Lin Fan

Year 58 of the Federation.

Not far from the Lunar Headquarters of the Space Force, sits the Interstellar Military Academy.

It was noon. Inside a man-made ecological dome within the academy grounds, Lin Fan lay lazily on the grass, eyes closed, as if enjoying his daily afternoon nap.

Speaking of Lin Fan, he was quite famous within the academy. He was known as a once-in-a-century prodigy in the battleship command department, but at the same time, he was also known as a once-in-a-millennium problem student.

The reason he was called a once-in-a-century prodigy in the battleship command department was that upon his enrollment, he had defeated all the instructors in a fleet simulation battle.

By normal logic, Lin Fan, with such talent, should be the pride of the academy.

However, the reality was a bit different. Whenever instructors mentioned Lin Fan, they had only two words: a headache.

This was because the guy was lazy and slept whenever he had free time, constantly looking for opportunities to nap.

He gave off the impression of having no ambition, yet every single mock exam saw him come in first place.

In response to this, the former dean of the academy, in order to correct his lazy personality, specifically went to the adjacent Space Force Lunar Headquarters to invite a 29-year-old Federation Colonel, Wood Scott, to engage in a simulated fleet battle with Lin Fan.

Wood had become a Federation Colonel at the young age of 29 and was the commander of a small fleet, enjoying boundless prestige. In the military, he was known as the most dazzling rising star of the new era.

The dean's original intention was to curb Lin Fan's arrogance, to let him know that despite his prodigious talent, he was still young and had much to learn, and shouldn't be so lazy.

But the outcome exceeded everyone's expectations. Lin Fan utterly crushed Wood, even making him question his entire life.

One hundred warships versus one hundred warships, Lin Fan defeated the opposing fleet entirely at the cost of only one lightly damaged warship.

It was said that after returning, Wood even underwent three months of psychological counseling before he recovered.

This led some of the top brass in the Space Force to believe that the academy dean had deliberately set up the competition to humiliate the Space Force, causing considerable awkwardness.

After that incident, the academy had no choice but to leave Lin Fan to his own devices. What else could they do?

After all, when it came to fleet command, no one in the entire academy, including the instructors, was a match for this guy. This rendered all their attempts to advise Lin Fan utterly futile.

Lin Fan, who had been lying on the grass for an hour, slowly opened his eyes.

"Ding, congratulations to the host for improving their artillery command ability. Current level B. Reward: Brain Development +1%."

Instantly, Lin Fan felt his mind become much clearer.

"Open attribute panel!"

Host: Lin Fan Intelligence: 380 Brain Development: 18% (17% before reward) Command Ability: Artillery Command (B), Evasion Command (C), Formation Command (B), Mech Command (C)

Mission 1: Become a true fleet commander, commanding at least ten warships. (Reward: Warp Engine Technology upon completion) Mission 2: Advance military rank to Colonel. (Reward: Gene enhancement serum, and unlock physical function attribute panel upon completion)

"Artillery command finally reached B. If I fought Wood again now, I'm confident I could defeat him without a single warship taking damage."

Looking at the Artillery Command in his command panel change to B, with the other two still at C, Lin Fan nodded with satisfaction.

He mused that humanity had entered the interstellar era too recently, and their experience in interstellar warfare was still too shallow. Therefore, although Wood was quite famous within the Federal Fleet, he would still be considered very green by older, established civilizations.

Even the simulated opponents Lin Fan faced daily within the system, even the beginner-level ones, were far stronger than Wood.

So, even though Lin Fan's abilities were only B and C, these were not evaluated by human Federation standards. In fact, reaching A-level could already be considered the highest level in the current Federation.

However, in the system's ranking, above A were S, SS, SSS, and EX.

"Sigh, it's been ten years since I arrived in this world. I'll be graduating in another year."

Gazing at the starry sky through the transparent, semi-circular cover of the ecological dome, Lin Fan felt a deep sense of emotion. It had been ten years since he transmigrated here.

That's right, Lin Fan wasn't originally from this world. He had transmigrated here by chance and entered the body of someone with the same name and surname.

Along with that, he had also obtained a system called the Strongest Interstellar Commander System, which could help Lin Fan master various abilities required of an interstellar fleet commander.

