Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

Baisha had already heard about the 13th Military District's "Preparatory Class Enhancement Program."

In recent years, with stable warfare in the 13th Military District and its growing foundation, the high ranks of the military had ambitions to enhance their strength. This plan included not only internal reforms but also a strong focus on education.

This year, several planets closely associated with Roden Star became test fields for the "Preparatory Class Enhancement Program," revamping schools in various aspects like environment, faculty, training equipment, and educational philosophy — in simple terms, they were trying to cultivate better military academy students by investing money.

Naturally tied to the "Preparatory Class Enhancement Program" was the 13th Military District's own military school: Renis Military Academy.

Starting this year, with joint funding from the military department and Renis Military Academy, a wealth of resources would be directed towards local candidates of the 13th Military District: for example, sending idle holographic simulation pods and lower-grade mechs from the military academy to various planets’ preparatory classes, and establishing a comprehensive "guaranteed admission system" and "special talent recruitment system." Any student with talent willing to attend Renis Military Academy would be provided with all the necessary resources.

The 13th Military District was in a phase of expanding its influence, and development and construction required a large workforce. Military schools were the cradle of soldiers, and the preparatory classes determined the quality of their local recruits. Therefore, the "Preparatory Class Enhancement Program" was essential.

However, Lanslo Star was just a remote little planet, previously untouched by reform. The students there continued their routine as usual until Roden Star suddenly sent over two genuine mechs — although they were only C-grade, it was enough to excite the students of Lanslo Star for days.

But the arrival of these mechs at this time was not a boost for students like Baisha, who were about to take the selection test, but rather a death knell.

— Because piloting a mech would also reveal one's level of mental power.

Not to mention the actual operation level of the mech, but those who couldn't even activate it, would undoubtedly have mental power below C-grade, practically non-existent.

And what was suffocating was that there were only fifty-six students left in Baisha's cohort. According to past data, at most only one-tenth of these students possessed mental power above C-grade.

...Most of them belonged to the category of "those who couldn’t even operate a mech."

In truth, after years of training, who didn’t harbor a belief of leaping into the dragon gate? Before testing mental power, no one knew whether they were dragons or worms. Clinging to that sliver of uncertainty, even if there was only a one percent hope, they all had the right to strive for their dreams before being “sentenced to death.” They toiled hard, waiting for the day of the selection exam to pass, when everything would naturally settle down, just like many cohorts before them.

Now they were suddenly told that mental power could be tested with a mech. At this moment, should they try it or not?

If they tried and found they had no mental power, would their efforts over the past few years be a joke?... And what if the test for mental power level using this method wasn’t entirely accurate, what if there were errors?

But if they didn’t try — with the mechs right in front of them, it made no sense just to watch.

The two mechs they had once dreamt of now constantly disturbed the students' thoughts. However, this disturbance was subtle and hidden.

But the trio from the orphanage didn’t care; they weren't afraid at all. They felt it was finally time to touch a real mech after operating simulated ones so many times. It even felt like a dream come true.

The next day, the head instructor notified the graduating class to gather at the largest training field. The students, each in their grey uniforms and standing tall, assembled below the stage to be inspected by the instructors and the guests from Roden Star.

The delegation from Roden Star consisted of about five or six people, including teachers from Renis Military Academy, coordinators and supervisors of the "Preparatory Class Enhancement Program" from the military department, and two teenagers, a boy and a girl, about the same age as Baisha and the others, wearing dark green formal school uniforms, all with solemn and indifferent expressions.

"The students of Lanslo Star seem very promising, already possessing a strong spirit," a teacher from Renis Military Academy said kindly to the head instructor, "In fact, I am confident in the teaching quality here at Lanslo Star, far more competent than other planets where instructors are just going through the motions. We had invited you to teach at Roden Star, but you didn’t come..."

"This is Lanslo Star," the head instructor replied, his dark face showing little smile, "After all, it's my hometown. If a person has no feelings for their own hometown, then implementing the so-called 'Preparatory Class Enhancement Program' in the district would be utterly meaningless."

The teacher from Renis Military Academy sighed, "That's true."

