Chapter 1 Departure

Chapter 1 Departure

Suoar

A clear, visible palm print remained on Ji Anzhi's refined and handsome face. He silently lowered his head, signaling his deference.

The middle-aged man before him was evidently furious, his alpha pheromones spilling out uncontrollably. He sat on the sofa, glaring at his beta youngest son.

"How much longer are you going to carry on with this debauchery? I could overlook you going out every day before, playing the field. But when the third son of the Prolo Duke's family actually takes a liking to you, you meet him one moment and then go play with his sworn enemy the next, and even get exposed!"

The middle-aged man rubbed his forehead, deeply aggrieved. "Now the Prolo Duke has been humiliated and is pressuring our family. Here's your chance: go make a formal apology at their residence yourself, or get out of this house."

Ji Anzhi finally reacted. After listening to so much nonsense, he finally got what he wanted. He replied, "No."

His refusal was curt and matter-of-fact.

The middle-aged man couldn't hold back. A glass flew straight at Ji Anzhi, who sidestepped to avoid it.

The man stood up, pointing at Ji Anzhi and roaring, "Ji Anzhi, know your place! You're just a beta. It's an honor that a ducal family would even look at you. Don't you know what's good for you!"

Ji Anzhi didn't respond. Of course he knew his place. That's precisely why he didn't want to go.

He took out a document he had prepared ages ago and placed it before his father.

"This is an agreement severing the father-son and family relationship, along with a liability waiver. I've already verified that signing this won't cause any harm to the family. Once signed, it will be filed and take effect at the State Council. Legally, the Prolo Duke won't be able to implicate the family."

Ji Anzhi looked up, meeting the middle-aged man's gaze directly. "Regarding the Duke, I'll handle it as soon as you sign. Within three days, the Duke's family will no longer pursue the matter."

The middle-aged man found it laughable. Did his youngest son think the Duke's family was a pushover? How could a mere beta possibly appease the Duke's anger?

But he suppressed his rage and asked, "Why should I believe you?"

"The Prolo Duke's eldest son raped and killed a beta a few days ago, and it was recorded and leaked onto the StarNet. Coincidentally, I have a similar build to that beta, and I have evidence placing me in that vicinity at the time."

Ji Anzhi unhurriedly opened the smart terminal on his wrist, displaying the relevant information. "The eldest son and his younger brother are still locked in a struggle over the succession. Although this scandal was quickly taken down, his younger brother got hold of the damaging evidence to blow it up, and the Duke's rivals are also pressing the issue. The Duke is furious and ordered the eldest son to resolve it quickly."

"Father, if I were to proactively contact the eldest son now, pose as that assaulted beta, and help clear his name... do you think... that would solve the problem?"

After speaking, Ji Anzhi even smiled. His smile appeared gentle and refined, yet the man inexplicably felt a chill down his spine.

Was this really his promiscuous, easily bullied beta youngest son who never fought back?

Hearing this, the middle-aged man knew he had no choice. If he didn't sign, even sending Ji Anzhi over wouldn't prevent the family from facing reprisals for some time. But if he signed, the matter could be completely resolved within days.

Moreover, after a cursory glance at the agreement's contents, he saw it hardly damaged his own interests. His youngest son would completely sever ties with the family without taking any property. He had no reason to refuse.

But that didn't stop the man from realizing he had likely been tricked by his own son, filling him with internal fury.

While signing briskly, he couldn't resist a parting shot: "I hope you won't come begging for the family's help in the future."

Ji Anzhi took the paper agreement, sent the electronic version for confirmation, and replied cheerfully, "I won't, Father. After all, over all these years, you've cleaned up so many messes with my lovers for the family's reputation. How could I trouble you again?"

The man confirmed the electronic contract, verified it with a pupil gene scan, and snorted upon hearing this.

If you knew I cleaned up so many messes, why didn't you ever restrain yourself?

The man didn't want to see his troublesome son for a second longer and issued an order of expulsion: "Alright, you can get out now. Remember to resolve the matter. I also hope you'll uphold everything you stipulated in the agreement."

"Of course."

With that, Ji Anzhi left the mansion without hesitation, not even looking back. His father, seeing this attitude, flew into another rage.

Ji Anzhi heard it but paid no mind.

Exiting the mansion, Ji Anzhi hailed a taxi and headed for the Central Mall.

On the way, he retrieved an encrypted email from his smart terminal. If his father had seen it, he would never have let him go.

After all... this was the admission notice from the Federal First Military Academy.

Ji Anzhi opened it to confirm. The report date was the second of next month, leaving just over twenty days. Time was tight, so it was best to resolve things here by tomorrow.

The Prolo Duke's family was really quite useful...

Ji Anzhi thought indifferently, feeling no guilt about using them. Although he did feel some pity for the deceased beta, that beta had also willingly agreed to seduce the eldest son to avenge his omega sister, who had been brutally killed by the third son. It was said he nearly destroyed the eldest son's scent gland as well.

