Pei Yao spoke up to change the subject. “Shooting can be adapted to slowly later. Let’s continue testing the other events for now.”
But Yuan Hong stared at Mu Chenxing. “Your shooting—”
“Teacher Yuan,” Pei Yao said with a smile on his face, “we should test first. The competitions he’s entering next year aren’t just shooting, and his talents aren’t limited to shooting either. If we fixate on shooting, I’m afraid we’ll delay you getting home for dinner.”
Yuan Hong paused, glanced at Mu Chenxing, and changed his tune. “Fine, test first.”
The three of them left the Shooting Range and headed to the other training fields.
As soon as they entered, they saw thick ropes of unknown material, as thick as wrists, hanging from the tall dome ceiling in the inner field. A dozen or so Alphas dangled and swung from them.
Three shallow gray walls were also fitted with ropes, and plenty of Alphas leaped and climbed on them at high speeds.
Mu Chenxing looked up at the students at varying heights—even some spinning mid-air—and felt a surge of familiarity.
No matter the world, as long as humans hadn’t evolved beyond their form, rope-climbing events like these would probably always exist.
Pei Yao beside him chuckled, however. “Old man, this stuff is still a bit tough for newbies. Putting it first on day one really isn’t going easy on him, is it?”
Yuan Hong snorted coldly. “Does putting it later make it not tough? There are no easy events in military fitness tests. Since he wants to try all the Military Academy’s physical training projects, he should be mentally prepared.”
Pei Yao shrugged helplessly toward Mu Chenxing. “Can’t help you here.”
Mu Chenxing nodded. “I know. I’m already mentally prepared. I haven’t touched many of these events, so as long as the teacher doesn’t mind me embarrassing myself, that’s fine.”
Yuan Hong’s expression softened a bit. He pointed to the ropes on the wall. “Give it a try. See how high you can climb.”
Mu Chenxing: “Is there a time limit?”
Yuan Hong: “Just climb up, that’s enough.”
Mu Chenxing: “…”
He hesitated a little.
Pei Yao: “Is there a problem?”
Mu Chenxing glanced at Yuan Hong and answered honestly. “I’m thinking—if my fitness test scores are high, should I apply to transfer majors, or keep studying nursing while handling training on the side?”
Pei Yao: “……”
Yuan Hong: “……”
Mu Chenxing looked toward the wall ropes, as if seriously pondering it.
Pei Yao sighed. “Transferring colleges isn’t suitable, at least not right now.”
Mu Chenxing: “I can guarantee my fitness test scores will be above the passing line.”
Pei Yao: “You’re an Omega.”
Mu Chenxing frowned. “Does the school have rules against Omegas entering other majors?”
Pei Yao patted his head. “Kid, don’t overthink it. Of course you can transfer if your scores qualify, but the academy’s facilities and support systems need adjustments across the board. That takes time.”
“I can wait.”
Pei Yao: “Even if you transfer, you’ll probably still live in the Medical College and commute every day. And plenty of training sessions won’t include you… Facilities are easy to adjust; people are harder to change.”
…It was the truth. Mu Chenxing fell silent for two seconds and turned to Yuan Hong. “Does Teacher Yuan think the same?”
Yuan Hong snorted. “That’s not for you to worry about.”
Pei Yao looked at him. “Strength is the key that opens the door.”
Mu Chenxing: “……You mean I should go all out?”
Pei Yao smiled and nodded. “Of course.”
“Got it.” Mu Chenxing started loosening up his limbs.
Yuan Hong said coolly, “Confidence is good, but—”
Mu Chenxing charged forward.
Yuan Hong’s “but” had just left his mouth when Mu Chenxing used the momentum to leap and grab a rope on the wall.
Yuan Hong was speechless. “Newbies always—”
The Omega in his view kicked off the wall with his toes, hands alternating grips as his feet kicked the wall repeatedly. In a few breaths, he overtook the Alphas practicing on either side, slapped the big button on the rack at the highest point, spun down slickly, and landed steadily on the ground.
Yuan Hong froze.
The Alphas on both sides froze too.
Pei Yao raised a brow and whistled. “Impressive~”
Mu Chenxing glanced at his hands and walked back. “Teacher Yuan, does this score pass?”
Pei Yao: “Passes, passes.”
Yuan Hong shot him a glare, then turned to Mu Chenxing. “This is talent too?”
Mu Chenxing: “……I liked climbing trees a lot as a kid.”
Yuan Hong glared furiously. “You think I’m an idiot?”
Mu Chenxing looked innocent. “I said I had talent, but you didn’t believe me.”
Yuan Hong: “…”
Pei Yao: “Haha!”
Yuan Hong whipped his head around to glare at him. “What are you laughing at? You trying to turn the Alliance First Military Academy into the Alliance’s First Omega Military Academy?”
Pei Yao grinned. “That wouldn’t be bad. It’d definitely be a pioneer for the Alliance.”
