TCFGBH Chapter 81

Everyone knew Xia Yan Gardner had deliberately chosen Edwin as his opponent in the mecha training course, clearly toying with him.  

But so what?

Everything Xia Yan did was within the rules.  

Edwin lost because he was simply outmatched.  

A tense atmosphere was brewing, igniting anger in the hearts of fellow commoners, while even some nobles were uncomfortable with the young man’s actions.  

The young man stood on the high platform, head held high, his sharp eyes radiating indifference. His inherent arrogance made it clear he couldn’t care less about others’ opinions.  

Before the throne, all are ants.  

Huo Ruihe, true to his original noble character, was a kind and tolerant person who couldn’t stand to see anyone bully the weak. “Xia Yan, with my fifth-ranked mecha grade, I challenge you for the top spot.”  

In this interstellar era, where the Zerg threatens humanity, the strong are revered.  

At the Imperial Central Military Academy, the student with the highest composite scores earned the top rank in each grade. After graduation, the top-ranked student directly enters the army as a second lieutenant.  

Thus, the competition for the top rank is fierce.  

To enhance competitiveness, the academy rules that the top ten students in each grade can challenge the top rank in a mecha duel once a year. The winner takes the rank.  

Xia Yan Gardner had held the top spot for three consecutive years, so Huo Ruihe’s challenge was practically a slap in the face.  

The crowd around them collectively gasped.  

Xia Yan narrowed his eyes slightly. “Huo Ruihe, do you know what you’re saying? Out of respect for the Huo family, I’ll give you a chance to take back what you said.”  

Although the Huo family patriarch was only an earl, one rank below a duke, they had been loyal to the throne since the empire’s inception.  

They were the sharpest sword, the sturdiest shield, the king’s most trusted confidants and hounds.  

For centuries, their loyalty had never wavered.  

If Xia Yan ascended the throne, Huo Ruihe would be expected to protect him, to cheer for him, to bow down in loyalty. But here this sword was, challenging the one most likely to become king.  

Huo Ruihe’s expression remained resolute. “I challenge you for the top spot.”  

Xia Yan let out a cold laugh, forcing out five words between clenched teeth: “Very well, Huo Ruihe.”  

“…”  

“It seems the Huo family should consider changing heirs. That split-branch cousin of yours, Huo Xinheng, is much better—knows what he should and shouldn’t do.”  

With that, Xia Yan jumped down from the high platform with ease.  

Although he was slightly shorter than Huo Ruihe, his imposing aura completely overshadowed him. He looked Huo Ruihe in the eye and said, “In one month, at Training Ground No. 3, I’ll be waiting for your crushing defeat.”  

Huo Ruihe’s face turned pale, but he didn’t back down.  

Seeing this, Xia Yan’s anger grew. “A month should be enough for you to settle family matters and enjoy your last bit of pride.”  

Walking out of the training hall into the light, Xia Yan’s golden eyes glinted in the sun, like a sword sheathed, and the crowd instinctively parted to make way.  

“Thank the young master for his mercy, giving you one last act of kindness.”  

“…”  

Two of Xia Yan’s lackeys mocked him before quickly following after their master.  

Huo Ruihe clenched his fists, the veins bulging on the backs of his hands. One of his friends came over with a worried expression. “He was just given the Gardner name last month and is riding the wave—why provoke him?”  

“I’m sorry, this is all my fault.” Edwin looked remorseful. “If I had been more careful and hadn’t touched that violin…”  

Huo Ruihe shook his head. “Don’t worry about it; this isn’t your fault. Even without you, there would’ve been someone else he bullied. The reason I stepped up…”  

He paused for a moment. “Precisely because his last name is ‘Gardner’, I had to act to show him his mistakes.”  

If he isn’t corrected now, it’ll be worse once he’s king, and no one can rein him in.  

The king’s hounds do more than obey blindly. In times of need, they’ll use blood and life to ensure the king stays on the right path.  

His friend understood his veiled intentions. “But can you beat him?”  

“…I’ll increase my training this month,” Huo Ruihe replied in a low voice.  

His friend gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder. “Go for it.”  

—

The mecha training class was Class A’s last session for the day.  

Xia Yan sat in the school cafeteria. Around him was an empty space, evidence of his notorious status—everyone was afraid of getting bitten by the “mad dog.”  

He cut into the steak his minions had fetched for him, eating his dinner slowly as the system panel opened in his mind.  

