A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 133: Getting The Money Back
Chapter 133: Getting The Money Back

Outside the simulation room, Marlone was observing the students closely.

Most of the students had been training for several days, but their mecha control skills were still a bit clumsy.

Marlone understood, though, since 80% of the students at the Hecaris Military Academy came from Planet Waste. Many of them probably hadn’t had much experience piloting a mecha, let alone using one in combat.

Yet, it was also true that some students from Planet Waste, upon getting into the prestigious Hecaris Military Academy, had let it go to their heads. They thought they were hotshots now and started slacking off.

Marlone’s eyes narrowed as he looked at a few students who had only managed to kill four insectoids since the session began.

As they were still dawdling, Marlone approached them from behind and said in a cold, stern voice, ”If you’re not here to train seriously, then get out of the Department of Combat. If you don’t want to be soldiers, then get out of the Hecaris Military Academy. You’re here to learn how to protect the people and your country, not to live a cushy life. If that’s what you want, go back to stealing—you might strike it rich that way!”

Marlone’s harsh words were like ice water, snapping the students back to reality.

They were future soldiers, not here for an easy life. They had worked hard to get into this academy, and slacking off now would make all that effort meaningless.

”Sorry, sir! We understand now!” the students shouted, their voices full of determination.

With renewed vigor, they attacked the insectoids as if facing their worst enemies.

Satisfied with their change in attitude, Marlone nodded approvingly and moved on to check other simulation rooms.

”Casper, if you’re a man, show some strength. Stop acting like a delicate doll.”

”Tam, how many times do I have to tell you? Watch your positioning! Watch your positioning!”

”Cirus, while it’s brave to go for mutual destruction, do you really want to die alongside these low-level insectoids on the battlefield? That’s not a worthwhile trade!”

As Marlone continued his rounds, he eventually came to Arix’s simulation room. Watching Arix, who was still a bit clumsy but managing to take down insectoids with a single strike, Marlone’s eyes filled with pride. A smile crept onto his face despite himself.

”Arix, great job! Fantastic! Yes, just like that! Awesome!” Marlone, in a surprising change from his usual sharp tongue, showered Arix with praise.

Arix felt nothing but sheer embarrassment, while the students in the surrounding simulation rooms looked on with envy.

Marlone reminded Arix not to overexert herself and then, somewhat reluctantly, moved on to the next simulation room. Everywhere he went, he delivered a round of scathing motivational comments.

Finally, Marlone reached Drexel’s simulation room.

Seeing the screen display a kill count of 965 insectoids, Marlone nodded in satisfaction and said, ”Well done, Drexel. While others have only taken down twenty or thirty insectoids, you’ve nearly hit a thousand. Looks like next time, we’ll need 3,000 insectoids to give you a real challenge.”

As expected, Marlone then heard Drexel’s exasperated groan, almost as if he were coughing up blood from the stress.

With a mischievous smile, Marlone felt a deep sense of satisfaction and concluded his rounds for the day.

Arix’s mecha was so beat up from the long battle that it looked like a shadow of its former self.

Each time it got hit, Arix felt like she took the blow too.

She had poured 100,000 astrocredits into that machine!

With every new dent and crack, her attacks only grew fiercer. She had spent nearly all her savings on a Supergiant-Class psychic power healing potion, leaving her with about 100,000 astrocredits left. Buying this mecha today had pretty much emptied her account.

Being broke brought anxiety, irritation, and a fiery anger that made her want to squash bugs. This mix of rage and desperation ramped up Arix’s attack power by 200%.

Before her mecha completely gave out, Arix managed to take down the final insectoid. As it fell, the battered mecha, pushed past its limits, started to break down. Its sword-wielding arm dropped off first, then the right leg, and soon, the whole thing began to collapse like a row of dominoes.

After the deafening crash, Arix crawled out from the cockpit, shaky but determined. She stood on unsteady legs and looked back at the pile of scrap that was her mecha.

”Thanks, old buddy. I won’t forget your sacrifice. Amen,” she said, before heading out of the simulation room.

Outside, others had finished their missions. Only a few were still standing, catching their breath. Most were sprawled on the floor, including Drexel.

Arix walked over and helped Drexel to his feet, supporting him with her shoulder.

She just felt a bit embarrassed for Drexel, but Drexel didn’t see it that way. He thought Arix was just worried about him lying on the cold ground and felt deeply moved.

”Thanks, Arix. I misjudged you before. You’re the greatest sister in the world,” Drexel said, his spirits lifting instantly from her gesture.

Arix blinked, feeling like Drexel had gotten the wrong idea. But then she remembered her empty bank account and her eyes lit up.

She said sweetly, ”And you’re the greatest brother! By the way, do you have any money?”

”Yes! Last month, my online store made a profit of 10 million,” Drexel, still basking in the sibling love, blurted out without any guard.

’What a goldmine!’

Arix’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she tried to hide her emotions. She then put on a pitiful look and said, ”Drexel, I’m out of money. Can you give me 5 million?”

”Sure, no problem!” Drexel immediately transferred the money to Arix.

As his balance dropped by 5 million, Drexel’s brain, previously clouded by sibling affection, began to catch up. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but Arix interrupted him.

”Thank you, you’re the best brother in the world,” Arix said sweetly, putting extra emphasis on ”brother” in the most sugary tone possible.

Drexel’s mouth trembled even more, and the combined mental and physical shock caused him to pass out on Arix’s shoulder.

Feeling the sudden weight on her shoulder, Arix touched her nose, feeling a rare pang of guilt. This naive guy was still her brother, after all. She couldn’t milk him too hard; if she drove him to ruin, it would be her loss.

With this thought, Arix transferred back 4 million and sent a message to his opticomputer.

”Bro, borrowing 1 million temporarily. I’ll deduct it from next month’s store profits.”

After doing all this, Arix felt a bit proud of herself, thinking she truly was the best sister in the world.

Once all the military students had completed their tasks, the Department of Combat class came to an end.

Marlone checked each student’s record in the simulation room on his opticomputer, nodded in satisfaction, and said, ”Today’s class is over. See you all tomorrow.”

”See you tomorrow, sir,” the students replied in unison, saying the most insincere words.

After the dismissal, everyone quickly logged off.

After saying goodbye to her uncle, Arix logged off too.

Waking up from the Connective Pod, Arix jumped out and patted the pod next to her, calling, ”Get up for dinner.”

”I’m not eating,” Drexel said angrily. If he hadn’t realized by now that he had been tricked by his sister, he would truly be a fool.

”Come on, check your opticomputer,” Arix said, rolling her eyes.

Drexel glanced at Arix, and skeptically opened his opticomputer.

He saw the transfer and Arix’s message.

Seeing his funds mostly intact, he instantly revived. He jumped out of his pod, hugged Arix, and rubbed her head. ”Ah, you still care about me.”

”Of course, I am the best sister,” Arix said, proudly puffing out her chest.

”So, world’s best sister, how about increasing my share of the online store profits by 5%?” Drexel asked, eyes shining.

”No! Way!” Arix replied, smiling sweetly but firmly.

Drexel choked on her words. ’Just how stupid was I earlier to think this trickster is the best sister in the world?’