Of course, Lan Jue was there to oversee the competition.
Not everyone was required to participate. Those who were already familiar with the competition, especially those who had detailed knowledge of mecha suits, were exempt.
That included Lan Jue, the Bartender, the Driver, and the Seamstress.
They were the organizers and judges of the competition.
There were over eight hundred people, and one person couldn't keep up with them all.
All former students of the NEU's A.R.C. classes were taking part in the tournament. It was a test of their abilities.
The Wine Master watched Lan Jue's back as she left. He couldn't help but sigh. He knew what Lan Jue had to endure.
As a Paragon, how could the Wine Master not be aware of the weight of the Clairvoyant's responsibilities?
Even the Wine Master felt the weight of it all.
But Lan Jue took it upon himself, and from what he could see, he was doing it with enthusiasm. He was working hard.
His eyes returned to the Clockmaker's shop. The Wine Master took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and walked out of the Gothic Winery. He strode in the direction of the Clockmaker's shop. Now that he'd made his decision, he didn't hesitate. He had to face it.
He'd been a coward for so many years. Was he really going to die a coward's death?
Don't leave yourself with regrets while you're alive. He knew that was what Lan Jue was trying to tell him.
The window of the clock shop had been wiped clean, and the door was open. Walking past the door, one could clearly hear the ticking sound of the second hand and the clock pendulum.
The Wine Master walked up to the door and peered inside.
The Clockmaker was in the middle of setting up a clock. She muttered to herself from time to time, as if searching for the most suitable position.
The Wine Master finally walked in.
He walked up to the Clockmaker's side, and pointed to the side. "I think it's better here."
The Clockmaker glanced at him, then moved the clock forward. Halfway there, she stopped.
She straightened her back and looked at the Wine Master. "Help me."
The Wine Master was stunned, then overjoyed. He quickly moved the clock forward.
He didn't use any of his abilities, he just used his own strength to move it to that position.
The Clockmaker turned and left.
The Wine Master scratched his head. He wanted to follow, but hesitated.
"Come here," the Epochrion said.
"Oh." The Wine Master hurried over.
Standing behind the counter, she looked at him.
He was also looking at her, but his eyes were slightly evasive.
"I want to drink." The Clockmaker's eyes were a little blurred, and there was a touch of sadness in them.
The Wine Master nodded. "Alright, what would you like to drink?"
"Anything," the Clockmaker said.
I want to send him on his last journey. "
The Wine Master, of course, knew who she was referring to. His heart sank, and his eyes darkened. "Alright."
The Clockmaker stared at him.
"I mean, from my heart!"
The Wine Master stared at her, his eyes wide with disbelief.
And then, ecstasy …
…
The tournament was in full swing. Lan Jue sat in front of the controls, watching along with the others.
There were only ten people in charge of recording the matches, so only ten matches could be played at a time.
DreamNet was convenient, much less time and effort than actual competition.
There was also no need to worry about killing or injuring your opponent, since it was all virtual.
But the controls were infinitely close to reality.
Especially for Adepts.
So DreamNet's evolution.
It was hailed as a breakthrough that transcended time and space.
Lan Jue's eyes were glued to the monitor as the matches went on.
From what she could see, it wasn't good, but it wasn't bad either.
Most Adepts had experience piloting a mecha.
As Adepts, their bodies were stronger than the average person's, so it was easier for them to learn how to operate a mecha.
One thing that was worth noting was that all of them would take the initiative to integrate their abilities into their mecha, thereby increasing their combat effectiveness.
This was one of the biggest advantages of being an Adept.
But there were also drawbacks. These Adepts' ability to operate mechas was uneven. They could infuse their Disciplines into their suits, but at the same time they were overly reliant on their mechas.
They couldn't make use of their mechas to their fullest potential.
Still, this was something Lan Jue had anticipated. She wasn't prepared for. The most important thing now was to sort through the groups.
Then the groups.
Everyone was put to good use. This was the best way to bring out an Adept's greatest strength.
The busiest person in the room was the Accountant. His computer program was constantly analyzing the results of every match. He also had to do a summary of the data. He had to face three computers at the same time, his hands flying. It was almost like the Coffee Master's hands were cramping up.
The matches went on, one after another.
