"Gu Yue—you did well," Fang Yang stepped forward, voice gentle.
He wrapped her in his arms—natural, effortless.
"Mm," Gu Yue leaned into him, forehead resting on his shoulder, a rare softness flickering across her icy cheeks.
An hour of intense design had drained her.
Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and the others pretended not to see—staring at the arena or sky, tacit as ever.
First Year's classmates exchanged knowing glances, smiles warm with familiarity.
In the stands, Ya Li watched, amused:
"Fang Yang—peerless talent, yet surrounded by beauties…"
Cai Yue'er sighed inwardly.
If not for Leng Yaozhu's claim on Gu Yue, she'd have taken her as a disciple!
---
"Match Three: Mecha Construction! Competitors, advance!" Shen Yi announced.
Fang Yang turned to Xie Xie and Zhang Yangzi: "Who takes this?"
"I'll go," Xie Xie stepped forward, grin sharp.
"Can't let my girl think I'm weak."
"Understood," Zhang Yangzi nodded.
"Crush it, Xie Xie!" Tang Wulin clapped his shoulder.
Xie Xie strode to the arena—confidence blazing.
Wu Siduo nudged Zheng Yiran:
"That's your boyfriend, right?"
Zheng Yiran blushed—but didn't deny it.
She was genuinely fond of Xie Xie.
"Sigh…" Wu Siduo murmured.
"Why sigh?" Zheng Yiran teased.
"Half the class fancies you—Luo Guixing, Xu Yucheng…"
"I don't like them," Wu Siduo shook her head, gaze drifting to Fang Yang—complex, unreadable.
Zheng Yiran followed her look—understanding dawning.
"Ah—the Class Rep himself?" she whispered.
"Yiran—don't!" Wu Siduo flushed, flustered.
Zheng Yiran laughed softly:
"He's got so many admirers—one more won't hurt, right?"
"YIRAN!" Wu Siduo glared—but her cheeks burned crimson.
Zheng Yiran's words rippled through her mind:
He already has so many… would one more matter?
The thought startled her—heart racing.
---
Arena
"First Year Class One—Xie Xie."
"Second Year Class One—Le Zhengyu."
They faced off—tension crackling.
Le Zhengyu's eyes turned glacial:
"You're the ones who ruined my plans last time."
Xie Xie snorted: "Don't flatter yourself. We just stopped a bully from harassing a girl."
"You—!" Le Zhengyu trembled, face crimson.
As heir to the Sacred Angel Clan, such insults were unthinkable!
Xie Xie arched a brow: "Speechless?"
"You've sealed your fate!" Le Zhengyu hissed.
"You? The guy who got flattened by one punch?" Xie Xie mocked.
"I'll make you pay!" Le Zhengyu roared.
"Mecha Construction Match!" Shen Yi cut in.
"Craft a mecha or Battle Armor component. Elder Cai judges!"
They dived into work.
Soon, both submitted their pieces.
Ya Li and Cai Yue'er inspected them closely.
Cai Yue'er announced: "Winner—Xie Xie."
"His work meets Tier-Five standards. Le Zhengyu's falls short."
Xie Xie smirked at Le Zhengyu:
"Nine lotus blooms remain in the pond."
"What?" Le Zhengyu frowned.
"Time to pick nine blossoms, brother," Xie Xie drawled.
Le Zhengyu sputtered—face burning.
Xie Xie returned to cheers.
"Knew you'd nail it!" Tang Wulin grinned.
"Of course—I'm amazing," Xie Xie preened, catching Zheng Yiran's proud smile—heart soaring.
The First Years celebrated—up 3-0!
In contrast, the Second Years slumped—humiliated by juniors.
---
"Match Four: Mecha Repair! Competitors, advance!" Shen Yi called.
From Second Year's ranks, Yuan'en Yehui stepped forward:
"I'll take this."
Her team nodded—hope rekindled.
Fang Yang turned to Wang Jinxi: "Last round—it's yours."
Tang Wulin's group cheered him on.
"Leave it to me," Wang Jinxi growled, striding to the arena.
"First Year Class One—Wang Jinxi."
"Second Year Class One—Yuan'en Yehui."
"Repair damaged mecha/Battle Armor parts in two quarters-hour!" Shen Yi explained.
"Quantity and quality determine victory!"
Staff wheeled in a heap of broken components—cracked, shattered, mangled.
"Begin!"
Both worked feverishly.
Yuan'en sweated profusely but never slowed.
Wang Jinxi's breath grew ragged—precision draining him.
In the final minute, both tackled a complex soul-guided array.
- Yuan'en's fingers danced—soul light flaring
- Wang Jinxi cupped the array—black soul force swirling.
"Time!"
They placed their final pieces down.
Cai Yue'er and Ya Li examined every component, testing soul conduction rates, structural integrity.
Silence gripped the arena.
Finally, Cai Yue'er rose:
"Both repaired equal quantities."
Gasps rippled.
"On the core array:
- Yuan'en Yehui: 88% soul conduction restored
- Wang Jinxi: 87%."
The Second Years erupted in cheers.
"Thus—Match Four winner: Second Year Class One, Yuan'en Yehui!"
Yuanen bowed gratefully.
Wang Jinxi accepted defeat with a nod—Yuan'en had earned his sincere respect.
Shen Yi announced: "Current score: First Year 3, Second Year 1."
(Author's Note: Yuanen Yehui's secondary profession isn't specified in canon—I've added Repair as fanon. Will adjust if incorrect!)
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