Excitement rippled through the academy.
North Star Starship Academy, Third Grade, Class Eight.
During the break, a mocking voice drifted in from the doorway.
"Heh. Zhao Chen from your Class Eight didn't show up again today? Looks like he got scared and went into hiding."
The students inside frowned.
They didn't need to look to know who it was.
Zhang Haoran of Class Two—followed by his usual entourage.
Since the duel had been announced, Zhang Haoran had made a habit of visiting Class Eight. Zhao Chen's prolonged absence only made him bolder.
In his mind, the conclusion was obvious.
Zhao Chen was afraid.
"This is Class Eight," a cold female voice cut in. "If you have nothing to do here, go back to your own classroom."
Shen Bing stepped forward.
Class monitor. Class flower.
Zhang Haoran's eyes lingered on her as he laughed. "Relax. School rules don't say I can't visit other classes.
"I'm not here to look for Zhao Chen anyway. The duel's almost due. I'm just worried he might've forgotten."
"Zhao Chen hasn't been in class for half a month," Shen Bing replied flatly. "If you want to find him, do it yourself. Don't disturb us."
"Oh?" Zhang Haoran sneered. "Funny. Doesn't sound like he belongs to your class at all."
His followers immediately joined in.
"He's definitely hiding."
"Our noble baron is probably packing to crawl back to his poor territory."
"Too scared to fight—then why challenge Young Master Zhang?"
"If he kneels and calls Young Master Zhang 'Father,' maybe we'll let him off. Hahaha!"
The laughter stung.
Class Eight fell silent.
Most students here came from ordinary backgrounds. Their grades were average. Compared to the well-connected elites of Class Two, they lacked confidence—and power.
Aside from Shen Bing, no one dared to confront Zhang Haoran directly.
Resentment simmered.
And with it, blame.
Zhao Chen had always been marginal.
Now he was dragging them into ridicule.
Someone like that… should just drop out.
"Shut up."
Li Wei stepped forward, fists clenched. "If you have guts, fight him directly. What's the point of barking here?
"The duel's scheduled for the end of June. The deadline isn't even here yet."
Zhang Haoran laughed. "Li Wei, are you really standing up for that useless baron?
"You have terrible taste in friends."
Li Wei's face reddened.
"You—"
"If someone insists on withdrawing anyway," a calm voice said from the doorway, "I'll gladly help him with the paperwork."
The room froze.
All eyes turned.
Zhao Chen walked in casually, hands in his pockets, gaze relaxed.
The missing baron had returned.
Zhang Haoran blinked, then sneered. "Oh? I thought you ran away."
"I took a short break," Zhao Chen replied lightly. "Didn't expect you to be in such a hurry to get beaten.
"Since that's the case—let's set the duel for tomorrow."
The classroom erupted.
"Tomorrow?"
Li Wei rushed to his side. "Zhao Chen, calm down. Once the duel starts, there's no backing out."
"I know." Zhao Chen patted his shoulder. "Don't worry."
Zhang Haoran's eyes gleamed. "Fine. Let's make it official."
Both of them raised their student ID cards.
Under dozens of gazes, the duel was confirmed.
Tomorrow, 10:00 a.m.
North Star Starship Academy — No. 2 Simulation Duel Field
"Now," Zhao Chen said calmly, "take your lackeys and leave. You're disturbing class."
Zhang Haoran stopped his enraged followers with a raised hand.
There was no need to argue.
Tomorrow would decide everything.
"I'll be waiting," Zhang Haoran said coldly. "Just don't disappear again."
He turned and left.
The classroom buzzed instantly.
Most voices were filled with scorn.
"He's insane."
"Zhang Haoran has a brand-new T2 starship."
"If Zhao Chen loses, our class will be a joke."
Zhao Chen ignored them.
Only results mattered.
Shen Bing approached, expression icy. "If someone lacks strength, everything they do becomes wrong.
"You're still a member of Class Eight. I don't want you nailed to the academy's pillar of shame.
"Your sister is a prodigy. With her connections, this can still be settled."
Zhao Chen looked at her calmly. "You don't believe I can win either?"
"What do you think?" she replied bluntly.
Zhao Chen shrugged. "Then let's wait and see."
Shen Bing turned away.
Li Wei exhaled sharply. "Old Zhao… you're really doing this?"
"Confirmed. Affirmed. No denial," Zhao Chen replied tiredly.
Li Wei clenched his teeth. "Then take my Hyena tomorrow. My deputy captain has twenty years of Imperial combat experience. Just give him full authority."
"I told you," Zhao Chen said patiently, standing. "I have a starship."
"How can those three broken ships possibly—"
Zhao Chen cut him off with a smile and walked out.
No one believed he could win.
Then tomorrow—
He would show them.