Chen Sui bent down to help him pick up the items. Seeing that he could barely hold the box steady, she reminded him, "Hold it properly, or you'll drop it again."
"Oh, right," Cheng Wei nodded absentmindedly. "Got it."
After speaking, he cautiously glanced at Chen Sui's expression. Seeing no sign of displeasure, he quietly followed her out of the alleyway and asked in a hushed voice, "So… are you an interstellar nomad?"
Chen Sui nodded.
Cheng Wei silently wept in his heart. He felt that he had no fate with Chen Sui and would never again find such a cheap supplier of materials.
Although all the major military academies admitted interstellar nomads, the entrance exams were just as difficult as those for regular applicants.
Nomads spent most of their lives drifting between galaxies. Even if they managed to obtain Star Alliance identity certification, they were still no match for those who had trained under the Alliance since childhood. Their skills in piloting mechas and physical combat were rough and unpolished.
The academies had no problem offering these admission pathways—because they knew the nomads would never pass the assessments.
As they exited the commercial district and crossed the bridge over the winding Songluo River, the Seventh Interstellar Academy appeared on the other side.
Behind it were layered mountains; ahead stood the solemn buildings of the Zhu Jing Manor, shrouded in a dark barrier.
With bluestone and redwood structures, the eaves were adorned with glowing red Liu Fire Stones, hanging like a string of red pearls in the night. Below them, imitation-gold beams emitted a chilling metallic gleam under the darkness.
"Ah, we're here," Cheng Wei stopped outside the west gate of the academy. Seeing Chen Sui glance up, he quickly explained, "This is the academy's most famous sight—Zhu Jing Manor. Quite a visual shift, right? It was built by Master Jin back in the day. Though it's modeled after ancient star-era architecture, all the materials used are top-grade. These days, the manor holds all the historical records from past classes and is well protected."
"When exams come, you can pay your respects here. They say Master Jin was a genius, a top scholar. Just brushing against his aura might bring good luck for your tests."
Cheng Wei, growing more animated, continued to tell Chen Sui about the academy's special events. But then, he suddenly realized—Chen Sui still had to pass the entrance assessment. His face stiffened, and he awkwardly changed the subject.
"Well, anyway… let's get through the test first," he said, gesturing toward the gate. "Scan your ID card here."
He pointed to two waist-high beams of light by the west gate. Though the gate stood open, a blue honeycomb-like shield floated over the entrance. Chen Sui followed his motion and scanned her card. Out of the corner of his eye, Cheng Wei caught a glimpse of the panel and was shocked to see the designation: Interstellar Nomad.
After entering, Cheng Wei pointed her toward the academic affairs office. "You're on your own now. I've got to head to the dorms—we have night training later."
Chen Sui nodded, "Thanks. I'll give you 20% off next time you buy materials."
Cheng Wei forced a laugh. "That's great. Best of luck to you."
But inwardly, he was worried for her.
The interstellar nomad pathway had existed for over a decade, but not a single top-tier military academy had admitted such a student.
Those who failed the assessment could only pay their way into lower-tier institutions to complete their education.
He glanced at Chen Sui's fading figure around the corner. Her frame was thin, her face pale, her lips almost colorless. She looked like someone who could not endure the pain of mental connection with combat mechas—much less fight in them as a solo pilot.
Sigh… May she have good fortune.
He mourned, mostly for missing out on that 20% discount.
"Please scan your ID card."
Inside the academic affairs office, a short-haired female instructor dressed in a dark military uniform led Chen Sui to a scanning device.
A black cord cinched her waist, embroidered with the Zhu Jing Manor's emblem. Her tone was flat and professional.
"Chen Sui. Age 18. Registered interstellar nomad from Taluo Star." As she read the last line, her gaze paused on the word 'Awaiting Awakening' displayed on the identity info. She clicked her tongue. "Have you piloted a mecha before? What type?"
"I've piloted a basic-class mecha," Chen Sui answered honestly.
The instructor lowered her gaze. She was tall, with a commanding posture and sharp eyes. Her aura radiated strict discipline.
"Even for the nomad program, there is still an entrance exam. You should've received your registration confirmation. I will now connect you to a military-grade combat mecha. Let me warn you in advance: compared to basic models, these units have a strong neurological rejection response. Pain during the neural connection is normal."
She led Chen Sui toward another building. As they walked past various structures of the Seventh Academy, Chen Sui noticed that many incorporated retro architectural elements, likely to match the style of Zhu Jing Manor.
Ever since the homeworld ruins were discovered a century ago, the trend of ancient aesthetics had spread throughout the Star Alliance. The academy's fusion of antique design with metal materials created a unique cyber-retro aesthetic.
The instructor noticed her curiosity but offered no explanation.
