Chapter 37 Eveka’s Victory

Chapter 37: Eveka Wins

Since Ji Anzhi had chosen a secluded spot, none of their classmates noticed what had just occurred.

Of course, what Ji Anzhi couldn’t figure out was how they’d found them. Had they planted a tracker on us?

The three finally finished eating. Ji Anzhi had originally intended to head straight to class, but Andrew held him back, quietly telling him that Eveka was certain to defeat Lar—and asking whether he wanted to watch the match.

Ji Anzhi was genuinely curious about witnessing an S-rank alpha fight firsthand. He’d missed the Freshman Challenge duel because he’d fallen asleep. With a live match unfolding right before his eyes, claiming he felt no temptation would be a lie. After declining several times, he finally gave in and followed along.

They trailed Eveka to the arena—located not far from the mecha training grounds—designed after Earth’s ancient coliseums. Its interior was vast, easily accommodating two mechas in combat, with tiered spectator seating lining the perimeter.

A match was already underway inside. Though the stands weren’t full, there were still two to three hundred spectators present. After Eveka and Lar signed and confirmed their challenge agreement, they learned they’d need to wait for two more matches before their turn—and were instructed to proceed to the preparation room first.

Ji Anzhi hadn’t expected a queue. Noticing his confusion, Andrew explained, “The military academy only has one arena.”

*Only one arena?*

Ji Anzhi asked curiously, “Why not build a few more?”

Andrew replied, “My mom told me there used to be three arenas. But alphas are too destructive, and both the medical team and disciplinary department were severely understaffed. So the principal simply shut down the other two and kept only this one open—concentrating all security measures here, which reduced maintenance costs and made it easier for the medical and disciplinary teams to respond.”

Ji Anzhi nodded. “That makes sense.”

Ji Anzhi and Andrew secured good seats in the second row. Lar’s companions sat nearby as well. Neither Ji Anzhi nor Andrew worried about a potential brawl—disciplinary robots patrolled everywhere. If anyone attempted anything, the robots would instantly alert the disciplinary department *and* issue a warning. After three warnings, they’d forcibly restrain the offender.

Once seated, Ji Anzhi didn’t open his personal terminal to study as usual. This time, he gazed down at the arena floor. Below, an alpha female and a beta female were locked in close-quarters combat. Though betas naturally possess less physical capability than alphas, rigorous training can narrow the gap—though few persist long enough to achieve it.

The duel was nearly over. The alpha female was beginning to falter—and was finally knocked down by a kick from the beta female. Even though she blocked with both arms, she was still sent flying five or six meters backward.

The arena’s AI declared the alpha female defeated, announcing the challenger’s loss and the beta female’s victory. Simultaneously, it deducted the 9,000-point wager—after fees—from the alpha’s account and transferred it to the beta’s.

Ji Anzhi felt a jolt of exhilaration watching. A beta had actually won hand-to-hand combat against an alpha! And not just any alpha—a fully mature, adult S-rank alpha!

Though he knew he’d never stand a chance against such an opponent in this lifetime, it didn’t stop Ji Anzhi’s blood from surging—thrilled, electrified, alive.

Most spectators in the arena viewed the beta’s victory as inevitable. She ranked among the top ten in hand-to-hand combat in the second-year Mecha Combat Department. Against a middling third-year from the same department, the outcome was never in doubt.

The defeated alpha female was swiftly escorted off by the arriving medical team. The beta female approached and said something—causing the alpha’s expression to darken. After she walked away, the alpha’s face turned icy.

Soon, the next challengers entered. Both were male alphas—one burly and heavily muscled, the other leaner and more proportionally built.

Their challenge was also close-quarters combat—no weapons permitted.

As they stepped into the arena, holographic projections displayed their information and wager details:

“Challenger: Lakejo Mitchell (Third Year, Mecha Combat Department)”

“Challengee: Ye Qiming (Third Year, Mecha Combat Department Chief)”

“Challenger’s Wager: 10,000 points”

“Challengee’s Wager: 10,000 points”

Reading the details, Ji Anzhi suddenly felt his Energy Tank wasn’t so expensive after all. Realizing where his thoughts were headed, he shook them off.

What was he thinking? Selling an Energy Tank for such a high price with virtually no risk? One should be content.

Ji Anzhi calmed himself and resumed watching.

The coldly handsome, black-haired alpha was Ye Qiming—the third-year Mecha Combat Department Chief. No wonder he looked familiar; Ji Anzhi had seen him during the Freshman Challenge. Even as an outsider, Ji Anzhi could sense how extraordinary his mecha piloting skills were!

