God of the Galactic Warlords

"No matter the outcome... You will always be my greatest source of pride, Erikhan."

Erikhan looked at his mother as she carefully adjusted his attire. She had spoken those words in a gentle voice.

Meilara smiled as she gazed into her son's sharp green eyes. She had raised him alone and had always thought of herself as an inadequate mother. But her son was such a wonderful child that, at times, she began to wonder if she wasn't as terrible a mother as she had once believed.

Erikhan was a student at the 9th Galactic War Academy, and today was his graduation day. The Galactic War Academy was one of the most prestigious and significant institutions in the empire—perhaps the most important among all military schools. It was often from this academy that the future generals, and even emperors, would graduate.

Until graduation day, the academy never disclosed how successful a student was or even whether they had passed. It was strictly forbidden for any student to reveal their own standing. Anyone who violated this rule would face severe punishment—such as a permanent ban from space travel—and would be expelled from the academy with no chance of return.

This rule shielded students from outside influence and corruption, preparing them for future leadership roles in the empire.

Thus, even Erikhan had no idea where he ranked among his peers. Today, at the graduation ceremony, they would finally announce the rankings.

Meilara placed a gentle hand on her son's shoulder, her expression wavering between pride, worry, and hope. Erikhan could understand her emotions. This strong woman who had raised him alone felt so much about his success. Yet, knowing this did nothing to ease his own tension. Today was one of the most important days of his life.

The graduation ceremony would take place in the massive ceremonial hall of the Galactic War Academy. Before heading there, Erikhan moved toward the dining table to have breakfast with his mother and younger sister.

After adjusting his ceremonial robe one last time, Meilara stepped back and took a long look at him. In her eyes, her son was no longer a child but a soldier. However, deep in his green eyes, she could still see the faint spark of innocence she had known since he was little. No matter how much he grew, he would always be her child.

As they sat at the breakfast table, his younger sister Elvira looked at him excitedly. At sixteen, with her bright brown hair neatly braided and her green eyes filled with admiration, she radiated youthful energy.

"What will you do after graduation?" Her voice carrying a childlike curiosity. It was a simple question, yet it eased the tension at the table.

Erikhan picked up his fork and exchanged a glance with his mother. The truth was, he didn't know the answer.

The graduation rankings would determine his fate. If he ranked among the top fifty, he might be selected for the Imperial Command Council. If his rank was average, he would likely be assigned to the border systems, where he would have to fight for years to earn promotions.

"You know I can't say anything until the results are announced, Elvira," Erikhan replied, taking a small bite of his meal.

Elvira pouted in disappointment. "But you're definitely one of the best! I bet you'll be in the top three!"

Meilara smiled but didn't want her daughter to get her hopes up too much. "Elvira, we already know Erikhan is the best in our eyes. No matter his ranking, he will always be our hero."

Erikhan continued eating in silence, struggling to suppress the growing tension inside him. He had no way of evaluating his own success—throughout the academy, he had never once been allowed to see where he stood among his peers. He had trained under the best instructors, fought through the most difficult war simulations, but did that truly mean he was among the best?

After breakfast, Meilara and Elvira helped Erikhan get ready. His dark navy graduation uniform, embroidered with gold, fit him perfectly. A silver star was pinned to his shoulder, signifying his rank within the academy. Before leaving for the ceremony, he turned to his mother and smiled.

"No matter what happens, you will always be my greatest source of strength, Mother," he said, holding her hands tightly.

Meilara's eyes welled with tears, but she nodded silently. Her son had grown up. And now it was time to see where his fate would lead him.

---

The Galactic War Academy's ceremonial hall was an enormous structure capable of holding thousands of attendees. At its center stood a massive holo-screen, which would soon display the names of the academy's top graduates. The rankings would be revealed here. But there was still an hour left before the ceremony began.

With an hour remaining, Erikhan made his way to the waiting area near the grand hall, where he planned to meet his closest friends. The air was filled with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. Low murmurs echoed through the space—some students were anxiously making predictions about the rankings, while others seemed to have already accepted their fate.

When he reached the large window where his group usually gathered, the first person he saw was Adrian. Tall, sarcastic, and always relaxed, Adrian hadn't even bothered to button his graduation robe properly. Next to him stood Izela, known for her disciplined nature and sharp intellect—one of the academy's brightest minds. As Erikhan approached, Adrian grinned and waved a small package in the air.

"Ladies and gentlemen, look who's here! Erikhan, soon to be one of the Empire's most elite war dogs!" Adrian declared in his usual mocking tone.

Erikhan rolled his eyes with a smile. "And, of course, so are you, Adrian."

Adrian shrugged and extended the package. "A graduation gift. For inspiration."

Erikhan unwrapped it and found an old-fashioned, thick book inside. The cover bore the title "The Communist Manifesto" in golden letters.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then Adrian burst into laughter.

