Opportunity

"Compete against second-year students in mecha?"

In the classroom, an eighteen- or nineteen-year-old youth suddenly stood up and protested, "Teacher, this is way too unfair!"

"The second-year curriculum is so far ahead of ours. Primal Energy, Combat Skills, and Mystic Arts—which one aren't they better at than us? What are we supposed to compete with them with, our heads?"

There was a scar about ten centimeters long on the right side of the youth's face, making him look rather fierce.

Luo Yan kept to himself in class, occasionally exchanging a few words with Zeng Shan and Li Bohang.

He basically had little interaction with the other students.

Still, after more than two months, he had more or less memorized everyone's names.

The young man in question was called Lin Cheng. His Divine Treasure was 'Super Physique: Iron Clothes,' and his fighting style was extremely ferocious.

Another female student then complained, "Exactly. By then, won't they just treat us like soft persimmons and squeeze us?"

The female student wore a pair of glasses with very thick lenses.

Luo Yan remembered that her name was Li Zi. She was especially talkative, and whenever she got the chance to speak, she basically never stopped.

Led by these two students, many others began protesting.

Wei Fenghua remained unmoved. Only after the students had vented most of their emotions did he raise a hand and press it downward, signaling for quiet.

Once the classroom fell silent again,

Wei Fenghua said, "The Academy has considered this issue as well. Therefore, during the competition, the second-year students will be required to suppress their Primal Energy to Primary Level Two."

"If you still haven't reached Primary Level Two by now, then don't complain. What you should do instead is reflect."

"In addition, the second-year students will be prohibited from using Mystic Arts above Level Ten."

"Other than that, there will be no restrictions."

"I know this is still not fair enough for you."

"But once you're on the Battlefield, can you demand that your enemies fight fairly?"

"Besides, the second-year students came through this as well."

"Every class has been the same!"

"If anyone feels they can't do it, they may withdraw. However, this matter will be recorded in your files!"

The students fell silent.

There were no more objections.

Even those who had objections didn't dare voice them.

Withdrawing would be recorded in their files.

That meant they wouldn't be able to become Mech Masters even after graduation.

If they didn't even dare participate in a slightly unfair competition, how could anyone expect them to fight on the surface?

The matter was settled just like that.

Wei Fenghua coughed twice before continuing, "There are 120 students in total from the first and second years."

"The school will provide twelve mechas, all of them Primary Mecha."

"At that time, we'll draw lots by computer. Ten people will form a group and compete for one mecha."

"Those who advance and obtain a mecha will each be rewarded with 100 Credit Points."

"Students who perform exceptionally well in the practical combat test will be allowed to keep their mechas. In other words, even after you graduate, the mecha will still belong to you."

"Of course, you'll have to find a way to cover the mecha's maintenance and upgrade costs."

"The school will provide a certain subsidy depending on the circumstances."

"But it won't cover the full amount."

"You don't need to worry too much. Once you obtain a mecha, there will be people outside fighting tooth and nail to sponsor you."

"So basically, as long as you can keep your mecha, you'll at least have the maintenance costs covered."

"As for the upgrade costs, that will depend on your luck."

This was another bombshell.

It was one thing to advance in the competition, obtain a mecha, and receive 100 Credit Points.

But no one had expected that performing well in the practical combat test would also allow them to keep the mecha they had obtained.

He Yan's figure suddenly flashed through Luo Yan's mind. His 'Black Thunder' should have been obtained in a similar test.

If that was the case,

there should be at least one such opportunity during the first or second year.

There might not be another one after advancing to the third year.

If a student couldn't obtain a mecha during the first two years, it meant their abilities were limited.

By then, the kind of work students who had never obtained a mecha would pursue in the future would basically already be set.

The Academy probably wouldn't offer them another opportunity.

In other words, for those second-year students, this might be their last chance at the Academy.

When the time came, the second-year students would definitely fight with everything they had.

After all, if they didn't fight now, they wouldn't have another chance.

Wei Fenghua went on to explain some of the rules and requirements for the competition, and the morning passed just like that.

After lunch,

Luo Yan headed straight for the Logistics Department.

The competition would begin tomorrow.

Two groups would compete each day, with the event lasting six days.

The computer-drawn groups would be announced tomorrow.

After the competition ended, there would be three days for personnel adjustments, and then they would set out on the tenth day.

They would head to the surface for the practical combat test.

Time was pressing.

Luo Yan wanted to increase his strength as much as possible before setting out.

That was why he had come to the Logistics Department to purchase 'Spark Agent.'

Quite a few people had the same idea as him.

As a result, there were many students at the Logistics Department today.

A large portion of them were second-year students.

When they saw Luo Yan, their eyes practically glittered with hostility.

After all, Luo Yan was already famous among the first-year students.

Whether it was his Death Match with Luo Beichen or the reward he had received from the Local Security Bureau,

hardly anyone still didn't know Luo Yan.

Luo Yan habitually walked along the wall, making no response to those meaningful gazes.

He quietly joined the line.

When his turn came, he quickly said, "I'd like to exchange for five vials of 'Spark Agent.'"

The staff member raised his head, glanced at Luo Yan's student card, and said, "Please wait."

He made a phone call.

Then, the young man who had developed 'Spark Agent' walked out of a room and waved to Luo Yan. "Classmate Luo, come over here."

At once, one gaze after another fell on Luo Yan.

Luo Yan frowned, but still walked over.

As he passed through the crowd, he heard the students whispering.

"Isn't that Teacher Shi Haoting from the Academy's Department of Pharmaceutical Development?"

"How does a new first-year student know such a big shot?"

"Is this teacher really that impressive?"

"You don't know? Teacher Shi is an expert in pharmacology. Every year, he develops most of the new drugs for our school and even the Undercity."

"I also heard that he developed the vaccine for 'Red Poison.' He was only a student back then."

"Wow, so this first-year student has gotten on Teacher Shi's good side. Won't he have no shortage of medicine in the future?"

"You're thinking too much. Teacher Shi isn't that kindhearted. He won't provide medicine for free."

"Besides, every year he racks his brains looking for people to test his drugs on. I heard that a student once became impotent for life after taking one of Teacher Shi's new drugs. That was really tragic."

Listening to these words and looking at the 'innocent' smile on Shi Haoting's face, Luo Yan began to wonder whether the 'Spark Agent' he had been using this month was a new drug.

When they reached the door, Shi Haoting pulled Luo Yan into the office without another word.

Luo Yan instinctively seized his hand and twisted it behind his back.

"Ow, ow, ow! Classmate Luo, let go! I'm just a scholar without the strength to truss a chicken. I can't take this!" Shi Haoting immediately began shouting.

P.S. Another day of writing ten thousand words! Brothers and sisters, give me some encouragement so I can keep going!