The members of Starsea Military Academy arrived at the star-rated hotel provided by the organizers via shuttle, their faces filled with anticipation and excitement except for Luo Wenchuan.
By the time Yun Xingze entered the hotel lobby, students from other military academies had already arrived.
Whether intentionally or not, the organizers had arranged for teams in the same group to arrive at the hotel simultaneously, creating a subtly tense atmosphere.
The members of Gikot First Military Academy carried themselves with confidence, being last year’s third-place winners. The students from Distant Mountain Military Academy appeared more composed, reflecting their institution’s strict training and discipline. Meanwhile, those from St. Clythus showed great interest in the ultra-luxurious hotel, as the Black Swan Galaxy wasn’t particularly wealthy.
The sudden arrival of Starsea Military Academy drew attention from the other three teams.
Particularly from Gikot First Military Academy, since they would be facing off tomorrow.
Gikot’s team captain was a fair-skinned, scholarly-looking young man with half his hair swept back and a perpetually faint smile playing on his lips.
Yun Xingze recognized him, he was “Don’t Provoke Me When I’m Angry” from Mech Star, real name Cheng Jun.
“Pleasure to meet you,” Cheng Jun stepped forward to shake hands with Luo Wenchuan. “Your performance in last year’s quarterfinals was impressive, you nearly carried your team to semifinals. What a shame. Looking forward to seeing what you’ll do this year.”
Though Cheng Jun spoke politely, his smile didn’t reach his eyes, and his words carried clear undertones of belittlement.
“Oh, really?” Luo Wenchuan didn’t extend his hand in return, looking at Cheng Jun as he replied. “I don’t recall watching any of your matches probably because I’ve never heard much about you. Likewise looking forward to your performance tomorrow.”
The atmosphere instantly became charged with tension.
Cheng Jun didn’t take offense, smoothly withdrawing his hand without missing a beat.
Before anyone realized it, the teams from Gikot and Starsea stood facing each other, every member subtly radiating pre-competition nerves and challenge.
Richard, however, remained perfectly at ease, chatting amiably with the opposing team’s coach.
Neither coach made any move to ease the tension between the two teams.
Their true sentiments were plain to see.
Fortunately, staff from both sides arrived in time to guide them through check-in procedures, breaking the icy standoff.
While waiting to check in, it became evident that the other three academies all looked down on Starsea Military Academy’s members to some degree.
Over the past decade or so, the top three positions in the NCLM have been dominated by the First Military Academy of Gikot, Yuanshan Military Academy, and St. Clythus Mecha Academy with some even taking the championship title.
In stark contrast, Starsea Military Academy, which only qualified once in over ten years, was naturally seen as the underdog.
“Oh? Starsea Military Academy even has an Omega competing?” a Beta from St. Clythus remarked in surprise. “Hard to believe they’re that short on people.”
“Tell me about it,” a Yuanshan student whispered. “They might just lose all three matches in the group stage this year.”
A Gikot student smirked. “Then our three schools better put on a good show. After all, we’re in the ‘group of death’ though the competition would be fiercer without Starsea.”
As the chatter continued, the Starsea team was clearly being sidelined, much to their silent frustration.
But competitions have always been about strength. They could only grit their teeth in secret, vowing to advance past the group stage this year.
Just then—
Someone from the three schools brought up Mecha Star, sparking a lively discussion about gaming experiences.
A Gikot cadet sighed, “My ranking’s been dropping lately. Ever since I lost to that ‘I’m So Weak,’ I haven’t cracked the top thirty. No idea who that guy is. Annoying as hell, but damn strong.”
The name instantly grabbed everyone’s attention.
“You mean ‘I’m So Weak’?” a St. Clythus player immediately chimed in. “That guy’s insane! Losing to him is nothing to be ashamed of. His skills are next-level, he even beat ‘L’ once!”
His excitement made the remark louder than intended.
The discussion quickly heated up.
“Skilled? Absolutely. But he always dips after winning, total jerk move.”
“He trash-talked me, said I sucked.”
“Pisses me off. I’d love to meet him in real life!”
On this point, they reached a rare consensus: “I’m So Weak” was a detestable powerhouse.
Luo Wenchuan and Yun Xingze both glanced toward the crowd.
“‘L’ is legendary with his undefeated streak, but ‘I’m So Weak’ actually made him lose once.” a Yuanshan cadet mused. “I wonder which genius from our academy he is. Dying to know.”
Luo Wenchuan’s brow lifted slightly.
That obnoxious “I’m So Weak”… was from Yuanshan?
The room fell silent for a few seconds after that claim.
Gikot’s Hebrew, chewing gum, frowned and retorted, “What nonsense. That win-and-run guy’s totally from Gikot. He told me himself.”
“Bullshit! ‘I’m So Weak’ is clearly a St. Clythus student,” a team member snapped.
“Like hell! Gikot and Noah dominate the PK leaderboards. Yuanshan and St. Clythus barely have any names up there. What kind of skill is that?”
“Seven of our team have fought him,” a Yuanshan cadet shot back. “What’s that say about your skill?”
As everyone knew, “I’m So Weak” never picked fights with weak opponents, always challenging the toughest ones.
Hebrew sneered, “Seven? Our school team’s nine official members have all fought him.”
“So what?” St. Clythus naturally refused to back down. “The way ‘I’m So Weak’ speaks carefree and unrestrained. Clearly shows they’re a native of our Black Swan Galaxy.”
“During battles, ‘I’m So Weak’ analyzes situations with calm rationality, a style honed by our Far Mountain Military Academy,” a representative from Far Mountain retorted coldly.
Meanwhile, someone from Gikot chimed in, “Only challenging the strong? Among all the schools here, only Gikot has the right to claim that.”
In no time, students from the three military academies were locked in heated debate over which school “I’m So Weak” truly belonged to.
Just moments ago, they had all been complaining about how annoying this person was yet now, they were showering praise and using the opportunity to elevate their own schools.
Standing in the corner, Yun Xingze watched the scene unfold, utterly dumbfounded.
Well, damn. This was a plot twist he never saw coming.