Everyone got what they needed. There was some pity and remorse, but no need to overdo it.

The car soon arrived at its destination. Ji Anzhi got out and headed straight for a highly-rated garden restaurant. Upon entering the private room, he saw the eldest son, looking all respectable, sitting at a window-side table, wearing gold-wire glasses and putting on an act of gentleness and humility.

However, Ji Anzhi was surprised to see only faint pink scars on his neck. It seemed a lot of top-grade restorative agents had been used.

Ji Anzhi walked over and sat down directly, catching only a faint whiff of pheromones. This eldest son was at least somewhat polite. A smile played on Ji Anzhi's lips. "Good day, Eldest Young Master. Since you've come to meet, does that mean you agree to my proposal?"

The eldest son offered a thin, insincere smile in return. "Of course, Young Master Ji. I'm also very grateful for your willingness to help at this time."

Ji Anzhi extended his hand, his smile growing even warmer. "You're welcome. Let's sign the contract I sent you earlier. And I'll trouble you to foot the bill later."

The eldest son knew the contract required genetic imprinting. He raised his hand for a handshake. As a green light flashed briefly from Ji Anzhi's wrist terminal, the contract was formally signed.

Ji Anzhi withdrew his hand, picked up the menu before him, and began ordering, as if making casual conversation. "Are the media arranged? I'm not good at handling that aspect."

The eldest son opposite him nodded, indicating everything was in place. But he still had some doubts. Although he was indeed lustful, he was also the sharpest mind in the family.

"You're not just doing this to avoid entanglement with my foolish younger brother, are you? If it were only to shake off his pursuit, you wouldn't have completely severed ties with your own family."

After ordering, Ji Anzhi poured himself a glass of water and took a slow sip. "You're astute, Eldest Young Master. A beta from a minor family like mine would eventually be sent off as a plaything. Rather than that, it's better to forsake this noble status. After all, to make a family abandon a troublesome beta, all it takes is pressure from you upper echelons. Don't you agree?"

The eldest son studied the refined, elegant beta before him for a moment. He had to admit, he admired this kind of person. Pity he was a beta, wasting such capability.

After a while, the eldest son lowered his head with a light chuckle. "I'll persuade my father to stop pressuring your family. But if my younger brother tries anything underhanded, I can't control that."

As expected, he didn't want to handle everything. Devious nobility.

Ji Anzhi had anticipated this, which is why he had only asked him to deal with the Duke during their communication.

But it didn't matter. He was prepared anyway.

Ji Anzhi smiled, tapped his smart terminal, and pulled up a video, turning it to face the eldest son for a clear view.

The eldest son didn't pay much attention at first, but after a few seconds, he realized something was off. The main figure in the video seemed to be his third brother, and the other person was a young omega girl his father had been doting on immensely lately outside.

The two entered a room, shed their clothes, and became entangled.

But at most, this would only cause his brother to fall out of favor for a few months. It wasn't a huge problem for him. Even if he leaked it to the StarNet, his brother could extricate himself quickly, and he himself would risk angering his father.

Before the eldest son could speak, Ji Anzhi said, "Listen to the content."

The eldest son glanced at Ji Anzhi, then continued watching. To his surprise, he heard his foolish brother and his father's mistress discussing how to transfer his father's assets. The key point was that he himself hadn't even noticed. It seemed his foolish brother had managed a rare moment of cleverness.

After the video finished playing, the Eldest Young Master adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses. "Thanks for this. It should keep him busy for a good long while. By the time he deals with this mess, he probably won't even remember you."

Ji Anzhi smiled and shook his head. "You give me too much credit, Eldest Young Master. The third son might not forget so easily this time, so I'd appreciate it if you could make sure your little brother stays down."

As he spoke, Ji Anzhi sent over a one-time encrypted file.

Putting down his water glass, Ji Anzhi spoke softly, "This is just a portion, just to prevent the third son from causing trouble. As a beta, I naturally need to be cautious."

"Very well."

Just then, a server entered with their meal. The two tacitly ended the topic and made polite conversation.

Once the server left, Ji Anzhi stated, "Fifty million star credits."

"?" The Eldest Young Master was confused.

"Per our agreement, I help you clear your name, you help me deal with the pressure from my family, plus three million star credits. The evidence I sent you costs forty-seven million star credits. That's a total of fifty million star credits. Payment now."

"..."

Looking at Ji Anzhi, who casually charged fifty million star credits and continued eating leisurely, the Eldest Young Master suddenly felt a twinge of pain. Even with suppressants, his pheromones uncontrollably leaked out. He increasingly felt this beta was not the dissolute waste others claimed.

He had to have that evidence, so the money had to be paid. The Eldest Young Master quickly mobilized his assets and transferred the fifty million.

Unfortunately, the Star Network was managed by the Sco Federation. Encrypted files like this were impossible for him to recover.

Upon receiving the transfer, Ji Anzhi didn't waste any time. He immediately sent the original video and files.

