LRAB Chapter 46, First High-Level Sparring
Chapter 46, First High-Level Sparring
Rongcheng No. 2 High School, Indoor Gymnasium No. 1.
The giant holographic projection lights on the dome emitted a soft glow, illuminating the entire venue as bright as day.
The stands, which can accommodate 4,000 people, were packed to capacity. All the senior teachers and students sat upright, their eyes fixed on the temporary stage set up in the center of the venue.
Today, the school has invited a distinguished alumnus—Wang Yangming, a genius graduate who was admitted to Shanghai Mech University three years ago with outstanding grades, ranking among the top 30 in Sichuan Province.
"Fellow students, the roar of the mechs is the most resolute roar of humanity in this era overrun by monsters..."
On stage, Wang Yangming, dressed in a dark blue uniform from the Shanghai Mecha University, was full of vigor. His voice echoed throughout the hall through the loudspeaker, "I'll be waiting for you at Shanghai University! I hope that this time next year, we'll see even more faces from No. 2 High School on this campus by the azure sea!"
A thunderous applause erupted from the audience, and many senior high school students were thrilled, their eyes filled with anticipation.
The school organizes motivational speeches for senior high school students every year, inviting alumni who were admitted to prestigious universities like Mozambique University to share their experiences and boost morale.
Seating area for the Yuanpei Class.
Wang Xing crossed his arms and quietly watched Wang Yangming on the stage.
He remembered the name. When he was a freshman in high school, this senior was the most popular person in his class, consistently ranking first in combat power and eventually being admitted to the Magic University Mecha School without any doubt.
"This person is very capable."
Sitting next to him, Lü Mufei lowered her voice and leaned in to gossip, "I heard that he not only broke through the threshold of becoming a mecha pilot in his freshman year, but was also specially approved to join the 'Interstellar Hunter' organization in his sophomore year. Now he's a junior, and it seems he's already gone to the forbidden area of near-shore abyss monsters twice to carry out hunting missions."
"He's definitely got some skills." Wang Xing nodded. Anyone who can get into the Mecha University is a genius, and anyone who can stand out from the crowd is a monster.
Lu Mufei brushed a strand of platinum hair from her forehead and looked at Wang Xing: "Xing, if you had to choose, which of these four top mecha universities in China would you prefer to attend?"
"That's a good question."
Upon hearing this, Wang Xing couldn't help but laugh: "It's as if I've already received acceptance letters from all four universities and can choose whichever one I want. My thinking is simple... I'll go to whichever one accepts me."
"Tch, stop with that fake modesty."
Lu Mufei rolled her eyes: "Your mecha has now been upgraded with the Storm Transmission system, and its level has already reached 6.8... Once you install that Howling Tiger-Striped Steel outer armor, it'll be at least level 7 or even higher!"
"You know, mecha used to be your biggest weakness, but now that weakness has been overcome, and your health and combat skills are top-notch, you're telling me you can't get into mecha university?"
She slightly raised her chin, a hint of smugness in her voice: "I reached the Gold rank in the Beidou Yuan Universe last night... Do you think it's harder for you to get into the Big Four accounting firms than for me to reach Gold?"
"You've reached Gold rank! Congratulations!"
Wang Xing was somewhat surprised, then sincerely gave a thumbs up.
Being able to reach Gold rank in solo queue during high school is enough to prove Lü Mufei's top-notch talent in mecha micro-management.
"You've already reached Gold rank, so you're a strong contender for Mech University," Wang Xing countered. "So, which one do you want to go to?"
"I want to go to the Shanghai Mecha University!"
Lü Mufei answered without hesitation, her eyes sparkling.
Why?
Wang Xing was somewhat puzzled. "Your strengths lie in mecha micro-operation and modification/repair. Logically speaking, shouldn't Jinling Mecha University, with its top-notch mechanical laboratory and logistics program in the country, be your first choice?"
Lu Mufei smiled mysteriously: "Guess?"
"How would I know?"
Wang Xing shrugged and looked her up and down: "Could it be that your dream lover is at Magic University?"
"Wang Xing! If you want to die, just say so."
Lu Mufei smiled with narrowed eyes, then reached out her delicate, pink and white hand and pinched Wang Xing's arm.
After the playful fight, Wang Xing leaned back in his chair, his gaze returning to the podium, but his mind was actually seriously analyzing his future direction in light of Lü Mufei's question.
If he really had to choose one of these four prestigious universities, maybe... he would actually want to go to the Shanghai Mecha University.
Although the four major mecha universities in the Dragon Kingdom are all cradles for cultivating top combat power, they all have basic general education in combat, business, scientific research and other fields.
However, there are subtle distinctions in resource allocation and research direction, and these subtle differences are enough to determine the future ceiling of a mech pilot.
Longcheng Mecha University, backed by the capital, focuses on large-scale military command and political strategy.
Jinling Mecha University focuses on mecha modification, maintenance, and heavy equipment logistics.
