Chapter 9 Giving Up Military Training

Chapter 9: Forgoing Military Training

By the time they reached the auditorium, there were five minutes to spare before 7:30.

Upon entering, Ji Anzhi did a quick headcount and estimated that there were around three thousand people present.

Since only Qi Yanshen and Lu Yan were in the same department, other than them, Jian Fuxu and Ji Anzhi each went alone to their respective department's seating area.

The seats for the Star Chart Department were easy to find. Due to the small number of students in the department, the academy always put them in the first row every year.

This year's cohort was exceptionally small. Only five people sat in a row designed for eight.

Before Ji Anzhi arrived, the other four freshmen from the Star Chart Department had already taken their seats. Just as Ji Anzhi had expected, they were all alphas.

Ji Anzhi walked over and sat down, leaving a seat empty next to the nearest alpha.

The alpha beside him thought this beta had taken the wrong seat and politely pointed out, "Classmate, these are the seats for Star Chart Department freshmen."

Ji Anzhi smiled and nodded, "Yes, I know. Thank you for the reminder."

Upon hearing this, the alpha was visibly startled, then asked in disbelief, "You're a Star Chart Department freshman?"

Ji Anzhi said yes again.

The other alphas on the other side had noticed Ji Anzhi when he sat down. Hearing him admit he was a Star Chart Department freshman and their future classmate, they looked surprised.

One blond alpha sneered. He believed this beta had simply sat in the wrong seat and was too embarrassed to admit it. He shot a sidelong glance at Ji Anzhi, his tone a bit arrogant.

"Classmate, no need to be embarrassed if you're in the wrong seat. Only five people were admitted to the Star Chart Department this year. It'll be even more awkward when the last person arrives."

Hearing the alpha's words, Ji Anzhi thought to himself, *As expected, alphas are all the same—arrogant and presumptuous.*

A faint smile played on his lips as he replied, "I am indeed a Star Chart Department freshman this year. My name is Ji Anzhi. Would you like me to show you my letter of admission for confirmation?"

His willingness to show his letter made the four alphas realize this beta truly was the last Star Chart Department freshman this year.

They were all children of mid-to-high-ranking government officials and understood the importance of a Star Chart Department student. It was best not to offend any of them.

The Star Chart Department of the Scott Federation's First Military Academy was ranked among the best in the entire star system. Many star charts and master cartographers across star domains graduated from the First Military Academy's Star Chart Department. As long as a nation existed, it inevitably needed star charts to constantly monitor and confirm defense deployments. Thus, no nation could function without star charts and the cartographers who made them.

Moreover, excellent cartographers were scarce to begin with.

That alpha knew this too but couldn't bring himself to apologize to a beta, so he remained silent.

The other three alphas, however, took the initiative to introduce themselves.

The alpha closest to Ji Anzhi had fine, soft black hair and a handsome face, giving him a friendly, boy-next-door appearance. "Hello, I'm Snow, an A-level alpha. Nice to meet you. You're really impressive! You must be the first beta ever admitted to the First Military Academy's Star Chart Department, right?"

Ji Anzhi shook his head modestly, "Perhaps. Thank you for the compliment."

Another composed blond alpha wearing glasses said earnestly, "No need for modesty. Andre Gnoss, S-level alpha. Nice to meet you."

Ji Anzhi nodded in acknowledgment.

Sitting next to Andre was a female alpha with strikingly handsome features. She waved at Ji Anzhi and said, "Hello there! I'm Chi Yunjiang, an A-level alpha."

"Hello."

After responding to their introductions, Ji Anzhi didn't initiate further conversation. As a beta, there was no need to muscle into a group of alphas. Avoiding social interaction whenever possible was his long-held life motto.

Snow wanted to say something more, but a teacher had already taken the stage, making Snow shut up obediently.

As soon as the teacher stepped onto the stage, the low buzz of conversation in the auditorium died out instantly.

The teacher was very satisfied with this. *This is the discipline military academy students should have.*

The teacher turned on the microphone, and a loud, firm voice spread throughout the hall. "Good morning, students. I am the Vice-Principal of the Federal First Military Academy. First, congratulations to all of you on being admitted to our academy!"

A unified round of applause broke out, thunderous. The Vice-Principal raised his hand after a few seconds to signal for silence, and the applause stopped instantly.

The Vice-Principal continued, "As you all know, you have a month of military training ahead of you. Those who fail the final assessment will be expelled. Although those eliminated later can still be admitted to other Federation schools, would you allow yourselves to be eliminated?"

The Vice-Principal was pleased with their spirit, though the response wasn't perfectly synchronized. He hoped they'd be more disciplined after training.

"Very well. I look forward to your performance. I don't like empty pleasantries, so I'll keep it brief. Instructors for each major will come to your positions shortly. They are all active-duty Brigadier Generals of the Federation. Don't let them train you until you wet your pants. Alright, I hope to see you all again in a month."

