"Will the upperclassmen all reject us from now on?"
Zhang Lyra recalled the scene just now; anyway, everyone present had gone completely silent at the end...
Huang Yan manipulated the app to schedule tomorrow's challenge match.
"Expected... but it's not a big deal. If anyone is unwilling to accept our challenge, we'll just skip them."
Actually, he felt they wouldn't encounter true opponents until they faced the top three sophomores, but challenging them one by one from the bottom up suited his habits better, and it allowed them to collect more opponent data.
"Will Sister Zebra dismantle their mecha cabins again tomorrow? Should I help you hold them down again?"
Jian Jingyu asked as he scooped up a spoonful of rice.
Wang Tianwei rested her chin on both hands, looking distressed.
"Forget it... Senior Potato said he'd block me if I did that again.
...Why call me a pervert again? I stripped his mecha, not his clothes!?"
Zhang Lyra silently lowered her head and shoveled food into her mouth. No matter how you put it, getting dismantled out of a mecha during a battle really wasn't a good look...
"Just take it easy next time."
Huang Yan finally picked up his chopsticks.
"After these few challenges, how do you all feel?"
Zhang Lyra thought for a moment.
"We can beat most people in the school pretty easily, but that's because they don't have as much combat experience as we do.
If we ran into opponents from the Zero Boundary, we might not win at the same level..."
Huang Yan nodded.
"You're right. Currently, our team lacks a bit of firepower compared to others.
However, Little Bear and Goldfish are both strong enough. When Goldfish goes in, he can basically one-shot the enemy's frontline soldiers. Lyra's mobility has also improved now; whether in the front or back line, her movements are quite flexible.
If there are gaps in the middle, Sister Zebra and I can basically cover them.
But based on my observations, having a sniper or artillery would be even better!
Because if we face high-level opponents, they will definitely lock onto me and the mecha mechanic immediately. If you guys don't end the fight fast enough..."
"Umm, then I'll start practicing sniping today!?"
Hearing this, Wang Tianwei immediately tossed the memory of being grabbed by the collar and scolded by Senior Potato to the back of her mind.
"I'll practice together with you."
Huang Yan continued.
"I have an idea: right now, Goldfish and I can already do some simple mecha maintenance, and we are more familiar with the various parts and internal programming than the average person.
Sister Zebra's shooting accuracy is decent, so she can act as half a soldier; Little Bear can advance to attack and retreat to defend...
Since we can all supplement each other's positions, why not maximize these advantages!
While we have time to learn and practice now, let's do more role-swapping simulations!
Calculated this way, we might effectively have half a mecha mechanic or an extra soldier compared to other teams! What do you guys think?"
"That sounds great!"
Although Jian Jingyu had the purest passion for solo combat, he also knew what kind of effect it would have if their squad could have one or two extra people compared to others!
Zhang Lyra also turned over and said,
"I can also learn how to dismantle, assemble, and maintain mechas from Sister Zebra."
Wang Tianwei placed her right hand beside the bridge of her nose.
"...I feel like we can pull off something huge this time! Hehe, hehehehe."
"Speaking of which, shouldn't we go play the promotion match for the Zero Boundary?"
After Jian Jingyu spoke, the group fell silent for a moment. Huang Yan quickly adjusted his state of mind.
"Indeed, we've dragged it out for a whole summer vacation. It's time to try again."
Wang Tianwei also added,
"If we have nothing going on this weekend, how about we go play the promotion match?"
"The appearance of the new mechas is a bit unique. Should we modify them slightly before the match?"
"No problem, swapping a few parts will do! I've bought a lot of good stuff recently!"
Zhang Lyra thought for a moment.
"I can use the original A-rank mecha."
She was so satisfied with her new mecha; the novelty hadn't worn off yet...
"That works too, give me your spatial button..."
Although the weekend's promotion match was tense, it wasn't too difficult to win.
The opponents were at a standard LV2 level. The group performed normally, and after a period of stalemate, they still secured the victory.
However, the audience in the Zero Boundary noticed that the QL's Greatest Threat team had undergone significant changes!
First of all, the personal profile of that Zebra was upgraded from B-rank to A-rank!
Following that, all four of their mechas were different! They had undergone some modifications to varying degrees, and the color scheme had changed from the original white background with yellow stripes to a black background with yellow stripes.
"What's going on!? Did Zebra get replaced or upgraded!?"
"The name is still BillionMoreBowls, no replacement!"
"Wasn't it Daddy Protects You who fainted last time? Why did a different one get upgraded!?"
"Greatest Threat is awesome! The new mechas are too cool!!!"
"...Why does it look like they've gone dark to me?"
The group successfully obtained their promotion qualification, and a dazzling LV2 was hung behind their team name!
The audience had increased significantly compared to their first match! Today's promotion match was almost packed to the brim.
The four of them walked back along the transparent corridor, greeting people along the way.
"Our lounge has been changed."
Huang Yan glanced at his optical computer and calmly announced the news.
"Oh! Right! LV2 has exclusive lounges!"
Wang Tianwei immediately got excited and wanted to go see it!
Following the prompt in the message, Huang Yan led the group to the door of the new lounge.
Unlike before, the door didn't say Lounge No. X but displayed their team name followed by their rank. Even the door itself had been changed to an electronic lock!
Wang Tianwei quickly flashed her optical computer, and the three people behind her automatically stood in a row, revealing the sign on the door!
She snapped several photos in a row!
"Got it!"
Only upon hearing this did the group push open the lounge door.
"Wow!!!"
This lounge was more than a size larger than the previous one, and it even had a dedicated bathroom inside!
Unlike when they were in LV1, where they had to go to the public restroom outside!
The sofas inside had become two sets. The mineral water on the coffee table was arranged neatly, and there were also a few small snacks!
Next to the projector was a small refrigerator filled with various free beverages and nutrient solutions.
Two bunk beds were placed against the wall, making a total of four beds top and bottom.
"The LV2 lounge is exclusive, so we can also stay overnight here."
The group looked around and touched things, all very satisfied with the upgraded treatment!
"By the way, today's prize money is a total of 280,000. I'll transfer the money to you guys."
Huang Yan said as he operated the transfer.
"We won't have as many matches coming up as we did in LV1, but the prize money has increased. The next match starts at 300,000, and if they open a betting pool, it will be even higher."
Jian Jingyu was thrilled beyond belief upon receiving the 70,000 transfer!
"Ah!!! We're rich, we're rich!"
Zhang Lyra felt incredibly reassured as she watched the numbers in her account increase.
Her previous mecha hadn't cost her any money, so she had brought all her savings back home.
The family's debts had been paid off without her knowing... She didn't even know how much overtime her mother had worked.
But during the summer vacation, Shirley finally got to eat the meat patties and beef ribs she had been longing for! And they wouldn't be short of them in the future!
The subsequent spiritual power treatment fees for her father were also covered!
Although her parents were very angry about her running off to compete in matches...
But she had explained her reasons thoroughly, pulled out the Zero Realm data that Jian Jingyu had researched, and introduced her reliable teammates! Furthermore, she promised that she would definitely surrender if she couldn't win!
Only then did they reluctantly agree to let her continue competing in the tournament... though she had to report back to them every week.
"How about I treat you guys to a meal today?"
The three of them turned to look at Little Bear, whose eyes were sparkling. Zhang Lyra twiddled her fingers.
"It wasn't easy to level up... and I haven't treated you guys yet..."
Wang Tianwei was the first to raise her hand.
"Buffet!!"
"Agreed!"
"Agreed."