Inside the arena, the burly Lakejo struck first. Though only an A-rank alpha, his physical conditioning had elevated his raw strength to S-rank levels. In an instant, he closed the distance and lunged toward Ye Qiming.

Ye Qiming—an S-rank alpha—reacted instantly. As Lakejo charged forward, Ye Qiming sidestepped the blow and delivered a sharp kick to his abdomen.

Lakejo’s missed strike became a desperate block. The next moment, they were grappling again.

Ji Anzhi had started off enthusiastic. He’d been able to follow the previous match—but this time, several exchanges occurred before he could even process them. The alphas in the stands watched clearly, cheering wildly for their favorites—whose impassioned shouts grew increasingly grating…

Feeling disheartened, Ji Anzhi lowered his head to rest. If he couldn’t see clearly, there was no point in straining. Besides, he’d been growing steadily drowsier lately. He wasn’t sure if it was an illusion, but each day brought a strange mental calm—as if resting quietly in the shade on a sunlit afternoon, with river mist and a gentle breeze.

This had gone on for a week or two. If it continued, he wouldn’t be able to blame mere exhaustion anymore—and planned to visit the school doctor.

Health is the foundation of revolution—it must be taken seriously.

Andrew disliked violence. After glancing disinterestedly at the arena a few times, he looked down at the analysis Ji Anzhi had written for him.

Noticing Ji Anzhi resting with his eyes closed, Andrew guessed he couldn’t follow the alphas’ movements. He glanced up a few more times, then returned to reading.

In the arena, Ye Qiming and Lakejo exchanged blow after blow. Each strike carried bone-shattering force—especially Lakejo’s. He fought as if Ye Qiming were his mortal enemy.

Ye Qiming blocked another lethal strike—the impact numbing his arm. His stamina was superior, but he had no intention of dragging the fight out. He needed to finish quickly so he could spar with his teammates afterward.

Ye Qiming made his decision—and began gathering strength. During this brief lull, he was forced onto the defensive, barely enduring a barrage of heavy blows while waiting for an opening.

Lakejo sensed his intent—and suddenly intensified both his speed and power. “Stinking poker face! Are you looking down on me?” he snarled.

Ye Qiming replied earnestly, “No.”

Enraged, Lakejo launched yet another deadly strike—only for Ye Qiming to explode into motion. Though Lakejo was prepared, he faced someone capable of piloting an SS-rank mecha. At full burst speed, Lakejo barely reacted before a flurry of attacks landed—and a final elbow strike sent him writhing on the ground.

Ye Qiming steadied his breathing, looked down at Lakejo clutching his abdomen in pain, and said flatly, “You lost again.”

He turned and walked away—an attitude guaranteed to incite hatred.

Lakejo was furious. “Stinking poker face—you… just wait!” he rasped, unwilling to yield. “Next month, I’ll beat you down!”

He was abruptly silenced by the arriving school doctor. She smiled “kindly,” but her technique was even harsher than Ye Qiming’s—deliberately targeting the most painful spots.

“Hiss!…”

“This student, you show no external injuries—but you may have internal ones, like organ rupture. So please stay quiet. Understood?”

The moment the doctor arrived, Lakejo became as docile as a chick. Last year, he’d repeatedly injured himself during monthly challenges—sometimes even fighting while still recovering—so the medical team always treated him in the most painful way possible.

Now, he needed to stay quiet and obedient—or they’d go all out again.

The medical team carried Lakejo away. Lar and Eveka stepped into the arena.

Lar’s companions roared their support. In contrast, Andrew heard his brother enter, glanced up for less than two seconds—then immediately looked back down at his analysis.

Eveka scanned the stands. Spotting his brother utterly indifferent, eyes fixed on a notebook—*unsurprisingly*, more analysis from Ji Anzhi…

So annoying. His own brother, siding with outsiders—and he couldn’t even bring himself to hit or scold him. What could he do?

Eveka brooded gloomily, growing even more irritated with Ji Anzhi. By association, Qi Yanshen was also cursed—repeatedly—by this brother-controlling Eveka.

Walking to the center, Lar launched into his pre-fight, nutritionally barren trash talk: “Eveka—this time, I *will* win!”

Eveka shot back impatiently, "Yeah, yeah, got it. Didn't you get all your trash-talking done in the lounge?"

Lar's smile almost contorted into a snarl. Eveka was as infuriating as ever—Lar really wanted to rip that mouth right off his face.

