Junior, did you mistake me for someone else?

"Oh, the senior knows about me," Ye Tong nodded, looking playfully at the person in front of her.

This time, Zhao Zhihan and his companions couldn't laugh. Though their eyes showed some reluctance, they also realized their own limitations. "Sorry for the interruption. Let's communicate more in the future."

Zhou Naiyi could only shake her head, pulling Ye Tong's hand. "Junior, welcome! The principal is waiting for you. Let's drop off our luggage first. Ma Long, you can step aside now."

"Elder Sister, I have the utmost respect for you! Besides, though I'm physically in the enemy's camp, my heart has always belonged to Class 16. Can you introduce us? Ye Tong, such a beautiful name—is it like the moon's pupils in the night? It sounds familiar. Would you like to join the Photography Club or are you interested in drama?"

Ma Long was confident that he had made a strong impression on Ye Tong. Zhou Naiyi helplessly smiled, "Ma Long, you must have heard of the name 'Tong Shen,' right?"

In an instant, everyone around suddenly realized, and their gazes grew even more eager, though they dared not be as presumptuous as before.

Ma Long was stunned. Oh my god, it was her...

"Junior Ye Tong, I'm a fan of yours! Could you give me an autograph?" someone in the crowd finally mustered up the courage to ask.

Zhou Naiyi was also both amused and exasperated. She had underestimated their persistence. Moreover, the people around didn't disperse; even Zhao Zhihan was watching from not far away.

Tong Shen—an illustrious figure at EMP. In the three-year military preparatory program, she consistently ranked in the top three in Asia. Not only did top universities across USE offer her admissions, but even NUP's elite military academies, known for their high standards, extended invitations to her, including two of the NUP's top ten. Her decision to choose Tianjing Military Academy caused quite a stir.

One word—limitless potential.

"Sister, is there a person named Li Hao in your class?" Ye Tong suddenly asked.

The atmosphere froze a bit, tinged with awkwardness.

"Li Hao, do you know him?" Zhou Naiyi was taken aback.

Ye Tong smiled faintly, "Yes, senior. I'd like to see him before meeting the principal."

Ma Long, who was next to them, got excited. Whoa, what's going on here? There's a story, huh? "Junior, this is fate. I might not know about others, but I know Hao very well. We're close buddies, bunk mates—there, that guy cleaning up the desk. Hao, over here."

Ma Long waved toward Li Hao and others, who were preparing to tidy up the posters for the Photography Club before lunch.

"Old Three, get it done, let's eat first," Li Hao said. Suddenly, he noticed a sharp gaze locking onto him, causing his muscles to instinctively tense up, but he quickly relaxed... This was Tianjing.

Ye Tong walked step by step toward Li Hao. Li Hao frowned slightly, staring without blinking. Everyone sensed that something was off.

Nobody really knew who Li Hao was, but everyone knew that Ye Tong was Principal Long's favorite, the core member intended to restore Tianjing Military Academy's glory. Offending her would definitely bring trouble.

Ye Tong looked at the person in front of her. Despite four or five years apart, there was no mistake—it was him.

The two stood face to face like that. Li Hao's expression was calm, his mind quickly searching and thinking. He was sure... he didn't owe anyone money.

Ye Tong suddenly smiled, took a step forward, and the distance between the two of them instantly became very, very close. The surrounding breaths seemed to hold.

Ye Tong leaned closer, moving slowly towards Li Hao's ear. "Li Hao, we finally meet."

A faint fragrance reached his nose, fresh and moving. Li Hao stepped back a little, "Junior, maybe you've got the wrong person."

Ye Tong looked deeply at Li Hao. "I won't be mistaken. We have a long time ahead."

Ye Tong didn't say much more and went with Zhou Naiyi to meet the principal, leaving everyone behind in confusion.

---

Inside Dorm 4396, the atmosphere was lively, and suddenly there were three curious souls.

"Hao, do you know Tong Shen???" Zuo Xiaotang asked in astonishment, "Tong Shen's shooting skills are exceptional."

"Ye Tong's close combat is also very strong; she follows NUP's light mech route. I thought she would study abroad on the moon, but she came to Tianjing. Interesting," Musashi, clearly intrigued, remarked—this was a master.

"You two fools, is that the main point? She's a great beauty! Hao, what did she say to you? Are you two so familiar you're whispering to each other?" Ma Long felt like a cat scratching his heart. Two parallel lines that would never intersect!

Li Hao shrugged helplessly and pointed to his head, "This junior may have mistaken me for someone else, or something's wrong here. I really don't know her."

Ma Long slapped his hands together, "She must have mistaken you. I believe in Hao's integrity. Hao, beautiful women are trouble. Tong Shen is the ultimate trouble. Avoid if you can."

Zuo Xiaotang couldn't help himself, "Then why do you pursue Senior Sister Sheng Man and show off every day?"

"You don't understand. If I don't go to hell, who will? This is the heart of Buddha; it's about enlightenment. Beauties are man-eaters."

The three in the dorm all gave him disdainful looks.

Li Hao laughed and nodded, "Can we eat?"

"Brothers, the Photography Club just got five new female members today, thanks to everyone's support. We're eating well today!" Ma Long thought, smiling, and there were also three new junior brothers, who seemed pretty good.

---

Inside the Principal's Office.

Long Danni, 35 years old, was a core member of the young faction in USE. She had short black hair, neat and clean, and wore a crisp silver USE Federal Army major-general uniform. A scar on the left side of her forehead slightly marred her beauty but added an indescribable charm. Her presence was strong and exuded a heroic spirit, having fought in regional wars, cleared out interstellar pirates, and climbed from frontline combat to command.

After receiving the transfer decision, Long Danni didn't hesitate. The state of the military academies directly determined USE's combat power, and having personally experienced various wars, she was well aware of USE's issues.

There was a knock on the door, and Long Danni put down the documents in her hand. "Come in."

Zhou Naiyi and Ye Tong walked in, saluting.

Long Danni smiled slightly, "Xiao Tong, welcome. Please sit wherever you like. Naiyi, you can take Xiao Tong around the school afterward."

"Yes, Principal."

"Thank you, Senior."

Long Danni called the two here partly to show her importance to Ye Tong and partly for other matters. In fact, USE's reform had already begun. Tianjing's Class 16 had a bit of that intention, but due to the overall situation, it had not been very apparent or effective. This year's Solar System Mech Competition had also torn away the last fig leaf. She believed that the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.

"Naiyi, Ye Tong, I wanted to hear your opinions on the current state of Tianjing Military Academy," Long Danni said with a smile. Her assistant entered to serve water to the two of them.

Zhou Naiyi and Ye Tong didn't speak immediately. Both were very intelligent and knew that it was unwise to make rash statements in front of Long Danni, who was not an academic but a true combatant.

"Ye Tong, you go first. I'm curious. With so many schools vying for you, why did you choose Tianjing Military Academy?" Long Danni smiled.

Zhou Naiyi was a bit surprised. Everyone thought Ye Tong came because of Major General Long.

"Principal, I don't know much about Tianjing Military Academy's situation, but judging by the standard of the Solar System Competition, Tianjing's team lacks individual capability, outdated tactics, and team members lack grit. The games they should have won, they didn't win cleanly; the ones they could have fought for, they collapsed," Ye Tong said, not being very polite. She wasn't here to be polite. "I hope to have more freedom at Tianjing."

Long Danni nodded, "Naiyi, you were the top of the new students last year. If you were made captain and allowed to pick your team members, could you form a team that surpasses the old one?"

Zhou Naiyi thought for a moment, "Principal, if Ye Tong joins my team, I am ninety percent confident!"

That was her goal. Now, with Musashi on board, having Ye Tong would be like adding wings to a tiger.

Humanity has reached its dominant position due to three core technologies: "Warp Space Technology," "Evante Gene Natural Adjustment Technology," and "Somarite-like Planet Gravity Transformation Technology." The maturity of Evante Gene Natural Adjustment Technology has also greatly enhanced human physical and mental endurance to adapt to other planetary environments. Some people even have "Golden Genes," which showcase exceptional abilities, giving female mech pilots a huge advantage.

"Very good, Naiyi, you'll be the captain, and Ye Tong the vice-captain. You two will have full control over the team. Submit the roster."

"Yes, Principal!" Zhou Naiyi was a bit excited. Usually, this kind of opportunity wouldn't come until the