Chapter 111: Clash on the Arena

Nightfall.

Ya Ning and Jingyi received a condolence call from Holman.

Before Bai Sha left the Federation, she'd secured stewardship of Lanceau Star for Ya Ning and Jingyi—a privilege not uncommon among noble families, who often owned private planets or maintained personal armies. But for grassroots-born Ya Ning and Jingyi, it was a tangible boon. Thanks to this "privilege," they no longer fretted over living expenses or tuition.

Supporting two military cadets wasn't astronomical, but it was costly. Their mentor, Holman, their guardian, had been ready to foot the bill, but finding the issue resolved, he was happy to relax.

Still, his weekly check-in calls were non-negotiable. Barring long-term missions, Holman never let other duties encroach on this "family time."

When Ya Ning and Jingyi answered, Holman was in his living room, dressed casually, clearly on leave. A wall-mounted photonic TV blared news in the background—

"Greetings, this is Pengchuan News. I'm reporter Hill. The first 5v5 elite team match is about to kick off. Behind me are staff preparing the arena…"

The blond, blue-eyed reporter flashed a smile, gesturing to the bustling scene for the hovering camera drone.

"Unlike prior streams, this team match is indoors. The venue, co-hosted by the Federation and Empire, has about 80,000 spectator seats set at a safe distance," the reporter said, pointing to the sprawling arena. "The match is set for the 10th, with tickets going on sale three days prior, from midnight on the 7th. All ticket proceeds will reportedly fund charities."

"Tickets are pricey but within most citizens' reach. Notably, Federal and Imperial spectators will sit mixed—a step toward open civilian exchanges, per officials. To maintain order, ticket buyers must pass a three-day star-net eligibility check. As you've likely seen, all price tiers sold out within a second of the sale opening…"

"That's the deal," Holman said, scratching his hair. "I didn't snag a ticket, so I probably can't watch your match live."

"No big deal—there's always the stream," Ya Ning replied.

Holman sighed. "Still feels like I'm letting you down. I've seen how hard you fought for those main team spots. At a crucial moment, your guardian's not there…"

"Get some rest," Yan Jingyi said, frowning bluntly. "Have you looked in a mirror at those dark circles?"

"Are they that bad?" Holman touched under his eyes, fatigue evident. "It's all for the exercise. The military's pulled in tons of inspectors for security work—tied to your match, actually. On match day, loads of Federal and Imperial citizens will mingle. To ensure nothing goes wrong, we're digging through data, running simulations, you name it… I've worked overtime three days straight this week. No bonus, either. Ugh."

"You're not young. Know your limits and pace yourself," Jingyi said coolly.

Holman: "Ouch, what's that supposed to mean? I'm in a prosecutor's prime, okay!"

He waved off the topic with a chuckle.

Since returning to his post, Holman, like the reassigned Lady Joan Pikor, hadn't been given much weight. Still in his prime, he was eager to prove himself. Recently, his workload had spiked—his rank hadn't budged, but it was a good sign. Ya Ning and Jingyi knew his ambitions, only nudging him when he pushed too hard.

Sensing the mood dip, Ya Ning spoke up. "Teacher, is it true the venue will mix Federal and Imperial spectators? That's 80,000 people."

"Eighty thousand's a drop in the bucket for our populations, but it's a headache for order-keeping," Holman explained. "Screening was brutal—anyone with a hint of a record, or family misdeeds three generations back, got axed. Tons of noble kids missed out because of that 'kinship clause.' For safety, the military's also slipped some of our own into the crowd."

Ya Ning's mouth twitched. "How many?"

Holman pondered. "About twenty percent?"

…Good grief. Grab a random Federal spectator, and there's a one-in-five chance they're a military plant.

Yan Jingyi inhaled sharply. "You'd better pray nothing goes wrong."

If chaos broke out with that setup, the Federation would be humiliated.

"No need to worry—focus on your match," Holman said with a cheeky grin. "So, any chance of beating those Imperial kids?"

Yan Jingyi went quiet, answering after a pause: "Hard to say."

The barren-star exercise ended in a rout, half due to Dai Sheng's abysmal command, half from Bai Sha's cunning.

Neither Bai Sha nor they had gone all-out.

Yet, in just a year, Bai Sha felt transformed—not the Lanceau Star Bai Sha, but "Bai Sha Roning" of the Ares Empire. Her dream no longer seemed to be the galaxy's top mech engineer… She might not realize it, but when she eyed her foes, bantered with enemies at the front, or struck down Federal cadets, she radiated pure battlelust and a hunger for conquest.

Like a blazing inferno, unstoppable.

Nothing seemed capable of halting her march to victory.

Yan Jingyi even wondered: if they met on a real battlefield, would Bai Sha hesitate? Likely not—because "business is business." Bai Sha Roning carried the Empire's honor, but Jingyi?

She couldn't pinpoint what she stood for.

