The So-Called Pride of the Military

In the VIP seating of the actual arena venue, Shen Ruoshui sat between General Wan Li and Xu Chengbi. He glanced at the students' spectacular fights on the big screen while idly fiddling with a new military-issue firearm, looking utterly unconcerned.

Xu Chengbi turned to Shen Ruoshui, who had once shown him favor: "Teacher, you've never been interested in the league before. Why the special trip this time?"

"Now you're talking," Shen Ruoshui said, spinning the gun in his hand before setting it on the table. "My grandson's competing in there. Shouldn't I come watch him?"

"The three of us sitting together today—it's all because of those little brats." Shen Ruoshui waved a hand and patted Wan Li beside him. "Right, Wan? Guan Chuanjun hasn't been too much trouble for you, has he?"

Wan Li moved to swat his hand away, but Shen Ruoshui had already predicted it and pulled back just in time.

The two were of the same generation, intimately familiar with each other's antics—old rivals, in a sense.

Wan Li was still sore about Shen Ruoshui butting into the matter of disciplining Xu Chengbi. Shen Ruoshui had always been one to steal the spotlight; even back in their green days, Wan Li couldn't stand him.

But for now, chatting about the younger generation to lull Xu Chengbi into complacency was wise. The Ares forces on the Capital Star had already begun their operation to reel in the net around him.

"Among these youngsters, Xu Lingqu is the most agreeable," General Wan Li remarked.

Xu Chengbi smiled. "That's thanks to my subordinates for raising such a fine child. It's just a pity they passed so early—I made the decision to adopt Lingqu far too late..." He put on an air of a doting, regretful parent, yet made no mention of his own daughter, Xu Xiqin, at all.

"But today isn't about her. Your grandson, Shouli, is the one to watch, isn't he? S+ spiritual power, after all." Xu Chengbi redirected the conversation to Shen Ruoshui.

Shen Ruoshui took no delight in Shen Shouli's S+ spiritual power. And here's why: Shouli had been tested as S+ four months after the Crown Prince Xi'en's sudden illness. Back then, rumors were flying that the Empire was doomed, that the Chi Ren's pilot had no successor. To take that position at such a critical juncture—Shouli was being thrust directly into the eye of the storm.

As an imperial general, Shen Ruoshui wanted the Empire to have more S+ individuals. But as Shouli's grandfather, the last thing he wanted was for his own grandson to be S+. For one, Shouli's temperament wasn't suited for it. For another, Shen Ruoshui himself sat high in the ranks and knew well that the higher you climb, the harder you fall. The pressure and responsibility of that position could crush a person alive.

"Pride of the Military" was what everyone expected of Shen Shouli—and the shackle they had bound him with.

Moreover, after the flawless image of Crown Prince Xi'en had been deeply etched into people's hearts, everyone hoped the successor would be equally perfect.

Unfortunately, the real successor, Shen Shouli, was hardly likeable. He had no major flaws, but his minor ones were legion: severe cleanliness obsession, disdain for socializing, a habit of ignoring people, childishness, and a spoiled young master's temper. Apart from his face and spiritual power, he had practically no virtues.

And even so, he showed not the slightest intention of changing. Consequently, his reputation fell far short of Crown Prince Xi'en's.

Of course, people never dared voice this openly—only in private whispers, or in veiled hints directed at Shen Shouli, all of which he ignored like wind passing his ears.

Shen Shouli had always existed like a hollow man, utterly indifferent to outside judgment.

Back then, that brat could be completely careless because there was no one in the world he cared for, and no reason to change. But now...

Shen Ruoshui's gaze fixed on the big screen. The camera had cut to Shen Shouli, who was looking down, lost in thought.

On the arena, the battle had reached its fever pitch—No. 47 from the Empire versus No. 48 from the Federation.

The Federation student drove the A+-class mech Execution, swinging its massive warhammer straight at the Empire student's Magician. The Magician, leveraging its lighter frame, danced around to toy with the Execution—but the Federation student seemed deeply familiar with the Magician's quirks, predicting its landing point. The warhammer flew off with force and slammed squarely into the Magician, sending the fragile mech crashing to the ground—an instant loss.

A smug grin spread across the Federation student's face. Then he turned to the Empire's side and picked an opponent that took everyone by surprise.

"Shen Shouli."

An A+ student, directly challenging S+ Shen Shouli.

The Federation student's reasoning was simple: he had deep knowledge of replica mechs and ample combat experience. Shen Shouli hadn't stood out in the team battles—if he won, it would be a historic feat; if he lost, it was no shame, and he might even be praised for his courage.

Besides, pulling an S-rank out early would accelerate the arena's pace drastically. And once the Empire and Federation S-ranks clashed, whichever side kept an S-rank remaining would steamroll the rest, potentially setting a new record for arena defense.

This student had long been fed up with the conventional, formulaic fighting in the arena. He was here to stir up trouble on purpose.

Jin clapped Shen Shouli on the shoulder. "Tsk, forcing our ultimate weapon out this early, huh."

Shen Shouli ignored him. He just glanced back at Xu Lingqu, then walked straight onto the platform, summoning the black monarch among mechs—Chi Ren.

The Federation student flashed an excited grin. Following his prior research on Shen Shouli, he started to charge—but to his shock, Shen Shouli, who always struck second, took the offensive this time with great vigor.

Chi Ren closed the distance in an instant, its royal sword—the primary weapon—materializing and slashing diagonally at the Execution's face.

The student's heart lurched. He raised his arm to block, barely avoiding a decapitating blow. At this range, a particle cannon would hurt himself as much as his foe, so both mechs resorted to hand-to-hand combat.

But anyone could tell: Shen Shouli's movements were far smoother. The Federation student was essentially eating punch after punch. After about ten exchanges, his Execution's damage threshold was teetering on the verge of defeat.

Shen Shouli leaped back in Chi Ren and finished him with a clean particle cannon shot.

This wasn't his usual style. Before, he wouldn't even bother getting close—just maintaining distance and torturing his opponent with particle cannons until they died, done.

Everyone was stunned, especially Jin.

He stared at his best friend, then at Xu Lingqu, and suddenly caught on. Shen Shouli had been deliberately fighting flashy. This was the full-on—peacock displaying its feathers.

General Shen, who knew his grandson best, wasn't surprised at all.

Shen Shouli was just that kind of self-willed person. Even when crowned the Pride of the Military, he'd never shown any intent to mend his flaws.

But when under Xu Lingqu's gaze—she hadn't said a word—he'd taken to examining himself, correcting the unlikeable bits.

At last, there was someone in this world he cared about.