The Star Alliance Central Plaza was packed with people. A massive light screen hung high above, projecting the final rankings in real time.
When the words "First Place — Aurora, Total Score: 300" froze on the screen, the entire plaza fell into complete silence. The next second, applause and cheers erupted like a tidal wave, nearly shaking the dome apart.
The host's voice trembled with disbelief."Fifth-Year Graduation Trial — Ultimate Battle Royale! First place, from Planet 173, Aurora! She fought alone, braving chaotic currents and endless sieges, seizing advanced flags one after another. With a decisive lead, she has shattered the historical record!"
The audience roared.
Meanwhile, the rankings scrolled further down the list."Eighty-seventh place — Bai Tou."
The camera swept across his face. It was dark and stormy, fists clenched tight. Once, his name had been the brightest among our peers. But now, he had been completely eclipsed by me.
I could clearly hear the whispers around him."Bai Tou is finished."
I walked slowly up to the podium. My training uniform had long been torn by turbulence and battle, but I held my head high. The silver badge on my chest gleamed under the spotlight.
The award officer placed the Ultimate Champion's Medal around my neck and announced,"From this day forward, you will be remembered by every academy and every mentor."
Thunderous applause followed.
When the ceremony ended, the atmosphere backstage grew even hotter. I barely had time to breathe before the representatives of the five great academies crowded around me.
The Babula Academy delegate, dressed in a noble uniform, smiled with refined confidence."Aurora, our Babula Academy is prepared to grant you a private hangar and access to our family's fund. With a single word, you will command your own mech battalion."
The Sahara mentor spoke next, his voice gravelly and steady."Do not be blinded by wealth. True strength is forged only in hardship. Come to Sahara. We will give you the harshest training, the kind that breaks limits."
The Moon Academy envoy, clad in deep blue, carried the aura of the sea."Aurora, we can give you a complete fleet command curriculum. If you wish, after graduation, you will stand as the youngest starship commander in history"
Agudo's representative was all warmth and sincerity."We may not shine as brightly as the others, but we are grounded. Many geniuses like you, who rose from ordinary ranks, created their miracles at Agudo. You will find freedom and growth with us."
Finally, the elder from Nightmare Academy stepped forward. His voice was hoarse, yet impossible to ignore."Child, others can offer you glory and resources. We can offer you secrets. Nightmare was once the strongest. Though broken now, if you are willing, we will lay our foundations bare for you, and for you alone."
The air froze. Five powerful forces clashed in silence, each ready to ignite a war over me.
The hall blazed with light, but the award ceremony neared its end. On the screen, my name still shone at the very top, the center of every discussion.
I had walked through the trial alone.Ambushes, traps, attrition battles… I had endured them all with cold resolve and ruthless adaptability. I clawed my way through the ranks of geniuses. My calm brutality left many with chills in their hearts.
Now, the offers from the five great academies lay before me.
The host declared solemnly,"The top-ranked student, Aurora, may select any of the five elite academies."
The hall held its breath. Everyone thought my choice was already certain.
Babula.
No one doubted it. To countless people, Babula was the shortcut to power and glory.
But I simply raised my eyes and spoke."My choice is Nightmare Academy."
The hall exploded.
The Babula envoy's face stiffened, as if I had slapped him in public. Sahara and Moon's mentors fell silent, their disappointment written plain. Agudo's representative gave a helpless laugh. Only the elder from Nightmare Academy lit up with long-buried fire.
The host's voice shook."You… you choose Nightmare?"
I stood firm in the center of the stage, gaze sharp as a blade."Yes. I have no interest in Babula's splendor. Sahara's hardships, I have already endured. Moon and Agudo's paths are not mine. Nightmare may look like ruins to others, but I want to build my own legend upon those ruins."
Silence, brief but piercing.
Then the hall erupted again. Shock, laughter, mockery, applause. The noise rolled like a storm.
In that moment, standing tall in my battle-worn uniform, I was no longer just the champion of an exam. I had defied tradition, and with one choice, I challenged the order of the Alliance.
That was the moment I truly became known.
When the lights dimmed and the ceremony ended, I was just about to leave when hurried footsteps caught up behind me.
"Wait!"
Bai Tou, panting, stopped me, his face twisted with complicated emotions.
I turned, my eyes cool as ice."What is it?"
His voice shook with anger and disbelief."You could have gone to Babula! The dream of the entire Alliance! Why choose… Nightmare? Are you trying to provoke everyone?"
I didn't answer right away. I only looked at him, quiet and steady. Then I spoke softly."Provoke? No. I just followed my instinct."
His fists clenched, teeth grinding."Instinct? To rebuild a legend in ruins? What are you trying to prove?!"
A faint smile curved on my lips. I leaned close to his ear, my voice low enough for only him to hear."The truth is… the reason is simple."
I paused, then whispered,"Nightmare's tuition is the cheapest."
He froze, nearly choking on the spot."…Hah?"
I had already turned away, my back lit faintly by the dim lamps."A reason that simple doesn't stop me from being number one."
My words echoed through the corridor with unshakable certainty.
"Hey, Aurora!"
He ran ahead, wiping the sweat from his brow, and grinned."I lost to you, fair and square."
Then he took a deep breath and spoke with weight."Boss."
I blinked, then laughed."You really remember that bet?"
His face flushed, but he nodded firmly."I remember. You've earned my respect for life. No matter what others think, you're my boss now."
I gave a small nod and kept walking.
Behind me, his voice rang out, clear and bright."Boss, don't forget to wait for me next time!"
My shadow stretched long in the setting sun, like the beginning of a new legend.
In the stands, the representatives of the five academies exchanged looks.
Babula's elder stroked his beard, muttering,"So be it. If she won't serve the nobles, let her go her own way."
Moon's mentor frowned, though a glint of excitement sparked in his eyes."Interesting. The seas should never belong to Moon alone. Let her sharpen herself in Nightmare. At least she will be a worthy rival."
Agudo's representative chuckled and shrugged."As expected, she doesn't follow the usual path. But good. Our students know what it means to rise from adversity. Maybe her choice will open a new way for them."
Sahara's senior figure glared, voice dripping with malice."Nightmare? Hmph. She thinks she will rise from ruins? Foolish. If we cannot have her, then she must be broken."
Meanwhile, the few remaining mentors of Nightmare Academy sat in silence, their eyes burning with suppressed fire. Their hands trembled beneath the table.
"She… she truly chose us?"
At that moment, the darkness in their eyes was rekindled with light.