?


    Shinari sparred against Cleome. She easily dodged her lightning bolts, and even counter-attacked a bunch of times. She vanished into the shadow and appeared behind Cleome, about to execute a final attack, however, she suddenly got distracted and Cleome struck her.


    Shinari''s feet slid backward. She only suffered minor injuries as Cleome did not attacked her with full power.


    "What''s wrong? It''s very unusual of you to lose focus," Cleome said.


    "It''s nothing."


    "It''s about Aldred, huh?"


    Shinari looked down, showing a mixed feeling on her face. "Yeah."


    "What are you so worried about?"


    "I think he''s going to get himself killed."


    "Oh, he''s n about chasing Malgorth? Do you think Aldred will ever reach the demon lord? Not even the Royal Investigators manage to track him. My best bet is Aldred will be chasing endlessly, but along the way, he will kill aliens and demons, so I am fine with him leaving."


    "I am not only worried about that."


    Cleome looked at her. "You really cared for him, huh?"


    "Without him, we would probably be dead by now. If he leaves the all by himself, his chance of survival might be very low."


    "So what are you going to do, apany him?" Cleome asked jokingly.


    "That''s actually a great idea. Yes! I should apany him. I owe him my life after all. Thanks, Cleome."


    "Uhh… I did not expect that answer."


    "I am going after him now before he leaves." Shinari rushed out of the sparring room.


    "Wait!" Cleome followed her.


    …


    "Pleasure having a business with you!" Zozha shook Aldred''s hand with a big smile on his face. He rarely got customers and so he was ecstatic when Aldred really closed the deal with him.


    "Now, let me escort you to your spacecraft."


    The three of them went to some sort of hangars for spacecraft and there Aldred saw his first ever spacecraft.


    The Gctic Rover was a medium-sized spacecraft with a streamlined, aerodynamic design. Its length measures 25 meters, providing a bncedbination of space efficiency and maneuverability.


    Zozha handed him the key. "This is yours now. Enjoy."


    Aldred received the key and turned to look at Smander.


    "Remember, Aldred," Smander started. "Be careful out there. Although this is a good spacecraft, it''s just a scout-ss spacecraft. It is designed to fight against small threats at most. This thing is formercial use after all and the cheapest product in the spacecraft category."


    Aldred''s eyelids jerked when he heard that. The spacecraft wasn''t cheap at all. It cost him more than 70 thousand Gctic Credits. Forparison, the average ie on this was 3 thousand Gctic Credits per month.


    He would need to work for 2 years straight without spending a single penny to pay off the loan.


    "I wish I could apany you. I am actually interested in exploring the stars as well. There isn''t much I can do here with the limited resources that we have, but s, I have to take care Shinari and Cleome."


    "Aldred!"


    Suddenly, they heard a loud shout from a distance. It was Shinari shouting and waving at him with Cleome following her from behind.


    Shinari immediately sprinted to Aldred. "I aming with you."


    "What?" Aldred and Smander asked at the same time.


    "I cannot have you go out of the all by yourself. At least, I can watch your back if Ie along."


    "Dang it! I was joking when I told her to go along," Cleome said. "Who would''ve thought she would take it seriously."


    "You don''t have to do this," Aldred replied. "This is my decision. I will face its consequences on my own."


    Shinari shook her head. "You know it is also my dream to explore the stars. Consider you helping me as well. Bring me with you."


    Cleome sighed. "Smander, talk some sense into her will you?"


    Smander thought for a moment before he replied. "Actually, I would want toe as well."


    "Huh?!" Cleome was in disbelief. "Are all of you go nuts? The three of us have been together for a while now, and now you''re going to leave me?"


    Smander looked at her with a smile. "Why don''t you join us?"


    "Wait a minute. This is my spacecraft. Aren''t you going to ask for the permission of its owner first?"


    "Fuck it! Count me in!" Cleome said.


    "Damn, all of you just decided on your own," Aldred said, helpless at the situation.


    Without saying a word, Smander, Shinari, and Cleome entered the spacecraft.


    "Come on, Aldred. I will show you how to control this thing," Smander said.


    Aldred scratched his head. "How did ite to this?" He entered the spacecraft and the door closed automatically.


    Smander sat on the captain seat and urged Aldred to approach him. Meanwhile, Shinari and Cleome were making themselvesfortable on the avable seats.


    Smander patiently exined the intricate controls of the Gctic Rover to Aldred, pointing out each button, lever, and disy screen. Aldred''s eyes widened as he took in theplexity of the spacecraft''s dashboard.


    "This lever here controls the propulsion systems," Smander exined, his fingers tracing over the control panel. "And these buttons adjust the energy distribution between shields, engines, and weapons. It''s crucial to find the right bnce during flight."


    Aldred nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I think I got it. And this red button?"


    Smander grinned. "Ah, that''s the emergency warp drive activation. You''ll want to avoid using that unless it''s a life-or-death situation. It drains a massive amount of energy and can leave you stranded if not used wisely."


    As Smander continued his tutorial, Shinari and Cleome watched attentively. Cleome, always the quick learner, chimed in with her own insights asionally. Shinari, on the other hand, seemed lost in thought, her gaze fixed on the vast expanse beyond the spacecraft''s windows.


    After a thorough briefing, Smander guided Aldred through the process of activating the spacecraft. Aldred''s hands trembled slightly as he pressed the necessary buttons and pulled the designated lever. The Gctic Rover hummed to life, its engines purring as it prepared for liftoff.


    "Take a deep breath, Aldred," Smander encouraged. "You''re about to embark on a journey beyond the stars."


    He said that, but Smander was actually excited for this journey as well. He had knowledge about the spacecraft controls, but he had never actually fly in one.


    Aldred followed Smander''s instructions, guiding the spacecraft away from the hangar. It slowly moved its wheels and began to speed up in the runway.


    "Increased speed," Smander said.


    "Increase speed," Aldred repeated as he pushed the throttle.


    "Now engage the thruster."


    Aldred did as instructed and the spacecraft sped up.


    "Pull!"


    Aldred pulled then the spacecraft hovered before getting higher and higher in altitude.


    The''s surface began to shrink below them as they ascended, the familiarndscapes turning into miniature versions of themselves.


    "Engaging thrusters for atmospheric exit," Aldred announced, his voice steady despite his nerves.


    The Gctic Rover rumbled as it pierced through the atmosphere, leaving behind the protective shield of Destia Primena. The darkness of space surrounded them, dotted with distant stars and celestial wonders. Shinari''s eyes widened in awe as she beheld the vastness of the cosmos.


    "Congrattions, Aldred," Smander said, pping him on the back. "You''ve officially left the. Now, let''s set a course for a nearby Gctic Mercenary Group branches. We''ll need to get your mercenary license andplete your identity registration."


    Aldred nodded, his determination solidifying. He nced at Shinari and Cleome, who were both wearing determined expressions.


    "To new beginnings," Aldred said, his voice firm.


    "To new beginnings," echoed Shinari and Cleome in unison.


    With those words, the Gctic Rover surged forward, its engines propelling them further into the depths of space.