Chapter 37: Just Letting You Know

The other teams turned around, each one speechless. Was this guy really a C-class?

Even if Xiao Sa were a double A-class, he couldn't possibly take on more than 30 of them by himself!

Among the crowd, only Feng Yu remained calm and vigilant. He had long stopped considering Xiao Sa a lower-level opponent. This guy had never lost a fight.

"Everyone, be careful! There might be A-class members hiding nearby."

As if reading their minds, Xiao Sa kindly spoke into his loudspeaker, "Don't worry, I'm the only one here."

It was as if he was openly inviting them to attack.

Feng Yu suddenly understood Xiao Sa's plan. "Everyone, pay attention to the time! There are only about ten minutes left in the match!"

Xiao Sa had his own team's flag and the D-class flag in his possession, while the remaining four teams had three flags. The A-class members were nowhere to be seen, and with the match about to end, they had no choice but to continue fighting for position.

Xiao Sa smiled slightly, "A passive approach isn't my style."

With that, he actually drove his mech, disregarding everyone else, and charged straight at Feng Yu.

"Your idea was good, but don't bother suggesting anything next time."

By now, Xiao Sa was no longer the beginner who needed personal tutoring from a top student when he first entered Mech Academy.

He had fully mastered the mech operating system in this world and had even secretly acquired many advanced techniques from Landis.

With his S-class high-level psychic energy, in just a few encounters, Feng Yu was caught off guard and suffered a heavy blow, slammed to the ground by Xiao Sa's powerful punch.

A series of swift and decisive moves destroyed the power unit, and Feng Yu's mental entity was forced into retreat under Xiao Sa's intimidation, eventually being eliminated along with his mech.

By the time Feng Yu came to his senses, he had been courteously shown the exit by Xiao Sa.

In the blink of an eye, Xiao Sa's movements were so swift that by the time everyone else reacted, Feng Yu was already forced out of the arena.

In an instant, a chaotic barrage of particle energy cannons poured down upon Xiao Sa. In the nick of time, he nimbly dodged through the crowd without making any counterattacks, as if channeling all his energy into his shield.

A large barrage hit the ground, raising clouds of dust. In just one minute, the small patch of ground had been repeatedly plowed by an intense barrage.

A cloud of dust rose into the air, obscuring visibility.

"Wait, where is Xiao Sa?"

Suddenly, everyone felt a violent tremor under their feet, followed by an earth-shaking quake, as if the entire arena were collapsing.

Almost everyone's mechs were thrown high into the air by a sudden impact, leaving their pilots dazed and confused.

It was only then that they realized, in shock, that their mechs' defense energy had rapidly depleted in a short time, with a high red temperature warning indicating the breakdown of their defense shields. One by one, they were forced out of the competition.

The bright red word "eliminated" appeared on the screen, like some merciless taunt.

"What's going on?! Ahhh!"

The other eliminated teams returned to the preparation area, confused and defeated, uncertain of the cause.

"Is anyone even winning this broken match?"

"We need to protest the arena because of the glitches!"

"Get me up, I can still fight!"

At that moment, the system referee announced with a flat electronic voice that Class A had won first place in the team competition.

"What the hell?! This isn't fair! How did they win?"

"Even though the match time had ended, we still had two flags! Protest! There's definitely something suspicious!"

"Where's the replay? Dare they show it!"

At that moment, the spectators got a clear view of the entire match process. The holographic projection on the large screen began replaying the final decisive moments.

It turned out that while the other teams were fighting, Xiao Sa ordered everyone in his own team to dismantle the energy devices from their respective mechs.

Then, using their mental entities to clear the way, they dug a large pit at the entrance of their own camp, piling all the energy into the pit and covering it shallowly.

After that, he instructed the remaining teammates to avoid the routes of the other teams, sneaking to the other end of the map. With an overwhelming numerical advantage of nineteen to five, they easily confiscated Team D's flag, usurping their camp.

Meanwhile, Xiao Sa alone came to "surround" the mixed opponents, using himself as bait to lure them into the trap above.

Such an immense amount of intense artillery fire finally triggered the energy bombs buried underneath, sending most people flying and officially knocking them out.

With his defenses maxed out and precautions already in place, Xiao Sa, barely clinging to a sliver of health, swiftly took out the remaining survivors one by one with precision.

His teammates, who had been ignominiously hiding in Class D's camp, ultimately won victory by holding two flags in their hands.

After witnessing a thoroughly thrilling display of underhanded tactics, everyone present was left stunned—was it really possible to play like this?

Today's team competition was, without a doubt, a complete personal showcase for Xiao Sa.

In the spectator stands, the deputy commander of the Exploration Legion, Colonel Aige, who had been specially invited to watch the match, couldn't help but reveal a faint smile as he discreetly glanced at General Landis in the front row.

