The first day of classes focused on theory. Our teacher first led us around the campus, telling the history of the academy, and then paid special attention to the development of the Combat Division. For instance, he spoke of how many outstanding students this division had produced on Planet 173. Among them, the most admired was an upperclassman from several cohorts ago—Zi Hao.
He was born on Planet 173, later advanced his studies at the Agudo Academy on Planet 10, and is now a member of the prestigious Danish Division, Group A. His story was so legendary that it had been written into our textbooks.
Beyond history, the class explained the grading system of the Combat Division: the highest rank was S, followed by A, B, and C. Those who could not even reach C were considered unfit for the path of a combatant.
The following morning, all new students gathered in the school's grand square. Both Combat and Mechanical Division students would undergo the aptitude test here.
At the center of the plaza stood a crystal sphere—clear and gleaming. It was the testing device. By simply placing a hand on it, one's potential would be revealed: if it glowed, you had talent. The brighter the light, the higher the grade. If it remained dark, it meant you had no aptitude at all.
The principal stood atop a high platform, his voice resonant as he declared:"Testing begins now. Each division will send students forward in turn."
The first called was Wang Mian from the Mechanical Division.
He strode toward the crystal with great confidence, as though victory was already his. I thought privately, He must have long known his talent is extraordinary. Judging by his family's wealth—he once paid five hundred just to ride my bicycle—I'd already guessed his background was unusual. Still, I never imagined he would remain here on a 'third-tier planet' like ours.
Wang Mian placed his hand on the crystal. In an instant, dazzling light burst forth, so brilliant it was hard to keep one's eyes open. The principal's face lit up with delight as he announced:"Wang Mian, S-rank aptitude!"
Gasps swept through the crowd. S-rank! The rarest of the rare, the dream of every student. Was it truly so rare, or was his talent simply unmatched? My heart thudded uneasily.
Next came the lead student from the Combat Division, named Bai Tou. Tall and lean, he placed his hand on the sphere. Light flared, not as blinding as Wang Mian's, and he was judged as A-rank. One after another, students stepped forward. Most were B-rank, with a few A-ranks scattered in. But not a single soul matched Wang Mian's S.
The Mechanical Division produced three or four A-ranks. Our Combat Division, only two.
At last, it was my turn.
The principal read aloud: "Aurora!"
I drew a deep breath and stepped forward, laying my hand on the sphere. Yet strangely, no light appeared.
The principal frowned. "Focus your mind. Gather all five senses into the crystal."
I obeyed. At last, a faint glow flickered—but it was pitifully dim, no more than C-rank.
Impossible… I gritted my teeth and poured every ounce of will into it. Pain split my head open. In that moment, fragments of memory surged into my mind: two figures fighting a monster in a junkyard, my small body caught in the crossfire, clutching a vial of adoption fluid as I bled out. The image of death flashed before me.
Suddenly, the light leapt, climbing from C to B, straining toward A. It wavered wildly, unable to settle, as though caught between two fates. At last, it fixed itself at A-rank.
The principal announced my result. My heart pounded with both relief and bewilderment—my aptitude was an unstable A.
As I descended from the platform, Wang Mian clapped my hand with a grin."Knew it! An A-rank. You've never been ordinary. Remember that bike you built? From then on I was sure—you had real potential."
I managed a bitter smile, yet inside I knew: between A and S still lay a great divide.
When the testing ended, my thoughts lingered on what had just happened. That intense focus had drawn out memory fragments—hinting that this body's former life had known battle, death, and tragedy. Though the images were faint, I felt certain: someday, I would recover the whole truth.
That evening, Wang Mian and I met in the school cafeteria.
He was eager to talk about the differences between the Mechanical and Combat divisions. I casually asked,"Why did you choose Mechanical? Is it really because of your love for machines, like when you admired my bicycle?"
He shook his head."Not exactly. At first I just thought it'd be fun, so I signed up. But after a full day of theory yesterday, I realized I don't actually like it that much."
I raised a brow. "Then you prefer Combat? You don't look like someone who enjoys training either."
He chuckled. "Not that either. It's just… on our planet, these are the only two choices. On other planets' academies, you can even study the Leadership Division."
"Leadership Division?" My eyes widened. "So there's such an option too…"
I looked at him for a moment, then said with a half-smile, "Honestly, I think you'd fit better leading from the front as a vanguard, rather than standing in the back rows tinkering with machines."