novelraw Chapter 9 : The Assessment
Chapter 9 : The Assessment
"Scan your ID card."
Inside the academic affairs office, a short-haired female teacher wearing a deep black long uniform led Chen Sui to a machine.
She had a black rope tied around her waist, embroidered with the Zhu Jing Fu emblem, her tone indifferent.
"Chen Sui, 18 years old, interstellar nomad registered on Talo Star," as she read the last line, seeing the 'awaiting Awakening' mark on the identity information, she clicked her tongue, "Have you piloted a mecha before? What model?"
"I've piloted a basic mecha," Chen Sui answered truthfully.
The short-haired teacher looked down at her. She was very tall, with an upright posture, sharp eyes, and an aura of strict formality about her.
"The interstellar nomad recruitment channel also has an enrollment assessment. You've received your application receipt, right? Next, I'll help you connect to the school's combat mecha. I want to warn you in advance that combat mechas are different from basic mechas. There's a strong rejection when connecting to the nerves. During the connection process, feeling physical pain is normal."
As she spoke, she led Chen Sui to another building. Along the way, passing through Academy Seven's structures, Chen Sui discovered that to match Zhu Jing Fu's overall style, the entire Academy Seven had some retro elements.
Since the discovery of the motherland ruins a hundred years ago, retro fashion had become popular in the Star Alliance. Academy Seven's combination of ancient architectural design and metallic materials created a kind of alternative cyberpunk impact.
The short-haired teacher noticed Chen Sui examining her surroundings but didn't offer any introduction.
Academy Seven assessed many interstellar nomads each year, but the number who actually entered was zero.
She didn't need to waste words on someone who would very likely be eliminated in the first round.
Taking Chen Sui outside the training room, the short-haired teacher carefully explained each assessment item.
"Did you hear clearly?"
"There are four monitoring phases and two battles. Once inside, just do what I tell you, understand?"
Chen Sui nodded: "Understood."
The short-haired teacher nodded, satisfied with her obedience. Her rigid expression softened somewhat, though she felt somewhat helpless seeing Chen Sui's thin arms under her sleeves.
Such nomads probably couldn't even afford meals, let alone properly pilot a mecha in combat.
The short-haired teacher was concerned that Chen Sui wouldn't even make it through the first stage of connecting to the combat mecha.
Although Chen Sui could only pilot basic mechas, she had experienced combat mechas before—some client orders used this type of mecha.
In interstellar mechas, basic mechas were the lowest grade, made with the cheapest materials and weapons.
High-grade mechas were slightly better. Combat mechas were military-grade, demanding more from pilots, made with superior materials, and could be designed with more compatible weapons.
There were also personalized mechas, custom-built according to the pilot's driving style, able to adapt to the pilot's neural tendril sensitivity.
"Go in."
The short-haired teacher opened a mecha storage ring, releasing a tall, dark black mecha.
"Weapons typically include one close-combat and one long-range. Shell ammunition is standardized as the most basic flash-explosion cannon. Do you have any preference for close-combat weapons?"
The short-haired teacher asked symbolically, immediately continuing: "If not, the standard is a light sword..."
"I use a spear, thank you," Chen Sui spoke up, her voice abruptly cutting off.
The short-haired teacher didn't express an opinion, displaying several types of spears according to her request: "Choose one."
Chen Sui selected the most proportionally suitable one based on the mecha's height.
"You..." the short-haired teacher frowned, hesitated for a moment, but still advised: "If you're not familiar with these close-combat weapons, it's safer to use a light sword. Otherwise, if you make a mistake, it might affect your score, and you might not pass the assessment."
The short-haired teacher gave her a friendly reminder.
Chen Sui gratefully declined: "Thank you, but I'm used to using a spear."
The short-haired teacher couldn't say much more and directly let her continue with the process.
The combat mecha's cockpit was very similar to a basic mecha's. If there was any difference, it would be that the operation console in front had more comprehensive monitoring equipment around it and an additional channel panel.
Chen Sui watched the channel panel flash, and a signal marked "Academic Affairs Office" appeared in the center.
"Sit properly, starting the mental connection now."
Chen Sui had been warned by her, so she lowered her eyes, waiting for the neural pain of the connection.
But all over her body, it felt as if she had been stung by ants, a slight trembling sensation, after which Chen Sui felt her body bearing a heavy weight.
She instinctively raised her hand.
The short-haired teacher saw the combat mecha move and thought Chen Sui was struggling in pain, quickly stopping her: "Don't move yet, wait until the connection is complete, or you'll be injured."