Pengcheng Mecha University, relying on the science and technology corridor in the south, focuses on cutting-edge scientific and technological research and intelligent mecha.
The Shanghai Mecha University... leans towards [extreme individual combat] and [interstellar abyss exploration].
Wang Xing wanted to go to Magic University for two reasons.
First, it is the pursuit of the ultimate personal combat power.
The Shanghai Mech University boasts an extremely competitive and aggressive academic atmosphere, encouraging a philosophy of individual invincibility. In the highly prestigious National Undergraduate "Azure Mech Cup," the university has dominated the individual championship for three consecutive years!
Many of the graduates from there have been selected for the "Beidou Star Alliance Cup" team, which represents the highest level of human combat power.
This atmosphere, which reveres extreme killing and precise micro-management, is a perfect match for Wang Xing's martial arts spirit of piloting the Tiger-type mecha and pursuing a fierce and domineering style.
The second, and deepest, reason is his father.
Wang Xing's father was sucked away by a sudden S-class Black Abyss Rift, and his fate remains unknown to this day; not even his remains have been left behind.
Meanwhile, the Shanghai Mecha University boasts the nation's most advanced "Space Rift" and "Abyss Energy" exploration laboratories. They are currently the institution that has come closest to and understands the internal structure of the abyss best.
Wang Xing's current efforts are initially motivated by a desire to change his family's fate, so that his mother would no longer have to work overtime late into the night, and his sister could be transferred from the harsh northern desert back to the mainland.
But deep down, he never gave up a secret desire...
"If I ever become truly powerful, I will personally venture into the Abyss to find my father! I must find him alive or dead."
"The Great Demon..."
Wang Xing silently repeated the name in his heart, a determined look flashing in his eyes.
……
"...These are my reflections from my two years at the Shanghai Mecha University..."
The speech conference concluded in a warm atmosphere, and Wang Yangming bowed as he left the stage.
Just as the teachers and students were preparing to leave in an orderly manner, Principal Li Zhengyuan's voice suddenly came over the venue's loudspeaker:
"Raymond, a student in the Senior Three Yuanpei Class, please come to the school's training ground immediately after hearing this announcement."
"What does the principal want with Raymond? Private tutoring?"
Wang Xing, who was about to get up, was slightly taken aback.
"Could it be about the special recruitment for the Western Theater Command?"
Wang Xing shook his head, not thinking much of it, and followed the crowd toward the classroom.
As Wang Xing exited the stadium, he caught a glimpse of several unfamiliar figures out of the corner of his eye.
One of the young men was slightly older than Wang Yangming. He had the air of a teacher and was chatting and laughing with Wang Yangming, suggesting they had a good relationship.
What puzzled Wang Xing was that the person following behind the young man was actually a boy wearing a high school uniform. And their uniforms prominently displayed a crossed sword badge—the emblem of "Rongcheng No. 1 High School"!
"What's going on? Senior Wang Yangming is back at his alma mater giving a motivational speech, and he brought along a student from another school?"
The school bell rang, urging Wang Xing to put aside his confusion and quickly returned to the classroom.
…………
"Today we will talk about 'overload buffering and joint stress release in the energy loop'."
Back in the Yuanpei Class, the third lesson was Shen Shuang's "Practical Analysis of Mecha Transmission and Unloading".
On the stage, Shen Shuang, dressed in a smart office lady suit, held a laser pointer and pointed at the mecha structure diagram on the holographic projection, speaking at a rapid pace:
"Many students have a misconception in actual combat that mecha modification is just about mindlessly piling on high-level materials. But I want to tell you that even the best transmission components will produce internal backlash when the joint stress release design is not reasonable. This backlash will not damage the mecha immediately, but it will slowly tear apart your nerve connections like a slow poison."
With a swipe of her finger, the model on the screen began to simulate a battle scene.
"Take the Tiger-type mech as an example. Its hip joint originally used a standard hydraulic buffer. This design is sufficient in regular combat, but once equipped with a high-torque kit like the 'Storm Transmission,' the response delay of the old buffer system becomes a fatal weakness. Therefore, true modification experts must simultaneously optimize the stress release curves of at least three related nodes while replacing the core transmission components."
Wang Xing listened very attentively.
This lesson was clearly tailor-made for Wang Xing by Shen Shuang. He had just installed the Storm Transmission Kit yesterday and needed theoretical support in this area.
"Remember, mechs are not cold blocks of iron; they are extensions of your bodies." Shen Shuang's gaze swept across the entire room, finally settling meaningfully on Wang Xing. "For every one percent increase in synchronization rate, the margin for error in actual combat will increase by ten percent. And the essence of synchronization rate is your understanding of every inch of the mech's structure."
Just as Wang Xing was taking notes quickly with his head down...
"Sizzle—"
Suddenly, a series of static noises came from the loudspeaker at the front of the classroom.
