Chapter 8: Settling In

Ethan stepped into his ship, the door sliding shut behind him with a soft hiss. The cool, sterile hum of the ship's interior greeted him, offering a sense of calm after the intensity of the day. He moved straight to the cockpit, where Iris, his AI companion, was already monitoring the ship's systems.

"Iris, give me a status update," Ethan said, collapsing into the pilot's chair. His body ached from the long training session. It had been a day filled with combat simulations, maneuvers, and endless weapon drills.

"Power systems remain stable at 60% efficiency. No new issues detected. Hull integrity requires attention; external repairs are still necessary for full functionality. Weapons systems remain offline," Iris responded, her voice smooth and reassuring, though it didn't exactly offer great news.

Ethan sighed, rubbing his temples. "We need more credits," he muttered, staring at the tablet Kael had synced earlier. The screen flashed up, displaying a list of repair costs, refueling options, and upgrades. None of which he could afford yet.

"At least we don't have to pay for a place to sleep," he said, leaning back in the seat. "Not yet anyway."

The cockpit's soft glow enveloped him, and for a moment, Ethan let the silence settle around him. The ship wasn't much, and it had definitely seen better days, but it was home. For now.

"Shall I prepare the usual nutrient capsules?" Iris asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, that'd be good," Ethan replied, pushing himself up from the chair. "Might as well eat before I crash."

The small galley of the ship wasn't anything fancy. A single counter with a built-in dispenser sat against the wall. Ethan punched in a command, and within seconds, a few bland nutrient capsules materialized. He wasn't one to complain. At least they kept him going, even if the taste left something to be desired.

As he ate in silence, his mind wandered back to the day's training. It had been tougher than he expected. Iris had taught him the basics of piloting, but what the guild demanded went beyond that. Weapon systems, evasive maneuvers under fire, emergency repairs. There was a lot more to being a mercenary than he realized.

And yet... despite the rough start, he'd found himself catching on quicker than he should've. It was strange, like his mind was processing the information faster than before. His hands moved on their own, navigating the systems with an ease that felt foreign to him. Was it because of the transmigration? Something about this new life seemed to have changed him.

Ethan frowned, pushing the thought aside. He didn't have time to question it. He needed to keep improving, keep moving forward. Whatever advantage he had, he wasn't going to waste it.

After finishing his meal, Ethan headed to the small shower unit at the back of the ship. The hot water helped ease the tension in his muscles, washing away the grime and fatigue from the long day. He stayed there longer than usual, letting the steam fill the small room, his mind drifting in and out of focus. The routine was simple, almost calming.

Once he was done, he stepped out, grabbed a towel, and dried off before making his way to the sleeping capsule. The compact unit wasn't much, a narrow space tucked into the corner of the room, but it was enough. He collapsed inside, exhaustion pulling at him.

"Iris," he mumbled, staring at the low ceiling, "wake me up early tomorrow. Training's not over yet."

"Understood, Ethan. I'll have the ship ready for your next session."

With that, Ethan closed his eyes, the steady hum of the ship lulling him into a deep sleep.

The next morning, the VR training room was just as crowded as the day before. Ethan slipped into one of the available pods, donning the helmet and gloves that would immerse him in the virtual cockpit.

The guild's training modules were relentless. They were designed to throw mercenaries into the most dangerous and high-pressure situations imaginable. Today's focus was on fleet maneuvers, learning how to coordinate with other ships during combat scenarios.

Ethan's improvement hadn't gone unnoticed. As the day wore on, he found himself reacting to threats faster than he should've, his hands moving before his mind could fully process what he was doing. The instructors barely gave praise, but there was a nod here and there. That was enough.

But something still didn't feel right. He couldn't shake the strange sense that this was too easy. He should've been struggling, but the training seemed to unfold like second nature. He didn't voice his concerns, though. It wasn't like the guild would care where his skills came from, only that he performed when it counted.

As evening fell, Ethan decided to take a walk around Valeris City. The bustling streets felt like a different world compared to the sterile halls of the guild. Neon lights flickered overhead, casting colorful reflections off the sleek, towering buildings. Mercenaries, traders, and locals milled about, going about their business, the air alive with the hum of chatter and the occasional hover vehicle passing by.

Ethan kept to himself, his eyes scanning the crowded streets. He wasn't in the mood to socialize, not that he ever really was, but walking around the city helped him clear his mind. Tomorrow, he'd be heading out on his first real mission.

The thought sent a mixture of excitement and nerves through him. It was a simple delivery job, nothing risky, but it was the first step toward building his career as a mercenary.

By the time he returned to his ship, the city's lights had dimmed, and the streets were quieter. He climbed into the cockpit, settling in for another night in the sleeping capsule.

"Iris, set an early alarm. We leave at first light."

"As you wish, Ethan," the AI replied.

Ethan lay back, staring out the small view port at the distant stars. Tomorrow, it all began for real.