[Main Mission:

Task Two: Accept Huo Ruihe’s challenge. (Completed)  

Task Three: Deceive the space pirate Ian Hyde and obtain the mecha design blueprint. (Incomplete)  

Task Four: Defeat Huo Ruihe. (Incomplete)  

Task Five: Pending.] 

Huo Ruihe was an authentic S-level warrior, stronger than the original owner’s pseudo-S-level. However, due to his mild character, he rarely competed, even stepping back in practice battles if they happened to face each other.  

One attacked ferociously.  

The other, due to his nature, instinctively held back.  

This led everyone to believe the original owner was stronger than Huo Ruihe. But this time, Huo Ruihe was clearly determined to go all out. If they truly fought, Xia Yan would lose.  

Therefore, to secure victory, he first needed to complete Task Three—obtain the blueprint to use a superior mecha to defeat Huo Ruihe.  

One month was the time he set for himself.  

Xia Yan planned out his tasks meticulously.

Class A students, being in close contact with Xia Yan, were well aware of his arrogant personality and thus disliked him. However, students from other classes, who had fewer encounters with him, were awestruck, especially drawn to the allure of his golden eyes.

During dinner, several students stole glances at him from the shadows, their eyes filled with admiration for his strength. They whispered excitedly among themselves.

Class A students: “…” Open your eyes, people!

Some lower-status students from smaller, peripheral families, hoping to curry favor with the Xia family’s sole heir, eagerly greeted him. Xia Yan merely nodded indifferently, not saying a single word, embodying arrogance to the fullest.

Feeling awkward, the ones who tried to make small talk quickly withdrew.

This character persona was, by far, the easiest for Xia Yan to play among the three worlds he had transmigrated into; he only had to channel his past social anxiety.

“Young Master, someone on the forums has started a poll for your match with Huo Ruihe,” Bernie said, angrily glaring at his device.

Xia Yan swallowed his last bite of steak and took a sip of red wine with a leisurely grace, as if the issue didn’t warrant even a spare glance.

Bernie’s family was loyal to the Xia family, and he’d been Xia Yan’s die-hard supporter since childhood, unwavering in his belief that Xia Yan would become king.

“Unbelievable! Eleven percent actually think Huo Ruihe will win—what a bunch of brainless idiots!” Bernie cursed, rolling up his sleeves and diving into the argument online.

Finding it hard to keep up alone, he prodded his friend.

A 6’3” tall, broad-shouldered, bronze-skinned guy with a simple face: “Gong Chang’an, get on the forums and back me up, hurry up.”

Gong Chang’an nodded slowly, his movements sluggish, prompting Bernie to give him a swift kick in exasperation.

“Move it already!”

“Oh.”

Xia Yan’s two lackeys were an amusing pair: one quick-tempered and sharp-tongued, the other strong but simple-minded, always a bit slow on the uptake.

The virtual keyboard on their devices made no clicking sound.

From Xia Yan’s angle, he could only see Bernie’s fingers flying across the screen.

After finishing the last bite of beef, Xia Yan wiped his mouth with a napkin, stood up, and, without saying a word, strode off in the direction of the dorms.

As if a “master” would need a “servant’s” permission to leave.

“Hey, hey, Young Master…!” Bernie called after him, glancing between Xia Yan’s receding figure and the forum comments. After a brief moment of internal conflict, he saw something infuriating, spat out a curse, and dove back into the argument.

The Imperial Central Military Academy assigned students to double dorm rooms.

This was said to foster student cooperation, and room changes weren’t allowed. Even the previous Crown Prince, the current Emperor, had shared a room when he attended the Academy.

Despite his reluctance, Xia Yan had no choice but to put up with a roommate.

On the capital planet, Morning Star, there were two suns, which provided ample light even for a dazzling sunset with vibrant hues. Golden rays streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on the man who was reading.

Soft golden hair draped over his shoulders, and his clear sky-blue eyes reflected the scarlet sunset, remaining cool and detached without a hint of warmth.

The man sat at his desk, quietly turning the pages of an ancient book. His model-like, perfectly proportioned face gave him an almost mechanical, unearthly beauty.

This was Ludwig.

The emperor’s lost son and the protagonist gong in the original story.

Xia Yan stood at the door, unable to resist studying him for a few more moments before stepping into the dorm room. The next second, his system panel refreshed with a new side mission.

[Daily Task: Bully Ludwig. (0/1)]