After realizing it was just a false alarm, Deya and Ouyang Tao put away their weapons. They pushed their carts back while clarifying the situation. Ouyang Tao felt more at ease—no Imperial Guards were around either of them.

“So you weren’t even in the hospital during the attack?” Deya asked. “That girl from the Arcane Library saved you instead?”

“Right,” Ouyang Tao replied. “Since no body was found, they declared me missing?”

“Hmm. But at Augustus College, missing basically means dead.” Deya glanced at his cart. “You’re really diligent. Just narrowly escaped death and you’re already grinding this hard? So eager to beat me?”

Ever since their freshman orientation match ended in a draw days ago, Deya had been unable to let it go. She hadn’t expected Ouyang Tao—coming from humble origins, not formally trained—to play so unpredictably. It had thrown her off completely.

Plus, his last-minute use of her Mech to pull through was another miscalculation. Still, if she’d stayed calm back then, Deya had countless ways to win. This time, she was giving it her all to reclaim the advantage next duel.

That said, she had no guaranteed victory. So she couldn’t relax, pouring effort into new techniques. Who knew what weird tricks Ouyang Tao would pull out next?

But Ouyang Tao didn’t take this rivalry too seriously—not like Deya. “I know I can’t beat you. Last time was pure luck.”

“Pure luck? Hmph, how can you even say that!” Deya frowned. “Do you know how many people have wanted that ‘luck’ over seven years?”

“You use standardized Mechs and weapons,” Ouyang Tao explained. “Your skill, polish, and personal techniques are top-notch—that’s why you’re the General. I just used something unfamiliar. Call it luck. But I know tricks won’t last.”

“Hmph. At least you’re self-aware.” Though true, hearing it from him annoyed her. “But your attitude still pisses me off.”

“What did I do now?” Ouyang Tao was confused.

Deya seized the chance to lay it bare. “Don’t get cocky over a little talent. Plenty at the College are stronger than you.”

“I know?”

“Then what was your attitude at the welcome banquet?”

“Hey, you bring that up!” Ouyang Tao’s tone hardened. “You all laughed together while leaving me out. And yeah, I’m poor—I’ve never eaten Western food. I didn’t want to starve, so I ate my way. Problem?”

“You…” Deya felt her argument crumble. She’d been isolated too—as the only girl in the Mechanical Department, she’d been ignored at her own welcome banquet. But she dodged the guilt. “What’s in those crates?”

“My newly made weapons. Want a look?”

“Huh?” Deya paused, then chuckled dryly. “You really have zero caution.”

“What now?”

“Seriously? I’m your rival. Showing me your tech—is that wise?”

“Why not? Sharing ideas pushes everyone forward.” Ouyang Tao shrugged. “You’re a senior. Might even give tips.”

He stopped and opened three weapon crates. Deya, an expert, spotted it instantly. “An upgraded Rapid Electricity model? I never expected you’d refine this weapon—and three versions?”

“Yeah. Just take a look.”

“Don’t mind if I do.” This was intel on her opponent. Deya picked up a Rapid Electricity Longbow, examined it, then disassembled a round. She studied the other two variants in silence, her expression growing odd. Finally: “How long did these take?”

“Two or three days? Why?”

“N-nothing…” Only two days to turn a failed prototype into this? A bitter taste filled her mouth. “Clever of you.”

“Heh. The ideas weren’t mine. Edward taught me. I just built them.”

At that name, a trace of disdain crossed Deya’s face. “Edward? That pushover dreamer? You two are close, huh?”

“He’s a noble’s heir. Show some respect,” Ouyang Tao said firmly. “Edward’s not just dreaming. His limits held him back.”

“Same thing. Elemental weaponization, mana shields, Mech legion combos—even magic Mechs. Everyone wants those. But they’re impossible.”

“You’ve read his papers?”

“Read? He bragged about them daily. I scolded him for it.”

Ouyang Tao fell silent. “Dreamer” and “pushover” explained Edward’s standing.

“Still,” Deya mused, reassembling the weapons, “if someone actually made his crazy ideas real… they’d be terrifying. Wish he’d focused on practical stuff earlier.”

Ouyang Tao closed the crates casually. “You never asked, did you?”

“Of course not! Tech is strictly confidential. No one shares details.” Even as she said it, Deya sensed the flaw.

“Exactly. You didn’t ask, so he didn’t tell.” Ouyang Tao spread his hands. “Simple.”

“So you asked him?”

“Obviously. He gave me three upgrade plans. All good, so I built all three.”

“And you just showed me? What if I copy or improve them to crush you next time?” That’s why the Mechanical Department guarded secrets.

Ouyang Tao sighed deeply, shaking his head. His tone turned serious. “Senior Deya, I thought you’d see past this.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” His pity stung worse than rudeness.

“Our rivalry isn’t life or death. Just grades and pride. Small stuff. On the real battlefield, we’ll fight for the same country.”

“…” Deya pressed her lips shut. Such a simple truth—why hadn’t she seen it?

Ouyang Tao stopped in an open area. “This is far enough. I’ll stay here.”

Deya sensed the shift—a hero’s resolve, like marching to certain doom. “What are you doing?”

“Waiting for someone. You go ahead.” His voice was firm.

Should she stay to watch? She dismissed the thought. “Be careful, then.”

Outside, the sky was darkening.