Chen Sui's movement stopped. She lay in the cockpit, "Teacher, the connection seems to be complete."
The short-haired teacher frowned, asking uncertainly: "Are you sure?"
Chen Sui directly made the mecha perform a Border Army salute ceremony to prove it.
The short-haired teacher stood up formally, returning the salute.
Only then did she relax, opening the holographic training room.
The short-haired teacher was surprised internally but didn't show it: "Now your assessment begins."
The enrollment assessment consisted of four test items.
The mecha piloting precision test required making appropriate actions and behaviors according to instructions. Chen Sui adapted well to the combat mecha, even performing high-difficulty locust-style rolls in mid-air.
The mecha speed test involved dodging holographic simulated attacks. Each hit would increase the mecha's damage level, with scores calculated based on the number of attacks experienced while keeping the mecha's damage level below 10%.
This was the most physically demanding segment.
Chen Sui could initially dodge obstacles like a fish in water. Even though she had selected the most suitable plan based on her physical strength, she inevitably exhausted herself in the later stage, with the mecha's damage level increasing exponentially.
From this point on, the short-haired teacher's expression became serious.
By the time Chen Sui went through the somewhat lengthy second test, she felt a subtle regret.
Beyond announcing the assessment progress, she asked a concerned question: "Can you still continue?"
Chen Sui lay in the cockpit, her arms and legs on the seat trembling violently.
The short-haired teacher heard heavy breathing through the channel voice, like a bellows.
Chen Sui was drenched in sweat, her entire body as if she had just stepped out of a bath.
Her lips were dry and pale. She parted them, her hoarse voice saying dryly: "Yes, please continue."
"Next is the mecha weapon precision monitoring."
The short-haired teacher closed her eyes briefly before announcing the next item, her hand operating the holographic training mode transformation gripped tightly.
Chen Sui's performance had completely exceeded her expectations. She completed the first item quickly, and even though the second item took longer, the short-haired teacher visually estimated that she had achieved above-average levels.
This might be the most potential-filled interstellar nomad she had ever seen. Her mecha operation even surpassed Alliance-trained soldiers, with a great chance of passing the assessment to become the first military academy student recruited through the interstellar nomad program.
The short-haired teacher thought.
—If she could steady the spear and accurately fire the cannon in her exhausted state.
She added.
"The next item is weapon precision monitoring."
Weapon precision monitoring involved shooting and killing holographically simulated living targets.
When the mecha raised its gun cannon, Chen Sui's hands were already shaking uncontrollably.
The short-haired teacher could see her visible trembling from outside, causing her to frown with concern.
In this state...
However, her concerns didn't materialize.
Chen Sui understood her physical capabilities better than anyone. In the apocalyptic world, physical exhaustion didn't mean a lack of combat ability.
The moment she raised the gun, she suddenly understood the arrangement of the enrollment assessment, why weapon precision testing was scheduled after speed testing.
Every shot fired without deviation in a trembling state; shooting steady enough in a normal state.
Amid the short-haired teacher's silent anxiety.
Chen Sui mounted the gun cannon with her left hand, wielding the spear with her right.
The long spear with its silver-white spearhead traced a cold light through the air. The soldier's hands were trembling, both the mecha's gun cannon and spear shaking.
But each time an obstacle rushed toward her, her figure leaping in mid-air was particularly resolute.
The booms and metallic clashes of weapons in the training room were blocked by isolation equipment.
But outside the room, the short-haired teacher watched the unfailing gun cannon and the precisely landing spear tip.
She breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
Without realizing it, she had broken into a sweat of surprise for this interstellar nomad from a remote star ring.
"Congratulations."
The short-haired teacher spoke with mixed feelings.
"The final assessment is mecha combat ability, which consists of two combat projects."
The mecha combat ability assessment required Chen Sui to pilot the mecha, fighting against a combat robot and a simulated energy body respectively.
Hearing the latter, Chen Sui's gaze flickered, and she coldly snorted inwardly.
Her aversion to energy bodies stemmed firstly from the destruction of the repair shop, secondly from the disaster-stricken people of Talo Star, and thirdly because the greatest crises in the interstellar world were all caused by energy bodies.
These creatures were just like alien species.
They destroyed everything that was once beautiful and peaceful.
They all deserved to die.
When the first robot combat began.
Chen Sui sized up the combat robot.
This model of robot was only qualified for use by military academies and Zone Eleven.
