The Empire’s First Military Academy! “Hold on a little longer, the rescue team.”
In the cold and gloomy valley, Kerry felt his breathing growing weaker. He violently drove his fingers into the muddy ground, using the sharp pain at his fingertips to stimulate his nerves.
He could not die. He had not yet exposed the traitor; he could not die!
Gritting his teeth and crawling forward, Kerry’s blood stained the dirty, wet mud beneath him red.
He did not know how long he had been crawling before Kerry’s pupils gradually dilated. Just as his consciousness was about to fade, he saw that platinum-gold figure in the distance.
In just an instant, Kerry felt someone lift him up.
“Hold on a little longer, the rescue team is almost here.” The cold, clear voice became muffled through Kerry’s eardrums.
Kerry could no longer hear any sounds. With all his might, he opened his powerless mouth: “Shakaini, the traitor. Shakaini.”
After saying that single sentence, Kerry’s vision went black, and he lost all vitality.
“Your Highness, the rescue team has arrived!” Kadi arrived behind Lanrod.
Lanrod looked at Kerry, who had already lost his breath in his arms, and lowered his gaze: “There is no need.”
Kadi pursed his lips as he looked at the deceased Kerry, and said, “Your Highness, leave the rest to me.”
Lanrod nodded, then handed the Kerry in his arms over to Kadi: “The first squad will continue the search and rescue; the second and third squads will search with all their might for Shakaini’s whereabouts!”
“Yes!”
“Yes!”
Lanrod stood up, intending to leave, when he suddenly heard an exclamation from Kadi.
Lanrod turned his head to look at Kadi.
Kadi looked at Lanrod in a fluster and panic: “Your Highness, this, this is a Lord Zerg male!”
Lanrod’s pupils shrank sharply, and he strode forward: “A male?! How can this be possible!”
All the males of the empire were protected like treasures in the Imperial Capital City. How could one possibly appear here!
“Your Highness,” Kadi’s voice was trembling as he looked at Kerry’s back, which was exposed due to his torn clothes, “These are markings that only males have!”
A male’s back would produce unique markings, whereas a female’s back would generate a pair of combat wings.
Lanrod looked over in disbelief: “Why is there no scent of any male pheromones in his blood?”
Kadi pursed his lips: “This is a developmentally delayed Lord male. Looking at the shape of the markings, he hadn’t yet had time to go through the metamorphosis period.”
In an instant, the surrounding atmospheric pressure dropped frighteningly low.
Lanrod looked at the dead Kerry, and then looked around at the mud mixed with Kerry’s fresh blood. He found it hard to imagine what the other party had actually been through.
A male’s pain receptors were naturally sensitive; their bodies were fragile and in extreme need of care and pampering.
Precisely because of this, all the males of the empire were protected within the Imperial Capital, especially males who had not yet undergone metamorphosis, who were objects requiring even greater care.
Properly bury him, Lanrod’s voice was cold and stern. Also, this matter must be thoroughly investigated. Why would a male appear here, even a male who has not yet undergone metamorphosis!
“Yes!”
District 3, Indoors
The dazzling sunlight shone on the poor-quality table, emitting a pungent odor from the surface.
Kerry sat before the table, a vanity mirror placed in front of him.
“So, I have been reborn to three years ago.”
Listening to the steady sound of a heartbeat within his chest, Kerry was very certain that he had come back to life.
“Shakaini!” His fist came down heavily on the table with a loud bang.
Kerry still remembered the scene when Shakaini confessed his feelings to him.
“Xiao Rui, I love you. Even if you are a C-rank female, I still love you. Be with me, Xiao Rui.”
In the past, whenever he thought of this confession, Kerry only felt moved; but thinking of it now, he felt nothing but incomparable disgust!
It was this person who claimed to love him who had led him to the cliffs of the giant beasts; it was this traitor who had teamed up with mutant beasts to besiege them; and it was also this person who had said with a cold, heartless expression:
“Kerry is just a C-rank female; how could he possibly be worthy of me? I was just playing with him, never expected him to actually take it seriously.”
Kerry’s fists were clenched tightly. He still remembered Shakaini making a promise to another Zerg: “Ake, if you hate Kerry, I will definitely kill him. Don’t worry.”
