Walking through the temporary passage, Vera Warde entered the testing room and saw four teachers standing stiffly inside.
Next to the monitoring machine stood two others she didn't recognize — probably supervisors from a major star.
"Step up."
She was still studying the sense‑testing device when one teacher, already impatient, barked at her.
Most of the school faculty knew Vera. One teacher at the perimeter offered a kind nod, "Just stand there, don't think too hard."
Vera nodded, walked to the machine and stepped onto the platform. In front of her a black display rose like an oversized thermometer, marked with grade levels, orange points of light floating around it.
As soon as she stepped up, a helmet descended and locked over her head.
Likeamedicalscan, she mused — half amused, half bored.
She was entirely at ease; the two teachers from 3212 Academy were anything but. The dots didn't react at all.
"Step down and try again," the monitoring teacher frowned.
Vera obediently stepped off then on again — still no response.
One 3212 teacher hissed quietly, "Focus your mind on the light points!"
The supervisor turned and shot him a warning look.
Vera fixed her gaze on the glowing dots and guessed, MaybeI'msupposedtodrawthemintothatthermometer‑shapedthing?
The moment she tried, they moved — drifting into the central column. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed her teachers relax a little.
She kept guiding the lights upward until they reached the top: the marker labeled A.
"That's enough. Step down," the monitor said, switching off the device.
Vera blinked. "Oh. That's it?"
"Congratulations," the school teachers smiled, relieved.
"Thank you, sir."
As she walked out and hadn't even reached the line yet, a voice rang out behind her: "A‑grade."
Far off, Wu De turned and waved, grinning.
Today was both the perception test and graduation day — no more school after this. Once scores came out, they'd fill in their academy applications online.
By the time all ten classes were finished, evening had fallen. Most students had expected their results; some didn't take them as well.
Laughter, tears, and shouts mixed across the field.
Six A‑grades — a rarely high number for 3212 Academy — the school administration was ecstatic.
As soon as the lines broke up, Wu De ran over. "Vera! Congrats!"
"Congratulations to you too."
"Big day — I'm buying dinner!" He flashed his account balance.
Free food was free food; she nodded easily. Still, she wanted to ask, "What did it feel like for you during testing?"
"Feel like?" He thought for a bit. "Like being restrained."
"With a helmet on your head? Of course it feels tight," she deadpanned.
"Not physically restrained," he explained. "When I tested on a major star, they said our age group can't control our perception yet — it leaks out, and the instrument reads it. That's why you feel a weird kind of mental pressure."
Vera: Didnotfeelathing. "…"
"Anyway," he continued, "which academy are you choosing? I'm aiming for the Imperial Academy — the strongest of the five."
Vera hesitated. "The Five Major Academies are… which five again?"
"…Seriously?"
Typical her. Vera still had her researcher mindset — she'd dig endlessly into whatever interested her, like mechas, but ignore everything else entirely.
Once he realized she wasn't kidding, Wu De listed them:
"Imperial Military Academy on the Capital Star, Samuel Academy on White Dwarf, Pingtong Institute on Fanhan Star, Nanpaxi Academy on Nanpaxi Star, and Damocles Academy on Shadu Star."
"Pingtong Institute?"
"Yeah — mostly pure‑blooded Easterners there. They practice this special breathing thing since childhood, so their perception's different. Nanpaxi has lots of girls, and rumor is no one dares mess with them since you never know who's the future wife of a big shot."
"Is Nanpaxi strong?" Vera asked, unimpressed by gossip.
"Strong enough to be top five, but middle ranked among them. Imperial's the strongest, next is Pingtong. Each of the others has its own edge."
They found a restaurant; Vera promptly ordered half the menu.
"Why don't you come to Imperial with me?" Wu De pressed — part hope, part nerves about leaving home alone.
"We'll see." She wanted more information first.
"Fine. Let's eat."
When she returned home, Li Pi was waiting in the living room.
"Teacher."
"Sit," he said. "Graduation means you'll choose a school. I won't interfere — just research the Five Academies and decide which you like."
"Got it."
He smiled. "Your teacher's wife left some soup for you; grab it later if you're hungry."
After he went to bed, Vera opened the starnet and started her own research.
First up: Imperial Academy.
The photos alone made her close the tab — luxury everywhere, capital planet prices through the roof. She couldn't even afford the homepage load time.
Pingtong Institute caught her eye with its Eastern tradition, but one look at the tuition — 100,000 credits a year — and she almost spat her drink. Robbery, especially since Fanhan was half a galaxy away.
After comparing costs, Vera settled on Damocles Academy: 50,000 a year with interest‑free loans and cheap transport — Shadu Star was the closest to 3212.
On application day, she had just submitted her form when Wu De called.
"Vera, which academy did you pick?"
"Heading to Shadu Star."
"…Damocles Academy?" He blinked. "Why that? It's the weakest."
"Didn't you say they all have their strengths?" Vera replied coolly. "Too late — sent and sealed."
"Yeah, but Damocles used to be good centuries ago. It's been in decline for a hundred years. Half the planet's a desert — practically uninhabitable."
"Really?"
"You still have one withdrawal option on the form. It's not too late to switch."
Vera propped her chin. "No need. If they haven't produced a prodigy in a century, they're probably waiting for me."
Wu De: "…Can't believe your audacity. Impressive."
They chatted a while longer. Vera never changed her mind — she'd already sent her loan application. Unless she miraculously got rich overnight, there was no turning back.
And then — she did get rich overnight.
After dinner, Li Pi called her back and transferred funds to her account.
"Not that I'm wealthy, but I can cover your first year's tuition. Think of it as an investment," he said lightly.
Vera sent it straight back. "The loan covers it. Keep it — you and Ma'am can visit me later."
Knowing her temperament, he didn't insist. "Then make something of yourself. If we visit, give us something to brag about."
"I will. I'll be the brightest one there."
"Just don't be the most troublesome one, and I'll thank the heavens."
No one knew then how both would come true.
Damocles Academy turned out surprisingly kind — its loan covered tuition and interstellar travel.
Her savings from the break would serve as living expenses.
At the spaceport, Wu De waved amid his mountain of luggage. "Vera! Over here!"
"When's departure?" She had one small case — mostly food her teacher's wife had packed.
"Half an hour." He looked at her. "Wonder when we'll meet again."
She snorted. "You say that like we're that close."
His sentiment hit a brick wall. "…"
A boarding call for the Capital Star sounded over the PA. After a quick good‑bye, Vera headed through security for her flight to Shadu Star.
Once aboard, she couldn't help gawking — tapping panels, checking seats. A ship that crossed worlds!
Her old world had nothing like it. Though the craft was old and the walls yellowed, Vera was enchanted.
Through the window, space unfolded. Each time they jumped past a nebula or giant star, she pressed her face to the glass, eyes lit with awe.
Maybe this world wasn't so bad after all — she was flying through the cosmos.
Though Shadu Star was the closest to 3212, the trip still took a full day with one transfer. By midnight, Vera finally landed at Dock Two of Shadu Star.