The Zhanhun Military Academy had more than one cafeteria, but when mentioned, people first thought of the massive building located between the student dormitories and the main building—the academy’s main cafeteria.
Besides the main cafeteria, there were various restaurants of different sizes, themes, and opening hours scattered throughout the academy, seemingly catering to those who liked to “hunt for delicacies.”
However, at least 90% of the students still ate at the main cafeteria.
At dawn, smoke would rise from the chimneys of the main cafeteria.
The precise coordination between humans and automated machines ensured that every hungry student would have hot meals when they arrived.
And now was mealtime, so the cafeteria was crowded with students.
Raymond had already prepared his tray, looking around the packed cafeteria, hesitating on where to sit.
“Carniel, over here!”
In a corner of the cafeteria, someone waved at him.
Raymond remembered this person was also from Class E, seemingly named Ivanov, though he couldn’t recall the full name.
He had only been elected vice class president by his classmates for two or three days, so he didn’t know everyone in the class yet.
In contrast, most of the students certainly knew him.
Raymond didn’t refuse the gesture; he walked through the crowd and sat across from him.
Seeing that Raymond had come, the man smiled, “Looks like I didn’t get the wrong person.”
He was about Raymond’s age, equally tall, but his stubbly beard made him look older.
Raymond said, “I remember, you’re called Ivanov, right?”
He nodded, “Yes, Randy Ivanov. Nice to meet you, vice class president.”
“Just call me Raymond,” Raymond replied, still a little uncomfortable being called vice class president.
“Here’s a news flash!”
A sudden broadcast caught Raymond’s attention.
To avoid the support pillars in the cafeteria looking too monotonous, the academy installed four TVs on each pillar.
The TVs displayed news, movies, documentaries, or animations to entertain students while eating.
Now it was morning news.
“Immigrant planet IM061 was attacked by interstellar pirates at local time 11:31:22. Satellite images show that most colonies have been reduced to ashes, with casualties and property losses still being assessed…”
Raymond’s hand trembled, nearly dropping his food. Ivanov noticed but said nothing.
Among the tens of thousands of star systems under the Human Alliance, not all were peaceful, especially distant frontier colonies.
Not every planet was suitable for terraforming, so settlers endured harsh conditions.
Besides the environment, interstellar pirates posed an ever-present threat to these remote systems.
Pirate attacks occurred almost constantly, but ordinary civilians rarely knew, as war reports were recorded by military journalists and broadcast only within the military and military academies.
To the general populace, war seemed distant.
Yet, war was actually very close.
So far, pirate raids were minor and posed no existential threat to civilization, so the Alliance saw no need to alarm civilians unnecessarily.
The TV screens continued showing drone footage:
Transport planes flew out from massive battle cruisers, marines set up positions to prevent further surprise attacks.
In residential areas, oxygen-providing biodomes were blasted, half destroyed, plants burning inside; smoky, damaged homes saw firefighters rushing in to rescue people or belongings; grieving families huddled together in sorrow…
Raymond felt a pit in his stomach.
He swallowed breakfast with difficulty, chewing as if on wax, and walked with Ivanov toward the main building.
Seeing Raymond’s heavy expression, Ivanov patted his shoulder: “Relax, there’s too much of this happening.”
Raymond pushed his hand away and asked sharply, “Then why do you think we’re standing here? Why are we in military school? What is our purpose?”
Raymond’s three rapid questions left Ivanov momentarily speechless and awkward, yet he had no choice but to follow his steps.
…
Raymond Carniel could be considered clumsy, socially naive, and inexperienced, but never doubt his character.
He hoped one day to bring justice on the battlefield and protect the innocent.
He had no illusions of personal nobility; he simply believed this was his duty.
He was upright, honest, and straightforward, never hiding his true thoughts or feelings.
Because of this, even when Ye Lan was persecuted and his reputation ruined in a previous life, Raymond still stood by him and tried to save him.
Even if it was a past life, Ye Lan still felt indebted to Raymond.
“Why does nobody care about colonies being invaded?”
“Even if it’s a common occurrence, shouldn’t people still care?”
“Some may say it’s none of my business, but I don’t think it’s trivial. Ye Lan, don’t you think so?”
Even if the big guy was venting, Ye Lan had no reason to stop him.
The two were now seated in the first-year Class E classroom.
Although Class E had fewer resources than other classes, the room was still a fully functional multimedia classroom.
It would accompany the first-year students for the entire academic year.
Ye Lan listened intently to Raymond’s words, as it had been a long time since he’d heard such passionate and motivated speech.
In the long war against the insectoid species, humanity often sought slivers of hope amidst despair, only to find darker clouds once the previous ones parted.
In such a grim environment, even Ye Lan had become numb to many tragedies.
But Raymond’s youthful, spirited words began thawing Ye Lan’s desensitized heart.
Ye Lan realized that although he still retained memories from his previous life, the vitality of youth in the academy would inevitably affect him.
Whether this change was good or bad, Ye Lan did not yet know.