Chapter 42 The Privilege of the Lei Family

Lei Bin sat comfortably inside the luxurious Star Shuttle 900, crossing his legs and sipping red wine while looking out at the towering architecture and the bustling metropolis.

Just a moment ago, Raina had summoned him to announce that everything had been settled with Baili Wujiang. His marriage to Baili Xue was now officially arranged, and the wedding would take place as soon as they graduated.

During this period, Raina instructed Lei Bin to coax Baili Xue properly so she wouldn't harbor too much resistance toward the union.

Lei Bin, of course, agreed readily, his heart blooming with joy as he eagerly anticipated meeting his fiancée.

After lunch, Raina had personally dispatched the head butler, Lei Huan, to escort Lei Bin to school. Such treatment had never been accorded to any other descendant of the Lei family before; being personally dropped off at school by the chief steward demonstrated just how extraordinarily important Lei Bin was to Raina.

Star Ocean Academy was not very far from the Lei estate, located in a vast expanse of wilderness over ten thousand miles outside Star Capital City. The academy was intentionally established in such a remote area to facilitate training and minimize the distractions of the bustling city, allowing students to focus better on their studies.

In just over forty minutes, the ultra-luxurious Star Shuttle 900 arrived in the skies above Star Ocean Academy.

At this time, tens of thousands of flying vehicles of all sizes were already parked in the landing bay outside the academy gates, belonging to students arriving for the new term.

Star Ocean Academy had a strict rule: no flying vehicles were permitted to fly directly into the campus airspace. After checking in at the gates, students were picked up and dropped off by specialized low-altitude transport vehicles provided by the academy.

The interior of Star Ocean Academy was guarded by powerful defense weaponry to fend off potential attacks. After all, this was the gathering place for the elite talents of the Federation, and an attack here would result in catastrophic losses.

The defensive capabilities of Star Ocean Academy surpassed even those of top-tier military bases. For instance, the Number 3 Base on Tumu Planet where Lei Bin and his comrades had been stationed belonged to a Class B defense system, whereas Star Ocean Academy possessed a Class S defense system.

Therefore, leaving aside a mere Star Shuttle 900, even a Class A battleship would find itself severely battered if it dared to trespass.

It was precisely because of this overwhelming military might that no one had ever dared to force their way into Star Ocean Academy. High-ranking officials and aristocrats alike had to obediently park their vehicles outside.

Anyone who mistakenly breached the academy's airspace and was shot down would find their death unavenged, even if they were the President.

However, when the Lei family's Star Shuttle 900 arrived at the school gates, it did not stop at the designated parking area. Instead, it sailed directly past the gates and flew right into the campus.

"Damn it, Uncle Huan, are we really just going to fly right in like this?" Lei Bin could not help feeling a slight pang of surprise.

Lei Huan smiled gently and said, "Young Master, please rest assured. While others lack the qualifications to pilot a vehicle into the campus grounds, our Lei family holds this privilege."

"Oh? The Lei family has this privilege? Why? Didn't they say even the President doesn't have it?" Lei Bin asked, unable to contain his curiosity. Had the status of the Lei family truly reached such dizzying heights?

Glancing at the picturesque campus below, Lei Huan let out a soft sigh and explained, "That privilege was bought with the blood of generations of the Lei family. Although Star Ocean Academy offers a wide range of subjects, it was originally established as a military academy to train officers. Back then, many descendants of the Lei family graduated from Star Ocean Academy, entered the military, and performed immortal deeds of valor. No fewer than fifty--eight of them gave their lives for the country in battle. Therefore, Star Ocean Academy grants the Lei family this special prerogative."

Although Lei Huan spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, Lei Bin knew that for Star Ocean Academy to carve out such a unique exception for the Lei family, their contributions must have been monumental.

While he was well-versed in the glorious history of the Lei family, he remained largely ignorant of its true secrets.

