Chapter 44: Reflection (Three)

Chapter 44: Reflection (Three)

"The show depends on you," the Admiral replied calmly.

Rong Mi blinked.

He had overlooked something. The youth thought to himself.

At that time, he had merely acted on a whim, using his mental energy to create a fireworks display. He didn't think it was particularly dazzling or unique.

Yet, the world's most adorable fluffball wanted to see it too.

"Absolutely!" Rong Mi promptly responded. "Anytime! As long as the wolf wants to watch. I can do it today!"

Lu Yi was satisfied.

"No need today," he said calmly. "Mech battles consume a lot of mental energy. Another time."

Rong Mi smiled, gazing into Lu Yi's icy blue eyes. For a moment, he strangely overlapped the Admiral's image with that of the wolf.

In that instant, the general's imposing aura and dignity vanished, making Rong Mi feel as if he was a particularly easy-to-please child when he spoke such words.

He was like a kid asking for candy, who would be content, even with a vague and unfulfilled promise, as long as something was offered.

With this thought in mind, the young man took his seat in the mecha's cockpit.

" What did Lu Yi teach you?" Gu Hong asked curiously through the communicator, "Some secret to victory?"

"Not exactly," Rong Mi replied casually. "Just a direction for improvement."

"Your mindset is impressive," Gu Hong noted the relaxation in his tone and chose to respond with an expressive gesture, sending an AI-generated sound effect of a "thumbs up" through the communication channel.

In the Starry Wandering Era's network, such fancy features were non-existent, so Rong Mi found it novel. He scrolled through the holographic screen and replied to Gu Hong with a "clapping appreciation" emoticon.

"The third round has begun! I hope it's not the same tactic all over again!" Although the outcome was predictable, the number of viewers in the live stream only continued to grow. Such sophisticated and high-level matches never lacked spectators.

"I hope it's not identical either," someone howled. "That would end too quickly! I want to see more of Rong Mi's and Sister Hong's maneuvers."

"Last time, Rong Mi clearly attempted to unravel Sister Hong's ace in the hole! But he failed! Let's see if he can succeed this time!"

"How courageous! When watching Sister Hong's battle recordings, other opponents usually try to keep their distance after discovering her signature move... ——"

"Eh, Rong Mi isn't rushing in immediately this time! It seems he's maintaining a distance?"

"The mechas from both sides are circling each other at a certain distance!" The AI commentator dutifully reported the data. "Their mechas are still very fast! Contestant Divine Maiden is attempting to break through, but this time, MI contestant doesn't counterattack and instead steps back!"

"Contestant Divine Maiden keeps pressing forward, and now MI contestant starts circling around the edge of the arena..."

"Ai." A disappointed comment appeared. "So Rong Mi has decided to follow the same approach as the others and just engage in close combat?"

"Does anyone feel like Rong Mi's firepower is stronger than before in this match?"

"It shouldn't be. They're using the same palm cannons with maximum mental power output settings..."

"It's true, look closely! Rong Mi's firepower is getting more intense! ...There seem to be black scorch marks on the arena floor? I remember that the strength of this arena's surface material is supposed to be extremely high, even higher than the energy resistance of a starship's hull!"

"You're right... Now that you mention it, I recall that when this arena map was first introduced, its main selling point was 'leaving no trace behind,' meaning the terrain in the arena is barely affected by battles."

As this was the simplest and most straightforward arena map, its initial design goal was to provide an unobstructed and unchanging battlefield environment. Thus, even the arena's surface was made of high-strength materials and treated with an energy absorption coating.

Yet, all designs have their limits.

As Rong Mi's mental energy condensed further, the cannonfire, the size of a human fist, unleashed an unprecedented destructive power.

The mecha moved at high speed, the trajectory of its fierce firepower drawing sinuous curves in the air, connecting with a serpentine glow that appeared incredibly graceful.

Yet, the breaches fell with a heavy thud.

They plummeted onto the arena floor, and the flames that had earlier been absorbed and vanished during the previous matches now produced white smoke as they scoured the ground, leaving behind black, burnt marks.

Rong Mi's focus was unwavering, a faint purple shimmer flickering in his dark eyes.

He was controlling the density of his mental energy.

This was not his first attempt to enhance the compactness of his mental power, but it was the first time he was doing so without amplifying its intensity or unleashing it at full force.

He was in training.

Amidst the rain of light cannons in the arena and under Gu Hong's relentless assault, Rong Mi maintained an uncommon composure, calmly and steadily progressing through his practice regimen.

