back to Earth

Cheng Zhen sat at the table, with Misaqi and Cassia sitting around him on the left and right.

"Have you really figured it out?"

The Lion star asked, with a rare seriousness in his tone.

Looking up at his friend, Cheng Zhen smiled. "I've made my decision and I won't change it."

"Okay, okay! I know you've always been stubborn." Misaki seemed anxious to spin around, rubbing his hands irritably. "Then have you ever thought about what happens if you lose? This will not only fail to achieve your desired goal, but you may also be injured. The most important thing is that as long as you lose to Leiber in this actual battle Er, then no matter whether your strength was recognized before or not, it will only provoke everyone to target you again!"

Beating the dog in the water is a common bad habit in Clemson Academy, which believes that the strong come first.

Cassia also looked at Cheng Zhen with a worried face, hesitant to speak.

Seeing this expression of his compatriots, Cheng Zhen slightly turned around. "Just say what you want, Cassia."

"I..." Cassia hesitated for a while before mustering up the courage to look at Cheng Zhen. "Actually, I know that you are not only doing this for yourself. In recent days, I have figured it out. You said you were disappointed before, not because I didn't trust you, but because I didn't trust myself! No, or, It's because we, your compatriots, are too cowardly with ourselves!"

"That's why you feel disappointed and angry! Because you don't want to see us continue to go down like this, and you want to take everyone forward together. Is that right? Cheng Zhen!"

Looking at the gray-haired boy's shining eyes, Cheng Zhen felt his eyes flicker, and a certain long-awaited but finally obtained feeling of reluctance crossed his heart.However, in the end, the black-haired human boy just looked at Cassia, and slightly raised the corners of his lips.

He didn't speak, but countless emotions flashed in those deep black eyes.Expectation, sentimentality, joy and nostalgia.Looking at Cassia, who was so impulsive and energetic, Cheng Zhen felt as if he saw the rebellious human beings in the past again.

It's small, but the fire of hope is finally rekindled, isn't it?

Looking at Cheng Zhen who didn't speak, but just looked at her with a smile, Cassia also became anxious.

"That's why I said... I just said it! You don't need to do this step, Cheng Zhen! If you want the entire human race to get out of the current state of numbness and incompetence, you alone are not enough! No matter how hard you try No matter how hard you struggle, how much reward can you get in addition to sacrificing yourself?! And like me, there must be many human beings who didn't understand you before, complained about you, and even wanted to watch you play! For such a race, is it necessary for you to sacrifice yourself so much?" Cassia said excitedly, her eyes were a little red.

"The opponent this time is none other than the chief of the Golden Clan. Cheng Zhen, have you ever thought that you may be injured in this battle, even seriously enough to prevent you from becoming a mech pilot again?" !"

The actual combat challenge launched by Leiber was a duel approved by the academy.As long as Cheng Zhen agrees to this duel, the academy will not interfere with any injuries caused in actual combat, even if life-threatening situations arise.Just like the duel that was once rumored on the earth thousands of years ago.

This is a battle between two mech pilots, and outsiders are not qualified to interfere.

That's why Misaki and Cassia are particularly worried, because no one can predict what accidents will happen before the winner of this kind of actual combat.

"I know." A low voice came from the mouth of the black-haired boy, and Cheng Zhen passed his fingers across his eyes, showing a nostalgic smile. "Of course my own strength is not enough. From the very beginning, I knew that personal strength is small and not enough to pull our entire race out of the abyss. But, Cassia——"

As Cheng Zhen spoke, he looked up at the gray-haired human compatriots. "That's why I've been waiting. Waiting for someone like you to show up."

"Me? What can I do?" Cassia was taken aback.

"If it's something that can't be done by one person, then if you want to do it, you must gather the power of more people." Cheng Zhen stared at Cassia. "To completely change mankind, what we need is new hope. And you, Cassia, are the spark that ignites this hope. When enough sparks are gathered one day, then the prairie fire of human revival is bound to be Light up under this little spark."

"So, Cassia, I must accept this challenge in order to ignite more sparks."

The fighting spirit that human beings lack, the heart that is gradually numb under long-term depression.What Cheng Zhen wants to do is to be a leader who leads them to look up to the future again.Even if it is because of this, he will not hesitate to become that moth to the flame.