"Let's talk about the students," the head instructor said with a hint of pride. "This cohort indeed has quite a few promising talents." He stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back, and called out, "Those whose names I call, step forward!"

He called out six names in total. He and the teachers beside him shared an understanding that these six were the cream of the crop among the students, and it was almost certain they possessed mental power.

Among the six were the trio from the orphanage, Parfen Luqi, and two other boys known for their diligent studies. Standing in line, they immediately exuded an exceptional presence, especially Baisha, Yaning, and Jingyi. Despite being orphans, they were more striking than Parfen, who came from a wealthy family.

The head instructor and his colleagues quietly discussed these students, then said, "The one who ranked first in the last comprehensive test, step forward."

Baisha stepped forward promptly upon being called.

Now fourteen years old, their personal temperaments were beginning to take shape. Baisha stood out with her silver-grey hair tied into a shimmering ponytail, her features sharp yet exuding an effortless grace, her exquisite face radiating nobility. She didn't look like a student being inspected but rather like someone who came to inspect them.

Renis Military Academy teacher: "..." Was the first place really not chosen for looks?

"Baisha, greet these teachers," the head instructor confidently pushed Baisha forward.

"Yes," Baisha said with a smile, "Hello, teachers, I'm Baisha. On behalf of all the students, I warmly welcome and sincerely thank you for your visit. Your arrival truly graces our humble Lanslo Star with great honor. Allow me to introduce, our Lanslo Middle School West Campus is an esteemed institution with a hundred-year history..."

"Stop, stop, stop," the head instructor said with a stern face, "Enough, enough, you're too eloquent!"

Baisha gracefully flashed a smile.

Renis Military Academy teacher: "..." This child's manner of speaking doesn't even sound like someone from Lanslo Star!

"Alright, I know what you're up to," the head instructor waved his hand dismissively, "Go ahead, the mechs are over there, pick one and give it a try."

"Report, instructor, I'm not really interested in piloting a mech," Baisha replied, "If anything, I'd prefer to dismantle those two mechs."

"Don't even think about it, there are only two, and if you don’t want to pilot, others still need to!" scolded the head instructor, then turning to the teacher from Renis Military Academy, he said, "This child aspires to be a mech engineer, not the usual student path, difficult to manage."

The military academy teacher's surprised gaze lingered on Baisha again, attracting the attention of the two bored teenagers in green uniforms who had been idly gazing off to the side.

"Interested in becoming a mech engineer?" the military academy teacher asked Baisha cheerfully, "Have you tested your mental power?"

Baisha replied, "Not yet."

"But she's dismantled many mech parts at military exhibitions, including C and even B-grade ones. Last time, the exhibition staff even asked her to repair a severely damaged mech. After she fixed it, finding it operational and combat-ready, they took it back for military use," the head instructor said, barely concealing a chuckle. "Since then, even the exhibition staff don’t dare let her repair anything."

After all, only damaged mechs end up in exhibitions for revenue. What Baisha did was practically cutting off their source of income.

The military academy teacher's eyes sparkled with surprise, "How have I never heard of such a student from Lanslo Star before?"

Capable of repairing B-grade mechs? Even if it's just parts, it implies her mental power is expected to be above A-grade, a rare talent indeed, let alone as a mech engineer!

"Her aspiration is the Federal Central Military Academy," the head instructor said leisurely, "The same goes for the other two with her. All three youngsters aim to apply there."

If they all get in, Lanslo Star would surely be bursting with pride!

The teacher from Renis Military Academy gave an awkward laugh, abandoning the plan to lure her back for mental power testing.

Young people, after all, have lofty ambitions — "Aspiring to be the best in the world when young," it’s normal to dream. Besides, from the tone of it, Baisha isn’t entirely without hope.

"Since Baisha won’t come, then—" the head instructor was about to say more when one of the unfamiliar students suddenly spoke up:

"Teacher, since they've never handled a mech before, why don't we give a demonstration?"

"It's just a C-grade mech," the military academy teacher glanced back at the two teenagers, pondering for a moment before saying, "Alright, if you want to demonstrate, go ahead."

