IMAO Chapter 38

Jiang Tianze was stunned, doubting if he had heard correctly. His son had always been his pride, from childhood to adulthood. He was proud when his son got into the First Military Academy, but the news that his son was the top student in his class far exceeded his expectations.

“Jiang Yuan is the top student?” Jiang Tianze asked hesitantly, his voice deep with uncertainty.

He Chuan replied, “Yes!”

Jiang Tianze was taken aback, suddenly pondering seriously—had there been some issue with the First Military Academy’s admissions this year?

Ike spoke quietly to Jiang Tianze for a moment, then turned to Jiang Yuan and said, “Jiang Yuan, your father wants to speak with you.”

Jiang Yuan: “…”

Jiang Yuan answered the call, hearing Jiang Tianze call out, “Jiang Yuan?”

“It’s me, Dad,” Jiang Yuan responded.

Hearing Jiang Yuan’s familiar voice, Jiang Tianze finally believed that the principal wanted his son to transfer departments, not someone else with the same name.

He knew Jiang Yuan built a mecha model and read some books on mecha engineering before going to school, but he never imagined his son would be so sought after by two departments, let alone catch Xu Chen’s attention.

“Dad, I don’t want to transfer departments. You know what I’ve been working so hard for all these years! If you’re trying to persuade me, there’s no need,” Jiang Yuan said firmly.

Jiang Tianze replied, “Of course, I know that.”

Jiang Tianze recalled the time Jiang Yuan spent at home, remembering how diligently his son had worked. Those scenes were vivid in his mind.

Hearing this, Xu Chen grew anxious—

“Don’t listen to this kid! Jiang Yuan is a born scientist. He’ll definitely design one, no, countless main battle mechas in the future!”

Jiang Tianze scratched his head, wondering who was speaking now. It wasn’t the principal from earlier.

“Listen to me! You need to talk some sense into Jiang Yuan. He won’t listen to me at all! He’s a rare genius! Don’t waste such talent!”

“Ahem, but Jiang Yuan has worked hard for so many years just to get into the Mecha Department,” Jiang Tianze said hesitantly, carefully choosing his words.

Hearing Jiang Tianze’s words, Xu Chen slammed the table and stood up. “This kid is made for science! A genius! There are plenty of mecha pilots, but only a few who can develop mechas!”

“You need to listen to me on this!”

Xu Chen gritted his teeth and snatched the communicator from Jiang Yuan’s hand, shouting at Jiang Tianze on the other end.

Jiang Tianze was bewildered by the sudden outburst, wondering who this domineering speaker was.

Ike was exasperated. He grabbed the communicator back from Xu Chen, “Lao Xu, give me back the communicator. I’m discussing this with the parent. Don’t cause trouble here.”

Ike understood Xu Chen well. Despite his age, he had a childish temperament. He was completely devoted to scientific research. He was used to being in charge and having others comply with him, making him quite overbearing in his speech.

Jiang Tianze finally understood when he heard “Lao Xu”. The one who had yelled at him was the legendary Professor Xu, the Mecha Patriarch!

Ike tried to convince Jiang Tianze, saying a lot, but Jiang Tianze calmly replied, “Principal, I’m not Jiang Yuan. I’m just his father. I have no right to make any decisions for him. I’m sorry, but I’m powerless in this matter.”

Hearing Jiang Tianze’s words, Jiang Yuan visibly relaxed. He realized that Jiang Tianze was completely different from the strict, rigid image in the original owner’s memory. Instead, he was an open-minded, respectful father who could make mistakes but was also brave enough to admit them.

After Jiang Tianze finished speaking, there was silence on the other end of the communicator. Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Jiang Tianze hastily said, “Sorry, I have work to attend to. I have to go!”

Hanging up, Jiang Tianze stared at the communicator in his hand, confusion in his eyes. What exactly had his son modified to cause all this?

“Come in,” Jiang Tianze said softly to the person outside.

