From Cannon Fodder to Star Conqueror

Chapter 4: Psionics (Please keep reading! Save it to your library!)

In Amber's memory, Colonel Dallas, the second-in-command at Yasin Base, was one of the rare, exceptional soldiers on Robert IV.

In the original history, he had led the Federation guerrillas in a grueling fight for over six months on this planet, ultimately falling in the Empire's final siege after exhausting all supplies.

"Colonel Dallas, huh..."

Muttering the familiar name, Amber stepped into his assigned officer's room.

Compared to the crowded dormitories at the Federation military academy, the conditions of Yasin Base's officer apartments were far superior. It was leagues better than the cramped long-distance sleep pods aboard a destroyer.

As one of the key military bases on Robert IV, Yasin Base was constructed to the highest standards specified in the Federation Army Tactical Base Construction Guidelines.

Its defenses and support facilities reflected the extensive investment of time and money, and due to the chronic lack of officers, many rooms remained unoccupied.

Amber didn't have to wait for a room allocation.

As a "Psionic Operative" under the Tactical Support Group of the Combat Intelligence Center, he had been immediately assigned his quarters.

The apartment was compact but comfortable: a 30-square-meter room with a combined living space, a corner shower facility, and two neatly placed boxes of personal belongings at the foot of his bed.

These items had arrived via orbital airdrop during the destroyer's pass over Yasin Base, bypassing conventional transfers. For planetary bases, most space-transferred supplies completed their "final stretch" through this efficient method.

Amber approached and opened one of the boxes. Among a collection of electronic equipment and plastic-steel melee training weapons lay a smooth, mirror-like black sphere.

Seeing the familiar sphere, Amber focused his thoughts, channeling an unseen energy within him.

As the energy activated, a faint blue glow radiated from his eyes. A spark of blue lightning flashed between his fingertips and the black sphere.

In the next moment, the sphere floated slowly upward, moving toward Amber and hovering above his outstretched palm, gently spinning.

Soon, the black sphere stopped rotating, and a projection on its surface displayed the number 3.

"Level 3 Psionics?"

"That's... pretty low. But it still meets the minimum standard for a Psionic Operative."

Amber closed his eyes, focusing on the energy coursing through his body. This was the first time he had truly experienced psionics in reality.

While its activation felt oddly similar to the game, the sensation of psionic energy flowing through his body was something the game could never simulate.

---

Psionics: The Power of the Mind

Psionics is a mental energy closely tied to its user's brain.

With training, it allows individuals to manipulate the material world.

High-level Psionic users can unleash devastating psionic storms or even "charge" a starship in emergencies.

Amber's ability to move the sphere through the air—"telekinesis"—was the hallmark ability of a Level 3 Psionic user.

In the 12-level classification system for Psionic Awakened individuals, Level 3 was merely the beginning—enough to surpass ordinary humans but far from elite.

Compared to the Thousand-Star Empire's elves, who grow up harnessing psionics naturally, humanity's mastery of this "unscientific energy" is still at an elementary level.

The black sphere Amber was using—a Psionic Training and Detection Orb—was imported from the Empire.

Made from psionic mineral cores, it could measure psionic levels and help users refine their psionics through long-term practice.

In Federation military academies, spotting a man or woman playing with a black orb was commonplace—they were undoubtedly Psionic Operative trainees.

---

After manipulating the orb for a while, Amber gained a better understanding of his psionic capabilities.

His current psionic level was 3, though he was on the verge of reaching Level 4.

Beyond telekinesis, he could activate "psionic vision"—a skill that enabled him to "see through walls" and locate individuals.

With specialized equipment, he could even achieve dual optical and infrared invisibility.

This body had also undergone initial physical enhancements at the Federation academy.

Using "fullerene lattice" and "myofibril protein compounds", his bones and muscles were fortified to possess superhuman strength and speed.

Additionally, his nerves had been upgraded through a "reaction nerve enhancement surgery", replacing nerve dendrites with superconducting fibers.

This improved his reaction time by at least 300%.

Amber realized that during earlier incidents, like the blackout in the medical room, he hadn't fully adapted to this body. Now, with his psionics activated, he felt completely in sync with his enhancements.

"If I went back to that medical room incident now, I bet I could take Margaret's high heels off for closer inspection and put them back on before the lights came back."

"...Ugh. Having superhuman abilities, and I'm already thinking like a pervert."

Amber shook his head, chastising his wandering thoughts.

After freshening up in the washroom, Amber prepared to head to the cafeteria.

Given that Colonel Dallas himself would be dining with the new officers, arriving early seemed wise.

He briefly debated wearing his full-coverage psionic helmet—a standard piece of gear for Psionic Operatives that suppressed "leaked psionics" and concealed expressions.

At academy graduation parades, the Psionic Operatives' group had earned the nickname "Egghead Formation" for this very reason.

Ultimately, Amber decided against wearing it—after all, eating with a helmet was impractical.

---

Just as he was about to leave, his personal terminal beeped. A message flashed across the screen:

[Second Lieutenant Amber, report immediately to Major Mars' office.]

Amber frowned. Major Mars was the head of the Combat Intelligence Center—and his direct superior.

"Why is he summoning me right at mealtime? Seriously..."

Sighing, Amber put his helmet back on. Its one-way transparency served a dual purpose: hiding his expressions and blocking psionic signatures.

Only high-ranking officers could request a Psionic Operative to remove it.

---

Following his terminal's navigation, Amber quickly reached Major Mars' office.

The middle-aged officer, with his perpetually brooding expression, gestured lightly.

Instantly, Amber sensed reinforced panels rising within the walls, cutting off signals and fortifying the room's security.

Such precautions were only used for classified discussions or sensitive meetings.

"...What now? There aren't any sketchy 'hidden rules,' are there?"

Amber's mind wandered momentarily, but Major Mars' first sentence shattered his daydreams:

"Second Lieutenant Amber, what did that Imperial spy in the hospital tell you?"

Amber: Huh?!

(End of Chapter)