Zi Ye ignored An Junlie’s wounded expression and returned to her office, summoning her subordinates for a meeting. Her staff wasn't large, and all the men had undergone military training from Halley, so within three minutes of the notice being sent, everyone was assembled.

There were only three women: Ling Yin, Tang Wan, and herself. Ling Yin had already arrived; only Tang Wan was missing.

Just as Halley was about to use the ultra-comm to locate her, Tang Wan burst in, gesticulating wildly with excitement, “Little Ye Zi, I got my acceptance letter from Lingsi University!”

Zi Ye was surprised. “Aren’t you already a first-year?”

Tang Wan made a face. “It was much easier to retake the entrance exam than to transfer to Lingsi. Besides, I don’t want to study Combat Command anymore. Starting from the first year is just right.”

Zi Ye glanced at her, holding back her unspoken thought: this girl certainly didn't get in through the exam. During the month-long break, she hadn't seen Tang Wan spend any time studying.

Tang Wan was thrilled and didn't concern herself with Zi Ye’s thoughts. She waved at everyone gathered around the oval conference table. “Hey, guys, guess what major I’m studying. Guess right, and there’s a prize.”

Among those present, apart from Ling Yin and Zi Ye, none of the others had ever attended university... Halley and Xiao Hei had at least taken a day trip to Kaga, barely able to recall the majors offered at a school.

“Starship Design?”

“Legion Management?”

Xiao Hei spoke up at the same time as the others: “Scavenging?”

The major of Scavenging sounded too ordinary to the young men; they weren’t surprised by it at all. Instead, they were confused by Halley and Xiao Hei’s suggestions. “Are there such majors?”

The ten youths were restless. The meeting was promptly abandoned. They all booted up their personal computers, searching for schools and majors, then started guessing one by one from top to bottom. Zi Ye and Ling Yin exchanged a look, shaking their heads helplessly.

For the Strategic Weapons Department, academic credentials were a hard constraint.

Just then, a voice suddenly piped up: “Shouldn't the most important thing you learn at university be how to pick up girls?”

Everyone turned to look. They found that Xiao Zi was the one who had spoken. Among the ten youths, Xiao Zi was the most introverted and timid, usually observing others silently without speaking. Fortunately, the ten of them always acted as a unit, so he wasn't left out. For him to speak up, and with such explosive content, all eyes fixed on him in disbelief. Truly, he was one who amazed upon speaking!

Stared at by everyone, Xiao Zi’s face burned like charcoal. He pointed timidly at the screen of the light-pad. “It says right here that the most crucial required courses at university are picking up girls, skipping classes, staying out all night, and fighting.”

Everyone: “O.O!”

Ling Yin chuckled dryly. “Well said! You’ll be an absolute overlord once you get to school!”

Xiao Zi nearly wanted to crawl under the desk.

Zi Ye knew when to stop. She made a gesture for quiet, signaling everyone to cease discussion, and smiled. “By this time next year, our legion’s university should be officially enrolling. If you all wish to attend, you can start reviewing this year. In a couple of days, I’ll hire a proper university student to be your lecturer.”

The youths fell into contemplation. The Junk Planet did have schools: one for basic education, and one for Scavenging. To survive on the vast, boundless Junk Planet, Scavenging was an essential skill. Only after leaving space did they realize how immense the world truly was. They weren't yet seventeen. After a few months of training at the military base, much of their rustic air had been scrubbed away. If they could then attend school and learn some culture, they would emerge as proper space citizens.

As Zi Ye spoke, many present felt moved.

Tang Wan chimed in. “You can start auditing classes this year.”

Zi Ye nodded. “I have that covered too. I have three audit slots available. You can take turns attending, one month per person.”

The youths cheered enthusiastically.

Tang Wan sat down in the empty seat next to Zi Ye, pouting sulkily. “Ugh, they still haven’t guessed my major.”

Zi Ye turned her head toward her. “What major did you choose?”

Tang Wan instantly brightened upon receiving attention. “Armor Maintenance!”

Ling Yin on the other side immediately got goosebumps. “Armor Maintenance? Zi Ye, how could you bear to poison this fresh and lovely young maiden?”

Zi Ye: “...Wan’er, why on earth did you choose that major?”

Tang Wan was completely oblivious to how bizarre the Armor Maintenance major was, beaming with excitement. “Brother Wen Tang said this major is the best.”

Zi Ye and Ling Yin exchanged a look of resignation. Tang Wen was clearly digging a pit for Tang Wan to fall into without explaining anything. Seeing Tang Wan’s oblivious excitement, Zi Ye became even more convinced that before those ten blockheads enrolled, she needed to assess their individual strengths and weaknesses and create a curriculum for them, rather than letting them flounder in school.

For Halley and the roughly ten others selected from the military for the Strategic Weapons Department, their foundation was far better than that of the Junk Planet youths; they could enroll directly next year. After this episode, Zi Ye realized her workload had significantly increased.

After assigning everyone their tasks during the meeting, Tang Wan immediately asked leave from Zi Ye and Ling Yin.

Zi Ye knew she needed time to prepare before school started, so she readily agreed. “Alright. I’ll send a shuttle for you back.”

Tang Wan waved her hands repeatedly. “No need, no need! Third Brother is coming to pick me up; he’ll be here in ten minutes. I’m going to pack my things first. Little Ye Zi, see you at school.”

Zi Ye watched her skip away, smiling faintly. What expression would Tang Wan have when she discovered she’d be Zi Ye’s junior in school? Hahaha, I suddenly feel so happy.

Little Sprout crawled out of Dou Zai’s cradle. Seeing Zi Ye standing at the door smiling as if she had epilepsy, it blinked its eyes and shot a micro-electric current.

Zi Ye stopped laughing and turned. The micro-electric current zipped past the top of her arm, raising the fine hairs. “Out of seclusion? How far along is the Starship Management System?” Zi Ye casually asked, walking toward Little Sprout and poking its cheek as retaliation for the micro-electric discharge.

Little Sprout’s glass eyes swiveled around, mischievously. “Hee hee, I’m not telling you.”

Zi Ye put on a stern face. “If you don’t tell me, I won’t take you to school.”

Little Sprout frowned glumly. “Mean!”

Zi Ye poked again. “Are you going to tell me or not?”

Little Sprout opened its light-pad. “Look.”

Zi Ye scanned the screen, and her eyes immediately lit up. “It’s done?”

Little Sprout proudly held up its tiny sprout, twirling it around on Zi Ye’s hand. “Of course! If I, the great one, take action, can it not be settled?”

Zi Ye nodded, placing her hands on her hips, laughing heartily once more—so happy. With the Starship Management System out, weren’t riches far behind? Although this starship system was sold exclusively to the Tang Clan, having created one meant creating a second was feasible. By leveraging the experience, they could improve the Wolf’s Den’s Mech Management System and Robot Management System, then refine the best parts and discard the dross to create an even more powerful Starship Management System; it wasn't difficult at all. Zi Ye felt her financial future was brilliantly bright.

Little Sprout gave her a disdainful look. “It’s not fully perfected yet.”

Zi Ye: “...”

-RS