North Star Starship Military Academy
"We're here." The shuttle landed at the starport.
Shen Bing nudged Shen Yan, who had dozed off during the return trip after eating and drinking her fill earlier.
Shen Yan rubbed her eyes and followed her sister and Brother Zhao Chen off the shuttle in a daze.
"If you don't mind, Grandma Shen can temporarily stay on my interstellar medical ship for long-term treatment. I won't charge any fees," Zhao Chen said.
"Thank you..." Shen Bing hesitated for a long time, realizing she had nothing more to say beyond those two simple words.
"You're graduating and leaving the Academy this month, right?" Shen Bing looked at Zhao Chen. She knew he had skipped grades consecutively and become a Sixth Grade student.
Zhao Chen nodded.
"Will you ever come back to the Academy after this?" Shen Bing felt a hollow emptiness in her heart as she asked this.
Zhao Chen replied, "My sister is planning to take a leave of absence from school. I probably won't be returning to the Academy much in the future. If you want to see your grandmother, you can go to the Fierce Dragon Star System. Besides, a year or so isn't that long. By then, Grandma Shen will be healthy and back with you sisters."
Soon, Zhao Chen escorted Shen Bing and Shen Yan to the entrance of Shen Bing's dormitory building.
"I'll leave you here then." Zhao Chen waved and turned to leave.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Shen Bing called out to Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen turned back to look at her. "Is there something else?"
"That... that thing you mentioned before... is it still valid?" Shen Bing asked softly.
"What thing?" Zhao Chen was puzzled.
Shen Bing gave him a somewhat resentful look. "The thing about me joining your fleet."
Zhao Chen was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "Of course it's still valid."
"Then I have to bring my sister along..."
"No problem. I quite like that girl too—much cuter than my own sister. But what about your studies..."
"I can also take a leave of absence."
"Alright. Once you've sorted things out here, I'll send someone to pick you up. It'll probably be in the next couple of days." Zhao Chen smiled.
"Okay."
Shen Bing watched Zhao Chen's retreating figure, her hand pressed against her chest. She felt a little flutter of excitement.
"Sister... what were you talking about with Brother Zhao Chen just now?" Shen Yan, who hadn't seen her sister follow, walked back and saw her sister standing there foolishly at the building entrance.
"Nothing much." Shen Bing walked upstairs, leading her sister back to her small, single dormitory of just a few dozen square meters.
"Yanzi, pack up. We're moving."
"Moving? Where to?"
"To Brother Zhao Chen's starship."
"Really? That's great!"
"You like that Brother Zhao Chen that much?"
"Of course I do! Brother Zhao Chen is handsome, gentle, and has such a beautiful starship!"
"You little rascal, already thinking about these things at your age?"
"Hehehe, sister, be honest—is Brother Zhao Chen going to be my future brother-in-law?"
"You... you little brat... what nonsense are you talking!"
"If not, then fine. That works out perfectly. When I grow up, I'm going to marry Brother Zhao Chen. He even promised me when we were eating earlier!"
"You shameless little thing!"
...
The next few days were filled with graduation-related ceremonies.
Originally, the academy had wanted Zhao Chen, as an outstanding student, to give a speech as a representative, but Zhao Chen declined.
In the end, Su Lan represented the graduating class and gave the speech.
[Annual Mission: Host must graduate normally from the North Star Starship Military Academy within one year.
Mission completed. Please claim the Task Reward.]
A system notification sounded in Zhao Chen's mind, but given the current occasion, he had no time to check the Task Reward.
"Student Zhao Chen."
Dean Qin, Vice Dean Hong, and Teacher Qin approached Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen also greeted the three teachers.
"You are one of the most outstanding students in the history of our North Star Starship Military Academy. Our small academy can no longer meet your needs.
You need a broader sky!
But I hope that no matter how far you fly out there, you never forget that you are a student of our North Star Starship Military Academy.
Come back and visit when you have time.
I still owe you a great favor." Dean Qin patted Zhao Chen's shoulder as he spoke.
Zhao Chen nodded. "I will always be a student of the North Star Starship Military Academy."
This was the starting point of this phase of his life, holding special meaning for him. How could he ever forget it?
"If you encounter any hardships out there, just come back," Vice Dean Hong said cheerfully.
Teacher Qin smiled at Zhao Chen. "I will always remember the memories of fighting side by side. Thank you."
After bidding farewell to the teachers,
a familiar figure appeared before Zhao Chen.
Zhao Chen looked at Li Wei, whose eyes were slightly red and swollen.
"Hey, you big guy, is it really necessary?" Zhao Chen punched Li Wei's shoulder, holding back his strength. Otherwise, with his current strength, Li Wei's slight frame might not have been able to take it.
"You... I thought we'd go through all six years of academy life together. But I never expected you to graduate in the blink of an eye."
Li Wei's voice choked up a little, but he soon laughed. "But don't you worry, kid. I, Li Wei, won't do worse than you. One day, I, Li Wei, will become a great hero too!"
"Then I'll be waiting for our great hero." Zhao Chen stepped forward and gave his brother a hug.
Once they parted ways at the academy, who knew when and where they would meet again.
The graduation ceremony soon ended, though many smaller activities followed.
But Zhao Chen left in a hurry; he didn't like crowded occasions like this.
Besides, he had more important matters to attend to.
Upon returning to the T3 Blizzard, he saw Shen Bing and Shen Yan carrying large and small bags.
"Why are you two up here so quickly? Aren't you staying at the academy for a few more days?" Zhao Chen looked at Shen Bing, somewhat surprised.
Zhao Wan'er was still saying goodbye to Su Lan, Xue Xiaoxiao, and the others.
"I never had many friends at the academy to begin with," Shen Bing explained.
Thinking back, this was indeed true. During her time at the academy, Shen Bing was either studying or finding ways to earn money.
Naturally, she didn't have many friends.
"Then I'll have Lilith show you around our Fierce Dragon Fleet first. As for your position... I'll think about it," Zhao Chen said.
"Okay." Shen Bing didn't mind what position she would be assigned. Zhao Chen had already helped her so much. Even if she were just a small soldier in his fleet, she would be content.
Zhao Chen returned to his captain's quarters and opened the system interface.
In the most prominent position was the option to claim the Annual Mission reward.
"Since it's the Annual Mission reward, it must be quite impressive!" Zhao Chen thought with anticipation as he claimed the reward.
[Successfully claimed Annual Mission reward. Obtained the Technical Blueprint for the 'T4 Revenant-class Clone Starship'.]