"What mecha will the second contestant from Dingchuan Academy ultimately choose?"
Amidst the buzzing discussion below the stage, the Gonia War Academy team had already stepped onto a multicolored mecha. Its appearance was definitely not attractive, and it was even somewhat ugly.
This mecha somewhat resembled a merman from a mythological tale, with a menacing-looking head and densely packed water blue launch tubes on its side gills.
Its entire body was covered in armor resembling brown fish scales. On its arms, it appeared to have the skin of a toad covered with ugly pustules, each semi-transparent bulging like bubbles, making it unforgettable for everyone who noticed it.
"This should be that special type mecha from Heavenly Fire Weapons Company..."
Clearly, someone in the mecha team recognized it. After furrowing their brows and pondering for a while, they spoke with a hesitant tone.
"Are you talking about the 'Clownfish'? This kind of oddly difficult to operate mecha, someone actually chose it? I recall Heavenly Fire Weapons Company almost canceled the production of this mecha."
"It was officially canceled six months ago because the 'Clownfish' requires precise four-line operations for its floating shuttle attacks. This means mastering mid-range attacks, yet this mecha is a close combat mecha and must move along the trajectory of the floating shuttle to achieve a surge state for instant dashes."
"With this operational difficulty and ugly appearance, it's destined to be a failure in the market."
Gu Yunyou stood calmly, commenting to himself.
"How do you know so much? By the way, your age should normally be above third grade, right? Now mingling in the first grade and even getting into the mecha competition team. What's the point for you?"
'Red Cat' Jes inexplicably disliked this young cadet who always appeared nonchalant in front of him.
If the reason had to be stated directly, perhaps it was that he really disliked this apparent nepotism who seemed oblivious to the fact.
Gu Yunyou chuckled lightly, speaking casually without turning his head, "Too much entrepreneurial work left me no time for school, so now I'm making it up, isn't that okay?"
"There are indeed a lot of aristocratic families in Dingchuan, but to be honest, someone like you is one of a kind. How many buildings did you donate to the academy?" Jes's voice was filled with strong sarcasm.
However, Young Master Gu seemed entirely unfazed, finally turning his head and saying with a smile, "It's definitely something more valuable than buildings, otherwise how could I get such a precious spot?"
"You... very well." Jes's face turned somber,
"Thanks for the compliment."
Gu Yunyou turned his head again, eyes glinting with light.
Beside Jes, several cadets murmured in low voices, "Jes, there's no need to argue with this privileged brat."
"Young Master, do you think your friend Mu Fan will lose this round?"
"Hmm..." Gu Yunyou pondered for a moment, and laughter erupted behind him.
"Just watch and see." Finally, the calm voice of Young Master Gu came through, followed by another burst of laughter.
"Seems like he's lacking confidence."
"With Thunderhawk not here, I'm really curious about what mecha he will choose. If it's a similar fighting mecha, then it's still very possible."
"No, he should choose a Big Shield Machine, it will definitely withstand a wave of firepower."
"Hahaha, so bad."
Listening to the rising and falling laughter around him, Gu Yunyou calmly found a seating area by the field, elegantly sat down, and crossed his legs.
The laughter momentarily stopped, then rose again almost retaliatively.
...
Amidst the chatter, Hemingway, wearing an odd pair of swimming goggles, was already focused on observing the Dingchuan formation.
If measured purely by its rarity among 1,857 A-class mechas, this 'Clownfish' would probably rank in the top five.
This was his trump card, initially intended to display great might during the mid to late stages of the academy battles, but somehow Supervisor Manker, in a unique twist, arranged for him to go second, likely aiming to catch them off guard and secure an early advantage.
However, on the Dingchuan Academy side, it seemed someone had already anticipated this scenario, resulting in the last Dingchuan Academy student, who had just finished the fighting match, to actually...
Take the stage for the mecha battle once again!
Just this single move boosted the morale to surpass suddenly.
This time, I really have to put my skills to the test!
If I can render this adept fighter from the opponent useless, my reputation in Gonia will surely soar to the peak.
It's the age of passion, and glory is an irresistible lure for men.
The 'Clownfish' held four boomerang-like fins in its hand, light and nimble in the palm of the mecha, as if those four weapons had come to life.
The display of this detail instantly boosted the momentum of the Gonia War Academy formation.
Only a powerful mechanical master can control the fingers to such a lively extent during the semi-coordinated mecha piloting.
Thud, thud...
From the black entry tunnel, suddenly came the sound of heavy, rhythmic footsteps.
It was the tremor produced by metal feet stepping on the floor.
The gaze of everyone in the stands finally caught fire.
"With those brutal fighting techniques, he must have chosen a mecha with a fierce appearance."
"I guess it's a heavily armored close combat mecha."
"Are you saying something like the Fire Giant or Heavy Hammer Power God type of mecha?"
"Yes! I'm sure of it, given the racket. Want to bet?"
Amidst the excited clamoring on the stands, the shadow finally emerged from the corridor's darkness.
Some cadets who were drinking water spewed it out directly!
Not only on the Dingchuan Academy's spectator side, but even on the Gonia side, an uproar ensued.
"This thing that looks more like a mining robot is also an A-Class mecha? What the hell is this?"
"The Clownfish's arms are filled with water cannons, and this guy's iron shell has produced muscle-like iron lumps. This isn't a human body, so what's the point? Let me check this mecha's origin."
"Purple Jade Star, Loki Heavy Industry... The name is somewhat familiar, but the star is probably deep in the Outer Domain Galaxy by now."
"Can these mechas even be sold? Is it too insulting to intelligence, or are merchants so impressive they're indifferent to sales?"
The bald Extreme Special Soldier - Special II model, held an arm shield that barely covered half an arm in its left hand, while the right was empty, but on its back hung something bulky like a railroad track.
The Special II model, in its basic version, is equipped with 8 types of weapons, but Mu Fan instead did subtraction rather than addition.
Acabert Alloy One-Handed Shield, Acabert Alloy... Retractable Sword.
The retractable sword, not deployed at this moment, appeared clumsy, looking much like those massive warriors in online role-playing games.
"Dingchuan Academy side, ready."
"Gonia War Academy side, ready."
"Match—"
"Start!"
The referee's brisk and firm voice fell. The four rolling bubbles in the 'Clownfish's' hands suddenly paused, and then were sharply thrown forward.
Four blue trails instantly pierced through space.