Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Complete silence.

"What does he mean? Is he mocking us for not having the strength to fight?"

"I'm really pissed off. Who does he think he is, mocking so many of us in public?"

A few first-year students from the Imperial Honor Military Academy nearby heard this and rolled their eyes disdainfully. "This is the Beta who ranked first in the freshman assessment, the one you were talking about."

"Him? He doesn't look very muscular."

Other students from the academy expressed disbelief.

"What's the use of muscles? He has a recommendation letter personally written by General Lin Pei," the first-years said, raising their chins high, radiating an arrogant confidence that screamed, "Our academy is the best." "Who was the last person to earn General Lin Pei's recognition? Oh~ I remember it was the commander of a certain corps, and that was several years ago. What about your academy? Has your academy ever produced such talent? Hahahaha!"

"Damn, he's so cocky."

"Hold it in, he's telling the truth."

"…………"

The student laughed even more arrogantly, his voice carrying all the way to the podium.

Yi Ye really wanted to say, "Bro, stop laughing. The more you laugh, the more scared I get. The guy behind the curtain is staring at me, and it's giving me the creeps."

He deliberately coughed a couple of times, trying to quiet the audience. The audience settled down, but he genuinely choked on his own saliva, clutching his chest and coughing until his face turned red.

"Sorry... *cough*... sorry, maybe I didn't eat breakfast, I'm feeling a bit weak." Yi Ye patted his chest, finally catching his breath. Amid the strange and awkward atmosphere, he smoothly shifted the topic. "But seriously, putting everything else aside, the food at the Imperial Honor Military Academy's cafeteria is really good. You're in for a treat if you come here. You should definitely try it if you get the chance."

The crowd: Is he here to promote the cafeteria?

Behind the curtain, Eugene looked at Lin Pei with skepticism.

The latter remained calm. "Keep listening."

"Does anyone here hate ginger? If you do, don't order the braised pork in the cafeteria. The meat is actually disguised ginger. But aside from that, the meat is really tender and flavorful."

"...What is he talking about? Isn't this the opening ceremony speech for the league?"

"I don't know, but I really don't like ginger. He reminded me."

"He seems pretty nice. Our academy's cafeteria is terrible. I definitely want to try theirs."

"That's because you haven't been to our academy. They dare to serve sprouted potatoes, as if they're trying to poison us."

...

As expected, the tension among the students gradually eased. Yi Ye smiled with satisfaction and finally began his formal speech.

"General Lin Pei asked me to come up and give a speech, but it was so sudden that I didn't prepare anything. However, I noticed that among the previous speakers, there were Alphas and Omegas, but no Beta has spoken yet. So, I'll volunteer to be the Beta representative." He smiled apologetically, stacking buffs on himself first. "I'll just ramble without much logic, so consider this a chance for everyone to take a break and relax."

The youth's demeanor was completely different from the previous speakers. The earlier representatives were either serious or haughty, like Elia and Eugene. After all, those who could represent the academy at such an event were no ordinary people—they were either hardcore powerhouses or high-ranking individuals, and their attitudes toward others were naturally critical.

But the black-haired youth seemed more like a laid-back friend. His gestures and movements didn't feel like a speech but more like a casual chat. Many people sat up straight, curious about what this guy might say.

"Earlier, Eugene from the Vermeer Academy said that the Imperial Honor Military Academy's current strength doesn't live up to its reputation. I haven't been at the academy for long, so I can't answer that. But as far as I know, the league is held every three years. Even if the Imperial Honor Military Academy performed poorly three years ago, do you think it's fair to judge the present based on past results?"

"That still doesn't prove your academy is worthy now. Who knows if it's getting worse!"

"For a Beta to take first place—isn’t that just rotten to the core?"

Seeing the audience about to argue again, Yi Ye brought his terminal close to the microphone. Suddenly, a sharp, ear-piercing feedback noise blasted through the room! The students covered their ears: "Damn it, not this again!"

