North Star Starship Academy - Class 3-8
"Well well, looks like Zhao Chen from Class Eight skipped class again today. Could it be he's too scared to show his face?" A mocking voice rang through the classroom during break time.
The students in Class Eight immediately frowned at the sound. They didn't even need to guess who it was - Zhang Haoran from Class 3-2 and his gang of hooligans.
Ever since Zhao Chen made that starship duel challenge with Zhang Haoran, the latter had been strutting around their classroom like he owned the place. After several visits without seeing Zhao Chen - who had apparently taken extended leave since that day - Zhang Haoran's arrogance knew no bounds, convinced Zhao Chen was afraid of him.
"Zhang Haoran, this is Class Eight's classroom. If you have no business here, return to your own class!" A cold-faced girl stepped forward, glaring at him.
"Relax, school rules don't prohibit visiting other classrooms during breaks. Besides, I'm just looking for your dear classmate Zhao Chen. We have a duel coming up, and it's almost the end of June. Just wanted to remind him in case he forgot." Zhang Haoran's eyes shamelessly appraised Shen Bing, Class Eight's beauty and class president.
Shen Bing replied icily, "Zhao Chen hasn't attended class for over half a month. If you want him, find him yourself. Don't disturb us."
"Oh? I thought Class Eight was one big happy family. Seems like Zhao Chen isn't really part of your group?" Zhang Haoran smirked.
His lackeys immediately joined in the mockery:
"Looks like that Zhao Chen kid got scared and went into hiding!"
"Once June ends it's vacation time. Guess our little baron wants to slink back to his territory with his tail between his legs."
"What a coward. If he didn't want to fight, why challenge our Young Master Zhang in the first place?"
"I say Young Master Zhang should be merciful - just make Zhao Chen kneel and beg for forgiveness tomorrow. Hahaha!"
The jeering at the classroom door infuriated Class Eight's students, but most came from ordinary backgrounds with mediocre grades - unlike Class Two's privileged students. Only the strong-willed, top-performing Shen Bing dared confront them directly; the others could only swallow their anger.
This situation made Class Eight's students resent Zhao Chen even more. The guy was already an embarrassment getting bullied in class, and now he'd dragged them all into his mess. Someone like him should just drop out already.
"Zhang Haoran, if you've got guts, duel me instead! What's the point of shouting here? The deadline isn't even up yet!" Li Wei finally couldn't take it anymore, stepping forward angrily. Though his interstellar merchant father had always warned him to keep a low profile, seeing his friend mocked like this was too much.
"Li Wei, what... standing up for your useless friend? Honestly, your taste in friends is terrible. What value does a worthless baron like him even have?" Zhang Haoran ignored Li Wei's challenge, continuing to mock Zhao Chen.
"You—" Li Wei's face burned with fury.
"Well, since someone can't wait to process their withdrawal paperwork, I suppose I'll kindly oblige." A leisurely voice came from the doorway.
All eyes turned to see Zhao Chen strolling in casually, a mocking smile directed at Zhang Haoran's group. The missing-for-almost-a-month Zhao Chen had finally appeared!
"Well well, I thought you'd gone into hiding." Zhang Haoran looked surprised but unconcerned. To him, Zhao Chen was just an ant he could crush anytime.
"I just took a short break. Didn't expect someone to be in such a hurry to get beaten. Since that's the case, let's move our duel to tomorrow. What do you say, Young Master Zhang?" Zhao Chen said lightly.
Li Wei quickly approached, whispering urgently, "Zhao Chen, calm down. A starship duel is serious - no takebacks once it starts."
"Relax, I know what I'm doing." Zhao Chen patted Li Wei's shoulder.
"Stubborn to the end, I see. Then let's make it official." Zhang Haoran produced his Cadet ID Card, challenging Zhao Chen with his eyes.
Without hesitation, Zhao Chen took out his own ID card. Before everyone's eyes, the two officially set the duel time: 10 AM tomorrow at North Star Starship Academy's No. 2 Starship Simulation Duel Arena.
"Now that it's settled, why don't you take your little lapdogs and get out? Don't disrupt our class's studies." Zhao Chen issued the dismissal.
Zhang Haoran's lackeys glared furiously - how dare this loser insult them? But Zhang Haoran stopped them. With the duel date set, there was no need for more words. He'd just wait to humiliate the baron in front of everyone tomorrow, forcing him to withdraw in shame.
"I'll look forward to tomorrow's... 'spectacular' battle. Don't go disappearing again." Zhang Haoran couldn't resist one last taunt before leaving with his entourage.
Zhao Chen calmly returned to his seat as the classroom erupted in whispers - most dripping with disdain.
"Zhao Chen's lost his mind. What makes him think he can duel Zhang Haoran?"
"Does he even have a starship? I heard Zhang Haoran has a brand new T2 model!"
"If he wants to embarrass himself and drop out, fine. But dragging Class Eight's reputation down with him is unacceptable."
Zhao Chen ignored them all. Only results would shut these people up.
As Li Wei sat beside him, about to speak, someone else spoke first.
"Without sufficient strength, everything you do is wrong. As a Class Eight member, I don't want to see you become a laughingstock. Your sister's a genius student - use her connections to resolve this." Shen Bing stood before Zhao Chen, her voice frosty.
Zhao Chen looked at the beautiful, commoner-born class president: "You don't think I can win either?"
"What do you think?" she retorted bluntly.
Zhao Chen shrugged. "Then let's wait and see."
Seeing her advice fall on deaf ears, Shen Bing's eyes turned even colder as she walked away.
"Old Zhao, you're really going through with this?" Li Wei asked gravely.
"Confirmed, affirmed, and not denied." Zhao Chen was tired of this question. It was time to show his capabilities for future convenience.
Li Wei studied Zhao Chen - his friend's temperament had changed noticeably over the past month. "If you're determined... then take my T2 Hyena tomorrow. My vice-captain has twenty years of Imperial Navy T2 combat experience. Just let him handle everything."
"Don't worry, I have a starship," Zhao Chen said helplessly.
"That piece of junk you exchanged? There's no way it can win!" Li Wei grew increasingly frantic seeing Zhao Chen's stubbornness.
Knowing explanations were pointless now, Zhao Chen made an excuse and left. Right now, literally no one believed he could win this duel.
Which was exactly why Zhao Chen was determined to prove them all wrong!