"Hey, exam results are posted in the hallway!"
A classmate's shout draws everyone's attention. At first, I was shocked that scores and rankings were publicly displayed, but after 10 months at the academy, I'm used to it.
"Axel, not checking?" Yuria asks.
I'd rather avoid the crowd. "No rush. I'll go when it thins out."
I wave her off as she heads out. Naturally, a familiar voice chimes in.
"Hmph, typical top-dog attitude. But your reign ends today. I'll take first!"
Ziebel, as always. Since day one, he's been picking fights. He claims he'll win, but his best is A-class's bottom; at worst, mid-B-class passes him. How he even made A-class baffles me. Probably some petty scheme, per the original story.
"Sure, looking forward to it," I say, waving dismissively.
Better to check the rankings than deal with him. Sighing habitually, I head to the bulletin board.
"Couldn't resist, huh?" Yuria spots me in the crowd. "Ziebel's too loud," I reply.
She gives a wry smile, nodding. "He wasn't always like this. Used to be… saner."
Yuria and Ziebel are from the same district—not quite childhood friends, but acquaintances. Wait, aren't they nearly a decade apart in the original? Must be this world's difference. I glance at the rankings:
1st: Axel Almer
Total: 285
Academics: 94
Athletics: 95
Simulator: 96
2nd: Yuria Heinkel
Total: 280
Academics: 98
Athletics: 89
Simulator: 93
"First again, huh? I was confident this time," Yuria says. "Close call. You beat me in academics, though."
I'm always first, Yuria second, but the gap's now just 5 points. It started at 20, but she's closing in. Academics? She almost always wins. Ziebel? He's hovering around 30th.
"Five points. Next time, I'm taking first," Yuria says with her usual bold grin. "I'm not obsessed with first, but I won't hand it over easily."
We chat while heading back to class. Ziebel's gone—must've passed us.
"Next is simulator training. Gotta catch up there," Yuria says.
Academy studies split into academics, athletics, and simulators. Simulators are my forte—Burning PT since age three pays off. But it's just basics: walking, running, crouching.
That's my first year at the academy.
"Ziebel dropped to C-class, huh?"
Third-year class assignments are up.
I spot Ziebel's name in C-class.
Third time's familiar; I find my name in A-class and head to 3-A.
Late from morning training, the classroom's 80% full.
A-class is 70% 2-A holdovers, 20% 2-B risers, 10% C-E jumpers.
I take my usual front-row seat, greeting familiar faces.
Ziebel's not here—he dropped to B-class last year.
Still, he pesters me relentlessly.
Stubborn, if nothing else.
"You're late," Yuria's familiar voice says.
Her sharp, cool look confirms my guess: she's adored as "big sister" by underclassmen, with rumors of a fan club.
"Morning training ran long," I reply. "Got it. By the way, decided on your post-graduation path?" "Path?"
I'm set for officer school. She knows that.
"You mean officer school courses?" "Yeah. Chosen one yet?" "Bit early, no? We've got a year." "No, it's only a year."
She's right. Officer school locks you into a course—switching is tough, as you'd lag in specialized subjects. Your course basically sets your military career. Mine was decided before even entering the academy.
"Already decided. Pilot course."
The classroom goes silent. Yuria's calm facade cracks, eyes wide.
"You, top student, picking pilot? I thought you'd go for staff or four-army course."
Fair assumption. Pilots risk their lives on the front lines; staff officers give orders from safety. Staff and four-army courses—training for ground, air, navy, or space command—are elite tracks, promising promotions.
"Burning PT made me admire pilots. It's the natural choice."
I give my rehearsed excuse, smiling wryly. Can't exactly say I'm aiming to join Shadow Mirror, betray the federation, and jump to a parallel world. They'd lock me in an asylum.
"You did mention that," Yuria recalls, nodding. "What about you?" "Space force course."
Fits her—Troye squad in the Colony Integrated Army.
"Well, looks like the 72nd class's top two have their paths set." "Don't get cocky. I'm still taking first," she warns with a grin. "Cocky, huh?"
My past-life knowledge and early training barely keep me ahead. She's beaten me in exams before—I can't slack off. She's desperate to catch me, but I'm just as desperate to stay ahead.
By the way, besides pilot, staff, and four-army courses, officer school offers logistics, communications, and maintenance courses. Design? Likely outsourced or taught elsewhere.
Name: Axel Almer
LV: 5
PP: 0
Melee: 126
Shooting: 144
Skill: 136
Defense: 133
Evasion: 161
Accuracy: 183
SP: 182
Ace Bonus: Unknown Growth
Type: All-Rounder/Special
Air: A
Land: S
Sea: B
Space: A
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate (SP 4) ???
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Skills: EXP Boost SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9 & SP Recovery & Focus)
Telekinesis LV.4
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Kill Count: 4