Yuan Hong: “……”
He really didn’t want to deal with him. Turning back, he pointed to the ropes suspended in the middle of the arena, away from the walls. “Try this one.”
This time, Mu Chenxing truly hesitated. “My strength training isn’t enough yet. This one will probably be slow for me.”
Yuan Hong: “Not asking you to win a championship right now. Just try.”
Fine. Mu Chenxing had no choice but to go for it.
The ten-meter climbing rope demanded not just arm strength but body balance and little techniques too.
Mu Chenxing’s power wasn’t built up yet. He climbed to seven or eight meters before struggling, slowing down as he steadied his form and adjusted his breathing.
Yuan Hong called from below. “That’s enough. Come down.”
Mu Chenxing looked down.
Yuan Hong watched him, surrounded by a crowd of Alphas who’d stopped to look up.
—Where was Pei Yao?
The rope he hung from suddenly shook.
“Come down.” A familiar voice came from below his feet.
Mu Chenxing adjusted his position and looked down.
Pei Yao gripped his rope and looked up at him, repeating, “Come down.”
Mu Chenxing hesitated.
Pei Yao reached out with his other hand, gripping the rope above and below with both hands. His intent was crystal clear.
“…Right now!!” Mu Chenxing had zero interest in being scooped up from on high in front of everyone.
He immediately released the simple knot at his feet and slid down fast with alternating hand grips.
He’d just hit the ground when his wrist was seized.
Mu Chenxing frowned. “Don’t—”
“Scraped raw after all.” Pei Yao stared at his palm and sighed. “With such tender little hands, what are you gonna do in the future?”
Mu Chenxing: “……”
He yanked his paw back and turned toward the approaching Yuan Hong.
“Teacher Yuan—”
“Teacher, Xingxing’s hands are scraped. That’s enough for today.” Pei Yao cut him off. “I’ll take him to the Medical Building.”
Mu Chenxing hid his hands behind his back and said calmly, “It’s minor. Doesn’t affect anything.”
Yuan Hong glanced at him, then at Pei Yao. His tone was much milder than before. “I forgot rope climbing scrapes hands. My oversight—it’s about dinnertime anyway. Wrap it up for today. Hurry and treat the wound. Don’t let it get infected.”
Mu Chenxing started to speak, but Pei Yao slung an arm around his shoulders and called to Yuan Hong, “We’re off,” before dragging him outside.
Mu Chenxing couldn’t resist his strength. He struggled and looked back. “Hey hey—Teacher Yuan, what time tomorrow?”
Yuan Hong: “……Same time, I guess.”
“Good!”
And just like that, Mu Chenxing was out of the Climbing Hall.
Yuan Hong withdrew his gaze, paused, and put on a stern face. “What are you all standing around for? Done training?”
The Alphas scattered like birds and beasts.
A few bolder ones edged forward.
“Teacher, what’s the deal with that Omega?”
“How’s that Omega so badass?”
“Which college is that Omega from?”
Yuan Hong: “Scram, scram. What business is it of yours? Your scores passing? Competitions selected?”
…
Meanwhile, Mu Chenxing was hooked by the arm out of the Climbing Hall. Pei Yao released his shoulders but switched to gripping his wrist, pulling him along briskly.
Mu Chenxing: “Let go.”
Pei Yao grinned back. “I’ll let go once we reach the Medical Building.”
He turned forward and kept up the pace, summoning a holo-screen and saying, “Old Fu, if your guy hasn’t clocked out, wait for me a bit—my little Xingxing’s hurt—”
“Don’t spout nonsense!”
“Alright, see you soon.” Pei Yao shut off the holo-screen and tugged him into the gardens beside the Training Hall.
“Aren’t we going to the Medical Building?” Mu Chenxing frowned. “And for a tiny scrape, why call Teacher Zhang?”
Was a big-shot pheromones expert there to check a scrape?
Pei Yao stopped, scanned the surroundings, looked down at him, and smiled. “It’s bleeding. Might as well take a blood sample while we’re at it. Saves needing another needle prick later.”
…Made sense.
“Gonna cop a feel now.”
Mu Chenxing: “?”
An arm looped around his lower back.
“What are you—!!!”
Pei Yao scooped him off the ground single-handedly and suddenly bolted.
Mu Chenxing lost balance abruptly and instinctively clung on—one hand around the neck, one hugging the shoulder. He hissed low, “What the hell?!”
Pei Yao chuckled low amid the speed, breath steady. “Worried you’d get hungry. Gotta hurry.”
Mu Chenxing watched the branches and grass whip past on both sides—damn fast!
He blanked for two seconds before saying, “Go take the shuttle!”
Pei Yao chuckled. “The school’s antique shuttle ain’t as fast as me.”
Mu Chenxing: “Bullshit—”
Mid-sprint, Pei Yao suddenly pushed off a tree branch, leaped onto it in a few bounds, and started vaulting between branches, streetlamps, and building clusters.
Mu Chenxing: “!!”
Was this jumping power even reasonable?
