"Cut it out."
Chen Tong snorted coldly and said no more.
At that moment, the training machine Su Ming was controlling began to move faster little by little, drawing everyone's attention.
Inside the Ironhead training machine's cockpit, Su Ming kept pulling the control levers to operate the mecha while gradually pushing the power lever forward to increase its output.
Although his nerves were taut and fine beads of sweat had appeared on his forehead, he still thoroughly enjoyed the feeling. It was truly amazing.
He glanced at the time on the control screen. The half-hour training session had passed far too quickly; in the blink of an eye, only five minutes remained.
Su Ming's eyes shifted slightly. He let out a soft breath and adjusted himself to his best condition before nudging the power lever forward.
Bzzzt—
As the power engine's roar grew louder, the Ironhead training machine accelerated, moving at something close to a jog.
"Whoa~"
"That's awesome!"
The students exclaimed in amazement as they watched.
Tang Yan was also overjoyed. He had not expected bringing them here for real-machine training to yield such an unexpected gain.
Soon, the rotation period ended, and Su Ming operated the training machine back to its starting position, where it stood upright.
Click—
The cockpit slowly opened, and Su Ming climbed down somewhat awkwardly.
Clap, clap—
A round of applause rang out. Su Ming froze slightly and looked up, only to see Tang Yan leading a large group of students toward him.
"That was amazing, Su Ming! You operated it very well!"
Tang Yan praised him with a broad smile.
"That's right, Su Ming! Your operation was incredible, especially that final acceleration. You looked unbelievably cool!"
"That was seriously awesome."
Zhao Ran and the others praised him excitedly.
Su Ming felt a little embarrassed by their praise and could only respond with a smile.
"Thank you."
Taking advantage of the moment, Tang Yan encouraged the other students.
"Everyone, work hard in your training. You can do just as well as Su Ming."
"Yes, Teacher!"
The students present answered excitedly.
At that moment, Zhang Tai saw a group of rookies acting smugly after merely learning how to walk. A mocking expression appeared on his face, and he looked down at the excited crowd disdainfully.
"A bunch of frogs at the bottom of a well. Is there really anything to be happy about?"
As soon as he said this, Minke and the others raised their heads and replied angrily.
"What did you say?"
"Is there a problem with what I said? Please, get one thing straight. With your current level of control, frankly speaking, you're no better than babies who have just learned to walk. The slightest increase in the range of your movements would send you tumbling. Don't even mention fighting—what use are you? Although we're all in the same year, we've already begun actual combat training. That's the difference between clouds and mud."
Zhang Tai mocked them without the slightest restraint. His words were like a basin of cold water poured directly over the jubilant crowd.
For a moment, Minke and the others were stunned.
Tang Yan also glared at Zhang Tai in fury. He had gone all out today to bring his students here for real-machine training precisely to inspire their fighting spirit. It had taken great effort to build up their confidence, only for this fellow to pour a basin of cold water over them. Wasn't he deliberately undermining him?
Just as Tang Yan was about to lose his temper and reprimand Zhang Tai, a shout came from the main entrance.
"Teacher Tang, come over here for a moment!"
Tang Yan turned his head and saw a man standing at the entrance. His face was covered in wrinkles, his hair was somewhat gray, and he was dressed in a teacher's uniform.
"Isn't that Teacher Chen Yi?"
"Yeah, why is he here?"
The blond-haired student and the others discussed it in confusion.
Tang Yan immediately instructed everyone.
"I'm stepping out for a while. Continue training properly. Minke, you're in charge of organizing the rest of the training!"
"Yes, Teacher!"
Minke hurriedly answered.
Tang Yan then walked toward the entrance.
Outside the training room, Chen Yi lowered his voice and said to Tang Yan, "Why did you bring the entire class to the real-machine training grounds? This doesn't comply with the rules!"
"I know it doesn't comply with the rules, but I still wanted to give them a chance."
Tang Yan shook his head as he replied.
"I understand, but the school might object. When that happens, you'll probably get a good scolding. You might even lose this year's bonus."
"It's fine."
"Forget it. Since you think it's fine, I won't say anything more."
"Mm. By the way, what brought you here?"
"My students are here."
"Your students? Wait, don't tell me the five students including Lin Chuyu are under your guidance?"
"They are. There's something else I need to tell you. I've already completed twenty-eight quotas. If everything goes smoothly this year, I'll have the full thirty. Then I'll apply for a transfer."
Chen Yi smiled as he spoke to Tang Yan.
This time, he was practically guaranteed success.
"Oh, congratulations."
After hearing Chen Yi's words, Tang Yan wore an expression of deep envy.
"Thanks. How many quotas do you still need?"
Chen Yi chatted casually with Tang Yan.
"I'm still far from it. I've only completed three quotas in total. Who knows how many years it'll take me to gather enough."
Tang Yan replied bitterly.
"It's fine. Take your time!"
Chen Yi reached out and patted Tang Yan on the shoulder in consolation.
Inside the training room, Minke saw that everyone seemed somewhat dispirited, no longer possessing their previous drive and excitement. He then shouted encouragement to the crowd.
"Everyone, listen to me. We're young and in the prime of our lives. As long as we work hard, we'll definitely be rewarded. I believe all of us can shine in the City Exam and enter the Imperial Court Military Academy together!"
"The class monitor is right! We can definitely do it!"
"That's right! As long as we work hard!"
The students who had been somewhat discouraged quickly regained their confidence.
Su Ming could not help taking a few more looks at Minke. As class monitor, he was indeed extremely capable.
Thump, thump—
At that moment, Lin Chuyu, Zhang Tai, and the other three came down from the observation deck. They had been preparing to leave the training room and go find their mentor, Chen Yi.
However, as soon as they came down, they heard Minke and the others discussing the Imperial Court Military Academy.
Zhang Tai immediately felt extremely displeased, as though his own ideal had been defiled. He sneered.
"So you're not only frogs at the bottom of a well—you haven't even woken up yet. Dreaming in broad daylight."
"Don't push it! Are we not allowed to have our own goals and ideals? Are only you allowed to take the Imperial Court Military Academy's entrance exam, while we aren't?"
Minke retorted angrily.
At this moment, Zhou Wei shook his head and said with a laugh, "Tsk, tsk. Although Zhang Tai annoys me too, there's nothing wrong with what he said. You probably don't understand how strict the Imperial Court Military Academy's admissions are. The Imperial Court Academy does give our district ten Inner Academy quotas, but do you know how many people passed the exam last year?"
"How many?"
The blond-haired student asked instinctively.
Su Ming also looked at Zhou Wei curiously.
"Not a single one. More precisely, no one in the entire Thirteenth District has been admitted to the Imperial Court Academy's Inner Academy for a full five years."
Zhou Wei replied with a smiling face.
Before you continue