With that, he directly left the stage. From stepping up to stepping down, it took only five minutes. *Now that's the Federation's First Military Academy for you—all business.*

Not moments after the Vice-Principal left, the instructors for each department arrived. The number of instructors was proportional to the number of students. For example, the Mecha Department, with many students, was assigned five instructors.

Of course, the Star Chart Department definitely had only one instructor, a tradition since the academy's founding.

This year's instructor for the Star Chart Department was a young, handsome alpha. However, his permanently stern face and the formidable aura of a soldier made the five Star Chart students feel immense pressure.

The instructor scanned the group and asked, "Who is Ji Anzhi?"

Ji Anzhi was puzzled but stood up and replied loudly, "Reporting, Instructor! It's me!"

The instructor looked at Ji Anzhi, confirmed he was the only beta in the Star Chart Department this year, and walked up to him.

"According to the First Military Academy's internal regulations, the top-ranked freshman in each department every year may choose to forgo military training. You will receive an automatic score of 80 points. After formal enrollment, this score will be converted to 800 credits. Otherwise, there's no difference. Do you choose to participate in the military training?"

Ji Anzhi hadn't expected such an internal rule. It was a gift from heaven.

Ji Anzhi hesitated for a moment before replying, "Reporting, Instructor! I choose to forgo military training."

The alpha instructor wasn't surprised. For departments like Star Chart, which are more academic, choosing not to undergo military training was quite normal, especially since a beta's physical fitness was inherently inferior to an alpha's.

The instructor nodded. "Then wait here. Later, follow the Vice-Principal to the training room for a physical fitness assessment, then go to the Academic Affairs Office to complete the procedures."

After speaking, he had the other four line up and led them out of the auditorium.

However, before leaving, the looks the other four gave Ji Anzhi were beyond mere shock—they were utterly astonished. *This year's top student is actually a beta?*

Especially the alpha who couldn't admit his earlier mistake; his expression was considerably more unpleasant than the others'.

Andre Gnoss glanced subtly at Ji Anzhi, thinking, *Since Ji Anzhi is this year's top student in Star Chart, could I ask him for help if I don't understand something?*

Simultaneously, instructors from all other departments asked the same question, inquiring if the top student in each department wished to opt out of training. This also allowed everyone to learn who the top students in each department were.

This was a signal, telling others that only the top-ranked student had privileges. If you didn't like it, your only option was to strive for first place.

Additionally, barring unforeseen circumstances, these individuals would likely become pillars in their respective fields in the future—geniuses the Federation was keen to cultivate and retain. You'd be a fool to target them, as the military academy and the Federation would undoubtedly hunt you down.

When all was said and done, only seven people in total chose to opt out of training. Besides Ji Anzhi, there was Jian Fuxu from the Energy Department, an omega from the Medical Department, and four alphas from the Mecha Design Department, Starship Design Department, Pharmacy Department, and Information Engineering Department.

All were in technical research fields.

The others, who didn't opt out, either found the training easy enough to aim for a perfect 100, or wanted that top score to earn more credits for resources and campus life upon formal enrollment.

Either their departments emphasize group cohesion, or they personally need social connections, so they choose military training to bond with classmates.

Soon after, only the seven who had opted out of military training remained in the auditorium.

Perhaps due to a shared understanding among geniuses, everyone tacitly ignored the others, burying themselves in their own tasks or simply spacing out.

*Clap... clap, clap*

Three claps snapped everyone back to attention. Looking up, they saw the vice principal standing below the stage.

The vice principal smiled and opened the list on his smart device. "Let me confirm: Ji Anzhi from the Star Chart Department, Na An'an from the Medical Department, Jian Fuxu from the Energy Department, Pei Ke from the Mecha Design Department, Stella Hill from the Starship Design Department, Gayuna from the Pharmacy Department, and Ogor Windsor from the Information Engineering Department. You seven students are sure about opting out of military training, right?"

Everyone quietly looked at the vice principal, instinct telling them to just nod silently.

Getting no reply, the vice principal's veins bulged. He couldn't understand why, every year, the students who opted out never said a word. He had lost the bet again this year!

Are geniuses all mute? Damn it!

The vice principal spoke again, his voice tight with gritted teeth. "Great... this year's geniuses are another bunch of mutes. Stand up!"

The seven quickly stood up straight.

The vice principal calmed down a little.

He waved for them to follow him out, taking an automatic hovercar to the training room for physical fitness assessment.

The vice principal knew about Jian Fuxu's situation. He had been seated among the betas in the auditorium earlier. Now, he specifically called for two automatic hovercars. For one of them, he even sprayed half a bottle of pheromone eliminator, fearing that the Federation's famous demolition prodigy might blow the vehicle up.

After spraying and confirming no pheromone scent remained, the vice principal tossed the eliminator to Jian Fuxu with a look of disdain. "Spray it yourself if you still think there's a smell."

"Also, remind those damn alphas at the opening ceremony to wear their isolation rings properly. I saw twenty-six people in the auditorium without them. And they should control their pheromones, not leak them everywhere like dogs in heat."

"...Mm."

