The duel day arrived.
North Star Starship Academy's Third Duel Zone had been prepared in advance.
This battlefield lay beyond the academy proper—a desolate star region scattered with dozens of abandoned asteroids. No atmosphere. No life. Only cold rock and empty space.
It was a designated zone for starship simulation battles and official duels.
As tradition dictated, the duel was broadcast live across the academy's internal network.
Class Eight Classroom
Someone had deliberately tuned in to the broadcast channel. A holographic projection hovered in the center of the room.
"When does Zhao Chen's duel start?"
"It's scheduled for ten. It's already ten.
"According to the rules, both ships have thirty minutes to arrive."
Suddenly, someone shouted.
"Look! Zhang Haoran's ship!"
Gasps filled the room.
A sleek vessel slid into view on the projection.
"That's a T2 Bald Eagle–class light interstellar cruiser!"
"The best T2 cruiser in the Xingyao Empire!"
"I heard it costs at least seven million star coins—and it's been out of stock for years!"
Excitement mixed with despair.
"It's over. Zhao Chen's finished."
The verdict seemed unanimous.
Shen Bing stared at the hologram silently.
Unlike the others, she wasn't dazzled.
She had studied this model.
The Bald Eagle's greatest strength was speed—second only to T2 frigates. But its hull armor was thin, and its firepower barely met cruiser standards.
In a one-on-one duel, a skilled captain could kite almost any opponent to death.
In real fleet warfare, however, it was nearly useless.
"Class monitor," her best friend whispered, "does Zhao Chen still have any chance?"
Shen Bing replied without emotion. "Very low."
"Then he really embarrassed himself yesterday," the girl sneered. "If I were him, I'd already run back to my territory and waited to be recalled."
The classroom echoed with similar sentiments.
Class Eight was a civilian-heavy class. Traders' children. Commoner cadets.
Zhao Chen—the baron—had never truly belonged.
Now, he had dragged them into ridicule.
No one would mourn his fall.
"Why hasn't Zhao Chen's ship appeared yet?"
"There's less than fifteen minutes left. Did he really run?"
"This is humiliating. Whether he loses or not, he's disgraced our class."
"Good riddance. At least we won't see him next semester."
Laughter followed.
Bang.
Li Wei slammed his fist into the wall.
The room fell silent.
He swept his gaze across the class, eyes cold.
"No matter what happens, Zhao Chen is still one of us.
"You don't have to cheer—but mocking your own classmate?
"Is this what you learned in military ethics?"
No one answered.
Whispers resumed—but quieter.
Just then—
"Ahem."
The instructor entered.
"Enough. Class is starting. Take your seats."
Li Wei clenched his fists and sat down.
He hadn't been able to contact Zhao Chen all morning.
The only thing Zhao Chen had said was:
Attend class. Wait for good news.
How could anyone wait calmly?
Suddenly—
"Another ship!"
All eyes snapped back to the hologram.
A second starship emerged from the starfield.
It was… strange.
Its hull was dull iron-gray. Old. Scarred. Some sections were visibly patched.
Compared to the sleek Bald Eagle, it looked like scrap.
"What kind of ship is that?"
"I've never seen it."
"It looks like a battleship—but the weapons don't match."
"That thing will be torn apart in one volley."
Disdain filled the room.
"Shen Bing," her friend asked again, "do you recognize it?"
Shen Bing frowned, studying the projection carefully.
"…It has structural elements from three ships," she said slowly.
"The T2 Hyena destroyer.
"The T2 Devil Crocodile battleship.
"And the T2 Gray Wolf cruiser."
Her eyes narrowed.
"…It's an assembled starship."
Her friend laughed. "An assembled ship against a Bald Eagle?
"He's dreaming."
Shen Bing said nothing.
Something felt… off.
"Turn it off," the instructor said coolly. "Class has begun.
"Your duty is to study—not to spectate meaningless spectacle.
"Be grounded. Be realistic."
The hologram vanished.
Li Wei stared at the blank space.
Not only him.
Many students were curious—not about whether Zhao Chen would lose…
…but how badly.
In the silent classroom, no one knew—
The battle had already begun.