Preparations

Within the Interstellar Military Academy, the students who should have been bustling about had all stopped in their tracks, staring at the scene before them in shock.

A male student was walking steadily, carrying a female student on his back.

Normally, this wouldn't be anything unusual. After all, most of the students here were adults, and dating was quite common, with guys carrying girls happening frequently.

But the problem was that the guy was Lin Fan, and the girl was Emma.

The students who had stopped to specter, after their initial shock, were filled with gritted teeth and resentment, though an undeniable envy was mixed in.

Female students: "Lin God, how could you be so easily seduced by that vixen Emma?"

Male students: "We agreed Emma was everyone's goddess! How did she fall for someone else like this?"

Well, Lin Fan and Emma paid no mind to what the surrounding students were thinking at that moment.

One was thinking, This girl really has some curves, while the other's mind was a jumble, his face flushed, not daring to look up.

"Emma, I'm graduating tomorrow. The dean has already scheduled my graduation assessment for tomorrow!"

Emma, who had been lost in thought, was jolted awake by Lin Fan's words.

Tomorrow? Graduation? Leaving?

These three words echoed repeatedly in her mind. Emma didn't know what was happening to her, but she felt a tightness in her chest and a sense of unease.

Sensing Emma trembling on his back after hearing his words, Lin Fan's lips curved slightly.

This girl really wasn't honest with herself.

"After graduation, I plan to join Mars Base. Come find me at Mars Base after you graduate next year!"

"Okay!"

This time, Emma responded to Lin Fan. Although it was a soft whisper, like a mosquito's hum, Lin Fan definitely heard it.

Soon, Lin Fan, still carrying Emma, arrived at the infirmary. After handing Emma over to the medical officer, he left.

Emma naturally wouldn't throw a tantrum at a time like this.

Besides, she figured that Lin Fan, who had his graduation assessment tomorrow, must be preparing for it today.

Although Emma's guess was slightly off, it was generally correct.

Lin Fan did need to prepare, after all. His opponent in tomorrow's assessment was Liang Xingchen, a legend throughout the Federation.

Based on Lin Fan's estimation, Liang Xingchen's command capabilities were likely mostly A-rank, with a few reaching S-rank.

For the human Federation, Liang Xingchen's abilities could definitely be considered on par with a War God.

But Lin Fan still wanted to try and see how far he could go!

"System, arrange a skirmish training for me, level 5."

"Virtual battlefield activated. Level 5 opponent established. Simulation mode: Skirmish. Entering in 10 seconds. Host, please prepare."

Level 5. In the system, this already represented an opponent with all stats rated A.

Lin Fan believed that if he wanted to gain Liang Xingchen's recognition in tomorrow's simulated battle, he had to demonstrate sufficient capability.

After all, this was related to his system mission. Only by performing astonishingly well could he meet the mission's completion conditions faster.

Listening to the system's prompt, Lin Fan lay down on his bed, closed his eyes, and with a sudden darkness, he lost consciousness.

When Lin Fan regained consciousness and opened his eyes, he was already on the bridge of a warship.

Lin Fan expertly operated the equipment at the captain's seat, checking his fleet's status. It was still a 100 vs. 100 battle, something Lin Fan had grown accustomed to.

"Report, enemy fleet detected, distance 50 million kilometers."

This day, this night, Lin Fan couldn't recall how many times he had been defeated.

After all, the time ratio between the virtual space and reality was 10:1.

In other words, Lin Fan, who had undergone 15 hours of system training, had actually experienced a full 150 hours in the virtual space, engaging in 29 battles.

"As expected, a level 5 opponent is still too much for my current skill level," Lin Fan said with a sigh, his eyes opening as he lay in bed in the early morning.

However, the night of being thrashed wasn't entirely without results. In the last virtual battle, Lin Fan had managed to destroy nearly 40 of the enemy's warships before being defeated.

"Ding, congratulations to the host for improving your formation command ability. It is now A-rank. Reward: Brain development +2%."

The next moment, Lin Fan felt his thoughts become even clearer.

"Open status panel!"

Host: Lin Fan

Intelligence: 380

Brain Development: 20% (18% before reward)

Command Ability: Artillery Command (B), Evasion Command (C), Formation Command (A), Mech Command (C)

Mission 1: Become a true fleet commander, commanding at least ten warships. (Reward upon completion: Warp Engine Technology)

Mission 2: Achieve the rank of Colonel. (Reward upon completion: Gene Enhancement Potion, and unlock physical function status panel)

"Hmm, not bad. When it comes to commanding fleet formations, I should be considered a master-level among humans now."

Lin Fan silently assessed his latest skill level. He raised his hand and checked the time on his tactical wristband. It was past seven, time to get going.

He took out a can of Nutrient Solution from his system space and downed it in one go. This was a reward from a previous mission. Just one can a day was enough to supplement the energy humans needed for the entire day, making it incredibly convenient.

After putting on his cadet uniform neatly, Lin Fan left his dorm and headed for the academy's simulation battle building.

As soon as he walked out of the academy's residential area, he saw a beautiful figure standing there. It was Emma.

"Why are you here?"

"As a competitor, I felt it was necessary to observe your graduation assessment."

This girl, why had she become so tsundere again overnight? As expected, she couldn't be left unchecked for even a day.

"The examiner for this graduation assessment has a rather special identity, so observation might not be possible."

"Isn't it Admiral Liang Xingchen? I've already spoken with Dean Li Fulai, and he agreed to let me observe on-site."

"Uh..."

What else could Lin Fan say? She truly was the eldest daughter of the Campbell Family.

After all, Emma's grandfather, Horn Campbell, was the current Deputy Commander of the Federal Fleet, so Dean Li Fulai couldn't really refuse her request.

Furthermore, Li Fulai had heard about Lin Fan taking Emma to the infirmary yesterday, and then Emma had come to him wanting to observe Lin Fan's graduation assessment.

As someone who had been through it all, Li Fulai understood the situation perfectly. He could only sigh, thinking how good it was to be young.

Soon, the two arrived at the academy's simulation battle building. Li Fulai and Liang Xingchen were already there.

"Report! Federal Interstellar Military Academy, 55th graduating class, Command Department cadet Lin reporting for graduation assessment. Requesting instructions!"

Lin Fan immediately struck a military posture that was more standard than anyone else's, practically impeccable, and saluted Liang Xingchen.

Li Fulai had seen this scene yesterday and felt it was fine.

But Emma, standing beside him, was mesmerized. Was this really Lin Fan?