To her surprise, the mecha modification she had planned was delayed for nearly a month!
"QL's Deepest Fear" ran into their nemesis while still at LV1!
The opposing team's name was "Guerrilla."
Originally, Wang Tianwei had a good impression of them because the name felt so familiar!
But the other side truly took the word "sneaky" to the extreme!
She had never seen anyone throw particle jammers in the arena before! Starting the match by forcing them to fight blind!
They intentionally dragged things out within the match time limit, focusing on draining their energy, just refusing to face them head-on!
The opponents knew that Jian Jingyu and Zhang Lyra were the main combatants, and as soon as these two got close, they specifically targeted the mecha's joints...
Not to mention the feints and mock attacks!
They were clearly weaker in strength, but they managed to survive that round and even forced a draw!
The other side didn't suffer much damage, but all the mechas on their side required maintenance!
Not only did they blow all the small winnings they had earned before... but she was so exhausted that her mecha modification had to be pushed back!
However, they did "learn" quite a bit this time around...
Although that match was a draw, the three of them believed they had pretty much figured out their opponents' tricks, and they would definitely take them down in the next match!
It was another Friday.
The three students stepped out of the simulation pods one after another.
"Phew, Sir Huang, want to head back together when we're done later?"
Wang Tianwei asked naturally.
It had been so long since school started, yet she only discovered last weekend that Huang Yan actually lived in the same neighborhood as her!
And they were even upstairs and downstairs neighbors, which was simply too coincidental!
"No, I'm done practicing for today. I have some things to do, so I'll leave first."
Huang Yan looked listless and left right after speaking.
Zhang Lyra came in and crossed paths with Huang Yan.
"What's wrong with him? He looks like he lacks energy."
Jian Jingyu stroked his chin.
"It seems like it's his time of the month."
Wang Tianwei and Zhang Lyra couldn't help but give him a sidelong glance.
"Don't not believe me! I noticed that Sir Huang seems to get especially sluggish around these few days every month. Think about it, isn't that right!?"
Wang Tianwei thought for a long time and said uncertainly,
"If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have made the connection... So Sir Huang..."
"...is a girl?"
Zhang Lyra chimed in with a strange expression.
Wang Tianwei and Jian Jingyu stood to the side, smiling mischievously, while the half-orc rolled her eyes at the sight.
"Oh~ Lyra is actually doubting our Sir Huang's gender!"
"I'm not... don't talk nonsense, Goldfish! You..."
"Neither am I! I've been to the bathroom with Sir Huang!"
"..."
"Alright~ But do men get Emo this regularly? Let's just ask him when he's in a better mood.
Why are you so late today too, Lyra?"
Zhang Lyra put down her backpack.
"Ms. Fu kept me for a while."
"Just you? Did you do something bad recently!?"
Speaking of this, Zhang Lyra was also a bit unsure.
"I didn't do anything... She just asked if I've been hanging out with you guys a lot lately."
"Hmm? Are we involved in this? Tell us more!"
Wang Tianwei asked curiously.
"I said I often spar with Jian Jingyu, since no one in Class A can beat me one-on-one right now..."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk! Arrogant enough, I like it. And then?"
Zhang Lyra carefully recalled Fu Manli's expression.
"Then she asked if Wang Tianwei and Huang Yan were also there. I said we all practice together."
Jian Jingyu still had his hand on his chin.
"Nothing wrong with that."
"After that, your homeroom teacher Mr. Chao walked by, and Ms. Fu told me to go and chased after Mr. Chao..."
Wang Tianwei cautiously poked her head forward and lowered her voice.
"Did she find out we've been fighting matches outside?"
Zhang Lyra also whispered,
"Probably not? Aren't we all wearing headgear? Plus, not many people watch those matches!"
They hadn't been at LV1 for long. Although they won every time before encountering "Guerrilla," because of their low level, they hadn't accumulated much of an audience yet.
The three of them had also watched a few LV3 matches, and those were absolutely packed every single time!
Some individuals and teams even had their own fan bases! In comparison, they were as transparent as could be!
"Emm... Then I don't know either."
The three of them sat in a circle in the simulation training room, heads close together, acting all sneaky.
Chao Hao, who had been forcibly dragged over, took one look and felt his eyes hurt. Fu Manli, beside him, glared at him.
"I was right, wasn't I? Our class's Lyra has been hanging out with the people from your class lately."
"Your tone right now sounds like a mother hen protecting her chicks... She can hang out with whoever she wants. Is it any of my business?"
Chao Hao looked at her, puzzled.
"Weren't you complaining before that I was targeting those few students? How come you're the one discriminating now that school has started?"
Fu Manli calmed down and exhaled.
"I'm not discriminating against the students."
After saying that, she looked straight at Chao Hao.
"!? What do you mean!? Are you discriminating against me?"
"Mr. Chao, let's be honest. There is no teacher at Qilin who is more of a troublemaker than you!"
Chao Hao reflexively wanted to retort, but after thinking for a long time, he really did take the top spot in this regard...
"Those three students in your class are the most special in the entire first year.
Whether it's their personalities, the differences in their mental and physical strength, their own abilities, or their backgrounds... Of course, it's undeniable that they are all excellent.
But you have to understand, our class's Lyra comes from Planet Karen... She was only able to attend this military academy relying on scholarships and student loans."
"..."
"So Lyra needs opportunities more than these kids."
"Are you worried my students will be a bad influence on her?"
Chao Hao's tone was somewhat displeased.
Fu Manli looked serious.
"No, I'm worried you will be a bad influence on her!"
"???"
"Lyra is the pride of Class A. I have no objection if they want to form a team together next semester; the strength of those three is obvious to all.
Even Wang Tianwei, who has the poorest mental strength, is a rare genius in Mr. Eugene's eyes."
"Wait... Ms. Fu, talking about this now..."
"But our school needs a positive image, so shouldn't you be stricter with yourself?"
Fu Manli pointed at Wang Tianwei, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor like a little old lady.
"She's a perfectly fine young lady from a good family, and you've taught her to be so sloppy?"
Wang Tianwei had just come out of the virtual pod and was sweating a little, so she tied her school uniform jacket diagonally across her body. From the back, she looked exactly like Chao Hao when he was extremely hot.
"Me!?"
Chao Hao suffered in silence; this was the student's personal behavior! What did it have to do with him!?
Fu Manli didn't care about that!
"According to the principal, if nothing unexpected happens, these kids will all participate in the new Mecha League when the time comes.
But look at them now! How are they supposed to represent Qilin's image?"
Fu Manli was dressed in formal attire, her tie tied very neatly, and even the angle of her school badge was perfectly straight!
Looking at Chao Hao again, he was in casual clothes, the T-shirt underneath was wrinkled, and his shoelaces were loose.
"Lead by example, Mr. Chao. If Lyra is also led astray to be like you, I won't be able to explain it to her parents."
"..."
