The morning sun was warm and dazzling.
At the school's mecha combat arena, thirty-six students from Class E were arranged in four columns by height.
Yang Yan, the mecha combat instructor, said, "This one-on-one combat is also a test. I will be the proctor. The top three students will be selected to participate in next week's class confrontation.
"Now, let's begin the pairings."
"Chen Xing versus Feng Li!"
...
"Gu Ya versus Xu Jie!"
"Everyone change into your combat suits. We'll assemble in fifteen minutes!"
The day was truly boring. The students' piloting skills were hardly commendable, mostly clumsy punches and kicks, with a few tripping themselves.
But Xu Jie was different. Legend had it he was once the top fighter in Class C, and with a little more effort, he could have joined the elite class.
According to the original host's memories, Xu Jie had injured Gu Ya multiple times.
Thinking of this, Gu Ya dared not be negligent, simulating operations non-stop.
The day passed quickly. By the afternoon, only Gu Ya and Xu Jie remained.
Both climbed into their mechas simultaneously.
The difference between these combat mechas and the training ones was worlds apart. There were three control sticks alone, dozens more buttons on the control panel, and even over a dozen buttons on the ceiling.
It was like the difference between a toy car and a rally car.
Gu Ya quickly adjusted his mindset and steadily activated his mecha according to the operating procedures.
The instructor, piloting the referee mecha, stood to the side and said, "Same as usual, no intentional injury. Commence..."
Before the instructor could finish, Xu Jie's mecha's thrusters suddenly erupted with blue flames, charging straight at Gu Ya's mecha.
Xu Jie was so fast!
With a loud "Bang!", Xu Jie's mecha forcefully knocked Gu Ya down, then leaped forward and pressed down on Gu Ya's mecha.
"Gu Ya, beg me now, and I'll hit you a few less times, hahahaha!" Xu Jie's arrogant laughter could still be heard through the thick armor.
As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Jie's mechanical fist smashed into Gu Ya's mecha.
Following that, another heavy punch landed.
The powerful gusts of wind from the punches even created air turbulence, blowing off a female student's hat in the stands.
At this moment, Gu Ya, having used the skills of an intermediate mecha pilot, felt no tremor or pain.
He steadied his limbs, his gaze firm, his mind gradually becoming exhilarated.
Xu Jie's mecha's weaknesses were magnified in Gu Ya's eyes; he could even vaguely see the internal structure through the gaps in the armor.
He was like a calm predator, waiting for Xu Jie to reveal an opening.
At this moment, Xu Jie, smug and careless, burst into laughter again, throwing his third punch with all his might, disregarding his defense.
The moment for counterattack had arrived!
Suddenly, Gu Ya's mecha grabbed Xu Jie's hands. The two mechas remained locked for five seconds, then Xu Jie immediately withdrew his hands and retreated.
Gu Ya quickly stood up, and instantly, his thrusters erupted with flames.
Gu Ya's mecha shot forward like a missile, its two massive mechanical hands precisely striking Xu Jie's shoulders. Xu Jie's mecha's arms hung down as if dislocated, becoming uncontrollable.
This sudden turn of events shocked Xu Jie; he could never have imagined Gu Ya executing such precise and fatal maneuvers.
Gu Ya pressed his advantage, grabbing Xu Jie's mecha by the waist and slamming it heavily to the ground.
Just as Gu Ya was about to deliver a punch,
The instructor shouted, "That's enough! Gu Ya wins!"
Most of the students in the stands, especially the girls, erupted in cheers.
"Gu Ya actually beat Xu Jie!!"
"I never expected this. I underestimated Gu Ya before."
"How can Gu Ya be a failing student? He's clearly super strong!!!"
Gu Ya jumped out of the cockpit and landed steadily.
However, Xu Jie did not emerge for a long time.
The strength of Class C was nothing special.
The instructor shouted through the loudspeaker, "Today's combat practice ends here!"
"Gu Ya, Xu Jie, and Hei Ye, your combat performance is satisfactory. Training will begin tomorrow."
"Class dismissed!"
...