This time it wasn't an elimination round, but a group battle.
Each group consisted of ten pilots, divided into dozens of smaller groups. In other words, everyone would have to fight nine matches.
Then there would be no more.
The ranking wasn't important. The most important thing was to test a person's ability through different competitions and different opponents.
Lan Jue was pleasantly surprised by the progress of the A.R.C. students. Their mecha piloting, and the integration of their Disciplines and mechas, were much better than before.
Especially since their mechas were new and custom-made. They'd only had a day or two to familiarize themselves with them, but they were quick to adapt.
There were many opponents who were stronger than them, but they were all defeated in battle.
This could be considered a pleasant surprise.
The tournament went on for an entire day, from morning until midnight. Only then did the group battle come to an end.
A flood of data flowed into the Accountant's mind.
The Accountant was tired, leaning back in his chair. His eyes were glazed over, his fingers tapping away at the keyboard in front of him.
"How long do you need to analyze the data?" Lan Jue walked over to his side and patted him on the shoulder.
"Initial analysis will take about a day," the Accountant answered. "About three."
Lan Jue nodded. "Alright, no need to rush.
Take care of yourself. "
The Accountant nodded. "Based on today's observations, not everyone is suited for combat. Some of them have Disciplines similar to mine, so I'm going to transfer them over to help me.
It's not just data analysis. These people with abilities similar to mine may not be good in mecha combat, but they'll be very good warship operators. We'll need warships eventually. "
Lan Jue nodded. "Alright, we'll do as you say."
A mecha division couldn't be made up entirely of fighters. They needed a large number of logistical support staff.
Of course they'd need ships.
However, they didn't need large ships.
Skyfire Avenue had paid for all of their mechas to come with interdimensional storage devices. It was a huge investment.
The ship Lan Jue had brought back from Jueti was more than enough to carry all of them.
In honor of her teacher, Lan Jue had renamed it Majesty.
It would be Star Division's flagship.
Of course, the battleship wasn't just for show. Lan Jue handed it over to the Keeper and Bookworm, so they could see if there was anything they could do to make it stronger.
Just then, the communicator on Lan Jue's wrist rang. He looked at the number, and his eyes lit up. He answered.
"Xiaosu, you finally called back."
The caller was none other than the former Moonfiend Empress, now Zeus's Fifth Attendant, the Angel of Dawn, Su Xiaosu.
"Boss." Su Xiaosu sounded tired.
Lan Jue asked. "How are things?
How are things on your end? "
Xiaosu replied. "A few battles, but I've managed to get my people out. Not many though.
Most of them were cleaned up before I came back.
Only a battleship and some resources were brought out. "Her voice was clearly a little gloomy.
The Moonfiend Pirates were her life's work, and many of her most trusted subordinates had died.
"Come back." Lan Jue's voice was low.
Su Xiaosu was silent. She'd always been a strong woman, especially when it came to her subordinates. She was the Moonfiend Empress. But these simple words from Lan Jue caused her eyes to well up with tears.
"But boss, I …" She had a group of pirates with her. They'd been with her for years, loyal and devoted.
She'd even given up on the Pontiff's Castle. She couldn't abandon them.
"Go to An Lun. I'll give you a way to contact him.
Give him your battleship, and he'll send you back.
We'll talk about everything else when we get back. I've taken in your people. "Lan Jue's voice was calm.
Su Xiaosu's eyes lit up. "Really?
Boss, you'll take them in? "
Of course she knew what it meant. Lan Jue's decision to take in these pirates meant he'd accepted everything they'd done. He'd be the one to bear the brunt of it all.
She knew Lan Jue's position in Skyfire Avenue from the time she'd spent with him. With the protection of Skyfire Avenue, her people would have a chance to survive.
Lan Jue's voice was low. "Contact …" He gave her a way to contact him. He'd already thought of everything he needed to know about Su Xiaosu.
He didn't say more. Everything would have to wait until she got back.
When it came to leading pirates, no one was better than Su Xiaosu. She was familiar with the way pirates fought.
Lan Qing had once advised Lan Jue to fight like this.
During the competition today, Lan Jue began to agree with Lan Qing's theory more and more.
Monthly votes, recommendation votes.
(To be continued)