The wind howled across the jagged cliffs of the Tethys outpost, kicking up dust and loose debris as Elias Vale's mech landed on the uneven ground. The faint orange light of the system's setting sun reflected off the battered metal ruins of abandoned mining equipment. He felt a twinge of anxiety, a pulse in his chest that reminded him this was no longer a training exercise.
Above, the pirate ship loomed like a predator in the sky. Class C, lightly armored but heavily armed, it scanned the battlefield with its energy sensors. The hum of its engines vibrated through the ground and echoed in Elias's cockpit.
SYSTEM ALERT:
Enemy Starship: Class C
Shield Integrity: 92%
Weapon Output: 87%
Recommended Strategy: Flank and target forward energy shield nodes
Elias's pulse raced. He took a deep breath, feeling the System sync with his nervous heartbeat. Today, he would be tested in real combat. Every decision could mean survival—or failure.
Serena's voice came over comms, sharp and focused:"Vale, keep your distance. I'll cover your left flank. Lira, focus on disabling its energy weapons. Precision is everything."
Lira's teasing smirk came through next. "Try not to embarrass yourself, Vale. I'm not cleaning up a disaster today."
Elias exhaled. The System pulsed softly in his mind, as if sensing his racing thoughts:
"HAREM ENGAGEMENT DETECTED: SERENA/LIRA +2%Mission Readiness: 84%Combat Rating: A+Pilot Synchronization: 97%."
He blocked out the harem notification, forcing focus on the enemy. Power first. Recognition second. Attention would come if he survived.
The pirate ship fired its first volley—a flurry of plasma energy bolts designed to test their response. Elias's mech thrusters ignited, propelling him sideways as the blasts scorched the ground where he had stood moments ago.
SYSTEM ALERT:
Incoming Projectile Trajectory: 92% Accuracy
Suggested Evasion Path: Left Flank → Right Arc → Retaliate
Expected Combat Efficiency: 86%
He dodged flawlessly, rolling with the System's guidance. The HUD highlighted weak points on the pirate ship: energy shield nodes along the forward hull, weapon outputs concentrated on either side.
Elias fired his mech's plasma cannons in rapid sequence. The first shot scorched a shield node. Sparks erupted across the pirate ship's hull.
"Good shot!" Lira's voice rang in his comms, her tone a mix of admiration and playful teasing.
Serena's blue eyes narrowed as she maneuvered her mech expertly, positioning to flank the ship from the left. "Keep your focus. Don't let them recover."
The System pulsed in response to the real combat scenario.
"EVOLUTION PATH AVAILABLE: Adaptive Shielding + Targeting Synchronization. Expected combat efficiency +17%."
Elias hesitated for a brief second, then activated the evolution. Blue circuits flared along his mech's armor. His targeting HUD expanded, showing predictive trajectories for all enemy attacks and highlighting weak points in real-time.
Weapon Output: 100% → 117%
Shield Efficiency: 80% → 97%
Combat Rating: S → S+
The first volley from the pirate ship came again, but Elias moved instinctively, plasma cannon firing in sync with his evasion. The forward hull weak point glowed under his targeting system. With a precise strike, sparks and energy arcs scattered across the ship.
The pirate ship responded aggressively, deploying two smaller drones from its underbelly. The drones were nimble and heavily armed.
SYSTEM ALERT:
Drone Weak Points: Propulsion units
Recommended Action: Disable drones first, maintain shield integrity
Predicted Success: 88%
Elias split his attention, coordinating with Serena and Lira. His mech executed a perfect pirouette, dodging a blast from the left drone while targeting the right drone's propulsion unit. Sparks flew, and the drone collapsed in a heap.
Simultaneously, Lira fired a synchronized plasma volley, knocking the second drone off balance. Serena's mech raked the pirate ship's side with precise laser fire.
The System flashed new updates:
Combat Rating: S+ → SS
Weapon Damage Output: 117% → 130%
Pilot Synchronization: 100% → 102%
Harem Engagement: 35% → 42%
Amid the chaos, Elias couldn't help noticing the cadets' reactions. Serena's normally icy demeanor had softened slightly. Her hands gripped her controls tightly, but her eyes flicked to him repeatedly. Lira leaned forward, green eyes sparkling.
"Vale… you're incredible out there. I didn't expect you to handle this so confidently," Lira whispered through comms, almost flirtatious.
Elias felt a warmth in his chest. Recognition and admiration—but he kept focus. Power first, attention second.
The System recorded the subtle reactions:
HAREM ENGAGEMENT: +5%
The pirate ship powered up a massive pulse cannon, charging a blast large enough to destroy a mech in a single strike.
SYSTEM ALERT:
Incoming High-Energy Blast
Shields may not withstand direct hit
Recommended: Lateral thrust + synchronized plasma barrage → Success Rate 86%
Elias calculated trajectories, shield alignment, and optimal firing points. He activated thrusters, dodging sideways as Lira fired a perfectly timed volley. Serena provided a cover strike from the left flank.
The massive blast hit the ground just behind Elias, sending shards of rock and metal flying. The pirate ship's forward shields were shattered.
The pirate ship wobbled and began retreating, battered and disabled. The team's mech pilots cheered over comms. Elias's pulse slowed, adrenaline leaving a deep, satisfying burn in his chest.
Combat Rating: SS → SS+
Weapon Damage Output: 130% → 142%
Pilot Synchronization: 102% → 105%
Harem Engagement: 42% → 50%
Serena's voice, soft but approving: "Vale… that was… impressive." A faint blush laced her words.
Lira smirked, leaning close in her cockpit: "I like the way you handle danger. Don't think I won't notice next time."
Elias smiled faintly, feeling warmth and pride—not just for the victory, but for the attention he was earning.
The battlefield was littered with debris, scorched rock, and shattered drone parts. Smoke and dust hung in the air, glinting in the sun's last rays. The pirate ship's retreat left a faint hum in the sky as the cadets regrouped.
Back at his quarters, Elias reviewed every movement, every tactical decision, every System prompt.
Next Evolution Path: Adaptive Weapon Systems + Multi-target Prediction
Harem Engagement Tracking: 50%
Academy Reputation: +High
He leaned back in his chair, exhausted but exhilarated. The galaxy was beginning to notice him. The academy would talk not just about his skills, but about the force he was becoming.