The scene of Gu Ya beating up Xu Jie was filmed by a classmate and posted in the class group chat.
Someone, a little cutie perhaps, then sent the video to the grade-level group chat.
By the next day, everyone in the grade knew.
"Gu Ya, the perennial last-place student from Class E, actually beat Xu Jie, Class C's number one fighter!"
"Who is Gu Ya? I've never heard of him."
"No way, how did he do it?"
The news spread rapidly throughout the entire grade.
With the class confrontation just a week away, this news naturally made students from other classes vigilant.
Five boys from the elite Class A gathered, carefully observing the video.
"These two have slow movements and reactions. No need to worry about them."
Six boys and one girl from the elite Class B discussed, "So-so. We should focus on how to deal with Class A."
Classes C and D felt threatened and began formulating new combat strategies.
Class F collectively slacked off, with everyone saying it didn't matter as they would lose anyway. Only one boy stared at the video, lost in thought.
Xu Jie was very silent all day, leaving directly after training.
On the way home from school, Gu Ya was overtaken by a boy.
"Gu Ya! Please accept my bow." The boy was about to kneel.
Gu Ya quickly helped him up and, looking closely, realized he didn't recognize him. "Classmate, who are you?"
"I'm Liu Feng, the class president of Class F! You forgot, we've spoken before," Liu Feng said with a hearty laugh.
"What do you need me for?" Gu Ya asked, sizing him up.
Liu Feng was half a head taller than him and wasn't wearing a school uniform but rather a designer tracksuit.
He looked like he came from a wealthy family.
Liu Feng said excitedly, "Gu Ya, you went from the bottom of the class to the pillar of combat in Class E. How did you do it!"
Gu Ya sighed. He felt as if he was being watched all day. Students from other classes would pass by the classroom door from time to time, glancing at him as if by chance.
Several other students from different classes were also inquiring about him.
Gu Ya didn't want to become famous so early; he wanted to become stronger in silence.
"Please enlighten me!" Liu Feng said solemnly again.
Gu Ya thought for a moment and said, "One hundred push-ups and a three-kilometer long run every day. Before sleep, recall various mecha operations and how to deal with crises. You'll improve quickly!"
Gu Ya felt a little guilty; he was making it up.
Liu Feng seemed to realize something and nodded repeatedly, "I see."
Just then, a contemptuous voice came from behind. "Isn't this the new war god of Class E?"
Gu Ya turned around and saw a tall, unfamiliar boy with several companions behind him.
"Ma Zhen, the number one fighter in Class C," Liu Feng whispered to Gu Ya.
Ma Zhen continued to laugh, "You're just another target to be beaten up, hahahaha!"
His companions behind him echoed his laughter.
Gu Ya also smiled and retorted, "Ma Zhen, is it? I've noted that. I'll beat you up a few more times then."
Ma Zhen's expression immediately soured. He forced a smile and said, "Fine, we'll see."
Gu Ya calmly replied, "Anytime."
...
That evening, Gu Ya returned home to find his sister greeting him with a distressed expression.
"What's wrong, Youyou?"
"Brother, I failed again at connecting the prosthetic head," Youyou said dejectedly.
Gu Ya smiled and stroked her head, asking, "Why are you building a robot?"
Youyou's eyes flickered, a little nervous. She whispered, "You can't scold me if I tell you."
"Why would I scold you? Tell me," Gu Ya coaxed Youyou, smiling happily.
Youyou glanced at Gu Ya and said very softly, "I'm afraid Brother won't find a wife in the future, so..."
Gu Ya felt like spitting out blood. "What are you thinking about in that little head of yours? Have you finished your homework? Next year you'll be going to preparatory mecha pilot school. If you don't get into the elite class..."
Gu Ya couldn't continue. His tone was becoming more and more like the original host's; in his memories, the original host had often lectured his sister like this.
But Gu Ya was different. He was a college student with new ideas; this kind of pushy education wasn't suitable for his sister.
Gu Ya changed his tone, smiling, "Okay, we'll fix it together. As for its purpose, I have a great idea that you'll love!"