Path to Becoming the Greatest Space Mercenary-Chapter 86 One Last Schooling

Avery engaged the Dauntless’ tractor beam around Ezra’s ship and set a course to Yuson II.

He had not been home since the award ceremony on Yuson Prime, and was ready to head back.

’As much as I’ve been trying not to think about it, we’re going to be leaving this system soon. There’s far less pirate activity after the large-scale raid, and while the energy lifeforms were unexpected, it’s not like there are really any dangerous space monsters around here. A lot of the mercenary work has simply dried up.’

From the beginning, Avery had known he would need to leave his home system. Mercenaries needed to stay mobile and search out for regions that could offer high paying jobs. And that was especially true for Avery and the other members of his recently formed group.

At their ranks, there were almost no worthwhile missions left in the system. It was a bit odd to say, but things were too peaceful for them.

Still, while he was a bit forlorn to leave his family and the place he had grown up, his yearning to see more of the galaxy trumped those feelings.

"We haven’t left yet, and we can always come back later. I’m sure your parents will be delighted to hear what sort of adventures you’ve been up to whenever you return." Kasandra said, reaching over and placing her hand atop Avery’s

It seems that what he was thinking had shown on his face. As a mercenary that had once left behind her own home, Kasandra had experienced similar feelings.

Having a warm hand over his own, Avery felt comfort in knowing that he was not going to be on his own. He would have likeminded companions with him.

Soon enough, they had made their way back to Yuson II.

Once they had docked a repair crew immediately descended upon Ezra’s vessel and began working to repair its thrusters and plating.

"Okay, time to go to a bar. I’ve picked out a fancier one than usual that we can get a private room at. Oh, and Kasandra, did you get in touch with Kaiden?"

"Yeah, he’ll be here shortly." Kasandra replied.

"Please, go easy on my wallet. I’m going to need to transfer eight and a half million Krenin to you after all." Ezra said, a bit of a vacant look in his eyes as he imagined half of his savings disappearing in an instant.

However, the moment they left the hanger, they found an unexpected visitor waiting for them.

"Uncle!? What are you doing here."

Leaning against a wall and chewing on some jerky while he waited was Urs.

To most people, he might just look like a jacked old man, but to the ones that had been taught by him, it was clear that he was still a force to reckoned with.

"I heard that the two students I taught how to be mercenaries were duking it out amongst each other. Figured I come by and see what the results were. And to make sure there wasn’t bad enough blood between ya that you started killing each other. Though, it looks like I was worried for nothing"

Urs had been uncertain of the exact nature of their competition. He had simply heard from a friend that was part of the Alliance Police and had seen Ezra challenge Avery at the award ceremony.

"Yeah, I was a bit surprised, but Ezra didn’t have any ill intentions. We fought things out and I’ll be taking charge of the mercenary group were building. Ezra will be joining us, so I think we’re off to a pretty good start." Avery said proudly.

"I see. Never thought the day would come that the brash kid that begged me to train him and showed no signs of ever working with anyone would seek out allies." Urs said, raising an eyebrow and turning towards his nephew.

"I’ve gone through a lot in the last six and a half years uncle. After all this time, I’ve learned quite a bit about being a mercenary. And I know that I’ve just about reached the limit of how far I can go on my own. I’m sure that you know about that better than anyone. So, when I received a transmission from you that you were training someone else, I figured it was a sign. It was time for me to find comrades, and who better than someone that learned from the same mentor."

Of course, Ezra had originally imagined easily recruiting Avery to his side as a veteran and more skilled mercenary. But that had all changed after the energy life from incident.

Not only did Avery perform better than him, but he was also honored with the third highest award any mercenary could receive. It was clear that his experience did not make him undeniably superior, and that someone like Avery would never simply agree to follow him.

That was why he had proposed a competition. Though, at a certain point, he no longer truly cared if he won or not.

After he fully explained things to his uncle, Urs nodded his head in understanding.

