The coliseum

"Wait what are you saying? What's done?" Miss Programmer could not understand what was happening.

Cross smiled wryly. "I mean, it's fine to deliver this now."

"D-deliver?... WHAT!?" She exclaimed.

Commander Beth's mouth opened wide as well. She had just realized too that Miss Programmer was not able to take part in the reprogramming.

After a few seconds of shock, the serious expression returned to Miss Programmer's face. "Just wait! To be sure, let me take a look at it first," she said.

"Sure. Do so."

It was impossible that he finished reprogramming the Mainframe just like that! And without her help? Miss Programmer couldn't believe it and couldn't accept at the same time.

She immediately checked it. But, after she examined it, only amazement could be seen on her face as she muttered the word "…im-possi—ble…"

She could not find any flaws besides the data he altered.

Commander Beth silently looked at Cross before she checked the time. She realized that it was about time for the first battle to begin.

They need the Mainframe to be delivered right away. She called Uncle Bertham, the old man who was instructing the staff who were reassembling the broken old mech.

"Professor Bertham, this is the item that needs to be delivered to Commander Guren of the Mech Soldier Department," said Commander Beth as she pointed the box on the table.

On normal days, Beth would call him Uncle Bertham, but inside the headquarters, she was calling him professor of course.

The busy old man looked in that direction. "Okay, let us handle it. I will ask one of our crew to deliver it right aw—-," replied Professor Bertham but he was interrupted by sudden calls.

"Professor! Professor!"

The professor knitted his brows as he looked in the direction of the voice. He saw one of their men.

"You moron! Shouting like I'm a deaf man. What's your problem?" The professor asked, annoyed. However, his eyes suddenly squinted when he saw that that person was pale.

"Eumir is… Eumir is…"

"What!? Speak straight idiot!"

"Eumir has not returned until now."

Professor Bertham wrinkled his forehead. "Didn't he come along with those pharma guys yesterday?"

"Yes, professor. But the thing is… I heard that they went to the Helle District yesterday."

"What?"

You can see the shocked expression on the face of Professor Bertham and Commander Beth when they heard that.

"Helle District?" Commander Beth asked, looking somewhat shocked. "Do you mean the prohibited area Helle District?" She asked again.

The person looked nervous. "Y-Yes, Commander!"

Commander Beth looked at the professor and asked: "Uncle Bertham, what does he mean?" Beth even forgot to call him professor this time.

The professor frowned. He looked below and said: "Yesterday, some members of the Great Pharma Department came and asked for help. It seems like they were searching for a rare herb. They asked for someone good at handling Hoverbikes to come with them in case a malfunction occurred while on their way," replied the professor.

Commander Beth widened her eyes. "T-they didn't tell you where they wanted to go?"

"No. Sorry, I also forgot to ask. So this is partly my fault too. I didn't know their destination was that dangerous place. I should have asked."

Commander Beth frowned. "I see. I will try to ask for help from Commander Guren."

"Okay. Thank you, missy."

Commander Beth nodded and said. "For now, please make sure to deliver the box to him."

"Okay, leave it to us."

From the corner of her eyes, Commander Beth noticed a figure leaving the headquarters. After excusing herself, she quickly chases after him.

"Wait, young man from the Support Department!"

Hearing that, Cross stopped on his feet suddenly.

He looked behind and saw Commander Beth approaching him.

"Yes, commander? My task is done, so I think I'm fine to leave now."

"O-of course. In any case, tell me your name?"

"Uh…" now that he thought about it. He had yet to introduce himself.

"My name is Cross Milliams. A year one student from D-class."

"Cross Milliams… Wait! D-class? Are you kidding me, Cross?" The commander could not believe what she heard. A person likes him with such a talent, how could he be in the D-class only? He was more appropriate to be in Elite Class. Commander Beth thought so.

Cross just smiled wryly. "Ha-ha. Well, that's the truth."

"Hmm…" Commander Beth narrowed her eyes at him. But soon she sighed and said: "Okay, but anyway, thank you very much for the help. If it was not because of your help, I'm sure I'll be in big trouble. If you ever need help in the future, feel free to come here."

Cross smiled faintly, after two to three seconds of silence, he said: "I see. Okay then." After saying that, he excused himself.

Cross looked to the sky.

Adam suddenly appeared in the air and asked him.

"No. I think it's the perfect time to do that," he said.

<><><>

The arena coliseum was spacious and plain. It was a testing ground where mech pilots trained and dueled with each other.

Meanwhile, it was already filled with excited onlookers who wished to see the upcoming mock battle.

When Scarlet and the others entered the Arena Coliseum, everyone went crazy at the sight of them.

"Look! The elites!" Upon the mention of it, everyone craned their necks as they looked around.

"Where? Where?"

"There!"

They saw the gracious beauty of Scarlet and her friends surrounded by some students from other classes.

"So pretty!"

*Whistle!*

"Princess Scarlet!"

"Dereck is so handsome!"

"Vaan too!"

"Sherry!"

"Agnes is my type! She is like a bro to me!"

"I wish I could wear the same uniform as them…"

"HAHA! Dream on! Not until you're as good as them!"

Their uniforms were very eye-catching. Everyone dreamed of wearing those as well. Wearing them was something you could be proud of.

"There, Scarlet," the guy with light blue hair, Dereck, pointed at some empty seats.

Vaan, the guy with spiky-white hair, said: "It looks like we're right on time. The mock battle is about to start."

The Arena Coliseum was very spacious. You could hardly identify someone on the opposite side. It has the size of two baseball fields. It was surrounded by benches for the onlookers and glass shields to protect them from stray bullets or anything dangerous.

"By the way, Sherry, is it true they will be using ground-type mechs in this mock battle?" Scarlet asked her pink-haired friend.

"Yes. That's what I heard."

"What do you think will be the outcome of the mock battle, Scarlet?" Asked the green-haired friend of Scarlet.

"T-That's quite a difficult question, Agnes." Scarlet smiled wryly. "Honestly, I don't want to say anything against our fighters. I believe in Senior Garry and the other's skills, though. But I guess it depends on what kinds of Mechs they are using."

"You're right," Agnes agreed.

"Senior Garry although an elite. His experience in battle is never been better than most of his peers. So, I don't think he is capable enough to win," said Dereck.

Vaan also commented. "Haha, right? Let's just wish he didn't embarrass this academy."

"You two! Which side are you on?" Agnes barked with a cross-shaped pulse on her forehead.

"R-relax, Agnes," Scarlet tried to calm her down.

At that moment, *TIIING!* They heard a loud piercing noise from a speaker.

"Everyone, please refrain from stepping into the field, the mock battle will be starting soon. Before that, let's warmly greet our very own Headmaster and the noble guest, the merchant from our allied country!" Said the announcer.

All students then stood up and bowed towards the VIP podium, which was located at the highest plane of the spectators' area.

"Good Day! Headmaster and Noble Guess!" Their voices were loud and clear. Slightly jarring, though.