Many first-year students were practicing freely around the training grounds. When a different model of mecha suddenly flew in, everyone cast curious glances toward it. The very next moment, they heard the pilot issue a challenge to Li Xiao, and their spirits instantly rallied.

The last person to come looking for trouble during class was the mentally deranged Lin Zhou. Who was the crazy one this time?

Seeing no response from Li Xiao, the second-year student spoke into the public channel once more: “I am a second-year student from the Mecha Piloting Department, Luo Yu. I heard your mecha combat skills are exceptional. Do you have time to trade a few moves?”

The moment the first-years heard the name “Luo Yu,” they gasped.

It couldn’t be that Luo Yu, could it? The powerhouse who ranked third in the Mecha Department’s last phase examination—someone even more fierce and aggressive than Lin Zhou!

For a top-tier expert like him to challenge Li Xiao, was it a genuine sparring session or just outright bullying?

As Luo Yu introduced himself, a personal dossier automatically popped up in Li Xiao’s field of vision.

09: [This Luo Yu is a modified human.]

Li Xiao replied calmly, “I am currently in class. I don’t have time.”

Luo Yu: “Then how about we set a time after class?”

Li Xiao: “Senior should find someone else. Trading moves with me will yield absolutely no fulfillment.”

Every student on the public channel, including Instructor Zhao De, was listening in on their conversation.

At first listen, they subconsciously assumed Li Xiao was being humble, but upon closer consideration, something felt slightly off. Did “no fulfillment” imply that Luo Yu would win too easily, or that Luo Yu stood absolutely no chance against him?

If it were any other first-year, it would undoubtedly be the former. But the person speaking was Li Xiao—the man who had recently defeated a rampaging Lin Zhou using a training mecha with a one-second latency delay. Exactly how much strength Li Xiao possessed was something even Instructor Zhao De couldn’t fathom.

Luo Yu clearly interpreted Li Xiao’s words in the conventional sense. He laughed on the other end of the public channel. “How could that be? It’s not a death match; it’s primarily for learning purposes. I won’t use lethal force.”

Since the man blocked his path and refused to leave, Li Xiao gestured for Song Jin and the others to move further away to practice.

With Li Xiao turning around and walking away in front of so many people, Luo Yu was left standing there alone. Feeling a prick of displeasure, he maneuvered his mecha over to block Li Xiao once more. “The mecha selection tournament is about to begin. Aren’t you participating as well?”

Li Xiao: “Whether I participate or not is my own business.”

Luo Yu: “I can give you some guidance. I’ve watched your previous mecha combat videos. If you train properly, there’s a good chance you can make it into the second round. Although the second-year curriculum is tightly packed, I can still squeeze out some time.”

Hearing this, the observing students secretly noted how skillfully the words were crafted.

Luo Yu managed to convey how busy he was while simultaneously showing a willingness to proactively offer guidance to a junior. The image of a helpful, altruistic senior was instantly established, while subtly stepping on Li Xiao in the process. What did he mean by “if you train properly, there’s a good chance you can make it into the second round”? The implication was clearly that Li Xiao would, in all probability, be eliminated in the very first round.

If they hadn’t perceived Luo Yu’s underlying motive before, most students understood by now: this guy surnamed Luo was here to stir up trouble.

“Having to advance to the second round sounds rather troublesome.” Li Xiao’s voice sounded somewhat helpless. “I’m just playing around out of sheer boredom. Why take it so seriously?”

Luo Yu: “…??” What on earth is this kid saying?

The students: “…” Classic Li Xiao.

Zhao De: “…” Can’t you put at least a tiny shred of effort into your attitude?! He had held his breath in anticipation for nothing.

The public channel fell into an eerie silence.

Li Xiao spoke up again: “A seeded contestant like Senior Luo should focus on training properly to secure a ranking.”

The crowd snapped out of their daze, suddenly remembering that third-year students would also be participating in this mecha selection tournament. A second-year powerhouse looked far less impressive when compared to the third-years; with Luo Yu’s level, it really wasn’t guaranteed that he would secure a top ranking.

A pleasant, low chuckle drifted through the public channel. In the next moment, Song Jin’s loose, deep voice echoed in everyone’s ears.