Has this brat from the Jian family forgotten I'm an alpha too?

The vice principal's mouth twitched. He really shouldn't have come back to the military academy so early. Not only was he being used as cheap labor, but he also had to look after these geniuses who were a step away from madness...

Taking a deep breath, the vice principal said, "You, the omega, and the beta will take this car. Any problem?"

Jian Fuxu shook his head and got in the car.

Ji Anzhi and Na An'an from the Medical Department followed.

The other four alphas breathed a sigh of relief. They had all heard of the exploits of Jian Fuxu, the only son of General Jian. In their childhood, their parents had forced them to look at this madman's photo daily, demanding they recognize Jian Fuxu at a glance.

It left a deep psychological scar.

After the vice principal and the other four alphas boarded the other car, the hovercars automatically headed for the training room.

They arrived at the training room a few minutes later.

The tests didn't take long: a strength test and a gravity training test. Each person took about ten minutes.

The vice principal sent Jian Fuxu in first for testing, followed by the omega Na An'an, then Ji Anzhi, with the other four alphas last.

The results came out. Unsurprisingly, the five alphas all scored an A rating. Na An'an and Ji Anzhi were slightly lower, scoring B-.

The vice principal had no particular opinion on these scores; they were similar to previous years.

After the tests, they went to the Academic Affairs Office. Once the vice principal finished the procedures with them, he took out seven manuals from his space bracelet and handed one to each person. "This manual introduces some internal regulations of the military academy. I know your parents or elders might have told you some of this, but I still hope you'll read it carefully. Don't come asking why if the academy expels you later."

Everyone nodded. Seeing there was nothing else, the vice principal left them to their own devices and departed quickly.

The vice principal left, took a car to the port, and made an encrypted call to the military academy president—the culprit who had made him return early to work like a beast of burden.

*Beep—*

The call connected. There was no video, only a male voice, languid with indulgence, came through. "Xiao Nan, what brings you time to call me? Miss me~"

The vice principal's veins bulged again. He silently repeated to himself not to get angry. He wouldn't argue with a man nursing a grievance.

Taking several deep breaths, the vice principal said through gritted teeth, "Aren't you a little too relaxed, Mr. President? I just stabilized the front line and came back to give the military training speech for you. And what were you doing! Drinking again!"

The man on the other end didn't expect Xiao Nan to be so furious. He dismissed the attending alpha beside him and said leisurely, "Did you lose the bet with Old Cheng again~?"

Hearing that frivolous tone, the vice principal's anger surged. "Do you want to fight!"

"Ah~ How could that be?"

The man on the other end scoffed lightly, then continued in a feigned voice, "I'm just a delicate omega. How could I fight you rough alphas?"

The vice principal grew angrier the more he listened. If he didn't have important matters to ask about upon returning to the Federation, he really wanted to hang up.

Suppressing his rage, the vice principal asked, "How's the research on that 5000-unit capacity energy tank the Third Legion and Eighth Legion obtained from the research institute half a month ago?"

Hearing this, the man on the other end became slightly more serious. "Completely impossible to reverse-engineer. It has a self-destruct program. The researchers didn't notice at first. By the time they discovered it, they had to force a stop. After forced interference, the energy inside can't be consumed. There's still no solution. We checked the casing; it's a standard product from a company. So, this was likely privately modified."

Vice Principal: "Have Qi Lan and Lu Zechuan found the person?"

The man on the other end: "No. They were both discovered by youngsters from their families who sneaked into the black market on their own. That person was highly vigilant. The Qi family kid couldn't obtain any DNA. There were no fingerprints on the energy tank either; it was clearly treated. After the transaction, they even planted micro-bombs on the two kids. If not for the insect crystal shields, the kids' parents would have wiped out the black market and all forces behind it."

The vice principal hadn't expected that it was Qi Yanshen and Lu Yan, those two youngsters, who discovered this energy tank and even faced life-threatening danger.

The vice principal said unwillingly, "So it's a dead end? The energy tank can't be researched, and the person can't be found!"

The president also understood the vice principal's frustration.

In six more years, the fifty-year Bug Swarm would arrive again. If the technology behind this energy tank could be cracked, the survival rate for this Bug Swarm could definitely be increased.

The vice principal bit his lip, knowing urgency was useless. He wasn't a research-type personnel. He could only pin his hopes on the research institute and that little madman from the Jian family.

The vice principal suddenly remembered: "I recall they said there were three? What about the other two?"

The president lay back on the sofa and laughed. "General Qi and General Lu's families gave those two to the kids to use! After all, the kids paid for them. General Qi and General Lu gave the two energy tanks, which had a couple hundred units less capacity, to the youngsters."

The vice principal just wanted to confirm one point: "Does that mean there's a possibility this energy tank can be mass-produced?"

The president paused, then after a moment said, "The possibility is quite high."

Hearing this, the vice principal relaxed. Having this possibility was good enough. He never wanted to see his subordinates, like in the last Bug Swarm, holding the line with their lives, with half of them perishing...