Every year, countless nomads applied. None passed. There was no need to waste words on someone who would likely fail in the first round.
Outside the training room, the instructor solemnly briefed her on the exam's components.
"Did you get all that?"
"There will be four monitoring tests and two combat scenarios. Once you're inside, follow my instructions exactly. Understood?"
Chen Sui nodded. "Understood."
The instructor nodded in approval. Chen Sui's obedient demeanor softened her expression slightly, though her thin arms beneath her sleeves made her frown again.
A nomad like this likely had not eaten properly—let alone trained to pilot a mecha in real combat.
The instructor feared she would not even survive the neural connection with the military unit.
Chen Sui had only piloted basic mechas, but she had also handled military-grade units—some clients requested them.
In the hierarchy of interstellar mechas:
Basic units were the cheapest, crudest models.
Advanced models were slightly better.
Combat mechas were military-grade, built from high-end materials and requiring far more skill.
Personalized mechas were custom-designed to match a pilot's unique neurological signature.
"Go ahead," the instructor said.
She opened a storage ring and released a towering dark-colored combat mecha.
"Standard loadout includes one close-range and one long-range weapon. Ammunition is set to standard flash-explosive rounds. Do you have a preference for close-range?"
"If not, the default is a lightsaber—"
"I'll use a spear. Thank you," Chen Sui interrupted softly.
The instructor raised her brows but said nothing, instead calling up several spear models. "Choose one."
Chen Sui selected the model best suited to the mecha's height.
"If you're unfamiliar with close-range weapons," the instructor hesitated, "I suggest sticking to the lightsaber. It's safer. A mistake might lower your score and ruin your chances."
"I appreciate your advice," Chen Sui replied politely, "but I am used to spears."
The instructor said nothing more and let her proceed.
The combat mecha's cockpit resembled that of a basic one, except for the control panel, which included more monitoring tools—and a dedicated communication channel.
Chen Sui noticed a blinking light: a channel linked to the academic office appeared at the center of the screen.
"Sit tight. We will now begin the neural connection," the instructor said.
Chen Sui, prepared for the pain, lowered her eyes in anticipation.
Instead, a slight tingling spread across her body—like ant bites. Then, it felt as though a heavy object had been placed on her.
She instinctively raised her hand.
The instructor saw the mecha move and panicked, thinking Chen Sui was struggling from pain. "Don't move! Wait for the connection to complete or you might get hurt!"
Chen Sui paused, still in the cockpit. "Instructor, I believe the connection is complete."
The instructor frowned. "Are you sure?"
To prove it, Chen Sui had the mecha perform a formal Border Guard Salute.
The instructor stood straight and returned the salute, then finally relaxed and activated the holographic training room.
Although surprised, she showed no emotion. "Let us begin the assessment."
The entrance exam had four components:
Precision Test – performing specified actions under instruction.Chen Sui showed excellent adaptability, even executing a mid-air locust roll with the heavy mecha.
Speed Test – dodging simulated attacks.Each hit increased the mecha's damage rate. Scoring was based on how long the pilot avoided reaching 10% damage.
This was the most physically demanding portion.
Chen Sui dodged fluidly at first. Though she had chosen an optimal strategy for her stamina, she still grew fatigued. Her damage meter climbed.
The instructor grew serious.
By the time the second test ended, she felt a pang of regret. "Can you keep going?" she asked gently.
Chen Sui lay slumped in the cockpit, arms and legs trembling violently.
Her ragged breathing echoed through the audio channel like a bellows. Drenched in sweat, she looked as though she had just emerged from a bath. Her lips were cracked and pale.
But her hoarse voice answered, "Yes. Please… continue."
Weapon Accuracy Test – measuring the ability to shoot and eliminate holographic creatures.
The instructor, now genuinely concerned, clenched her fists as she activated the next test.
Chen Sui's performance had far exceeded expectations. She had passed the first test quickly, and despite the strain, she had met above-average standards in the second.
This might be the most promising nomad she had ever seen—possibly the first who could pass and be specially recruited through the nomad program.
If she could maintain accuracy despite the exhaustion.
Chen Sui's hands were shaking violently as she raised the mecha's weapon. The instructor, watching from outside, frowned.
This condition…
Yet her fears were unfounded.
Chen Sui knew her limits. In the apocalypse, fatigue did not mean helplessness.
The moment she raised her weapon, she understood the assessment structure. The accuracy test came after speed for a reason: to test control under stress.
Each shot, despite the trembling, was dead-on.
Inside the training room, the thunder of explosions and the clash of weapons filled the space.
Outside, the instructor watched in disbelief as every blast landed with precision, every spear strike struck true.
She exhaled deeply.
Unknowingly, for this lone interstellar nomad from the outer rings—
She had broken out in a cold sweat.