This was one of those extremely rare comedy books. It was a historical artifact. The author of this centuries-old book had probably never imagined that, in the future, his work would become one of the most famous comedy books. With the rise of the High Human Revolution, as intelligence evolved, people had begun using the writings of the old humans, who penned such foolish ideologies, as mere material for jokes.

Erikhan raised an eyebrow as he held the book Adrian handed him. He examined it carefully, then smiled slightly and nodded.

"Is it really as funny as you think?" Erikhan asked, flipping through the pages.

Adrian struggled to suppress his laughter and nodded. "It's absolutely tragicomic. But the truly funny part is this—there was a time when people actually took these ideas seriously. Fortunately, now it's nothing more than an academic joke."

Izela rolled her eyes. "Adrian, one day, your sarcasm is going to get you expelled for disciplinary misconduct."

Adrian shrugged nonchalantly. "But that day isn't today, is it? Today is our graduation day. And I think we've earned the right to relax a little."

Erikhan chuckled lightly and slipped the book into the inner pocket of his robe. He was used to Adrian's jokes by now. But there was no denying that they eased some of the tension in the air.

"So, has our playboy found himself a woman yet?" Adrian's sudden question brought an abrupt silence to the room.

Especially for Izela, who harbored a quiet, unspoken love for Erikhan. Her nervous heartbeat was almost audible from a distance.

Instead of answering directly, Erikhan simply smiled and shrugged. "Right now, the only thing that matters is the ranking."

But his evasive answer only widened Adrian's smirk. "From what I've heard, some local governors' daughters have already made offers to you. I think you should've accepted one before the rankings are revealed. You might regret it afterward."

Erikhan acted indifferently at Adrian's words, but deep down, he wondered why this subject was so important to everyone. He had never been someone who pursued love or romantic relationships. His life was dedicated to discipline, education, and the art of war. Yet, there was some truth to Adrian's words. Those who approached him before his post-graduation fate were determined would be different from those who sought him out after his ranking was revealed.

Before he could dwell on it further, Erikhan noticed Izela tensing up slightly. When he glanced at her, he saw her eyebrows furrowed and her hand clenched into a fist. Izela had always been by his side in the academy—facing the toughest exams, enduring the harshest simulations together.

— All students, please proceed to the main hall for the graduation ceremony. I repeat, all students must report to the main hall —

The announcement echoed from the holo-screen, instantly silencing all conversations in the room. Everyone immediately straightened, moving toward the exit with the discipline ingrained in them through years of training. Erikhan, Adrian, and Izela blended into the crowd, heading toward the ceremonial hall.

Adrian gave Erikhan's shoulder a light pat. "Well, here comes the big moment, my friend. I hope you make it into the top hundred so you don't end up rotting in the border systems for years."

"And what if I do end up rotting there?" Erikhan asked, smirking.

Adrian rolled his eyes. "Then instead of those governors' daughters, you might want to start thinking about prostitutes."

Izela shot Adrian a sharp glare. "How about focusing on your own future? If your academic ranking is too low, you might end up needing our help."

Adrian laughed, dramatically placing a hand over his chest. "Ah, dear Izela, my fate is already sealed. I'll probably be assigned to some bureaucratic position. Better than dying on the battlefield, right?"

But Erikhan wasn't paying much attention to their banter. The growing uncertainty inside him was becoming unbearable.

When they entered the ceremony hall, he immediately noticed the massive holo-screen rising in the center. The academy's emblem—a twin-headed dragon—glowed brightly amidst the lights.

Erikhan's mother and sister were seated in the elevated stands surrounding the hall. Since the ceremony was open to the public, tens of thousands of people were gathered in the vast chamber.

Some were here for their children, some to scout potential allies, and some were younger students of the Galactic War Academy who had yet to graduate.

As the Imperial March began playing, the colossal doors of the hall opened, and high-ranking officers entered. Leading them was Marshal Aldebrand of the Imperial Command Council. Behind him, the academy's supreme commander and other high-ranking officers followed in formation.

As Marshal Aldebrand stepped onto the podium, the hall fell into deep silence. The medals on his uniform gleamed like echoes of countless victories. His gaze swept over the young officer candidates before he spoke in a commanding voice:

"The Galactic War Academy… is more than just a name. This is the cradle of generals who write history, of strategists who bring empires to their knees, of commanders who rule the battlefield. Today, we honor the new graduates who will carry this legacy forward."

He paused briefly, scanning the crowd before his voice grew sharper.

"You are not just soldiers. You are minds that will reshape the course of history! Every officer who emerges from this academy serves not only an army but an ideal. Push beyond your limits, strike fear into your enemies, and carve your name into the thunderous echoes of war!"

His last words rang out like a blade cutting through steel:

"Today, you stand here as graduates… But remember! Tomorrow, some of you will be deemed worthy of the title 'Warlord'!"

Marshal Aldebrand took a step back. The heavy silence in the hall carried the weight of his words.

But when he retreated, the academy's supreme commander stepped forward and the rankings were about to be announced.