Chapter Three: Eight Years

Time slipped by quietly, like a white colt darting past a crack. All across the vast lands of Huaxia, everything was changing in subtle and gradual ways. In the blink of an eye, eight years had passed.

Year 1228 of the Star Calendar, Command Academy of the Seventh Fleet, Huaxia Republic Interstellar Navy

"Enemy reconnaissance drone detected, requesting instructions."

"Raise the shields. Flagship, relocate to the far side of the planet. Strategic drones, conceal yourselves within the asteroid belt. Notify all ships to enter first-level combat readiness."

"Aye, Captain!"

This was a simulated interstellar battle, and the young man addressed as Captain was none other than Liu Shaoyu, now eighteen years old. He wore a crisp black uniform trimmed with red, the epaulets on his shoulders bearing a stripe and three stars. Eight years had transformed the boy: he now stood an imposing two meters tall, his facial features had grown sharp and defined, and he looked utterly unlike the child he once was. Perhaps it was age, or perhaps something else, but Liu Shaoyu now possessed a maturity and resolve beyond his years.

A chilling aura of command radiated from his brow, enough to make one shudder at a glance.

The lighting shifted. One moment, Liu Shaoyu stood commanding warships in the depths of space; the next, he was back in a room lined with simulators.

"Captain, the operation is complete. Awaiting orders," reported a young officer, close to Liu Shaoyu’s age, also in a black uniform but with only a stripe and two stars.

"Review the combat data," Liu Shaoyu replied, stepping down from the simulated flagship’s command platform. The intense concentration had left his forehead beaded with sweat.

"New message: Ensign Liu Shaoyu, please proceed to the Academy Dean’s office," chimed his earpiece in the voice of the artificial intelligence.

"XO!" Liu Shaoyu called, turning to the young man who had just reported to him.

The young officer hurried back, coming to attention. "Captain, your orders?"

"The simulation’s over—no need to be so formal. The office wants to see me; send me the after-action report when it’s ready." Liu Shaoyu smiled at his executive officer, who was also a good friend.

"Understood. By the way, there’s a mecha duel with the Army tonight—are you coming?"

"I’ll let you know when I’m done," Liu Shaoyu replied, then followed the guidance along the wall toward the office.

This was his eighth year at the Interstellar Fleet Command Academy. According to the standard curriculum, it was also to be his last. These interstellar simulation battles were a teaching method where senior students led juniors in mock engagements; each match pitted two senior cadets as flagship captains against one another under strict simulation protocols. Eight years of rigorous study had transformed Liu Shaoyu from a child into a man. His words and actions now marked him as someone who had truly matured. The long years of training had given him a depth and distinction that set him apart from the brash youth he once was. With every exercise, his outstanding results helped him stand out, quickly rising to the top of his class. Soon, even upperclassmen struggled to best him.

The mecha duels the XO mentioned were a staple of the Army Operations School—a standard course, but these spirited young men often held "friendly matches" outside class, open to all cadets. So even though Liu Shaoyu wasn’t from the Army School, he could participate—and not only participate, but often led his own academy to victory in these informal contests.

Though these matches weren’t part of the official curriculum, the school did not forbid them. Such competitions not only reinforced the lessons but also fostered camaraderie and mutual motivation among cadets.

The XO who had just spoken was a year his junior, also from the Jinling Underground City, and had entered the academy with a stellar score of 97—remarkably high compared to others who barely passed the threshold. Even Murong, the top student of that year, had only scored a 90. A true prodigy, indeed.

The Command Academy of the Seventh Interstellar Fleet floated at an altitude of 8,000 meters, housed within a massive airborne mobile artificial base. Its powerful nuclear generators kept it levitating. Hidden in the clouds, its position shifted constantly, shielded by advanced stealth screens.

"Scan confirmed. Officer: Liu Shaoyu," the AI intoned as the door slid open.

"Sit," came a terse order from the desk, where an elderly man, perhaps around fifty, sat. But thanks to the Rejuvenation Program, the effects of aging were greatly delayed, and his true age was impossible to tell from his appearance. All the cadets, however, knew well: this man, who looked fifty, was in fact a hundred and fifty years old. His black uniform marked him as a senior admiral in the space fleet, and sure enough, his shoulder bore a gold braid and three stars.

"Finished?" The elderly man kept his eyes on his work, not looking up.

"Reporting, Dean: the 387th simulation of Young Dragons Squadron is complete. The post-battle data is being compiled." Liu Shaoyu, not yet seated, snapped to attention.

"No need to be so formal. There’s tea—help yourself. In this batch of cadets, you’re the only one who shares my taste for it." The old man finally looked up, a trace of kindness in his eyes.

"Dean, may I ask why you sent for me...?" Liu Shaoyu ventured, suddenly anxious. Had his recent unsanctioned mecha duels with the Army been discovered? If so, perhaps he should confess and stop—though giving up that extra income would sting. As Liu Shaoyu fretted, the Dean spoke again.

"Actually, it’s not me who wants to see you—someone else asked me to call you here. He should be here any moment," the old man said.

Liu Shaoyu barely had time to process this when a soft knock interrupted his thoughts. A middle-aged officer entered. He looked familiar—wasn’t this the very general from the examination hall eight years ago? Now with an extra star on his shoulder.

"Ha ha! Old Xu, it’s me—Hu Hansan, back again!" The man's voice boomed, a trait Liu Shaoyu remembered well from their first meeting. Eight years had only made him louder, Liu Shaoyu thought.

The "Old Xu" was, of course, the Dean. His brow furrowed, then relaxed, and a warm smile appeared.

"You old rascal, how did you survive the Fonta Star System?" the Dean joked.

"You’re fifty years older than me; if anyone’s going to die first, it’s you, hiding away like a turtle in this academy. Be careful you don’t kick the bucket one of these days."

A chill ran down Liu Shaoyu’s spine. Who would have thought the usually stern Dean had such a side? Best to stay quiet and pretend he hadn’t heard.

"Ha! Shaoyu, you’ve met General Hu before—he’s the one who asked to see you today," the Dean said, resuming his commanding tone, dignified and authoritative.

"Captain Liu Shaoyu, attend!" The old man's voice rang out, strong and full, carrying the weight of command that made Liu Shaoyu instinctively leap to his feet, tense and alert.

"As Dean of the Huaxia Republic Command Academy, I hereby notify you of your graduation. Effective immediately, you are a qualified member of the Huaxia Republic Interstellar Fleet. Report at once to the Seventh Army of the Huaxia Interstellar Fleet."

"Yes, sir! I accept the order!" Eight years of military training had ingrained obedience into Liu Shaoyu’s very bones, though excitement soon overtook him.

The Seventh Army! His eyes shone with a burning light. Attending the Seventh Fleet Command Academy did not guarantee assignment to the Seventh Army; only a select few, after rigorous evaluation, were admitted directly. Most graduates were assigned elsewhere.

This unexpected order filled Liu Shaoyu with a youthful exuberance he had not felt in years.

But what was the reason behind this sudden command?

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