Shi Lang did not care about what Jenkins or the other top students of the battle class thought about him He just wanted to take a shower and then go to the mech bay to participate in the test. He cleaned himself up and came outside the bathroom but there stood a familiar face waiting for him.
It was the girl who he had come across in the gym. The boy was ready to bypass her when she said, "Did you deliberately challenge the whole Battle Class?"
Shi Lang did not reply and kept on walking. The girl did not get irritated and said, "You have just pushed your whole class into a pit. Jenkins will now take out all his rage at your classmates. Do you not care about that?"
Shi Lang frowned and stopped at some distance from her. The girl continued and said, "Do you know that the group battle may be held in a virtual space, it will still have a degree of real impact?"
The boy sighed and said, "What is it that you want?"
The girl was surprised and said, "You think, I came here to inform you because I need something?"
Shi Lang did not turn back and said, "Amelia Knight. The only daughter of war maiden, General Charlotte Knight. Perspective bride of the Edward Family. The groom candidate, Jenkins 'the jerk' Edwards. If you think I will believe you coming here out of the kindness in your heart. You are the biggest fool."
When Shi Lang had come back yesterday he had looked for the girl in the school result list. The list was updated with a name and a photo of the student. From there he had searched for her last name. General Knight had the same last name and after some search, he found out the details that were made public by the general.
Her daughter's name and face were not listed in that information, however, he was smart enough to put one plus one together. The media had always kept an eye on the family activities of the high-ranking people of the race. The two generals were among such people and the news of their household was leaked out as well.
So Shi Lang has done his homework. His words surprised the girl so much that her mouth was wide open. It was to the point where one can fix an egg inside without breaking it. She grit her teeth. This affair was not known to more than a select few in both families and even Jenkins himself was unaware of this.
Her mother asked her opinion on this and she refused right away as she was very well aware of Jenkins's character flaws. Her mother was in a tough spot and replied to General Edwards that if Jenkins was the best in the student assessment she will consider the arrangement. This gave Amelia a spurt to grow and compete with Jenkins and at the same time, if she could defeat the guy, her mother had a perfect reason to deny the arrangement without making things sullied.
She recalled something and said, "I have a bet, if I lost I will have to marry Jenkins. If I won, I can be free. I am on the four-star as well but my level is not as good as Jenkins yet. That day in the gym I saw how your blows were so sharp. You could sense me from a distance of ten meters. Jenkins can never do that. So I decided to put my bet on you. I ask for your help."
Since she was aware of her weaknesses and the chances, why not bluntly accept them. The other thing was, she had a gut feeling that Shi Lang was not displaying his full capabilities. The boy did not reply for a few seconds. Amelia thought he will not help her. She gave a bitter smile and was about to walk away when Shi Lang asked, "What will I get in return?"
Amelia froze, she could not believe that he would seek his gain in such a situation. Well, men usually succumb to the plea of beauty. However, despite her beauty, Shi Lang was able to keep calm, she was surprised.
She replied facing his back, "As long as it is something in my power. I will get it for you."
Shi Lang said, "Three things. One, the mech design must not be shut down if it proves to be good enough and the credit must be given to my whole class. Two, I want a level two gene enhancement serum. Third, safeguard my parent's safety and happiness. Jenkins Edwards is a narrow-minded prick if he did anything to the people around me. I will kill him regardless of anything. If you accept. Then we have a deal."
His voice was calm and the aura he radiated was confident enough to make Amelia believe that he will do what he just said. She weighed the pros and the cons in her mind for a few moments. She said, "Very well. I accept. But all this is applied only when you can defeat him in the Mech Test and group battle."
Shi Lang nodded and said, "I hope you keep your word." with that said he walked away. Never once did he turn back to look at her or say anything more than necessary. The marriage news was a faint murmur and the details of the topic were kept secret. He could predict what was going on with his deduction and research, this impressed Amelia a lot.
She gazed at his broad back a few seconds before turning away. She mumbled, "You better keep your words."
Shi Lang was the last ray of hope she had, otherwise, she might have to try and assassinate Jenkins Edwards. The two people were now in a deal, trying to make the best out of things for themselves.
...
Shi Lang dressed up in his uniform and walked out to the mech bay. That was where the event will start. The mech test will not be a simple driving test. The invigilators from Mech Regiment will check their builds, only after clearing the check will they be allowed to take the test.
The test will require them to make the Mech go around an obstacle course and the one to do this in the shortest time will win. The race was not a simple obstacle course. Shi Lang rushed over to the Mech Bay in ten minutes and found that his whole class was present there. However, the scene was odd.
A few of the Battle Class students were standing between them and their Mech. Shi Lang frowned at this and walked over to see what the fuss was about.