Chapter 61

Chapter 61

After sending the photo, Yale promptly closed his optical computer, determined not to check Xi Ze's response... It was just too awkward.

On the other hand, Dennis looked rather disappointed.

"Don't be shy! You should have taken more pictures for memories. Your friend would definitely love them too!"

"Never mind, we can do it next time if we have the chance."

Yale coughed softly. He didn't know what other insectoid romances were like, but he couldn't handle such excessive intimacy.

Though he had read all those dating guides for females which advised on expressing feelings sincerely and paying attention to one's partner's emotions, he still couldn't replicate those overly affectionate words and actions.

Anyway, it was Xi Ze's first relationship, and it was also his. They could just let things develop naturally since they had plenty of time.

"I feel like we only visited the scenic spots. I want to take a look at the teaching buildings. The laboratories here must be top-notch, right?"

Yale changed the subject, looking at the large cluster of buildings in the distance with newfound interest in his eyes.

"You're into experiments and research too? You should've mentioned it earlier! Speaking of which, your sire used to be part of this academy; you must have picked up an interest from him, being his offspring."

Dennis was surprised that this young male was also fascinated by such subjects. His eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Enough chatter. I'll show you our school's top-notch experimental facilities!"

As they crossed the central plaza, the closer they got to the laboratory building, the more they could hear a commotion, as if some event was taking place. Occasionally, bursts of cheers echoed through the air.

Yale looked puzzled, but before he could ask Dennis, they turned a corner and found themselves facing a vast platform.

Countless pale blue screens hovered in mid-air, displaying intricate and profound equations that seemed to flood with an endless stream of knowledge, giving the entire platform an elite and sophisticated atmosphere.

Many students, dressed in their school uniforms, stood on the platform, clearly divided into two distinct groups. They were currently engaged in a tense standoff, with the leaders of each side adopting menacing expressions.

"What's going on here?"

Yale glanced around, confused. "Are they...gathering for a brawl?"

"Ditch it, ditch it. It's those second-year troublemakers again, causing a ruckus every day. Let's detour to avoid getting caught up in it."

Dennis frowned and, noticing Yale's puzzled expression, decided to explain the situation.

"Ever since that genius, Northington Quinton, appeared in their second year, they've become arrogant. They're always challenging Senior Adelaide for the top spot."

"Today, I suppose they chose this moment because they knew Senior was attending the school project discussion meeting, trying to provoke a showdown... Senior is swamped with work, how could he have time for such trivial matters?"

Adelaide?

Yale recalled his conversation with Adelaide yesterday. The male had mentioned attending a meeting today to report the progress of a project to the school authorities.

"Are you in your fourth year?" he asked, glancing at the indignant Dennis. "You seem to admire Adelaide a lot."

"No, I'm actually in my second year," Dennis scratched his head and chuckled. "It's not exactly admiration, but I think it's cool how Senior Adelaide devotes himself entirely to academic research. That's what a true scholar should be like!"

"Not those who constantly stir up trouble on stage, acting carefree as if they were street thugs."

Yale wished to remind Dennis that his mocking voice was too loud, but before he could speak, a group of second-year students, led by a fierce-looking female insectoid, swarmed around them.

"You dare to say that? Dennis, are you seeking death?!"

"Oh, is it your turn to be loud? Do you believe me when I say that with just one shout, my 10,899 loyal brothers would rush over and knock you all down?"

Caught in the middle of this unexpected situation, Yale let out an unseen sigh and stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Dennis. "My apologies, he didn't mean it."

The female insectoid was about to push him away impatiently, but as she met Yale's dark, unwavering gaze, she froze, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, causing an inexplicable shiver to run through her body.

Lifting his eyelids slightly, Yale spoke with a composed tone.

"The competition above seems to be starting soon. Aren't you all supposed to be preparing or at least cheering for your team?"

These insects had been standing with the leader of the second-years. Whether they were there for the competition or simply to cheer, it was almost time. Moreover, if a brawl truly broke out, no one would escape unscathed.

"....Leave."

The female insectoid looked at Yale uneasily, sensing something off but unable to pinpoint what it was. In the end, she could only take a few steps back.

"Wait a moment."

A low, detached voice echoed overhead, immediately capturing everyone's attention.

On the hovering arena, a young male drone stood with his hands in his pockets, leaning against a pillar of light. He cast a lethargic, sideways glance at them, "Since you're here, why not stay and watch?"

"That's Nosding Quinton, the genius second-year who was admitted through exceptional circumstances," Dennis whispered to Yale, his expression wary. "He's always showing off, but why would he suddenly ask us to stay? Do you know him?"

