Bai Zhongqi walked out of the bathroom, drenched, as the misty mirror slowly regained its reflective ability, displaying the contours of his now manly-charming physique.
Looking in the mirror with a tinge of male vanity, Bai Zhongqi didn't even know when he had transformed into his current form. His muscles weren't bulky like a bodybuilder's, resembling cement blocks; instead, his figure still appeared well-proportioned and even somewhat slender.
During the year following the Genetic Advantage Liberation, Bai Zhongqi seemed to have entered a new phase of development, growing another six centimeters taller. His physique was outstanding among other Earthlings who had also undergone the liberation, especially in terms of athletic nerve response and reactivity, which were already far superior to those of ordinary people.
After donning his bathrobe, Bai Zhongqi returned to the living room, casting a glance at the bedroom where Han Jiaxue was still sound asleep, not wanting to disturb her.
As soon as he arrived in the living room, the central screen lit up. Although people's home televisions could display holograms, even the Iridium Star people had grown to appreciate the physical medium of screens—television or monitor themselves, which had become more like decorative pieces of furniture.
On the screen was Zero, in her light grey uniform, looking stunningly beautiful, especially with her slightly wheatish complexion that gave her an aura of health and vitality.
"Your Majesty, the enemies we have been waiting for over a year are finally coming," Zero stated calmly yet spiritedly, clearly having anticipated this day for too long.
Hearing this news, Bai Zhongqi's emotions didn't fluctuate greatly; rather, he seemed relieved and said, "Since April last year when we detected that message from Harass, it's been one year and three months. During this time, we have been studying Teizene day and night and have united the people of Earth to desperately build the Star Alliance's Universe Army. It's time for the results to show."
Zero said with a smile, "I have confidence in you, let's achieve a splendid victory."
"ETA," Bai Zhongqi asked, which was shorthand for 'Estimated Time of Arrival.'
"At their current speed, the Teizene Fleet will arrive at the Black Bud Galaxy within 48 hours. If nothing unexpected happens, they will attempt an attack on the Lvzhao Civilization as they arrive at the Black Bud Galaxy."
Bai Zhongqi nodded, having spent the last six months building a strategic alert system on the outskirts of the Danlu Interstellar Cloud. Although this system didn't have much offensive capability, it was equipped with various disguised and undisguised astronomical detection devices, ensuring that any travelers attempting to approach the vicinity of the Danlu Interstellar Cloud at Warp Speed would be detected.
Zero's confidence in identifying the Teizene as the approaching force was mainly because the scale of the warp response was too large, with a massive number of ships heading for the Black Bud Galaxy, causing many Warp Bubbles to appear.
"So we only have roughly three days left," Bai Zhongqi continued, "the last three days of peace."
He lifted his head, his gaze solemn and resolute, "The Star Alliance enters war state: all members of the Universe Army and Earth Defense Force are to cancel any leave, all Strategic Fleet groups should be at combat readiness, logistics departments must finalize their tally and preparation of war supplies, and all command systems should be in place within 24 hours and maintain level-one readiness; inform the globe—aside from essential production and living activities, exercise high-level security for all internal events within the Star Alliance, and regional administrations should guide and prioritize the safety of citizens in their respective areas."
Just a few minutes after Bai Zhongqi gave the order, the entire Star Alliance entered a state that sent everyone's adrenaline soaring.
In newly reconstructed megacities, the faces of serious newscasters suddenly appeared on the floating holoscreens, announcing the same message in different languages to local people around the globe.
"The Teizene invasion fleet has been detected by the Star Alliance Strategic Alert System. The Star Alliance government declares a state of war, please remain calm citizens, and go about your normal life following the instructions from your personal AI devices. All units will introduce wartime safety instructions shortly, and certain facilities such as units and schools will be temporarily suspended."
In Tokyo City, a neat-looking young man wearing tattered shoes but a very neat shirt took off the large headphones from his ears, and his smartwatch projected a small holographic screen.
"Kentarou, you don't have to go to school anymore. The conscription order for the Reserve Grey Hand Corps has been issued, and it's fine for you to go home and stand by now," his AI assistant, Xiaofengmo, advised him.
Yawning lackadaisically and rubbing at the dark circles under his eyes, Kentarou Yakushimaru said, "Is that so? Perfect, I played games until four in the morning yesterday, so I can get some more sleep at home."
Xiaofengmo protested, "Hey, Kentarou, this is serious! Earth is about to be invaded by aliens, you should be alert and ready to pilot a fighter jet."
Kentarou dismissively replied, "Right now it's just enemy detection. If a real battle starts, it'll probably take some time anyway, and as for the Grey Hand Corps, they're a joke. If it comes down to a fifteen-year-old Ni Hong high school student like me to take action, then Earth must really be in dire straits, after all, we're not living in a comic book."
Xiaofengmo earnestly told Kentarou, "I have great confidence in your skills. You're currently the second highest scorer for the Grey Hand Corps' mechanics."
Kentarou, with his school bag slung over his shoulder, responded, "It's just a game."
"But being able to defeat NPCs in the game means you can defeat the enemy on the battlefield. You can't deny that you play games till dawn every night as if training, fearing that you won't be helpful, that you won't be able to aid the Universe Army," Xiaofengmo called him out.
With a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, Kentarou shouted, "Cut the crap! I'm off to sleep!"
The Tokyo youth took the trackless maglev train back to his home, where his mother, concerned, asked, "Oh dear, Kentarou, there's going to be a war, isn't there? That's not good. Is the school closed as well? It's safer at home, but I wonder how your father is out in space. It would be nice if they let him come home to be with us, who knows what dangers there are in outer space. Tell me about your father. He was just a construction company supervisor, how did he end up building houses in space..."
Kentarou, knowing his mother's habit of nagging, went straight to his room. He threw his school bag aside and flopped onto the bed.
He closed his eyes, as if attempting to sleep. But less than a minute later, he got up and took out a brainwave connection headband.
"Damn it, how can I sleep at a time !"