The next morning, in the first-year classroom.
Morning light streamed into the classroom through the bright windows. The Zero Class students had arrived early and were seated at their desks.
"Hey, what do you guys think we'll be studying today?" Xie Xie's tone carried a clear sense of anticipation.
"You... are really off today."
Tang Wulin scrutinized Xie Xie from head to toe. He could feel that Xie Xie was nine-tenths out of ten not himself today.
Fang Yang spoke calmly, his expression serene: "Xie Xie, you chatted quite well with Zheng Yiran yesterday, didn't you? I bet you've already won her over."
"Huh?"
This statement immediately drew the attention of Tang Wulin, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi.
Three curious gazes simultaneously landed on Xie Xie.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi exchanged a look, a knowing smile appearing on their faces. They almost spoke in unison as they cupped their hands: "Good job, Xie Xie! Congratulations, congratulations!"
They remembered clearly that when they managed to find partners, Xie Xie had often given them advice.
Now, seeing their 'strategist' finally about to find a partner himself, they were genuinely happy for him.
"Oh, please, keep it down, keep it down!"
Xie Xie, flattered by the praise, immediately felt a bit smug.
He tossed his hair proudly, striking a dashing pose, "It's alright, mainly because when this young master makes a move, it's bound to be a sure thing..."
He was in the middle of an enthusiastic boast, completely oblivious to a slender figure that had silently appeared behind him.
Fang Yang spotted the newcomer at once and furiously blinked at Xie Xie, trying to convey a frantic hint with his eyes.
Unfortunately, Xie Xie completely missed the signal. Instead, he asked with concern, "Fang Yang, what's wrong with your eyes? Are you uncomfortable? Why do you keep blinking?"
The moment his words fell, Fang Yang, Tang Wulin, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi all collectively fell silent, looking at him with an expression that said, 'You're beyond saving.'
"What an idiot."
Even Gu Yue, who was nearby, couldn't stand it anymore and couldn't help but retort.
"Ah? Gu Yue, you..." Xie Xie was about to argue.
Xu Xiaoyan couldn't bear to watch him dig his own grave any further and reminded him, "Xie Xie, don't say anything more... Look behind you..."
Tang Wulin, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi also nodded in sync towards his back, their expressions tinged with pity.
When Xie Xie saw everyone's strange reaction, he finally realized something belatedly, and the smile on his face instantly froze: "Me... behind me?"
With a premonition of ill omen, he stiffly and slowly turned his head.
He saw Zheng Yiran standing quietly behind him, her emerald eyes looking at him with a half-smile, having no idea how long she had been listening.
"Oh? Xie Xie, you really like to brag?"
Zheng Yiran spoke calmly, her tone even, yet it made a chill instantly run up Xie Xie's spine.
"Yiran! I was wrong!"
Xie Xie almost reflexively admitted his mistake, his change in attitude so swift it was astonishing.
"Hmph."
Zheng Yiran let out a soft snort, gave Xie Xie a deep look, and without saying anything more, turned and walked to her seat.
Just then, the classroom door opened, and Shen Yi and Wu Changkong walked in.
The entire class instantly fell silent, all eyes focused on the podium.
"Before class, I'll announce something."
Shen Yi stood at the podium, her gaze sweeping over the class, "Regarding team formation."
"You need to form your own teams, with four to six people per team, and elect a team leader. Once teams are formed, submit the roster to the class president or vice president for registration."
"As I've said before, the creation of Battle Armor must rely on teamwork. Your future studies and assessments at the Academy will also be conducted in teams. Therefore, team formation is a crucial choice for all of you."
"Remember, if you are unable to form teams yourselves, the class committee will randomly assign teammates to you."
"If you don't want to be teamed with unsuitable people, form your own teams as soon as possible."
"Yes, Teacher Shen."
The students responded in unison.
"Next, Counselor Wu Changkong will be teaching the class." Shen Yi nodded to Wu Changkong and then yielded the podium.
Wu Changkong's gaze swept over the class, his voice cold: "Shrek Academy's teaching methods are very different from the academies you were in before."
"Regarding your individual Spirit Cultivation and any Spirit-related questions, you can come to me or Teacher Shen for guidance and study after class."
"Today, we will be studying the Introduction to Mecha Manufacturing."
"Mecha Manufacturing?"
The students exchanged puzzled glances, their faces filled with confusion.
They were clearly here to become Battle Armor Masters, so why were they studying Mecha Manufacturing?
Tang Wulin couldn't help but raise his hand to ask: "Teacher Wu, aren't we supposed to become Battle Armor Masters? Why are we studying Mecha Manufacturing?"
Wu Changkong nodded slightly: "That's a very good question. I know you must be very curious why the Academy teaches Introduction to Mecha Manufacturing."
"Because, to become an excellent Battle Armor Master, one must first lay a solid foundation. And Mecha is the foundation of Battle Armor!"
"Forging, Mecha Manufacturing, Mecha Design, Mecha Maintenance... No matter which sub-profession, they are all fundamental to becoming a Mecha Master and, by extension, a Battle Armor Master."
"The performance of high-tier Mecha is not inferior to low-end Battle Armor. Its Materials depend on the forging process, and its design determines its tier."
"The manufacturing process determines whether it can be perfectly realized, and maintenance determines how long it can be used."
"Now, let's begin by explaining the basic principles of Mecha..."
Wu Changkong began his lecture. The Introduction to Mecha Manufacturing he taught was not a single manufacturing technique.
It simultaneously covered a complete knowledge system of forging, design, manufacturing, and maintenance.
His explanations were profound yet easy to understand, elucidating complex Mecha knowledge in a clear and engaging manner.
For an entire morning, he lectured on the Introduction to Mecha Manufacturing, elevating most students' understanding of Mecha to a new level.
Unbeknownst to them, the morning class was nearing its end.
When Wu Changkong stopped lecturing, the classroom was quiet, everyone digesting the knowledge they had just learned.
"Alright, that concludes today's lesson."
Wu Changkong said, "Now, I will announce the main task for this academic year."
"Each team will need to independently build a complete Mecha from raw Materials. This is your core assessment project for this academic year, and any team that fails to complete it will be expelled."
This news put immense pressure on the students, especially those who were weaker in their secondary professions.
It was clear that they would have to invest more time and effort than others.
Wu Changkong finally said: "Class dismissed. The seven class cadres, please stay."
Seeing this, the other students packed their belongings and left the classroom.
"Teacher Wu, Teacher Shen." Fang Yang and the other class cadres respectfully bowed.
Wu Changkong and Shen Yi nodded.
On my Patreon, I have several advance chapters available if you're interested in more than 100: For $1, you get 20 fewer chapters than the $2.50 tier. For $2.50, you get 40 fewer chapters than the $4 tier. And for $4, you get them all.
The number of chapters is updated every 7 days and increases by 7 to 8 chapters.
My Patren: paroncom/FanTranslator