The students of Class A and Class C arrived at the battlefield one after another.
With Wu Chuyang's whistle, the final elimination match began.
Class A launched the first attack. Their tactic was simple and clear: disperse and engage in one-on-one combat.
Given that Class A's strength was more than a level above Class C, one-on-one was the most direct and convenient strategy.
As expected, at the start, Shao Yang cornered Ma Zhen of Class C. After a beautiful and swift over-the-shoulder throw, Shao Yang sat on Ma Zhen, gripping his arms tightly, rendering him immobile.
Wang Yu exchanged iron fists with his opponent. While dodging left and right, he accelerated suddenly, circled behind his opponent, and kicked the opponent's knee. The opponent, unable to dodge, fell to his knees.
Wang Yu then stepped on his opponent's legs with both feet and choked his opponent's neck with his elbow, causing the opponent to lose the ability to resist.
Fei Ming was even more direct. His punching speed was so fast it was almost imperceptible to the naked eye. With one punch, he knocked his opponent to the ground, then unleashed his full power, flying forward and pinning the opponent with his body.
Amidst the gasps and cheers of students and teachers from the entire school, Class A easily defeated Class C with their overwhelming strength, winning even faster than Class B.
Gu Ya watched, unable to help but admire them.
If Class B's victory was due to coordination, then Class A's was purely due to skill.
If Class A were to employ tactical coordination, they would undoubtedly be even more formidable than Class B.
Gu Ya fell into thought: "How should I fight this..."
"Alright! All participating students! Gather!" Wu Chuyang's voice echoed throughout the battlefield via the loudspeakers.
The 18 students gradually assembled before Wu Chuyang.
"The first round has concluded. Advancing to the second round are Classes E, B, and A. The three-win, two-point matches will commence this afternoon."
"Let me explain the rules first. Whichever class loses two matches first will be eliminated. The remaining two classes will not have to fight each other and will directly advance to the finals."
As soon as the rules were announced, the audience erupted in chaos.
"What's the point of fighting? Class E will be eliminated first."
"Let's just start the finals between Class A and Class B. Class E is not worth watching."
"Yeah! Instructor, let's just start the finals!"
Wu Chuyang glared back, and the audience instantly quieted down.
"The three advancing classes, go and rest properly. Other classes, gather in the audience seats this afternoon."
"We are not convinced!"
At this moment, the three students from Class C shouted in unison.
Wu Chuyang narrowed his eyes and asked, "What are you not convinced about?"
Ma Zhen spoke, "This rule benefits Class E the most! Our strength is no weaker than Class E's! We want to challenge Class E!"
With Ma Zhen taking the lead, Class D also expressed their dissatisfaction, all saying they wanted to challenge Class E.
Wu Chuyang listened quietly to the students and said, "After this round of matches, I will arrange a separate match for your three classes. Your individual scores will be counted then."
"But this time, we can only proceed according to these rules!"
Once Wu Chuyang spoke, no one dared to object.
At noon, the school cafeteria was bustling, with students enthusiastically discussing the day's matches.
"Class E will definitely lose!"
"I also feel unfairly treated for Classes C and D. Why did Class E only beat Class F and get to advance?"
"Yeah, even with Gu Ya joining, Class E is still no good."
"Didn't Gu Ya defeat Fei Ming of Class A?"
"That was because Fei Ming underestimated him!"
"That Gu Ya is like a clown, fighting without any plan, his movements are disjointed. I think he's only at Class C level."
"Gu Ya is trash, and Class E is also trash..."
...
Gu Ya listened to the surrounding gossip about him, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. He put down his chopsticks, sighed, and lost his appetite.
He had been infuriated by Xu Jie in the morning, and now he was being talked about by his classmates. Without any achievements, one would truly be looked down upon.
The more Gu Ya thought about it, the angrier he became. He stood up and left the cafeteria, walking to the small grove behind it.
He had intended to calm his mind and prepare for the afternoon's matches, but all his mind could hold were those mocking and dismissive words.
Why! Why do they look down on me! Why do they look down on Class E!
Thinking this, Gu Ya clenched his fist and hit the tree trunk heavily. The pain shot through him.
"Hey, why aren't you eating?" Wu Chuyang's voice came from behind Gu Ya.
Gu Ya quickly stood at attention and shouted, "Instructor Wu!"
Wu Chuyang leaned against the tree trunk, smiling casually at Gu Ya, and asked, "Troubled?"
"Ah? No, no..." Gu Ya lowered his head, preventing Wu Chuyang from seeing his angry and unwilling expression.
Wu Chuyang smiled and said, "You know, you remind me of someone I know."
"Someone... incredibly fierce."
Wu Chuyang said, gesturing for Gu Ya to come and sit.
The two of them sat down, leaning against the tree trunk.
The midday sun was blocked by the leaves, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the ground.