The entering soldier saluted Jiang Tianze and reported on the work situation…

Meanwhile, the office was dead silent.

Jiang Yuan thought for a moment, then stepped back and bowed deeply. He spoke first, “Thank you for your high regard, Professor Xu, but I want to become a soldier, not a scientist. I’m sorry.”

As Jiang Yuan turned to leave, Xu Chen hurriedly shouted, “Stop right there! Don’t you dare leave!”

Jiang Yuan: “…” What did this old man mean now?

Jiang Yuan was feeling quite annoyed, but given Xu Chen’s special status, he didn’t dare to directly confront him.

Seeing the situation, Ji Rong immediately stood in front of Jiang Yuan and said bluntly, “Professor Xu, Jiang Yuan is unwilling. You’re going too far!”

Hearing Ji Rong’s words, Xu Chen raised an eyebrow. “You don’t understand!”

Ji Rong: “I really don’t understand, but you can’t restrict Jiang Yuan’s personal freedom. This is against federal law!”

In the principal’s office, the old man’s scolding voice rang out, with Ji Rong rebutting each point. Every rebuttal hit the mark, leaving Xu Chen unable to save face.

Beside them, He Chuan silently gave Ji Rong a thumbs up in his heart. Well said!

Jiang Yuan, seeing Ji Rong arguing so reasonably on his behalf, couldn’t help but smile. What a great friend!

Xu Chen: “You, you, you…”

Ji Rong tilted his chin up, not backing down at all, looking like a proud, victorious peacock.

With the old and young at an impasse, Principal Ike felt his head throbbing from the argument.

He suddenly slammed the table and stood up. The entire office fell silent, everyone quietly looking at Ike.

After a long silence, Ike looked at Jiang Yuan and said kindly, “Jiang Yuan, how about this: you don’t transfer departments, but you minor in Manufacturing. Would that work?”

Jiang Yuan hesitated for a moment before nodding. Taking on an additional minor in Manufacturing wouldn’t be a problem for him, especially since he had already mastered the material from his reading. He didn’t want Ji Rong to face potential retaliation for offending this bigwig on his behalf. They were all ambitious young students here to learn, and he couldn’t let Ji Rong suffer for him.

“Good boy,” Ike beamed as Jiang Yuan agreed, then turned to Xu Chen. “Lao Xu, are you satisfied now?”

Xu Chen, who had been arguing heatedly with Ji Rong earlier, fell silent upon Jiang Yuan’s agreement. He didn’t want to push Jiang Yuan too hard, knowing the boy was initially reluctant to study Manufacturing. Xu Chen believed that once Jiang Yuan experienced the joy of the Manufacturing course, he would abandon the Mecha Department!

Xu Chen: “Hmm, alright then. But when there’s a schedule conflict between the two majors, you must prioritize Manufacturing classes over Mecha combat and shooting practice. Manufacturing is more challenging!”

Jiang Yuan quickly responded, “Professor Xu, I want to attend the Mecha classes. I can guarantee that I’ll pass the Manufacturing courses. Please don’t worry about that.”

Xu Chen was about to say more but reconsidered. He nodded, deciding not to push further since Jiang Yuan had promised to pass the Manufacturing courses.

After resolving the issue with Xu Chen and his departure, He Chuan shrugged helplessly and said with a wry smile, “I called you here to discuss something as well.”

He Chuan briefly explained about the competition and why he wanted Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong. After finishing, he asked, “So, are you willing to participate?”

Without hesitation, both of them immediately agreed.

Just like that, Jiang Yuan’s visit to the office resulted in not only a bunch of new courses to study but also special training starting in three days. The training would last a month and take place not on Earth, but on a military ship!

Jiang Yuan suddenly realized he had a lot more on his plate now.

Leaving the principal’s office, Ji Rong felt like he was in a dream. He had just confronted the national hero Xu Chen, but that wasn’t the main point. The key was that Jiang Yuan had almost been forced to change majors because the mecha he helped modify for Senior Liu Zheng was too exceptional!