Like before, Lar and Eveka's challenge was close-quarters combat, the go-to choice for alphas in the arena nine times out of ten. It was the most direct way for an alpha to show their strength, blow off steam, and—given the chance—utterly humiliate their opponent. That's why alphas particularly favored it.

Their information was projected into the air via holographic equipment.

"Challenger: Lar Tassabin (Fourth-year Chief, Starship Combat Department)"

"Defender: Eveka Genos (Third-year Chief, Starship Combat Department)"

"Challenger's Wager: 5,000 points"

"Defender's Wager: 2,000 points"

Wagers were generally expected to be of equal value. However, Eveka still needed to use his points to support his brother. Plus, at the start of the semester, he had nearly 40,000 points deducted—a thirty percent penalty—leaving him financially strained. He only antied up 2,000 points.

Although confident he could beat Lar, Eveka considered the possibility of losing. Wagering 5,000 points would be too costly if he lost, so to be safe, 2,000 points was enough.

As for Lar, in the lounge, Eveka had just tossed out a 'fight or don't, I don't care.' He hadn't even wanted to come in the first place. If Lar hadn't threatened him using Andrew, who would bother with him?

The look on Lar's face at that moment, like he'd swallowed a fly, was deeply satisfying.

The crowd in the stands raised their eyebrows at the wagers. Eveka and Lar were regulars in the arena. Ever since Lar lost to Eveka in the final practical demonstration last year, he had challenged Eveka every month. Their wagers were always between 5,000 and 10,000 points. This time, however, Eveka only wagered 2,000 points. What gives?

Some people knew that the alpha from the Genos family, who was doted on like an Omega, had entered the military academy this year. It was likely that Eveka, the notorious brother-con, was still using his points for his brother. Combined with the unexpected point deductions everyone faced at the start of the semester, being a bit stingy was understandable.

In the arena, after the AI announced the start of the challenge, Lar shot forward like a bolt, heading straight for Eveka.

Since their last challenge was three months ago, and Eveka had been on a long-term mission with the Second Legion during the break, his current strength was unknown. Lar's first few moves were meant to test Eveka's reaction speed and power.

After a few exchanges, they separated. Lar rubbed his arm; Eveka had learned to deliver power with hidden force, nearly injuring his muscle.

Lar was surprised by Eveka's improvement, and it only stoked his fighting spirit. "Not bad progress."

Eveka took the praise in stride, without a hint of humility. "As it should be."

Fortunately, those outside the arena couldn't hear their conversation, or everyone would have been at a loss for words along with Lar, shaking their heads at Eveka's sheer audacity.

Seeing that Eveka's mouth was still as sharp as ever, Lar didn't say anything more. He launched another close-quarters attack, but this time with much greater force, almost as if venting his anger.

While blocking, Eveka observed Lar's openings. Compared to before, Lar's attacks were more cautious, and his defense had improved significantly. Eveka could only counterattack if he found an opening.

A minute passed, and finally, a flaw appeared in Lar's attack. Though it lasted only half a second, Eveka keenly seized it, taking advantage of the opening to throw a punch at Lar's neck.

Lar instinctively protected his vulnerable neck, allowing Eveka to seize the opportunity and kick Lar's knee. Lar had a relatively stable lower stance; although his leg bent slightly, he didn't fall to his knees.

However, in this situation, his base was certainly not as solid as before. Eveka punched Lar in the chest, causing Lar to stumble backward uncontrollably. As soon as Lar steadied himself to counterattack, Eveka had already circled to Lar's back and kicked him behind the knee again.

This time, Lar fell to his knees directly. Before Lar could react, Eveka wrenched his arm and pinned it behind his back. Lar couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. Under the intense pain, managing not to cry out was the last shred of his dignity as an alpha.

Now completely powerless to resist, Eveka leaned down and hissed coldly in Lar's ear, "You lost again. Remember, don't touch my brother, or next time in the arena, I'll cut the tendons in your hand."

Lar struggled to maintain his composure. Even though he was sweating profusely, he still shot back defiantly, "Heh, if I mess with your brother, wouldn't that just prove you and your brother are both trash?"

Eveka narrowed his eyes dangerously, a mocking smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Are you all talk? A beaten dog."

Without paying any mind to Lar's look of indignation and resentment, Eveka told the AI to end the challenge and strode off. The AI ruled that a winner was decided and one party had ended the challenge, so it displayed that the challenge was officially over, simultaneously transferring the 5,000-point wager into Eveka's account.