“It’s precisely because he can’t secure a ranking that he’s in such a rush to guide others—at least that way he can find some sense of accomplishment,” Song Jin said unhurriedly. “You’re putting Senior in a difficult spot. Not everyone has a pleasant temperament like mine.”

Li Xiao: “Then how should I have phrased it?”

Song Jin: “Work hard, and strive to breach the first round.”

Uncontrollable laughter from Qian Can, Qin Le, and the others burst through the public channel. With their outburst, the other students could no longer hold back, and the entire channel gradually dissolved into a chorus of chuckles.

Luo Yu’s expression stiffened. “I will secure a ranking. There is no need for you to worry.”

Song Jin: “Whether you secure a ranking or not is none of my business.”

Luo Yu: “You don’t even dare to trade blows. How cowardly.”

Song Jin let out a lazy, mocking laugh. Suddenly, he charged directly toward Luo Yu—who was ten meters away—his right hand gripping his mecha’s parrying sword.

Startled, Luo Yu hurriedly dodged to the side, drawing his sword at the same time.

A dark shadow flashed past. By the time Luo Yu managed to turn around, Song Jin’s blade was already resting against his mecha’s neck, while his own sword was only halfway drawn from its sheath.

Song Jin had launched a direct, frontal attack, giving Luo Yu ample distance to react. The entire process involved no superfluous techniques—it was pure, unadulterated speed.

Qian Can and the other two: “…!!!” So fast!

By comparison, the Song Jin they faced in Star Wars last night could practically be described as gentle!

The students who had been joking and laughing just a moment ago felt a sudden chill run down their spines. The moment Song Jin drew his blade, the atmosphere of the entire training field completely transformed. Once everyone processed what had happened, their hearts pounded erratically.

Was this offensive speed for real?! If it were them in that position, they would likely be just like Luo Yu—paralyzed on the spot, waiting for death.

Song Jin held his sword with a reverse grip and turned around unhurriedly. He tapped Luo Yu’s metallic mecha head with the flat of the blade, speaking in a leisurely tone: “You can’t even draw your sword in time, and you have the nerve to call me cowardly?”

The gesture was profoundly humiliating.

Luo Yu flushed crimson with rage. Just as he was about to retaliate, Instructor Zhao De’s low shout boomed across the public channel.

“All of you, stand down! This is class time; do not engage in matters unrelated to the curriculum. Second-year student, please leave the grounds immediately. You have already disrupted ten minutes of our class time.”

Grit teeth, Luo Yu complied, flying back to his own class with a belly full of pent-up rage.

Qian Can couldn’t resist complaining on the public channel: “Seriously, it takes all sorts to make a world.”

Qin Le: “Don’t they have training to do? They must be far too idle.”

At those words, many more people in the public channel burst out laughing.

Li Xiao instructed Qian Can and the other two to continue training. He and Song Jin stood to the side, observing their offensive movements and offering timely corrections. Quite a few students watched them from a distance, crying out with envy in their hearts.

To receive personal guidance from the Second Prince and Song Jin… did they save the universe in their past lives?! They wondered if they would get beaten up if they sneaked closer to listen in.

Fifteen minutes before class ended, all the students disembarked from their mecha cockpits and headed toward the safety zone. Zhao De pressed the recall button on the console, and all the mechas flew back to their docking bays in an orderly sequence.

On the way to the assembly point, Li Xiao asked Jiang Hao, “What other formulas did your brother give you?”

At this question, Qian Can and Qin Le crowded over as well.

Jiang Hao forwarded the content his brother had sent earlier into their five-person group chat, explaining hesitantly, “My brother just made this up on the spot for fun. The move earlier worked only because the keybindings happened to align perfectly. It was pure coincidence.”

Qin Le opened the group chat to look, and sure enough, it bore the distinctive style of the elder Brother Jiang. “Did he really just make it up randomly?”

Jiang Hao nodded.

Li Xiao looked at the chaotic mess of symbols. In his mind, a mecha combat sequence automatically generated itself. To his surprise, it turned out to be a highly practical, basic combo string. Each movement required between eight to fifteen keystrokes, coordinated with the control lever and foot pedals. The operation wasn’t overly complex, making it relatively easy for a novice to master.