Looking at Jiang Yuan walking beside him, Ji Rong felt it was all too dramatic!

Recalling Xu Chen’s attempt to make calls on his communicator earlier, Ji Rong couldn’t help but find it amusing.

Three days later—

A large classroom was packed to the brim, with even the aisles full of people. Two seats were occupied by three people, creating a dense sea of faces throughout the room.

Ji Yang narrowed his eyes, noticing students from various majors had shown up.

Ma Lin whispered, “Oh my god, there are so many people!”

Beside him, Armand suppressed his excitement and said, “How could there not be? Today’s lecturer is Professor Xu!”

Even Mecha Department students also came. Some students whispered, “Is it really Professor Xu teaching this class? Isn’t this a hoax? Who could possibly invite Professor Xu?”

“It’s no joke. The course schedule was updated, and the instructor’s name changed to Xu Chen!”

“Wait, look over there!”

“What?”

“Over there, even the school’s teachers have come to attend the lecture!”

“Wow, those really are the school’s teachers! My god!”

Five minutes before class, an elderly man walked in carrying books. The chatter in the classroom instantly vanished, and everyone stood up in unison, paying their respects.

It really was Professor Xu!

Everyone became excited, suddenly turning into fanboys.

Xu Chen waved his hand downward twice, gesturing for everyone to sit. His gaze swept over the dense crowd, searching for Jiang Yuan, but he eventually gave up due to the sheer number of people.

Xu Chen raised an eyebrow, then waited five minutes. As the bell rang, he began, “Hello, students. I’m Xu Chen. You may call me Professor Xu.”

Everyone thought: We all know you! Your formal self-introduction is so adorable!

Xu Chen: “At the beginning of each class, I’ll randomly do a roll call. Those who aren’t present…”

Manufacturing students: Professor Xu, your class doesn’t need roll call!

Auditing students: The room is packed… There are even people at the doorway!

Xu Chen: “Alright, let’s start with the roll call. Chen Jie.”

The called student stood up quickly, grinning nervously: “Present!”

Xu Chen nodded slightly, “Mm, next, Harris.”

“Present!” Another crisp response rang out. The surrounding students were dying of envy. Being called by Professor Xu was practically like having a conversation with him!

After calling two names, Xu Chen called out Jiang Yuan’s name, but no one stood up immediately.

“Jiang Yuan,” Xu Chen called again, but still no response.

Suddenly, the entire classroom fell silent. Manufacturing students began exchanging glances—

“Did someone not come?”

“We’re all here! Do we have anyone named Jiang Yuan in our major?”

“I don’t think so… But there’s a Jiang Yuan in the Mecha Department.”

“Did Professor Xu make a mistake?”

“That doesn’t seem right!”

“What should we do now? Professor Xu looks angry…”

Amidst the silence, a voice suddenly rang out. A tall boy raised his hand, “Present!”

Xu Chen was taken aback, looking at the boy who answered. He raised an eyebrow. “You’re Jiang Yuan?”

The boy was about to nod, but he couldn’t lie in front of his idol. He shook his head.

Xu Chen: “Then why did you answer?”

The boy meekly raised his hand and said softly, “Professor Xu, we don’t have a student named Jiang Yuan in the Manufacturing Department.”

Xu Chen smiled slightly and said, “You didn’t before, but you do now. Are there any Mecha Department students here?”

Hearing Xu Chen’s question, a group of Mecha Department students raised their hands in unison. At a glance, there were nearly ninety—ninety-eight, to be exact—all except Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong!

Someone shouted in a loud voice, “Professor, we’re here!”

Xu Chen asked, “Where’s Jiang Yuan?”

The Mecha Department students looked bewildered. Why was Professor Xu asking about Jiang Yuan?

Finally, someone answered, “Reporting, Professor. Jiang Yuan and Ji Rong were taken by Instructor He for special training!”

Xu Chen: !!

He was stood up? Skipping the very first class? What did this mean? Outrageous!

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