Since many years ago, after a robot rebellion that led to the collapse of the Kamanna Empire, interstellar people thoroughly understood the terror of machines developing intelligence.
Afterward, a massive reform completely freed the interstellar world from dependence on machines.
Even the intelligent operation of mechas was removed.
Although combat robots had generally average combat levels, at least in Chen Sui's view, they were still strictly controlled.
The robot's speed and attacks were programmed, each move predictable.
In the fight against the robot, Chen Sui could easily dodge its attacks and always find suitable positions to end the battle.
But she was too tired.
The second and third assessments had severely depleted her physical strength, and her breathing still hadn't stabilized.
This comfortable combat rhythm was a form of rest for her.
Chen Sui wanted to recover to a better state.
To properly beat up an energy body.
Even a virtual one.
She casually circled the robot inside, unaware that outside, the short-haired teacher's brows were knitted with worry.
Afraid that she would fall at this step, letting a great opportunity slip through her fingers.
Several times, the short-haired teacher noticed the robot's weak point, almost wanting to rush in and act on Chen Sui's behalf.
But her anxious heart and steady expression formed a stark contrast with her motionless body.
The short-haired teacher had strong professional ethics.
Even though her palms were sweating with restraint, she didn't make a sound.
Only when Chen Sui felt her state rejuvenating did she distance herself from the robot, firing a flash-explosion shell near the robot's position while simultaneously wielding the spear with her other hand, raising it like throwing a dart.
She predicted the robot's next position.
Before the opponent could dodge and land.
The robot's body was still suspended in mid-air.
A silver-white cold light fell like a meteor.
Instantly penetrating the robot's entire central program board, breaking through its hard metal shell, the spear tip protruding from its back, dragging it back several meters, pinning it to the wall on the other side.
The short-haired teacher hadn't caught her breath yet.
This scene happened so abruptly that she almost choked.
She coughed lightly, readjusting her breathing.
Only then did she look up to check the situation again.
The training room wall had a shallow mark left by the spear.
The short-haired teacher's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening as she rose to confirm the training room's mark.
But this is! A special metal that can withstand countless gun fire! Even energy attacks!
No, what did she eat to grow up like this?
At this moment, the short-haired teacher asked a question from her heart, recalling Chen Sui's physique, seriously thinking: What food could make someone look malnourished, weak, and about to collapse, yet able to explode with such strong power?
Does this make sense?
"Sorry," while the short-haired teacher's mind raced with many questions, Chen Sui looked at the damaged robot (actually completely dead) and the marked training room.
She sincerely asked: "I don't have to pay compensation, do I?"
Her tone was somewhat cautious and tentative.
The short-haired teacher choked, clenching her fist, striving to answer calmly: "No need, let's continue to the next item."
"Alright."
Chen Sui breathed a sigh of relief.
Energy body combat required special simulation field equipment. Chen Sui waited briefly.
Then she found the training room scene instantly changing.
This change closely resembled that day on Talo Star when darkness covered the sky as the energy body descended.
At that time, Chen Sui was amidst the hurricane, filtering out all surrounding sounds, only wanting to seize the most suitable moment to escape.
But this belated memory now reminded her with utmost clarity.
The tremendous crash of collapsing buildings, the screams of bodies being torn apart, and countless people crying out in pain for help.
Night descended in the training room as bright as day.
An ugly, long, giant centipede crawled out from the other side.
Its feet walking on the black soil simulated by the training room, the sound of crushed stones and friction particularly irritating to Chen Sui.
The moment the short-haired teacher reminded her: "Battle begins," Chen Sui gripped the spear and charged out swiftly.
The long centipede didn't even have time to provoke her before it was picked up by the spear, then struck hard with a backhand.
The vibration made the short-haired teacher's hands outside the room shake twice.
She adjusted the voice microphone and finished the remaining half of the reminder: "The position of the energy crystal is on the training room's wide screen. Extract the energy crystal to complete the assessment."
Chen Sui heard this background voice, looked up at the light screen, and quickly located the position on the long centipede.
The long centipede, pounded into the soil, screamed, and a flame shot from its body along the spear toward the mecha.
Chen Sui kicked it, using the force to distance herself, firing a flash-explosion shell at its hard shell before leaving.
The mecha stood in mid-air, the spear whirling vigorously, the wind from its movement extinguishing the flames.
But the spear's surface had been scorched by the flames, showing a layer of charred matte finish.
Looking at the flaw on her weapon, Chen Sui coldly said:
"You're finished."