Therefore, while everyone thought Lin Fan was just being lazy whenever he had free time, Lin Fan was actually desperately studying in the system's virtual space, even engaging in simulated combat with fleets from various races simulated by the system in a virtual environment.

The 100% virtual environment was no different from actual warfare, except for the absence of true death at the end.

"Lin Fan, why are you sleeping here again? The instructors have been looking for you for a long time!"

A clear and pleasant voice suddenly reached his ears. Lin Fan knew it was his class monitor, Emma.

Emma was born into a prominent family in North America. Since childhood, she had always been first in everything she did, as proud as a swan, until she entered the Interstellar Military Academy and met Lin Fan.

Looking at Emma's peerless beauty and stunning figure, Lin Fan honestly felt a little bit embarrassed.

After all, he had, with his cheat device, overshadowed Emma, who was supposed to be the most outstanding genius of the academy in a century, forcing her to be the eternal second-place finisher.

Seeing the slight apology in Lin Fan's gaze, Emma found it quite strange. What did that mean?

Emma had always harbored an inexplicable feeling towards Lin Fan – a little bit of resentment, a lot of curiosity, and even some...

In short, even she couldn't quite figure out what was going on with herself.

"What do the instructors want me for?"

"I don't know, they just said to find you and have you go to the dean's office. Did you do something again?"

"Don't you know me yet? What else can I do besides sleep?"

What do you mean by "what else have I done"? It's as if I do a lot of things. I'm clearly the one who causes the least trouble in the entire academy. When I'm not in class, I'm sleeping (entering the System to study).

Lin Fan looked at Emma with a completely darkened expression. This girl really needed to be taught how to speak properly.

"Alright, you freakish Lin, hurry up and go. The Dean is probably getting impatient!"

"Fine!"

Lin Fan reluctantly stood up, tidied his slightly wrinkled clothes, and walked towards the exit.

"Wait!"

Emma called out to Lin Fan, who was about to leave the ecological pod. She walked up to him and gently patted his clothes with her hand.

"You're such a big guy, and you're still so sloppy. Didn't you see the dust on your clothes?"

"Uh..."

This scene was so much like a wife tidying up her husband's attire before he left that Lin Fan was stunned.

"All done!"

After removing a few smudges of dirt from Lin Fan's clothes, Emma looked up at him and found that Lin Fan was looking at her with a strange expression.

The next moment, Emma, remembering her actions from just now, instantly blushed.

Feeling the atmosphere becoming increasingly awkward, Emma quickly left the ecological pod without looking back.

"That's strange, why is this girl shy? I've never seen her like this before. Come to think of it, she's quite good-looking."

Watching Emma quickly leave the ecological pod, Lin Fan subconsciously muttered to himself.

Five minutes later, Lin Fan arrived at the Dean's office on the top floor of the academy and knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

A voice that was somewhat old but still full of vigor responded.

Pushing open the door, Lin Fan entered the office.

Besides Dean Li Fulin, there was also a middle-aged man in a military uniform inside. Lin Fan glanced at his rank – a five-star general.

Having become a five-star general at such a young age, Lin Fan had already vaguely guessed the man's identity.

"Dean, may I ask why you summoned me?"

"No rush, let me introduce you. This is General Liang Xingchen, Commander of the Federal Space Force's Mars Base."

"Lin Fan, a student from the 55th graduating class of the Command Department at the Federal Interstellar Military Academy, greets Commander Liang!"

With a swish, Lin Fan shed his usual lethargic demeanor. He immediately stood at attention and saluted Liang Xingchen with perfect military posture!

This was a prominent figure repeatedly mentioned in textbooks, the greatest contributor to the Solar System Defense War, and humanity's most outstanding interstellar fleet commander.

However, Liang Xingchen's information was classified as top secret by the Federation. The public records only mentioned his name and past achievements.

As for his age and appearance? Sorry, those were SSS-level classified materials, not publicly disclosed.

Even so, Liang Xingchen remained one of the people Lin Fan respected the most since his transmigration.

Seeing him in person now, Lin Fan was still a little excited.

According to Federation records, during the Solar System Defense War, when three of the four major Federal fleets had already been routed, it was Liang Xingchen who led the last remaining fleet to turn the tide. He defeated an Oakes Empire fleet ten times the size of his own in the Asteroid Belt, thereby preserving human civilization and preventing its annihilation.

