The S-rank guide assigned to help Vivienne Cross through her second awakening not only calmed the collapse and chaos within her mindscape but also assisted her in rebuilding her mental barriers, separating her sentinel senses from her mind and shielding her from the overwhelming flood of information in daily life.
The moment the mental barrier appeared, the iceberg reemerged on the surface of the ocean world.
The past was once again sealed away.
Augustus asked, "When will she wake up?"
"Very soon." Ian Yale frowned slightly, his tone carrying a hint of curiosity and confusion toward the unknown phenomenon. "But the patient's situation is too strange."
"Normally, a sentinel's second awakening occurs when their physical strength reaches a bottleneck. The direction of their breakthrough at awakening is also physical—an enhancement of their five senses, in other words, their 'constitution.'"
"Only guides experience an increase in mental power during a second awakening."
Ian Yale's gaze shifted to the focus of their discussion—Vivienne Cross, who lay quietly unconscious on the hospital bed. "But this patient's physical constitution is poor—only E-grade. After the second awakening, based on the rise in hormone levels, her mental power has at least jumped to S-grade. But her physical constitution…"
Augustus, who had rarely encountered second awakenings, followed his train of thought: "Didn't improve much?"
"No." Ian Yale shook his head, as if describing a medical miracle, his voice tinged with disbelief. "It even regressed."
"Her constitution is now F+."
Augustus was speechless, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly: "F-grade?"
E-grade already hovered at the bottom. F-grade was practically disabled. He had never seen a sentinel with S-grade mental power and F-grade physical constitution.
This wasn't an exaggeration or mockery—it was because, according to the Empire's constitution registration chart, an ordinary human's constitution ranged from E-grade to C-grade.
Ian Yale pushed up his glasses, his eyes shining with the unique excitement of a scientific researcher. His voice grew heated, as if facing a monumental challenge:
"Heh, this year's research paper topic is set. I'll write one titled 'The Phenomenon of Physical Regression After Sentinel Second Awakening.'"
Dr. Yale was full of confidence, as if he could already see his name on the cover of a top academic journal: "Let's see if those people dare say I only study the dead."
In the sterile, disinfectant-scented medical room, the beeping of medical equipment echoed softly. Vivienne slowly awoke from the fog, her eyes gradually opening, adjusting to the light.
A man in a white coat and black-rimmed glasses appeared in her sight, greeting her with a smile: "Miss Cross, congratulations on successfully surviving your second awakening."
Second awakening?
They thought she had undergone a second awakening?
Vivienne was at a loss: "Uh… thank you?"
"And there's more good news." Ian Yale waved the paper report in his hand.
"Although the specific evaluation still requires professional instruments once you're fully awake, my preliminary assessment suggests that your mental power has reached the Empire's S-grade sentinel standard."
S-grade.
Vivienne had a bad feeling.
Adjutant William took two steps forward, entering her line of sight. He spoke politely: "Miss Cross, your soldier registration has already been processed."
Vivienne tried to remain calm, but her tone was probing: "I… don't quite understand what's going on…"
Ian Yale and William exchanged a glance.
William explained, "Evolvers with A-grade or higher strength are legally obligated to serve in the military."
It was both law and tradition, ensuring the Empire's military power remained elite.
S-grade sentinels were even more rare and valuable to the Empire—the government would never let her go freely.
Vivienne dredged up some vague memories from the ruins of her mind. On a civilian planet, there had been faded recruitment posters pinned to the hospital walls, large characters proclaiming:
'Sentinels with C+ or higher constitution and D+ or higher mental strength are eligible to enlist.'
Back then, she had glanced at the poster and mocked it silently: We E-grade sentinels can't even enlist if we want to.
At the very bottom of the poster, printed in small, easily overlooked letters, was a line:
"Any evolver with either A-grade or higher constitution or mental strength is subject to mandatory enlistment."
She seemed to remember something like that…
Her head instantly throbbed.
Seeing Vivienne's dazed expression, William thoughtfully assumed she was simply overwhelmed by the shock of her second awakening and needed time to process this joyous news.
Vivienne hesitated and asked, "Do I have to join the military now?"
"No, not immediately." Ian Yale waved his hand casually. But as soon as he spoke, he met Vivienne's hopeful, bright eyes and couldn't help but chuckle:
"Kid, don't even think about it—you're not escaping."
Kids these days… always trying to avoid hardship. It was too normal.
Vivienne tilted her head. "What do you mean? If I don't have to enlist now… is there a time limit?"
"Miss Cross, according to your data, you're twenty-four years old." William patiently explained, "Under the Empire's Juvenile Citizen Protection Act, you're still technically at the end of your juvenile period. In theory, you should still be receiving compulsory education."
In the interstellar era, the average life expectancy was 150 years.
At twenty-four, Vivienne was indeed still a young adult.
Although…
I'm actually twenty-two, she thought to herself.
"If you want to join the army and begin training immediately, I can process your enlistment paperwork now. Your posting will be aboard the Tianma."
Since Vivienne was destined to serve in the military, Augustus naturally took the liberty of assigning her to his own unit.
"If you'd prefer a transitional period, the Major General has also instructed me to submit your application to the Imperial Military Academy."
"The Imperial Military Academy is the Empire's elite training ground, with exceptional faculty. It is also the Major General's alma mater."
"Studying at the Academy will help you adapt to military life."
The Imperial Military Academy, commonly known as the Imperial Academy, was located in the capital star of the A sector.
It was a prestigious institution with a long history, the symbol of the Empire's military education, and a cradle for future generals—a holy place in the hearts of countless young dreamers.
Vivienne recalled that the young man she had encountered aboard the HGSH498 had also wanted to apply to this school.
Thinking about it now—if the younger Vivienne had known that one day she could attend the Imperial Academy, she probably would have hugged her mother's arm and shouted: Mom, I've made it!
William asked, "Miss Cross, what is your decision?"
Thus, Major General Augustus had given her two choices:
First, enlist immediately.
Second, enroll in the Imperial Academy, graduate, and then join the military.
Vivienne took a deep breath, feeling like she was riding a tiger:
"…I choose school."