Shadows of the Deep Space

Imperial Court Academy was the highest-level military school in the old Federation. The school was divided into an inner school and an outer school and had a very lengthy history, said to exist even before the Federation had been established. As such, the admissions process was incredibly strict.

Tang Yan tapped on the desk, his expression conveying disappointment, and said,

"Be confident, this year the inner school of Imperial Court Academy has allotted ten spots for us from the Thirteenth District, and the outer school has a thousand spots."

"Teacher, there are 3 million examinees in the Thirteenth District this year. With so few spots, it's really tough."

"Right, it seems only the top few students will have a chance."

...

Students in the classroom sighed in despair, one after another.

"If you can't get into the inner school, try for the outer school! If all else fails, try for a regular college! I know it's tough, but it's not that I want to make it difficult for you, I'm worried for you! Graduating from the inner school of Imperial Court Academy means you'll be a high-level officer, and as a key cultivation target, each of you is precious with unlimited prospects!"

"Of course, getting into the outer school is also great. After graduation, you will be assigned to decent positions, and your future will also be bright. If you really can't make it, then you need to try for a high-level college so that even if you join the military department, you could at least get a rank like junior corporal or sergeant, significantly increasing your survival rate."

Tang Yan advised earnestly.

"Teacher, what if none of us gets in?"

Huang Mao asked helplessly.

"If none of you get in, then you'll have to participate in the drawing of black and red tags and become reservist soldiers, commonly known as cannon fodder! Don't think I'm joking; once you become cannon fodder, you will be deployed to the most dangerous places."

Tang Yan warned sternly.

Su Ming furrowed his brows even more upon hearing this. The conscription system in the old Federation worked like this:

If you attended a high-level college, you could postpone service for four years; otherwise, everyone had to participate in the drawing of black and red tags service for those who drew it and no service for those who didn't, each with a fifty percent chance.

Those selected became reservist soldiers and would be sent to various war zones for training, with an extremely high death rate, essentially no different from being cannon fodder.

For everyone, this was a nightmare.

However, if one graduated from Imperial Court Academy, they would immediately become officers and as key cultivation targets, they definitely wouldn't be treated as cannon fodder.

Of course, not drawing the black tag didn't mean all was well; one had to find formal employment and couldn't be unemployed. Otherwise, they would continue to participate in the draw the following year until they were exempt from military service ten years later.

This showed how stretched the old Federation's military forces were.

"Ah, can we not participate in the drawing of black and red tags at all!"

Many students complained with teary faces.

"That's impossible unless your physical condition disallows it. But I advise you not to try any tricks; the verification is very strict. Don't even think about deliberately injuring yourselves to avoid service. The inspectors are not vegetarians; once it's proven deliberate, you'll be behind bars for your lifetime."

Tang Yan warned very sternly.

In fact, the reason Su Yuan's parents indulged Su Ming in eating so much was not entirely out of sheer pampering; it was somewhat intentional, hoping it would be easier to manage once Su Ming became an adult.

"Ah, understood."

Many students despondently responded.

"Alright, I've told you the bad news, now let me give you some good news. After the city exam, you will have a whole year of holidays, also known as Freedom Days, where you can play to your heart's content! And there are welfare subsidies too."

Tang Yan said with a smile to all the students.

"Oh yeah!"

Huang Mao and the others immediately cheered excitedly.

Freedom Days was indeed a holiday for everyone to rest and enjoy life to the fullest.

Thus, the results of the city exam wouldn't be announced immediately but after the holiday ended; the drawing of black and red tags would start then as well.

Tang Yan raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, then coughed, cleared his throat, and said,

"Alright, that's all for the city exam details; now let's use our time to focus on revision. There are no classes this afternoon and tomorrow morning; you all are free to study on your own. Don't be lazy. Also, remember to prepare, tomorrow afternoon our class is scheduled to go to the No. 3 Machine Hall for Mecha simulation combat training."

"Understood."

Many students responded in unison.

Su Ming's eyes sparkled slightly upon hearing this; they had already divided into specialized classes.

The city exam scores were divided into two parts: the basic cultural course scores, which everyone had to take, and the paper was the same for everyone.

The other part was additional points depending on the subject chosen: options included the Command Department, Mecha, aircraft, land warfare, chemistry, physics, biology, etc., with the Command and Mecha departments being the most popular.

Of course, these electives also determined what you would study if you entered a high-level college; for example, if your elective was the Command Department, you would study command in a high-level college and most likely become a command officer after graduation; if it was the Mecha Department, you would be assigned to the Mechanical Army after graduation.

As for electives like physics, chemistry, and biology, these led to careers as scientific researchers and technicians.

Although they were named electives, their weight in the city exam scores was incredibly high, not at all less significant than the basic subjects.

At this point, Tang Yan picked up the teaching plan and began to explain some key points to everyone.

"Let's turn to Lesson Sixteen; let's review the key points of linear functions..."

Su Ming opened his textbook to the content Tang Yan was reviewing, looking at the dense lines and numbers on the page, his brow slightly raised.

These knowledge points were all so new; he had never encountered them before.

However, fortunately, the kid was quite diligent typically. Although his foundation was average, he could still manage, and scoring eighty or ninety out of one hundred and fifty on the test seemed feasible.

With one month left, if he just crammed desperately, he might still have a chance.

Su Ming concentrated intently as Tang Yan lectured.

...

At noon.

Su Ming, holding a book, walked out of the classroom while reading.

"Did you see that? That fat nerd is actually reading while walking. Has he changed his ways?"

"How odd, forget about him; maybe he just wants to make a dramatic improvement."

"With his mediocre grades, forget it. Just to say something unpleasant, Lin Chuyu's basic scores hover around one hundred forty-five out of one hundred fifty."

"True."

...

Su Ming continued flipping through the book, quickly imprinting its contents onto his brain to fill gaps in his knowledge.

Soon after, Su Ming returned to his dorm room using his memory. He found his bed, took out some clothes from underneath, then walked into the bathroom to wash up and change into a looser set of clothes.

After completing all this, Su Ming directly opened his drawer, took out a library card and a synthetic chocolate bar.

This chocolate bar was his lunch for the day.