Pei Yao was carrying him, a grown man over a hundred jin!!
—This was Alpha physique?
Mu Chenxing was a bit stunned, a bit envious.
—No, this was Pei Yao.
The one and only Alpha in the entire Alliance who’d become an Alliance Admiral at 37.
…Yeah, this was freak-level. Not in the same league as him.
He stayed silent. Pei Yao even had spare energy to glance at him. “Scared?”
Mu Chenxing gazed at the buildings and trees receding nonstop ahead. “Quiet. I’m thinking.”
Pei Yao: “…”
Mu Chenxing scanned around and finally clocked his path. “You’re dodging cameras?”
“Of course.” Pei Yao chuckled low. “Can’t have you and this face caught on cam in close contact. I’d end up the side piece, and we’re done.”
Mu Chenxing: “……If I choke you to death right now, would I die from the fall too?”
Pei Yao burst out laughing. “Sounds good. We could be lovers bound in life and death. Even make evening headlines. Got the title ready—’Alliance’s Youngest Admiral in Affair with Underage Omega’—”
Mu Chenxing’s palm groped over to slap his mouth shut, grinding his teeth. “Shut it!”
Spouting nonstop sleaze! Pah!
Pei Yao actually obeyed this time, humming in agreement.
Then he pulled down the hand and smooched the back of his fingers messily. “Don’t squirm.”
Mu Chenxing: “……”
The evening wind carried a chill. Before Mu Chenxing froze solid, he was finally set down.
“Faster than the shuttle, right?” Pei Yao grinned cheekily. “Your future husband’s pretty badass, huh?”
Mu Chenxing: “……”
Deadpan, he said, “Yeah, pretty fast. Feels like the speed to the grave is quick too.”
Pei Yao: “?”
Mu Chenxing rubbed his arms with a dead-fish stare. “Outside’s probably around ten degrees. Didn’t fall to death or freeze—guess heaven’s watching out for me.”
It was December. Temps dropped fast after sunset, and with Pei Yao’s speed, he’d nearly been iced.
Pei Yao blanked, then awkwardly rubbed his nose. “Didn’t think of that, haha. Forgot you’re an Omega.”
Mu Chenxing paused. His gaze turned weird instantly.
Pei Yao: “……What’s up?”
Mu Chenxing hesitated, hesitated more, then couldn’t hold back the roast. “You’re actually gay, right?”
Sure, everyone here was bi, but most Alphas went for soft, cute Omegas—basically straight in a way.
Pei Yao blinked blankly and asked earnestly, “What’s ‘gay’?”
Mu Chenxing: “Likes same sex, Alphas liking Alphas. I think you’d prefer Alphas!”
After all, he was a man at core. No way to fake the world’s typical Omega vibe.
Pei Yao: “…………”
His forced smile carried a gritted-teeth edge. “Little Xingxing.”
Mu Chenxing wasn’t scared at all. He raised a brow. “What?”
Pei Yao flicked his forehead. “If your gland was mature, I’d show you right now if I’m gay.”
This flick packed irritation, stinging a bit.
Mu Chenxing winced and rubbed it, glaring unhappily. “You don’t get it. You and me together? That’s basically gay.”
Pei Yao: “……”
“Fine.” He laughed in exasperation. “Gay it is, then. I accept.”
Mu Chenxing: “No more gay talk then mmmph—”
His nape was pressed, mouth blocked.
“!!!”
Pei Yao pressed against his lips for just two seconds before pulling back. His fingers slid naturally to rub the back of Mu Chenxing’s head, a mix of exasperation and helplessness in his voice. “Where do you get all these ridiculous theories from?”
He smacked his lips, his tone turning roguish once more. “Your little mouth is so sweet. If only your words were this sweet too—Ow! Little Star, are you trying to ruin my happiness for the rest of my life?! You almost kicked me!”
Mu Chenxing’s face flushed bright red. “Shut up!”
He kept chasing after him, trying to land a kick.
Pei Yao raised an eyebrow and let out a whistle. “Yo, getting shy now?”
He touched Mu Chenxing’s calf.
“Don’t be nervous. We’ll just practice more, and it’ll get better.”
He touched his ankle.
“Aiya, you’re so fast—I almost got kicked.”
His hand slid up to Mu Chenxing’s thigh—
“…” Mu Chenxing jerked back two steps, shot him an furious glare, took a deep breath, then turned and strode out of the alley toward the Medical Building.
Pei Yao caught up, grinning like a cheeky rascal. “Star, your face is so red. Running a fever?”
Mu Chenxing forced his expression to stay neutral, staring straight ahead. “Mm. Got infected by something dirty.”
Pei Yao burst out laughing at the sight. “Exactly. Dirty things love pure little Omegas like you. How about I help disinfect you? Cool you down a bit?”
Mu Chenxing: “…”
How the hell did a rogue like this become an Admiral? Can’t beat him, can’t shoo him away—is he a cockroach or something?!
