The arbitration area fell into stunned silence.
One shot.
Just one.
A single shell from Blizzard Zero had nearly torn the T2 Bald Eagle–class light interstellar cruiser apart.
On the broadcast screen, a crater more than ten meters wide gaped in the Bald Eagle's starboard armor. Flames licked from the wound, smoke venting uncontrollably into space.
Then Blizzard Zero surged forward again.
Its follow-up fire chewed relentlessly at the Bald Eagle's frontal armor.
Anyone with even a basic understanding of starship combat knew the truth.
If this continued, the Bald Eagle would be destroyed.
The referee team moved at once.
The chief referee rose to his feet. A mandatory judgment was already forming—but before he could issue it, the Bald Eagle's surrender signal flashed.
The decision was immediate.
"Victory is awarded to Zhao Chen of Class Eight," the chief referee announced. "Combat has concluded. All attacks are to cease immediately."
The duel zone erupted.
"This… this ship is absurd."
"Zhang Haoran actually lost?"
"Wait—so Zhao Chen won?"
Shock rippled outward in waves.
Among the spectators, Jiang Shasha stood frozen.
She stared at the strange, scarred starship on the screen.
Zhao Chen… won?
His patched-together wreck had defeated a Bald Eagle-class cruiser.
Her fingers tightened.
She remembered his indifference in the cafeteria.
At the time, she had dismissed it.
Now—
An unfamiliar discomfort gnawed at her chest.
"Shasha… Zhao Chen actually won," her companion murmured awkwardly.
"I'm not blind," Jiang Shasha replied coldly.
She turned away, taking one last look at Blizzard Zero before leaving the stands.
Not everyone was unsettled.
"See?! Giant cannons are justice!" Xue Xiaoxiao bounced excitedly. "Wan'er, when will you let me board your brother's ship?
"I want to touch that 1200mm cannon!"
Zhao Wan'er stood rigid, disbelief still etched across her face.
"…It's over?"
Less than five minutes.
From first contact to surrender.
One shot to the soul.
Su Lan exhaled softly. "The Bald Eagle's armor is weak. Against a Devil Crocodile cannon, penetration was inevitable.
"Your brother was also… lucky. The shell hit an ammunition compartment.
"But luck aside," she added, smiling faintly, "this ship is terrifying. A T2 vessel moving at one hundred knots—unheard of."
She looked at Zhao Wan'er. "It seems he won't need my help after all."
For the first time, curiosity glimmered in her eyes.
Blizzard Zero — Bridge
Zhao Chen pumped his fist.
"Damn—it was a direct hit!"
Charlotte nodded calmly. "The explosion originated from their ammunition bay. Secondary detonations crippled multiple systems.
"With that opening, pressing the attack was the only correct choice."
Zhao Chen exhaled.
Luck.
His thoughts drifted to the system's Fleet Luck Bonus.
Was this what it meant?
"If every shot were like that," he thought wryly, "wars would be easy."
"Zhao Chen," the chief referee's voice cut in. "You have won. Cease all actions immediately."
"Understood," Zhao Chen replied.
He looked at the crippled Bald Eagle drifting helplessly, smoke still pouring from its hull.
It wouldn't be going anywhere without a tow.
After a brief pause, Zhao Chen spoke again. "Chief referee. I request a video connection to the opposing ship."
The referee hesitated—then nodded.
The channel opened.
The Bald Eagle's bridge was in ruins.
Smoke hung thick in the air. Panels lay shattered across the deck.
Zhang Haoran sat on the floor, pale, trembling. A dark stain spread beneath him.
Zhao Chen's image appeared on the screen.
He glanced down, then chuckled. "Pfft. Zhang Haoran… you're scared stiff."
Zhang Haoran's eyes bulged. "Zhao Chen! You cheated!
"You couldn't have beaten me fairly!"
The chief referee's voice turned icy. "Student Zhang Haoran. This duel was monitored in full.
"No irregularities were detected. Any further accusations will be formally recorded."
Zhang Haoran fell silent.
Zhao Chen spoke lightly. "The duel is over.
"Don't forget our bet."
The referee didn't miss the cue.
"According to the duel agreement," he declared, "Student Zhang Haoran is hereby expelled from North Star Starship Academy."
Zhang Haoran's face collapsed.
"…Understood," he whispered.
The call ended.
Zhao Chen leaned back into the captain's chair.
"Return home."
Blizzard Zero turned away, victorious.
But the shockwave of this duel—
Was only just beginning.
Grade Three, Class Eight
"Class dismissed," the instructor announced.
Students immediately searched the academy intranet.
"Huh? Why can't I find the duel broadcast?"
"It must've ended ages ago. Zhao Chen probably lost already."
"Serves him right. Overestimating himself."
Sneers spread.
Li Wei's face darkened as he tried contacting Zhao Chen, already preparing to intervene.
Then—
"Wait!" a girl suddenly cried out. "Check the trending list!"
The classroom froze.
At the top of the academy's hot search:
[Breaking] Third-Year Baron Zhao Chen Wins Starship Duel — Bald Eagle Defeated]
Silence.
Then—
"…Zhao Chen won?"