Unexpectedly, General Landis's companion showed such remarkable talent in battle.

Xiao Sa walked out of the competition channel, removed his combat armor from his body, and tucked his helmet under his arm. Looking towards the spectator stands, he immediately spotted Landis staring intently at him from the crowd.

Dressed in a tight combat suit, Xiao Sa showed off his tall, well-proportioned figure to the fullest. He casually wiped away the thin layer of sweat on his face, and his amber eyes sparkled with energy under the sunlight, exuding confidence and charm.

Landis felt a stir in his heart and involuntarily leaned slightly forward, subconsciously tugging at his overly tight tie. His eyes followed Xiao Sa's figure until he vanished at the end of the corridor.

"I didn't expect the famous noble class in the Mech Academy to be hiding such talent. If that person were above A-rank, the various legions would have already started competing to recruit them."

Landis couldn't help but smile slightly, then quickly suppressed it, returning to his usual expressionless face. "Xiao Sa is completely different from those incompetent noble dandies."

Feeling like he had been mentioned, Duke Lot couldn't help but add, "Today, Class A performed quite well," he said. Especially his son, he thought.

"Indeed," Colonel Aige nodded. "Lord Landis, I wonder if Mr. Xiao Sa might be interested in joining our Exploration Legion," he said. "We still have many vacancies this year due to the expansion."

An officer from the First Legion interjected, "Our First Legion is also in great need of fresh blood like him."

Landis immediately frowned and coldly replied, "Thank you for your kindness, but given Xiao Sa's identity and physical condition, he may not be suited for such dangerous activities."

Trying to poach someone right in front of him, didn't they realize who Xiao Sa's companion was?

The third prince, Moyang, seized the opportunity to say, "Lord Landis, wouldn't you ask Mr. Xiao Sa yourself? Perhaps he might be interested," he said. "As his companion, wouldn't it be inappropriate to overlook his wishes like this?"

"According to tradition, classes that achieve upper-level assessments in the exams are given spots for actual training."

He was certainly interested! Thinking of this, Landis felt a migraine coming on. God only knew why Xiao Sa loved to go out and put himself in dangerous situations.

It was most likely impossible for Xiao Sa to give up on joining the Exploration Legion.

What’s worse, the meddling and provocation of the third prince, an outsider, pretending to be concerned for Xiao Sa, made him even more upset.

Landis narrowed his eyes and glanced at him, saying coldly, "Thank you for your unnecessary concern, third prince. However, it would be better if you placed your unnecessary concern in persuading the parliament to pass the military department's proposal."

The third prince wasn't angered and simply smiled, saying no more.

※※※

In the preparation area changing rooms.

The changing rooms had separate single rooms and showers. The white ceramic walls featured a wide floor-length mirror. Xiao Sa was inside taking a shower and changing.

From the individual competition to the team competition, he had spent an entire morning wrapped in a tight combat suit without a break. Now, his muscles, which had been tense the entire time, were finally relieved from the confines of the suit.

He quickly showered and felt much more refreshed.

Just as he pulled on his pants and grabbed a clean towel to dry his hair, a subtle sound and a familiar aura came from behind him.

Without turning his head, Xiao Sa looked through his untidy fringe at the mirror. The lean figure of Landis in military uniform was reflected in the floor mirror.

Landis had taken off his military cap, holding it casually in his arm, with one hand in his trouser pocket. He stood straight at the entrance of the changing room, completely blocking the doorway.

His posture was always as straight as a spear, and his deep icy blue eyes were staring at Xiao Sa in the mirror.

As though he were a general about to deliver a speech in parliament, rather than a sneaky peeper creeping into the cadets' changing room.

Xiao Sa was tickled by his own thought and couldn't help laughing out loud.

Landis chuckled softly and slowly approached him, his voice low and magnetic, "Are you that happy to see me?"

Xiao Sa snorted, "Landis, with your overconfidence, aren't you afraid someone might jump you?"

Or give you a good thrashing to set you straight.

"Who would dare?" Landis sneered disdainfully, his gaze brazenly roaming over Xiao Sa's body.

The changing room was filled with post-shower steam, leaving a thin layer of fog on the full-length mirror.

Xiao Sa's body still carried undried water droplets that slid down along the contours of his chest, following the rise and fall of his muscles, reflecting a lustrous sheen under the overhead light.

His skin, which had avoided light for years, was extremely fair. When hidden under his combat suit, his skin was perfectly outlined, revealing a tight and powerful muscle structure.

Others could only see Xiao Sa's agile movements on the battlefield, or how he fought through chaos with ease. Whether it was his teammates or opponents, they were all like puppets on a string to him.