"These are our students from Roden Star's preparatory class — Zhao Li and Niu Qingluo. Both top-ranked students who just tested their mental power as A-grade," the teacher introduced slowly, causing a stir among the students, "They are already slated for direct promotion to Renis Military Academy. If any of you join Renis, they will be your schoolmates."

It was Zhao Li who had offered to demonstrate the mech operation.

So, everyone moved to another indoor training field where the two mechs had already been brought in.

— Indeed, people on Lanslo Star were frugal, from the principal to the students, unwilling to expose the newly acquired mechs to the elements. After all, prolonged exposure to rain could corrode parts, leading to costly repairs.

Baisha certainly wouldn’t do that, knowing well the durability of mechs, as even C-grade ones aren’t so easily damaged.

However, their West Campus was located in a remote area, lacking in many things but not space. Even their indoor training field was nearly as spacious as the outdoor one.

Under watchful eyes, Zhao Li opened the cockpit of the dark red mech, climbed in, and closed the door. The lights on the mech's chest lit up. It was a basic humanoid mech with a head, torso, and limbs. The hulking metal creature deftly moved, taking a few steps forward before performing a neat backflip. Mid-air, it opened its wings, its metallic hands drawing out two golden light blades, effortlessly slashing through the air with precise movements.

The students: "Wow~"

Zhao Li, piloting the mech, stumbled in his movements. After a moment of awkwardness, he adjusted his orientation, cursing inwardly: What's with these people from Lanslo Star! They treat mech piloting like a spectacle!

Yaning joined the crowd in loud applause, but also commented in confusion, "Is he performing some kind of juggling act?"

Jingyi spoke indifferently, "Who cares. The mech is ours now, they can't take it back anyway."

Zhao Li demonstrated how to get the mech moving, followed by a live ammunition shooting demonstration.

Targets at the far end of the training field began to move. Zhao Li aimed and fired, leaving the ground littered with debris after a burst of gunfire. The system automatically announced the score: a shooting accuracy of 73 percent.

The students: "Wow!!"

This was quite an impressive score, and they responded with even more enthusiastic applause for Zhao Li.

Zhao Li: "..." Why doesn't he feel thrilled? Why!

As things unfolded, Zhao Li claimed to be "demonstrating how to operate a mech," but he was actually just showcasing his personal skills. He didn’t mention anything about the mech’s kinetic switch or weapon safety, and just exited the mech. The students, noticing his silence, began to realize: Was that it? Just showing off and then nothing else?

"Zhao Li's performance was very impressive," the head instructor praised half-heartedly, "Everyone should strive to emulate him. Next, Yaning, it's your turn to try shooting. No need for dramatic maneuvers, just understand how to aim and fire. Once you’ve got it, teach the others."

"Alright!" Yaning had been eagerly awaiting this moment.

Everyone thought he might not even know how to open the cockpit of the mech — but he entered it smoothly and fluidly, moving the mech's arms and legs, even stretching and playing with its weapons, drawing and tossing the sword in the air with a joyous flair.

Head Instructor: "..."

Classmates: "..."

Their first reaction was disbelief. How could Yaning get the hang of it so quickly? They involuntarily shifted their gaze to Zhao Li, then feigned calmness and looked away.

If piloting a C-grade mech wasn’t that difficult, what was Zhao Li’s lengthy demonstration about?

Zhao Li: "..."

All Zhao Li wanted to do now was swear.

These cunning people! Yaning clearly wasn’t new to mechs! Had the teachers at Lanslo Middle School lied about them never touching a mech?

The mech's joints made a whirring mechanical sound as they coiled up. The previously restless mech suddenly changed its demeanor, drew a gun, and aimed at the moving targets in the sky, opening fire. The gunfire was steady, almost continuous. Yaning, far from just shooting stationary, constantly adjusted the mech’s position and posture. The remnants of the moving targets burst into smoke and dust in the air.

Beep beep — the system announced the results: 933 shots fired, with a 91 percent hit rate.

The entire training field fell into complete silence.

