[The ship will arrive at the destination in 15 minutes]
[Exiting the hyperdrive]
There was some shaking after the notification appeared, but moments later it ended and the people within the ship could see an entirely different sight before them. The ship had exited into new dark space, a stunning galaxy with about two dozen planets of various sizes and colors orbiting one vermillion sun.
Since the ship’s autopilot mode became inactive after exiting the hyperdrive, Julian quickly operated the control panel. While commanding the ship to stay on trajectory, he also activated its sensor to check the surrounding area.
“All systems are stable, and we have also arrived at the right place.”
Seeing how convenient the transport they board on, the quiet Chumo couldn’t help but ask, “How much does this ship cost? We should get one for Earth.”
It was Klea who answered his question. Unfortunately, in an unenthusiastic manner.
“I’ve checked it because I also wanted one. Apparently, a ship with a hyperdrive function like this costs about 800 thousand to a million spirit stones at the very least. But unfortunately, even if we have the spirit stone, we – lower realm people – are not allowed to have one, not unless we reach magus level or our world improves to a middle realm one.”
Hearing the discussion, the pilot of the ship Julian casually expressed his opinion.
“Don’t worry, my friend. We will definitely have one; defeat the Nephilim, be the caretaker of our own home planet, upgrade the status of our realm and will certainly have this kind of spaceship somewhere in between that journey.”
Hearing such remarks, everyone who listened nodded their heads, even the Thracian who usually stood at the opposite of the Roman.
“I’m with you this time, Roman!”
Soon after, the ship the group was in approached the designated target of their mission – a yellow planet among the dozens. However, contrary to expectations, they didn’t enter the planet’s atmosphere. Instead, they flew towards a huge structure that orbited around it.
It was a space station that was similar to Alpha Station Emery had seen in the past. Its size was only around a tenth of the massive space station, but it appeared much more sleek and compact in comparison.
“There it is. The Nexus Station,” said Julian for the others to hear.
As it was written in the information provided for this mission, Nexus Faction was a technologically advanced civilization that managed to earn their middle realm status due to said achievement.
Unfortunately, the people of the faction were unable to inhabit their original planet anymore due to the latter’s resources being exhausted from exploitation that occurred during the period of explosive technological progress.
Therefore the majority of the population migrated to a space station – which is now known as the Nexus Station. They roamed around the universe for years until the Magus Alliance granted them this yellow planet as their new home.
As the Interceptor-class ship flew closer to the huge structure, an attempt of communication quickly came from the other side, which Julian readily obliged.
[Unknown vehicle, we are Nexus control. Cease movement this instant and identify yourself]
After doing what was asked, Julian pressed a button on the control panel and spoke the identity the academy had given them for this mission.
“Nexus control, we are Interceptor 117. An official envoy from the Magus Alliance, my authorization code is 772-821”
It didn’t take long for a response to come from the other side.
[Interceptor 117, you are authorized to dock in Section One. Welcome to Nexus Station]
Now that they were cleared to go, Julian controlled the ship to move again and it continued its journey. As the ship gradually drew closer to the space station, Emery and the others quickly prepared themselves.
Even though this might be a test for their grades in the Magus Academy, it was still an official mission set by the Magus Alliance. Hence they have to be serious in dealing with it, making sure there are no mistakes.
A few minutes later, the ship finally docked at Section One which was located at the side of the space station. When the door of the spaceship opened, Emery and the others walked out wearing the black uniform that the academy provided for this occasion. It bears a resemblance to the official uniform of the Magus Enforcer.
“Welcome to Nexus Station, esteemed guests. I am Otto Schrandefude, Nexus Empire’s 74th Minister of Science,” said a middle-aged man standing at the front of the people welcoming them, guarded by a dozen men wielding a unique-looking firearm.
Beside the man and the convoy behind him, there was also an interesting sight that couldn’t help but catch Emery’s attention.
In a distance not too close but not too far away, four metal figures one head taller than an ordinary human stood tall. A piece of information immediately popped into his mind when he saw them. Those four were the Mechanical Soldiers the Nexus Empire was known for.
On the other hand, Julian stepped forward to accept the welcome the other party gave and introduced himself. “Greetings, My name is Julian Kaesar and I am the leader of this team. Behind me are my team members.”
Upon hearing that, the middle-aged man quickly nodded and said, “Once again, welcome to Nexus Station. Now please follow me, the Principal has been waiting for your arrival.”
Under the lead of the Minister of Science, Emery and the others made their way through long corridors made completely of metal. During this time, the group saw more of the Mechanical Soldiers, and later from the glass window, they could see a city inside the space station. Not only that, there was also a network of rivers and numerous lush trees with thousands of people filling in the street.
Curious about such a spectacle, Emery asked the person of rank among them. “Minister Otto, if I may ask, how many people are living in this station?”
“Currently, we have about 40,000 people living in the Nexus Station.”
That was quite a huge number of people living in a space station especially when they had a new planet to call home, but knowing from the data that the majority of Nexus Empire’s citizens actually still lived in the station, made Emery realize that this Grade 1 faction didn’t have that many people in its populace.
Few minutes later, Emery and the others entered a majestic building and arrived at a massive chamber where a group of people could be seen waiting. The person called the Principal was sitting on a throne guarded by a dozen soldiers and several of the Mechanical Soldiers.
With Spirit Reading, Emery was able to tell that the Principal and the others present in the chamber were at most Rank 9, while the strongest among them was a blue-robed man, which was a Crescent Moon magus-level individual, stood next to the principal like a bodyguard.
“Welcome.. Welcome, esteemed guests!” said the Principal, a middle-aged man dressed in royal blue and gold robe.
Julian walked forward and bowed to the man saying, “Principal Misach, thank you for welcoming us. We are here ready to assist you on the problem of the rebe-.”
The Principal, however, interrupted Julian’s words with a smile on his face.
“No no no. Please, let’s not tarnish our first meeting with the heavy stuff.”
The man stood from his throne, approached Emery and the others one by one while saying, “All of you are still really very young… When I heard the alliance would be sending their best acolytes, I truly didn’t expect youngsters like you. Wow! You all just look impressive!”
Without letting Julian say a word, the Principal clapped his hand and said, “Otto, prepare the feast for our honored guests!”