Only Landis could see his body after he shed his combat suit, his fierce and sexy form, his tight and firm waist, hiding an explosive power within.

Landis suddenly felt his throat tighten, and his voice became somewhat dry.

He was just standing there doing nothing, yet his gaze was rougher than the calluses on his finger, as if it were physically caressing every inch of Xiao Sa's body.

Perhaps because his stare was too intense, too palpable, Xiao Sa couldn't ignore it.

He casually wiped the fog on the mirror and, through the mirror, gave Landis a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "What are you looking at? Isn't it enough to see me every night?"

In response, there was the sound of the changing room door locking.

Landis spoke leisurely, "If not me, who else do you plan to show?"

Xiao Sa looked at the man in the mirror, dressed in a strict black military uniform, looking prim and proper. Only he was being watched, which seemed unfair, so he decided to give him something to do.

Xiao Sa chuckled, "Since you're so available, come and help me dry my hair."

Landis set his military cap aside and then took the towel, gently wrapping and rubbing Xiao Sa's hair in his hands.

They were extremely close. Even though Xiao Sa had just showered, his body still exuded the high temperature and latent power from the intense match.

Landis leaned in and lightly inhaled his unique tequila scent, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly. He leaned further, his broad chest, tightly encased in his military uniform, pressing firmly against Xiao Sa's scorching back.

He suddenly lowered his voice and asked, "Is your body's scent natural?"

Xiao Sa couldn't help but laugh, "Yes, members of my clan also have a special scent. And only we can smell it."

Before, the third prince's mental entity had detected his pheromones, which had offended him at the time.

But now, being asked about his pheromones by his bonded Landis, he found it to be a tempting hint, and an involuntary arousal began within him.

"Oh?" Landis raised his eyebrows. "Then why can I smell your scent?"

Xiao Sa turned his head back, slightly lifting his brow, giving him a meaningful smile. "Only the most intimate people can smell it, and..."

His voice was unhurried, carrying a faint, teasing allure. "I want you to smell it."

As he said this, the corners of his eyes tilted slightly upwards. The bathroom lights, through the water vapor, shone in his deep pupils, like a pool of tiny, glittering lights.

Landis's heart suddenly pounded fiercely twice, and in that moment, he felt utterly bewitched.

He stopped drying Xiao Sa's hair and, pressing his face against Xiao Sa's head through the towel, leaned in.

The scent of tequila was mixed with a hint of refreshing shampoo. Xiao Sa's vision was immediately obstructed by the towel, plunging him into darkness. He felt his waist suddenly tighten, firmly held by one of Landis's arms.

A patch of warm skin pressed against the back of his neck, and slightly rapid breath brushed down, followed by a sharp chin rubbing against him.

Landis's palms were moist and scorching hot, with a thin layer of calluses on his fingertips. As they brushed over the skin, the rough sensation was especially distinct.

Xiao Sa's abs instantly tensed, and his chest visibly rose and fell as he let out a low, steady laugh. "Landis, this is the public changing room. My classmates might be in the next room."

"Hmm..." Landis appeared not to hear, emitting a deep nasal sound.

He gently nipped at Xiao Sa's earlobe, grinding his teeth, then kissed down along the ear to the side of his neck, sucking on that patch of skin.

His hoarse voice emerged from his dry throat. "I didn't know you were so popular at the academy. Even those famous rich, spoiled kids had been trained to be obedient by you. After the match just now, so many people were thinking about you..."

His mood was half pleased, half frustrated. He wished only he could see it...

Landis inhaled the scent that only he could perceive, unable to help but indulge in some dark thoughts.

Hearing his sour remarks, Xiao Sa couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Today, the school cafeteria didn't need to add any vinegar. You alone are enough to make the atmosphere sour for me."

Is this guy really not a vinegar spirit come back to life?

Xiao Sa yanked off the towel covering his eyes and pulled away Landis's restless hand, turning around to press the other against the floor-length mirror.

Their fiery gazes locked at close range. He lowered his brow, his eyes darkening.

He gently looped his index finger around Landis's tie knot, pulling it free from his military uniform, and one by one, undid the buttons of his jacket, revealing a perfectly clean, wrinkle-free white shirt underneath, its fitted cut accentuating the shape of his well-defined pectoral muscles.

Xiao Sa lowered his eyes and kissed him through the shirt.

Landis couldn't help but let out a muffled groan, his head tilting backward to press against the cold floor-length mirror, both hands gripping Xiao Sa's scalp, fingers turning white from the slight force.

He swallowed shallowly, a wave of unbearable sensation shooting through him, his thigh muscles tensing as he rasped, "Didn't you say there were other people here?"

