Jihu had spent years living under the shadows of his powerful parents, Kang Daeho and Yoon Hayeon, the heads of one of the ruling families in the galaxy. Despite the lavish life he led, the echoes of his past life as Dr. Kang Jisoo never truly left him. He had spent too much time indulging in luxury, but now, he had a plan. He needed freedom, and the best way to get it was to gain their approval.
A New Dream
One evening, after an extravagant dinner where his father once again boasted about making Jihu into the greatest warrior in the galaxy, Jihu put his plan into motion.
"Father, Mother, I want to be an engineer," Jihu declared. His voice was steady, but his heart pounded as he watched their reactions.
Silence filled the grand dining hall. His father blinked, looking as if Jihu had just said something outrageously absurd. His mother, however, lit up with excitement.
"An engineer?" Yoon Hayeon repeated, setting her glass down. Her usually composed expression softened into something Jihu had never seen before—genuine joy.
"Yes," Jihu continued confidently. "I want to create, to innovate, to push the limits of technology. I want to understand how things work, how to make them better. I want to be an engineer."
His father exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "Hah! Engineering is useful, but warriors are the ones who conquer the stars."
But his mother's eyes shone with pride. "Jihu, you truly wish to dedicate yourself to this path?"
He nodded. "Yes, Mother."
Yoon Hayeon turned to her husband with an authority that even he couldn't ignore. "Daeho, let him be. Not all victories are won with swords."
Kang Daeho grumbled but ultimately waved a dismissive hand. "Fine, fine. But don't come crying when you realize battle is what truly matters in this universe."
Jihu internally sighed in relief. His mother, eager to support his new passion, commissioned the construction of a private engineering garage—a massive facility filled with the latest equipment, AI assistants, and all the resources he could ever need. And more importantly, she allowed him to personally purchase materials for his projects.
His first step toward freedom was a success.
Four Years of Learning
The next four years passed in relentless study and experimentation. Jihu didn't just learn—he devoured knowledge. Every spare moment was spent understanding the latest advancements in engineering, robotics, spaceship mechanics, and AI development. He used his past-life expertise to accelerate his learning, mastering concepts that took others decades.
He built countless prototypes—some failures, some successes. He constructed AI-powered drones, self-repairing circuits, and even experimental energy sources that outperformed existing models. His mother occasionally visited, her pride evident in her soft smiles. Even his father, though reluctant to admit it, began acknowledging his son's genius.
But beyond the projects for show, Jihu worked on something far more important: the foundation for his true escape.
Slowly and secretly, he gathered the highest-grade materials, all while hiding his true purpose behind a facade of innocent invention.
A Masterpiece is Born
At age 15, Jihu had done the impossible. After five years of relentless work, he had built a spaceship that rivaled even the top-tier models used by elite military forces.
The Orion-X1, as he called it, was a compact yet immensely powerful single-pilot starship. It boasted:
Stealth capabilities beyond any commercial model.
A hyper-advanced AI system, partially modeled after Leon's old algorithms.
Self-repairing nanotechnology to sustain long-term travel.
A custom-built engine capable of breaking speed records.
It was the pinnacle of his engineering brilliance, hidden safely beneath the northern cliffs of his estate. Whenever the time came, he would be ready.
For the first time, Jihu allowed himself to breathe. He had done it. He had truly built his path to freedom.
Or so he thought.
An Unexpected Summons
One morning, Jihu woke up to an official notification on his personal terminal. His brows furrowed as he read the emblem on the message header. It was from The Celestial Academy.
A chill ran down his spine. He tapped the screen, and a holographic message materialized before him.
[To: Jihu Kang][Subject: Official Admission Notice]
Dear Jihu Kang,
As the sole heir of the Kang Family, you have been selected to enroll in the Celestial Academy—an institution dedicated to shaping the greatest minds and warriors among the 500 ruling families.
Your evaluation results show exceptional promise. As such, your attendance is no longer optional. You are required to report to the Academy within the next two months.
We look forward to your arrival.
[End Transmission]
Jihu's hands clenched. His heart thundered in his chest.
No. This isn't part of the plan.
The Celestial Academy wasn't just any school. It was an elite institution designed to cultivate the greatest rulers, warriors, and leaders of the galaxy. Once he stepped into its gates, every aspect of his life would be monitored. His movements. His conversations. His ambitions.
His freedom would be stripped away.
His father stormed into his workshop moments later, grinning from ear to ear. "HAH! My son, chosen by the Celestial Academy! Do you understand what this means? You're going to stand at the top of the galaxy!"
Jihu felt cold. The weight of his past and future pressed on his chest.
He had spent a decade preparing to carve his own path, yet now, that path was being decided for him.
He couldn't refuse. The Academy didn't accept rejections. Once you were chosen, you either enrolled—or you disappeared.
His fingers trembled as he turned off the holographic message. His mind raced. How do I escape this? How do I turn this to my advantage?
And then, a thought struck him.
If the Academy raises the future leaders of the galaxy… then it must also hold the greatest secrets of the universe.
Jihu exhaled, forcing himself to calm down. Maybe this wasn't the disaster he thought it was. Maybe, just maybe… this was an opportunity.
The Academy held knowledge that only the ruling families had access to. If he played his cards right, he could find the information he needed to locate Leon, uncover the secrets of forgotten technology, and accelerate his plans.
Jihu straightened his posture, schooling his expression into something unreadable. His father was watching. His mother was watching. He needed to act the part.
Slowly, he smiled.
"I understand, Father."
Kang Daeho roared with laughter, clapping him on the back. His mother smiled proudly, unaware of the storm brewing beneath Jihu's calm exterior.
As they celebrated, Jihu's mind was already working. Already planning.
The Academy thought it had chosen him.But in truth, he had chosen it.
To be continued...