The floating public bus sped towards Hua City.
As it entered the city and the passengers caught sight of the bustling and modern metropolis, they all crowded to the windows, marveling in awe.
Planet D-312, known far and wide as the Star of Military Academies, initially chosen for its vastness and sparse population, became the headquarters of the Comprehensive Emperor One Academy.
Over the centuries, as the population grew, it gradually transformed into a series of mini-cities. Each city radiated outward from the major military academies at its center.
It could be said that the livelihoods and all economic and political activities of the empire's people depended on these major military academies.
Among all the cities, Hua City was the most vibrant and bustling. The legendary "Comprehensive Emperor One Academy" was right at the heart of this city.
(T/N I've been using the wrong name. Luhoa is the academy he came from and emperor one is the one he's going to. Sorry about that.)
Legend has it that the first thing the people of Hua City did every morning was to open their windows and pay homage to the emblem of "Emperor One," hoping for a smooth day ahead.
Lu Ke, sticking close to the window, couldn't help but envy: "It must be easy for people here to enter military academies."
"The difficulty level is the same everywhere," someone replied, "but it's indeed easier to get to know the influential figures in the military."
That was something to envy indeed.
Lu Ke gnawed on his handkerchief with envy, jealousy, and resentment.
Just then, a black shadow flashed before his eyes, almost brushing against the window.
Lu Ke was taken aback, thinking he was seeing things, and couldn't help but rub his eyes. But when he opened them again, even more shadows flew past.
He jumped in fright, stepping back and grabbing Bai Yu's collar: "W-what's going on? People are flying in the sky!?"
At his words, Bai Yu also looked out the window.
Lu Ke wasn't exaggerating; indeed, several figures were swiftly gliding forward, almost faster than the speed of the floating bus!
They were either skateboarding or using rollers on their feet. Whether it was the ground, the roof of vehicles, or the walls, those were their paths.
These people were agile, their faces masked, their identities indiscernible. Their daring maneuvers and high-difficulty actions at every turn left bystanders astonished and amazed.
But they paid no heed, stepping through the air and tracing a beautiful parabola in the sky.
Soon, these people disappeared from the students' view, leaving everyone speechless.
Once the shock wore off, Lu Ke, no longer seeing ghosts, returned to the window. "W-why were they flying?"
However, this time, no one could answer him. Everyone was new to the school and didn't understand the situation here.
Bai Yu replied, "I think it's because they were using military equipment."
"Military equipment?" Lu Ke was bewildered.
Bai Yu was referring to skateboards and rollers. He had seen some documentaries before, where soldiers used props to accomplish certain tasks. Only the props they used looked much more formal than those of the people they just witnessed.
"That's right, military equipment," Bai Yu confirmed.
Perhaps hearing Bai Yu's words, the senior sister in the driver's seat didn't turn her head. "Once you're enrolled and accumulate enough military achievements, you can exchange them for these items. You can even find someone to customize them to your liking."
Hearing this, everyone became excited. While flying in the bus was cool, being able to soar through the sky and traverse the earth like those people just now would be incredibly awesome!
However, the next moment, the senior sister poured cold water on their excitement.
"According to regulations, military equipment can only be used on campus. If you want to take them outside, you need permission."
Lu Ke was puzzled. "But what about those people?"
"Those guys..." The senior sister smirked, half-jokingly, "are just a bunch of rule-breaking lunatics."
Everyone: ???
Why did it sound like there was some deep-seated resentment in her words?
Half an hour later, the floating bus came to a slow stop.
Now they had entered the grounds of the Comprehensive Emperor One Academy. Most of the pedestrians outside were students in uniforms. Seeing the floating bus enter, they didn't seem surprised at all, as if it was a common occurrence.
"Tomorrow's exam will be held at Emperor One," the senior sister introduced. "We have arranged temporary dormitories and dinner for you. Rest early today and don't wander around."
By this time, the sun had already begun its descent, casting a slight darkness over the sky.
