A teacher questioned:
“You haven’t tried, so how do you know you have talent?”
“Instead of wasting time, just focus on these four events.”
“No need for the others.”
Mu Chenxing wasn’t angry at all. He politely asked Fu Mingyuan, “What does the principal say?”
Fu Mingyuan replied, “Aside from the mecha events limited by physique and the information engineering events that require specialized skills, you can try the rest.”
Mu Chenxing was mentally prepared and nodded. “Then, Principal, please grant me access permissions.”
He had tested it in the gymnasium—Omegas simply couldn’t activate the equipment designed for Alphas.
The other teachers were stunned:
“How can we allow that? What if something happens?”
“He’s just an Omega; four events are probably his limit. Don’t waste time.”
“Even if he could, each event takes ten days to half a month to test. That’s too much delay.”
“I don’t recommend it either. There are no such all-round geniuses in the world, let alone for an Omega.”
Fu Mingyuan’s face remained expressionless. “He’s only a first-year. What time is he wasting?”
“But… the Military Academy Competitive Sports Meet is coming up next spring.”
Fu Mingyuan shot back, “What? Do those four events of yours have no hope of good results, so you need him to save them?”
The teachers: “…”
Fu Mingyuan: “Speak up.”
The teachers exchanged glances, and one of them frowned reluctantly. “Fine, let’s give it a try.”
As reluctant as could be.
Fu Mingyuan ignored them and turned to Mu Chenxing. “How long do you roughly need to adapt to each event? Will it affect your competitions and exams?”
Mu Chenxing’s four events had all advanced to the semifinals, starting in six days.
But… it was normal to prioritize exams, but prioritizing competitions—especially an Omega’s?
These teachers should value his coaching ability, right?
Mu Chenxing looked at Fu Mingyuan. “Principal, what do you mean…?”
Fu Mingyuan said, “I’ve seen your training records from the gymnasium. Your stats improved dramatically in such a short time. Based on your current state, this isn’t your peak yet. I hope you prepare well for the competitions, make it through the semifinals, and represent the school at the All-Alliance Military Academy Competitive Sports Meet.”
The teachers: “!!”
Zhang Yunli: “!!”
Tong Xiao and the other two, who hadn’t dared speak: “!!”
Mu Chenxing: “I’m just an Omega. Can I compete too?”
Fu Mingyuan: “This is a military academy, and you’re a cadet. Military academies train warriors for the battlefield. If an Alpha is useless, they’ll die on the front lines too.”
He swept his gaze over the stunned teachers. “You’ve been away from the border too long and forgotten why you’re standing here.”
The teachers fell silent.
Mu Chenxing, however, was satisfied. As expected from someone who’s been to the battlefield—he knows his priorities.
Mu Chenxing glanced at them and smiled. “Alright, then I’ll give it my all and aim to advance first.”
In just a few words, the arrangements for what came next were settled.
The other teachers added Mu Chenxing’s contact info and left.
Fu Mingyuan glanced at Tong Xiao and the others. “You three, wait outside for a bit.”
Tong Xiao and crew: “?”
Still, they knew Mu Chenxing had stayed at the principal’s house for several days. He’d even shared details about Zhang Yunli and his spouse’s personalities, so they weren’t worried at all. They just paused in surprise before excusing themselves.
Once they were gone, Zhang Yunli asked puzzledly, “Is there something else?”
Fu Mingyuan: “There’s something I need your help with.”
He was speaking to Zhang Yunli.
Zhang Yunli was even more baffled. “Me?”
Mu Chenxing was puzzled too.
Fu Mingyuan explained, “Mu Chenxing’s stats in September were average for an Omega. Though he’s been training these past two months, the progress is too rapid. I sent a copy of his recent training data to Pei Yao; he’ll come by in a few days.”
Zhang Yunli frowned instantly. “You mean Xingxing’ condition might still be influenced by Pei Yao?”
Mu Chenxing: “…”
Fu Mingyuan nodded. “It’s possible. Whatever data is needed then, you can test it with him.”
Mu Chenxing hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back. After a moment, he shut his mouth.
Fu Mingyuan looked at him.
