Kapitel 6: Chapter 6: The Quota
The Imperial Court Academy was the Old Federation's most prestigious military institution. Divided into an inner school and an outer school, it had a history predating the Federation itself. Unsurprisingly, its admission standards were notoriously rigorous.
Tang Yan tapped the desk with frustration, his expression stern.
"Be confident! This year, the Imperial Court Academy has allocated ten spots for District 13's inner school and a thousand for the outer school."
"Teacher, there are three million test-takers in District 13 this year. With only a thousand spots, the odds are pretty grim," a student sighed.
"Exactly. Only the top-ranked students stand a chance," another lamented.
The classroom was filled with a chorus of discouraged voices.
"If you can't get into the inner school, aim for the outer school! And if that's out of reach, go for an ordinary academy! I know it's tough, but I'm not making things hard for you—I'm just worried for you!" Tang Yan said earnestly, his voice full of concern.
"Getting into the inner school of the Imperial Court Academy means graduating as a senior officer and being a priority talent. Your future will be limitless!
"If the inner school doesn't work out, even the outer school offers a solid future. Graduates are guaranteed decent military assignments with promising career paths. And if all else fails, at least aim for a standard higher academy. Graduating from one will allow you to enter the military as a sergeant or a corporal, significantly increasing your survival rate."
Tang Yan's tone was both encouraging and serious.
"But what if we don't get in anywhere?" Yellow Hair muttered, dejected.
"If you fail everything, then you'll have no choice but to draw the red or black lot and become a reservist soldier—also known as cannon fodder. Don't think I'm joking. Reservists are sent to the most dangerous regions," Tang Yan warned sternly.
Hearing this, Su Ming frowned deeply. He recalled the Old Federation's conscription system clearly:
If you enrolled in a higher academy, you could defer military service for four years. Otherwise, you were required to participate in the lottery. A red lot meant mandatory military service as a reservist, while a black lot exempted you for that year. The odds were 50-50.
Reservists were sent to dangerous battle zones, facing a high mortality rate. The term "cannon fodder" was no exaggeration.
Even drawing the black lot didn't guarantee freedom. You had to secure legitimate employment. Remaining unemployed meant re-entering the lottery the following year. Only after ten years of consistent exemptions could you escape the draft entirely.
This system highlighted the Old Federation's dire need for manpower.
"Ugh! Is there any way to avoid the lottery entirely?" a student groaned.
"Not unless you're medically unfit," Tang Yan replied, his tone sharp. "But don't even think about faking it. The evaluation process is strict, and if you're caught self-harming or trying to game the system, you'll spend the rest of your life in a cell."
In reality, Su Yuan and Zhao Ning's indulgence of Su Ming's overeating wasn't purely out of love. They hoped his obesity might make avoiding the draft easier when he came of age.
"Got it," the students murmured, their spirits low.
Tang Yan clapped his hands, breaking the somber mood. "Enough bad news! Let's talk about something good. After the City Exam, you'll get a year-long break—your Free Days! You can relax and enjoy life for a while. And yes, there are subsidies!"
"Woohoo!"
Yellow Hair and the others cheered excitedly.
The Free Days were a period for students to rest and celebrate their hard work before results were announced. Exam scores wouldn't be released until the end of the break, coinciding with the lottery for military service.
Tang Yan raised his hand to quiet the class, then cleared his throat. "Now that we've covered the City Exam, let's focus on revision. Remember, you have free study time this afternoon and tomorrow morning—don't slack off! Also, be prepared for tomorrow afternoon; our class will have a mecha simulation training session in Room 3."
"Understood!" the students responded in unison.
---
Hearing this, Su Ming's eyes flickered with interest.
The City Exam was divided into two main components:
1. Basic Knowledge Test: A written exam required for all students, covering general education topics.
2. Elective Test: Scores in this category depended on the student's chosen specialty. Options included Command, Mecha, Aerospace, Ground Combat, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and more.
Among these, Command and Mecha were the most popular tracks.
Electives not only determined a student's chances in the City Exam but also influenced their future studies. For instance, students who chose Command as their elective and performed well would likely study Command in higher academies, leading to roles as military officers. Similarly, Mecha students would typically join mech corps after graduation.
Subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology paved the way for research or technical careers.
Although classified as "electives," these courses carried significant weight in the City Exam, often rivaling the importance of basic knowledge scores.
---
Tang Yan began the day's lesson, holding up his teaching materials.
"Turn to Lesson 16. Let's review the key concepts of linear functions," he announced.
Su Ming flipped open his textbook to the appropriate page. As he scanned the dense graphs and equations, his brow furrowed slightly.
These topics are so advanced. I've never studied this before.
Fortunately, the original Su Ming had been somewhat diligent, maintaining a basic understanding of these subjects. While his foundation wasn't strong, it was enough for him to score 80 or 90 out of 150.
With a month left, Su Ming resolved to cram as much as possible. There was still hope.
Determined, he focused intently on Tang Yan's lecture.
---
Midday
Carrying a book, Su Ming walked out of the classroom while reading.
"Did you see that? The fatty is walking while reading. Is he turning over a new leaf?"
"Unbelievable. Maybe he's trying to surprise everyone."
"Pfft, with his grades? Don't make me laugh. Lin Chuyu scores 145 out of 150 on basic tests. He doesn't stand a chance."
"True."
Ignoring the murmurs around him, Su Ming flipped through the textbook, committing its content to memory.
Before long, he returned to the dormitory. Retrieving fresh clothes from his bed, he went into the bathroom to shower and change into more comfortable attire.
Afterward, Su Ming opened his drawer and pulled out a library card and a synthetic chocolate bar.
The chocolate bar would serve as his lunch.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein