Get Out

There were five simulators, and aside from Xu De, the other candidates were all decided by rock-paper-scissors.

Just as mentioned before, they were all people who wanted to get ahead.

To be an MS pilot—one only had to look at the power of a Ginn to understand. If they could become reserve MS pilots and this program actually succeeded in the future, they would be the first generation of experimental MS pilots.

If they bet right, they would be the elite of the elite.

If they bet wrong, they would still be elite MA pilots in the future; it was a win-win situation.

That was precisely why they had to fight for it, and why the competition was so intense.

Just as the group had finished deciding who would go up, the atmosphere in another group was stifling.

"A corporal, and a yellow-skinned one at that. I'd like to see what kind of skills he actually has."

The youth named Hal, with a gloomy expression on his face, stared coldly at Xu De's back.

"Hal, don't underestimate him. Two confirmed kills with those machines—even we couldn't manage that."

On the other side, a youth from the same group spoke softly.

However, his tone was subtly laced with provocation.

"I could do it too, if I were given the chance."

"At the end of the day, those Garrison Force guys are just freeloaders. The Coordinators they faced probably weren't that strong to begin with."

Hal's tone was dark; clearly, under the other's goading, his dissatisfaction with Xu De had grown even further.

To them, the Garrison Force was effectively useless.

They were just people who relied on connections. While those from the front lines wouldn't say anything openly, they looked down on them in their hearts.

As for Xu De, although they didn't know why he was there, he was ultimately just someone from the rear. How could he compare to them, the ones charging at the very front? How could he stand on the same level?

It was practically an insult to them.

"In the end, this place respects the strong! You can't just talk big because of some scavenged combat records."

"I'll make him understand that."

"Just watch, Draco!"

At this moment, the youth's face twisted into a grimace, and combined with his tense, muscular frame, his threat level seemed to hit its peak.

"Is that so..."

Seeing that his goading had worked, the youth named Draco stepped back, maintaining a gentle, aristocratic smile.

These people were all the same; they thought they were God's chosen, and if Heaven was number one, they were number two.

Normally, he would disdain them.

But in times like these, they were very useful to exploit.

Watching Hal walk toward Xu De, who was preparing to enter the simulator, Draco narrowed his eyes, watching Xu De like a viper flicking its tongue.

If the two of them got into a physical fight, that would be for the best.

It would cause Halberton's impression of Hal to plummet.

He knew very well that Halberton detested such barbaric behavior and had no patience for those who practiced racial discrimination.

As for Xu De, if he got beaten badly, he would certainly be eliminated.

And if they fought inside the simulator, Hal's strength was decent.

Although he had one less Ginn kill compared to Xu De, his raw ability was such that, given the chance, he should have been able to destroy a second Ginn.

In other words, this provocation could simultaneously test the true strength and specific methods of both men.

He could then use that data to formulate his subsequent plans.

No matter what happened, he wouldn't lose.

It was originally a selection of five out of ten; if one was gone, his chances increased, and if two were gone, his spot was basically secured.

Thinking of this, the youth's face turned even colder and more sinister.

On the other side, Xu De, who hadn't entered the simulator yet, ran into this Hal.

"Officer, is there something you need?"

Xu De said.

His voice was neither servile nor overbearing.

Yet, it only made Hal's gaze turn even more malicious.

Looking at this familiar scene, Xu De, who had been mentally prepared, sighed inwardly.

One could only say that such people were everywhere, and precisely because of the rise of the Coordinators, there were even more of them.

American-style bullying—everyone's excuses were about the same, and their methods were much the same.

At the very least, until he reached a higher position, people like this would be unavoidable.

His solution was much the same.

"Corporal Xu De, you..."

Before Hal could finish, Moody, who had been standing beside Xu De, stepped forward and wedged himself between the two, laughing it off.

"Save the talk for after training."

"The higher-ups are still waiting."

Moody's smile was warm, and backed by his combat record, no one dared to easily offend him.

Right now, Moody was subtly using the big shots in the observation room upstairs as a shield.

Although no one knew exactly who was inside, given the importance Halberton placed on this project.

It was highly likely that Halberton himself was up there.

Thus, upon hearing this, Hal looked up toward the observation room, the malice on his face receding slightly.

The fighting spirit stirred up by the young man just moments ago dimmed, though it did not fully cool.

His original plan had been to defeat Xu De, to make him understand the immensity of heaven and earth, and to let those above see his own capabilities.

To demonstrate his strength and talent.

He had done this many times before in various other pilot selection processes.

But as Moody said, delaying the schedule would be counterproductive.

With that thought, Hal shifted his gaze back to the still-composed Xu De before him.

"Kid, have some guts and duel me."

"How about we settle this in the simulators?"

He wasn't a fool.

His tone was blunt and straightforward, yet devoid of any discriminatory slurs, possessing instead a certain forthrightness.

Although it was sudden, it was indeed difficult to refuse.

Even though they prided themselves on being civilized here, deep down, it was still that pirate-like savagery.

If he didn't agree, it would look like fear; even if he were in the right, it would lead to a drop in his impression score.

Therefore, he could not back down, and with the information from Bella, he had the confidence to beat his opponent.

To rise, one must fight.

Facing Hal's provocation, and ignoring the look from Moody on the side, Xu De nodded and said.

"Fine."

After all, while this Hal possessed formidable strength, he also suffered from the common ailment of the powerful.

Or rather, the common ailment of most Atlantic elites.

He was far too arrogant.

He believed himself superior to others, believed himself to be one of the chosen people.

It was precisely because of this that he had greater flaws, just like in his training videos.

His fighting style was fierce and overbearing; it was certainly effective against Coordinators who lacked combat experience and had been blinded by Junius, but against an experienced, calm, and collected pilot, it was of little actual use.

Simply put: he had excess courage, but insufficient reaction.

"Fighting like this is boring. If you lose, get out of here."

Hearing this, Xu De's expression remained indifferent; he merely nodded slightly and asked softly.

"And if you lose?"

The question was sharp, yet his tone was as gentle as if he were asking where to go for lunch.

"Then I'll get out too!"

Hal glared at him and declared.