This is a zero-tolerance practice session for mecha operation.

The slightest misjudgment could result in him being struck by Gu Hong, or the opponent capitalizing on the chance to close in. There was also the possibility of losing control of the mecha during high-speed evasive maneuvers, careening out of the arena or crashing down directly.

"MI's situation is extremely dangerous!" The AI commentator opened a small separate window on the light screen. While paying attention to the real-time game progress, he produced one thrilling screenshot after another on the small window, "The following are dynamic screenshots of the MI player selection!In the past ten minutes, MI players have 'coincidentally' brushed against the cannon ball in the palm of the Goddess player's hand eleven times, five times 'coincidently' brushed against the laser line in the side competition area, and three times the distance between the MI players and the Goddess has been shortened to within one mile., 'almost' entering the attack range of the opponent's laser blade."

"But it was only 'coincidentally' and 'nearly'! Such a string of coincidences couldn't possibly be mere luck; it was an embodiment of MI's piloting skills!"

If perfection is required, then strive for perfection without fault.

Rong Mi's situation was far from easy, yet his fingers rested steadily on the control panel, executing his actions with methodical precision.

The young man blinked, and beads of sweat cascaded down his eyelashes.

In the arena, the scorch marks left by the explosions on the ground sank deeper and deeper.

"Excellent," Gu Hong remarked with admiration. "Such significant progress in such a short time... You've grasped it so quickly!"

Excitement gleamed in her eyes, and the power of the cannon in her hand intensified, leaving a vast scarred landscape in its wake.

Gu Hong could foresee what kind of formidable opponent Rong Mi would grow into.

She looked forward to it eagerly, yet the puzzles in her heart grew more profound.

Gu Hong was unaware of how Rong Mi initially underwent mental power and mecha training. But there was no doubt that those training methods were overly conventional, failing to delve deeper into Rong Mi's potential. Over the years, they had, to some extent, hindered Rong Mi's innate talents.

For instance, the current focus of Rong Mi's practice — the intensity and density of her mental energy.

Boosting mental energy density at a low intensity is no easy task; it requires exquisite control over one's mental power and an in-depth understanding of its nature.

For most mecha pilots in the Federation either couldn't achieve it or lacked the patience to persist in training until they could, ordinary training manuals simply didn't mention this point.

Yet, Rong Mi was evidently not someone who would be satisfied with mere conventional teachings.

Oddly enough, despite Rong Mi's apparent ignorance of these "hidden" fundamentals, it was as if he had never attended a high-level mecha club, military academy, or undergone special legion training – a civilian mecha pilot through and through.

Yet, his combat skills were exquisite, and his fighting style was distinct.

Especially when it came to the Ice Butterfly insects.

Rong Mi displayed no fear and executed her moves with precision, on par with any seasoned warrior who had undergone rigorous combat training within the First Legion or the war zones.

The name Rong Mi was once unrelated to mecha, belonging solely to a star-net singer.

If Gu Hong had not served in the First Legion, if she herself were not an exceptionally talented mecha pilot...

If Gu Hong had not gone through her second awakening and missed the mad scientist's speech at the Academy of Sciences, she might have, like the general public, accepted the rough conclusions released by the investigation department. She would have believed that Rong Mi had spent the past two decades piloting mechas as a hobby, preferring to study in seclusion without participating in formal training clubs. Her natural talent would then explain how she stunned everyone at the Ice and Fire Tournament with her debut.

But Gu Hong knew that Rong Mi's calmness in the face of the Ice Butterflies was something that could not be honed through any simulator.

Human simulators were still unable to fully replicate the energy fluctuations of the Ice Butterflies.

No one who encountered the Ice Butterflies for the first time could react as Rong Mi did.

"…No way," Gu Hong muttered to herself, watching the shadowy projection of Rong Mi's gray mecha. The barrage of cannon fire from her palms was creating a series of deep craters on the ground. "Could it be that the crazy scientist at the Academy of Sciences actually managed to develop a Time-Space Energy Device that can travel back from the future..."

This was not a good sign. Gu Hong recalled how the scientific madman had described this far-fetched plan as a last resort in desperate times.

A chance to turn back the clock before humanity's annihilation, to have a second beginning.

"The final five minutes of the match are upon us!" the AI commentator announced with enthusiasm, as countdown timers appeared simultaneously on the mecha screens.

"The last five minutes have already started?!" the live stream comments were in disbelief. "I thought the match had just begun!"

