167. Twilight's End (2)
"Even using thought detection methods?" Karl sneered. "What's next? Donating some tribute, sending gifts, networking for favors, so someone can avoid the Supreme Council's lectures? Looks to me like this is just a money grab."
"That's it? That's the essence of politics."
The president of the White Candle Interstellar University, Slavenikov Durgun, gave a cold snort:
"You youngsters always criticize this and that. If lofty ideals could be achieved with snark and insults, the Supreme Council's chairperson would be a noisy crow."
The president had spoken, and naturally, no one dared to retort. Nastisha paid no attention, occasionally glancing out the window at the planet, her gaze drifting, lost in thought.
President Durgun noticed his distracted subordinate and spoke:
"Nastisha, worrying about the school?"
Nastisha started slightly, then nodded:
"Yes, teacher."
"Nastisha, are you fretting about the school being attacked again?" Ye Wangnan asked.
"Hmm…" Nastisha nodded. "I still feel uneasy. Not just about our school, but all of Trivira, even the White Candle Star. There are hardly any Zeta-tier or higher powers stationed here. If something happens…"
"Paranoia, pure paranoia," Karl shrugged. "The Remaining Moon incident was three years ago. We've since deployed Higgs forcefields. Even if they wanted to stage a comeback, they wouldn't stand a chance. Besides, it's not like before—we have the minister stationed here now. Whoever tries anything has to consider if they can endure the wrath of a Kappa-tier minister."
"I know it's a bit paranoid."
Nastisha sighed:
"But things are so different now. The conscription office has taken all our Zeta-tier graduates. On this vast planet, it's hard to find even a few Zeta-tiers. And those workshop owners? They're either lost in research or chasing economic profits. Counting on them to fight… I just can't feel assured."
"Shh!" Ye Wangnan quickly hushed her. "Don't mention conscription… You might find yourself dragged to the Galactic Eye frontlines."
"It's not that serious, is it?" Karl looked puzzled. "And the status of the Galactic Eye campaign… hasn't been released yet, has it? Teacher Durgun, do you know anything?"
"Even I'm not entirely clear."
President Durgun shook his head:
"From what I know, the war against the Night Butterfly clan has already claimed too many lives. The frontline forces are nearly wiped out. Following them were the fifty-to-one-hundred-twenty-year-old conscripts, who had just one or two years of training before being sent to the battlefield. Next, it'll be twenty-to-forty-year-old Zeta-tiers, and even Epsilon-tier conscripts."
Nastisha and the others were greatly shocked:
"Even Epsilon-tier soldiers?! At this rate… won't Delta-tiers be sent to the battlefield too?"
Durgun's tone grew heavy:
"Perhaps, eventually even mortals (Gamma-tier) will go."
"Insane…" Karl was incredulous. "This is a meat grinder. After years of accumulation, the Crystal Tower's Zeta-tiers, counting civilians, numbered over two million. Surely, they can't be nearly wiped out?"
"Prepare yourselves," Durgun said gravely. "For now, avoid mistakes. Who knows if the conscription officers might send you to the frontlines… Nastisha, you especially need to be cautious."
"Teacher, do you mean…?" Nastisha had a suspicion.
"Starting next semester, the mobilization order may come. I'll appoint you as commander of the White Candle Star's reserve forces. Select carefully… From your Applied Magic Department, the majority are from humble origins. They'll be the first to be sent to the battlefield."
Nastisha clenched her fists tightly, her eyes wide with disbelief as she stared at the mentor she'd respected like a father for over a century.
'Why me? On what grounds?!'
She questioned silently. Her fellow deans subtly stepped back, saying nothing.
Durgun sighed deeply:
"I know this is unfair to you. You care for your students the most. But you're a survivor of the [Society], a warrior who has fought citizens and even senators. You excel in battle. Gather a strong reserve force—all Delta-tiers and above must be included."
She bit her lip, her gaze wavering, but she reluctantly nodded.
The reason was simple, and she knew it.
The White Candle Interstellar University was an institution open to all within the Crystal Tower Civilization and its allied planets. It had to consider public opinion and diplomatic ties.
The Applied Magic Department focused on practical skills. Of the students enrolled, not all, but around eighty percent, were ordinary Tanas citizens with no background.
Other colleges catered primarily to nobles and wealthy tycoons, serving as gilded embellishments. Their approach to magic was less intensive.
They either studied humanities, arts, economics, medicine, finance, politics, or diplomacy—knowledge meant for the elite class. These students were destined to inherit family legacies.
Even the boldest conscription officers wouldn't dare send the children of dignitaries to war.
The Applied Magic Department lacked such concerns. Its students excelled in practical skills, were young, and had straightforward mindsets, making them easily inspired by patriotic fervor—ideal soldiers.
But… why now?
Even if the graduates were Zeta-tier, even if they could kill with a wave of their wands—why couldn't they wait another decade for proper training?
Nastisha was furious.
In interstellar war, such soldiers would die like dust, utterly meaningless.
The president's implications clearly pointed to her students being used as cannon fodder!
Durgun noticed Nastisha's fiery gaze, feeling guilty and apologetic, but he maintained his composure to preserve authority, speaking lightly:
"The higher-ups have already decided. Besides, it's not just us doing this."
He glanced around the room:
"The Night Butterfly clan will do the same."
At this point, war was irreversible. Both sides had gambled everything, and now it was a matter of endurance and escalation.
Nastisha fell silent.
After a moment, she spoke softly:
"If Virlia knew we fought to save a civilization like this, she wouldn't have betrayed the [Society]."
"Nastisha…" Her colleague was startled. "Speaking positively of the [Society] isn't allowed!"
"Let's just say I had a moment of madness," Nastisha said wistfully. "After all, everyone caught in war is mad."
She turned to gaze at the White Candle Star beneath the fortress.
'Virlia, I once promised you I'd protect everything we cherished. But now, it seems I can't even protect my own students.'
'Forgive me for failing to build this planet into what I pledged to you.'
Her gaze pierced the land below, lingering on Trivira's location.
From such heights, even the most bustling city on the planet appeared as a mere dot. The struggles of those in its darkest corners never even crossed the minds of those in power.
............
"The White Candle Interstellar University… Finally here."
Yavanna Huskisin grasped her skirt as she stepped off the magic carpet. Gazing at the magnificent campus gates, she felt as though she'd returned to the Azure Star.