Translator: Abyssruler Editor: Lucas
The new week after the competition ended, the whole school was steeped in a cloying mood of competition. At the same time, the major teams had started to recruit more promising talent.
It was also a deepening of the reserve pool. It was difficult for new teams to enter within such a short time. In the first round, some flaws had definitely been exposed. Of course, those like Arbiter and Aslan did not need to do much. Their second and third line-ups would form a strong reserve base. Of course, those that performed well would be favored in the future. The internal competition within Aslan and Arbiter was too intense.
Solar System.
Federation military safety research conference.
Gu Te, who had retired from Ares College, had been invited. After retirement, Gu Te had only rested for a while before he ventured out again. Gu Te had nurtured students from all over the world, and his influence with the military was considerable as well. Especially as Ares College’s influence grew, his influence grew correspondingly as well. And the Solar System Federation’s innovation rate was booming as well. Meng Ao and the rest needed Gu Te’s support as well.
“General Gu Te, welcome.”
Gu Te walked into the venue. The conference had not formally started, but things were already lively. He could not see any familiar faces either. Europa Military College’s ex-principal Aceh Erandi, Moonlight College’s Burnett…
There was still some time before the research conference officially started. At this time, everyone was still catching up. It was a rare opportunity to gather, and there were also many generals and principals from military colleges, and eminent generals from the military.
The generals had fallen in love all over again. Ever since their first showing at IG, the federation had been very excited, and convinced of the Solar System’s comeback. They had promptly met a repeat of their old history, with the new IG team immediately being eliminated, and not even qualifying for the main competition. But following Wang Zheng and Lear’s performance at the Elite Academy, their blood was boiling with passion once again.
“Gu Te, your school’s Wang Zheng has really brought glory to the federation. That guy is really something.”
Seeing Gu Te arrive, many familiar generals came over to offer a greeting. Ares College had thrown off their ill fate in these last two years, and their progress was rocketing. Especially in this year’s newcomer competition, quite a few talents had come to the military’s attention, and they had all entered the folds of Ares College.
Nowadays, military students were worldlier as well. Once Elite Academy’s battle was broadcasted, many excellent students immediately set their sights there as well. Who wouldn’t want to go where the strong went? That was why Ares College had recently become popular again. And this time round it was not the physics stream. In physics, Ares College was already untouchable within the Solar System. Within the galaxy, this specialization was already ranked third. Many of the strong countries, such as Aslan and Arbiter, also had students who enrolled in Ares College’s physics stream. In school, mentors were the key, especially Xiao Fei’s research students and doctorate students. It was an explosion of popularity. As a military school, one must still have the bearing of a military school. This was also a big worry on Xiao Fei’s mind. Luckily, she had Wang Zheng.
Ares College was happy, and the federation military was even happier. Miracles happened anywhere, and reform was the same.
Out of the eight teams, Solar System had produced two leader seeds. Lear was no surprise. A descendent of the Chronos family, which had historically produced many mighty people. After being in lull for so many years, this generation had finally borne fruit. And they had no idea how he had managed to snag some Mayans, which was an unexpected surprise. It looked like just a grouping of students, but if used well, it could have a political agenda as well.
Just like Lie Xin joining Lear, and Achilles joining Wang Zheng, it was also a division of factions.
Wang Zheng’s name, within the military watchlist, had been underscored and underlined many times. In this, Meng Ao’s attitude hardened like diamond. He would definitely not let the situation after IG repeat itself. He must safeguard all of the benefits that Wang Zheng stood for. The military factions were fighting over this as well. Wang Zheng and the rest were oblivious to this, and very innocent.
“Please, please. If it was not for Achilles’ support. His modest bit of ability just helps him to get along in that place, nothing more.” Gu Te laughed heartily as he shook his head. It was difficult to keep his head from swelling. It had come on the cusp of retirement. His last fight had been to break records and acquire Wang Zheng, who had been his pride and joy. But speaking with Moonlight College’s Burnett, Gu Te still gave him a lot of face, flinging Achilles up to the pedestal to praise.
Because Wang Zheng and Achilles were now in the same team, Moonlight College and Ares College’s relationship entered an unprecedented honeymoon phase. Xiao Fei had just signed a sister-institution cooperation with Burnett, which greatly increased the volume of exchange students, as well as elevated the depth of their exchange and broadened the scope. Helping each other was the real way to becoming strong. Moonlight College’s overall ranking was still first place in the Solar System.
Besides, a little tug could set bigger things in motion. Achilles was after all from the Heavenly King family. In terms of military factions, Achilles’ Heavenly King family was the closest to being neutral. Meng Ao, who was starting to lean towards Earth’s revolution, had begun to distance himself from the Chronos conservative faction. In the last Ye Bingwen incident, the Heavenly King family had helped as well. All these pointed to an issue; after all, Achilles was no normal person. Of course, the Heavenly King family’s attitude would not change just because of Achilles. Political families were not that naïve. They would have their own agenda, and calculated each step carefully.
