Chapter 33 Star Map Calibration Mission

Chapter 33: Star Chart Correction Mission

Academy Star

"Mother, what is it?"

It was past ten at night. For her to call at this hour, and an urgent call at that, something important must have happened.

Qi Lan sat in her office. Before she could even speak, she saw her son's hand in a sling around his neck.

Her brow furrowed with worry. "What happened?"

Qi Yanshen knew his mother was referring to his hand and replied casually, "It's nothing. I got hurt during a sparring session. It's nothing to worry about. Mother, you called for something important?"

Qi Lan's expression turned serious. "Yes, there's something I need your help with."

Qi Yanshen: "What is it?"

Qi Lan: "Could you ask your roommate if he'd be willing to take on the Third Legion's star chart correction mission? He can name his terms."

Qi Yanshen: "..."

Qi Lan: "..."

Mother and son fell into a silent stare through the communication screen.

Seeing his mother's reaction, Qi Yanshen knew the Star Chart Department must have been acting up again. He sighed helplessly, "Mother, it's only been a few days since the semester started. Besides, first-year students aren't allowed to take on missions above A-rank for the first three months."

A star chart correction mission would definitely be rated A-rank or higher.

Qi Lan was aware of this. She suggested, "He could come during the holidays."

Qi Yanshen: "What about upperclassmen?"

This was also a headache for Qi Lan. "I already invited upperclassmen last month. They're all busy with their graduation assessments and said they don't have time."

Seeing his mother's unwavering stance, Qi Yanshen could only think about how to get Ji Anzhi to accept the Third Legion's mission.

Qi Lan waited quietly. However, urgent calls were time-limited, lasting only five minutes. If Yan Shen hadn't spoken by the three-minute mark, she would have to speak up.

But Qi Yanshen quickly remembered Ji Anzhi's huge interest in starships back in Mechanical City, and how he had mentioned wanting to join a free exploration team in the future. He probably wanted a starship of his own.

Just as Qi Lan was about to speak, Qi Yanshen said, "A military starship."

Qi Lan was puzzled. "Hmm?"

Qi Yanshen explained, "Ji Anzhi seems particularly interested in military starships. Back in Mechanical City, he was glued to a small military starship for ages."

Qi Lan understood. If Ji Anzhi was interested in starships, then if the Third Legion included one in the mission rewards, he would likely be tempted and accept the mission.

However, military starships were tightly regulated. The starships allocated to military academy mission rewards were usually older, soon-to-be-retired small starships.

Qi Lan said, "The Third Legion can offer at most a small starship nearing decommissioning. We guarantee its condition is as good as when it was in active service, of course, with all military-grade armaments removed, leaving only basic civilian-standard armaments. In that case, the mission credit payout would be pretty low. Ask him if he can accept coming to the Third Legion for star chart correction for both of the first year's long holidays."

Qi Yanshen made a mental note. "Understood. I'll ask him tomorrow."

They didn't waste any more words after that, and the time was almost up. After saying goodbye, mother and son hung up directly.

Qi Yanshen rubbed his temples, thinking about how to broach the subject with Ji Anzhi tomorrow.

Sigh...

What a headache...

...

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The Next Day

"Take on a mission?"

Ji Anzhi, who was eating quietly, looked up. Why was he asking if he wanted to take on a mission?

Qi Yanshen explained, "My mother is the Commander of the Federal Third Legion. She told me the Third Legion recently has a star chart correction mission. The mission duration is the four months covering the two long holidays in the first year. I wanted to ask for your thoughts."

That's blunt.

Ji Anzhi didn't expect Qi Yanshen to be so frank about his identity. But upon reflection, it made sense. The school feed was often filled with discussions about them. By now, almost the entire school knew the identities of Qi Yanshen, Lu Yan, and Jian Fuxu. It'd be weird if I still didn't know.

Ji Anzhi put down his chopsticks and said, "I'm only a first-year student, I don't have enough experience. Moreover, I plan to use the long holidays to research the graduation assessment star system. I'm sorry, I don't have the time."

Seeing his polite refusal, Qi Yanshen brought up the mission reward casually. "Alright then. I'll ask the upperclassmen later if they're interested. The reward includes a small starship nearing decommissioning. That should be tempting. Could you help me ask around?"

A small starship nearing decommissioning!