Once, her dream was simple: survive with Ya Ning and Bai Sha, securing a bright future together.

Bai Sha had soared, and she and Ya Ning had gained a planet's stewardship.

But it wasn't enough.

The Federal Central Military Academy was fine, but not as ideal as she'd hoped. A bright, peaceful future loomed, yet she sensed something ominous brewing.

Especially the military's recent moves…

Jingyi's thoughts drifted to their forced teammate, her expression souring.

"Our team match is doomed. No hope," Jingyi snapped. "Don't expect anything—just wait for the loss."

Ya Ning, nearby, sighed in echo.

Holman: "What's going on?" Jingyi giving up so decisively? Was the sun rising in the west?

"Ning Hongxue shoved a new teammate on us. Named Janice," Ya Ning explained. "Her solo combat's strong, but…"

"She's a cyborg."

What's a cyborg?

Janice looked human—glossy skin, warm body, breathing and speaking like anyone else. Save for her silvery pupils, she seemed merely a cold girl.

But in battle, her eyes glowed metallic, silver-blue circuit patterns tracing her body. Her "skin" wasn't skin; energy conduits laced her frame and key joints.

Most crucially, Janice carried a bio-chip, allegedly the military's latest breakthrough. Human in form, her consciousness was tethered to an AI system, thinking only through its processes.

Holman wasn't shocked. "It's a key military project. You know, after failing to build the ultimate mech, they shifted to crafting invincible soldiers."

Last century, the military's "SmartWing Plan" aimed to create an intelligent "ultimate mech."

They developed a robust AI mech system. Holman's "Gwyneth" system was one such product.

The goal was to boost soldiers' combat via AI assistance. But they found the system clashed with soldiers' mental focus.

Mechs relied on mental strength. When soldiers channeled it, their self-awareness peaked, drowning out AI commands. Following them only split focus, never yielding synergy.

The plan failed to produce smart mechs, but its AI byproducts thrived elsewhere—like Gwyneth, which, with minimal data, served as a competent medical bot in orphanages for years without a fatality.

Recently, the military pivoted to riskier ventures.

They blamed soldiers' wills for AI mismatches, seeking to suppress them.

Humans were too erratic to sync with pure AI. So why not create a vessel for AI to run perfectly?

"Any issues with this 'new teammate'?" Holman asked.

"As a teammate, she's fine. She's strong. Problem is, she demanded command right off the bat…" Ya Ning glanced at Jingyi, who stayed silent, and continued, "Day one, she fought Jingyi. Jingyi tore off half her arm, then spent two hours in a med-pod. During tactical sims, she clashed with Zhou Ying over strategy disputes. Long story short, Janice's ties with the team are a mess."

"She stole your command and tried kicking you off," Jingyi growled. "Why not mention that?"

Janice's exact words:

"If I can fully replace Ya Ning Kelly as commander, we should swap out the main roster. Plenty are stronger than him."

"Cooperation? Don't overthink it. Follow my orders. My chip links to a supercomputer. I analyze enemies and craft strategies faster and flawlessly. With your combat skills, execute my commands perfectly, and there's nothing to fear."

"Human command's unreliable. Fancy mind games crumble under precise calculations. I have supreme rationality and skill to ensure victory."

Cold, arrogant, and punchable.

Hence Jingyi's brawl.

But Ya Ning took it in stride.

"I'm a commander; I prioritize reason," Ya Ning said, shaking his head. "In sim results, Janice outshines me. If she'd commanded the first exercise, we wouldn't have lost so badly."

"Then why didn't Ning Hongxue make her head commander?" Jingyi snapped.

Because Janice didn't seem human! Not flesh and blood!

Dai Sheng's MechSync System, guiding everyone's minds, was barely tolerable. Janice? Who'd trust her with their lives?

Elite team matches, unlike full exercises, were short. Janice could compete without showing her face.

Ning Hongxue's orders were clear: Ya Ning's main role stayed, and the four were to "cooperate" with Janice. But this teamwork style grated on them, fueling Jingyi's pessimism.

Regardless, the match loomed.

The first elite team match arrived swiftly.

The venue, on a co-built artificial planet, was compact, its massive arena visible from afar. Sleek architecture rose from barren soil, stark yet radiating high-tech elegance.

Spectators arrived via public or private shuttles, crowding the spaceport. Those with spirit-beasts stood out, but otherwise, Imperials and Federals blended indistinguishably.

Staff and competitors used a dedicated green channel near the civilian one. The Imperial team's shuttle hadn't landed before reporters and onlookers packed the passage.

"Hiss." Cen Yuehuai gaped at the crowd's density. "So many people!"

"As a veteran, my advice: mind your expressions," Bai Sha said gravely. "Or tomorrow, your ugly pics might flood the star-net."

Cen Yuehuai: "For real?"

"She's messing with you," Xino laughed. "Media filters photos before release. They won't post uglies and piss off a cadet."

Bai Sha pointed outside. "But there're Federal reporters too."

