Zhuo Feiyue was momentarily stunned upon hearing this. He looked at Yun Xingze and asked curiously, “What have you thought of? Let’s hear it.”
Yun Xingze pondered seriously for a moment before asking, “Professor Zhuo, I have a question. Since the registration form lists a lightsaber mech, to what extent can the mech be modified during the competition?”
“As long as it’s based on the original mech, you can modify it however you want, except for weapons of mass destruction,” Zhuo Feiyue replied after some thought.
The school’s regulation seemed lenient, but in reality, the intervals between matches were so short that it was difficult for participants to make drastic changes to their original mechs.
“What if I modify it like this.”
Yun Xingze leaned in and whispered his idea into Zhuo Feiyue’s ear.
At first, Zhuo Feiyue listened with a smile, but as the idea sank in, his eyes widened in astonishment. “Yun Xingze, have you lost your mind? That kind of modification is too dangerous!”
The Alpha girl beside them also looked at Yun Xingze in surprise. “Are you sure you can pull this off? The leap is enormous, this isn’t child’s play. Even if modified, it would be extremely hard to control, requiring exceptional mental coordination.”
Zhuo Feiyue frowned and added, “Exactly. Not only would it demand powerful mental control, but also extensive modification experience. Right now, you can barely operate a lightsaber mech, and your modification skills aren’t at that level yet. Don’t be reckless!”
Yet, after hearing their concerns, Yun Xingze couldn’t help but smirk. “How would I know unless I try?”
He might lack many things, but modification skills and mental control weren’t among them.
“Let me make this clear,” Zhuo Feiyue said sternly, “if there’s any issue with the mech after modification, you’re barred from continuing the competition. Safety comes first.”
Yun Xingze replied earnestly, “Failure isn’t an option.”
Zhuo Feiyue studied him skeptically. Where on earth was this kid getting such confidence?
Once the discussion concluded, Yun Xingze had made up his mind, while the other two wore expressions of doubt.
Noticing Luo Wenchuan standing nearby holding a cat, Zhuo Feiyue smiled and walked over. “Hey, Luo, still here? That fond of the cat?”
Luo Wenchuan’s movements paused briefly, his face unreadable to Yun Xingze.
Dressed in his school uniform, the cat nuzzled against his arm, its orange fur contrasting warmly with the deep blue fabric—a cozy, endearing scene, if one ignored his icy demeanor.
Yun Xingze, who had been lost in thought until now, observed the tall boy under the cherry blossom tree with the cat in his arms. Strangely, Luo Wenchuan didn’t seem as intimidating as the rumors made him out to be at least not like the notorious Omega-phobic monster people claimed.
Luo Wenchuan checked the cat’s paw, confirming the bleeding had stopped, then bent down to set it gently on the ground. His long, pale fingers gave the cat’s head a light rub.
The cat turned to nuzzle his head before darting into the bushes, vanishing from sight.
“Leaving,” Luo Wenchuan said flatly to Zhuo Feiyue before turning away.
“Come to think of it, I should thank him…” Yun Xingze murmured. “If I hadn’t run into him rescuing the cat at this exact time, I wouldn’t have thought of this modification.”
Zhuo Feiyue gaped at him. “Just because you saw Luo Wenchuan with that cat, you decided to modify your mech like that?!”
Yun Xingze nodded slowly.
Zhuo Feiyue rubbed his forehead: “Who on earth gave you the courage…”
In the afternoon, at the simulation training room.
During the school’s mech competition period, many students would come here to train.
The training room had numerous simulation pods, each corresponding to different virtual screens where spectators could watch the battles.
A crowd had gathered in front of one particular screen.
Displayed on it was a battle between a Comet mech and a Lightsaber mech, set in the school’s solo PK arena.
The two mechs fought fiercely within the circular battlefield, their lightsaber and chainsword clashing repeatedly. The Comet mech kept switching weapons and attack patterns, quickly finding an opening.
Soon enough, the Comet mech tore off the Lightsaber mech’s arm.
But losing an arm was just the beginning more and more components were violently ripped apart, making the surrounding students watch in horror.
“What a madman…”
“As detestable as ever.”
“No idea why he has to go this far.”
