Jihu stood at the edge of the launch platform, his sharp eyes scanning the colossal spacecraft before him. The Celestial Sovereign, a masterpiece of engineering, gleamed under the artificial sunlight of the Kang family's private docking station. It was a behemoth of a ship, adorned with intricate silver filigree and bearing the insignia of his family—a roaring dragon entwined with a cosmic serpent. It was a ship meant for royalty, a vessel that exuded dominance.
And he had demanded nothing less.
His father, Kang Daeho, smirked with approval. "You sure know how to make an entrance, son." His voice boomed with pride, arms crossed over his broad chest. "The moment you arrive at the Academy, they'll know the Kangs aren't to be trifled with."
Beside him, his mother, Yoon Hayeon, placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Just don't let the extravagance get to your head," she said with a warm smile. "You're there to learn, not just flaunt your superiority."
Jihu met her gaze and nodded. He had no intention of wasting time. The Academy of Astral Supremacy—a prestigious institution where only the most exceptional heirs of the ruling families were trained—wasn't just a school. It was a battlefield. A place where influence was forged, where alliances and rivalries dictated the future of galactic politics. He wouldn't just survive there. He would dominate it.
Yet, despite his confidence, his hands curled into fists at his sides. Beneath the surface, a storm raged within him.
Space.
It was the one thing he had never conquered in his past life.
Jihu had faced death, witnessed planetary destruction, and even defied the natural order by being reborn. But heights—no, the endless abyss of the unknown—was something that had always gnawed at him. It was the one reason he hadn't boarded an escape ship in his previous life. It was why he had chosen to die with Earth rather than drift aimlessly among the stars.
And now, he had no choice.
"You seem tense," his mother observed, her perceptive gaze catching the minute twitch of his fingers.
Jihu took a slow breath. "Just thinking about the Academy," he lied smoothly.
His father let out a booming laugh. "Good! Overthinking makes you sharp. But don't let it turn you into a coward!"
Jihu's lips twitched upward. Coward? No. He would not be one this time.
With a final glance at his parents, he stepped forward, his cape billowing behind him. The grand ramp extended from the ship's hull, leading into the opulent interior. He strode forward without hesitation, though his heart pounded like war drums.
As he entered the Celestial Sovereign, the doors sealed shut behind him, locking him into the journey ahead.
The Journey Through the Stars
The ship hummed with life, its artificial gravity stabilizing as the launch sequence began. Jihu sat in the main chamber, a luxurious lounge outfitted with celestial maps, holographic displays, and a panoramic view of the cosmos. He refused to sit in the captain's chair. Not yet. He needed to face it head-on.
The engines roared to life, vibrations rattling through the ship as it ascended from the docking bay. Jihu gripped the armrests, feeling the familiar weightlessness tug at his body as they breached the planet's atmosphere.
Then—silence.
The void embraced them.
Jihu exhaled shakily. The sheer vastness outside the reinforced glass was both mesmerizing and terrifying. Swirls of distant galaxies painted the darkness, cosmic storms raged in the distance, and asteroid belts gleamed like scattered diamonds.
This is what I was afraid of?
He clenched his jaw. The fear was still there, coiling in his stomach like a dormant beast. But something else stirred within him.
Awe.
Despite his logical mind, despite his past as a scientist who had once studied the cosmos from Earth, seeing it firsthand was an entirely different experience. This wasn't just space. This was the domain of gods, the cradle of empires, the true battlefield of the future.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
How laughable. In my past life, I was a mere observer. Now, I will be a ruler.
He leaned forward, eyes gleaming with determination. The fear, the anxiety—it was still there. But he would bend it to his will.
Just as he had done with everything else in his life.
Arrival at the Academy
Hours passed, though it felt like mere moments. The Celestial Sovereign glided through hyperspace with unparalleled grace, closing the distance to the Academy. Jihu remained seated, arms folded as he studied the holographic projections of their destination.
Then, the ship jolted slightly as it slowed. The artificial gravity readjusted.
The Academy loomed ahead.
A massive floating citadel, larger than any city he had ever seen, suspended in the depths of space. Towering spires of obsidian and silver stretched toward the void, interconnected by shimmering bridges of energy. Countless ships—each belonging to heirs of different ruling families—dotted the docking stations. The insignias of ancient houses adorned the massive gates, each symbol carrying the weight of history and power.
A chime echoed through the ship.
[Docking Request Accepted. Welcome, Heir of House Kang.]
Jihu stood, smoothing out his black and gold robes. His pulse remained steady, his expression unreadable. He turned toward the exit, prepared to make his first step into this new battlefield.
A battlefield where only the strongest could carve their legacy into the stars.
And he had no intention of being anything less than a god.
To be continued…