The Pharmacology instructor began by laying out their short-term plan for the semester: each student had to successfully produce at least three potions of over seventy percent purity.
At the end of term, several mentors would lead them on an expedition to Aoki Star, where the semester's final exam would be conducted through a points system.
"Students, one more reminder—those who place in the top three of this year's Pharmacology class will receive a generous starcoin reward."
After announcing this, Mentor Tonis expected the noble-born students below to remain indifferent, just as before. But unexpectedly, he met the blazing battle intent in Xie Xingyan's eyes. It was as though he had been locked onto by a ferocious alien beast.
In the days that followed, Xie Xingyan spun like a top, running back and forth between her two classes.
For the three courses that overlapped between both programs, she could only ask her Mecha Warrior deskmate, Emil, to record them for her.
She still remembered vividly the "gentle" smile on Teacher Melusa's face when she reported her scheduling conflict—and the sweet, dangerous words that followed:
"Xie Xingyan, if you can't keep up with our class, Teacher has a secret treasure waiting just for you~"
Sigh. Since she had no real connections in the Pharmacology class—and after her talent in potion-making became obvious, the other students only distanced themselves from her further—she could only rely on herself.
In the Mecha Warrior class, the students studied interstellar history and watched holo-recordings of battles between warriors and the Zerg.
The grotesque giant insects either sucked warriors' blood and corpses with their glistening mouthparts; or clashed against mechas with sharp pincers, hooks, and limbs; or emitted foul, unknown gases that interfered with human mental power…
"In fact, we've already discovered—among the Zerg, the Zerg Emperor possesses intelligence no weaker than that of humans. They can even infiltrate human society for short periods of time."
One student immediately voiced doubt: "Teacher Melusa, why can't we find any of this information on the Starnet?"
Melusa sighed, revealing the harsh truth:
"Because the Research Institute has not yet developed instruments capable of detecting a Zerg Emperor, the government and military have concealed the truth from ordinary citizens. The reason I can tell you now… is that the situation has grown increasingly dire."
Faced with such cruel reality, the students' expressions grew grave. Even those who usually had the shortest attention spans could not hide their dismay.
Hearing this, Xie Xingyan felt a sharp surge of crisis. Perhaps there was little time left for their generation to grow.
"But for now, these matters don't concern you. If the sky falls, we teachers will bear it first."
Though Melusa's words were unusually comforting, Xie Xingyan still felt heavy inside. To her, it was always better to hold one's own fate firmly in her hands.
After class, Emil was listless. Normally, she would chatter endlessly during breaks, pulling Xie Xingyan into the latest gossip.
Sensing her gaze, Emil looked up and forced a weak smile.
"Sigh, why can't those ugly Zerg just be wiped out? And now there's even a Zerg Emperor… what a headache."
"Don't overthink it. We don't have the power to resist the Zerg yet."
"You're right, Xingyan. We should be worrying more about the upcoming virtual mecha sparring sessions."
This girl… her moods came and went so quickly. Sometimes, Xie Xingyan almost envied Emil's simple, single-threaded way of thinking.
In the Holo Mecha Training Camp, Instructor Wilson first gave a personal demonstration. He piloted an agility-type mecha.
On the giant holo-screen, the ordinary-looking mecha moved with blinding speed under his mental control. Its actions were sharp, fluid, and deadly precise—every strike was fatal, leaving no wasted motion.
The students' blood boiled as they watched, eager to rush into the simulators and throw themselves against the Zerg.
But the stern Instructor Wilson raised his voice with reminders:
"Today is your first trial. If your mental power cannot connect to the mecha, you must stop immediately. Do not force it. Damage to your mental power is no joke…"
Yet the eager students barely listened, only nodding perfunctorily.
Wilson frowned at their dismissiveness, but said no more. They'll learn the hard way. Only after suffering will they understand my warning.
The students queued restlessly, eyes glued to the simulators, waiting for the order.
"I know you're impatient. Ten students per round. The simulation pods can only hold ten at a time. The rest of you, wait your turn."
Unlike the first group, Xie Xingyan and Emil waited calmly near the back.
For Xie Xingyan, it wasn't inexperience—she had never entered a simulator before. She hung back so she could observe and learn from others' mistakes. Emil, on the other hand, was simply a beat slow.
In the first group, four students failed to establish a mental link with their mechas at all, despite multiple attempts.
The other six managed to connect but could not control movement. Their mechas stood like wooden dummies, taking hit after hit.
Before their mental power was completely drained, they had to disconnect. One stubborn student refused to give up and forced himself until he collapsed unconscious, forcibly logged out.
The first group's total wipeout dealt a heavy blow to morale. Seeing it firsthand, the others no longer felt the same burning excitement.
After treating the fainted student with a healing device from his spatial button, Wilson's expression darkened.
"That student ignored warnings and drove himself to collapse. On a battlefield, he would be dead weight dragging everyone down. Therefore, his course points will be docked two. The rest of you, take this as a lesson. Do not overestimate yourselves."
One by one, students went in—only to come back out battered and dejected.
Soon it was Xie Xingyan's group's turn. From her careful observation, she realized that to control a mecha, one's mental power had to be kept steady and continuous. If the flow faltered even slightly, the mecha would lock up and stop moving.
So, to the shock of her classmates, Xie Xingyan managed to pilot the mecha on her very first try. Although clumsy and awkward, her mecha still moved.
Instructor Wilson gave his conclusion:
"In today's trial, only a handful of you performed adequately. As for those who could not even link with a mecha—reflect deeply. Did you fail to maintain continuous output of your mental power? For today's assignment, every student except Xie Xingyan will submit a reflection report to my mainbrain."
The other students nearly collapsed to their knees. This punishment struck them where it hurt most.
Xie Xingyan, however, did not grow complacent. She knew she still had a long way to go before reaching the mastery of her mentors.