Xino paused, then nodded. "Her Highness has a point."

"If they want ugly shots, we can't stop them. With all those cameras, some angle's bound to catch a bad one," Ji Ya said, waving. "I say we release our spirit-beasts. They're an Imperial's best personality statement."

Bai Sha summoned her tiny white chirper, letting it flutter. "You sure?"

"Cough. Well, Your Highness's beast is… cute, right?" Ji Ya mumbled, looking away.

"We Imperials must dominate in aura," Cen Yuehuai declared. "If we're doing expression control, let's do it flawlessly!"

Click. The Imperial team's hatch opened.

Reporters beyond the cordon stirred, two camera drones jockeying for the best panoramic angle.

Under countless expectant gazes, crisp footsteps sounded. The five Imperial cadets strode through the hatch's shadow into dazzling light—

Click, click.

Cameras snapped furiously, but after a few shots, no reporter dared approach with questions.

The Imperial team was too unapproachable!

Stone-faced, their gazes never strayed to the crowd, marching forward at a steady, proud pace. They seemed to walk a red carpet, not to a match but a coronation!

Someone gasped into their lens: "This vibe's too perfect!"

Reporters snapped out of it, checking their gear, gleefully directing drones to capture more.

The Imperials' blank faces oozed charisma. Who said teams had to be approachable?

The team glided through a sea of flashing lenses.

Soon, the Federal shuttle landed.

With the Imperials setting the bar, reporters eagerly raised cameras. They'd heard of the Federal team's looks, skills, and presence—rivaling the Empire's prodigies. Side-by-side photos would be gold!

The Federal hatch opened.

Five Federal cadets stepped out.

Cameras flashed wildly…

But reviewing the shots, reporters fell into quiet confusion.

The Federals mirrored the Imperials' stoic style, but their frozen faces felt jarring. The Imperials were striking a pose; these five seemed genuinely miserable.

Their vibe screamed discord, their cold eyes practically shouting, "Come closer and regret it."

Janice stood out—her face utterly blank, devoid of any expression.

…Could these photos even be published?

The reporters exchanged silent glances.

Forty minutes later, spectators filled the stands. Professional commentators provided live analysis, though viewers could mute them—some loved the hype, others hated the chatter.

"Welcome to today's match! The arena will be fully livestreamed in holographic multi-angle glory—competitors, enter the field!"

The crowd roared, applause and salutes crashing like waves.

Five mechs from each side took position. A high screen displayed a flat terrain map, pinpointing each cadet's location.

Flash!

A white light swept the arena. The flat metal floor split, raising weathered buildings from below—a special terrain: simulated city!

"The terrain's drawn randomly after teams arrive… 'Simulated City' is among the trickier options, with indoor-outdoor, high-low battlegrounds. Neither side's familiar with it. Plus, the buildings shift and flip randomly… In this alien setting, it tests mech pilots' sense of direction and judgment!" the commentator enthused. "What tactics will they pick? Head-on team fight or split pursuit?"

"The Federals are moving! Their five cadets charged into the buildings, scattering in different directions without hesitation… The Imperials are hot on their heels!"

The Federal five bolted like wild horses, darting unpredictably into the urban maze. Cen Yuehuai locked onto one, igniting her engines and leaping, sprinting along two concrete walls. Aiming her arrow at the target's back, she saw them whip around, firing mechanical rounds her way.

Cen Yuehuai landed her mech swiftly, rolling into a tight alley, dodging as the glowing rounds exploded behind her, scorching black craters.

Crack. A faint sound. Cen Yuehuai glanced up—the wall beside her was collapsing.

She dashed for an open exit.

The wall crashed down, debris flying.

Cen Yuehuai killed her engines, countering inertia, and swerved her mech—just in time, as a chilling sword gleam sliced through the dust, grazing her mech's shoulder!

From the rubble, a Federal mech emerged: Ya Ning Kelly!

When did he set this ambush? He'd been heading elsewhere!

Ya Ning, missing his strike, moved to follow up, but a roaring engine halt cut through. A heavy sword swung with tidal force, swatting Ya Ning's mech into a nearby wall, cratering it.

Ya Ning, outmatched, fired two smoke bombs and fled. Yu Yan didn't pursue.

"Yu Yan!" Cen Yuehuai called, thrilled. "Thanks!"

Ya Ning might not have hit her, but the scare was real.

"Yu Yan, Yuehuai, stick together—don't split up," Bai Sha's voice crackled over comms. "We're chasing Zhou Ying."

On the field, they targeted the frail engineer.

Bai Sha, an engineer herself, was a combat powerhouse, naturally covering that weakness.

Cen Yuehuai replied, "Got it." She glanced at the alley she'd crossed and the bullet scars on the ground.

"Who's that new Federal, Janice?" Cen Yuehuai asked, intrigued. "Her shot prediction's good enough to go toe-to-toe with Her Highness."