Xiao Sa raised a hand to cover Landis's mouth, laughing in a low voice, "Baby, can't you be quieter?"

*Baby?*

It felt strange being called that for the first time by Xiao Sa—clingy and nauseating. Logically, it should have been him calling Xiao Sa that.

Landis grabbed Xiao Sa's wrist and kissed it lightly in his palm, then suddenly lowered his voice, "Have you ever called anyone else that before?"

Xiao Sa's movements paused, and he looked up, narrowing his eyes at Landis—did he ever call his pet cat that?

Seeing that Xiao Sa didn't immediately deny it, Landis grew even more irritated.

He pushed Xiao Sa's hand away, forcefully holding the back of his head as he aggressively nipped at the corner of Xiao Sa's mouth, launching into a fierce, passionate kiss that traveled from his lips down to his collarbone.

He sucked forcefully, leaving several dark red hickeys on Xiao Sa's neck before he felt somewhat appeased.

Xiao Sa had already stripped Landis of his military jacket and pressed him against the floor-length mirror for a deep, lingering kiss.

Just as the two were unable to pull away from their kiss, Kaman's voice suddenly came from outside, asking loudly, "Xiao Sa, aren't you done yet? You've been in there for ages."

Both of them froze in their actions. Xiao Sa frowned and called back impatiently, "Go outside first, I'll be out in a moment."

Then he forcefully covered Landis's mouth and hissed in his ear, "Don't make a noise."

Landis raised an eyebrow and gave him a provocative look, whispering so only the two of them could hear, "If you're not strong enough, I can keep quiet."

"Ha!" Xiao Sa gave him a dangerous look, a cold chuckle escaping his lips, "Whether I have what it takes or not, you'll soon find out!"

Landis curled his lips into a defiant smile and silently mouthed the words, one by one: *I'm waiting for it.*

Xiao Sa, having heard their concerned voices from outside, still hadn't come out yet. After waiting for a long time, Kaman and Bayer knocked on the door in puzzlement. "Xiao Sa, are you alright? Is something wrong? Do you need to see the school medic?"

After another moment, a strange sound emerged from inside the changing room, like the rustling of fabric or the dull thud of something hitting the wall.

Soon after, the door to the changing room was pulled open, and Xiao Sa emerged, fully dressed, wearing a long-sleeved shirt and pants. He had his gloves on, and a high collar covered him all the way under his chin, completely hiding his neck.

Before Kaman could ask if he was hot, he suddenly noticed that Xiao Sa was followed by someone else—it was General Landis!

Kaman and Bayer's eyes widened, their mouths agape, and after a long moment, they stammered a greeting to General Landis.

Good heavens, this was the legendary "Sword of the Empire," the top S-rank powerhouse, and one of the most admired figures among cadets in the four military academies!

And here he was, suddenly appearing before them.

Landis casually glanced at the two cadets and said indifferently, "Your team performance today was quite good."

He then adjusted his military cap and straightened his tie with one hand, before following Xiao Sa out, one after the other.

Kaman and Bayer stood frozen in place, still in disbelief. Kaman suddenly jolted. Wait, how did General Landis end up here? What were the two of them doing in the changing room for so long?

They exchanged a glance and simultaneously shivered, feeling as though they had seen something they shouldn’t have.

On the way out, Xiao Sa couldn't help but tug at the tight collar around his neck, about to pull the zipper down, when Landis beside him stopped him from doing so.

"What are you doing? I'm really hot," Xiao Sa said helplessly.

Landis carefully adjusted Xiao Sa's collar and said out of the blue, "Too many marks are visible. It's better if they're not seen. If you're hot, you can take it off once we're home."

Xiao Sa was speechless and gave him a bland look, and clicked his tongue. "Knowing you'd be here, and you still let yourself be bitten!"

Landis turned away expressionlessly, pretending he hadn’t heard.

"By the way," Xiao Sa suddenly remembered something, a faint, teasing smile curling at the corner of his mouth, "I remember someone bet with me, hmm?"

Landis froze.

This time, after securing first place in the team competition, his class ranking had jumped above the average level. According to tradition, there would be an allocation of spots for the Exploration Legion, allowing the winners to participate in field training, or even leave Central Star for other planets.

Xiao Sa deliberately put on a stern face, crossing his arms and raising his chin as he raised an eyebrow. "Surely, someone isn't about to break their promise, right?"

Landis, rarely showing embarrassment, gave a soft cough, covering his mouth with a loosely fisted hand, his eyes darting away, unsure where to look.

Catching Xiao Sa's slightly displeased expression out of the corner of his eye, he finally sighed helplessly and lowered his voice, "We'll talk about it when we get back."

Xiao Sa eyed his profile playfully, his expression full of subtle amusement.

Today, you've met your match, General Landis!