"I'm getting dizzy! It's because both are moving so fast! It feels like they haven't been fighting for long... I didn't expect such intense long-range engagements!"

"I don't think it'll stay like this for the last five minutes... Wow, wow, wow! Rong Mi is making a bold push forward!"

With five minutes left in the match, Rong Mi decided that his practice session was over.

Rong Mi: "Let's give it a go!"

Seizing his moment, he positioned himself a hair's breadth from the arena's edge. As his thrusters roared, his mecha folded backward, somersaulting into a swift leap!

Transforming from a dodger to an attacker in an instant.

"Rong Mi has found a gap in Gu Hong's barrage and is actively closing the distance! —He's wielding his laser blade!"

A violet blade flickered to life.

Gu Hong smiled, her expression tinged with battle lust.

She leaned back to dodge Rong Mi's attack, her saber of light piercing forward. Then, her mental energy surged, opening up her domain.

Within her world, where her surroundings extended only a step away from the mecha, time seemed to tick differently.

Just as Rong Mi parried and stepped away, about to launch another assault, the gray mecha was pulled back in front of Gu Hong, exposing its chest as the target for the match.

The young man's defensive gesture stretched indefinitely, and Gu Hong's short dagger stabbed towards Rong Mi's purple shield of mental energy.

Of course, Gu Hong didn't expect this attempt to breach Rong Mi's defenses to be as smooth as the previous two.

She had seen Rong Mi's growth, but hadn't anticipated... fire.

The moment the dagger pierced through Rong Mi's mental energy barrier, a burst of violet flames erupted from their intersection.

The flames' energy exploded so swiftly that even with time slowed, they engulfed Gu Hong's laser blade within a single breath.

The orange energy on the light blade was devoured, surging directly towards Gu Hong's mecha chest, piercing through her mental shield and igniting large purple sparks.

Gu Hong's pupils constricted as she hastily retreated.

The flames on the barrier were extinguished under the reinforcement of her mental power. Rong Mi's soft laughter echoed through the communication channel.

"The hypothesis was correct. Sister Hong had to use a great deal of mental strength to control my Time Reversal while using the Field," the young man confirmed his guess with ease. "So, she subconsciously loosened her control over the density of her mental power... After all, that's quite mentally taxing."

He had been too focused on increasing the density of his mental power. As he had yet to fully master this skill, it wasn't quite second nature to him, and his speech was slightly labored due to the exertion.

Due to Gu Hong's unintentional relaxation, Rong Mi, after pushing his energy density to its limits, not only deflected her attack but also pierced through her light blade.

"I even managed to release flames," Rong Mi flexed his fingers, muttering to himself, "This feels pretty good."

Even though he didn't hit his target completely.

Rong Mi: "Let's try again!"

He raised his hand, retracting the laser short blade into the sheath on his right wrist. Then, taking hold of the longsword with both hands, he stepped forward, the thrusters roaring as he leaped upward.

A fiery aura swirled around the sword, leaving a trail of burning hues in the air.

"Clang!"

Gu Hong raised her sword to block, but Rong Mi's formidable strike forced her downward into the ground, one knee hitting the earth with a creaking sound from the joints of her armor.

Inside the cockpit, beads of sweat trickled down Gu Hong's forehead.

She felt exhilarated, her mental energy condensed to an unprecedented density. With a surge of strength, she lifted her long sword upward.

Rong Mi senses the considerable strength of his opponent. He leverages this force to leap backward, creating distance between himself and Gu Hong, spinning the cannon in his palm as he searches for a new opportunity.

Their exchange is a dance of attack and defense, seamless and swift, with time slipping away rapidly.

"The match lasts thirty minutes, and there are thirty seconds left in the countdown," the AI robot warns. "Thirty... twenty-nine... twenty-eight..."

The arena floor has been pockmarked by the two mechas' relentless barrage. The deep depressions are several times taller than the mechas themselves; should one fall into one, their field of vision would be entirely blocked, leaving them vulnerable to an elevated adversary's fire, putting them on the defensive.

As a result, the optimal landing spots for the mechas have narrowed significantly.

Rong Mi leaped across the ridges between the deep pits. In the last thirty seconds, he knew there was little chance of a decisive attack, but he didn't relax his focus for a moment.

He would fight until the very last second.

His palm cannon fired, sparks flying in all directions.

"Five seconds left... five... four... three..."

The two mechas clashed again, swords meeting with bursts of purple and orange energy fragments scattering.

The clock ticked, flames burning.

Both mechas' thrusters roared at full power, yet neither advanced nor retreated.

