A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 55: Becoming A Real Soldier
Chapter 55: Becoming A Real Soldier

”Good afternoon, everyone. Today, we are honored to host a grand military rank awarding ceremony for our student, Arix,” announced the instructor hosting the ceremony. He began clapping, and soon a thunderous applause filled the auditorium.

Amidst the applause, today’s guest of honor, Arix Kering, walked out from backstage. She ascended the steps to the stage, arriving beside the hosting instructor.

Dressed in a deep blue uniform of the Alliance with golden embroidery, Arix looked strikingly gallant.

Her black hair, tied back, revealed a delicate oval face.

Her eyes, deep and calm like sapphires, complemented her noble brows that hinted at her spirited nature.

Even her cute face carried an air of uncompromising resolve.

”Wow, so sassy.”

”Go Arix! You’re the sassiest!”

”She’s so beautiful, how did we not notice this before?”

”Wait, did the instructor get the name wrong? Isn’t her last name Thalis?”

The crowd in the auditorium erupted into cheers at the sight of Arix’s dazzling and sassy appearance, as if their favorite idol had just appeared on stage.

Some even thought the instructor had mispronounced her name, but their voices were quickly drowned out by the roar of the crowd.

”Alright, quiet down now. Next, we’re going to welcome a very special guest to award the military rank to Arix. Please welcome Admiral Thaddeus Kering! Let’s give him a round of applause,” the instructor announced, his voice cracking slightly with excitement.

The students thought they had misheard.

Seconds later, a man in an Alliance uniform, adorned with numerous medals of honor, walked onto the stage. As soon as he appeared, a gasp went through the hall, nearly lifting the roof off with excitement.

As soon as Thaddeus showed up, all the students in the reception hall went wild, jumping to their feet and screaming like crazy.

”Oh my gosh, it’s Admiral Thaddeus Kering, in the flesh!”

”Admiral Thaddeus, the eternal legend!”

”Admiral Thaddeus, look this way! I love you!”

...

Some students, overwhelmed by a social mania, ran from their seats to the stage, waving and shouting in an attempt to catch their idol’s attention.

In less than a minute, the whole hall was in chaos, and even the host officer couldn’t keep control.

Arix was still in shock from seeing her dad, but she was even more stunned by the crazed behavior of her fellow students.

It was scarier than any celebrity-chasing scene—especially that guy who, while screaming ”I love you,” blew kisses to his father.

As the situation got more chaotic, Thaddeus took the microphone from the officer. He cleared his throat and said, ”Everyone, let’s calm down for a moment.”

Thaddeus didn’t shout. He spoke in a normal tone, but the hall instantly quieted down.

The students gazed at Thaddeus with sparkling eyes, filled with fervor, admiration, and aspiration.

”Thank you all for your support, I’ve seen your enthusiasm. I’m honored to be here today to present my daughter, Arix, with her first military rank. She’s the star today, so I can’t steal her thunder. Otherwise, she might complain to her mom about me,” Thaddeus said.

His mature and humorous words made the students below chuckle.

It was only then that some students fully realized what was happening. They finally understood that Arix really was a Kering and that Thaddeus was family.

This revelation caused quite a stir. Many students who had been following the gossip about Arix and Drexel were stunned.

Those who had been rooting for or against the pair were silenced at the same moment.

”Who started that rumor? They’re siblings, not a couple, isn’t that going too far?”

”Although I’m a bit disappointed, I’m here for this brother-sister vibe.”

”That’s good too, Arix is still single. So we still have a chance.”

”Hey! Keep it down. Admiral Thaddeus is still here.”

...

Listening to the students’ discussions, Thaddeus’s expression remained unchanged, still showing his usual mild and gentle demeanor.

However, when he noticed a few guilty-looking students in the crowd, his eyes narrowed slightly.

A small smile played at the corners of his mouth as he said with a hint of amusement, ”I’ve also heard some rumors about Arix and Drexel; I know they are mostly baseless and fabricated. I am very disappointed in the students who spread these rumors.”

The room fell silent with his words. Most students had not participated in the bizarre rumors, but a few felt guilty and frightened by Admiral Thaddeus’s remarks.

Thaddeus’s tone grew more severe as he continued, his voice carrying an edge of sharpness and authority. ”I hope you all remember this: by attending a military academy, you are already half a soldier. Your actions no longer represent just yourselves, but the entire Alliance military. Have you all got that?”

”Yes, sir!” All the students responded loudly, their voices echoing powerfully.

Thaddeus scanned all the students. Those who had looked evasive now showed expressions of remorse. Finally, he showed a genuine smile and said, ”Alright, enough from me. Let’s give the floor to Arix. Please, a round of applause.”

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!

This time, the applause was strong and unanimous.

Arix took the microphone her father handed her and cleared her throat with a smile. ”Actually, Admiral Kering has already said most of what I wanted to say. But regarding the rumors, I must make a serious rebuttal. Someone said I’m not worthy of Drexel? I advise you to visit an eye doctor, and I’ll cover the medical bill.”

The students burst into laughter; the previously suffocative air had been lightened by Arix’s humor.

”Arix, we support you!!”

”Yeah, Arix, you’re the best!”

”Exactly, and remember, Drexel doesn’t even have a rank yet!”

...

Arix looked at these lovely students, her smile widening.

She continued, ”Thank you, everyone. What I want to say is, in this world, everyone deserves the best for themselves. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Don’t compare your weaknesses with someone else’s strengths; that’s only going to hurt yourself. If someone ever tells you you’re less than someone else, just tell them to MIND THEIR OWN FREAKING BUSINESS!”

The hall erupted in laughter again.

”I can just imagine the gossips choking on that!”

”Why didn’t I think of that before? Next time some busybody snoops into my private life, I’ll just throw that back at them! Haha!”

”Haha, way to go, dude.”

...

The students in the reception hall erupted into laughter at Arix’s words. Amid the laughter, Arix handed the microphone back to the host officer.

”Alright, our opening remarks are over, now let’s officially begin the military rank awarding ceremony.”

As the officer’s voice faded, the anthem of the Alliance played, and the students returned to their seats, settling down quietly and respectfully facing the stage.

During the anthem, a master of ceremonies emerged from backstage, holding a long tray covered with velvet. On the tray lay a military cap and a medal.

When the master of ceremonies reached Thaddeus’s side, Arix stepped forward to face Thaddeus and gave a military salute, her hand crisp and fingers together.

Thaddeus, with a proud look in his eyes, smiled and returned the salute. Then he carefully picked up the cap from the tray and placed it on Arix’s head, making sure it was straight.

Next, he picked up the medal and pinned it onto Arix’s uniform. His expression was stern and solemn as he said, ”A military cap signifies duty; a uniform represents dignity; military boots carry sanctity; a soldier bears a mission. From today, you, Arix, are a Student Officer. With that rank comes responsibility. Arix Kering, on behalf of the Alliance, I ask you one final question: Are you willing to become a soldier of the Alliance?”

”Yes, sir!” Arix saluted sharply, her response unwavering.

”Good, everyone, salute to Arix!” Thaddeus’s eyes were slightly red. As a soldier, he felt immense pride for his daughter; as a father, he also harbored concerns about whether this young woman could safely navigate the harsh life of military service.

Everyone in the reception hall stood up and saluted Arix. Each person’s eyes carried blessings and admiration.

Once a soldier of the Alliance, Arix no longer belonged just to her own small world, but to the nation known as the Alliance.