Wu Chuyang continued, "He was known as the 'God of War'! A legend of the Wuhe City Mech Guard, Wang Shangmeng, have you heard of him?"
Gu Ya shook his head.
"He was poor from childhood, and through relentless effort, he earned everyone's respect."
"The hardships he endured, the gossip he faced, were far greater than yours."
Gu Ya nodded and said, "Instructor Wu, I know what you mean. I will adjust my mindset myself."
Wu Chuyang patted Gu Ya's shoulder and smiled, "I can see that you have a spirit of never giving up! But to become a true powerhouse, you need to learn patience."
Instructor Wu smiled again and said, "Alright, now hurry back and finish your meal. You can't fight on an empty stomach!"
Gu Ya nodded, bid farewell to Instructor Wu, and returned to the cafeteria to continue his meal.
For some reason, after listening to Instructor Wu's words, the gossip didn't seem so sharp anymore.
Those words instead felt like a large hand, pushing Gu Ya forward.
At this moment, the three students from Class A walked over. Gu Ya looked up and almost jumped in surprise.
Shao Yang's face was as dark as if he had transformed into someone else. He stared fixedly at Gu Ya and said in a grim tone, "Gu Ya, in this afternoon's match, I will be watching you the entire time."
Wang Yu said with a fake smile, "Gu Ya, your classmate Xu Jie has already indicated to us that no matter how we fight you, he will not intervene."
Fei Ming added, "Gu Ya, beg us, and perhaps we'll consider letting you lose less disgracefully."
Gu Ya smiled faintly and said, "Is this interesting? We'll see on the battlefield."
The three exchanged smiles and walked away leisurely.
...
The first match of the afternoon, as expected, was between Class E and Class A.
Before the match, Gu Ya glanced at Xu Jie. Xu Jie remained silent, but his expression was smug.
The three from Class A, on the other hand, looked as if they had already won, their faces relaxed.
The group entered their mechs and went to the battlefield. The sun was high in the sky, and the air was stifling. The tense atmosphere made Gu Ya feel a bit breathless.
Gu Ya connected to Hei Ye's communication channel and said, "Hei Ye, when they attack me, you flank and attack from behind!"
Hei Ye was silent for a long time before replying, "Gu Ya, I'm sorry..." He then hung up Gu Ya's communication, refusing to respond no matter how Gu Ya called.
Gu Ya was shocked.
With the match imminent, Xu Jie had actually colluded with Hei Ye in betrayal!
This is bad!
Gu Ya shouted in his heart.
One against three, and facing elites, how could he fight?
As Wu Chuyang blew his whistle, the three students from Class A exploded forward, their engines roaring, charging directly at Gu Ya.
As Gu Ya regained his composure, the three had already surrounded him from three directions and were upon him.
Six iron fists simultaneously struck Gu Ya's mech all over.
Mech Master skill activated!
Gu Ya instantly felt no vibration.
Within the next second, Gu Ya rapidly retreated, escaping the opponents' attack range, and immediately accelerated, raising both fists to charge at Fei Ming.
The moment [Active Mind] ended, Gu Ya's fists had already sent Fei Ming flying.
"So fast! How is that possible!" Wang Yu exclaimed in shock.
"Don't panic, keep attacking!" Shao Yang shouted.
Immediately, Wang Yu and Shao Yang attacked from both sides, their rain-like iron fists relentlessly striking Gu Ya.
Gu Ya's heart filled with hatred, and his Master-level Mech Master abilities were displayed once more.
Not only did the cooldowns of all his skills accelerate,
but his control became more agile and precise.
As the opponents continued to throw punches, Gu Ya found a weakness in Wang Yu and landed a direct punch to Wang Yu's head.
Wang Yu staggered backward from the blow.
At this moment, Fei Ming charged forward again, filling Wang Yu's position, and cooperated with Shao Yang to continue the attack.
With two fists against six hands, Gu Ya shielded his head with both arms, gradually retreating to a corner.
In the distance, Xu Jie and Hei Ye stood silently, watching Gu Ya being beaten.
The audience let out bursts of jeers, and many cheered for Class A.
Liu Feng watched the battlefield anxiously, clenching his fists tightly, wishing he could rush onto the field and fight alongside Gu Ya right now.
Even though Gu Ya was a High-level Mech Master, he could not withstand the relentless onslaught of his opponents.
His mech's alerts kept sounding, and in the cockpit, red warning lights began to flash.
The mech's maneuverability dropped to 29%.
Defeated...
Gu Ya despaired.
Betrayed by teammates, attacked by ruthless opponents. Even as a High-level Mech Master, even with system and skill boosts, what was the use.
"Alert, mech left arm fractured; Alert, mech central communicator severely malfunctioning..."
"Alert, mech functionality at 5%, unable to execute any actions."
"Alert, mech shutdown."
As Wu Chuyang's whistle sounded, Gu Ya despairingly released the control stick.
"Class A wins!"