Luna didn't remain in hibernation constantly.

She would awaken at specific intervals, not for leisure, but for learning and self-improvement.

As the saying goes, "live and learn." She needed to keep pace with technological advancements to avoid falling behind.

"Luna, are you playing the role of a naive student?"

Ayla's voice reached Luna's ears.

It was a tiny headset. Luna didn't respond, but watched as a Kate professor lectured in the classroom.

She was currently a student.

Most students long for the freedom of adulthood.

Upon entering adulthood, many reminisce about their carefree student days.

The pressures of adulthood—economic, marital, career—are far greater than those of student life.

This was true for Luna, perhaps even more so given her long lifespan. She felt a stronger nostalgia for those simpler times than most.

After a lecture, Luna gathered her materials and left the classroom.

"It's not about playing the role of a naive student, but about reminiscing."

"Besides, isn't a school the ideal learning environment? Your explanations often feel like dry textbooks."

Ayla's annoyed voice filled her headset.

"I dedicate immense computing power to provide you with detailed analyses of various technologies. Hmph, clearly your intelligence is lacking!"

Ayla had become quite sharp-tongued.

And Luna had grown accustomed to it.

Like a mother observing her child, sharp words were a part of their daily interactions.

After stowing her materials, Luna went for a run, a habit she'd maintained for years.

From the track, she could see the school entrance, bearing a somewhat awkwardly rendered sign.

【Humanity Academy, Proxima Centauri Designated Zone】

The name might have seemed a little commonplace on Earth.

Now, it held far greater significance.

"Luna, I don't understand why you're so nostalgic for Earth's culture and history yet chose to exclude it from the curriculum."

Before establishing the Humanity Academy, Luna had planned the curriculum.

The first thing she removed was history.

"History, for me, and perhaps for anyone on Earth, was a source of national pride."

"After the great wars of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, humanity needed to study history, to draw strength from the past, and escape the shadows of war."

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"The longer the history, the richer the heritage."

"History is a narrative of the past. But for the new generation, it's unknown, unheard of. They only know they are part of a superior civilization within the galactic federation."

"A history of primitive civilization is irrelevant, abstract, a distant fantasy."

"It's fine as entertainment, but as a systematic field of study, it's a waste of their time and resources."

"Humanity must look to the future, focusing all its attention on what lies ahead."

"We're far from the point where we can afford complacency. If we don't push forward, we'll be destroyed by another civilization."

Luna stopped, panting, her body drenched in sweat.

While she rejected the Dark Forest Theory, she didn't assume other civilizations would be benevolent; many would simply choose to eliminate others.

The light-based civilization, the third civilization in the Alpha Centauri system—even a glimpse of these advanced civilizations was terrifying.

Complacency was a luxury only afforded during peaceful times.

Luna sat under a tree beside the track.

"Luna, some water?"

A young man, dressed in white, with long, bony, chin-length hair, offered her a bottle of water.

Luna accepted it gratefully and drank.

"You run so well; it's a shame you don't join the Track and Field team."

The young man sat beside her, sighing.

He was a member of the Track and Field team, named Bai Ta, who had tried to recruit Luna after witnessing her exceptional speed.

Bai Ta was one of Luna's few friends at school.

"But then again, you're not like us, trying to impress girls with our running."

"Although your appearance is unremarkable, you have a certain aura. I hear many girls admire you."

Luna wasn't using her original face but a realistic skin replica created by Ayla—a thin layer applied over her actual skin, only detectable under a microscope.

...

School was a relatively peaceful part of her routine.

This awakening, however, had a different purpose.

"What's the current robot production rate?"

Ayla's serious voice filled her earpiece. "Sufficient!"

"I've been researching the third civilization's technology during these years. You can rest assured."

Ayla had been studying the third civilization's quark-level energy converters and had begun adapting that technology to another field.

Nanobots.

These weren't simply robots with biological characteristics; they could enter living organisms.

Twenty years ago, this technology had achieved a breakthrough, becoming practical.

These nanobots were nanometer-scale, a thousand times smaller than the nanobots envisioned in the 21st century.

The challenge was that smaller robots were more complex to produce and required vastly larger numbers.

"We've produced 1 trillion nanobots—barely enough to be useful."

"We'd need at least 10 trillion for optimal effect."

"These nanobots also function as medical nanobots, capable of repairing minor injuries, regulating hormones, and even performing minor genetic modifications."

"After the injection, your lifespan will increase significantly, Luna, from 600 to approximately 850 years."

Ayla had even more advanced gene-editing technologies that could extend Luna's lifespan even further.

But Luna didn't want to repeat the year-long, sensationless ordeal on the operating table, so she refused. Her current lifespan was sufficient.

She was only 107 years old.

A robot approached from outside, carrying a small case. Luna accepted it and opened it.

Inside was a syringe containing a clear liquid.

Luna picked up the syringe, injected it into her vein, and emptied its contents.

A cool sensation spread throughout her body.

Within ten seconds, she felt invigorated. The effects were immediate.

She discarded the empty syringe into the case, handing it back to the robot, which left.

The whole process took less than a minute, unnoticed by others.

"Good."

"Let's accelerate the rollout. First, a complete inoculation of the human population, then the Kate and Light Chaser civilizations."

Humanity would be prioritized.

"Good!"

"But it's almost time for your afternoon classes, Luna!" Ayla reminded her.

"Right!"

Luna stood and headed towards the classroom.

A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, sunlight dappling the shadows.

Students streamed towards the classrooms, Luna blending in, enjoying this rare moment of normalcy.