Chapter 51: A Formidable Female Rival

I know Lin Xuefeng’s temperament better than anyone.

Although he never sought the spotlight or tried to show off at the academy, deep down he possessed a pride and self-respect that matched anyone’s.

Take the academy’s periodic evaluations, for instance... Lin Xuefeng’s grades always came in just below mine. After each test, he’d put on a nonchalant, laid-back air and say, “Second place again, I’m used to it.” Then he’d drag me and our other brothers out for drinks, arms slung around each other’s shoulders.

He acted indifferent, but after drinking, as soon as he returned to the dorm, Lin Xuefeng would immediately intensify his daily training.

Others might not have noticed, but as his closest friend—the one who lived, trained, and drank with him—I saw it all with perfect clarity!

It was precisely because of this guy’s presence that I always felt the threat of being overtaken. Over time, I began setting new personal limits for myself every so often. Ahem, I’m digressing...

Because I understood Lin Xuefeng’s fierce pride, I also knew that even setbacks suffered inside a game were something he’d never want to rely on others to overcome.

If I exposed his lie at this moment, I’d only dampen his will for revenge and leave him with lasting scars.

So I simply played along, adopting a casual tone as if we were just chatting:

“Is that so... Well, I’ll wait another ten days before joining. I’ll see for myself if this ‘Magic Era’ game is really as captivating as you say.”

“You’re coming in?” Lin Xuefeng was taken aback. (His real name is Qi Lin, but because it sounds like ‘Qilin,’ the guys at school always called him ‘Bug.’)

I didn’t mind the nickname and smiled. “What, not happy to have me?”

“Hell no! I’d love it! But...”

Lin Xuefeng hesitated, and after a long pause, he asked,

“You’re not up to something, are you? Buying a gaming pod and game credits is expensive. You’ve only managed to save a little bit. If you use it all at once, are you planning to stay on the Scavenger Planet for the rest of your life?” Lin Xuefeng was well aware of the planet's rules—every orphan scavenger has to stay for three years as repayment for being raised there, and must have at least twenty thousand credits in legal savings to prove they can survive on their own before being allowed to leave...

Qi Lin had only been on Scavenger Planet a little over a year, and had saved less than ten thousand credits. A ‘Magic Era’ gaming pod alone cost five thousand, plus eight hundred credits a month for upkeep—hardly affordable on a scavenger’s monthly wage of just over a thousand credits.

“Who said I’m stuck here forever? In this wretched place, it’s hard enough to find someone to drink with... Once my three years are up, you’ll just lend me twenty thousand credits, won’t you? Unless you think I won’t pay you back...”

“Fine, fine. Not just twenty thousand—two hundred thousand if you ask. Just say the word.” Lin Xuefeng sounded defeated, but then his tone shifted:

“But Bug, why the sudden interest in playing ‘Magic Era’?”

“Damn... About a month ago, some bastard wouldn’t stop going on about how great ‘Magic Era’ is—how amazing this is, how incredible that is. Now you’re worried I’ll threaten your top spot at the academy?”

I knew he suspected someone had tipped me off, so I deliberately tried to provoke him.

Sure enough!

He gave a wry smile and said,

“Top spot at the academy, huh... You know how fickle everyone there is. Most of the students side with ‘Tyrant’ from year five, and most of the girls—and some of the spineless guys—have joined that new transfer girl... The only ones still with me are a few of the old brothers from year three... So much for being top dog, don’t rub it in.”

Hearing his self-deprecating tone, I was surprised.

“Tyrant’s got skills—I’m not surprised he’s in charge. But who’s this new girl? Is she the one you said... the one who’s now above you in the rankings?”

“Who else could it be?!”

Lin Xuefeng’s sigh was so mournful, I couldn’t help but laugh. Speaking of this newcomer, I actually have a connection with her...

On the morning of my sixteenth birthday, right after I was sent to Scavenger Planet, Lin Xuefeng told me that a cool-faced beauty had transferred to our academy from another infantry mecha school.

That day happened to be the monthly academic rankings...

Just when everyone thought Lin Xuefeng would finally take the top spot, this new girl stunned everyone with her skill, knocking Lin Xuefeng from the ring in just a dozen rounds, securing his place as the perennial number two.

That night... Neither of us slept.

I was sleepless from the planet’s alternating heat and cold, the unfamiliar climate; Lin Xuefeng, having lost to a girl for the first time, drowned his sorrows until he was out cold.

But what I hadn’t expected was...

This new girl, in just a year and two months, had not only won over all the females in the academy, but under their adulation, also became the top boss in the game.

“Interesting. If I ever run into her in the game, I’ll definitely have to challenge her.”

I realized I’d spoken aloud the thought that had been buried in my heart for so long—ever since that night Lin Xuefeng got drunk, I’d been fascinated by her. Really!

At our academy, no girl had ever beaten Lin Xuefeng, not in any year, high or low, because his strength was not far off from mine...

So for a girl who could defeat Lin Xuefeng, and almost became my classmate... I was full of curiosity!

“Forget it. She’s not just tough in real life, she’s a hardcore gamer too. Before I lost my level, she was already two levels higher than me. Now, I can’t even compete with her. Oh, and her mercenary group’s name is so overbearing, you’ll never guess...”

“...What is it?”

“Dragon Slayer! Dragon Slayer Mercenary Group!” Lin Xuefeng’s answer nearly made me burst out laughing. Not your average woman indeed—even her group’s name is so audacious.

I was just about to say something when Lin Xuefeng suddenly added, “Honestly, if I didn’t know for sure you two have never met, I’d think that name was meant for you...”