Yi Ye made a silencing gesture toward the audience, his slender finger pressed against his lips, smiling lightly: "General Lin Pei is still watching from behind the curtain. If you want to join the Vanguard Legion, I suggest you keep quiet for now."

The crowd: "...Thanks, we'll shut up."

"Believing a Beta can't be first—that's a problem with your mindset. No imperial law states that the winner must be an Alpha or an Omega. If you’re unhappy with me being first, go straight to the principal’s office—or email His Majesty and ask why there’s no law to kick Betas out of the academy."

"Of course, Betas make up 80% of the empire’s population, and over half the government officials are Betas. If you’re not afraid of getting mobbed, go ahead and suggest it to His Majesty." As he spoke, Yi Ye suddenly raised his hand, "Oh, and by the way, my terminal’s recording. If you don’t know how to make a suggestion, shall I send it for you?"

The students who’d complained earlier mumbled and fell silent.

It’s one thing to talk big here, but reporting this to the government and central court? That’s moral decay and blatant discrimination.

Some things are unwritten rules—everyone knows them privately, but they’re unacceptable when brought into the open.

Looking at the lowered heads, Yi Ye shrugged, his fingers casually tapping on the terminal screen.

Recording? He couldn’t care less. But for students still in school, ‘telling the parents’ or ‘telling the teacher’ always works like a charm. His Majesty is, without a doubt, the ultimate authority in the empire.

"The point of the military academy league is to learn and grow, not to argue like this—without the composure a soldier should have. Even I, a Beta, get this simple truth. Surely you should know better."

The audience fell silent.

Not just because he was right, but because of the aura he radiated—it made it hard for anyone to stand up and shout. His words were soft, but laced with barbs—dripping with sarcasm. Refuting him would mean losing composure, but holding back felt like your chest might explode. Either way, it was unbearable—this feeling was just too damn gross.

"Real soldiers let their strength speak. If you want to fight with words, go sign up for a debate team. With brains and energy like yours, you’d do great in debates."

...

"He cursed so viciously—I’m terrified."

"I take back what I said about him being nice—he gives me the creeps."

"How can he say these things with a smile? Are Betas at your academy always this terrifying?"

"Honestly..." an S-class student from the Imperial Honor Military Academy shook his head, "I’ve never seen him like this."

Bai Chuan put away his terminal without expression, glanced at them, and gave a cold, faint smirk.

"Is this why you let him on stage?"

Behind the red curtain, Eugene asked Lin Pei, "His rhetoric only temporarily suppresses and delays the students' anger, it's useless."

"That's enough."

Lin Pei looked at the nonchalant figure, "At least the auditorium is quiet now. Anger is meaningful only when extinguished at the best moment. When do you think that moment should be?"

The question was thrown back to Eugene, who didn’t hesitate, "Simulated combat."

"Yes."

Lin Pei's tone was unusually calm, but with an undeniable certainty: "He will bring victory to the Imperial Honor Military Academy, extinguishing everyone's anger."

"...Hahahaha!" Eugene suddenly laughed, almost maniacally and coldly.

"Alright, then I'll wait to see his victory. General, you better pray too, don't end up with just a cold corpse after the simulated combat."

After speaking, he turned and walked away.

Ling Pei watched as Eugene left.

In his early years, while serving as the deputy commander of the Central Command on the Empire's main planet, he had once met Eugene, who was still a minor. As the Pope's nephew, Eugene bore a striking resemblance to Thanatos, sharing his unpredictable temperament. Back then, Ling Pei had seen Eugene publicly strangle a strong and burly thief, then use a craft knife to cut open the scalp, peel out the bloody head, and stuff it into a flowerpot as fertilizer.

When he said someone would die, it wasn't an empty threat.

Ling Pei's gaze shifted through the gap and settled back on Yi Ye's profile.

But he had an inexplicable trust in Yi Ye. Against Eugene, Yi Ye wouldn't lose. He always won, time and time again, as if he were victory itself.

