Battle Of Planets

Chapter 59: Power Stones
The day the colossal, mountain-like hourglass emerged from the earth, the world changed forever. As stars rained down in a cosmic spectacle, the earth itself cracked open, creating deep, glowing fissures known as Earth Veins. These veins contained a precious undiscovered resource—Power Stones—a mineral unlike anything humanity had encountered before.In the past, electricity was primarily generated from natural elements like air and water. However, after the great calamity, the balance of energy shifted drastically. Power Stones quickly became the most valuable resource, capable of generating nearly limitless energy far more efficiently than any previous method. With their discovery, humanity abandoned traditional means of power generation and fully embraced this new, powerful energy source.

Interestingly, while oil and natural gas still exist in this era, their usage has decreased. Some older vehicles and machinery continue to depend on them, but the once-dominant fuel sources now play a minor role compared to Power Stones. The biggest casualty of this transition was traditional electricity production. Although electricity is still used today, the methods for generating it have completely transformed—no longer relying on hydroelectric dams, wind turbines, or fossil fuels, but instead harnessing the immense power stored within these extraordinary stones.

Power Stones are not merely an energy source but the only element capable of powering and sustaining nano-particles, a vital component in advanced technology. Previous efforts to energize nano-tech with conventional power failed, but Power Stones transformed everything. Their discovery accelerated the advancement of new-age technology, enabling extraordinary innovations, including mechanized armor, high-energy weapons, and even airborne vehicles.

However, despite these advancements, remnants of the old world still linger. Many cities continue to be filled with aging concrete buildings, roads, and cars with wheels—symbols of a past civilization struggling to keep pace with rapid evolution. While flying vehicles exist, they are heavily restricted, reserved exclusively for Rangers and high-ranking officials. Civilians have minimal access to Power Stones, much less the advanced technologies they power.

The significance of Power Stones goes beyond personal use; they determine the power hierarchy among cities. The more mines a city controls, the stronger and more influential it becomes. For instance, Elria, a leading city in this era, oversees eleven Power Stone mines, greatly enhancing its technological and economic growth. This control has positioned Elria as the fourth most powerful city in the world, solidifying its role as a technological hub and a major contender in the global power structure.

In this new era, power is no longer solely about political influence or military strength—it now encompasses who controls the mines and, consequently, the future itself.

The trucks rumbled along the oldest roads, passing the towering walls of Elria. Their destination—a Power Stone mine—was where they would drill next and serve as an essential learning ground for the new Rangers. Here, they would witness the significance of these rare stones firsthand and grasp their actual value.

As the convoy moved forward, Tyson gazed out at the ruins of crumbling buildings, remnants of a past civilization now overtaken by time. Meanwhile, Shaun, ever the analyst, tried to estimate the miles they had traveled. His calculations, though confident, were purely based on guesswork—yet he persisted anyway, as if solving an invisible puzzle.

On the other hand, Lara had spent the entire morning looking for a chance to start a conversation with Tyson. She glanced at him, searching for the right moment, but no opportunity arose. He was either too focused or simply uninterested.

Meanwhile, Ken and his subordinate had long stopped caring about the journey’s length. Their only concern was catching up on sleep, dozing off as if the trip were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

After a few more hours on the road, the convoy finally reached Mine Number Four. As the teams exited the trucks, they were directed to their assigned dorms—large military-style tents designed to house five people. While spacious, each tent was thoughtfully divided, giving everyone their own small compartment for privacy.

Tyson set his luggage down in one of the sections, and, before he could get comfortable, Lara happily slid into the space right next to him. Shaun, standing a little ways off, let out a quiet sigh. He had been looking forward to claiming that spot himself and was excited to chat with Tyson about Power Stones’ excellent potential and applications. But Lara’s beaming smile told him all he needed to know—he had missed his opportunity this time.

A loud groan shattered the moment.

”How am I supposed to stay here?” Ken complained, already unhappy.

Tyson chuckled and strolled over to him, his smirk growing wider. ”Listen up, you little brat—if I hear another complaint about the tent, I swear I’ll knock some sense into you.”

Ken stiffened, and his subordinate quickly stepped in to defend him. ”H-How dare you speak to my boss like that?”

Before he could say anything else, Tyson hit him on the head.

