TCFGBH Chapter 91

The Xia family was an immense power, with vast wealth and influence. Students and even teachers sponsored by their resources were more than willing to serve Xia Yan.

Modifying a weapon wasn’t particularly difficult. Two mecha engineers worked through the night and completed the weapon modification by morning.

From that day onward, Xia Yan spent his days training with his teammates, teasing Ludwig during their lunch breaks to fulfill his daily quota of mischief.

At night, back in his dorm, he logged into the virtual world to accompany the protagonist shou—continuing mecha battles together.

Ian: “…”

He had joined to spend quality time with the little beauty and savor the sweetness of romance. Why did it feel like he was just being used as a sparring partner?!

When Xia Yan suggested another round of mecha battles, Ian finally couldn’t hold back. He subtly proposed, “I heard there’s an art festival on Fell Street. How about we go and take a look?”

“This…” Xia Yan was currently obsessed with mechas and couldn’t get enough training every day. He had no interest in an art festival and wasn’t keen on going.

Blinking, he put on a perfectly measured look of concern and calmly said, “We have a live combat simulation the day after tomorrow, and our opponents are the Zerg.”

—Which military academy could manage to bring in Zerg for training? You don’t need me to tell you, do you?

“It’s my first live combat, and I need plenty of practice.”

—Military academies typically start live combat in the third year.

“I’ve always been first in my year and will remain so,” the youth declared arrogantly, lifting his head with a firm and determined expression. “I won’t allow any mistakes in my life, no blemishes whatsoever.”

Summarized information:

Imperial Central Military Academy, third-year, top-ranking student.

Xia Yan had already let slip a lot of information before, but he still worried that the protagonist shou might not find him, causing the plotline to go off course. Since the opportunity presented itself today, he practically handed over his identity on a silver platter.

With the youth’s determined gaze fixed on him, who could possibly refuse his request?

Ian ran a hand through his naturally curly red hair. His green cat-like eyes gazed up at Xia Yan as he leaned against the youth’s arm, nestling into his embrace with a dependent air.

In a soft and coy voice, Ian said, “Yan Yan is amazing! Okay then, we’ll do mecha battles today, and after your training, we can go on a date, alright?”

Who would’ve guessed that the real-world Ian, a burly star pirate over 1.8 meters tall, was such a soft and affectionate puppy in the virtual world?

Hearing this, Xia Yan’s face showed a moment of confusion. “Aren’t we already on a date?”

“…”

The youth’s tone was utterly natural, his clear, bright eyes focused solely on Ian. For a moment, Ian’s breath hitched, his heart pounding as his teeth itched.

Suppressing the sudden urge to pin Xia Yan down and sink his teeth into that slender, pale neck, Ian gritted his teeth before replying, “Mm-hmm. You’re right; we’ve been on a date all along.”

Mecha training was boring.

But if this counted as a date…

What had been a dull activity suddenly became special, given new meaning by one person’s simple words.

When Ian logged out of the virtual world, his eyes still held a hint of a smile, and his entire demeanor seemed unusually gentle.

His subordinate couldn’t help but ask, “Boss, did you and the little beauty enjoy the art festival today? Did things get more romantic?”

“Ah… We didn’t go to the art festival.”

“Then did you catch a movie together?”

Ian shook his head.

The subordinate looked puzzled at first but then seemed to think of something, blushing as he chuckled nervously. “Could it be that you two…”

Ian: “?”

Lowering his voice, the subordinate said, “…got intimate?”

“…” Ian’s mouth twitched as he kicked the man, sending him tumbling to the corner. “Stop letting your brain be ruled by hormones all day. We just went on a date.”

Their first time together had to be in a luxurious hotel, surrounded by romantic lighting, flowers, and music.

For someone who had clawed his way up from the depths of despair, Ian was surprisingly sentimental when it came to love.

The subordinate rubbed his head where it had hit the wall, stood up nonchalantly, and continued prying, “Boss, where exactly did you two go for your date?”

Ian hesitated for a second, suspiciously slow: “The mecha training ground.”

