he ignored the fading holographic screen and adjusted his black cadet uniform before shouldering his supply pack.

A decent outfit, a bag with basic rations and medical supplies, plus a temporary communicator—that was all he had for this assessment.

Unlike the female insects, the star beasts in the simulation wouldn’t target him. But aside from that, his senses remained fully intact.

In short, while he didn’t have to worry about star beast attacks, everything else—hunger, thirst, exhaustion—would feel just as real. And though the beasts wouldn’t harm him, if another examinee accidentally struck him, he’d still feel the pain.

Pinching himself to confirm his pain sensitivity wasn’t lowered, Philo chuckled. No wonder he was the only male insect applying—this school meant business.

Still, checking his communicator, he showed no fear or frustration. Without complaint, he quickly reviewed the mission details just like the others.

Watching from outside the simulation, the examiners were stunned.

The news of a male insect applying to Kalms Military Academy had caused a stir not just among students but also the faculty.

Though, compared to the students’ unbridled excitement, some teachers—especially those with more experience around male insects or even spouses—felt a quiet apprehension.

Of course, they held the young master in highest regard. Most instructors at Kalms were retired Military Females who had benefited from male insects’ Psychic Soothing. In terms of reverence, they surpassed even teachers at other institutions.

But respect didn’t mean they wanted to teach one.

Male insects were… a handful.

Female insects could be scolded or disciplined. But with a male? One wrong word, and the Male Insect Management Committee could haul them before the Alliance Court. Worse, some male insects would unleash psychic attacks over the slightest mood swing—no provocation needed.

And this young master from the Toras family? His psychic rating was A-grade. If he ever got upset after enrollment, never mind the students—even the instructors might end up on their knees.

The thought made the usually stern teachers’ faces stiffen.

If that happened, their credibility would be shot overnight.

Which was why, when Headmaster Aofu first announced a male applicant, some had instinctively wanted to increase the difficulty.

Of course, they didn’t dare actually do it—provoking a male insect was asking for trouble.

Still, while they had to simplify his assessment, they could adjust certain elements to make it slightly tougher.

Enough to discourage him without outright rejection.

But today, those hoping for his withdrawal were in for disappointment.