The Eldest Young Master received the materials, satisfied, took a moment to look over the specific content, and then forwarded them to his trusted aide for verification.

The two thus "harmoniously" finished their lunch.

Afterward, they wandered around various parts of the central shopping mall, pretending not to know about the paparazzi following them, acting friendly and chummy until evening.

They only parted ways after dinner.

...

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When Ji Anzhi finished showering in his hotel room and checked his home country's Star Network trending topics, the Eldest Young Master had already cleared his name.

After all, they had only captured pictures of a beta being forcibly dragged into the hotel by the drunken Eldest Young Master back then. The face wasn't clear. Coupled with an "insider" posting a picture of a blood-stained guest room with the Eldest Young Master's discarded clothes, it made the situation difficult to resolve. Even for privileged nobles, a murder out in the open would still damage reputation and incur responsibility.

As long as he and the Eldest Young Master appeared friendly today, explaining that they were just drunk and roughhousing that day, the public relations team would handle the rest.

Seeing that he was no longer involved, Ji Anzhi stopped checking the Star Network and began planning for his upcoming four years of military academy life.

The Federal First Military Academy was the best military academy in the Federation and currently one of the top military academies across all nations. It was located on a subsidiary planet nearest to the Federation's capital planet, Sco Star. This planet was also known as the Military Academy Star.

Actually, Ji Anzhi liked fashion design. Even though he had considerable talent in energy and 3D modeling, as a beta, there was no need to study such attention-grabbing subjects—it would only cause him trouble.

But he still chose the Federal First Military Academy, for no other reason than that the academy guaranteed the safety of all students.

Except for special combat exercises and dangerous missions which allowed for casualty quotas, all other deaths were prohibited from the moment a student's admission was confirmed upon enrollment until the day they withdrew or graduated. If a death occurred, the academy would conduct a strict investigation. If it was found to be foul play, the academy itself would initiate legal proceedings against those involved, imposing the death penalty regardless of motive.

Sixteen years ago, the upper echelons of a mid-to-upper-tier nation didn't take this seriously and assassinated a very talented student from a rival faction. The First Military Academy eventually investigated and discovered the truth.

Within a week, all those who knew but didn't report it and those who participated in the assassination were sentenced to death—eighty-three people in total, including nineteen national-level leaders, without exception.

Ji Anzhi understood the cunning of nobles. The Eldest Young Master could chat and laugh with him today, but once the heat died down in a few days, he could also silence him permanently. Today, Ji Anzhi could produce evidence of the third son's crimes; tomorrow, he might produce evidence of the Eldest Young Master's. In such situations, a dead person was the safest.

And the First Military Academy could at least guarantee him four years of carefree life. After all, the Duke's eldest son had no intention of opposing the Federal First Military Academy—not trying to curry favor would be considered good enough.

Ji Anzhi bought a starship ticket departing for the Military Academy Star tomorrow morning. The First Military Academy allowed students to move into campus housing early to familiarize themselves with the environment.

His home country's strength was average, and it was quite far from the Federation. A starship ticket cost ten thousand star credits. Ji Anzhi felt a bit of a pinch.

After buying the ticket, Ji Anzhi focused on searching for information about the Federal First Military Academy's dormitories.

Previously, he had been busy preparing for the First Military Academy's entrance exam and dealing with the nobles' schemes, only learning about safety aspects.

Dormitories for Alphas and Betas were four-person rooms; for Omegas, they were two-person rooms. Each dormitory had private small rooms, each with an independent bathroom and balcony. The common area included a kitchen, living room, and a small training room. The dorm supervisor only inspected the general cleanliness of the common area once a week and would not enter the private bedrooms.

Generally, Alphas/Betas and Omegas lived separately. Omegas were in one dormitory area and would never be mixed with Alphas/Betas. For Alphas and Betas, there weren't strict rules; the academy only separated by gender, the rest was flexible. Of course, most were assigned by the same major.

Dormitories had a unified curfew at midnight. Water and electricity were free. Accommodation fees were paid once a year, three thousand star credits per year.

In summary, Ji Anzhi was very satisfied with this.

After checking the dormitory situation he was most concerned about, Ji Anzhi went straight to sleep. He had to get up early tomorrow to go to the spaceport and take the starship to the Federation.

...

...

Background Supplement:

1. All three sexes—Alpha, Beta, Omega—have pheromones. Alpha pheromones are highly aggressive and invasive, Omega pheromones are gentle and soothing, while Beta pheromones are calm and hard to detect. (Among the three, Betas have the least pheromones. Usually, only a faint trace can be smelled after intense activity; the concentration is higher in blood, and they themselves can smell a bit.)

2. Population proportion: Alphas 20%, Betas 70%, Omegas 10%.

3. Pheromones have a scent, like perfume. Betas can smell the scent but cannot receive the biological signals within it. Only Alphas and Omegas can receive the biological signals in pheromones.

4. Male Betas can become pregnant.

(I'll add more if I think of anything else. Sorry I forgot to write the ABO background.)