In response to Lie Xin and Lear’s cooperation, the Chronos family’s power crept closer to Mars. The news of cooperation came one after the other. Zeus College’s previous head Barry was currently engaged in talks with the head of the Sage School of Mars. “This punk Lear is too cautious and lacks drive. Lie Xin’s help has complemented his flaws.”
The generals at the military research conference were all very excited. Given their status, they obviously knew of the existence of Inner Roland and Elite Academy. Each year, the Solar System had a quota reserved, regardless of ability. But in the major competitions of Elite Academy, the Solar System had never made an appearance. They did not even qualify, let alone enter the top 8.
And in the Greatest King competition this time round, that was prioritized so heavily by the Elite Academy, 2 teams were closely tied to the Solar System. How could they not be overjoyed?
But the question was – Between these two teams, who was the strongest!
This was an inevitable question – who was stronger?
“Of course it’s Dynasty team. Lear is good at choosing people. Each member has their own battle forte. Just look at Luo Fei and you’ll know. Besides, there are the Mayans.”
Mars and the Chronos family generals were definitely leaning towards Lear’s side. But their words were indeed reasonable. Even Elite Academy had given such an evaluation, that Dynasty team was ranked above Saruman Snake team. In fact, Saruman Snake’s win had not changed their low status evaluation.
“I favor Wang Zheng more. Their potential for growth is higher.” Meng Ao of course backed Wang Zheng. This seed would eventually grow to become a gargantuan tree of the Solar System military. Now he had to pile on the tender loving care. More importantly, Wang Zheng represented the revolutionary. He was not someone who had been brought up by a prestigious family.
“Keke, General Meng, a thing like potential for growth is too abstract. Growth itself is what counts. And their battle tactics are too thin. They rely too much on Wang Zheng.”
Barry laughed loudly, taunting Meng Ao. The two factions were conducting a proxy war through these two conduits.
Hearing this, Gu Te clearly could not hold back. If you said that Dynasty team was stronger, he could not be bothered to argue. In the end, the battle results would tell all. But what was Barry blathering on about weak tactics of Saruman Snake team?
“Keke, Barry, I can’t accept what you just said. Saruman Snake team’s greatest strength is their toughness. In times of hardship, they will still bring forth great power. Whereas Dynasty team has yet to face a real challenge. Smooth sailing fights are all good, but difficult battles are the real test of standard.”
Barry’s face darkened. He used to be classmates with Gu Te, and their competition had been endless. Whether in terms of grades, or girls, the two fought for supremacy in everything.
After which, he had gone to Europe and become the head of Zeus College, shaking off Ares College’s Gu Te in a flash.
He had thought that this past rivalry was forgotten, but it seemed like there were still cinders among the ashes. Ares College had suddenly flared up again, and Gu Te, destined for retirement fishing, had become popular again.
“Oh, it’s Gu Te. Is that the comfort that the weak mouth to themselves? As one of the strong, all Dynasty team needs to do is to defeat the opponent.”
In an instant, verbal crossfire ensued. The rest did not stand by idly either, eager to share their opinions. An earnest discussion ensued. Interest was indeed high. It was a rare chance that the Solar System had such a topic to fight about, and everyone wanted to get their thoughts off their chest.
But in the end, many still felt that Lear’s Dynasty team was indeed stronger. The two Mayans alone were impressive enough, and to have so many different approaches to battle available. No matter how strong the opponent was, it seemed like they would always have a counter.
Of course, a minority led by Gu Te still supported Saruman Snake team. The two sides quarreled furiously, faces red.
Meng Ao watched for a time. The designated time for the military research conference had already passed half an hour ago. He could not help but smile and interrupt the debate. “Alright, it’s time to talk about the important questions now. As for who is stronger, it’s a simple matter. The two teams will soon meet, according to the battle format. Whoever wins then is naturally stronger.”
Barry’s eyes rolled, and he sniggered. “Of course. But having debated this for so long, how about a wager to make this competition more interesting? What say you?”
Gu Te naturally did not back down. “In such a meaningful venture, I of course would not object. What should we wager? Hmm?”
“Keke, it would be meaningless to wager anything else. How about this: If Dynasty team wins, all the generals who bet against me will come to Zeus College to teach for a week. How about that? If I lose, please feel free to make any request of me. As long as it is not illegal, I’ll accept.”
Barry’s eyes were locked on Gu Te. This was clearly personally targeted.
Gu Te chortled. “Then it will be the same for me. If Saruman Snake team wins, then those who bet on Dynasty team will come to Ares College to lecture for a week. How about that?”
Meng Ao was speechless, seeing a bunch of old generals open their betting tables.
But Gu Te’s face was very black. Some of the old friends who had stood on his side had switched sides for the actual bet. “Burnett, didn’t you just say you admired Saruman Snake team? Why did you put your wager on Dynasty team?”
“Keke, old friend, I do look favorably on Saruman Snake team’s potential for growth, but that needs some time.”
Burnett smiled. As the principal of Moonlight College, he had no intention of losing the bet and going to Zeus College for a lecture. Theorycrafting was theorycrafting, and reality was reality.
They were all a bunch of foxes. But now the battle between Wang Zheng and Lear had taken on even more implications, and neither side could afford to lose.
