EROS [Zerg]

Eros was no stranger to the name Evanson, but he had never heard of the insect named Owen Wendis.

When Joseph spoke of the name, he could only let out a deep sigh: "Owen was also a very excellent female insect."

Evanson Eastland is a female insect from the prestigious Eastland family, the second noble family in the empire. She was raised by the insect king from a young age and is regarded as the apple of his eye. She holds a very high position among the female insects in the empire.

Owen Wendts was born into the Wendts family, which was just a minor aristocratic family that had fallen into decline.

On his first day of school, Ener encountered Evanson, who had skipped a grade and entered the Star Class.

From a young age, Evanson was exceptionally talented, arrogant, and spoiled by the insect queen. He had a very high opinion of himself and arrogantly declared as soon as he entered the class that he was the most powerful female insect in the class and that the other insects were just there to make up the numbers.

Because of his arrogant words, many competitive female insects in the Tianxing Class wanted to beat him up, but they dared not act rashly because they were afraid of his mediocre family background.

As soon as Ener entered the class, he was encouraged by his classmates to challenge Evanson, who thought he was awesome, without any clear explanation.

The fight was exceptionally fierce, ending with Enel and Evanson, both bruised and battered, being punished by Joseph, who was then the headmaster, and made to stand in the corridor.

While Enl was getting his wound bandaged in the infirmary, he met Owen Wendice, who was volunteering there.

Although both are nobles, unlike Evanson, whose aura of nobility is so overwhelming that it makes insects hesitant to approach, Owen always possesses a gentle yet resilient affability, like a flowing stream.

Ener took a liking to the female insect the moment he saw Owen.

He fought with Evans several times afterward, and would run to the infirmary whenever he got injured. Over time, he not only became friends with Evans after their fights, but also with Owen.

"Back then, Evanson was a very lively young female insect. She loved adventure and fighting for justice. She had a very unique way of thinking that I still can't understand."

"As friends, Enel and Owen were often dragged into trouble together, and later a female insect named Berlanham joined them."

"Thinking back to that time, it makes me both nostalgic and gives me a headache."

Principal Joseph touched his forehead and asked Eros, "How is Enel doing in the Fourth Star System?"

Eros nodded slightly: "He should be alright, but he's very busy every day."

Joseph nodded: "It's a real pity. Enel's graduation grades were second only to Evanson. With his abilities, he could have married a high-ranking male insect and had a better future."

Eros disagreed with Principal Joseph's idea: "What Commander Enl likes is what suits him best, and his insect offspring are quite cute."

"Prefer male insects?" Joseph seemed to have heard something ridiculous: "How can male insects compare to military merit?"

Eros was speechless for a moment.

"Military merit can buy male insects, but male insects can't buy military merit." Joseph had already reached the bottom of the stairs and parted ways with Eros. He said earnestly, "You are still too young. You will understand someday."

“Yes,” Eros answered Joseph crisply.

After parting ways with Principal Joseph, Eros headed towards his dormitory. He stopped under a white streetlamp, and the ridiculous baby song rang out again from his terminal. This time, however, Eros didn't answer it. Instead, he turned the volume to mute and ignored it.

He looked up at the stars in the sky and felt a sense of ease and freedom in his soul like never before.

In the following days, apart from attending regular classes, Eros spent the rest of his time in Brandt's office practicing piloting the mech in the "egg pod."

Five days passed quickly, and Eros completed the memorization task assigned by Brandt on time.

Brandt's face showed a rare expression of satisfaction, indicating that Eros was ready to begin learning to repair some small weapons.

"I remember you were missing insect wings, weren't you?"

Brandt sat in front of the display screen, pointing to a pair of black mechanical wings, and said, "This is the first prize in this year's Imperial Insect Planet Military Machinery Competition."

"This year's prizes are different from those of previous years, which only emphasized honor and not practicality. They are very interesting."

“Interesting?” Eros didn’t see what was interesting about it.

Brandt pointed to the analysis diagram on the screen: "Currently, most of the Empire's military operations rely on mechs and warships. Although the female insects can fly and fight in space, they are still mortal beings and cannot engage in long-term combat."

“This year’s prize is different from previous years; it’s top-notch technology developed by the Empire’s highest scientific and technological institute.” Brandt looked at the mechanical wings with great interest. “The future direction of military research and development should shift from enhancing the performance of mechs to enhancing the female insects themselves.”

"Since we already have mechs, why do we still need to enhance the female insect's body... I'm not saying that exercising is bad, but is it really necessary to turn the body into a weapon?" Eros was puzzled as to why they would develop things that were far inferior to mechs when mechs were already such an impressive invention.

“The Empire’s mechs are indeed very advanced, but what if our mechs get damaged? Wouldn’t we all be doomed?” Brandt pointed his claw at Eros’s forehead. “Isn’t there an old saying that food should never be put in the same nest? Otherwise, if a thief targets it, even the most hardworking insect will starve to death in winter.”

"Although the technology to enhance the body is far less useful than mechs at present, given the Empire's current level of technology, there may be a leap forward in three or four hundred years. If we can do it faster, we might even be able to catch up with that era."

Brandt smiled happily and pointed to the black wings on the screen: "Actually, we can now find its irreplaceable function."

"This 'Obsidian Black' can be fitted onto female insects that have lost their wings, allowing female insects that are unable to fight due to wing damage to rejoin the army. This will greatly replenish the empire's manpower and also significantly reduce the burden on society of supporting these disabled female insects."

After Brandt said that, Eros understood: "Ah, it really is something that can benefit the present."

Brandt nodded and said, "So, are you confident?"

Eros was puzzled: "Huh?"

"Win this prize that belongs to the first place winner."

"?!" Eros was taken aback by Brandt's self-confidence: "Me?"

"Otherwise, what other insect do you think is here besides you?"