The "temporary dormitories" were located on the outskirts of the Comprehensive Emperor One Academy. Apart from being provided to examinees during exams, they were usually inhabited by some pre-college students.
After giving some additional instructions, the senior sister left the scene. Her work for the day was far from over.
So, about fifty people were left alone at the school gate.
They looked at each other in bewilderment. Soon, someone picked up their luggage and headed towards the dormitory direction.
"Let's go put our luggage away too," Lu Ke suggested. "We'll meet up later. I still want to explore."
"Explore Emperor One!"
After all, he wasn't a sponsored student of Emperor One, although he was quite exhausted after a day of traveling. But if he missed this opportunity now, it wouldn't be so easy to come back later.
Since becoming an alpha, Bai Yu had abundant physical strength. At this moment, he didn't feel tired at all and agreed to the invitation.
At the entrance of the dormitory building, there was someone registering names, and only those on the list could enter. Each room accommodated four people. When Bai Yu entered, there was no one inside yet.
He put down his luggage and first contacted his parents. Then, he found Shang Yufei's contact information.
Now that the imperial network covered the entire galaxy, even with temporal jumps, communication was not an issue. It's just that communication couldn't be used temporarily while on an airship.
But when he dialed the number, all he got was a busy tone.
No time?
Bai Yu thought for a moment and sent a text message to Shang Yufei, informing him that he had arrived at the military academy.
The time agreed upon with Lu Ke was in five minutes. Bai Yu didn't have anything else to do, so he went down to the lobby early. He saw Lu Ke waiting eagerly near the gate when he came out, waving excitedly when he saw him.
Bai Yu noticed that Lu Ke had a small camera hanging around his neck.
Lu Ke raised the camera proudly and said, "I've only seen it on TV before. This time, I'm going to take a picture with 'Emperor One' and show it to my grandma!"
However, the excitement was shattered ten minutes later.
Because they were not yet official students of Emperor One, they were stopped at the next gate.
The range they, as examinees, could go to was only around the temporary dormitory. And all they could capture on camera were the school gate and some flowers and plants.
Lu Ke's face fell like a wilted eggplant.
Bai Yu thought for a moment. "Once I enroll later, I'll find a way to get you in."
Lu Ke immediately perked up. "Really?"
But then he shook his head. "Forget it. Emperor One's rules seem pretty strict. I don't know if outsiders can get in, it wouldn't be good to cause you trouble."
Bai Yu was about to say something when they heard a commotion at the school gate.
Looking over, they saw another floating bus arriving, looking very similar to the one they had just ridden.
Lu Ke understood, "More examinees have arrived."
After the bus doors opened, the examinees poured out. When they caught sight of the long-awaited Comprehensive Emperor One Academy, their faces mirrored Lu Ke's initial astonishment and joy.
Although this was the side entrance, it didn't exude the same majestic aura as the main entrance. But they had personally stepped inside—the military academy that the people of the empire had longed for!
Although they had arrived half an hour early, Lu Ke still struck a pose as if he were a senior. "You're really young."
Then immediately with a despondent face, "I'm going to cry later."
Bai Yu shook his head. "Let's go eat first."
Lu Ke didn't say anything more. The two of them turned around and headed back to the dormitory.
Soon, the group of examinees also surged towards the dormitory.
But compared to the disintegration of Bai Yu's group, this group of dozens of people was very close. Their words and interactions were like those of good buddies who had known each other for over a decade.
"If it weren't for you, I think we would all have been doomed. You're truly amazing!"
"Although I'm not from Emperor One, being on the same flight is fate. Even if we separate later, let's not forget our brotherhood!"
"Hey, do you have plans later? If not, let's have a meal together. It's rare to come to Hua City, let's not eat the dorm food. My treat, let's go out for a feast!"
"Yeah, everyone clearing customs on the airship owes it to you. You've got to give face to this, Du Qin."
