*** Authors note: My apologies for the extremely long delay in writing this story up, i hope to write a few chapters on a regular basis now. ***

".. Please, everyone. Put your hands together and welcome our newest Higher, Jedda!"

It's a dream, it must be. Dazed and still astounded, you rise from your seat on the stage and walk up to the Dean. Robotically you shake his hand and grasp the ribbon from his outstretched hand and wave to the enormous crowd. How many were there? a hundred thousand? A million?

Do i want to know?

You can barely hear anything at all through your disbelief as you walk up to the podium, seemingly surrounded by camera bots and mics.

The crowd falls slowly silent as you hold your hand up "_Just run through the numbers." _You think.

"I.. I think i'm dreaming... but when i pinch myself i don't wake up so i guess this is real!"

A loud wave of applause and cheering greet your ears for half a minute.

"Thank you all for coming, i don't know what to feel. I know there isn't a mistake or anything but really... me? Wow. It really hits home."

A quick pause before you continue.

"School is now out, and what lies ahead is the biggest challenge yet for me, survival of Primorda!"

You feel your confidence gaining, the dumbness of the shock melts away.

"Once i conquer that test i will immediately travel to sector 804 and begin mapping the Tucana Dwarf galaxy to find the solution we all need!"

A massive roar erupted, continuing on for several minutes before dying down slowly.

Please! Wish me luck. Thank you to everyone who had faith in me, i promise not to let you or ANYONE down!"

Anything else you wanted to say was drowned out by the crowd. You pump your fists in the air as adrenalin begins coursing through your system. The roar of the crowd drowns out all. Eventually though it changes from a noise to something more coherent, then all you hear is "Higher! .. Higher!.. Higher!" being roared out by the fifteen million strong crowd who were totally devoted to recognising the best student on their entire planet.

You turn away from the crowd and march towards the waiting starship that will immediately take you to Primorda, the place of your final test. If successful, you will be joined to your very own starship and AI to begin your adventure.