The Royal Academy was the highest-level military school in the Old Federation. The school was divided into an inner school and an outer school. It had a very long history and was said to have existed before the founding of the Federation. Therefore, the academy’s admission was extremely strict.

Tang Yan knocked on the desk and said with a look of disappointment.

“Be confident. This year, the Royal Academy’s inner school has given our Thirteenth District a quota of ten people, and the outer school has a quota of one thousand people.”

“Teacher, there are 3 million candidates in the Thirteenth District this year. With such a small quota, it’s really a long shot.”

“Yeah, I guess only the top few in the school have a chance.”

...

The students in the classroom sighed one after another.

“If you can’t get into the inner school, you can try for the outer school! If that doesn’t work, you can try for an ordinary academy! I know it’s hard, but I’m not making things difficult for you. I’m just worried about you! If you get into the Royal Academy’s inner school, you’ll be a high-ranking military officer upon graduation, and you’ll be a key target for training. You’ll be a precious commodity, and your future will be limitless!”

“Of course, if you don’t get into the inner school, it’s still very good to get into the outer school. After graduation, you’ll be assigned to a good position, and your future will also be bright. If you really can’t get in, you have to find a way to get into a higher academy. This way, after you graduate, you can at least get a position like a sergeant or a master sergeant in the military, and your survival rate will be greatly increased,” Tang Yan said earnestly.

“Teacher, what if we don’t get in?”

Yellow Hair asked helplessly.

“If you don’t get in, you can only participate in the drawing of the red and black lots and become a reserve soldier, also known as cannon fodder! Don’t think I’m joking. Once you become cannon fodder, you’ll be sent to the most dangerous places to serve,” Tang Yan reminded them sternly.

Hearing this, Su Ming frowned even more. The Old Federation’s military service system was like this.

If you went to a higher academy, you could postpone it for four years. Otherwise, you had to participate in the drawing of the red and black lots for military service. Those who were drawn would serve, and those who were not would not. The probability was fifty-fifty.

Those who were drawn would become reserve soldiers and be sent to various battlefield areas for training. The death rate was extremely high, no different from cannon fodder.

Therefore, for everyone, this was a nightmare.

But if you were a graduate of the Royal Academy, you would be a military officer right out of the gate, and you would be a key training target. You would definitely not be casually used as cannon fodder.

Of course, it wasn't a guarantee that drawing a black lot and not having to serve in the military was a good thing. You had to find a regular job and couldn't be unemployed. Otherwise, you would have to continue participating in the drawing next year, and you wouldn't have to participate in military service until ten years later.

From this, it could be seen that the Old Federation’s military strength was very tight.

“Ah, can’t we not participate in the drawing of the red and black lots?”

Many students complained with teary faces.

“Impossible, unless your physical condition doesn’t allow it. But I advise you not to have any crooked ideas. This certification is very strict. You’d better not think about deliberately injuring yourself to evade it. The inspectors are not to be trifled with. Once it’s confirmed that it was intentional, you’ll be spending the rest of your life in jail,” Tang Yan warned sternly.

In fact, the reason Su Yuan and his wife had indulged Su Ming in eating so much was not entirely out of doting on him. It was somewhat intentional, so that it would be easier to manipulate things when Su Ming came of age.

“Sigh, I know.”

Many students said dejectedly.

“Alright, the bad news is over. I have some good news for you. After the City Exam, you will have a year-long vacation, which is also a free day. You can play to your heart’s content! There are also welfare subsidies.”

Tang Yan said to all the students with a smile.

“Oh yeah!”

Yellow Hair and the others immediately cheered excitedly.

The so-called free day was actually a vacation for everyone to rest and have fun, to enjoy life.

Therefore, the results of the City Exam would not be announced immediately. They would be announced after the vacation, and the red and black lots would also be drawn at that time.

Tang Yan raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, then coughed and cleared his throat.

“Alright, I’ve finished talking about the City Exam. Now, let’s hurry up and review. Also, there are no classes this afternoon and tomorrow morning. You can review on your own, don’t be lazy. Also, remember to prepare. Our class will be going to Computer Room 3 for mecha simulation combat training tomorrow afternoon.”

“Understood.”

Many students replied in unison.

Hearing this, Su Ming’s eyes flickered. In fact, they had already been divided into different subjects and classes.

The City Exam scores were divided into two parts. One part was the basic cultural course score, which everyone had to take, and the test paper was the same.

The other part was the additional score, which varied depending on the chosen subject. The optional subjects included command, mecha, fighter jets, land warfare, chemistry, physics, biology, etc. Among them, command and mecha were the most popular subjects.

Of course, these sub-subjects also determined what subject you would study after being admitted to a higher academy. For example, if your sub-subject was command, you would study command in a higher academy and most likely become a command officer after graduation. After studying mecha, you would be assigned to a mecha legion.

As for those whose sub-subjects were physics, chemistry, biology, etc., they would go on to study as researchers and technicians.

Although it was a sub-subject, its weight in the City Exam was super high, not inferior to the basic subject score.

At this moment, Tang Yan picked up his lesson plan and began to explain some key knowledge points to everyone.

“First, turn to lesson sixteen. Let’s review the key points of linear functions...”

Su Ming opened his textbook and found the content that Tang Yan was reviewing. He looked at the dense line graphs and numbers, and his eyebrows twitched slightly.

These knowledge points were all new to him. He had never been exposed to them before.

However, it was a good thing that the boy was usually hardworking. Although his foundation was average, it was at least passable. He could score 80 or 90 points on a 150-point paper.

There was still a month left. As long as he worked hard, there might still be a chance.

Thinking of this, Su Ming focused on listening to Tang Yan’s lecture.

...

At noon.

Su Ming walked out of the classroom while reading a book.

“Did you see that? That damn fatty is actually reading while walking. Has he changed?”

“It’s strange. Forget it, don’t mind him. Maybe he wants to surprise everyone.”

“With his mediocre grades, forget it. Let me say something unpleasant. Lin Chuyu’s basic scores are always around 145 on a 150-point paper.”

“That’s true.”

...

Su Ming kept flipping through the book, quickly imprinting the contents of the book in his mind and completing his knowledge.

A short while later, Su Ming returned to his dormitory based on his memory. He found his bed, took out his clothes, then went into the bathroom to take a shower and change into a looser set of clothes.

After doing all this, Su Ming directly opened his drawer and took out his library card and a synthetic chocolate bar.

This chocolate bar was his lunch.