ABFMV Chapter 49

Yao Mo smiled lightly. “You don’t really think this team-up is based on personal choice, do you?”

Both of them froze. “What?”

“Although the academy officially said students could form teams on their own, in reality, the top ten students from both the Piloting and Maintenance departments had their partners pre-assigned. It’s a true example of ‘strength paired with strength.’”

Yao Mo hadn’t really wanted to team up with Welsh either, but he was the second-ranked student in Maintenance, and her ranking in Piloting was the same.

Fortunately, Welsh was also aligned with General Peter’s faction, so there were some mutual benefits between them, which made her feel a little better.

Su Yilu bit her lip awkwardly. “So that means we can’t pick from the top ten in Maintenance? My mecha won’t end up in the hands of some mediocre student, will it?”

Hao Xinyi reassured her. “It’s fine. After all, the mechas are school-issued. Even if they get damaged, it’s not a huge loss.”

“That’s true,” Su Yilu agreed, her eyes glinting as she tugged Hao Xinyi along. “Time’s running out. Let’s pick a partner quickly, or there won’t be many options left.”

Yao Mo glanced away from her personal terminal. “I’ll go with you. The academy just notified the top ten from Piloting and Maintenance to attend a meeting.”

Su Yilu frowned. “Only those two departments? What about Manufacturing and Upkeep?”

Yao Mo shrugged. “Not sure. Probably different assignments.”

Su Yilu snorted. “It’s actually better we’re not working with them. The Maintenance students can barely do anything useful. As for Xu Linlang… I can’t stand her.”

Hao Xinyi gently intervened. “Alright, alright. Out of sight, out of mind. This works in our favor anyway.”

Yao Mo glanced around and, seeing the hallway clear, lowered her voice. “Keep it down. You don’t want others overhearing this.”

“Why worry? Everyone already knows about our conflict with Xu Linlang. And everyone knows the reputation of the Upkeep students. We don’t need to pretend,” Su Yilu said, but she still quieted her voice.

Yao Mo’s eyes flashed with mild irritation at the words “pretend” and “put on airs,” but she quickly masked it.

“I need to go to the meeting. You two focus on picking your partners.”

With that, Yao Mo pushed open the conference room door and left without another word.

After all, she didn’t feel any real attachment to them.

She had only befriended them before to avoid standing out and being isolated.

Looking back, the strategy had more drawbacks than benefits.

The benefit was that they were loyal to her, always helping.

The drawback was that they spoke without restraint, creating many enemies for her. Without them, her reputation at the academy might have been better.

She would need to find a way to shake them off eventually.

Inside the conference room, the academy’s instructors and advisers sat at the front, holding the partner lists for the two departments, satisfied with the arrangements.

“This mission is a great training opportunity. Considering your abilities, the academy has paired you with suitable partners to maximize cooperation.”

“Any objections to the team assignments?”

The person in charge asked casually. Everyone thought the arrangements were perfect; no one would object.

“I have an objection.”

Two voices suddenly interrupted.

All instructors and students turned to look at Qi Ye, sitting in a corner, and Lu Xiao, seated in the center.

The coordinator hadn’t expected trouble from these two. Qi Ye was usually cold and indifferent, showing little interest in anything. Lu Xiao was known in the military academy for simply following orders.

Now, both spoke up publicly—a complete surprise.

The coordinator cleared his throat and addressed Qi Ye first. “Qi Ye, what’s your objection?”

Qi Ye frowned. “I remember the instructor said we could form teams on our own before assignments.”

The coordinator smiled. “That’s true, but you are not like other students. You are the elites of your departments. The academy’s pairing is meant to strengthen the team. Don’t let personal relationships affect this mission.”

“I don’t need the academy to assign my partner. I already have a suitable teammate in mind,” Qi Ye said calmly.

A ripple of surprise ran through the room.

This was outright defiance! In a normal school, refusing an assignment wasn’t a big deal. But at Lilan Military Academy, all directives from above carried weight. Defying the academy was like defying a military order—a serious offense with severe consequences.

