Each Has Its Strengths and Weaknesses

After a day of grueling mech training at the Yuheng Military Base, the next day brought the draw ceremony for the quarterfinal split of the league's team competition.

This year's league had become incredibly popular across the Empire—arguably the most watched in the past two decades. The reason could be found in the top five most-viewed qualifier matches: Moye Military Academy accounted for three of them.

The rise of a fallen powerhouse, a genius commander appearing out of nowhere—though many complained that Moye's storyline was too cliché, like something out of a web novel, the data told the real story.

People loved this kind of narrative.

At today's draw ceremony, the venue was filled with many Moye fans. Some were old supporters reignited with hope, having dug out long-forgotten banners bearing the Moye emblem from their homes. Pale purple military flags fluttered throughout the arena. As the commentators introduced them, the five academies that had made it to the top eight entered one by one.

"Longyuan is first as usual. Gu Tingzhi looks much more composed than last year," Professor Zhuang remarked with a hint of nostalgia. "Last year, his matches gave everyone plenty of surprises—he charged all the way to the finals but fell to Qike Meilin. It's still a pity to think about. I never expected that this year, in the qualifiers, Longyuan wouldn't be as strong as we predicted."

Of all eight Imperial academies, Longyuan had the highest predicted chance of winning all three qualifier matches—90% of viewers thought they'd go undefeated. Yet it was Moye, with a prediction rate of just 3%, who actually achieved that feat.

"I don't think Longyuan has gotten weaker," Senior Colonel Ren interjected. "Their overall strength hasn't changed much this year. It's just that the overall level of the league, both in the Empire and the Federation, has been raised."

Professor Zhuang nodded in agreement. "Also, while Gu Tingzhi has become steadier, I've noticed he tends to overthink, complicating matters unnecessarily. In a league match, we just aim for the win. Especially now that we're at the top eight with no more group stages, I hope Gu Tingzhi can clear his head."

The second to enter was the Empire's Cimei Academy. The girls were full of vitality; as soon as they stepped in, the whole venue seemed to brighten.

Senior Colonel Ren smiled. "The girls of Cimei are strong and capable in their own right. In recent years, due to the map selection, their results have dipped. But this year, they've overcome last year's disappointment and made it to the top eight. Let's see if they can match their best performance and break into the semifinals."

"Among these eight academies, Cimei has the strongest teamwork," Professor Zhuang added. "Their matches are full of life. Whether they win or lose, they stir the audience's emotions. I hope they get favorable maps this year and can leverage their strengths to go further."

After Cimei passed, Jia Xiangying led the Dolanston students in. Her expression was stern and unsmiling, a stark contrast to her cute, sweet appearance.

"Dolanston..." Senior Colonel Ren sighed lightly. "I've always felt that these students have never truly shown their full potential. Based on actual strength, they have what it takes to win the championship every year, but they always fall short."

Many records within the current maps were set by Dolanston—like the highest individual kill count in a single match, or the fastest time to completely annihilate the enemy. Dolanston's students, true to their motto, were all extraordinary.

But they were a bit too "extraordinary." Dolanston never cooperates—that wasn't just about their relations with other academies; it was about their internal dynamics.

It wasn't that they ignored their commander's orders; they'd follow them. But sacrificing yourself for a teammate? Not a chance! Absolutely not! Giving up a kill to a better-positioned teammate? Impossible! Never!

"If only their teamwork were on par with Cimei's... what a pity," Professor Zhuang shook his head. "But then again, each academy has its own situation and traits. It's normal to have strengths and weaknesses. In a sense, Dolanston's students are individually very strong—many predict they'll at least make the semifinals."

"That depends on who they draw," Senior Colonel Ren said. "I think if Jia Xiangying is still as easily provoked as before, it might not be so certain."

Dolanston needed a commander who could stay calm, especially since their students were hot-headed. If the commander also lost their cool, it would devolve into chaos like the last wormhole battle.

After that wormhole battle, no one inside Dolanston blamed Jia Xiangying. They generally thought she did the right thing—she should go after that troublesome little brother of hers. If only Longyuan and Du'e had shown up sooner.

Shaji came second to last, the penultimate act. The final spot was naturally reserved for Moye Military Academy. Guan Chuanjun was unusually nervous; he rubbed his hands together before stepping out, thinking the cameras weren't on him, but everyone saw the gesture.

"...Guan Chuanjun, I think he's a bit of a wildcard. Sometimes he seems strong, other times not so much," Professor Zhuang said, fighting back a laugh. "Shaji's overall level is quite solid. People often call Dolanston an evolved version of Shaji, but that's not quite right. Dolanston compensates for overall teamwork with individual combat ability, but they lack a commander who can keep everyone in check. Shaji elevates individual performance through the team, but the team can't keep their commander in check."

"The best thing for Shaji would be to have someone ready to pour cold water on Guan Chuanjun's hot head when necessary," Senior Colonel Ren summed up.

Unaware of the commentators' suggestion to ice his brain, Guan Chuanjun led Shaji into the arena quickly. Finally, the "last act," Moye Military Academy, made their entrance.

Compared to the opening ceremony, they received the loudest cheers here.

"Moye Military Academy—their strengths and weaknesses are both very clear. As the league progresses, they're increasingly like a sword being drawn from its sheath," Professor Zhuang said, exchanging a knowing glance with Senior Colonel Ren.

Senior Colonel Ren added, "Moye's biggest weakness is their lack of combat experience. But this year, entering the top eight with a perfect record, they've relied on their unyielding determination, their extraordinary will to fight, their agility that lifts the whole team—and—"

"Their unwavering trust in their genius commander!"