On the desolate barren planet of Rennes, an Asian teenager named Lin Yuan receives an admission notice for the Empire’s best military academy San Romia. So begins his life changing military school career.
Lin Yuan: Wow! This school’s really great! Everyone even has a separate bedroom! But…why does my next door roommate always knock on my door? And all day long he keeps bothering me, God! So annoying!
Lin Yuan: I’m a Beta, my biggest wish is to meet a nice Beta girl, get married, have children and live in peace! Wait a minute… Why does my body suddenly feel strange? Why does this medicine look like drugs to prevent Omega from entering estrus?
Trembling in his roommate’s arms Lin Yuan blushes and tries to push off his chest: “Wait…wait a minute…I’ve always thought of you as a friend. Don’t do this…..ah….”
At that moment, Lin Yuan seems to feel that the universe has malicious plans for him. The world is collapsing, who will tell him why the script is so wrong?
The beginning of the series lacked a solid foundation, with one-dimensional characters and weak action sequences. The battles felt illogical and unconvincing, despite being set in a supposedly futuristic world. While the science fiction aspect wasn't fully utilized, and the scientific explanations were weak, the inclusion of rape, sexism, and same-sex flirtation did not redeem the series for me. Moreover, the sexual content, which was supposedly a highlight, was disappointing. A compelling plot and character development were sorely needed.
To begin with, the science was questionable. A spoiler follows:
In preventing omegas, it would've been simpler to surgically remove glands responsible for hormone secretion and provide supplementary hormones. With science fiction, such procedures might leave minimal traces. However, the characters opt for medication, which the protagonist is unaware of being an omega. Ensuring consistent daily intake without explanation is challenging, especially considering the homemade nature of the drug with no clinical trials or safety monitoring.
The mother's failure to inform her son about his condition was glaring. Her character was shallow and undefined, further adding to the disconnect. Unexplained pet ownership, considering potential allergies and disobedience, added another inconsistency.
The plot hole with the "dog" sneaking past a scanner by disguising itself as a white sweater was implausible, as scanners typically detect living organisms, not colors. Even with this absurdity, I initially tried to overlook it as magical elements. However, the battle scenes were where the series lost me.
When the enemy general captured the protagonist's ship, no casualties ensued, deflating any tension. General Rosen's miraculous save without losses undermined the stakes. It seemed illogical for the enemy to engage in such a futile visit. Proper planning and precautions were missing, turning the encounter into a comical escape.
The battle descriptions were inadequate, leaving me wanting for thrilling action. Military stories without action sequences feel incomplete.
The flashback to 19 years ago exposed another issue. Ling Yu's intelligent anticipation of his medication's failure was commendable, but Rosen's subsequent rape and marking of Ling Yu undermined any trust. Ling Yu chose imprisonment over becoming an omega, and Rosen's actions betrayed their friendship. Rosen's actions as a general were irresponsible and selfish, further harming his character.
Ling Yu's escape, despite his high-ranking, was unrealistic, with no mention of tracking devices or futuristic monitoring. The plot holes and shallow characters made the series feel derivative and unoriginal.
In conclusion, I cannot find the same appeal others have found in this series. The lack of coherent plot, logic, and character development make it difficult to appreciate. It appears to be a polarizing choice, but based on my experience, there's little to recommend at this point.
The inclusion of epilogue chapters at the end is a fantastic addition, giving insight into how the couples met and their families grow, including the cute little ones – wouldn't it be hilarious if their daughter turned out to be an alpha? That would certainly spice things up!
While I'm enjoying the raw versions for now, I must admit that a translated version would make it easier to understand and appreciate the story.
To heighten my interest in the story (as I'm not a fan of science fiction), I imagined the setting akin to a Gundam anime with an omegaverse romance plot, and surprisingly, it fit perfectly! 😊
Nonetheless, the novel earns a solid 4-star rating, plus an extra star for the engaging stories of the supporting couples like Brian and Snow, the MC's parents, Brian's parents, and Snow's parents. The additional content was a real bonus, making it a thoroughly satisfying read.
The story appears to be centered around gender empowerment, but the current direction makes it challenging to envision a satisfying outcome for the main characters. Given the nature of their circumstances, it seems unlikely that they'll find happiness together; one would likely have to compromise for the other's sake.
Lastly, I apologize if this might be a spoiler, but a particular incident involving the MC's father (Marshal) questioning the prince about the MC's consent to being marked was a breaking point for me. The Marshal seems to have forgotten that he permanently marked and impregnated the MC's father (Lin Yu) despite the latter's efforts to avoid marking. It's disconcerting how the Marshal is now acting paternal without considering the prince's actions were temporary and that the MC's father once had similar feelings. I guess I've said my piece for now.