This really got to Ji Anzhi. He almost impulsively agreed. After all, the quality of a military starship and a civilian-purchased spacecraft were not on the same level. If he could obtain a starship, he would definitely prioritize that.

Keeping his expression unchanged, Ji Anzhi pretended to be curious. "A small starship? That can be a mission reward?"

Qi Yanshen knew this was a question to feel out the offer and continued, "Yes, it can. Mission rewards are generally determined by the legion itself, subject to review by the military academy. Decommissioned or nearly decommissioned small starships fall within the allowable range. Of course, the heavy military weaponry must be removed, leaving only weapons permitted by civilian standards."

"I see."

Ji Anzhi pondered. This mission seemed quite a good deal for him... Maybe he should just agree.

But he had just politely declined. Changing his tune immediately after hearing about the reward wouldn't look good...

Before Ji Anzhi could decide, Qi Yanshen pressed his advantage. He sighed, pretending to be somewhat troubled, his cool demeanor faltering into a frown.

He said, "It's just that the upperclassmen are also busy with their graduation assessments. The chances of them accepting the mission are slim. If no one accepts, my mother will withdraw the mission next week. So, could you help me ask your classmates if they'd be willing to come?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Anzhi almost blurted out that he could take it, but his reason held him back. He couldn't appear so fickle.

Ji Anzhi gave a reserved nod. "I can ask them for you. The first class this afternoon is Star Chart."

Qi Yanshen thanked him. "Thank you."

Ji Anzhi replied cheerfully, "No problem. Asking them isn't any trouble. It's just that they might not agree."

Before Qi Yanshen could respond, Lu Yan, who had gone to the restroom to apply an isolation patch due to pheromone leakage, returned. Catching fragments of "not any trouble" and "might not agree," he asked curiously.

"What are you guys talking about?"

Ji Anzhi said to Lu Yan, who had sat back down, "Nothing much. Qi Yanshen just asked me for a small favor. Hurry up and eat, your food will get cold and won't taste good."

Lu Yan didn't think much of it. He agreed and continued eating.

For the past couple of days, whenever Ji Anzhi was around, Qi Yanshen had been in what other alphas would consider a state of severe disability. When he had messaged Little Madman about it yesterday, he hadn't believed it. It was only after Qi Yanshen explained in detail that he reluctantly accepted it.

An alpha, with just a fracture? Acting as if he were half-paralyzed.

Of course, as Qi Yanshen's childhood friend, Lu Yan cursed and complained a thousand times in his heart, but didn't let it show on his face.

Once the meal and break were over, Ji Anzhi took Xiaoxue—who was full and curled up in her planting pot—and parted ways with Qi Yanshen and Lu Yan, heading to their respective classrooms to wait for class.

When Ji Anzhi arrived at the classroom, Andrew had already been sitting inside for who knows how long. Andrew was probably reviewing the analysis Ji Anzhi had sent him that morning, too focused to notice someone had arrived.

Ji Anzhi didn't disturb him and still chose to sit by the window. He put Xiaoxue down, opened his smart device, and began studying the transcript of the recording Andrew had sent him.

After about half an hour, Andrew finally finished reviewing the analysis. He looked up to relax and noticed another person in the room. Looking toward the source, he saw Ji Anzhi writing something intently by the window.

Andrew quietly sat down one seat away from Ji Anzhi. Although his movements were subtle, they still caught Ji Anzhi's attention.

Ji Anzhi turned his head to look at Andrew. Andrew, a little embarrassed for interrupting, said, "Sorry, I disturbed you."

Ji Anzhi chuckled and shook his head. "No, it's fine. By the way, are you free now?"

Andrew replied, "I'm free. What's up?"

Andrew nodded. He definitely knew that much.

Seeing that he indeed knew, Ji Anzhi continued, "Well, here's the thing. The Third Legion has a star chart correction task spanning two holidays, totaling four months. The reward is a small starship. I wanted to ask if you're interested in going?"

Andrew didn't answer directly, asking instead, "Are you going?"

Ji Anzhi was taken aback, thought for a moment, and said, "I'm leaning toward going, but I'm only a first-year, and I haven't had any practical experience before, so I'm not sure."

Hearing this, Andrew said firmly, "If you go, I'll go."

