CHAPTER 588: CHAPTER 588: FINAL EXAM

The individual competition this year has concluded, with the first place for freshmen taken by a contestant from the East District named Little Shengsheng.

The winner for the sophomores was a contestant from the East District who goes by ’He Bi’.

For the junior year, the champion was a contestant from the North District named ’Defeating Bai Ji’.

And for seniors, a North District contestant called ’Stir-fried Bitter Gourd’ clinched the victory.

In summary, compared to previous years, aside from the dominating North District, this year’s East District also caught many by surprise. Particularly noteworthy are the freshmen, with all finalists in the competition hailing from the East District.

After the competition ended, the forum practically turned into a celebratory frenzy for people from the East District.

As for the forum, Ji You and the others didn’t bother checking it out; she only glanced briefly at the top of each year’s leaderboard. She skipped over the juniors and seniors, as they weren’t very familiar to her, and instead focused on that sophomore contestant named ’He Bi’.

That name—

It’s certainly easy to let one’s imagination run wild.

But!

Who said that scumbag He Bi was so strong?

Cough, cough...

Although, during the school’s opening exercises, He Bi was the top sophomore contender, but now we’re talking about all sophomores across the entire Alliance. Besides, such an obviously recognizable name like ’He Bi’ is prone to being targeted.

Surely scumbag He Bi couldn’t be that careless, right?

Training room.

Even after the competition, students continued to enthusiastically discuss the process and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the contestants...

Teacher Mu Jianling didn’t intervene. Once the discussions had mostly subsided, Mu Jianling finally said, "The singles event has ended, but there are still team competitions ahead. I hope those who have made it to the team finals will prepare well."

"As for those who didn’t participate—"

"Buckle down and train with vigor."

"This term’s final exams are set in the outskirts of the Sixth Star System and remember, if you don’t pass the assessment—"

Mu Jianling left the rest unsaid, but students could already feel a chill in the air from the monotone and flat delivery...

Mu Jianling looked down at the students below her gaze pausing briefly on Chu Jiaojiao, Ji You, and Shen Changqing before suddenly noting, "Those who performed well in this competition, don’t become too self-congratulatory. Just because you’re awesome at virtual mech piloting doesn’t mean you won’t be a complete noob with a real mech."

Students: "..."

Mu Jianling: "Don’t believe me?"

Students quickly nodded their heads: "Believe, believe, believe..."

Piloting a real mech primarily examines a person’s mental and physical coordination with the mech. This issue, on the other hand, is significantly reduced in a holographic simulation online.

People with strong individual talents, such as Ji You with exceptional spiritual power, Chu Jiaojiao with beast-like physical strength, are examples. Such people are incredibly strong in one aspect, and when piloting mechs in a holographic network, they can even overturn or suppress their weaknesses by relying on their spiritual power or physical strength alone, making them overpowering and badass in combat.

In reality though?

When actually piloting a mech, Ji You’s physical shortcomings, Chu Jiaojiao’s limitations in spiritual power, are all glaringly obvious – they must be improved through repeated training and effort.

After Mu Jianling finished speaking the points above and took out examples such as Rag Queen and Drunk Lying on the Beauty’s Knee, she suddenly asked, "Rag Queen, Drunk Lying on the Beauty’s Knee, did you two hear what I just said?"

Students: "!!!!"

Ji You and Chu Jiaojiao widened their eyes in shock: "!!!!"

Chu Jiaojiao spoke loudly: "Teacher, I understand. I will earnestly heed your advice and train diligently, never becoming prideful or complacent."

The students collectively turned to look at Chu Jiaojiao—

So Drunk Lying on the Beauty’s Knee was this beast Chu Jiaojiao.

Many had a sudden realization, but of course, most had already guessed as much. When Mu Jianling mentioned that Rag Queen and Drunk Lying on the Beauty’s Knee were part of their Combat Department, it cemented the suspicion into truth, and no one was surprised.

That leaves one question—

Who is Rag Queen?

Chu Jiaojiao stood up voluntarily, and although she didn’t verbally confirm that she was Drunk Lying on the Beauty’s Knee, there was no longer any need to clarify.

Rag Queen, huh?

Ji You’s mouth stiffened, quite at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

Is this teacher toxic or what?

Determined to see me fall, aren’t they?

Fortunately, I’m mentally tough, not like that idiot Chu Jiaojiao who got exposed the moment she opened her mouth. Without saying a word, I just sat there, squeezed out a smile towards Teacher Mu Jianling:

[I won’t make a sound.]

[Not a peep!]

Who is it?

Who could it be?

The students looked at each other, with question marks popping up in their minds. This Rag Queen, notorious for sneaky tactics, numerous tricks, thick skin like a city wall, and especially fond of acting, truly the epitome of drama...

Such a talent, and they’re our classmate?

Speculation abounded for a while with many trying to match the characteristics of the Rag Queen and eliminating candidates. Ji You shrunk her neck down, performing quail-like to perfection... Though a few guessed it was her, seeing her demeanor quickly led them to rule her out.

Mu Jianling didn’t intend to force students to speak up. With a stern face, she continued: "You’ve been training in the Combat Department for almost a semester. Before the end of term exams, everyone must pass the Basic Mecha Driving Assessment and obtain a Basic Driving License, only then can you participate in the final exams."

The students: "???"

Yue Qiguang raised his hand and asked: "Teacher, what if we can’t get the driving license?"

Mu Jianling glanced at him and replied: "Do I even need to say? No eligibility for the final exam, and your score for this term will be zero."

The students: "..."

Instantly—

The entire training room fell deathly silent.

After a while,

Someone spoke: "Not having the license means not even qualifying for the final exams, isn’t that a bit too harsh?"

"Haven’t heard of this rule in the past years?"

"Since when did this rule change?"

...

Mu Jianling, arms folded, responded to the students’ questions: "It’s a rule that changed this year, yes, starting with your cohort specifically."

Upon hearing this, the students immediately voiced their grievances—

"Damn it!"

"We’re really out of luck."

"What kind of dog luck is this?"

"The school is changing rules on a whim, shouldn’t there be a declaration in advance, or perhaps a vote to seek the students’ opinions?"

...

The students’ discontent didn’t make Mu Jianling furrow her brow. She crossed her arms and suddenly scoffed: "When a Star Beast wants to kill you, will it ask for your opinion? When an enemy wants to slaughter you, will they ask if you’re willing to die?"

The students: "..."

Mu Jianling sneered: "As a Combat Department student, after a semester, if you can’t even get a Basic Mecha Driver’s License, it’s a disgrace!"

The students: "..."

Mu Jianling said: "What about it, shall I record this moment to show how foolish you look right now?"

The students: "..."

Nobody dared to speak, nor did anyone dare to talk back to Teacher Mu Jianling. Everyone just quietly listened to the instructions, obediently bowed their heads, quail-like.