Yale paused for a moment before making his way to the spectator stands and settling into a corner.

"I don't know him personally, but it's not bad to witness some excitement."

Reaching into his down jacket, he miraculously pulled out a bag of caramel-coated sunflower seeds.

"Here, essential for spectating. Want some?"

"…Yes, please!"

After Dennis' detailed explanation, Yale finally grasped the rules of the arena competition.

Unlike the aggressive matches at the Empire's Military Academy, the Research Institute's competition was more cerebral, akin to a contest to determine the strongest intellect. The main focus was on solving problems that appeared on the screens.

The difficulty of the questions varied, and the formats were diverse, with no restrictions based on academic year. Naturally, those who solved them both quickly and accurately would emerge victorious. Incorrect answers or slower problem-solving would lead to lower scores.

Currently, the two opposing sides consisted of elite second-year and fourth-year students. Northon Quentin, however, stood apart from either camp, leaning against a light column while casually observing the questions scrolling across the screens.

"So, we're halfway through the match, and the fourth-years are currently at a disadvantage, right?"

Yale nonchalantly munched on sunflower seeds, discarding the shells into a paper box made from a bag.

Although his position was slightly off-center, he was close enough to the competition area to clearly see the content displayed on both teams' boards.

"Indeed. Putting aside other factors, those second-years competing are all advanced students in their elite classes, so their professional competence is assured."

Yale slowed his actions, squinting to examine the insect-derived answers on the platform.

The entire test set was presented in a randomized order. After completing a question, the answer wouldn't immediately appear. Instead, scores would be revealed only when the countdown ended or the full set was completed.

"The fourth year will win this round."

Dennis looked at him doubtfully. "That second-year student was clearly very fast, and I remember his grades have always been excellent."

Yale didn't respond, continuing to munch on sunflower seeds.

"The countdown is over. All candidates must immediately stop writing... Calculating final scores..."

"Adler: 92."

Dennis exclaimed, "I remember he drew a very difficult out-of-curriculum question just now. To score above ninety despite that, he's incredible!"

"Bernie: 92.5."

Upon hearing this result, a small buzz of discussion erupted. Apparently, many were puzzled as to why the outstanding second-year student lost to the quiet and mediocre fourth-year one.

Yale ignored Dennis's barrage of questions, swiftly scanning through the displayed answer sheets. The mistakes on them were indeed as he had anticipated.

He calmly grabbed another handful of seeds and passed them to Dennis.

"Another match is starting. Want some sunflower seeds?"

"....Sure!"

"This time, it's the second-year team that's always the runner-up. Although they're constantly overshadowed by Northding, their strength shouldn't be underestimated. The score they managed to catch up in the last round might widen again."

Dennis explained, then sighed. "Senior Adelaide and those outstanding seniors working on his project are at a meeting. This time, the fourth-year team might really get crushed."

Each match lasted twenty minutes, which could be quite dull.

Yale had stopped eating sunflower seeds and was now busy with his light computer, occasionally glancing at the stage.

"Who do you think will win this time?"

Yale, engrossed in his device, felt a nudge on his shoulder. Dennis' curious voice rang in his ear, to which he replied without lifting his head, "The fourth-years, I guess."

"Are you serious?! One lucky guess is enough, I won't believe you'll be right twice in a row!"

He shouted loudly, drawing attention from the crowd. Before his words faded, the light screen on the platform displayed the final result.

"Damn it?!"

"It's actually the fourth year?!"

"That subspecies beside me just guessed correctly twice in a row... Such good luck..."

The result was so unexpected that the students in the audience were in an uproar. A few voices even started discussing the excessively attractive subspecies and his unbelievably fortunate luck.

Yale had finally mustered the courage to check Xi Ze's feedback, and his ears were still warm from the encounter. Under Dennis's relentless questioning, he coughed softly and turned his attention to the displayed problem on the stage.

"What did you say just now?"

Dennis took a deep breath. "For the next round, let's make a bet. Deal?"

"Just... Bet these sunflower seeds. If you win, you can eat them; if I win, I'll have them. But we can't just guess blindly, we need to provide specific reasons!"

Yale, suddenly deprived of his freedom to enjoy the seeds, withdrew his hand that was reaching for them and pondered for a moment.

"Alright, but I can't be restricted from playing others during this time."

Unbeknownst to them, the student sitting nearby was also stealthily listening in.

"The first ten questions are multiple-choice, they don't seem too difficult. Let me try... Question five, should I choose A or D? Question six, it's definitely C! Then..."

"I don't have four eyes to look at two sets of questions! Ahhh!"