Ji Anzhi didn't expect that reaction. Although he knew Andrew liked him a lot (an academic admiration), he didn't anticipate Andrew would follow him just because he wanted to go.

Before he could respond, Andrew continued asking, "What's your reason for wanting to go?"

Ji Anzhi said vaguely, "To gain some future work experience. Also, the task reward is quite good, which makes me a bit tempted."

Andrew said, "If you want to gain future work experience, the Second Legion is another option. Our family has connections there. Moreover, the Second Legion's Star Chart Department has more personnel than the Third Legion's, so a senior could provide one-on-one guidance."

The phrase "our family has connections" deeply stung Ji Anzhi. *I know your background isn't simple, but could you not state it so casually? It really hits hard.*

But what did the following two sentences mean?

At Ji Anzhi's question, Andrew immediately told him about how the Federal Third Legion had its members poached by the Fifth Legion two months ago, and how the Fifth Legion's commander had been beaten black and blue for a whole month.

After listening, Ji Anzhi fell silent.

*No wonder the task reward is so good. They're short-handed after being poached. No wonder they're posting the task to the military academy.*

Ji Anzhi suddenly remembered Qi Yanshen's recent behavior and immediately wondered if it was deliberate. But he really was injured... *I must be overthinking. How could an S-rank alpha stoop to deliberately get close to me?*

But little did Ji Anzhi know, his assumption was correct.

Ji Anzhi still told Andrew, "I still want to go with the Third Legion. I just checked; my graduation assessment is within the star domain the Third Legion is responsible for. The Fourth Legion, which is relatively close, doesn't have any star chart tasks. The Third Legion is more suitable."

This wasn't an empty statement. On a sudden impulse, he had checked and found that his graduation assessment was actually within the Third Legion's area of responsibility, though it was quite remote, just a few star systems away from the Fourth Legion's jurisdiction.

Hearing this, Andrew knew he wouldn't consider the Second Legion and asked, "So, are you planning to take the Third Legion's task?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Anzhi hesitated for a few seconds before nodding firmly.

"Yeah."

Andrew continued, "Then I'll go too. My graduation assessment is within the Fourth Legion's area, relatively close to the insectoid front line. I can go take a look then."

Ji Anzhi said, troubled, "But the starship reward is hard to split... This is tricky..."

Andrew remained calm as ever. "You take the starship reward. To be fair, during the task period, I'll follow you. I won't disturb you, just observe and learn."

Ji Anzhi nodded. "No problem. Thank you. Then it'll be just the two of us going."

Ji Anzhi opened the task hall interface but couldn't find the task listing. He sent a message to Qi Yanshen.

"Ji Anzhi: Has the Third Legion task not been posted yet?"

The other side replied after half a minute.

"Qi Yanshen: Haven't posted it yet. Was going to ask if anyone was interested first, then post it after confirming."

"Qi Yanshen: Did someone agree?"

"Ji Anzhi: Yeah."

"Ji Anzhi: Andrew and I plan to go together. Both our graduation assessments are relatively close to the star domain the Third Legion is responsible for. We discussed and decided to go together."

"Qi Yanshen: Good. I'll tell my mother tomorrow."

"Qi Yanshen: But your classmate is a bit of a hassle. This task difficulty will be rated A-level. With your Chief status, it's no problem, but he needs to raise his personal task level to B-level first."

"Ji Anzhi: Can't we form a team?"

"Qi Yanshen: Forming a team can use the highest level in the team as the team level, but the gap within the team can be at most one level."

"Ji Anzhi: I see. Let me ask Andrew."

Ji Anzhi turned to ask Andrew beside him, "This task is rated A-level. To form a team, your personal task level needs to be B-level. Is that okay with you?"

Andrew indicated it was no problem. Going on a few missions with his older brother and coasting along could raise his personal task level to B-level, though the process would be a bit troublesome.

Ji Anzhi continued replying to Qi Yanshen.

"Ji Anzhi: My classmate says it's no problem. So, we'll accept the task at the end of the semester?"

"Qi Yanshen: Yes."

"Qi Yanshen: Thank you and your classmate for being willing to take the task."

"Ji Anzhi: It's fine. After all, my classmate wants to go himself. I can't force him. It would be the same if you asked."

"Qi Yanshen: Mm, thanks."