When the match ended, the two simulation pods opened. A tall, handsome red-haired Alpha emerged, slightly sweaty with a dangerous glint in his eyes that sent the nearby students scattering like startled birds. The other pod revealed a Beta male.
“Kalibo, was all that training really necessary?” the Beta asked, puzzled. “Your next opponent’s just a B-grade Lightsaber mech piloted by a first-year Omega. You could’ve ended it in five minutes.”
Kalibo’s sharp features remained calm beneath his red buzzcut. “I want to make the school team.”
“You’ll definitely get in this year,” the boy reassured. “Don’t exhaust yourself. Save some energy for later matches. Facing S-grade opponents will be tough otherwise.”
Kalibo didn’t respond.
The boy pressed on: “Your next opponent’s just an Omega. No need to reveal so many techniques or humiliate them. Tearing someone down to just the cockpit like last time was way over the line.”
“This time,” Kalibo said deliberately, “I’ll destroy the cockpit too. Otherwise, it’d seem like I don’t respect this Omega enough.”
The boy froze as Kalibo turned to leave, muttering, “Damn, he’s completely insane.”
As Kalibo exited the training room, he bumped into two people.
After a brief glance at them, his frown deepened with displeasure. He deliberately shouldered past one of them before striding out.
Ke Lei rubbed his shoulder, startled, watching Kalibo’s retreating figure. “Damn, that redhead’s temper is still as nasty as ever.”
Luo Wenchuan rarely spared a backward glance at Kalibo.
“But Kalibo has improved significantly this year,” Ke Lei mused, frowning. “Probably because Su Zinan made the reserve team last year while he got unlucky twice in a row. That must’ve stung.”
Luo Wenchuan said calmly, “He’s definitely school team material.”
“But last year, Su Zinan got lucky. He faced Chi Yu in one match, and Chi Yu deliberately went easy on him,” Ke Lei said. “Both Caleb and Su Zinan had eight wins and two losses, but because Chi Yu threw the match, Su Zinan’s performance score was higher. Otherwise, Caleb would’ve at least made it as a substitute.”
Luo Wenchuan remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.
Ke Lei glanced at the match groupings and said with surprise, “Ah, Caleb’s next opponent is Yun Xingze that Omega who helped modify your mech.”
“I know,” Luo Wenchuan replied absentmindedly.
Ke Lei looked at him in confusion. “You know? Since when do you pay attention to these things?”
Luo Wenchuan paused mid-step but didn’t answer the question. Instead, he asked, “If it were you, what would you do?”
“Huh?” Ke Lei was taken aback at first, then frowned as he carefully considered it. “The only way would be to modify the mech into a long-range type. But even that isn’t a sure bet, and there’s not enough time.”
After a moment, Ke Lei looked back at Luo Wenchuan. “Why the sudden curiosity?”
“Just asking,” Luo Wenchuan replied flatly.
“Given what happened with Su Zinan, Caleb probably doesn’t have a good opinion of any Omega competitors,” Ke Lei said with a hint of worry, pursing his lips. “Yun Xingze might be in trouble.”
Luo Wenchuan recalled the cat from earlier that morning and suddenly turned to glance at Ke Lei. Casually, he remarked, “You’re worried about him?”
“Of course! Caleb fights ruthlessly, and Yun Xingze is an Omega,” Ke Lei said earnestly. “Aren’t you concerned about what might happen to him? He did help modify your mech, after all.”
“I’m more worried about Caleb.” With that, Luo Wenchuan opened a simulation pod and stepped inside, his expression unreadable.
“Wait—what?!” Ke Lei’s face was a picture of shock and confusion.
Was Luo Wenchuan being serious just now?
Yun Xingze looked up the relevant materials and found that the modifications wouldn’t require too many resources. He breathed a sigh of relief—otherwise, he might have had to borrow money from Professor Zhuo again.
Just as he was engrossed in the modifications, a message popped up from an unknown number:
[Need money? Want some help? Your mech looks pretty beat-up.]
Yun Xingze replied: [Not interested in insurance. Stop harassing me, or I’ll report you.]
The sender quickly responded with a “?” followed by: [Yun Xingze, did you delete my contact?]
Yun Xingze froze for a second before realizing; this must be that guy surnamed Chi.
