Volume 3: The Great Expanse

  06:00 IST, Twentieth day, First month, 3080 PV | Hyperspace / Sycos Battleship / Bridge

  “Attention passengers, hyperspace deceleration in twenty four seconds.”

  The AI proclaims this statement, as if it is just any ordinary deceleration. As if we aren't about to enter into the third stage of this ascension trial. Humanity’s Game as the net has taken to calling it.

  “Koo, does this mean less time for headrubs?” my super duper ultra cute girlfriend says.

  “Im sure we can still find some time. I mean, how hard can this trial be?”

  “Kooooo, don't jinx us, you know nothing ever goes well when you say that.”

  “Pfft, im a living jinx, don't worry. So long as you're by my side, we can overcome anything together.”

  I look above the grand viewport in front of us, above it is inscribed the words ‘luce lunae per aspera ad astra et ultra’ [By the moonlight, through hardship, to the stars and beyond], it couldn't be a truer statement. After all, what can possibly stop our overwhelming moonlight?

  I feel the now familiar experience of hyperspace deceleration. Thankfully, it seems true that you get used to it the more you do it. We are nowhere as familiar with it as the crew of the ship, but it no longer completely confuses our brains.

  “Ko, what the klack is that?” Ray says as she points out the viewport.

  “What the klack indeed.”

  Before us, is a gigantic station. No, gigantic is too small. It must be the size of Luna at least.

  “Aww cmon, you whippersnappers have seen the battleship voidliths, this thing isn't that much larger than those. It is well into a world-class structure though.”

  She is right, it's not really that much bigger than a battleship-class voidlith. But I think the main difference is the voidliths are almost always constructed in deep space, with no real points of reference.

  But this structure is surrounded by a swarm of smaller ships. I can see a few colossus ships, ones that we have seen before at trials too. But even they are still dwarfed by it.

  Notably, it seems there are far more ships gathered to observe this trial. I wonder what's going to be happening.

  “Ray, guess it's time for us to do our thing, huh?”

  “Yep, let's go dazzle them, darling.”

  11:50 IST, Twentieth day, First month, 3080 PV | Polan System / Trial 3 World-structure / Antechamber

  We, along with the other five contestants, have gathered in the antechamber. Pretty standard so far. I can't wait to find out what twists they have in store for us.

  Also, over the time it took to get to this system, named Polan, Initae has been drilling us. Like, harder than normal, which is saying something, cause she practically was killing us already. Ray and I definitely needed a fair bit of healing headrubs after the training sessions.

  It may be grueling, and hated at the moment. But the feeling of progress is always nice afterwards. Initae says that I am now around the lower end of great-level melee combat, while Ray is somewhere in the higher end. I have also achieved the higher end of great skill in Gesir wielding, with Skier and Shifter hanging on the lower end of great.

  For reference, it's generally a lot harder to improve inae wielding skills. So I guess I'm some prodigy that excels at magic, but doesn't do so well with hand-to-hand combat.

  Initae said once I can get to an extreme level in one, she can start to teach me some really cool stuff. I'll also start to get my super cool iridescent eyes, according to her.

  It seems the other gathered contestants have been training. The Quartet all seem to be much faster than before. Though, I think Ray and I are still better than each of them individually. Combined, they might be a serious problem.

  Luna is just standing off to the side, like usual. Her purple and gray eyes seem to be focused on me and Ray. It's like she is trying to make us disappear with just her gaze. Her pink hair kinda makes it look like she is a piece of particularly angry cotton candy.

  She does seem to have an even stronger ‘stay away from me, you worthless mortals’ aura. Which is quite curious, I wasn't even sure it could get any stronger. But I guess just in general she seems to say ‘I am a threat, stay away’ now, so maybe that's part of it. Or perhaps it's just Ray and I’s training kicking in to recognize that she might be dangerous.

  Ray and April have a pretty quick conversation, with a few giggles of course. The guys and I just kinda stare at each other. Assessing. I wonder what they think of me, probably not anything good.

  Or perhaps they are just jealous of my super duper ultra cute girlfriend. I mean, she is far better than April. Not that April is particularly ugly by typical standards. But Ray just so far outstrips anyone else in the universe, it's not even remotely close.

  “Kooo, stop staring at people. They are gonna think you're planning to kill them.”

  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  I'm snapped out of my trance by said super cute girlfriend.

  “Hmm, I guess I should be staring at you instead, shouldn't I?”

  “You’re such a Jerk. You should only look at me, and no one else, ever.”

  “In this case, I can't find a way to refute that.”

  “Well, you're a cute jerk. So you don't have to refute it.” Ray says. I then proceed to give her a quick kiss. After all, one can never be too motivated to succeed, right?

  Unfortunately, our banter is cut short with the start of the grand ceremony.

  We walked through the doors last. Luna basically sprinted to go out first. Perhaps she wants to get some attention, before we hog it all.

  When we emerge we are in a gigantic biodome. Like, it's easily the size of a city block back on City Stelarum. It's not that different from previous ceremony terrariums, but this one seems to have been split into three. Interestingly enough, one third seems to contain Kelin, and other animals from our colony. There is also another dedicated to things from the Quartet’s. The last one is pretty desertish and without much life, I guess that must be the type of planet Luna chose.

