Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 4 - 4 4 City Exam

Zhao Ning noticed that Su Ming had ceased eating and appeared dejected, so she inquired with worry,

'My precious boy, are you still troubled over that incident?'

'Hear me out, don't fret.'

'Your dad has handled everything, and he'll surely track down the one who tormented you and lock them away!'

'And the academy, if you dislike it now, I'll arrange a transfer for you.'

Su Ming experienced a twinge of discomfort from Zhao Ning's remarks.

For an inexplicable reason, he sensed he'd accidentally assumed the role of a typical villain side character.

Thus, Su Ming addressed Zhao Ning.

'It's fine, Mom; no need to switch academies.'

'Moreover, the urban assessments are starting soon, and changing now might lead to unnecessary troubles.'

'My dear boy, it truly doesn't matter if you excel or falter in the urban exams.'

Zhao Ning remained somewhat anxious for Su Ming, concerned that heading back to the academy might burden him excessively.

She understood perfectly that her child was quite reserved, possessing delicate and vulnerable emotional resilience.

'Haven't you longed to return to Starlight City?'

'Rest assured, I'll strive my hardest to achieve that via the tests,' Su Ming declared sincerely.

This urban exam represented a crucial admission evaluation arranged by the ancient Federation, regarded as a vital pathway to higher prospects.

It served as a key method for inhabitants of diverse zones and distant worlds to access the trio of central metropolises.

Su Ming's household had relocated downward from Starlight City originally.

The Su lineage held considerable prominence as a commercial powerhouse there.

His sire, Su Yuan, being the ninth offspring of the reigning Su Family head, Su Zhen Tian, got dispatched to reside in the Thirteenth Zone owing to his average aptitudes.

The enterprise allotted to Su Yuan consisted of stakes in the Thirteenth Zone's refuse treatment facility.

Amid the cosmic age's setting, assignment to such a venture plainly indicated the scant esteem for Su Yuan's abilities and position.

Nevertheless, this business proved highly profitable, allowing them a comfortable existence locally.

Still, given the option, who would choose endless subterranean living?

It wasn't impossible for Su Ming's family to revisit Starlight City; rather, they couldn't do so victoriously and legitimately.

After all, placement in the Thirteenth Zone amounted to a subtle banishment.

Returning sans a valid excuse would invite mockery and jeers without doubt.

Yet, should Su Ming shine in the urban exam and pursue further education in Starlight City, Su Yuan and Zhao Ning could reclaim their home with honor.

The family seniors would lack grounds for protest and would even take pride, seeing it as another gifted member emerging.

Zhao Ning felt deeply touched by Su Ming's assurance, yet she knew his true potential all too well.

Just as Zhao Ning mulled over ways to softly discourage Su Ming's lofty vows to spare him later disappointment, an enthusiastic shout rang out!

'Spoken like a true son of mine!'

Su Ming glanced over and spotted Su Yuan striding in with a wide, elated grin.

He'd just stepped through the door and was overjoyed at overhearing his cherished son's daring aspirations.

At that moment, Zhao Ning shot Su Yuan a sharp, annoyed look, freezing his joyful expression.

She then approached Su Yuan and murmured her grievance.

'Why are you spurring him on?'

'You know our son's actual standing.'

'What if he suffers another blow down the line?'

'Er, boy, truthfully, your performance in the urban exams isn't crucial.'

'If things get tough, returning to inherit the family enterprise is perfectly acceptable,' Su Yuan fumbled to correct himself awkwardly.

Su Ming's lips quirked faintly at Su Yuan's comment.

Zhao Ning swiftly shifted topics and questioned Su Yuan's efforts.

'How's the situation resolution going?'

'Did you apprehend the culprit?'

Su Yuan sensed a growing migraine as he answered wearily,

'No luck; we interrogated the suspect, but she was clueless about the event.'

'She was undergoing intensive drills with her instructor during the occurrence and learned of it only subsequently.'

'The saboteur targeting our beloved son excels in managing data.'

'That culprit astutely snapped images of the note's contents and posted them on the school intranet, plus distributed to every pupil, leaving scant evidence.'

'As you realize, experts in data tech are scarce these days, but that's not an issue.'

'The family elder chief has been informed and dispatched a data expert here.'

'We'll nab that culprit shortly.'

Su Ming thoughtfully considered the details.

From this body's recollections, the missive he'd penned had been placed in the girl's workstation during a deserted midday recess when he infiltrated her classroom.

Theoretically, secrecy should have held; no witnesses.

So, how did the sabotage occur?

'Why not review the security footage?' Zhao Ning snapped, frustrated.

'Security cams exist only in vital spots, and nothing pertinent was recorded.'

'As you know, we avoid installing monitors unless essential,' Su Yuan clarified powerlessly.

In truth, this realm's tech development skewed unusually, stemming from a devastating conflict a century past between the ancient Federation and the silicon-based Mech Race.

In that clash, the Federation's armada networks, detection tools, and data hubs were infiltrated and subtly undermined, causing vast arrays of armaments to malfunction and turn against them.

Ultimately, the Federation armadas suffered catastrophic losses, barely salvaging a recovery.

Post-battle reviews revealed the Mech Race's prowess in intercepting transmissions, breaching archives, and altering myriad data flows.

From then on, the ancient Federation curtailed deployment of comms gadgets, favoring isolated nets and sealed loops wherever feasible.

Presently, exchanges in the third world's three prime urban centers and Sixteen Zones rely on enclosed wiring, with broadcasts limited to civilian uses in confined regions.

Monitoring devices remain sparse too.

For should warfare erupt anew with the Mech Race, all such could serve as foe's vantage points.

'Dad, Mom.'

'I intend to head back to the academy tomorrow,' Su Ming reflected briefly before telling Su Yuan and Zhao Ning.

On the probe, he harbored slim optimism.

After all, the one who undermined him was undoubtedly a pupil proficient in data mastery—a remarkable figure, far from ordinary.

Even if seized, heavy punishment eluded such a one; likely just charged with breaching privacy or dismissed as mischief.

Furthermore, someone so exceptional would draw swift suspicion; unmasking proved simple.

If his father probed without progress for so long, it subtly revealed the truth— in the end, Su Ming must confront it personally.

As to his haste in resuming academy life over transferring, the motive was straightforward: scant time remained till the urban exam, and idling wasn't an option.

'Boy, you're set on returning to school?'

'Are you certain you're okay?' Su Yuan queried anxiously after a hesitation.