When Aymeyana's name was called, she stepped gracefully onto the stage. The instructor's voice rang out:
"From this day forward, Aymeyana is a member of the Royal Production Team. She shall dedicate her life to upholding the values of the crown and ensuring the King's name shines eternal as a symbol of hope and divine righteousness."
Thunderous applause shook the chamber. The other newly chosen Production students followed, receiving their awards, their faces solemn, their futures sealed.
Then came the MechaPilot graduates. The atmosphere shifted, tense, electric. These were not scholars. These were future warriors. As each name was called, students stepped forward and received their deputy pilot badges, the mark that they would fly to war and fight alongside the King's will itself.
And then—Venku.
The instructor's voice trembled with pride.
"Venku is a special student. Not only did he attend every class without fail, not only did he score above ninety in nearly every test, but in the final examination... he achieved the highest score ever recorded. Higher even than the Elder Knights of the Gamma Branch, France and Dakota themselves."
The crowd erupted, a roar of awe and disbelief. Venku's girlfriend leapt to her feet, tears in her eyes "That's my man!" she shouted, her voice piercing through the thunder of applause.
Venku accepted his deputy badge with trembling hands. He clenched it tight, pressing the metal into his palm. For years he had dreamed of this moment, and now, at last, it was real.
At the Base
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Later, Venku stood outside the military base with his girlfriend wrapped around him, clinging as if she might never let go. He kissed her forehead softly.
"You feeling better?" he asked.
She nodded, her face glowing with joy. "Now that I've seen this? More than ever."
At the gate, Venku presented his new ID. The officer checked it, then frowned.
"Rookies aren't allowed visitors. Safety protocol."
His girlfriend sighed, understanding. "I'll wait for you."
Venku gave her hand a squeeze before being escorted inside.
The base swallowed him whole. Towering walls, glowing plasma rifles mounted on racks, drones humming past on anti-gravity lifts, robots standing idle like statues of steel. His eyes drank it in, wonder brimming inside him.
He boarded the elevator with his escort, staring at the endless technology surrounding him. His chest swelled, this is where I belong.
The Assignment
The elevator opened into the Mech hangar, a vast cathedral of metal giants. Dozens of colossal machines stood dormant, their armored bodies gleaming beneath fluorescent lights.
At the booth, Venku handed over his badge number. The attendant Ino scanned it, and her eyes went wide.
"Oh my goodness... you scored perfect. I've never seen a result like this."
Venku rubbed the back of his neck with a laugh.
"Guess I studied pretty hard."
Ino shook her head, stunned.
"I don't even know what Mech to assign you... but if anyone deserves it, it's you. Come with me."
She led him down winding corridors and staircases until at last, the hangar opened up to reveal a towering giant.
DRONE BUSTER
Its massive frame loomed like a god of war, plated in armor thick enough to withstand a barrage. Venku froze, his heart pounding.
But then—
"That won't be necessary."
A deep, commanding voice rolled across the hangar.
Venku spun around.
Standing behind him was a man in ornate robes, his presence heavier than the machine itself: Elder Sephiss of the Zeta Branch.
"E-Elder Sephiss?!" Venku stammered, his heart nearly bursting. "Oh my god, you're, you're in the books, the journals, I've read everything about you—"
Sephiss smiled faintly, extending a hand.
"It's an honor to meet you, young man. A perfect score... never before achieved."
Venku grasped his hand, nearly shaking with awe.
Sephiss' smile thinned.
"But it's not only your score that caught my attention. The way you proved your loyalty to the King... the way you didn't hesitate to strike down that civilian."
Venku froze. His breath caught.
Sephiss leaned in, his eyes glinting.
"You've shown the heart of true loyalty. I'd like to offer you something greater than a deputy's badge."
Venku's eyes widened.
"How would you like to join... the Gamma Branch?"