  As usual, there is a stage in the center of the room. We all approach it and stand behind our designated podiums, now they are clearly designated with our emblems. How fancy.

  It seems Luna’s faction is still called the lone snowflake. I'm not sure if she just ran with the bit, or she couldn't change people’s minds to something else.

  It doesn't seem like there is a physical crowd this time. But chances are they are watching from somewhere else. This world is massive. They could fit a few million spectators and have plenty of room to spare, most likely. I can't imagine what could require such a large space.

  After a few moments of waiting, the floor opens up and as usual, The Gamekeeper emerges. I wonder what their deal is, like, what did they do to become Gamekeeper? Also, what do they all do.. So far it seems like they are basically just a PR representative. But they've hinted at doing stuff behind the scenes. Perhaps I should ask Initae about that.

  “Greetings, ladies, gentlemen, and everything in between and without. It is with great honor that I welcome you, along with our seven wonderful contestants, to this wonderful event. The commencement of the Third Trial in Humanity’s Game.

  Now, I'm sure you are all rearing to see what things our engineers have been up to. After all, this is quite a world-station.

  But first, I think we should review the current standings for trial two, which is still in progress.

  Currently the standings are as such.”

  A panel displaying the current point allotments is shown, it's quite interesting.

  Development (-2 - 2 points): Moonlight Alliance (2), Lone Snowflake (2), Quartet Confederation (1)

  Sustainability (-3 - 1 point): N/A

  Productivity (-1 - 2 points): Lone Snowflake (2), Moonlight Alliance (1), Quartet Confederation (0)

  Self-sufficiency (0 -1 point): Moonlight Alliance (1), Quartet Confederation (1), Lone Snowflake (0)

  Ending population (1 - 3 points): (Based on current population); Moonlight Alliance (3), Lone Snowflake (2), Quartet Confederation (1)

  Average Morale/Happiness (-3 - 1 point): Moonlight Alliance (1), Quartet Confederation (0), Lone Snowflake (-1)

  Security (-1 -1): Lone Snowflake (1), Quartet Confederation (1), Moonlight Alliance (0)

  Quite interesting indeed, I shall have to ponder these results a lot later. For now, I calculate that the overall rankings are as such;

  Moonlight Alliance (1st): 8 points

  Lone Snowflake (2nd): 6 points

  Quartet Confederation (3rd): 4 points

  Keeping in mind that there are still two whole trials to get through before the end of the second trial and points are actually awarded. Nevertheless, it seems we are doing fairly well. Surprisingly Luna is just behind us with the Quartet bringing up the rear. Guess she has some brains for empire building.

  Ray reaches over and holds my hands with a grin on her face, giving me a bright smile. After a brief moment of bedazzlement at her smile, I smile back and give her hands a slight squeeze.

  The Gamekeeper continues, “Now that that part is out of the way. Let's talk about the third trial.

  The trial shall henceforth be known as the Ruler’s Conquest.

  The location of this trial shall be this very station. As you will soon learn, there is an expansive arena where this trial will take place.

  Detailed rules will be revealed later, but to sum them up. The three factions will compete in a ground-combat based event. With the goal being victory over one’s foes, naturally. Various technologies and innovative systems shall also be debuted, so be sure to be excited for those.

  The Trial should take around two months to reach its conclusion. This estimation is inclusive of shenanigans, so it should be fairly accurate.

  The Trial shall commence at 12:00 IST, the first day of the second month, 3080 PV. So, to all those tuning in, be sure to not miss it.

  I can't wait to see what shenanigans our contestants get up to this time. If the past is any indication, we are in for quite a fun ride.

  May the stars be ever in your favor, contestants."

  Woah, that's a lot of information to process.

  Though, I can see why Initae has been drilling us so hard in the combat department as of late.

  We all exit the ceremony place and we are guided into accommodations.

  The moment we enter our room, Ray practically leaps onto the bed and goes limp.

  I go over and sit beside her, she rolls to face me and grabs my proffered hand.

  “Looks like we are in for quite the adventure, aren't we darling?”

  “Yep, guess all that training wasn't for nought.”

  “I feel like we are going to be thanking Initae for her foresight that is totally not cheating. Like, she obviously knows what is going to come and is trying to help us.”

  “Yeah. She may like nearly killing us, but she does care. In fact, I think she cares for more than she lets herself show.”

  “Your aunt is a cool being.”

  “Couldnt have said it better myself. It's nice having a god-like demi-immortal being as an aunt.”

  “It's gonna be so cool when your eyes change colors. You're gonna really look the part of the wizard.”

  “Well, I've still got a long way to go before I reach those levels. Initae says "I'll have to hit around the middle of extreme-level in all my affinities.”

  “Well, then I guess I'll just have to help you practice then.”

  “Good idea, I could think of more than a few ways you could help me practice.”

  “*giggles*, well then, why don't we test out those ways?”

  Naturally, we did in fact, test out those ways. Extensively.

  I'm sure that no matter what is to come. Be it some shady organization, a pink haired chick, or this ‘Ruler’s Conquest’ trial. Ray and I shall overcome it, together.

  After all, we are the Moonlight, and you can't stop the Moonlight.

  So, bring it on.

  End of Chapter 80

  Next: Chapter 81 | Arce Lunae