When Yun Xingze didn’t reply, Chi Yu assumed his tone had been too harsh. Clicking his tongue, he spent a long time drafting a lengthy message, essentially saying that as long as Yun Xingze stopped being difficult, he’d reconcile with the Yun family and offer his support.
After all, that mech was downright hideous. The Yun family must have cut off his allowance. Why else would he be piloting such an eyesore?
Chi Yu was certain Yun Xingze would be moved to tears and forgive him.
But when he confidently hit send, the message bounced back—blocked.
Chi Yu’s eyes widened in disbelief. For a full ten seconds, he just stared at the screen before finally sputtering, “He—he blocked me? How dare he block me?!”
Beside them, Su Zinan wasn’t in a good mood. Forcing a smile, he said, “Xingze’s temper is as fiery as ever. Yu, it’s all your fault for not caring about him enough.”
Chi Yu’s face darkened as he gritted his teeth. “How am I not caring? He’s the one who won’t listen to me! When his mech gets torn apart by Kalibo in the next match, he’ll come begging for my help!”
“Don’t say that,” Su Zinan said gently. “You should comfort him later, or he’ll throw another tantrum.”
“Comfort him?!” Chi Yu clenched his fists, eyes burning with anger. “He blocked me first! How dare he act up?!”
“Don’t be mad. Xingze didn’t mean it. He’ll understand someday that you’re doing this for his own good.” At this moment, a faint smile finally appeared in Su Zinan’s eyes.
Two days later.
The winners of the second round were divided into two groups, competing in Arenas C and D.
Su Zinan and Chi Yu had already finished their matches on the first day, both securing victories effortlessly. As last year’s school team members, their skills were among the highest in the academy.
On the morning of the second day, Chi Yu woke up early, dressed in his best outfit, styled his hair meticulously, and headed to Arena C where Yun Xingze was competing.
He wanted to be at his best to personally witness Yun Xingze’s humiliating defeat.
Clearly, Su Zinan had the same idea. The two stood out conspicuously among the uniformed military academy students.
Just then, a nearby conversation caught Chi Yu’s attention: “Hey, Luo Wenchuan is here too? I thought he was supposed to be at Arena D.”
“He never watches other people’s matches, does he?”
“That’s weird. Is there some high-level duel today?”
“Who could even be considered ‘high-level’ in front of Luo Wenchuan.”
Chi Yu was equally puzzled. He glanced at the subject of the discussion and saw Luo Wenchuan sitting high in the stands with his eyes closed, seemingly indifferent to the ongoing match.
In contrast, Ke Lei beside him looked curious, as if waiting for someone to take the stage.
Not far from Chi Yu, Lu Ranxu frowned at the two peacocks and muttered to Oliar, “Ugh, what bad luck.”
Oliar nervously watched the arena. “Looks like it’s almost Xingze’s turn. That modification of his do you think it’ll work?”
“It’s definitely risky. I tried talking him out of it for a whole day and night, but he wouldn’t listen.” Lu Ranxu clenched his fingers unconsciously. “But I think Xingze must have his reasons. We should trust him.”
Oliar nodded. “It’s fine. Even if he loses this one, it doesn’t necessarily mean he can’t make the school team.”
Lu Ranxu took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
In the preparation area, Yun Xingze was approached by a staff member signaling him to get ready backstage.
As he stood up, Kalibo rose from the other end of the bench, his fiery red hair dazzling under the lights.
Their eyes met, creating a tense atmosphere.
In the stands, spectators noticed Kalibo’s movement and immediately buzzed with excitement.
“That red-haired madman’s taking the stage!”
“Hell yeah, I came just to watch him dismantle someone today.”
“Word is his opponent’s an omega.”
“Won’t even leave a single screw intact, huh?”
Amidst the clamor, Luo Wenchuan opened his eyes and looked toward the arena, his previously indifferent expression suddenly turning serious.
Chi Yu had originally come to enjoy the spectacle, but when he saw Yun Xingze and Kalibo disappear together through the backstage door, an inexplicable tension gripped him, his palms growing sweaty.
A few minutes later.
Under the gaze of countless spectators, Yun Xingze and Kalibo appeared simultaneously at the center of the arena.