“This freshman Qi Ye is arrogant—hasn’t even been here long and already refusing authority,” muttered Bai Hong, a senior from Maintenance, to Helena.

Helena smiled gently. “It’s understandable. I don’t like academy-assigned teams either, but I don’t dare to openly defy an instructor.”

Bai Hong teased, “You just don’t want to team up because of Xu Gongyu, huh?”

Helena blushed. “He’s been my fixed partner. Changing would feel awkward.”

Bai Hong laughed. “I wonder when Xu Gongyu will be back. It’s been a while since you saw him.”

Helena sighed. “He’s on the battlefield with his father, clearing out the Zerg. I just hope he returns safely.”

Bai Hong reassured her. “Don’t worry. They’ll be fine.”

The girl assigned as Qi Ye’s partner, Cheng Liuli, looked both embarrassed and angry.

She was ranked first in Maintenance and had received numerous requests from Piloting students to team up.

Yet Qi Ye outright rejected the academy’s assignment and didn’t want to pair with her?

The coordinator frowned. “Qi Ye, these pairings were decided by all the instructors. You’re among the top students with heavier responsibilities. You should comply with the academy’s arrangements.”

A teacher added, noticing Qi Ye’s unwavering expression, “The Manufacturing Department has separate missions.”

Qi Ye replied, “I can complete the mission alone. If the academy insists, I can work with any partner.”

Everyone exchanged glances. Even the teacher knew he had the skill to back up his arrogance.

A few days ago, Academician Chu Shao had told them Qi Ye single-handedly eliminated a mutated Zerg—truly remarkable.

The principal had emphasized nurturing these S-class students.

With Qi Ye’s abilities, any top Maintenance student paired with him would have similar results, unless they were extremely weak.

The academy paired him with the first-ranked Maintenance student to ensure maximum success—but Qi Ye still refused.

Rumors about Qi Ye’s closeness with Xu Linlang seemed true.

Cheng Liuli’s eyes reddened. “If Qi Ye doesn’t want to pair with me, I won’t force it. I won’t settle.”

Originally, she had been excited to partner with him. Qi Ye was extremely popular, handsome, talented, and S-class—an ideal match for most students.

She had even planned step by step to get closer to him, but her plan was thwarted before it began.

Although she claimed she wouldn’t force it, she didn’t want to break up the pairing.

If she were truly rejected, the department would laugh at her, and she’d lose face.

Qi Ye didn’t understand her strategy and said plainly, “Since you say that, I won’t force it either.”

“Ridiculous!” The coordinator frowned. “This is a mission, not playtime. You’re a team as the academy assigned. Follow orders, or you won’t participate at all.”

Qi Ye nodded expressionlessly, not even glancing at Cheng Liuli.

Cheng Liuli was upset but ultimately satisfied with the outcome.

In the workshop, Xu Linlang was assembling mecha parts. Her friend Jin Duoduo filled her in on campus gossip.

“This team mission sounds fun. Why didn’t any teacher tell me?”

Jin Duoduo said, “It seems this mission is for Piloting and Maintenance. Manufacturing and Upkeep might have other assignments.”

Xu Linlang frowned. This was the first large-scale event since enrollment, and it seemed she had no role.

“Have you picked a partner yet?”

Jin Duoduo nodded excitedly. “Yes! My brother recommended his junior. He said they’re really good.”

Xu Linlang raised an eyebrow. “You have a brother? You never mentioned him. Does he study here?”

Jin Duoduo looked embarrassed. “Um… yes…”

Xu Linlang tilted her head in confusion. “What’s wrong? Does your brother know me?”

Jin Duoduo lowered her head, avoiding her gaze. “I think so…”

Xu Linlang asked, “Who?”

In a hushed voice, Jin Duoduo said quickly, “Jin Huan.”

“Jin Huan? The one always with Lu Xiao?” Xu Linlang was shocked.

Jin Duoduo nodded reluctantly. “Yes. Even though my brother is close to Lu Xiao, I hardly ever speak to him, so don’t mind it.”