Mu Chenxing immediately said obediently, “I’ll cooperate too.”
Zhang Yunli ruffled his hair.
Fu Mingyuan smiled faintly. “That’s for Yunli to worry about. I just wanted to tell you that hoping you’ll make the finals and represent the school at the sports meet was actually Pei Yao’s idea.”
Mu Chenxing froze.
“Before yesterday, I thought you had great potential, but I believed the Alliance’s military districts didn’t need exceptional Omegas. If the Alliance had to put Omegas on the front lines, it would mean the Alliance was already doomed.”
Fu Mingyuan sighed. “But Pei Yao said what I just told you.”
…Which words?
—The military academy trains warriors for the battlefield. If an Alpha is useless, they’ll die on the front lines too?
That image of the figure with bent legs under the streetlamp unexpectedly surfaced in his mind.
Mu Chenxing lowered his eyes, hiding the emotions within.
Fu Mingyuan didn’t seem to wait for a reply. “I’ve served in the military for years, but now I’m your principal. I have to make this clear to you in advance.”
Mu Chenxing refocused and stood straight. “Please go ahead.”
“The Military Academy Competitive Sports Meet isn’t child’s play. If you—or the Omegas from your Association—show too much talent, it might be fine if you graduate to other military districts. But under Pei Yao’s command… given his style, you’re very likely to end up on the front lines.”
Zhang Yunli’s face changed instantly. “How can that be?!”
Fu Mingyuan held him back and looked gravely at Mu Chenxing. “I hope you and the other Omegas from the Association think this through carefully—especially you.”
“If you make the finals and represent the academy at the Alliance events, you’ll end up on the front lines someday. Other districts might hold you back, but Pei Yao will definitely pull you over. At that point, no one can guarantee your safety or life.”
Zhang Yunli looked at Mu Chenxing worriedly.
Mu Chenxing said earnestly, “If my abilities aren’t up to it, I won’t push myself. But you and Pei Yao both said this is a military academy, and we’re cadets. A soldier’s duty is to head to the border, fend off Star Beasts, and protect comrades, isn’t it? If I can do it, why wouldn’t I?”
Fu Mingyuan stared at him for a few seconds and sighed. “I understand.”
Mu Chenxing smiled. “Don’t worry, Principal. That’s just my personal view, but I’ll convey all the risks to the Omegas in our Association and let them consider carefully.”
“Good.”
…
The preliminaries ended, leaving over twenty people for the semifinals in the four events.
Only 50 out of 300 would advance.
Mu Chenxing chatted in the group for over an hour, breaking down Fu Mingyuan’s concerns in detail and sharing them thoroughly. Then he reminded everyone to resume daily runs tomorrow.
The group: “!!”
“Why run more?”
“Isn’t it dangerous?!”
“Didn’t you say just mess around in semis?”
“Aren’t we just going through the motions?”
Mu Chenxing: “Compete casually if you want, but daily runs keep your fitness up. If you aim for the sports meet later, a solid base lets you charge ahead. If not, it still keeps you healthy. Offense when advancing, defense when retreating—why skip runs?”
The group wailed.
That said, when Mu Chenxing arrived at the Association for training the next day, he saw those twenty-plus semifinalists—including his three wailing roommates.
Not just them—other Omegas without classes or who hadn’t qualified came too.
He paused and asked, “Didn’t you all say yesterday you weren’t training?”
Tong Xiao: “This is the first time in my life I’ve made semifinals in a competition—and such a cool Shooting one! I’m going for it! Even if I don’t make finals, a top rank lets me brag forever!”
Xia Weizhen: “My Dance Machine skills are this good; it’d be a waste not to compete. I’ve got three and a half years till graduation—I can slack off after.”
Tao Xirui: “I-I… Those guys on the School Forum still look down on us. I can’t let everyone down!”
The others chimed in—some to show off, some saying they had years left. They all wanted to push.
Even the non-qualifiers wanted to spar as practice partners, to slap the faces of those smug Alphas on the forum.
Mu Chenxing looked around, chuckled helplessly, and nodded. “Alright, let’s train!”
Days of intense training followed, with even the sparring partners pushing hard, determined not to look bad.