It could be said that Liang Xingchen was the hero of the entire Human Federation, bar none.

The Dean, meanwhile, watched Lin Fan with his mouth agape, incredulously. This guy actually had such a serious expression and such rigorous movements?

"Heh heh, Old Li, this is different from what you told me!"

"I..."

Li Fulin opened his mouth, not knowing what to say for a moment. Should he say that this was also the first time he had seen the kid like this? Wouldn't that be admitting defeat?

"Lin Fan, we asked you to come today because we wanted to see if you have any plans for early graduation. After all, given your actual capabilities, there's not much more you can learn at the academy."

"Yes, if possible, I hope to graduate as soon as possible and join the Federal Fleet."

Lin Fan hadn't forgotten the two missions in his System. He certainly wouldn't pass up such a great opportunity.

Moreover, Liang Xingchen was right; there wasn't much more he could learn by staying at the academy.

"Very good. Your graduation assessment, a fleet simulation battle, will be personally conducted by me. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I will certainly not disappoint Commander Liang's expectations!"

"Alright, you can go now. Report to the Academy Simulation Battle Building tomorrow morning at 8 AM!"

"Yes!"

Lin Fan saluted Liang Xingchen again before turning and leaving the Dean's office.

"Are you really going to personally assess Lin Fan?"

"Yes. After all, him easily defeating Wood Scott doesn't mean much. I want to bring out his true strength and see how far he can go!"

"Fine, as long as you're happy. But I'm telling you, he's the most monstrous child I've ever seen in my teaching career. If you're taking him on, you'll be responsible for his future."

"Don't worry, if he can amaze me tomorrow, I'll promote him to the highest rank according to standards and let him lead a mixed fleet."

Hiss, Li Fulai hadn't expected Liang Xingchen to be willing to go this far? Lin Fan was only 19 years old. Cadets were supposed to graduate at 20, and upon graduation, the highest rank they could achieve based on performance was captain, serving as the second-in-command of a battleship.

Of course, as the commander of Mars Base, Liang Xingchen had special privileges for exceptional promotions, allowing him to elevate someone's rank directly to colonel.

However, this also came with risks. If it was discovered after the fact that the person promoted did not possess the commensurate abilities, Liang Xingchen would face severe punishment.

Is this what I should expect from Liang Xingchen? Li Fulai couldn't help but think to himself.

"Of course, the prerequisite is that he has to amaze me tomorrow!"

"Alright, you call the shots. I'll go make the arrangements!"

At this moment, Lin Fan, having just left the academy instructor's area, noticed Emma looking toward him with some urgency from not too far away. He immediately walked over.

"What are you doing?"

"Just taking a stroll! What business is it of yours?"

"Alright! Then you carry on, I'm leaving!"

Seeing Emma being so uncooperative, Lin Fan pouted and turned to leave.

Enraged, Emma stomped hard on the floor. Unfortunately, she had put too much force into it, missed her footing, and twisted her ankle.

Damn Lin Fan, you're making me so mad, hiss, it really hurts.

Emma sat on the ground, rubbing her right ankle, her expression one of pain!

"Are you alright?"

Hearing the voice, Emma looked up in surprise. She saw Lin Fan squatting in front of her, looking at her with a smile.

"I don't need your concern!"

"You really are stubborn, girl. Come on, I'll take you to the infirmary."

Lin Fan finished speaking and, without waiting for Emma's reaction, turned around and squatted down again.

Emma understood the gesture. Lin Fan was offering to carry her back, but she couldn't bring herself to accept. After all, she was known as the Iceberg Goddess, wasn't she?

"Hurry up, or the minor injury might worsen if we delay!"

"I don't need you to tell me what to do!"

Lin Fan heard Emma's voice, still trying to act tough. He felt like teaching this girl a lesson for her arrogant nature, but before he could make another move, he felt a soft body lean against his back, her arms gently wrapping around his neck.

For a moment, Lin Fan was stunned. Where's that pride she was talking about? How did she suddenly become so tsundere? Are you an imposter Emma!

"Aren't you going to move?"

Seeing Lin Fan frozen, Emma, leaning against him, softly called out with a blush.

Amidst the envious gazes of countless people around them, Lin Fan stood up and, carrying Emma on his back, headed towards the academy infirmary.