Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Although Saruman Snake Battle Team had taken first place in the last competition season, everybody knew that it had been a shaky win. The superpowers had not gone all out. Once they got serious, it would be an entirely different matter. Wang Zheng was playing this too carelessly.
“Keke, better favor Dynasty Battle Team, run by yours truly, the great King Lear. I dare to bet that Sister Lie Xin must have been duped. She wanted to ride his coattails, but the coat is missing. She must be regretting leaving me now.”
Ares College was up in arms. Although they were surprised at Wang Zheng’s absence, they still united together. Yao Ailun was the first to speak out. “A mature Battle Team must experience all kinds of challenges. Besides, Wang Zheng will definitely return. A champion Battle Team will hold out!”
“It’s charisma. My big brother Zheng is just more attractive than Lear.”
There was no first place in the arts, and no second place in fighting. The noisiest discussions ensued in Ares College and Zeus College. Basically, everyone felt that the future leader of the Solar System would be between Wang Zheng and Lear.
And in Elite Academy X, the various Battle Teams had already finished their preparations, and were waiting for competition day in three days’ time.
Saruman Snake Battle Team would undoubtedly be a main target. An undefeated score was something to gawp at.
Dark Wolves Battle Team. The new leader, Sartes, was also analyzing Saruman Snake Battle Team. “They’re not especially strong, but their synchronicity is excellent. Besides, they had trump cards. But now, after losing their three heavy hitters, can they still bring that level of teamwork? Keke, an interesting Battle Team. I wished Wang Zheng was still around.”
Over at Star Lya Battle Team, Pampas was laying out the tactics. A few replacement newcomers were especially obedient. They were not naturally like this, but had already been cowed by Pampas through various ways. “Theoretically, the chances of an early matchup with Saruman Snake Battle Team is fairly high, but we cannot assume that Saruman Snake Battle Team has become weaker because they have lost Wang Zheng, Snow Li, and Vincent. All we can say is that our odds are better. If we do meet them, I think their formation will be like this… Our response will be… Our odds of success should be at 80%…”
Imperial Glory Battle Team was similarly targeting Saruman Snake Battle Team’s plan…
Saruman Snake Battle Team was already facing trouble after their lineup changes, and being targeted was doubly hard. Achilles, as the replacement captain, was clear on this. He bore tremendous pressure. After letting Snow Li and Vincent go, many disadvantageous factors had begun to emerge for the Battle Team lineup.
But to Achilles, pressure had always been his motivator. He wanted to see how well he could lead this Battle Team in Wang Zheng’s absence. His greatest goal was to protect the undefeated record.
“Our previous training tactics are just these few. Does anyone have something better to offer?” Achilles was not the aloof kind. Back then, the Moon had eight Heavenly Stars precisely because he liked to take in other views.
Lie Xin shrugged lazily, and said, “It’s still the sniper issue. A few of our lineups still lack this. I daresay, once we reveal it, the other Battle Teams will all target it.”
Damn Wang Zheng, that bastard. He had left a broken stall behind him to go training. What screw had been loose in her mind, to accept so carelessly? Had she really been seduced?
Achilles nodded. Lie Xin’s presence had strengthened the variations in Saruman Snake Battle Team’s tactics. It has to be said that Lie Xin’s ability was like fire for the Battle Team – the results were instantly seen. But the sniper issue was one he could not solve. It was not that they had not been recruiting, but they just would not do. The standards were too low. The various major Battle Teams were furiously supplementing talent, and Elite Academy could not be relied on for this replenishment. Instead, the various military schools were turned to. And the Solar System was lacking. There had been some nominations, but they could not be considered. A few had some promise, and could be polished. But Saruman Snake Battle Team was not the place to do so.
“As for the sniper position, leave it to me,” Achilles said. His ability was still very well-rounded. Although he was not a professional, he would not do too badly as a backup sniper.
Snow Li had not wanted to go. If Wang Zheng had said the word, she would have stayed. But Wang Zheng had sent her packing, and Snow did not know what to say. She was a little moved, but also a little frustrated. She understood why Wang Zheng would do such a thing. But the more considerate he was, the more she could not bear to leave.
Hearing Achilles’ words, everyone started, and unanimously rejected the idea.
“No way, that’s a joke.” Lie Xin did not mince words. As a sniper, Achilles’ Ability X would be utterly useless.
The spirit of sacrifice was good, but sacrifice alone could not make a strong Battle Team. Or achieve victory. She would choose Lear over Achilles any day. Simply because this guy was too selfless at times. The Moon people all had some deep-seated issue. As a leader, one had to be a little domineering, just like how Wang Zheng had treated her.
At this moment, Oli’s voice quietly and meekly piped up.
“What?”
They had not heard her clearly. Oli’s personality and ability were two polar opposites.
Zhang Shan laughed. In Wang Zheng’s absence, he was closest to Oli. “Little Oli, speak up if you have something to offer. We’re all comrades in the same trench.”
Oli nodded, and cleared her throat. “I… actually… can snipe.”
Her voice was still soft, but they heard her clearly. Only…
Hearing it clearly had stunned them.
This was even more ridiculous than Achilles becoming a sniper. They would be giving up even more to patch this weakness.
Their deepest impression of Oli was her close combat Heavenly Overlord Technique. When attacking in close quarters, it was every enemy’s nightmare when unleashed in full force.
And now she said she would be a sniper?
Zhang Shan was the first to shake his head in objection. “No, no. How about letting this genius, yours truly, try sniping for a time? If Oli becomes the scout, she can truly kill anything in her way.”
Achilles had shook his head smilingly as well. Oli was new, and wanted to contribute to the Battle Team. He understood that feeling. “The competition is in three days. We still have three days to prepare. Let’s continue looking in the school. We ask no questions of ability, only that they can keep up with our pace. Anyone like that is worth a try. If it does not work out, leave it to me.”
Oli pursed her lips. Among the dissenting voices, she insisted, “I can really snipe. If you don’t believe me, we can simulate a battle.”
Everyone stared at her. If Oli was this insistent, then she had to have her reasons.
“Alright, we can try it out.”
Achilles nodded. If Oli was up to the task, then their lineup flexibility would increase greatly. They could even design tactics revolving around her as the core.
And try they did. Zhang Shan volunteered, and entered the simulation with Takumi. Two against one, a standard heavy sniper test.
After 10 minutes…
Oli weakly said, “It’s alright, isn’t it? If we can’t find anyone, I can fill the role.”
Hearing her tiny voice, everyone just looked around at each other.
Zhang Shan patted Oli’s shoulder with some irritation. “I always thought I was the best at acting. Oli, you really showed me this time!”