"I stayed solo throughout my career, but I get where the two of you are coming from. There are plenty of threats waiting out in space, and it’s nice to have someone to watch your back. Sometimes I wish I’d tried harder to build solid relationships myself." Urs said, a hint of regret in his eyes.

Nevertheless, whatever momentary weakness he was showing quickly vanished.

"Since you’re both here, how about a final test from me. I could use a good workout and want to see how much you both have improved. I’ve already got a room at the Mercenary Association branch ready. Follow me."

Knowing that refusing was not an option, Avery and Ezra went with Urs while frantically sending requests to the stations transport network to have their equipment shipped to the association building.

…

"Hm, not too bad, but you’re not quite up to snuff yet. It’ll be a few more years before either of you can beat me."

In his power armor, Avery was lying flat on the ground.

Urs had soundly beaten him, and the program had shutdown the suit when it was determined to have been "destroyed."

As for Ezra, he was likewise face down on the ground. His body still convulsing from the heavy electric shock that he had been hit with.

Even when working together, the two of them were unable to best their teacher. Urs had was simply too strong and had vastly more experience than them. He had torn them apart.

"So, this is what someone that became a five star mercenary working solo is capable of." Kasandra said in awe, having watched the entire match.

There was no other word to describe Urs other than strong. When he attacked, there was not a single move wasted, and even if it seemed like he was corned, he always had a way to turn things around.

Leaving Avery and Ezra to pick themselves back up, Urs came into the room Kasandra had been viewing the battle from and grabbed a bottle of water out of his bag.

"You’re the girl that Avery recently took as part of his crew, right?"

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"Y-yes. He rescued me when my ship was destroyed, and I was left floating with only a defenseless cockpit around me. I’d be long dead by now if not for him." Kasandra replied somewhat nervously due to how imposing Urs was.

"That lines up with the records I’ve read from the Alliance Police reports. But have you told him about yourself yet? About why you and your brother became mercenaries in the first place?"

Kasandra’s eyes went wide when Urs said this.

While she did plan on telling him at some point, she had yet to divulge her past to Avery.

They had been busy with little time to worry about such things, so she had not felt inclined to put another burden on him. At least not right now.

"How did you find out about us? It shouldn’t be possible to get information like that this far away." Kasandra said warily

"Oh, seems I hit the nail on the head." Urs replied with a wry grin.

Certainly, he had some suspicions, but he did not have any actual concrete information on Kasandra and Kaiden’s past. All he had found on them were records stored by the Mercenary Association about their activities since they joined five years ago.

Still, it seemed that his attempt at fishing for intel had worked.

"What is it you’re after? I thought that it was taboo to look into a fellow mercenary’s past."

"That’s true, but I’m retired. Just a former merc trying to look after the kids he trained. I figure that you’ve got your own circumstances, but are they going to bring danger to Avery?"

Kasandra winced and remained silent, but that was all the answer Urs needed. Something from her past could very well prove to be a threat to Avery in the future.

"I’m not going to tell you to leave him. But if I find out that he died because of you, and you survived, expect me to pay you a visit." Urs said, hitting Kasandra with the full force of a five star mercenary’s intimidation.

Gulping loudly, Kasandra looked pale after receiving Urs’ warning.

Only moments later, Avery and Ezra walked in with haggard expressions on their faces.

"Is something going on here?" Avery asked, sensing the tension in the room.

"N-no! Nothing is happening. We we’re just chatting."

Hastily, Kasandra replied to Avery and attempted to cover things up.

"It is as the lady said. We were just talking. Perhaps I simply brought up a slightly too graphic story from my heyday as a merc." Urs said, releasing a boisterous laugh to expunge the tension.

"Now, I believe that you all we’re going to celebrate the forming of your band. Since I derailed your plans and took up your time, allow me to pay in my nephew’s stead. It seems he’s already lost enough money."

At Urs’ beckoning, the four of them headed to the bar they had a reserved room at and met up with Kaiden there.

After that, they partied the rest of the day away. Enjoying a bout of revelry in between the excitement and dangers of mercenary work.