Dennis, attempting to follow along with the test-takers on stage to predict the eventual winner, soon found himself overwhelmed. Catching a glimpse of Yale's casual demeanor, he nearly choked with frustration.

Could he have been played? Perhaps the submale wasn't even interested in the bet and was simply toying with him!

"....Who are you betting on this time?"

Yale, feeling a bit guilty, closed the shopping page and cleared his throat before speaking seriously.

"This time, I think the second-year student will win. He's doing very well on this test; he might even score an unprecedented high mark."

However, before Dennis could respond, a head suddenly popped up from the back of the audience, its expression growing increasingly intrigued. "Are you serious?!"

"Hello there, handsome junior! I couldn't help but overhear your conversation just now, hehe..."

Seizing the opportunity before the results were out, Yale offered a brief commentary.

"The exam questions varied in difficulty. This second-year student didn't persist with the most challenging ones. He opted to tackle those that guaranteed him points first. His foundation was solid, and when it came to the high-scoring questions that could make or break his score, he applied the correct formula on his first attempt. There were virtually no errors throughout his entire exam paper."

"The fourth-year questions weren't exceptionally difficult, but their format deviated from conventional classroom teachings, requiring agile manipulation of formulas. He lost his way from the start and expended too much time finding his way back, leaving him with insufficient time to tackle other problems. Consequently, his score suffered."

Dennis and the student beside him were dumbfounded, but before they could voice their doubts, the scores appeared on the platform.

"First ninety-nine!"

"What a high score!"

"That alec actually got it right again..."

Yale effortlessly claimed his sunflower seeds and resumed munching, oblivious to the circle of students that had gathered behind him, some even pulling out their own snacks, creating a uniformed scene.

"Weren't you playing with your light brain just now?!"

Dennis gasped, "Are you secretly looking up the answers?"

Yale placed the sunflower seeds in his palm and stretched his hand to the adjacent seat. Immediately, several hands, like parrots, snatched away some seeds.

He brushed off the debris on his hands and chuckled at the remark.

"When the questions first appear, take a quick look. Then, glance again when they're almost done answering."

So outrageous was this statement that even Northin, who was detached from the situation on stage, couldn't help but cast a subtle glance at him.

Dennis was stunned for a long while, speechless. He filled Yale's palm with seeds as an offering.

"Master! Please enjoy your seeds!"

Yale grabbed a handful. "Shall we continue guessing for the next round?"

"Yes!"

"I'd like to join in too, if I may?"

...

In the end, Yale's lips were slightly swollen from the sparring, not only winning back the sunflower seeds meant for Dennis but also snatching the snacks from his surrounding classmates, filling both pockets of his down jacket.

Dennis was greatly astonished. He put down the calculation board on his light brain and stared blankly at the scores refreshing on the platform.

The ten packs of sunflower seeds he had asked a classmate to buy for him had just arrived. Snapping back to reality, he slid off his stool and respectfully presented them to Yale.

"Big shot, I bow down to you!"

Yale cleared his throat and took a sip of energy liquid. "I'm done, I don't want to risk getting a sore throat."

"Is it over? It feels like everyone has had their turn."

He counted the number of insect heads that had taken the stage, and most of them had made an appearance. If there weren't any repeat matches, the second-year students seemed to have the upper hand this time.

"Nope, the next one is the main event. Nording is supposed to fight. Oh, or maybe not. He's only interested in challenging Adelaide, and our senior isn't here... He might skip it altogether."

A student nearby interjected, casting a glance at the fourth-year students who looked somewhat humiliated.

It seemed like one insect was missing. Did someone secretly go to fetch backup just now?

Yale nodded, seemingly understanding but not entirely, then checked the time on his optical brain. After packing away the snacks he had won, he stood up.

"I'll leave you guys to it. I want to take a stroll around the lab..."

"Hey."

At that moment, an icy yet somewhat familiar voice suddenly rang out, silencing the chatter in the audience.

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to a single spot—

Yale felt his down jacket being tugged, and he looked up in confusion, locking eyes with Nordin, who was standing at the edge of the platform and gazing over.

The young male insect had deep gray eyes that resembled an universe swirling with dark matter – cold, aloof, and seemingly indifferent to everything.

"Want to have a match?"

But at this moment, as he fixated on Yale in the audience, a hint of fervor flickered in his gaze, extending a challenge.

Yale never expected that simply cracking a sunflower seed could lead to trouble. "?"

"Well, I'm in a rush..."

Before he could finish, a larger commotion erupted on the other side of the platform, drawing most people's attention. Yale turned his head to look.

—Adelaide?!