They silently watched Yaning jump out of the mech's cockpit. His excitement had diminished, and as he opened the cockpit door, he made sure everyone could see the interior. Just as he was about to point to the control panel and explain how to pilot the mech, he saw the head instructor motioning him over.

Yaning: "Instructor, what's up?"

The head instructor took a deep breath, looking at Yaning with an intensity like a wolf: "When did you learn to pilot a mech?"

Yaning, belatedly realizing the situation, choked for a few seconds, then laughed it off: "Ah ha, ah haha. How could I possibly know how to pilot a mech, I was just shooting randomly. Wait, do I know how to pilot a mech? When did I learn that..."

Baisha and Jingyi were rendered speechless. The reason was simple: Yaning's explanation was so poor it was better left unsaid.

However, after appeasing the instructor, Yaning did teach the students how to shoot. His explanations were a bit vague but easy to understand, basically saying, “Once you’re inside, do this and that, press this button to operate it.” The students first felt it was too difficult, then thought maybe they could manage it too.

One student, unable to contain his curiosity, wanted to give it a try, but after climbing into the mech's cockpit, nothing happened —

He couldn’t get the mech to move.

The student climbed into the mech excitedly, but came out looking utterly dejected. Everyone was silent, while the teacher from Renis Military Academy sighed subtly: This is more like it. It would be absurd if everyone were as adept as Yaning.

A few more daring students gave it a shot, with two barely managing to make the mech move its hands and feet. But as soon as they tried any significant movement, they would lose balance and fall over.

“Piloting a mech isn’t just about shooting,” the teacher from Renis Military Academy said, addressing the disheartened students, “A mech is built for combat, and you must learn how to engage in melee with it.” He paused for a moment, “Zhao Li, Niu Qingluo, you two get in the mechs and spar, using all the attack techniques you know. After the drill, come down and report.”

The two saluted and climbed into their mechs with solemn expressions, even Zhao Li’s face seemed a bit gloomy.

This time, they didn’t hold back, engaging in a genuine mech combat drill. They intertwined gracefully in the arena, clashing fiercely with sparks flying at every collision of their light blades. Zhao Li fought steadily but conservatively, while Niu Qingluo, the girl, was notably more agile and adaptive. She repeatedly struck at Zhao Li’s mech joints, not merely touching but seemingly intent on inflicting damage. The scraping sounds shocked the students, some of whom were inwardly bleeding —

Stop, please stop!

These are brand new mechs!

Were these two mechs going to be sent to the repair shop after just one day at their school?

Probably the only one delighted by this was Baisha. If they really damaged the mechs, she would have a legitimate reason to dismantle them!

Zhao Li couldn’t withstand Niu Qingluo’s swordsmanship. In a final blow, Niu Qingluo flipped and kicked his mech's knee, toppling it. Her light blade, unrelenting, thrust towards the cockpit — stopping just in time at the last moment.

It wasn’t just Zhao Li who heaved a sigh of relief; the onlooking crowd did too.

Zhao Li and Niu Qingluo emerged from the cockpit drenched in sweat, looking like they had given it their all.

"Not bad," the teacher from Renis Military Academy mused for a moment before giving his assessment, "The attack methods were a bit simplistic, lacking in experience. Go back and practice more."

Zhao Li and Niu Qingluo nodded in agreement, then began to debrief, analyzing their attack strategies during the fight.

The initial part of the combat was fine, but as Baisha listened to the latter half of the debrief, she grew increasingly drowsy. Meanwhile, Zhao Li and Niu Qingluo verbally sparred over tactics, and Jingyi listened to Yaning discuss how real mech handling differed from their previous chip simulations.

"The mech doesn’t seem as responsive as the chip simulations, and there’s a millisecond delay in executing movements. These delays need to be factored in to effectively pilot the mech," Yaning recalled.

Baisha guessed that the mechs’ psychic power sensors weren’t very efficient. But for preparatory class mechs, one couldn't expect top-of-the-line equipment. If they were perfect in every aspect, it would be a performance surplus.

However, they all agreed that the fight between Niu Qingluo and Zhao Li lacked vigor and bloodiness.

"Do you want to give it a try?" Baisha asked Jingyi.