"Two..."

The narrow ground between the pits began to sink, the colliding energy hues dancing and scorching the mechas' surfaces with blackened damage. Purple flames spread outward, melting the arena floor beneath.

"One..."

Rong Mi and Gu Hong's mental power density were both escalating steadily.

In the very last second, they poured all their remaining mental energy into a compression, pushing it forward with unwavering resolve.

"Boom! Booms!"

A deafening explosion echoed as the high-density energy collided.

The spirit energy conduits of the mecha whistled with smoke under the frenzied influx of power.

The armor of the mechs' arms split with a series of cracking sounds, lost amidst the deafening explosions.

In the midst of such thunderous noise, even the AI commentator's countdown seemed faint and intermittent.

"Zero!"

The AI commentator pushed its vocal volume to the maximum limit, almost straining the speakers beyond their capacity: "Match ends! It's a tie between both sides! ——"

As the countdown reached zero, the two charred black mechs in the arena simultaneously eased their force on their limbs.

Rong Mi pulled down the energy rod, instantly reversing the engines that had been propelling the mecha forward, causing it to leap backward with urgency.

The sudden change in direction exerted tremendous pressure, causing the mecha's exterior to creak. Its already fractured arms cracked further, shedding their casings and revealing bundles of cables within. Arcing sparks danced at the connectors.

Amidst the aftermath of the energy explosion, Rong Mi regained his footing on the ground.

Opposite him stood Gu Hong, whose mecha also had its arm casings peeled away, exposing charred wires that gave off a pungent burnt smell.

"...If that battle had continued... both mechas would have been reduced to ashes, right?!" the chat feed trembled with fear. "Holy crap, that was intense!"

"The intensity of their rivalry is terrifying, truly bone-chilling." Comments kept pouring in. "I'm afraid they won't be able to hold back! Folks, I'm not exaggerating, my heart is pounding at a hundred and eighty beats per minute!"

"I understand you, and I just let out a sigh of relief too... What a thrilling turn of events... Simply magnificent!"

"Sister Hong is awesome! Rong Mi is awesome too! - I'm going to be a fan of Rong Mi from now on!"

"A defeat with honor, one could say... That being the case, does Rong Mi have a club or her own live streaming channel? Why can't I find her in the mecha section?"

"The club doesn't have one," someone chimed in promptly. "But he has a live streaming channel. It just started today, in the Lifestyle section. He's sharing tips on how to deal with *insects* effectively at night."

"Uh? ! Is it one of those household pests? Like, a must-watch for cleaning enthusiasts?"

"No," someone replied with mixed emotions, attaching a link to the replay. "It's about bugs from the insectoid race. It teaches you how to kill Frost Butterflies... quite surreal."

"He's teaching so earnestly, as if he genuinely wants us to learn..."

"Huh?"

"Huh??"

The chat stream rapidly refreshed, and many, intrigued, flocked to Rong Mi's live stream channel, subscribing and playing the replay.

Rong Mi's communicator beeped continuously with notifications of new followers on his streaming channel.

He glanced at it and then turned to Gu Hong, still catching his breath after the intense match. "Thanks for the promotion."

"Thanks for being my sparring partner too," Gu Hong said, having just stepped out of his armor.

She, too, was gasping for air, removing her pilot suit and tossing it aside before redoing her disheveled long hair.

"Make no mistake, I'm not that benevolent. You're the one qualified to play with me," said Gu Hong with a playful smile, exhaling deeply in a somewhat arrogant tone.

"It feels great," she commented. "I haven't focused my mental energy to such an extent in a long time... Hey, handsome, how about exchanging personal contact information?"

Rong Mi readily swapped contacts with her and checked the time again.

"I've got something to attend to. See you later," he informed Gu Hong. Then, in his live stream, he posted a notice that he would continue teaching against Ice Butterfly the following night, amidst a flurry of question marks from the viewers, before logging off.

He took off his helmet and immediately noticed that the training room's door, which should have been closed, had somehow been left ajar.

Unperturbed, Rong Mi glanced toward the entrance and, as expected, spotted a silvery figure.

A small, furry creature, small enough to be hugged with two hands, stood at the door.

Ayin had just used its wolf claws to unlock the training pod's access, and was now strolling toward Rong Mi.

It moved with ease, its fluffy tail swaying gently as it walked, followed by a much larger household robot.

A domestic robot glided in smoothly, its right hand holding a tray that bore a glass of water and a single dose of mental energy replenisher, all in perfect sync with the Silver Wolves' rhythm.