Chu Xuan's presence here surprised Zhao Chen, but it was also within reason.

Regarding the matter at the Quicksand City Interstellar Fortress, Brigadier General Song said he would keep his secret but also mentioned Governor-General Chu He to him. The meaning behind those words was already very clear.

The Chu family must have taken notice of him.

They would definitely send someone to contact him.

And now, it seemed this person was Miss Chu, the woman Zhao Chen had met a few times.

The surprise was that she came so quickly.

"Since Student Zhao Chen and Miss Chu Xuan already know each other, I don't need to introduce you. Please, have a seat." Vice-Dean Hong smiled as he looked at the two young people.

For a student of his academy to be valued by the Chu family was also a source of pride for their North Star Academy.

Moreover, the relationship between North Star Academy and the Chu family had always been good.

Otherwise, the T4 Boreas-class Heavy Interstellar Battleship would not have been jointly developed by their various parties.

Zhao Chen looked at the sofas on both sides. Vice-Dean Hong occupied one, and Chu Xuan occupied another.

He certainly couldn't sit next to Vice-Dean Hong, so he could only choose to sit beside Chu Xuan.

"Do I have thorns?" Chu Xuan looked at Zhao Chen, who was sitting far away from her, and teased humorously.

"My status is humble; I dare not disturb Miss Chu," Zhao Chen offered a clumsy excuse.

Although you, Miss, do not have thorns, the Chu family's reputation is simply too grand.

"Then Vice-Dean, please get straight to business; just pretend I'm not here." Chu Xuan didn't mind Zhao Chen's words and smiled at the Vice-Dean.

Vice-Dean Hong nodded, then looked at Zhao Chen: "According to the mission report provided by the Imperial Army, Student Zhao Chen performed excellently in this mission and will receive additional assessment credits.

Your total credits have exceeded three times the fourth-year assessment credits. You will now be arranged for a skip-grade. Student Zhao Chen, do you have any objections?"

Zhao Chen shook his head: "No."

Vice-Dean Hong raised his hand to open an electronic document, modified some information on it, and then said: "From now on, you are a student of Class 1, Fifth Grade.

However, if you cannot accumulate enough assessment credits for the fifth grade before the end of the academic year in June, you will be held back. Student Zhao Chen, do you understand?"

"Understood," Zhao Chen replied.

"Good." Vice-Dean Hong's serious expression faded, becoming benevolent: "Zhao Chen, ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) you are very outstanding. To receive commendation from the Imperial Army and a recommendation from a one-star brigadier general shows that your abilities are very strong.

As the Vice-Dean of the academy that nurtured you, I am proud of you.

I hope you can continue to strive and create your own glory."

"Thank you for your cultivation, Vice-Dean. The student will work hard," Zhao Chen also said in a formal tone.

"Then let's talk about something else. You know this person, Miss Chu Xuan, the eldest daughter of the Chu family. Miss Chu will be studying at our North Star Academy during this period.

You will be responsible for receiving her." As soon as Vice-Dean Hong finished speaking, Zhao Chen was about to refuse.

"This also counts as an academic assignment and can earn 30% of the fifth-grade assessment credits," Vice-Dean Hong said.

Zhao Chen immediately smiled, looking humbly at Miss Chu: "It is my honor to serve Miss Chu."

For the assessment points, he endured it!

"I have some other matters to attend to, Zhao Chen. You can take Miss Chu Xuan on a tour of the academy," Vice-Dean Hong said.

"Yes."

Zhao Chen and Chu Xuan walked out of Vice-Dean Hong's office.

"It seems you don't welcome me," Chu Xuan said, her hands behind her back, smiling at Zhao Chen.

Zhao Chen looked at Chu Xuan in casual clothes; her aura was completely different from when she wore an Imperial Army uniform. Now, she looked more like an ordinary beautiful girl.

"You are Miss Chu. Where you go, who would dare not welcome you?" Zhao Chen chuckled.

"But I don't like this identity," Chu Xuan blurted out, her gaze somewhat dim.

Zhao Chen looked at Chu Xuan and asked in surprise: "Why? This is a status and position that others dream of."

"I know this is a life others dream of. Perhaps in your eyes, I am ungrateful for my good fortune.

But the Chu family's identity has indeed given me many restrictions. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

For example, my mission in the Cosmic Insectoid Hive this time, I believe I only did what a soldier should do, but in the end, my grandfather still directly brought me back to the family.

Just because in their eyes, I was taking risks." Chu Xuan shrugged, speaking helplessly.

At this moment, Zhao Chen and Chu Xuan happened to walk under a transparent dome within the academy that overlooked the outside universe, where some Starships could be seen traveling in space.

Chu Xuan stopped, looking at the Starships, and whispered: "My dream is actually very simple: to become an excellent Imperial Army officer like my parents.

Commanding my Starfleet to fight for the people in the Star System and protect our interstellar territory!

But because of my current identity, I can't even achieve this request."

"From this perspective, your grandfather is indeed too strict with you," Zhao Chen mumbled.

"Right! My grandfather seems so afraid that something will happen to me, and he even arranged that one-star Brigadier General Xiao Song to monitor me. It's so annoying!" Chu Xuan couldn't help but complain.

But then, she mumbled: "Actually, I can also understand what my grandfather is thinking. He's worried I'll follow in my parents' footsteps."

A piece of information that Lilith had mentioned to him flashed through Zhao Chen's mind.

Chu Xuan's parents were both Imperial Army soldiers, but during a military operation, the Starfleet they commanded was annihilated by the Mechanical Race's Starfleet, with no survivors!

It was also after that battle that Governor-General Chu He personally led tens of thousands of Starfleet on an expedition across dozens of Star Systems, only retreating after completely annihilating the Mechanical Race's Starfleet that participated in the encirclement of his son and daughter-in-law's fleet.

During this period, for any Mechanical Race-controlled Star Systems they passed through that had intelligent mechanical life, Governor-General Chu He ordered all Starships to conduct orbital bombardments, leaving no stone unturned!

If it weren't for them being intelligent mechanical life, his actions would probably have long been labeled by his own people as a butcher who indiscriminately slaughtered the innocent.

Even so, a portion of the Starlight Empire's population was still very disgusted by Governor-General Chu He's actions.

After all, such behavior was very radical!

There were also groups of idealists who believed in peace talks with the Mechanical Race, arguing that Governor-General Chu He's actions were a massacre of life, an act of butchery, and that he should be court-martialed!

Of course, because this small group had little influence, it naturally didn't have a significant impact on Governor-General Chu He's status.

It was because of this incident that Governor-General Chu He was extremely doting on his granddaughter, unwilling for her to be in any danger.

He was even more unwilling for her to become a true Imperial Army soldier. Previously, she had to secretly run to her maternal grandfather's North Wind Star Sector to experience being an Imperial Army officer.

Chu Xuan chatted a lot with Zhao Chen, mostly Chu Xuan talking and Zhao Chen responding.

To be honest, if it weren't for Chu Xuan's background, Zhao Chen would quite admire her.

"After talking for so long, I think you've probably guessed the purpose of my visit.

I don't like beating around the bush."

Chu Xuan suddenly stopped and looked directly at Zhao Chen: "My grandfather has reviewed your relevant information, including the Blizzard Zero, t2 black rhino-class interstellar heavy assault frigate, and t2 bee queen-class heavy carrier starship in your possession!

My grandfather's intention is, are you willing to cooperate with our Chu family!"