Interstellar Federation
Tinh Hao Academy was the top academy in the entire Federation, gathering prodigies, noble heirs, and elites from across the stars.
That morning, a luxurious spacecraft landed in the southern plaza of the school. The door opened, and Butler Do stepped out first, respectfully opening the door:
> "Young Master, please."
Huu Duyen stepped out, dressed in a tailored uniform from the prestigious Vu family. Her slim figure, chiseled features, and emotionless gaze made her seem like a replica of the "Number One Instructor" from the training space.
Years of training had taught Huu Duyen to hide her emotions. Her indifferent eyes made it hard for others to guess what she was really thinking.
Upon entering the academy, Butler Do went to retrieve her exam number so she could prepare for the entrance exam—an exam into Tinh Hao Academy, the most renowned institution in the Federation.
Entrance Exam
The intelligence test room used simulated tactical scenarios—requiring the candidate to make decisions in various combat situations.
The chip in Huu Duyen's head spoke softly:
> "Piece of cake. Three minutes tops."
True to her words, within three minutes, Huu Duyen completed all 150 questions with perfect accuracy. The system result: 100 points – S+ level.
However, when the data reached the examiners, a female instructor frowned:
> "A cold-faced kid like that got a perfect score? The system must be glitching. Drop it to 80."
No one objected.
On the public board, the name "Vu Huu Duyen – 80 points" appeared, placing her among the average students.
Next was the strength test, where candidates had to punch a force sensor to measure physical power.
Around her, many students proudly announced:
> "Haha! I got a C level!" "I got B! Time to celebrate!"
Huu Duyen stepped up to the sensor, eyes cold as she stared at the device. It wasn't to show off—she simply refused to be underestimated by the noisy crowd. The result of the intelligence test had indeed stung a bit, and now she wanted to regain some dignity. But more importantly…
> "Chip, control the force accordingly. Let's try to get into Class A—don't want mama to be upset."
Only Class A students received proper benefits and freedom within the school.
Boom!
The device trembled.
Result: Physical strength - Level A
Silence fell. No one expected someone with such a lean frame to possess that kind of strength.
> "Who is she?" "Doesn't seem normal at all..."
All eyes turned to Huu Duyen. But she quietly walked over to the examiners, not sparing anyone a glance.
The strength examiner gave her a few curious glances, then frowned slightly after reviewing her score. Huu Duyen received her results, gave a small nod of thanks, and said nothing.
The final test was physical fitness: running, rope climbing, jumping, and dodging automated objects.
Though these were simple exercises she could do with her eyes closed, Huu Duyen didn't aim to stand out—she just needed to get into Class A. The thought of being denied freedom, stuck in a dorm, and facing mama's heartbroken teary face terrified her. She shivered just thinking about it. Her mama knew how to hit her weak spot. Even though she knew those tears were an act, Huu Duyen couldn't bear to see them. She cherished that affection—something she had longed for in her past life. Even if she only felt it for a moment at her death, that fleeting warmth was enough.
That's why she had sworn: she would never let her loved ones be in danger again. She would protect them—no matter what.
Even though she was sure she could ace the tests, she performed just enough to stand out—not too much. When she received her final score—743 points, enough to rank in the middle of Class A—she allowed herself a small, satisfied smile.
Holding the result, she suddenly wanted to run home and show mama. Wait, no! She couldn't act like a child!
Outside, Butler Do looked at the score, smiled in approval, patted her head with warm, proud eyes. That look filled her with unfamiliar warmth. She got into the self-driving nano-car and returned to the Vu estate.
At the gate, she was welcomed by mama's warm hug, Uncle Lam's kind gaze, and a grand feast prepared in her honor. That night, the entire Vu estate—from maids to servants—celebrated joyfully.
---
One week later
Enrollment day arrived. The past few days had been absolute torment. She didn't know what was wrong with the Number One Instructor, but every time he saw her, his face turned stormy. He made her do hellish training exercises, even simulations of death, over and over.
Finally, enrollment day came. She excitedly put on her new uniform and skipped outside—relieved that she wouldn't have to train today. Her joyful mood didn't go unnoticed.
Mai Lan, seeing her daughter's bright spirit, smiled gently. She had been worried seeing her so emotionally down these past few days. But now, there was no need to worry.
At Tinh Hao Academy, a guide was waiting to show her around and help her understand the campus. She eventually found Class A.
There, Huu Duyen happened to meet four outstanding students:
Trac Phong – excellent in physical combat, cheerful personality.
Lam Vi Vu – tactical genius with a lazy gaze, yet strong mental power.
Niem Tu Yen – slender like a girl, agile like a panther, and a top-tier sniper.
Kha Lac – big and tall, but incredibly gentle.
As she took her seat, Trac Phong walked over, hand outstretched:
> "You're not bad. I saw your performance in the exams. I'm Trac Phong. Let's look out for each other in class."
Huu Duyen didn't shake his hand, just nodded lightly. But from that moment, an invisible thread connected them—a future where they'd form a battle squad known as "Shadow Star," feared across the warfields, and dreaded by every enemy they encountered.
But that story comes later.
---
End of Class – Returning Home
After the exam ended, Butler Đỗ appeared and escorted Hữu Duyên to the car, speaking in a hesitant voice:
> "Madam is waiting for you at the private villa. She's very eager for your return."
Hữu Duyên slightly tilted his head to look out the window.
Under the golden light of the setting sun, the Tinh Hào Academy sparkled like a glorious fortress – this would be the first battlefield, the place where he would begin to carve out a name for himself. Then, turning to Butler Đỗ with a furrowed brow, he asked:
"Is something wrong?"
Butler Đỗ slightly opened his mouth but said nothing, simply telling him he'd understand once he got home. Hữu Duyên didn't say anything further and simply nodded. In his mind, he silently commanded Chip to investigate what was going on.
A moment later, Chip shouted with a voice full of shock,
"Boss boss! Something's happened!"
Lately, because Hữu Duyên had been busy with school and training, Chip had been bored and wandered the internet, picking up this new phrase. When asked why he started calling him "boss boss," Chip simply explained that he had already called Teacher Number 8 "boss" since that teacher loved to wander around, take Chip out to play, and—most importantly—had also awakened self-awareness.
When Hữu Duyên found out, he was incredibly surprised and asked for the reason. That's when he learned that when powerful people from various realms die, their spiritual consciousness can be absorbed by the chip space. However, these were just fragments of the dead. Only those who had a strong desire to live and deep attachment to the world could form independent consciousness.
Learning that Teacher Number 1 also had a self-awareness nearly stunned Hữu Duyên, because there had been countless times when he complained in front of the teacher, thinking he was just a mindless system. When he asked Chip why it never mentioned it before, Chip casually replied, "It's not like it mattered," which made Hữu Duyên's hands itch with the urge to beat him up. He swore that from now on, Chip must tell him everything.
Through Chip's ramblings, he also learned the reason he had been beaten up by Teacher Number 1 all week—it turned out Teacher Number 8 had been flirting and teasing after their playful outings, which left Teacher Number 1 needing an outlet… and Hữu Duyên was the unlucky victim. Thinking about it made him grit his teeth.
"What is it?" Hữu Duyên asked with a low, furrowed tone.
"It's bad, boss boss! I think… your dad has an illegitimate child aaaaaaa!"
Chip's shriek inside his mind did nothing to lessen the shock that now flooded through Hữu Duyên.