Thinking of Jiang Chi’s absolute doting nature toward his younger brother, Li Xiao closed the page and said casually, “This is a legitimate combo string. He likely went out of his way to ask someone else for it.”

Jiang Hao: “!!! Really?!”

Li Xiao nodded. “If you practice it well, it will be helpful for this selection tournament.”

Jiang Hao and the other two: “!!! Then we must practice it!”

Forming ranks inside the facility, Zhao De stood at the front with his hands behind his back, looking over everyone. “Everyone’s progress is quite good, and your mastery of the movements is well in place. However, if you want to make a mark in the selection tournament, you still need to work harder.”

Zhao De pulled out a small notebook and critiqued specific issues regarding certain students. Finally, he looked at Li Xiao. “Come over for a moment. The rest of you are dismissed.”

“What is it?” Li Xiao walked over.

Zhao De looked at Li Xiao, then at Song Jin, rubbing his hands together with a jovial smile. “I think very highly of the two of you for this selection tournament. Since you’ve both registered, perform well and strive to achieve an excellent ranking.”

Li Xiao: “Depends on my mood.”

Zhao De: “…”

Zhao De tried to make one final push: “Look at how incredible your wife is. You shouldn’t lag behind either.”

Before Li Xiao could speak, Song Jin’s face darkened first. “Who is his wife?”

Zhao De blanked out, his gaze darting between the two of them back and forth twice. Did these two kids have an argument? Are they going through a divorce? They don’t look like it.

“I am his husband,” Song Jin said unhurriedly.

Zhao De looked at Li Xiao with utter bewilderment. “This…”

Li Xiao said nothing. He took Song Jin’s hand, bid farewell to Zhao De, and left.

“What are we having for lunch?”

Song Jin: “Rice mixed with strawberry jam.”

Li Xiao: “Not allowed.”

Song Jin: “Noodles mixed with strawberry jam.”

Li Xiao: “…Strawberry jam cannot be eaten as a main dish.”

Behind them, Zhao De watched them depart, muttering to himself, “If that’s not a wife, then what is?”

The moment they entered Cafeteria No. 39, Li Xiao sensed a barrage of peculiar glances. It was quite similar to when he first arrived at the military academy, yet there was a subtle difference—there was far more scrutiny and significantly less hostility.

They found a spot to sit down in a quiet corner of the greenhouse. Without even needing to intentionally listen in, they could hear the conversation drifting over from the neighboring booth.

“Senior Luo kindly invited him to spar, but he ended up humiliating him instead. What a terrible character.”

“I heard Senior Luo almost cried when he went back to his class.”

“He originally wanted to offer Li Xiao some guidance, but the other guy didn’t care for it at all.”

“I didn’t think Li Xiao was that kind of person.”

“You wouldn’t understand. People of their status always act one way in public and another way behind closed doors. How could they let us see their bad side?”

“How terrifying. I wouldn’t dare approach Li Xiao’s circle anymore.”

“Isn’t this just outright bullying?”

Song Jin ate the dessert that had been served first, listening to the gossip while casting a silent glance at Li Xiao.

[How do you manage to attract these ridiculous situations day after day?]

Li Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Song Jin’s dessert, silently implying: [Quick, use the dessert to comfort me.]

Song Jin scooped up a spoonful and moved it over. Just as Li Xiao opened his mouth, Song Jin suddenly retracted his hand and leaned in for a kiss. Caught completely off guard, the kiss landed squarely.

Li Xiao heard Song Jin’s triumphant chuckle. “…” The kitten is getting increasingly adept at playing little tricks, and yet, he falls for it every single time.

Li Xiao licked Song Jin’s cream-smudged lower lip, taking the opportunity to deliver a light, retaliatory nip.

Song Jin’s gaze shifted slightly. He had originally intended to merely play around, but Li Xiao’s sudden bite made him genuinely want to kiss him properly. However, when he moved to press closer, Li Xiao retracted himself very cleanly, snatching the spoonful of dessert along the way.

