Kalis time in Aurelian Naval academy was not.... not ungreat. Sure it was the first step into fulfilling his lifelong ambition of being space next biggest threat, but it was also a real shock to him, even greater than basic school. The cursus is supposed to be three years and cadet are expected to fully graduate by their 18/19. Otherwise they'll just be another grunt in the Aurelian military. The main module involve Military History, space politics, Leadership and crew management, and of course Galactic Warfare or Naval strategy. There are additional course obviously but cadets are expected to succeed in at least three of these module. Kalis is good in Military history so he perform decently, somehow his knowledge in AOGE get him through the space politics module. No the main problem here is actually Space warfare. Huh, not the game he is actually pretty decent at it but actual naval strategy. The reason is simple, what he suggests as recommandation for strategies were deem too stupid to actually be implement in actual combat.
''ENYX'' Yelled the instructor. ''Do you think you are so smart that you can rewrite the book of galactic warfare ?''
To which he answered
''Absolutely YES instructor Kim''
The instructor then proceed to slap the stuborness out of his face so hard he goes to the medical bay. Somehow cadet Kalis manage to pass the first year with 3 module out of 4, which is quite impressive regarding the fact that most cadet barely got 2 or 1. It is his second year at Agrippa naval Academy and Kalis Enyx already made a name of himself. Dont get me wrong he is not the socially awkward kid that live alone in his room, no it is mostly like back in highschool. He got friends, hobbies, he goes to the cinema to watch the last blockbuster, play video game. On one hand he is just a chill guy just like that, on the other hand he is a complete knightmare to the instructors because he ask too many questions. He keeps finding flaws in long establish strategies and constantly question something everybody would call common sense from a military standpoint. They know he is not totally a moron too, the kid strategies help them beat the marine corps spaceball team last year so all the kid in school like him (he didn't play tho), but they end up losing the finale against the army officer school to what he replied:
''I don't care i was just paid to win against the marines anyway.''
The second year was very different from what he get so far because this year the cadets would be subject to a lot of simulation meaning that it was finally time to get good grades on the Galactic Warfare module. After a semester of recapitulation and theories mostly done during the first year they finally get ready for the simulation. The instructor gather the cadet in the simulation room and then proceed to explain to them what will be done.
''ATTENTION''
The cadets stand ready at attention. The drill instructor a man in his Fifty, also a teacher who taught them about strategy and warfare. Both of his eyes are gone, replaced by a bionic implant shaped like a visor. He look at the ''enfant terrible'' of the promotion, his blood run Fast. He know he would find something to say, he just don't know when he'll ask nor what would be the topic. Yet he decide to start the explanations.
''This is the latest technology in term of space simulation developed by the Office of Naval Development (OND) the GS-343. This machine will completely you immerse you into the bridge of a warship. You will be commanding a crew, in fact depending on the simulation you'll be commanding a whole fleet''.
The cadets eyes glow as they start whispering about how awesome it is and how incredibly lucky they are. Some of them are stressed, other are excited but few are confident about what is about to come next. The instructor stay calm, his eyes waiting for the cadet to raise... Then he raised his hand. His heart skip a beat while he turn to him.
''What is your preocupation, Cadet kalis?''
Kalis then asked.
''Can we have custom settings for our fleet ?''
The instructor was about to yell but come surprise that it was rather a pretty normal question. He then replied.
''you can manage it as if it was a real crew. In fact you can even talk to... how they call it already ? The NPC''
Everybody was praising the tech while Kalis lift an eyebrow.
''What the hell is he talking about NPCS ? Is this a simulator or a video game ?''
It was totally a video game. Kalis and few other cadets jump into the simulator and aside some minor details it was exactly like Age of the Galactic empire. The command screen, the interface, bridge, the communication system, the amount of Olith for each travel, even the crew level of unrest. Kalis couldn't help but have a smile that goes to his ear. He thought someone at 343 must have played the game and decide to make it a simulator. Anyway he was very very happy for a short time he feels like back in his glorious days as Great admiral.... until the instructor snap him back to reality.
''Alright alright, since some of you already seems to have a grasp of the ship command lets just have a little battle as a ddemonstration.''
There was actually 8 students who get accustom on the command Kalis include. A total of 7 dude and 1 girl. For some reason nobody want to battle against her. Maybe because she is top of the class, or maybe because she is someone important, or maybe they are just scared. You know, pretty face brown skin and dark long hair, but she got some muscles under this uniform, which scare most of the dude. So the instructor pick up the only logical choice.
''CADET KALIS''
''YES SIR''
''You'll go against''...
He look at the girl, her confident posture, her piercing gaze, her clean uniform, maybe he took pity on kalis but at the end he decide to summon someone else.
''Cadet Barwick. One step forward.''
Arzan Barwick, the oldest cadet of the promotion. He joins the school at 17 and is currently 18. He is also the tallest for obvious reason. He got spike hair, brown skin and some of the girl think he is one of the most handsome dude in the promotion (In reality he just gave them big brother vibes). Barwick come from the 3rd planet of the federation you know the one under ''peaceful occupation'' so his family is not really wealthy. Yet he is kind of a noble soul and humble enough to ask the younger cadets for help if needed.
''look, the instructor put him against Barwick.''
''The top dog straight at the beginning''
''He definitely want him dead at this point. I'm taking the bet by the way.''
''Oh fine, my money is on Barwick.''
''I don't know, Kalis got that main character energy''
They start betting as the instructor comes in and explain the rule of engagement, but before that lets dive into the basics of space battle.
The ships are divide into 2 categories: Combat (That one is simple), Support (logistic, repair, transport and communication). The combat ship varied depending on the country or the place of the galaxy but the main ones fall under the same umbrella. The corvette & destroyer are small class ship, the cruiser and heavy cruiser are the middle class and the battleship are battle class.
This is oversimplify but if you don't get it just move on. Ah and there is also Capital class but this is not the focus right now just pray for this story to reach 10 chapters.
''Since this is a mock battle and not a real evaluation some features will be remove such as ammunition limit, ship fuel, crews morale and Meteorological Hazard. Each fleet will start at 2000 of each other.You'll have 5 minutes to prepare.''
Before the battle begin Barwick stepped forward and extend his hand to him.
''Good Luck''
He was smiling, defiance, fun, whatever. In fact those two respect each other but they never come to actually talk. Barwick was kinda shy despite his easy going personality while Kalis never engage a discussion unless you talk about you know, the admiral stuff.
''Good Luck to you, you are really going to need it'' replied Kalis.
''Let's have a fair fight okay.''
They then proceed to go inside of the simulator (Totally not a game). For his first time since his arrival at Agrippa Naval Academy Kalis Enyx will have the pleasure to immerse into what he really come for. But for the time being he is...
Still a Cadet