Chapter 9: Mining, Mishaps, and Mayhem
Lin Yan checked his device for the scholarship exam countdown—just one week left.
He sighed. "Great… enough stress already. Can't I have one normal day?"
He left his apartment, still glowing faintly from the serum. Star, as usual, had something to say:
"Master Lin Yan, you appear slightly disheveled. Shall I suggest clothing modifications?"
Lin Yan groaned. "No, Star… I don't need fashion advice. I need a coffee… and maybe a nap. Preferably together."
"Coffee cannot increase survival probability. Nap efficiency: 12%. Recommend ignoring both and focusing on work."
Lin Yan rolled his eyes, muttering to himself. "Star, you never let me relax, do you?"
At the mining port, Lin Yan climbed into his tiny mining pod, affectionately dubbed the "Winnerpot." It could carry him and resources—nothing more.
"Master, resource collection today will be challenging. Estimated completion time: three to five hours. Probability of falling asleep mid-task: 92%."
Lin Yan smirked. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Star. You really know how to make a guy feel motivated."
As soon as he entered the asteroid field, his serum-enhanced reflexes kicked in. He dodged a floating rock the size of a refrigerator like it was a fly buzzing past his head.
"Master, excellent reflexes. Probability of survival has increased… slightly."
Lin Yan laughed. "Slightly? Star… do you ever exaggerate?"
"Negative, Master. Exaggeration would compromise accuracy."
The tiny robot, Star Jr., zipped around in the asteroid field, collecting crystal energy stones. One miscalculation sent it spinning toward Lin Yan's pod.
"Star! Watch it! You little—"
Lin Yan barely dodged, spinning in his pod like a drunken space hamster. He slammed into a floating crate of low-grade crystals.
Crash!
Star's voice: "Master, you appear to be auditioning for 'Zero-G Circus.' Recommendation: less spinning, more coordination."
Lin Yan groaned. "Star… can you stop narrating my humiliation?"
"Negative. Narration is my primary function. Secondary function: sarcastic commentary."
By the time Lin Yan returned to the port, he was exhausted, glowing, and slightly dizzy, but his pod was full.
His teammates were waiting, eyes wide.
"Lin Yan… you look… different. Taller? Stronger?" one asked.
Another laughed.
"And cuter! What did you do? Drink alien protein shake or something?"
Lin Yan's face flushed bright red.
"Uh… nothing! Totally normal… serum… workout… nothing weird!"
Star whispered in his head:
"Master, blush levels at maximum. Recommended: faint discreetly."
Lin Yan glared. "Star… if I faint, you're cleaning up my mess!"
Back at home, Lin Yan tried to relax with food, movies, and a shower, but Star wouldn't let him.
"Master, vitals indicate high stress. Emotional instability detected. Suggest journaling, meditation, or screaming into a pillow."
Lin Yan groaned. "Star… can't I just watch a movie in peace?"
"Negative. Peace is inefficient. Survival is mandatory."
Lin Yan flopped onto his bed, muttering, "I'm glowing, powerful, serum-enhanced… and completely insane."