Jingyi shook her head, "Let’s wait until the crowd disperses. It doesn’t make sense to draw attention now."

But the head instructor and the military school teacher resumed their conversation, mentioning the school's "star fighters." Niu Qingluo, upon hearing about Jingyi's near undefeated record, silently shifted her gaze to her.

Patting Jingyi on the back, Baisha commented, "What’s meant to be will happen, whether it’s good or bad."

She had figured it out; Niu Qingluo and Zhao Li were initially there as spiritual benchmarks, symbolizing not just Roden Star but also the prowess of Renis Military Academy. Baisha and her group’s claims of aiming for the Central Military Academy, coupled with their formidable skills, naturally invited comparison. Zhao Li had already lost face, and now Niu Qingluo also wanted to redeem herself with a challenge.

Niu Qingluo proposed a hand-to-hand combat duel with Jingyi.

Jingyi remained silent for two seconds, then suddenly flashed a familiar yet daunting smile that all the students recognized as exclusive to "Yanwang Jingyi."

"Hand-to-hand combat is boring," Jingyi nonchalantly said, rubbing her wrists as if warming up, "Let’s just go straight to mechs."

The stage was set — Jingyi and Niu Qingluo were about to face off!

Zhao Li and Niu Qingluo, drenched in sweat, emerged from the cockpit, evidently having exerted their full effort.

"Not bad," the teacher from Renis Military Academy pondered before giving his evaluation, "The attack techniques were somewhat limited, showing a lack of experience. Go back and practice more."

Zhao Li and Niu Qingluo nodded in agreement, then began to review and dissect their recent attack strategies.

The initial phase of the fight went well, but during the latter half of the review, Baisha grew increasingly sleepy. Meanwhile, Zhao Li and Niu Qingluo engaged in a verbal match of tactics, and Jingyi listened to Yaning explaining the differences between the real mech and the chip simulations.

If this were a battlefield, Niu Qingluo's limited mobility would mean instant death from such a blow.

Baisha guessed that the psychic sensor connections of these mechs weren't very good. But for preparatory class mechs, perfection in every aspect wasn't expected.

Still, they all agreed that the fight between Niu Qingluo and Zhao Li lacked a certain fierceness.

"Do you want to try?" Baisha asked Jingyi.

Jingyi shook her head, "Let's wait until they leave. There's no point in showing off now with so many people around."

But the head instructor and the military academy teacher resumed their discussion, mentioning the school's "star fighters." Upon hearing of Jingyi's near invincible record, Niu Qingluo’s gaze subtly shifted to her.

When Zhao and Niu arrived, they felt they were absolute elites among their peers, believing it not impossible to get into the Central Military Academy or the Saint Cyr Military Academy. Their agreement to ascend directly to the Renis Military Academy was influenced not only by the generous offer from the 13th Military District but also by their families' deep roots in Loden Star. Considering their future return home, studying at Renis was a natural choice.

But today, their arrogance was thoroughly shattered.

If such talents could enter the Central Military Academy... then where did they get the confidence to think their entry into Renis Military Academy was a sacrifice for their family?

The teachers at Renis Military Academy, watching them deep in thought, felt today's lesson was beneficial. Some shocks need to be experienced once, and it's always better sooner than later. If they could now focus and devote themselves to their studies, they might still achieve great things.

"Hand-to-hand combat is so dull," Jingyi said casually, stretching her wrists, "Let’s take it to the mechs."

Excitement buzzed among the students — Jingyi and Niu Qingluo were about to face off!

Jingyi, uncomfortable with the idolization from her peers, found that only Parfen Luqi treated her the same as always.

"Jingyi Yan, let's have a match!"

It would have been better if Parfen hadn’t come to challenge Jingyi.

Parfen Luqi's face showed an unusual pallor.

Over the past month or two, she had improved rapidly, surpassing all students below the trio.

Ironically, the determination Jingyi failed to find in Niu Qingluo's blade, she saw in the burning eyes of Parfen. It was almost a do-or-die resolve.

Jingyi appreciated such opponents, regardless.

So, she pursed her lips slightly and raised her eyebrows in a serious response:

"Okay."