”I’m your leader and your sergeant,” Tyson said calmly. ”So you’d better brace yourself—because the real hell is about to start.” With that, he walked out of the tent.

Lara laughed and followed him as if she were his second-in-command.

”Wait for me!” Shaun shouted, rushing to catch up with them.

The mine resembled a gigantic, hollow mountain, its insides sculpted through countless hours of human effort. In the distance, enormous machinery roared, transporting loads of sparkling blue crystals into sturdy containers. The vastness of the operation rendered Tyson momentarily speechless—he had never seen a mining site in operation before.

”Man, is this how mines work?” Tyson muttered in awe.

”Yeah,” Shaun said, his eyes sparkling. ”It’s amazing, right?”

Tyson nodded as they neared a large metal storage container, its reinforced glass window showcasing a cache of radiant blue stones inside. A nearby worker noticed them staring and offered a word of caution.

”Watch out for those,” the man cautioned.

”They contain a tremendous amount of energy,” Shaun added. ”They must be handled with utmost care.”

”That’s right,” the man smiled, shaking his head. ”You have knowledge that sets you apart from other rangers. They are just skilled at fighting and God knows what else.”

Lara and Tyson paused as Shaun thanked the mine worker. ”Thank you so much. I do like to read.”

”I see. Keep it up. Who knows, you might be smarter than those idiots.” he smiled and then walked away.

”Did he call us idiots?” Tyson asked, his voice slow.

”Nope, maybe to Ken,” Lara said, ”and besides, Shaun is a nerd.”

Tyson grinned. ”Yeah, I thought so, but it’s better this way. We have brains on our team.”

Lara chuckled, ”that’s for sure.”

”So, what’s this all about?” Shaun asked. ”What’s the plan?”

Lara leaned in slightly, eager to hear what Tyson had to say. Since the cadets weren’t provided with the full details of their training, they depended on Tyson for answers.

”It’s a training program,” Tyson explained. ”I’ll lead your drills, assign tasks, and guide you through challenges. In return, I’ll earn points.”

”Wait, are we training together?” Lara asked, her eyes brightening. ”That sounds amazing!”

”Yeah, I suppose,” Tyson shrugged, but his expression turned serious. ”Our main goal is to defeat Alex, so you better give it your all.”

”We will!” Lara declared with determination, as if she were ready to take on Alex herself.

Shaun, however, was not as enthusiastic. ”Can we, though? Sergeant Alex recruited skilled girls for his team... unlike our own.”

Tyson’s expression darkened. Right. Alex had used his charm to entice top-tier cadets to his side, all to crush Tyson in this competition. His team was impressive—one girl had twelve power points, two had nine, and the last had seven.

Meanwhile, Tyson’s team... Lara was at eleven, Shaun and Ken were at seven, and Ken’s subordinate barely managed five.

They were destined to fail.

”But if we talk about theory, I can manage,” Shaun said after thinking it over. ”Let’s hope those girls aren’t as smart as I am.”

”Right,” Tyson said. ”Thank you, Shaun. I know you will manage, and for the rest...”

Tyson recognized his weakness—he lacked theoretical knowledge and strategic information. However, so did Alex. Neither brother had ever prioritized studying or leadership. For both of them, combat had always taken precedence. They weren’t team players, and Tyson was sure Alex would struggle just as much as he would.

His goal wasn’t to come in first. It was to beat Alex. He needed to win even if it meant finishing second to last among the 23 newly promoted sergeants. Just once. So he could have the last laugh.

If it weren’t for Edward’s insistence that they travel to headquarters together, Tyson wouldn’t have gotten into Alex’s car. Seriously, who needed to be that flashy?

”I’ll do my best as well, Senior,” Lara said, determination shining in her eyes.

Initially, she believed her appearance and physique were sufficient to attract Tyson’s attention—until she caught sight of Nancy. That girl completely shattered her confidence simply by standing near him.

Nancy didn’t even need to try.

But Lara had something that Nancy didn’t— a Meta-bot. That meant having an advantage, a reason to fight alongside Tyson, and a chance to stand beside him instead of being left on the sidelines.

Tyson nodded. ”Let’s give it our all.”

”Yes, sir, we will crush our opponents in a way they never imagined,” Lara said as Shaun nodded.