Just like this special privilege—there were undoubtedly other hidden stories buried behind it.

Lei Bin decided not to press further, preferring to let time reveal the truth gradually. In truth, Xing Meng undoubtedly knew all about these matters, but Lei Bin had no desire to uncover them immediately.

Within his heart, complex emotions regarding the Lei family always lingered, making him reluctant to touch upon certain subjects.

As the Star Shuttle 900 crossed the threshold into the campus, the dense crowd of people gathered on the ground below for registration instantly erupted into a commotion.

"What kind of vehicle is that? Who dares to fly directly into the campus?"

"You don't even know that? And you call yourself a student coming to Star Ocean Academy? That's the Lei family's aircraft. Throughout the entire Federation, only the Lei family's aircraft possess the qualification to fly directly into Star Ocean Academy."

"So it's the Lei family's ship, no wonder. Why does the Lei family wield such immense power?"

"Because the Lei family has produced too many heroes. Among the top one hundred on Star Ocean Academy's list of military achievements, thirty-seven belong to descendants of the Lei family. What do you think?"

"What? Thirty-seven out of the top one hundred are from the Lei family? Isn't that a bit exaggerated?"

"Exaggerated? Half the credit for the Federation's continued existence today belongs to the Lei family. If not for the descendants of the Lei family shedding blood and sacrificing themselves back then, the Federation wouldn't exist; it would have been swallowed up by the Empire long ago."

"Indeed. During that battle in the White Cloud Star System, among the Golden Eagle troops alone, eight members of the Lei family laid down their lives."

"Why did Major General Lunhard refuse the rank of Marshal back then? It was because he knew the greatest credit for that victory belonged to the Lei family descendants. Though he survived, he felt unworthy of those fallen heroes. The true glory belonged to them. That single act shattered the plans of certain factions trying to use Lunhard to suppress the Lei family."

"That's right. That's why the Federation could only have a single Marshal rank, which was practically created specifically for the Lei family. No matter how high other military officers climbed in achievements, they could only become Five-Star Senior Generals, never Marshals. There can only be one Marshal in the entire Federation."

"Why did the Lei family's aircraft come here? Could someone from their family be entering Star Ocean Academy? Weren't the descendants of the Lei family..."

"You idiot, who is currently the biggest hero in the Federation? Isn't he a descendant of the Lei family? That Lei Bin used to be nothing more than an ordinary infantryman, but now that he has achieved greatness and success, naturally he has to enter Star Ocean Academy for further studies before taking up a post in the military."

"Ah, right. Because Lei Bin was the son of Ye Yuting, he was never accepted by the Lei family before. Now that the Lei family has no one left, they have no choice but to bring him back and groom him properly."

"Come to think of it, the Lei family's genes are truly exceptional. Over the centuries, they've produced so many heroic figures. Back in the day, my biggest idol was Lei Xingfeng—the premier swordsman of the military, whose brilliance was unmatched. To think his son turned out just as outstanding. It's truly envious."

"A towering tree catches the wind, and towering excellence invites destruction. The Lei family was simply too brilliant and drew too much the spotlight, which is why they met such a tragic fate. Now, with only Lei Bin left in the entire family, I'm afraid their decline isn't far off."

...

While the crowd discussed the past grievances and glories of the Lei family, the Star Shuttle 900 carrying Lei Bin had already touched down in front of a tall, white building.

The architectural style of this building was intensely retro, adorned with intricately carved details depicting figures, birds and beasts, various weaponry, and mythological characters. When pieced together, the whole facade resembled a vast, epic historical scroll.

Lei Bin stepped down from the Star Shuttle 900 to find a middle-class man wearing glasses and a眯眯眼 (smiling squint) waiting for him.

"Is this the renowned hero of the Federation? What an absolute pleasure. I am Lu Neng, a professor of engineering chemistry here," the middle-class man said, stepping forward immediately upon seeing Lei Bin and Lei Huan approach.