A trace of a cold smile appeared on Kerry’s face.
Heh, what a truly deep and steadfast affection.
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.
A familiar voice echoed from outside.
“Xiao Rui, I’m here to pick you up for lunch.”
Without waiting for Kerry’s response, Shakaini opened the door and walked right in on his own.
“Eh, Xiao Rui, you’re here. Why didn’t you say anything just now?”
Kerry had his back turned to Shakaini. He lowered his gaze to conceal all his expressions, stood up, and said, “I didn’t hear you.”
Shakaini walked straight toward Kerry. Looking at Kerry’s exquisite and pretty face, he smiled and said, “Xiao Rui looks even prettier today.”
Kerry ignored Shakaini. He dodged Shakaini’s reaching hand and said coldly, “I’m tired.”
Shakaini said with some dissatisfaction, “Xiao Rui, I just got here. How can you be tired already?”
Kerry lifted his eyelids slightly: “What does you coming or not have to do with me?”
If Kerry calculated correctly, Shakaini was already in contact with that male named Ake by this time.
“Xiao Rui, what on earth is wrong with you?” Shakaini leaned in close, “Are you angry? Where did I upset you?”
“No, I’m tired and want to rest.” Kerry waved his hand to avoid Shakaini’s touch.
The moment his hand was batted away by Kerry, Shakaini’s expression shifted, his eyes clearly carrying impatience.
Suppressing the irritation in his eyes, Shakaini said, “Then get some good rest. I’ll see you tomorrow when we choose our schools.”
Once he stepped out the door, Shakaini could no longer suppress his inner dissatisfaction. He took out his communicator and began sending messages.
[My god, do you know how outrageous Kerry, that low-class C-rank female, was today?!]
The person on the other end of the communicator with the nickname N replied: [How outrageous?]
However, Shakaini didn’t go into detail, merely venting his emotions: [Fucking piece of trash, he’s just a C-rank female. If it weren’t for his good looks, would I have looked at him?]
N: [Then break up with him. He was just a low-class female to begin with; what’s the point of staying together? Didn’t you say you hooked a B-rank male from the Imperial Capital? Why don’t you seize that opportunity.]
Seeing the message, Shakaini wore a smug look: [Of course. This is a B-rank male; I must seize the opportunity!]
Males were scarce in number; even A-rank females could not all possess lords of their own.
Now that he had managed to hook a B-rank male, he had to hold onto him tightly!
N: [Let’s continue chatting tomorrow when we choose schools.]
Shakaini swiped away from the chat with N and switched his communicator to another channel.
Looking down at the name Ake, Shakaini wore a smile of absolute certainty.
Indoors
Kerry lay on the bed. It wasn’t until Shakaini mentioned choosing schools just now that he remembered tomorrow was the day to select military academies.
In his past life, he had followed Shakaini’s choice and enrolled in Lingjin Military Academy, but this time.
After pondering for a moment, Kerry got up and walked over to the balcony. Although the apartment he rented was remote, he could still see the largest public announcement screen in the downtown center.
The public screen would broadcast the most important recent events.
Sure enough, major military academies were currently appearing on the public screen one after another.
All females were required to join the military, and choosing a military academy was one of the most important events in the Zerg world.
Pursing his lips as he looked at Lingjin Military Academy, which was ranked third, Kerry still remembered the scene when he and Shakaini first entered school. Back then, in order to have better coordination with Shakaini, he had followed Shakaini’s suggestion and abandoned the combat major, which offered the fastest promotions, to choose the support major instead.
Few military females were willing to voluntarily choose the support major. For females, support meant willingly staying in the lower position and playing a supporting role, while the military females receiving support possessed stronger competitiveness.
A cold smile tugged at the corner of Kerry’s mouth as he thought: Shakaini had only been thinking of himself from the very beginning.
Shakaini had made him choose the support major, and then only chose Shakaini himself as the target of his support.
In this way, Shakaini was equivalent to getting a combat and weapon-equipment specialist for free, naturally making his strength and promotion speed much faster.
As for Kerry, he naturally became the green leaf fertilizing Shakaini, and was even ultimately deceived and killed by him.