…………

After the opening ceremony ended.

The first event of the day was the combat competition Kaiser had signed up for, and Yi Ye had promised to support him. As he was pulling Bai Chuan out of the auditorium, Yi Ye suddenly felt the need to use the restroom and decided to go back alone. After finishing, feeling relieved, he washed his hands and stepped out, only to find someone peeking inside.

What kind of pervert! Spying on people in the restroom!

Without hesitation, Yi Ye kicked him.

The person yelped and fell to the ground, accompanied by the sound of something breaking.

Only after kicking did Yi Ye take a closer look and realize the person was wearing the uniform of Melville Military Academy. He quickly realized he might have misunderstood and helped the person up. Noticing the broken glasses with one leg missing nearby, he patted his head regretfully.

"My glasses... Ah, where are my glasses..."

Yi Ye awkwardly picked them up and handed them over, saying, "Sorry about breaking them, I'll compensate you."

"It's fine..." the other person said, adjusting the glasses, but his tone paused when he got a clear look at Yi Ye's face. "I've finally found you, Yi Ye!"

"You were looking for me?"

So it really was about spying on him. Well, then the kick was justified.

The other person quickly wiped his hands on his clothes and extended his hand, saying, "Let me introduce myself. Hello, I'm a second-year student at Melville, my name is Lei Li."

Yi Ye vaguely remembered.

Bush Meihua had mentioned this person, warning him to be careful, but his face seemed quite friendly. "By the way, your glasses..."

"It's fine, they're not expensive, just about a hundred thousand. I have a few spare pairs, no need to compensate."

How much?

Yi Ye thought about his wallet. If it weren't for the principal's compensation, it would be a pitifully small amount. Is this the aura of wealth? Damn rich people. Yi Ye solemnly extended his hand, shaking Lei Li's firmly, hoping to absorb a bit of that financial luck through the gesture.

After letting go, he noticed Lei Li was excitedly holding onto his right hand: "Is this the hand of the top Beta? It feels so soft and smooth, how do you take care of it?"

"????"

Your choice of words is strange, buddy!

Yi Ye forced a smile: "I don't take care of it, I'm a rough guy."

"Modest, what rough guy looks like you?"

Yi Ye glared.

What, does he think he's tough? With his six-pack abs and all!

Lei Li probably realized that being so pushy right off the bat was indeed inappropriate, so he chuckled a couple of times and then brought up his real purpose for seeking out Yi Ye: "Actually, it's my senior who wants to see you. Oh, you know him, it's Eugene Vermeer."

"Not a chance."

Lei Li: "Trust me, you should meet him at least once. Don't worry, he's a little crazy, but his IQ is still intact."

"Oh, just because he wants to see me, I have to drop everything and go?" Yi Ye found the people from Vermeer Military Academy quite humorous. "Either he comes to me, or he can screw off."

If Eugene hadn't caused a scene at the opening ceremony, Yi Ye wouldn't have had to go up and say all those things. Now he's stuck out like a sore thumb and made a lot of enemies. He originally thought Bush Meihua was a handful, but now there's someone even more troublesome, and he actually thinks Bush Meihua is somewhat bearable.

Guess it’s true—comparison really puts things in perspective.

"I’ve got stuff to do. If that’s all, I’m out."

"Wait, wait." Lei Li quickly blocked him, "I really urge you to go."

"Reason."

"You signed up for blindfolded shooting, didn’t you?"

Yi Ye narrowed his eyes.

"What, are you spying on me?"

"Every academy has someone in this event, and Eugene’s ours."

"So what? He’s scared I’ll blow his brains out?"

"No." Lei Li said earnestly, "I’m afraid he’ll lose it and put a bullet in your head."

Yi Ye fell silent.

He realized this world is full of freaking lunatics. But to have him cower and go see Eugene? Dream on.

Yi Ye grabbed Lei Li by the collar and pulled him close, word by word: "Then let him shoot. We’ll see who bites it first—me or him. Dead. Gone."