He coughed softly and pulled up the hood of his down jacket, planning to slip away unnoticed while Norst was distracted. However, Dennis, who was in a daze, tripped him, preventing his escape.

"What are you all doing?"

The familiar voice rang out behind them. Adelaide, who had just finished a meeting, approached with his project team, observing the chaotic spectacle with a furrowed brow.

"It's Norst. He kept saying he wanted to spar with Senior, so second-year students organized this challenge against the fourth-years..."

whispered the female insect who had sneaked out to call for backup.

"Pointless. You'd better use this time to do more experiments."

Adelaide remained expressionless, his gaze sweeping past the surrounding insects without any intention to save face for the fourth-year student. He led his project members and turned to leave, "Let's go."

Northin, however, never shifted his gaze from Yale, staring relentlessly at him and persisting, "Once he's gone, you'll fight with me."

Yale initially wanted to ignore him but couldn't withstand the countless scrutinizing gazes sweeping over him. After a moment of hesitation, he rejected the offer.

"Sorry, I have other matters to attend to, and I'm not even a student of this academy... You should find another insect. Excuse me."

Adelaide's pupils constricted, his pace down the stairs halting. The insect behind him nearly collided with him due to the sudden stop.

"Chief, what's wrong?"

The insect asked in confusion, only to see the rigid figure in front of him slowly turn around. The expression on its face seemed to be a mix of disbelief and repressed excitement—

From those eyes, he saw a familiar, wildly enthusiastic glint.

Meanwhile, Yale, feeling helpless, pulled off the hood of his down jacket, preparing to reject Northin once more before departing, assuming the insect wouldn't persistently bother him.

Before he could put his plan into action, his shoulder was suddenly grabbed with force.

The voice that he had heard the previous night echoed in his ear, almost like a vengeful specter seeking his life.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Adelaide had seemingly appeared out of nowhere behind him, staring intently at Yale with a near-clenched jaw. "Yale?"

"Back already? Why don't you all just challenge me while you're at it?"

Northing continued to relentlessly issue his invitations for a match. His gaze shifted to Adelaide, as if eager to step forward and place a hand on Yale's shoulder.

Yale froze for a moment before Dennis's ethereal voice echoed from behind him once more.

"Yale? So it turns out you're not named Xi'er after all..."

Oh dear, this was not good.

"Hold on, don't pull the hat... the sunflower seeds have fallen out!"

While the situation was dramatic, the sunflower seeds were innocent!

At that moment, on the top floor of the administrative building, inside the principal's office.

"What's going on down there? It's so noisy."

Norman rose to draw back the curtains, only to see a crowd of students gathered below on the platform, resembling an outright brawl.

Recalling the powerful figure seated behind him, beads of cold sweat instantly trickled down his forehead. He was about to close the curtains and pretend nothing had happened when a voice sounded in his ear.

"Your school's students are indeed full of vigor and vitality."

Norman forced a few dry laughs, obligingly agreeing with the words of the insect behind him.

"Youngsters, they're fond of showing off. Whenever they get a chance, they want to compete with their peers. It's not necessarily a bad thing, though..."

An elderly but still sprightly insect stepped out from behind him, drawing back the other curtain. Glancing at the chaotic scene below, the insect spoke in a calm tone.

"It's good to have pride, but being too restless is not conducive to scientific research."

Norman looked at the insect with its furrowed brow and sighed helplessly.

"You're absolutely right... It's also due to the lack of discipline at school. I'll assign more homework to them when I get back!"

Mord Shaw, the current director of the Empire's Research Institute, was an undisputed leader in the field of life sciences for nearly a century, with accomplishments that would be enshrined in history for millennia.

Despite his eccentric and stubborn nature, often making startling moves, his unwavering resolve was such that even the royal family couldn't sway his decisions. He was a truly respected and upright scholar.

"I'll contact the supervisor immediately. Please wait a moment..."

Norman stepped back and dialed the duty teacher's communication device. Mord Shaw reached out to rest his hand on the window frame, narrowing his eyes slightly as he looked down at the students below.

After a moment, something caught his attention, and his expression froze. He leaned forward for a closer look, confirming it several times before his face turned stern, concealing his emotions.

Recalling what he had just said, he spoke uneasily, "Not being able to conduct research... It doesn't necessarily mean..."

The student who had accompanied him to the meeting seemed to sense something amiss and approached, whispering, "Teacher, is there a problem?"

But then, he too saw the figure at the center of the insect swarm below. After a moment of stunned silence, his expression lit up with excitement.

"That's...!"

"I had no idea he had a fondness for these little snacks."

Mord Shaw curled his lips in disdain, harrumphing softly. After a moment of silence, he frowned and pondered aloud.