His fingers clenched instantly. Kerry felt that he had been truly unimaginably stupid in his past life, completely blinded by a brainless romance-obsessed mindset, unable to tell good from bad.
His long eyelashes fluttered slightly as Kerry looked toward the very top of the screen. Several golden characters stood prominently there:
The Empire’s First Military Academy!
The Empire’s First Military Academy was the highest institution of learning in the empire and a place dreamed of by countless females.
In fact, given Shakaini’s strength, he was fully capable of entering the First Military Academy.
However, Shakaini preferred being a big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big pond; he was unwilling to take the entrance exams for the First Military Academy.
Kerry took a deep breath as he looked at the announcement screen. Since he was given a second chance, he would fight for himself!
If he was going, he would go to the First Military Academy, so that he could have a better future!
His communicator suddenly rang, and Kerry froze when he saw the name Gleason.
Gleason had been one of the few friends he used to have. He still remembered how Gleason had opposed his relationship with Shakaini back then and had advised him to try for the First Military Academy for the sake of his future.
Yet, he hadn’t listened to Gleason at all back then, even feeling that Gleason was hostile toward Shakaini, and eventually distanced himself from Gleason at Shakaini’s request.
His eye rims turned red, and Kerry felt deeply apologetic toward Gleason. The other party had genuinely looked out for his best interests, but his past self had been blinded by infatuation and refused to listen to a word.
“Hello, Kerry.” The communicator connected.
Kerry pursed his lips: “Gleason.”
Gleason’s tone was hot-tempered: “You brat finally answered my call? I thought you really wanted to cut ties with me!”
Kerry lowered his head: “I’m sorry, Gleason.”
On the other end of the communicator, Gleason froze upon hearing Kerry’s words. Sorry? Kerry was actually apologizing to him?
“Y-You okay?” Gleason asked suspiciously, “Did Shakani do something again?”
He remembered how Kerry had acted like he was under a love potion, insisting on registering for Lingjin Military Academy with Shakaini and cutting ties with him!
“Don’t mention him.” Kerry gripped the communicator tightly: “Gleason, where are you right now?”
Gleason felt Kerry was acting strange and was afraid something might actually be wrong with him.
“I’m doing odd jobs at a bookstore.”
Kerry remembered that bookstore: “I’m coming to find you. Wait for me.”
With that, Kerry put on his clothes and headed straight for the bookstore.
He really missed Gleason. In his past life, after Gleason was admitted to the First Military Academy, they had only met once, and even that had ended on bad terms.
During that meeting, Gleason had told him that Shakaini was two-timing. Not only had he refused to believe it, but he had also felt that Gleason was trying to drive a wedge between him and Shakaini, leading to a direct and fierce argument. Thinking back now, every piece of advice Gleason gave back then had been sincerely for his own good, while he had been far too ungrateful.
Menting Bookstore
Kerry pushed open the door and saw Gleason repairing an old table.
After leveling the table with a shim, Gleason stood up and looked at Kerry: “What on earth is going on? You feel all weird today.”
Kerry pursed his lips and remained silent, his eyes turning red simply looking at the good friend he hadn’t seen in years.
“Gleason.” Kerry strode forward and gave Gleason a fierce hug.
Gleason was taken aback, then pushed Kerry back a bit and frowned: “Did Shakaini bully you? Tell me what he did, and I’ll back you up!”
Kerry stood there with red eyes, not speaking. He remembered that when he first arrived in this world, Gleason had protected him just like this.
At that time, when he was bullied to tears by a few powerful females, Gleason would run over to chase those females away and scold him fiercely: “What are you crying for! You’re a female, toughen up!”
Gleason would demand that he exercise every day, telling him that only by making himself strong could others not dare to bully him.
“Don’t cry. You’re a female, toughen up!”
The Gleason in front of him and the Gleason who used to protect him overlapped once again.
“Gleason, I’m sorry.” Kerry lowered his head and apologized once more.
Pursing his lips, he spoke up: “Gleason, I want to tell you some things.”
Aside from his rebirth and the events of the future, Kerry told Gleason all about his plans for the future.
Although Gleason didn’t understand why Kerry had suddenly changed so drastically, he was beyond thrilled to see Kerry suddenly wake up to reality.