When he heard the last name, Bai Yu paused.
"Yeah, you're right." The person named "Du Qin" smiled. "Let's go then."
The whole group of students erupted in cheers.
Lu Ke, seeing Bai Yu suddenly stop, was puzzled. "What's wrong?"
The group of students behind them was getting closer and closer. Bai Yu turned around and found someone among the dozens of people who seemed very familiar.
Even though he had taken off the Lohua Academy uniform, his demeanor remained unchanged. Wearing glasses on his nose, with a faint smile on his lips. It seemed like he had been the center of attention in the crowd since birth.
It wasn't just a coincidence of homophones. The newcomer was Du Qin, Bai Yu's former class monitor.
Back when they were at Lohua Academy, he had garnered attention throughout the year with his top grades. Also, due to his frequent participation in student union activities, he had a certain degree of credibility and influence among both teachers and students.
However, after Bai Yu's genetic level was exposed, the class monitor became more low-key. He stopped participating in student union activities and left the academy right after classes.
Bai Yu rarely saw him in this state anymore.
Du Qin also clearly saw him, and their eyes met.
On one side were the two lonely individuals, while on the other side, there was a lively group of people bustling around.
Du Qin's glasses flashed briefly, then he quickly looked away and continued chatting with the students around him.
The two of them brushed past each other. Although they had been classmates for three years, they seemed to not recognize each other at all, without any communication.
It wasn't until this wave of people surged into the dormitory that the surroundings finally quieted down.
The setting sun cast its warm glow over the wide lawn, and the green grass swayed gently in the breeze.
Lu Ke noticed that Bai Yu had been watching those people and couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong with them? Do you know them?"
Bai Yu replied, "One of them was my former class monitor."
"Huh! A classmate?!" Lu Ke was surprised. "Then why didn't you say hi? It's rare to come to a military academy."
Lu Ke had a very enjoyable time in high school. He attended an omega specialized academy where everyone got along well, so he couldn't quite understand why the two of them seemed so distant.
Lu Ke asked cautiously, "Are you not on good terms with him?"
Bai Yu shook his head.
Rather than saying they weren't on good terms, it was more like after his genetic level was exposed, the class monitor's attitude became strange.
Jealousy. Or perhaps... hostility.
If possible, he would like to have a good relationship with the class monitor. But for some reason, the other party seemed to regard him as an adversary.
The dinner provided by the dormitory was simple, consisting of one rice dish, one vegetable dish, and one soup. There weren't many people in the cafeteria; it seemed like most had gone to nearby restaurants around the campus to enjoy a hearty meal tonight.
However, Bai Yu didn't have much money on him, so he had to be thrifty.
After dinner, Lu Ke, feeling deeply affected, also lost interest in wandering around and returned to the room early.
Bai Yu also went back to the room first. When he opened the door, he couldn't help but pause.
Except for him, the other three students had arrived. A faint scent of alpha permeated the air.
Only now did Bai Yu truly feel that he might be living with alphas in the future.
So far, most of his friends were omegas. And the alphas he usually interacted with were only Shang Yufei and his brother.
One of the alphas was changing clothes. When he saw Bai Yu come in, he froze for a moment, then quickly pulled up his pants.
"What, what are you doing! The omega dorm is on the other side!"
Bai Yu glanced at his luggage on the bed, then walked in.
"Are you here to see your boyfriend?" someone asked, "The person who owns this bed hasn't come back yet. Why don't you come back later?"
"If he wants to stay, let him stay." Another person was very enthusiastic, "If you're thirsty or hungry, let me know. I brought a lot of local specialties."
Bai Yu smiled at them without replying. Then, he opened his suitcase and took out a jacket.
Then, he turned to the three and said, "I'm an alpha."
This statement hit them like a bombshell. The three of them were stunned, and they didn't come to their senses until Bai Yu turned and left.
This person, who was even more attractive than an omega, turned out to be an alpha?!
This world is truly unreal.