“???” It took the subordinate a full five seconds to process this before blurting out, “But… haven’t you two always been training?”

“Mm.”

“Then why did you ask me for date suggestions…” He had recommended the art festival, yet the two ended up training again. How was this any different from before?

Though the question went unspoken, his face was filled with confusion.

Ian glanced at him lightly. “You wouldn’t understand our relationship.”

“…”

“He trains but still thinks of dating me.” He has me in his heart.

The subordinate opened his mouth but closed it again, his expression a mix of disbelief and resignation.

Help! My boss seems to be a lovesick fool. What should I do?!

In a cheerful mood, Ian picked up a pen to continue working on a mecha design. However, a sudden thought struck him, and he looked up. “By the way, investigate something for me.”

He relayed the information Xia Yan had shared in a few concise words.

The subordinate immediately turned serious. “Only two military academies can afford to airlift Zerg for student training. As far as I know, they are the Imperial Central Military Academy and the Federation’s First Military Academy.”

These two institutions pooled the top resources of their respective nations.

“A live combat simulation the day after tomorrow?” The subordinate rubbed his chin. “I’ll have someone look into it. We should have the information by tomorrow at the latest.”

As star pirates operating at the border of two empires, their intelligence network focused primarily on military forces. Students still in school rarely warranted their attention.

Ian nodded. “Good, make it quick.”

“By the way, boss…” The subordinate hesitated briefly. “Are we investigating this for our sister-in-law?”

“…”

“We’re star pirates, and he’s a military academy student. Doesn’t that make us natural enemies?” The subordinate gasped, his imagination running wild as he conjured a dramatic tale of forbidden love.

Ian thought seriously for a moment. “We can clean up our act.”

They became the first star pirates not through plundering merchants but by selling mecha design blueprints. Most of their designs were sold on a profit-sharing basis, with only a few being outright purchases.

Ian received a 15% cut for every blueprint sold, which had amassed into a staggering fortune over time.

Looking down at the blueprint on his desk, Ian mused. If this design met expectations, it would be enough to make even the strongest nations accept him with open arms.

“Cleaning up our act will be dangerous,” the subordinate suggested. “Why not just kidnap the sister-in-law and bring him here?”

Ian’s eyes flashed with a warning. “This isn’t the place for him.”

The radiant youth, so dazzling that he seemed to shine, belonged in the light—where he could receive the admiration and love of everyone. Not hidden in the shadows of the border, forgotten and unknown.

“And… stop calling him ‘sister-in-law.’” At the thought of the youth’s personality, a rare, soft smile curved Ian’s lips. “If he heard that, he’d probably crush your throat.”

The subordinate shuddered violently at the words, instinctively touching his Adam’s apple. “That vicious?”

Ian said, “If he hasn’t snapped your neck yet, isn’t that gentle enough?”

The subordinate: “???” Boss, do you have some misunderstanding about what gentleness means?

–

Two days passed in the blink of an eye, and soon it was time for the third-year’s first live combat exercise.

Training Ground No. 1.

Three instructors, responsible for scoring the exercise, sat in the front row. The patrol squad, tasked with rescuing students if necessary, had already taken their positions. A pale blue barrier rose, encircling the center of the training ground to prevent the Zerg from escaping.

Because live combat exercises were rare, the surrounding stands were packed with spectators—first-years, second-years, and third-years whose turns had not yet come.

What was unusual, however, was the presence of a significant number of fourth- and fifth-year students who weren’t out on internships.

This was likely due to Xia Yan’s participation. As the most promising candidate for the throne, his every action attracted immense attention.

Currently, rumors on the forums about the rejection Xia Yan faced from Class 3-A added to the intrigue.

Class 3-A had fifty students, divided into ten teams of five for the exercise. The teams would compete in order, from Team One to Team Ten.

The first team piloted their mechas and entered the training ground. Among them were four A-rank team members and one B-rank, making them not as formidable as an S-rank team but still strong contenders.

Boom!

A deafening roar echoed as a heavy iron gate slowly opened. Five Zerg, each towering three meters tall, marched into the arena, following the sole exit.