"Hello, Professor Lu. I'm terribly sorry to have troubled you to come out and welcome me personally," Lei Bin replied politely upon seeing the teacher's courteous demeanor. Lei Bin lived by a simple code: treat others as they treat you. Since the professor was polite and bore no hostility toward him, Lei Bin naturally responded in kind.

"Not at all. You may be about to become a student of this academy, but you are a hero of the Federation who has rendered immortal service. Coming to greet you is a matter of respecting the Federation's honor and honoring the Federation's heroes," Lu Neng said with an unwavering smile. His expression was as warm and approachable as a friendly uncle next door.

Yet, a lingering intuition told Lei Bin that this teacher was far from as simple as he appeared on the surface.

"Serving the country is a soldier's duty, hardly worth mentioning. Professor Lu's words flatter me and make me feel undeserving." Unable to read through Lu Neng's true nature, Lei Bin grew even more courteous.

Growing up in the old district, Lei Bin had learned one golden rule above all else: be extra polite and cautious around people you cannot read, because such individuals are often the most dangerous.

"To think you are so modest, Lei Bin. You truly uphold the consistent style of the Lei family; you are a worthy descendant indeed," Lu Neng praised once more before turning to Lei Huan behind Lei Bin. "Lord Steward, to think you would grace us with your presence. This truly brings immense splendor to our academy."

"Professor Lu is too kind. The Young Master has come to study at your esteemed academy, and I must ask for your kind guidance in the future," Lei Huan replied with equal politeness.

Lu Neng immediately responded, "Lord Steward, you jest. The descendants of the Lei family have rendered countless services to the Federation and are the pride of the academy. Having a descendant of the Lei family study here is our greatest honor."

"In that case, please lead the way, Professor Lu. I have been instructed to pay a visit to Principal Tan," Lei Huan said with a smile.

"Certainly, Principal Tan is already waiting for the two of you. Please follow me," Lu Neng said, turning to lead the way.

Lei Bin let out an internal sigh. To think his arrival warranted a personal reception by the principal himself—the protocol was simply too extravagant, making him feel rather out of place.

He remembered back when he attended primary school in the old district; he used to hold immense fear toward teachers and principals, always viewing them as towering, unfathomable figures.

Following Lu Neng, Lei Bin and his companions entered the building and boarded a quaint, antique elevator that carried them to the topmost floor.

Occupying the entire top floor was a single room: the Principal's Office.

Positioned there, one could overlook the entire campus grounds, making it the absolute prime location.

"Principal, Lei Bin and the Lord Steward have arrived," Lu Neng announced, knocking gently on the door of the Principal's Office.

"Please come in," an aged voice responded from within.

"So he's an old man too," Lei Bin thought to himself as Lu Neng pushed the door open. Inside, his eyes were greeted by a massive oval desk. Seated behind it was an elderly man wearing black-rimmed glasses, his face covered in wrinkles and his hair entirely white.

Upon seeing Lei Bin, a faint, ambiguous smile instantly surfaced on the old man's face. "It is my failing not to have welcomed the Lord Steward personally; please forgive my discourtesy."

Being the principal, naturally he wouldn't say he should have gone out to welcome Lei Bin. After all, Lei Bin was destined to be a student here; if a principal personally went to greet a single student, it would completely break decorum.

Therefore, the old man addressed only his failure to greet Lei Huan.

"Principal Tan is too polite. The Young Master is here for his studies, and we must trouble you to look after him," Lei Huan said deferentially.

"Lord Steward is too modest. Every descendant of the Lei family is an elite who brings only honor to the academy; how could they ever be trouble?" Principal Tan spoke these words while fixing a gaze carrying a trace of a smile upon Lei Bin.

Meeting the principal's gaze, Lei Bin instantly recognized him as an old fox. Deciding not to pierce the veil, he offered a slight smile and said, "I must ask Principal Tan for your abundant guidance in the days to come."