Chapter 12: Frog in the Well

“Hmph.”

Chen Tong snorted coldly, not continuing to speak.

At this moment, the training mech controlled by Su Ming began to accelerate slightly, and everyone’s gaze was drawn to it.

Inside the Iron Head training mech’s cockpit, Su Ming continuously pulled the control levers to manipulate the mech, while gradually pushing the power lever to increase power output.

Although his nerves were taut and fine sweat beaded on his forehead, he still thoroughly enjoyed the sensation; it was truly fantastic.

He glanced at the time displayed on the control screen; the half-hour training time had passed too quickly, with only five minutes left in the blink of an eye.

Su Ming’s eyes flickered, and he exhaled softly, adjusting his state to its optimal level, then slightly advanced the power lever.

Buzz buzz~

As the sound of the power engine intensified, the Iron Head training mech’s forward speed increased, resembling a light jog.

“Wow~”

“Amazing!”

Many students exclaimed in awe at the scene.

Tang Yan was also overjoyed, not expecting such an unexpected gain from bringing them for real mech training this time.

Soon, the rotating training time ended, and Su Ming controlled the training mech back to its starting position.

Click~

The cockpit slowly opened, and Su Ming climbed out somewhat awkwardly.

Clap clap~

A round of applause broke out, and Su Ming paused slightly, looking up to see Tang Yan approaching with many students.

“Excellent, Su Ming operated it very well!”

Tang Yan praised him with a beaming smile.

“That’s right, Su Ming, your operation was truly impressive, especially that final acceleration forward, it was simply awesome!”

“It was really cool.”

Zhao Ran and others praised him excitedly.

Su Ming felt a bit embarrassed by their compliments and could only respond with a smile.

“Thank you.”

Tang Yan seized this opportunity to encourage the other students.

“Everyone, train hard; you can also do as well as Su Ming.”

“Okay, Teacher,”

The students present responded excitedly.

At this moment, Zhang Tai saw a group of rookies who had just learned to walk acting so smug, and a look of disdain appeared on his face. He then arrogantly and condescendingly shouted at the excited crowd, “A bunch of frogs in a well, is there really any need to be this happy?”

As soon as these words came out, Mink and others all looked up at Zhang Tai, responding with some irritation, “What did you say?”

“Is there something wrong with what I said? Please, you guys need to understand one thing: your current operational level, to put it bluntly, is like a baby who just learned to walk. Any slightly larger movement and you’ll fall, let alone combat or anything like that. What’s the point? Although everyone is in the same grade, we are already in actual combat. This is the difference between clouds and mud.”

Zhang Tai mocked them unceremoniously. His words were like a bucket of cold water, directly dousing the heads of the jubilant crowd.

For a moment, Mink and the others were stunned.

Tang Yan also looked at Zhang Tai with extreme anger. He had gone to great lengths today to bring the students for real mech training, hoping to ignite their fighting spirit. He had just managed to boost their confidence, and then this guy poured a bucket of cold water on them. Wasn’t he undermining everything?

Just as Tang Yan was about to get angry and reprimand Zhang Tai, a shout came from the main entrance.

“Teacher Tang, come here for a moment!”

Tang Yan turned his head and saw a man with a wrinkled face, slightly graying hair, and wearing a teacher’s uniform standing at the entrance.

“Isn’t that Teacher Chen Yi?”

“Yeah, why is he here?”

Huang Mao and others discussed in confusion.

Tang Yan then instructed everyone.

“I’m going out for a bit. You all continue to train well. Mink, you’re in charge of organizing the next training session!”

“Okay, Teacher!”

Mink quickly responded.

Then Tang Yan walked towards the main entrance.

Outside the training room, Chen Yi lowered his voice and said to Tang Yan, “Why did you bring the entire class to the real mech training ground? This isn’t according to the rules!”

“I know it’s not according to the rules, but I still wanted to give them a chance.”

Tang Yan shook his head and replied.

“I understand, but if things go wrong, the school might have an opinion. Then you’ll inevitably be reprimanded, and perhaps even lose this year’s bonus.”

“It’s fine.”

“Forget it, if you think it’s fine, I won’t say more.”

“Hmm, by the way, why did you come here?”

“My students are right here.”

“Your students? Wait, are Lin Chuyu and the five others the ones you brought?”

“They are the ones I brought. There’s also something else I need to tell you: I’ve already completed 28 slots. If all goes well this year, I’ll have enough for 30 slots, and then I’ll apply for a transfer.”

Chen Yi said to Tang Yan with a smile.

This time, for him, it was a sure thing.

“Oh, congratulations.”

Tang Yan also showed a very envious expression upon hearing Chen Yi’s words.

“Thank you. How many slots do you still need?”

Chen Yi chatted casually with Tang Yan.

“I’m still far off. I’ve only completed three slots in total. I don’t know when I’ll be able to gather enough.”

Tang Yan replied bitterly.

“It’s fine, take your time!”

Chen Yi reached out and patted Tang Yan’s shoulder reassuringly.

Inside the training room, Mink saw that the students were all a bit dispirited, lacking their previous fighting spirit and excitement. So he raised his voice and encouraged everyone, “Everyone, listen to me. We are in the prime of our youth; as long as we work hard, there will definitely be a reward. I believe everyone will shine brightly in the City Exam and collectively enter the Imperial Court Military Academy!”

“The class leader is right, we can definitely do it!”

“That’s right, as long as we work hard!”

At once, some disheartened students regained their confidence.

Su Ming couldn’t help but look at Mink a few more times. As a class leader, he was indeed very competent.

Thump thump~

At this moment, Lin Chuyu, Zhang Tai, and the other three walked down from the observation deck. They were about to leave the training room to find their mentor, Chen Yi.

As they came down, they heard Mink and the others discussing the Imperial Court Military Academy.

Zhang Tai immediately felt very annoyed, as if his ideals had been defiled, so he sneered, “It seems you’re not just frogs in a well, but also not fully awake, dreaming in broad daylight.”

“Don’t go too far! Can’t we have our own goals and ideals? Are only you allowed to aim for the Imperial Court Military Academy, and not us?”

Mink retorted angrily.

At this moment, Zhou Wei, with his hands in his pockets, shook his head and laughed, “Tsk tsk, although I’m also annoyed by Zhang Tai, there’s nothing wrong with what he said. You probably haven’t realized how strict the Imperial Court Military Academy’s admissions are. The Royal Court Academy does give our district 10 internal school slots, but do you know how many people got in last year?”

“How many?”

Huang Mao asked subconsciously.

Su Ming also looked at Zhou Wei with curiosity.

“Not a single one. To be precise, no one from the entire Thirteenth District has been admitted to the Royal Court Academy’s internal school for five years.”

Zhou Wei replied with a smile.