"The nerve of you staying out of the loop like this, Senior Brother Kael!" the Bean Counter exclaimed, suspicion creeping back into his tone. "This is huge news—even if you've been in seclusion, your mentor should've briefed you!"
Kael said nothing. He simply reached into the inner pocket of his synthetic tunic, pulled out a sleek metallic identity chip etched with the Seven Luminaries' crest, and held it out to the Bean Counter.
"Senior Brother, no need for that!" the Bean Counter hastily replied, his eyes darting to the chip for a split second before lighting up with recognition. He broke into a warm smile. "I never doubted you! You look so familiar—we must've met before, haha!"
"Now can you tell me what's going on?" Kael pressed, still fixated on his original question.
"Absolutely! Of course!"
"Crap, I might've just offended a big shot," the Bean Counter muttered to himself, then launched into a detailed account of the conflict, holding nothing back.
Over the past few years, tensions between the Seven Luminaries Tech Conglomerate and the Wolfpack Raiders had escalated into open warfare. The two factions fought dozens of skirmishes over control of three resource-rich frontier planets—planets with ambiguous territorial claims but abundant gene-edible flora and rare mineral deposits. The Wolfpack's operatives were trained like ruthless space marauders, fighting with reckless ferocity that only intensified at the sight of blood. While Seven Luminaries apprentices boasted superior gene augmentations and technical training, they lacked that unhinged brutality, often hesitating in combat. As a result, the Conglomerate suffered far heavier casualties.
After several devastating losses, the Seven Luminaries' Elder Council finally took action. They deployed most of their core apprentices to the frontlines, determined to hold the valuable planets. The decision served two purposes: safeguarding critical resources, and forcing young operatives to confront the harsh realities of interstellar conflict—honing their combat skills through real bloodshed.
Initially, the tide turned in the Conglomerate's favor, but core apprentice casualties remained alarmingly high. Many senior apprentices never returned from the battlefield. The Bean Counter sighed heavily as he recounted the losses.
Eventually, the Council revised their strategy. Instead of sending new core apprentices straight into combat, they mandated that all graduates first complete a six-month field trial—undertaking low-risk missions on remote outposts to gain practical experience. Only after surviving these trials would they be assigned to frontline duty against the Wolfpack. The change drastically reduced casualties, and the policy was formally codified into the Conglomerate's apprentice regulations two years prior.
As a result, nearly all the older senior apprentices on Aurora Peak had been deployed—either fighting the Wolfpack or completing their field trials. Aside from the necessary security detail and support staff, only ungraduated younger apprentices remained on the mountain.
Kael's eyes widened in realization. That explained why the peak felt so different from when he'd first arrived—fewer familiar faces, more inexperienced young trainees.
"CLASH!"
A deafening collision of energy shattered the air. Zhao Ziling's plasma rapier went flying, spinning end over end before embedding itself in the dirt. He stumbled backward, clutching his right wrist—his gene-enhanced metacarpal joint bruised and swollen, his face pale with exertion.
Moments earlier, he'd been overwhelmed by Ryder's relentless quantum blade strikes. Forced to block at the last second, the sheer kinetic force of Ryder's augmented swing had torn the weapon from his grasp.
"Senior Brother Ryder, your skill is unmatched!" Zhao Ziling managed a strained smile and bowed deeply. "I concede defeat."
The clearing erupted in cheers.
"Senior Brother Ryder, incredible technique!"
"Your quantum blade mastery is legendary!"
"Please teach me, Senior Brother!"
Admiration poured from the crowd, echoing off the surrounding bio-bamboo stalks as apprentices vied for Ryder's attention.
Ryder sheathed his quantum blade, a faint flush coloring his cheeks. He opened his mouth to speak—then suddenly frowned, his expression hardening as if an urgent thought had struck him.
With a crisp salute, he said coolly, "I have pressing matters to attend to. Excuse me."
In a blur of gene-enhanced agility, he darted off the dueling platform, his movements fluid and effortless—a display of the Apex Combat Division's advanced mobility augmentation. He vanished into the dense aurora-kissed pine grove at the cliff's edge.
"Wow… Senior Brother Ryder's not just a master swordsman—his mobility mods are next-level!"
"Totally!"
"Absolutely!"
The praise continued to ring out as the crowd buzzed with awe.
Kael frowned slightly. Ryder was undoubtedly skilled, but there was a hint of showmanship in his actions—young and ambitious, eager to showcase his abilities.
He shook his head, a faint bitter smile tugging at his lips. He was barely older than most of the apprentices here, yet he thought like a seasoned veteran—his years of meditative cultivation and focus on genetic stability had matured his mindset far beyond his age.
"By the way, I never caught your name, Junior Brother," Kael said, turning to the Bean Counter.
"I'm Jin Dongbao, but everyone calls me Bean Counter!" the boy replied excitedly, his eyes lighting up. He clearly thought he'd secured a valuable connection with Kael.
"If you ever get injured or suffer from gene augmentation side effects, come find me," Kael said, clapping him on the shoulder. He glanced at the crowd, where a new argument was already brewing, then strode toward the pine grove without looking back.
Left standing in place, Jin Dongbao blinked in confusion, trying to process Kael's unexpected offer. For a moment, he had no idea what to make of the quiet senior brother who'd just offered him free medical aid—unheard of among the competitive ranks of Seven Luminaries apprentices.