Chapter 748: Chapter 521: Proposal Invalid
The dawn reddened the summit of Mount Gaidu.
Inside this glass hall at the mountain’s summit, which offered a vast view and excellent lighting, the atmosphere was less than wonderful.
Compared to the instructors the students usually saw, the people present now were unfamiliar faces, and their average age was clearly higher than that of the regular instructors.
This was the high-level Council of the academy, a body with even more authority than the Professor Guild.
Many commands concerning Dingchuan Academy were issued through this institution.
The Dean of Dingchuan Academy, Don Andrese, served as the Honorary Chairman of the Council.
However, the six Vice Deans were the real speakers in this Council, whereas the regular members were the professors, the pillars of Ding Chuan.
These reclusive professors were the true support holding Dingchuan Academy in a pivotal position within the Federation.
The institution forbade autocracy and unilateral decisions, advocating for democracy and fairness, and made decisions that maximized benefits as the direction for developing the academy.
The Council meetings were typically held every six months, but could be convened urgently in the face of significant matters.
The current situation qualified as urgent, as the academy’s exchange competition was scheduled for one month later.
The academy exchange competition was a comparison of the comprehensive abilities of students from various academies. The performances of these students would directly reflect the teaching standards and student quality of the academy, thereby reshuffling the academy’s ranking.
Student performance was calculated based on different weighting coefficients for each subject, and the final score would determine Dingchuan Academy’s ranking for the following year.
As one of the five A-list academies, Ding Chuan had been at the bottom for nine years. If the academy exchange in October resulted in another loss, it would mark ten consecutive years at the bottom.
Yet, this wasn’t the only crisis. Behind Dingchuan Academy, several exceptional B-ranked academies had long been eyeing its position, and their gaps with Dingchuan Academy were closing rapidly.
“This is the moment to demonstrate the true power of Dingchuan Academy to the two Chambers of the Federation. Thus, we must strictly select participating members,” said an elderly man with a spirited demeanor, seated at the head of the table, setting the tone for the Council meeting.
Vice Dean Horace, who oversaw all the academy’s instructors and professor evaluations, was the true wielder of authority.
“I concur. In addition to the 46 basic subjects with low weighting coefficients, we should focus on the three main events with the highest weight,” he added.
“Mecha combat, individual combat, fleet combat.”
“At present, the Federation’s border skirmishes with the Empire are at a deadlock. The Federation’s need for outstanding military talent is still rising, and the quality of personnel we send from Dingchuan Academy will directly impact our influence within the military,” said another middle-aged scholar with graying hair and black sunglasses from the other side.
“Let’s begin by detailing the Mecha combat category, twenty spots for seed players, available for normal engagement avoidance in the ranking competition. Let’s start the nominations,” stated another Vice Dean, Carrel, in charge of all student information.
Vice Dean Horace, who had spoken earlier, added, “Regarding the rules, the Mecha Club has priority for selection, upperclassmen have priority, and freshmen are generally not recommended.”
“I propose a third-year student—Jes, personal profile as follows…”
“I propose the Mecha Club’s vice president—Ernest, personal profile as follows…”
Various student information cards were projected on the large screen.
The voices came from several senior professors of the Mecha Academy, all of whom were truly strong Mechanical Masters with both theoretical and practical combat abilities.
Many of these middle-aged Mechanical Masters, who had seamlessly integrated theory and practice, were retired ace Mechanical Masters from the military.
Their words carried substantial weight, so much so that Mu Fan’s instructor, Xu Jiang, had no right to be present here.
By the time the ninth person had spoken, the list of seed participants for the Mecha combat had already exceeded twenty people, and yet the nominations continued.
“I propose—a first-year reservist special recruit—Mu Fan, personal profile as follows…” suddenly spoke a middle-aged man with a crew cut.
“If Mu Fan’s instructor Xu Jiang were here, he would have recognized that the man with a buzz cut is none other than his direct superior, Senior Instructor — Bach.”
When he spoke, the dozens of people present glanced at him simultaneously, not because the name was unusual, but because he was a first-year!
This was the first time someone suggested a first-year student, which surprised everyone.
However, out of respect, the name “Mu Fan” was quickly recorded.
The proposal soon ended with a list of 45 people.
They needed to filter this down to 20 people to set up for early matchup avoidance.
“At last someone suggested a first-year student. Instructor Bach, as one of the senior instructors in charge of first-year students, please explain why you nominated this student. I want to know why a freshman has appeared.” This time, a man wearing a tailcoat, who was meticulously groomed and appeared to be in his forties with a stern face, spoke up. He was Lindberg, one of the instructors responsible for third-year students.
By nominating a first-year student, Bach implied taking a spot, which represented a threat to Lindberg, who wanted to push his students forward.
Even if this threat was minimal, he disliked sharing even a bit of his privilege.
“He is a direct disciple of Ruan Xiongfei.” Bach’s first sentence made many frown.
“Ruan Xiongfei is an instructor in the Fighting Department. I do not acknowledge the level of his disciples in mecha.”
“He is the core student of this year’s freshman class.”
“That counts as a bonus but is still irrelevant to mecha combat.” Lindberg ticked a box in the notebook in front of him and then struck a line.
“He participated in a mecha demonstration contest held ten days ago in the Land of Bright Star.”
Lindberg, who was focused on his notebook, suddenly looked up, an expression of surprise and interest in his eyes.
“What were the results?”
“He made it to the top 71 and participated in the Throne Contention Event. However, his mecha was destroyed by the ‘Strangling Demon Snake,’ one of Solomon’s seventy-two Gatepost Knight mechas, and he was severely injured but fortunate to escape death.”
As Bach uttered these words, Lindberg marked a hefty check in his notebook and then looked up at Bach and the several vice deans present, saying:
“Bonus points for making it to the top 71 in the contest, which is enough to prove his capabilities. However, since he hasn’t had any actual combat within the academy, I don’t agree with making him a seeded player.”
“Thus, if he makes it into the top three in the first-year champions’ contest, he can qualify as a reserve member of the academy’s representative team.” Lindberg stated.
The academy representative team comprised 20 people, with 5 main team members and 15 reserve members.
In previous academy battles, the proportion of first-year students usually didn’t exceed one-tenth, which meant about 1-2 people.
With Lindberg’s words, it was somewhat groundbreaking. Even if Mu Fan could achieve third place, he would be eligible as a reserve member.
“No! I not only propose him as a seeded player but no matter the final result, I suggest he becomes one of the starting lineup!”
Bach stood upright with his hands pressed on the table, his eyes bright and spirited.
He finally revealed his intent, which was his deep, profound confidence in Mu Fan. He believed that Mu Fan could indeed create a significant impact on the first-year division he managed.
“That’s impossible! I motion for this proposal to be nullified!”
Lindberg slammed his hand on the table, standing up abruptly. In the history of Ding Chuan Academy’s competitions, such a precedent was unheard of.
This was outright defiance against the Council’s orderly system!