“Hmm… this should also count as a type of energy amplification, right?” the male examiner said hesitantly while looking at the inscription carved onto the laser sword hilt.
The female examiner studied it as well. “It does resemble the energy amplification inscription, but it’s also slightly different. Did she modify it herself?”
“This candidate is interesting.” The red-haired examiner’s eyes rolled slightly as his interest in Ke Yunyao grew.
However, it was genuinely difficult for them to evaluate.
The female examiner took a deep breath. “How about we set the laser sword aside for now? Let’s first see how she modified the energy rifle?”
“Alright.” The red-haired examiner and the other male examiner agreed.
The red-haired examiner picked up the energy rifle first and examined it from all angles. “This inscription also seems like an energy amplification type. What do you think?”
The female examiner nodded. “Eh, it really does.”
However, the male examiner beside them frowned slightly. “But I feel like it’s somewhat different from the inscription on the laser sword.”
Hearing this, the other two also took a closer look. They even brought over the laser sword hilt that had already been deactivated and compared them side by side.
The red-haired examiner stroked his chin. “There is indeed a slight difference. But this inscription is successful—just like the one on the laser sword.”
Whether an inscription succeeded was determined by whether it produced a flowing light upon completion.
Clearly, both of Ke Yunyao’s inscriptions had succeeded.
What intrigued them most, however, was this: both were energy amplification inscriptions, yet she had drawn two distinctly different versions—and both worked.
That was extremely unusual.
The female examiner smiled. “So, what do you think the energy rifle will do, given that the laser sword already produced unexpected effects?”
The red-haired examiner and the male examiner’s eyes immediately lit up.
“Step aside. Let me test it,” the red-haired examiner said.
The other two quickly moved aside, also eager to see the result.
The red-haired examiner installed an A-rank star core into the energy rifle and fired.
Instantly, instead of firing a single energy bullet, the rifle released dozens of shots at once.
They struck the test board, and each energy projectile carried the same energy fluctuation.
They then tested a normal, unmodified energy rifle for comparison. A single bullet’s energy output remained unchanged from the baseline.
The female examiner clicked her tongue. “So this counts as a successful modification, right? It’s much less effort to use.”
The male examiner shook his head helplessly. “It is successful—but it’s more energy-consuming.”
The female examiner disagreed. “But it’s still better than the original. The firepower is much stronger. Even if one shot misses, there are multiple follow-ups. It’s harder to dodge.”
The red-haired examiner nodded. That was true. The improvement was indeed useful. The increased energy consumption wasn’t a serious flaw anyway—just replace the star core when it runs out.
The male examiner then asked, “So how should we grade her?”
The other two hesitated.
“Should we test the weapon levels first? I suspect she may have upgraded the weapons themselves.”
“Alright, let’s test them.”
Given the effects they had just seen, it was entirely possible.
……
Ke Yunyao returned home and immediately pushed all worries about the exam results out of her mind.
She very casually thought: It’s already done. Whether I pass or not is no longer my problem. Let it be.
She happily stayed at home for two days.
Then—ding—an email arrived.
Seeing the header from the Federation First Military Academy, she suddenly remembered that the results were supposed to be released today.
Oh no, she had almost forgotten because she had been too relaxed.
She took a deep breath in, exhaled, then repeated it again to steady herself.
Then she slid her finger and opened the email.
[Student Ke Yunyao:
Congratulations, you have been admitted to Class 1 of the Mecha Department at the Federation First Military Academy. Based on your second-round average score, you are awarded an initial enrollment score of 95 points (see score details).
Please report to school in 15 days.
— Federation Year 6131, August 15]
“Ah! I got in!”
She jumped up from the sofa in excitement.
This is great!
After seeing how impressive the academy was during the entrance exam, she no longer resisted the idea of attending university like she initially did.
In fact, she now felt somewhat eager to go. The Federation First Military Academy might be a far better platform for accessing resources than researching alone at home.
After calming down, she reread the admission notice several times. It was very concise—clear, complete, and to the point.
No, she needed to inform her parents immediately.
[Dear Ms. Yun Lan:
Your daughter has successfully been admitted to the Federation First Military Academy!]
Almost instantly after receiving the message, Yun Lan initiated a video call.
“Baby Yaya, you really got in?”
“Mm-hmm. Of course. Who do you think your daughter is? How could I possibly fail?” Ke Yunyao said proudly.
She had completely forgotten her earlier nervousness.
“Wow! Yaya is amazing!” Yun Lan praised her sincerely, indulging her small vanity.
“Hmmph.”
“So you’ll be going to school in about half a month?”
“Mm-hmm!”
“Then prepare properly. Bring everything you need—especially your alchemy furnace. Even though you applied for the Mecha Department, don’t neglect pharmacy studies. If your storage space isn’t enough, I’ll send you a bigger one.”
Ke Yunyao nodded repeatedly. “Enough, enough! I definitely won’t forget the furnace. Don’t worry.”
She didn’t dare treat Yun Lan lightly. After all, her admission to the Mecha Department had been the result of her parents’ “competition.”
Her father wanted her to enter the Command Department. Her mother wanted her in the Medical Department. Neither would yield, and she slipped through and chose Mecha instead.
It was somewhat ironic—she actually had talent in both command and pharmacy, inheriting strengths from both parents. Yet she was most passionate about mecha. Even without money, she would still research it.
To support that, she had even learned command and pharmacy just to extract more funding from her parents.
Her parents both loved and hated that.
“I’ll transfer you more credits. Spend what you need—don’t save unnecessarily.”
“Waaah! Thanks, Mom!”
She even sent a few exaggerated kisses toward the screen.
Yun Lan shook her head helplessly. Her daughter was only this affectionate when asking for benefits.
“Mom, where’s Dad?”
“He’s still at the front line. I’ll tell him when he returns.”
“Alright then.” She sounded slightly disappointed—she had been hoping to extract another round of funding from him.