“I knew it!” Gleason said happily. “You were just bewitched. What’s so good about following that Shakaini? That female doesn’t look like a good person at all. Let’s register for the First Military Academy together tomorrow. If we take a gamble and somehow get in, we can enter the official legions right after graduation!”
“When that time comes, we’ll work hard to get promoted and earn more military merits. Who knows, maybe a Lord male will take a fancy to us!”
Gleason patted Kerry on the shoulder: “When you have your own Lord male in the future, you won’t have to worry about mental instability anymore.”
Kerry smiled and was just about to speak when he heard a shrill voice ring out from outside.
“What kind of daydream are you having? A C-rank female wanting to enter the First Military Academy and wanting to have a male? Simply laughable!”
Sela walked inside with a hum.
“Lord males would never look at a C-rank female. C-rank females simply cannot protect Lord males.”
Generally speaking, D-rank males could heal B- to D-rank females, but because males were precious and scarce, females below B-rank were rarely chosen.
“Sela!” Gleason shouted loudly.
Sela hummed: “And you, Gleason. You’re just a B-rank female like me; what kind of nerve do you have to dare apply for the Empire’s First Military Academy? Complete wishful thinking!”
Gleason’s face turned red with anger, and he shouted loudly: “So what if I’m B-rank? I dare say I’m stronger than many A-rank females!”
Sela gave Gleason a sideways glance: “Stop daydreaming.” With that, he looked over at Kerry.
“And you, this low-class C-rank female. Don’t think you can make it big by clinging to Gleason and Shakaini. Do you think you’re some noble Lord male? You’re just a cheap, low-class female, stop putting on airs here!”
“You!” Gleason was so angry he wanted to throw a punch at Sela, but Kerry stopped him: “Gleason, registration is tomorrow.”
If news of private fighting got out now, it would affect their eligibility to register.
Gleason glanced at Kerry and slowly lowered his hand.
“Sela, you’d better disappear from my sight right now, or else you just wait!”
Sela hummed: “Let’s wait and see tomorrow, you two ignorant bugs.”
“You!” Gleason’s face was flushed red as he watched Sela’s back with rapid breathing.
Kerry patted him on the shoulder and said softly, “Pay him no mind, let’s focus on preparing for tomorrow’s registration.”
Gleason glared at Sela’s retreating figure for a few more seconds, then turned around and said: “Right! We won’t pay him any mind. Once we get accepted into the First Military Academy, let’s see what he has to say!”
However, as soon as he said that, Gleason grew anxious again.
“Kerry, do you think the First Military Academy will want us?”
Sela was right: as the empire’s strongest reserve force, the Empire’s First Military Academy had an extremely high admission threshold.
The military females able to enter the Empire’s First Military Academy were mostly A-rank and above, and only a small fraction of females below A-rank were admitted due to outstanding performance.
“You can do it, Gleason,” Kerry said firmly.
He remembered that in his past life, Gleason had successfully entered the First Military Academy relying on his own outstanding agility and various repair techniques.
“You can too, Kerry!” Gleason patted Kerry on the shoulder. “The First Military Academy has C-rank females too. I remember your evasion skills and weapon-armor technology are both quite stellar. You can take a gamble on it; if it succeeds, your future will be bright!”
Kerry looked at Gleason.
Gleason continued: “But Kerry, why do you always practice evasion skills? You know, our female attack power is the most terrifying thing, and we have thick skins and aren’t afraid of getting hit. You must practice your active attacking abilities more.”
Hearing Gleason’s words, Kerry gave a wry smile: “But getting hit really hurts, you know.”
Whether it was his imagination or not, Kerry always felt that he was even more sensitive than when he was a human; getting hit once could hurt for several days.
Precisely because of this, he had diligently practiced his evasion skills.
Gleason shook his head: “Kerry, don’t be so delicate. You’re a female; you need to make yourself strong as quickly as possible so you can protect your male in the future.”
With that, Gleason raised his arm to show Kerry his muscular bicep.
Kerry looked enviously at Gleason’s sturdy physique and nodded: “I’ll work hard to make myself strong!”
He had figured it out: nobody else could be relied upon; only being strong oneself was real.