7 Golden Cadet Academy
Bai Li came rushing out of the train with a small rolled up paper.
This was his acceptance letter as an Elite Student at the Golden Cadet Academy that resided in the Soul Realm here in Golden Desert Planet. A sign of prestige as one of the top Hundred Public Planet Academies in the entire Union.
'Although it has one of the highest acceptance rates in students, its elite program provides enough incentive since it has one of the highest resources given to students.'
Many great talents arose from the Golden Cadet Academy, since those whose talents flourished would, in turn, provide their fame and sponsorship to the academy.
Students from other planets would die for an acceptance letter for an exchange student.
He couldn't hold in his excitement as he jumped high in the air from the top of the stairs. But this was only the beginning of his journey. He would need more than resources to achieve what he wanted to achieve.
He reached the end of the stairs to his apartment building to knock on his neighbor's door.
The door opened a few seconds later with the neighbor blew a party popper at him.
The confetti landed all over Bai Li and both shared a hearty hug.
"Congratulations Bai Li! Oh, it's been so long since I've seen you grow."
"Aha! Thank you, if it weren't for your home-cooked meals, how would I have grown so strong!"
He lifted her up with his strength and slightly tossed her up in the air in this joyous occasion.
They both took their seat to eat the food she prepared.
It was full of celebratory foods like whole roasted chicken, and hot pot.
The smell of ginger and chili oil wafted him towards the boiling pot of melted spices and peppercorns.
Large lotus root slices, mushrooms, and pork bones filled the pot, along with the thin slices of pork on the side for dipping.
This was already so much food but he had to dig in, the exam did a number on his body and his appetite was dying to dig in.
The night was spent in utter bliss, Granny even managed to pull some of her saved up money to buy a small gift for Bai Li.
"You didn't have to Granny...I know money for you is hard to come by."
"Then all for you to cherish it more."
He grimaced albeit only for a bit but decided to accept it full-heartedly. He took off the lid of the small parcel box to reveal a simple iron ring with his initials.
"I know it isn't much but I hope you can cherish and remember where you came from."
"...Thank you."
She coughed a bit, showing signs of ailment due to her age. Not everyone needed the genetic solutions that increased the lifespan of warriors and their body. So the government had made it only mandatory to those who fully partook in compulsory education.
The words "where you came from" resonated with Bai Li, despite for different reasons one could imagine.
His memories of where he came from can be surmised as complicated. He doesn't remember his father or mother too well. Most of his memories came from at the age of 6. The smell of old paper first filled his nostrils when he would nap inside his family's library. Books of all unknown origin numbered the vast majority of the shelves. Although he couldn't read at a high level, the pictures were memorable to Bai Li. It was also the same time his parents disappeared. They only found out months after his family stopped paying for the house that enforcement decided to show up.
You would think one would be emotional if a parent were to have gone missing, but something stopped him from feeling any emotional connection when they left. He didn't know why they left either. His lack of feeling almost made him feel as if he wasn't human, but the existence of his care for Granny pulled away any sort of doubt he had.
His line of thought broke as he heard another heave from her. It was poetic in a way, a mother with sons who could care less for her compared to Bai Li's parents who disappeared without a trace.
He went in for a sudden hug that surprised her, but she reciprocated the feeling as they both embraced for a short while.
The festivities were cut short but both were fulfilled in doing what they must.
If not to live for himself and gain power, he could also contribute his life to his Granny.
'I could surprise her with a genetic solution when I can scrounge up enough cash.'
The solution would have fewer effects than ordinary on her body, but at the very least it should save her from her ailments, maybe even increasing her lifespan with youthful looks.
These were his last thoughts as he finally wisped away to his slumber and awoke anew, with a refreshing feeling.
Today was the day he would enter the Soul Realm. He ate whatever leftovers there were after the celebrations and continued preparing himself.
He had to pack light and bring close to no electronics. The frequency of most modern devices would spell ruin to the Soul Realm transfer. Packing a light bag of necessary clothing, he donned his new ring and began heading out. He barged open his door to reveal Granny.
"Granny! You can't be out of the house much!" He dropped his bag to help bring her back to her apartment.
"Bah, forget about that, at least let me go out with you at least once." A feeling of conflict and loss he felt all too familiar.
"Alright. But at least bring warmer clothes. And tell your nurse!" It took her a bit but they began heading their way over to the main planet's warp tunnel.
This was it. The moment that would etch itself into Bai Li's life story forever. It wasn't just about seizing opportunities to gain power; there were also challenges lurking, ready to knock him down. The road ahead was uncertain, but Bai Li was determined to face it head-on, no matter what crazy curveballs life decided to throw his way.
"Take care," Granny said, her voice filled with love and concern. "I'll be seeing you."
With a nod and a smile, Bai Li stepped into the unknown, his future waiting to be written.