Amid the busy tension, time flew by—semifinals arrived in a flash.
Their four events were all on the same day.
Most Omegas had only one left, but Mu Chenxing had to compete in four.
This time, the crowd outside the venue was huge.
Not Alpha students or teachers—but Betas and Omegas.
Tons of them.
Mu Chenxing and the others gathered half an hour early outside the venue, waiting for the start. They watched groups of Omegas and Betas streaming in from all directions. Many Omegas shyly approached, tugging at sleeves, whispering “Good luck!” before fleeing.
This repeated.
Mu Chenxing thought for a moment and asked his teammates, “New posts on the School Forum?”
“No idea. These days I’ve been dead tired—crash and sleep, no time for forums.”
“Me too.”
“Finally made it to today! If I compete again, call me trash!”
“Don’t jinx it—what if we come back next year?”
Mu Chenxing was speechless and turned to the accompanying Omegas.
“Didn’t notice.”
“Me neither.”
Tong Xiao was scrolling the forum. “No posts like that. Probably not.”
Mu Chenxing: “…Oh.”
Zhang Yunli: “It’s about to start. Ignore the small stuff—focus on breathing!”
The entry bell rang right on cue.
Mu Chenxing smiled at everyone and led the way in.
In Precision Strike semifinals, 17 Omegas competed… only 1 spot in the top 50.
The top talent after Mu Chenxing in the Association, Xia Weizhen, pounded his chest. “Damn, one more month and I’d have it!”
Mu Chenxing: “…”
So much for slacking off?
Zhang Yunli, thrilled, sent a voice message to Fu Mingyuan in front of all the students: “Mingyuan, Xingxing made finals! He really did it!! Oh my god!”
Mu Chenxing: “…”
He turned to leave, only to face a crowd of unfamiliar Omegas staring eagerly.
“Don’t stare!” Zhang Yunli and Tong Xiao flanked him, dragging him to a picnic blanket nearby. “Rest up quick, save your energy for the next one.”
The Association Omegas pulled out their bags:
“Water?”
“Hard match—have a cookie for energy.”
“Sugar here.”
“Wet wipes too.”
“I have…”
Over sixty Omegas sat down, unpacking a mountain of snacks and munching away.
Even Zhang Yunli grabbed a drink, gulping it down. “So tense.”
He reminded Mu Chenxing and the Obstacle Course group, “Don’t eat—you’ll mess up your performance.”
Only four in Obstacle Course!!
These “logistics” guys—minus the ones who’d just competed like Xia Weizhen—still numbered over forty. Each brought a bit, piling snacks into mountains… but not a bite for the four competitors?!
Mu Chenxing eyed the clusters of seated Omegas and the feast for dozens, utterly speechless—this was Omega logistics?
The sentiment was real, but aside from water, Mu Chenxing got nothing else.
Because he had four events that day, he couldn’t risk anything.
Fortunately, he advanced smoothly in all four—dead last in each. The other Association members were all eliminated.
He’d expected as much, so no big deal.
But when the last event’s results came out, not just the Association Omegas screamed and cheered—the distant crowds of Omegas and Betas cheered too.
Some even snapped photos and videos.
Mu Chenxing mused inwardly, Guess I got to be a star for once.
He covered his ears and, together with the dozen or so Omegas who had competed alongside him, struggled to squeeze back into the “picnic area.” Only then did he notice Fu Mingyuan was there too, along with several familiar school leaders.
He quickly lowered his hands to greet them.
Fu Mingyuan’s gaze toward him held a hint of complexity. Upon hearing the greeting, he simply nodded. “Congratulations on advancing to the finals.”
He pointed to a middle-aged man with frosted temples beside him. “This is Yuan Hong. From now on, listen to him.”
Mu Chenxing wasn’t sure if he meant the four competition events or the experimental project. He hesitated, then said, “I’ll do my best.”
Fu Mingyuan frowned.
Yuan Hong sized him up, his voice cutting clearly through the deafening noise. “No ‘doing your best.’ I’ve checked your class schedule. After class tomorrow, come find me at the Combat Command Academy.”
…It seemed this teacher was a bit tough to deal with.