Song Jin knitted his brows, staring at him with dissatisfaction. It suddenly occurred to him that they hadn’t shared a proper kiss in quite a long time. Isn’t this guy supposed to be pursuing him? What kind of attitude is this?

Seeing Song Jin’s expression—as if he were preparing to settle all scores at once—Li Xiao patted his head. “It’s going to melt.”

Song Jin: “We will continue when we get back.”

Li Xiao: “…”

Sitting opposite them, Qian Can and the other two did their absolute best to pretend they were part of the background scenery. To divert his own attention, Qian Can opened the military academy’s internal forum. Unsurprisingly, he spotted several provocative threads occupying the most prominent positions:

[Li Xiao Publicly Insults Second-Year Senior!]

[Second-Year Top Academic Proactively Offers Guidance to Li Xiao Only to Be Rejected and Bullied!]

[Li Xiao Curses Mecha Department Top Academic, Claiming He Won’t Clear the First Round of the Selection Tournament!]

Just reading the titles alone was enough to make Qian Can’s blood pressure skyrocket. Tapping into a random post, the top comments were filled with intense rhetoric:

“This is way too much! Senior Luo Yu is usually incredibly nice!”

“I told you before that his previous behavior was just an act for his public persona, but nobody believed me. Do you see it now?”

“If he didn’t want the guidance, he could have just declined. Why did he have to humiliate him?”

“He is a prince, so of course he can look down on everyone else. Hehe.“

“What an awful personality. Who would ever dare to guide him in the future?”

When the dishes were served, Qian Can turned his screen toward the opposite side. “It’s only been a few minutes, and already the entire school knows about it.”

Li Xiao didn’t even need to look to know how this would play out. The tactic was cheap, but effective. Only the dozens of people in their class knew the actual truth of the matter, and more than half of them were Zheng Lin’s lackeys. As long as no one came forward to clarify, the rumors would not cease; they would eventually evolve into even more preposterous and unfavorable versions.

After Song Jin had fought Qi Ge previously, the internal forum’s public opinion had swayed toward their side. This was exactly what the members of the Meng family least desired to see, so they had scrambled to orchestrate this clumsy setup to tarnish his reputation.

If a lie is repeated often enough, it becomes the truth. The royal family’s reputation had been systematically eroded by them in exactly this manner—like boiling a frog in warm water.

Qian Can: “What should we do? Should the few of us make posts to clarify?”

“No rush.” Li Xiao drizzled sweet dressing over a plate of vegetable salad and placed it by Song Jin’s hand.

As the four students at the neighboring table finished their meal, they discussed the news on the forum while heading toward the exit.

“I really misjudged Li Xiao before. He—” A Beta passed by their table. Catching sight of Li Xiao’s group out of the corner of their eye, their tone veered sharply into an abrupt turn. “He is absolutely not the kind of person who would insult a senior! How can those people online spout such nonsense?!”

Their companions from the same table: “…”

To speak ill of someone behind their back and be caught red-handed by the actual person… the Beta’s composure shattered entirely. They hurriedly opened their terminal to access the internal forum. “I’ll help him clarify right this instance!”

“Me too.”

“Count me in as well.”

The three companions dragged the Beta along as they ran out of the cafeteria.

Jiang Hao watched them panic to the point of nearly tripping over one another at the cafeteria entrance, thoroughly perplexed. “What are they doing?”

Qian Can held his laughter in until his stomach ached. “A successive social death scene, pfft—hahaha!”

Qin Le maintained a serious expression. “It seems the situation isn’t entirely terrible.”

Most of those clamoring on the internal forum right now belonged to the faction aligned with the Meng family. The majority of ordinary students remained unaware of the actual details and were simply tracking the drama; their overall impression of Li Xiao hadn’t completely soured yet.

“Fundamentally, this place still respects fists above all else.” Song Jin chewed on a piece of raw green coated in sweet dressing. “Compared to these rumors about disrespecting others, seeing Li Xiao actually get defeated would have far greater impact.”

Qin Le: “That was likely their original plan all along, wasn’t it?”

To enlist a top academic from the second-year Mecha Department to spar with Li Xiao—their objective couldn’t have been more transparent. Unfortunately for them, they had vastly underestimated the capabilities of the two masters sitting right before them.