The holographic screen above the blackboard suddenly flickered, and Shen Shuang's lecture PPT was forcibly cut off.
Immediately afterwards, a holographic image of Principal Li Zhengyuan appeared on the screen without warning. However, the principal's expression was unusually serious, even somewhat gloomy.
"Excuse me, Ms. Shen Shuang."
"There is an emergency. Please have Wang Xing come to the office immediately."
Before the words were even finished, and before the whole class could react...
The holographic image suddenly distorted.
Suddenly, Li Zhengyuan on the screen raised his right hand, which actually penetrated the boundary of the holographic projection and transformed into a huge virtual palm made of light blue light, which stretched straight into the classroom!
Holy crap!
"What the hell?!"
"This is... a space-anchored teleportation arm?!"
The whole class erupted in chaos, with many students leaning back in fright.
Wang Xing was also shocked.
He stared at the energy palm radiating spatial fluctuations, and a term he had only ever seen in advanced military textbooks immediately flashed through his mind—[Miniature Directional Wormhole Teleportation Technology]!
This is a spatial transfer method that incorporates extremely advanced technology, and it is usually only equipped in the core command posts or top-notch large facilities of the military.
Only the principal's office and the core combat readiness room are equipped with this technology. This technology is typically used for emergency troop mobilization during wartime; now it's being used to arrest people from classrooms?
"Hurry up!"
Shen Shuang, clearly knowledgeable, immediately spoke to Wang Xing.
Upon hearing this, Wang Xing quickly stepped forward, entering the area covered by the dark blue energy hand.
"Buzz—"
A strong sense of weightlessness washed over him, and Wang Xing felt a flash of white light before his eyes, and the surrounding scenery was instantly stretched into blurry lines.
What on earth happened?
This was the first question that came to Wang Xing's mind.
The principal couldn't even wait a few steps and directly used an expensive teleportation array to forcibly "drag" the school's two strongest students over.
Oh, and Raymond too!
He was called over earlier, what's going on now?!
……
next second.
The white light faded, and my feet were firmly planted on the ground again.
Wang Xing suddenly opened his eyes and found that he was not in the principal's office, but had been teleported to the entrance of Advanced Trial Ground No. 1 on the third floor of the school!
The heavy alloy door to the trial grounds was half-open.
At the entrance, Qi and Blood Instructor Lü Yun was pacing back and forth, his face full of anxiety and even barely concealed anger.
Upon seeing Wang Xing appear, Lü Yun immediately went to greet him.
"Teacher Lü, what happened?"
Wang Xing asked in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity.
"Wang Xing, you're finally here! I'll get straight to the point!"
Lu Yun gritted her teeth and explained quickly in a low voice, "Today, Wang Yangming returned to school to give a speech, along with one of his seniors from Magic University... His name is Jiang Kun. He used to be a top student who graduated from Rongcheng No. 1 High School. Now he's back at No. 1 High School as a practical mentor."
"Today, Jiang Kun took the opportunity of accompanying Wang Yangming back to his alma mater to bring two top senior students with him."
"It was supposed to be a friendly 'exchange' between the two schools..."
Lu Yun clenched his fists tightly, his eyes blazing with fury. "Just now... Raymond was completely overwhelmed by that guy named Wang Taishi! And he hit him hard; Raymond was injured!"
"The principal was furious, which is why he urgently used the teleportation array to summon you two to save the day!"
After listening to what Lü Yun said.
A chilling glint flashed in Wang Xing's eyes.
He got it.
Chengdu No. 1 High School and Chengdu No. 2 High School, as the two best high schools in the city, have been in fierce competition for resources and college entrance examination pass rates for many years.
With less than a month left until the "100 Schools Competition", the students from No. 1 High School are deliberately using the guise of exchanging ideas with senior students to bring their elite students to "challenge" the competition ahead of time!
On someone else's turf, they beat and seriously injured the top student who ranked third on the list. This is simply a slap in the face to the entire No. 2 High School!
No wonder the principal was so furious that he even went so far as to use teleportation technology to summon him over.
"Walk."
Wang Xing strode into the gate of the trial grounds.
……
He stepped into the training ground.
Wang Xing immediately spotted the No. 1 High School student standing in the center of the field, and the senior student from Magic University standing next to him with his arms crossed, Jiang Kun, a teacher from Rongcheng No. 1 High School.
Wang Yangming, a senior from the Second High School, stood opposite him, his face ashen, looking extremely embarrassed and angry, and showing signs of about to explode.
Principal Li Zhengyuan and a group of teachers and directors from the Second High School had extremely gloomy faces, each of them suppressing their anger.
And under the protective wall at the edge of the site.
The burly bear was now slumped on the ground in a sorry state.
Raymond's ribs were slightly dented, and a thin line of bright red blood oozed from the corner of his mouth. His face was deathly pale, clearly indicating that he had suffered a serious internal injury.
"Big wild bear..."
this moment,
Wang Xing's blood and qi began to stir slightly.