Qi Yanshen closed his smart device. Lu Yan, who was beside him, leaned in and asked, "What happened? You seem to be in a good mood?"

Perhaps he really was in a good mood, as Qi Yanshen's tone carried a hint of delight. "Ji Anzhi agreed to help the Third Legion correct the star charts."

Lu Yan almost failed to control his pheromones. Fortunately, there were no other alphas nearby. After hurriedly confirming his pheromones weren't leaking, Lu Yan asked in surprise, "Really?"

Seeing Qi Yanshen nod, Lu Yan began to doubt reality.

*What?! Ji Anzhi agreed? Just like that?*

Lu Yan's tongue got tied. "N-no, he agreed to join the Third Legion?"

Qi Yanshen shook his head: "No, he just agreed to accept assignments for two holiday periods."

Lu Yan placed a hand over his heart and let out a long sigh: "Oh, is that all? Phew, what a relief..."

Otherwise, I'd feel totally short-changed!

Seeing this, Qi Yanshen shot him a dagger-like look.

This chapter was posted in error. You can skip it.

This chapter was posted in error; it's not story content. Read it if you wish. It's the constitutional material from earlier that was flagged as filler content. It's been changed now.

Background Setting

A future interstellar setting, in an era of ABO equality (for about 200 years now). Initially, omegas and betas in the Federation revolted, overthrowing the alpha dictatorship.

There is the Insectoid race, with a 'Bug Swarm' occurring every fifty years, each lasting about one to two years.

There are many nations in the galaxy, with the Federation being the foremost superpower.

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Character Settings

Ji Anzhi

Beta male, Mint

Height: 173.6 cm

Description: Cultured and gentle in demeanor, but shrewd and calculating, loves freedom.

Qi Yanshen

S-class Alpha male, Gardenia

Height: 190 cm

Description: Aloof on the outside, warm on the inside, disciplined and strict, powerful.

Lu Yan

S-class Alpha male, Rum

Height: 188.3 cm

Description: Lively and optimistic, flush with cash and generous with it, slightly goofy.

Jian Fuxu

S-class Alpha male (pheromone allergy), Alcohol

Height: 186.7 cm

Description: Stunningly handsome, obsessive researcher, stoic and a man of few words, thoughtful and meticulous.

Andre Gnoss

S-class Alpha male, Rosemary

Height: 183.5 cm

Description: Obsessed with star charts, but lacking in common sense.

Eveka Gnoss

S-class Alpha male, Pine

Height: 189.1 cm

Description: Older brother, extremely protective and doting.

Lin Dusheng

S-class Omega

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First Military Academy

Introduction: The First Military Academy is located in the Federation, near Scott Star, occupying an entire planet.

Command Department

Mecha Combat Department

Mecha Design Department

Starship Combat Department

Starship Design Department

Energy Department

Materials Department

Biology Department

Pharmacy Department

Medical Department

Information Engineering Department

Star Chart Department

Logistics Management Department

A box holds 30 tubes of nutrient solution. Standard consumption is 3 tubes per day.

Repair serums, Treatment pods, Holographic pods.

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Star Chart Classifications

Asteroid systems, Satellite systems, Planetary systems, Star systems, Nebulae, Galaxies, Star sectors.

Galaxy types: Elliptical galaxies, Spiral galaxies (normal spiral galaxies and barred spiral galaxies), Irregular galaxies.

Four spiral arms: Sagittarius Arm, Orion Arm, Perseus Arm, 3-kpc Arm (Three-Kiloparsec Arm).

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Secondary Gender

1. All three ABO genders have pheromones. Alpha pheromones are highly aggressive and dominant, omega pheromones are gentle and soothing, while beta pheromones are calm and hard to detect. (Betas have the faintest pheromone signature among the three. Usually, only a trace is detectable after intense exertion, though concentration is higher in the blood—they themselves can sometimes perceive it.)

2. Demographics: 20% Alpha, 70% Beta, 10% Omega.

3. Pheromones have a scent, much like perfume. Betas can smell the scent but cannot pick up on the biological signals; only Alphas and Omegas can decode these signals.

4. Male Betas can get pregnant.

Psychic Soother, Psychic Inhibitor

Starships

Warships: Lightweight, Voyager-class, Obsidian-class, Dreadnought-class, Destroyer-class

Motherships: Large, Medium, Small