Road Of Advancement

The total time spent on the Charles D.i.c.kens was eight days. With seven of them transitioning into FTL hopping from spaceport to spaceport until they finally reached the KMU home ground.

During these times the spaceship turned livelier as more and more examinees gathered in the common room and went to socialise in the bars, casinos or went shopping in the expansive space that was available to roam.

Theodore spent his days analysing his competition. He did not just stick to his families notes but actively searched the news portal about any notable figures that would attend the examination. He also went out to meet with Evanna. He found her to be a nice companion during the trip.

They would go out and have a drink, watch a movie, go bowling or even skiing. Unbeknownst to Theodore, they had already been seen as a pair of lovers. Many lamented the fact the lovely Evanna had settled downs so quickly. Theodore scored so quickly, who says they wouldn't have if they were given the same chance?

He also discussed the upcoming examination and learned quite a few things from her. She too had been given information by her family and by matching their knowledge they both gained from the exchange. Both were very motivated to enter the KMU. Their similarities had quickly closed the gap between them as they were slowly becoming more intimate with each other.

Theodore did not think about having a relationship. Though he quickly came to like the blond lively girl, he could not help but be cautious. Though relationsh.i.p.s, especially the carnal ones, were not uncommon among nobles in this day and age, he did not want to have the image of a playboy imprinted on his so early in his academic career. He settled himself down thinking it would be a thing for when they both passed the exams.

The time aboard the ship quickly passed and they then departed the Charles D.i.c.kens at the KMU Space Port. They would be ferried down with smaller vessels to the surface.

As they looked out from the spaceport the immensity of the KMU was on full display.

The KMU had settled on a star system with a single planet that orbited around a single sun. It was a very small planet compared to Regus or even the original Earth.

The planet was inhabited with several bustling cities. Many manufacturers and businesses had chosen to open a department on the surface next to the KMU. Therefore even though the planet was known for being the home ground of KMU, it was also a popular tourist destination. The planet was famous for its cleanliness and beautiful scenery. The adds running from the galactic tourist agencies had marketed it as "The perfect environment to unwind and relax, offering the best of the galaxy on a tiny planet!"

Looking down from the spaceport, you could visibly - with the n.a.k.e.d eye, spot the KMU. The KMU was a collection of under- and above ground facilities with several facilities operated on platforms in the sky. The most eye-catching and famous SKY-Arena. This was one of the famous arena's where students would battle for honour - and credits in tournaments or would even settle grudges if necessary.

The number of students was actually not that exaggerated. There were millions of applications from all over the world, but the number of spots was determined yearly. This year, there was room for two-thousand-and-twenty new freshman. In total there were about ten-thousand students on campus. The reason why the KMU was this big was because of the supporting staff and housing of graduates.

Many graduates chose to settle down on university grounds as they continued their studies under a chosen mentor. One should not forget that the KMU is also a corporation! They do state-of-the-art-research and are a notorious developer of practical and high-value components and invention that are licensed out to the highest bidder.

The teachers were all part of the KMU because of the financial ability of the KMU! They could research through their hearts content as long as they were supported by the KMU! They would even have free or cheap labour of current students or alumni! This was heaven for research and development!

The University, in turn, used the inventions of the professors to make a profit, use their name to attract new talent and try and improve their ratings in the hope to become a tier-one university and gain galaxy-wide renown and funding. It was a very practical and symbiotic relationship.

Theodore quickly found himself seated in the transport vessel that would bring him down to the University's ground. As he neared his objective, he started to grow a little worried. The more he studied the competitions and looked at the statistics, the more he felt that succeeding may not be as apparent as he thought beforehand. During their trip, it had also been announced that next to the legacies - people who get in by the grace of their background - there were sixty spots left in the elite class.

He found many people despises legacy students. The term was not invented by the university but given to them by students themselves. It had become such a normalized term that it had been adopted in all communication. The legacies themselves saw it as a prideful thing - they were the elite, groomed by their great families, whereas the regular examinees despised them due to the 'easy' nature of their life and unfairness of the selection system.

Statistically, however, many would fail their four year-term on KMU. But most legacies, thanks to their extensive training and their support would end up graduating. This also gave credit to the system as far as the KMU was concerned.

They touched down and exited the vessel. They were then escorted from the premises by supporting staff that enthusiastically started to rear the group as if they were sheep.

"Greenhorns follow me! All freshman forward! Welcome to KMU! Follow the flags up front!"

"Don't lag behind! Come on, move out! You are all expected in the auditorium for the welcome speech!"

After inquiring around Theodore learned they were actually alumni that volunteered to help the KMU with settling in the new students. In return, they gained some 'Credits' that they could freely exchange. From the way the alumni spoke, Theo gleamed that these credits were very important.

His grandfather had also told him about the credit system. Because the backgrounds of most people were so extensive they could usually rely on their money to live a comfortable life.

Because the KMU was a military university, it deigned this kind of practice as wrong.

Therefore the KMU instated the credit system. Credits can't be bought but only exchanged with labour, gained by achievements or by - in any way - contributing to the University.

Everything costs credits! As you start the year, you are given just enough credits to 'afford' a normal lifestyle. The exams would determine what studies you can enter, and the lessons and exams for those would be free.

Wanted to learn something outside of your curriculum? Pay with credits.

Want to use materials to research or build something? Fine, don't be wasteful because they too cost credits.

In the end, students are all forced to participate in extra-curricular activities or to start-up businesses to earn credits. Many second and higher years would offer to tutor or guidance for credits. Because of the demand for credits, everyone contributed to the university.

Those with a truly big background would join or take part in activities and business that their family had set up over the years using consecutive generations of students that enter the KMU.

That was one more reason the commoners hated the legacies or the wealthy in general. They felt that the system was misused by the rich and powerful.

The KMU simply stated that only businesses run by students would be able to gain credits for their endeavours. So if a group of great commoners would start up a business they stood to make just the same.

Under the enthusiastic guidance of the alumni, who were probably hyped to have some credits even after they graduated, the groups of freshman quickly made their way over to the large auditorium.

As they entered through the enormous portal Theodore could not help but be astonished by the lavishness of the auditorium. The auditorium was the size of half an arena. In the middle, four gigantic screens showed what was going on at the stage.

All chairs were lined up neatly and could be adjusted to your own preferences. As he sat down on a chair, he was welcomed by a nice female voice that told him the program that was scheduled today.

The speakers were worked into the chairs. As he nodded in acknowledgement of the voice, a screen was projected in front of him.

"THE AUDITORIUM"

"Today we welcome fifty-three thousand of the most outstanding examinees from all over the galaxy. It marks a special day in your life and regardless of the outcome, we would like you to remember this occasion as a happy one. If you have any questions you can interface with the system directly or simply use voice commands and the AI attached to your chair will naturally respond to you."

Welcome arrangement

1. Welcome speech by headmaster Garreth Longlife

2. Explanation of today's exams by Yuri Freyain

3. Welcome speech by university captain Thurren Ward

4. Closing speech by new teacher Matthew Boulton

"After the closing argument, you will find your examination roster on your comm. The alumni outside will guide a single roster-group for the entire day. So do not worry, you will be on time for each of your examinations. Results will be out the next day. We hope that you make the most of your exams and succeed in becoming a proud cadet at our beloved KMU!"