LOWKEY INTERSTELLER CAPTAIN

Next day Cheno Bo's heart pounded as he rushed to the small, fogged-up mirror inside the barracks' washroom. His youthful face stared back at him, his features free of the scars and battle-worn exhaustion he had carried for years. He touched his jaw, running his fingers over the smooth skin, disbelief washing over him once more. The memories of his past life were still vivid—the horror of war, the final desperate battle, the excruciating pain of death. And yet, here he was, back in his eighteen-year-old body, reliving a past he had already endured.

[System Initialization: Complete.]

The voice in his head made him freeze. The System—a concept he had heard only in myths and restricted military documents—was now speaking to him, displaying translucent blue text in the corner of his vision.

[Welcome, Host. Binding percentage 1%.]

[Current Status: Imperial Military Academy Cadet, Year 1.] [New Mission: Survive the Academy’s Combat Trials. Reward: Status Upgrade.]

Cheno swallowed hard. This wasn’t a joke. The System was real. And it was his.

He forced himself to breathe deeply, pushing aside his disbelief. The System had already given him a mission—to survive the Combat Trials. He knew what those entailed. Brutal, unforgiving tests designed to weed out the weak, pushing cadets to their absolute limits. In his past life, he had barely been scraped by, suffering broken bones, humiliation, and near expulsion. But this time…

This time, he would dominate.

[System Analysis: Host's combat experience far exceeds current physical condition. Recommendation: Immediate training and attribute improvement.]

Cheno smirked. The System had identified his biggest disadvantage—his body. His mind was sharp, filled with battle-hardened instincts, but his current form was weak, undeveloped. He needed to rebuild himself into the warrior he had once been.

[Would you like to access the Status Panel?]

“Yes.”

A blue holographic window appeared before him.

[STATUS PANEL]
Name: Cheno Bo
Age: 18
Rank: Cadet (Imperial Military Academy)
Strength: 3
Agility: 4
Endurance: 3
Intelligence: 9
Combat Instinct: 12 (Locked)
Special Abilities: None (Yet)
System Energy: 0/100

He frowned. His Strength, Agility, and Endurance were pitiful. Even a first-year cadet should have at least 5 in each attribute. His only advantage was Intelligence, likely reflecting his knowledge and experience. But the most interesting thing was Combat Instinct: 12 (Locked).

“What does ‘locked’ mean?” Cheno asked aloud.

[Host’s physical state is too weak to access full combat potential. Unlocking requires a minimum Strength, Agility, and Endurance of 6.]

He clenched his fists. His skills—his instincts, his edge—were sealed away until he physically improved. That meant he had no choice but to push himself harder than ever before. The Academy’s training regime would be grueling, but he could supplement it with his own private training.

One other thing that bother Chen bo was system binding percentage 1 %. What does it mean.

The barracks' door suddenly burst open. “Bo! What the hell are you doing?” Jared Lian, his old squad mate yelled. “Formation is starting! Get your ass out here before Volker has us running suicides for a week!”

Cheno quickly splashed water on his face, dispelling his thoughts for now. He had time to figure everything out, but first, he had to survive the day’s training.

The academy’s vast training grounds were already filled with cadets standing in formation, backs straight, eyes forward. Sergeant Volker paced before them like a predator, his piercing gaze sweeping over the rows of recruits. He stopped when he reached Cheno and narrowed his eyes.

“You look different today, Bo. Almost like you finally grew a spine.”

Cheno didn’t flinch. In his past life, he would have lowered his gaze, intimidated by Volker’s domineering presence. But now? Now he knew what kind of soldier he would become. He met the sergeant’s gaze head-on.

Volker smirked. “Hmph. Let’s see if that attitude lasts.”

“Today’s training will separate the weak from the strong,” Volker barked. “You will complete ten kilometers of running, followed by combat drills, and finally, the obstacle course. Those who fail will be assigned extra drills until they either succeed or collapse. Welcome to the military, cadets.”

Groans echoed from the group, but Cheno took a deep breath, readying himself. His physical body was weak, but his mind knew how to endure. And with the System, he had an advantage no one else did.

[System Alert: Training detected. Would you like to activate Experience Boost?]

Cheno’s eyes widened. “Yes.”

[Experience Boost Activated. Training Efficiency increased by 20%.]

A surge of energy coursed through his limbs. It wasn’t supernatural, it wasn’t magic—but his muscles felt slightly more responsive, his breathing more controlled. It was subtle, but it made a difference.

The run began. Cadets struggled; their bodies already fatigued from the previous day’s grueling drills. Cheno focused on his breathing, conserving energy with each stride. He maintained a steady pace, ignoring the burning in his legs, pushing beyond his limits.

By the time they reached the combat drills, he was exhausted but still standing. Others gasped for breath, their faces pale. Volker strode in front of them, his voice was like iron. “Pair up! Hand-to-hand combat, no holding back!”

Cheno turned and found himself face-to-face with Ren Halden, the academy’s best academy’s self-proclaimed best fighter. Ren smirked. “Looks like I get to beat you down early, Bo.”

Cheno just smiled. In his past life, Ren humiliated him here. But now? He had decades of battle experience, even if his body was weak.

[New Mission: Defeat Ren Halden in Combat. Reward: +1 Strength, +1 Agility.]

Cheno took his stance, the familiar weight of battle armor over him. The fight began, and Ren charged—fast, aggressive. In his past life, Cheno would have flinched.

But this time, he saw everything.

Time seemed to slow. Ren’s foot shifted slightly to the left side; he was about to throw a right hook. Cheno sidestepped at the last second, dodging cleanly. Ren’s eyes widened in shock, but before he could recover, Cheno countered—a sharp palm strike to the chest, forcing Ren back.

Gasps rang out. Cheno had never fought like this before.

Ren growled and lunged again, but Cheno had already calculated his movements. A perfectly timed sweep kick sent Ren crashing to the ground.

Silence fell over the training grounds. Even Volker raised an eyebrow.

[Mission Complete. Strength +1. Agility +1.]

Cheno exhaled, a victorious smirk on his lips. This was just the beginning.

The System had given him a second chance. And this time, he would rise to the top.

Even if he had to destroy everything in his path.