"Could it be that his long-term deprivation of such trifles led to his depression?"

The student let out a silent sigh upon hearing this and comforted his teacher with practiced ease.

"Regardless, he's back safely now. Once this current uproar dies down, we can try recruiting him again... I'll get some snacks ready for when he comes."

Mord Shaw's expression soured abruptly.

"Buy what? ! I'm not recruiting him! He can leave whenever he wants and come back just as easily – does he think our research institute is a hotel?!"

Norman had finished his communication and was about to resume preparing for the meeting.

Mord Shaw released the curtain and turned back. As he passed by his student, he uncomfortably added a qualification.

"…If you must buy snacks, then buy them! You all can have them! Let him crave them!"

*

"Finished!"

A hearty cry echoed, immediately relaxing the atmosphere within the Second Army. Trained to perfection, they efficiently packed up their equipment and launched their starships, leaving the cleared battlefield behind.

In the First Army's captain's office...

"So many years later, you're still as decisive as ever, and your tactics are even more ruthless than before!"

Even before the door opened, a familiar and robust laughter could be heard.

In the next instant, the office door was kicked open with a bang, and a towering military omega squeezed inside.

"Sure enough, only you can break your own records! I thought I'd have to wait another couple of days to see my Mimi."

Rachel plopped down on a small sofa by the door, gazing at the military omega in front of the sand table with a mix of nostalgia and anger etched on his face.

"It's only when fighting alongside you that I feel truly invigorated. These past five years have been utterly frustrating!"

"The Third and Fourth Armies have become playgrounds for noble scions, while the First Army is overrun with monsters. Every mission is plagued with indecisiveness and stupidity; it's been driving me crazy!"

Xi Ze ignored him, casually waving his hand to topple the sand table that was replaying the battle scenario, commencing a new round of simulation exercises.

"It's been a while since you returned, and you've just won a magnificent battle. What does His Majesty have to say about it?"

Xi Ze's movements paused for a moment, yet his gaze remained fixed on the sand table, his tone indifferent.

"It was said that upon returning, he would be conferred the title of Honorary Admiral, and upon the retirement of the current Admiral in two years, he would ascend to the position."

Rachel let out a soft tsk, followed by a resigned sigh.

"Though you are the legitimate First Army General, Li Mao has, after all, pretended to be the crown prince for five years. To strip him of his royal status so abruptly would be a severe blow to the royal family's dignity... Just bear with it a little longer, two years will pass quickly."

Xi Ze, however, abruptly lifted his gaze, his eyes icy cold. "No."

"I can't wait that long."

Rachel looked at him in astonishment, suddenly realizing something, her expression filled with disbelief.

"What did you say?"

Behind the sandtable was an unobstructed transparent glass, revealing the vast expanse of the universe behind the military omega.

A resplendent and magnificent rose-tinted nebula spun slowly, splashing out a breathtaking crimson hue.

Beneath the brim of the military cap lay a veil of darkness, yet it failed to conceal the sharp glint in those eyes, akin to the keen and icy sheen that shimmered along the edge of a blade unsheathed with audacity.

"I'll become the Supreme Commander within two to three months at the earliest, or no later than half a year."

He casually tossed aside his gloves without sparing another glance at the deadlock on the sandtable. In the blink of an eye, a virtual storm of crimson sand erupted from it.

Rachel only then realized that the simulated battle on the sandtable was not the scene of repelling the beast tide but a far more gruesome and familiar scenario, as if...

The military omega's expression suddenly froze.

Before he could scrutinize further, the rapidly shifting virtual battlefield erupted into a series of explosions!

As the smoke and dust gradually dissipated, the army bearing the flag of the First Legion emerged victorious.

—That was the exceptionally peculiar battle five years ago, which had directly led to the sacrifice of Admiral Monte.

Today, at last, there was a chance for an epic turnaround.

Rachel shuddered abruptly, suddenly empathizing with the five years of smoldering, repressed fury and hatred that must have burned deep within this military omega before him.

Like a towering inferno, it seemed to crave the annihilation of all decaying flesh and the reduction of snarling demons to ashes. A fire that could only be quenched by repeatedly dousing it with the blood of their insectoid foes.

Xi Ze propped his hands on the sandtable, gazing intently at Rachel's bowed head, the corners of his lips curling upward ever so slightly.

"You'll stand with us, won't you?"

The robust military omega lifted his head, baring his sharp canines in a grin, a glint of bloodlust shimmering in his eyes. "Of course."

"It's been... quite a while since I've felt this way."

Author's Note:

Yeye: Kukukukukukukuku... (Caramel peanuts smell so good~V)