Shocked by Cheng Zhen's words in his heart, Cassia couldn't help but couldn't believe it while being shocked. "We... Cheng Zhen, do you know how difficult it is to do this." For many years, since the beginning of decline, human beings have never been united as one.Back then, the Vatican race was even split for this reason.

Such a race that is getting closer and closer to the end, Cheng Zhen actually wants to reunite the human race and return to the peak!

Seeing Cassia's shaken expression, the black-haired boy said young. "Yeah, it's tough, but there's hope."

"So, in order to help me complete this extremely difficult challenge, are you willing to be the first spark? Cassia." Cheng Zhen stretched out his right hand to the gray-haired compatriot and looked at him persistently.

The outstretched hand was covered with calluses from training.Rough and scarred, I am afraid that no one will think that these are a pair of good-looking hands.

However, it was such a pair of hands that were not fair and delicate that made Cassia's eyes moist.

The gray-haired boy looked up at Cheng Zhen, and firmly reached out his hand to hold it firmly. "As long as you don't think my spark is too weak, I'm willing to challenge with you, Chief." This was the first time he called Cheng Zhen's title, but it was so sincere.

The human chief chuckled, gentle but relieved.

"As long as it can ignite the flame of hope, it is never a weak one."

Misaqi, who had been silently watching the two for a long time, let out a long sigh.Cheng Zhen really likes to do unexpected things.

Thinking of something, the Ryan star smiled happily again.

But maybe only such a person can create miracles again and again!

A week of preparation time is fleeting.In the past few days, apart from going to class normally, Cheng Zhen often went to ask Vickery's teacher for advice.

The red-haired teacher naturally knew about the upcoming duel, but he didn't say anything, but answered Cheng Zhen's questions carefully every time, and made the best teaching to help him.

Cheng Zhen, who felt Vickery's silent care, felt a faint warmth in his heart.Although everyone's way is different, there are still many people who care about him, which is something to be happy about, isn't it?

A few days before the duel, sometimes I would meet Leiber in the classroom.At this time, the first-year chief of the Golden Clan would nod to Cheng Zhen as a greeting, and Cheng Zhen would naturally return the greeting.There was no pre-war tension between the two of them at all.

Cheng Zhen didn't ask Leiber why he suddenly initiated this duel.

Maybe, he thought, he could understand why.For opponents who want to compete against each other, every mecha warrior has an unstoppable desire to fight.Or maybe Leiber wanted to prove something before the Battle of Klein.

But just like the opponent, Cheng Zhen is also looking forward to this battle.This must be a difficult battle, but it can especially arouse Cheng Zhen's fighting spirit.He also has his own hunger, the desire to win, especially from a close opponent.

The day of the duel finally arrived. Since the time was set during the school period, the huge duel arena seemed extraordinarily empty.Apart from the college staff who witnessed the victory and defeat, there were only Cheng Zhen and Leiber.

Putting on the black training suit, Cheng Zhen walked into the protective cover in the duel arena.

Leiber was already standing in the arena, and when he saw Cheng Zhen approaching, he nodded slightly.The blond-haired chief of the Golden Clan stood upright, and just standing there still made people feel invisible oppression.

As dueling etiquette, Leiber placed his right hand over his heart before going into battle.

"Reber Bertutan, Gunner, hereby challenges you."

Also raising his right hand, Cheng Zhen responded.

"Cheng Zhen, ranger, accept the challenge here."

"I declare that the two duelists abide by the rules, and under the witness of the just and powerful God of War, this duel is approved." After the two saluted, the witness notarized.

Before stepping into the uniformly configured cockpit of the battle mech, Cheng Zhen heard Leiber's voice from a distance.

"I want to know why you chose to accept this challenge?" The chief of the Golden Clan looked at Cheng Zhen.

The black-haired boy turned around, smiled slightly, placed his right hand on his chest again, and clenched it tightly.

"For the pride."

This is the pride of human beings, the pride that never wants to admit defeat.Even if he doesn't know what the victory or defeat ahead is, Cheng Zhen is willing to fight for it.

At the same time, a gigantic battleship had just berthed at the air port of Clemson College.With a black and gold hull and a hard metal armor shell, the entire battleship exudes a deterrent air that people cannot look directly at.Anyone with a little discernment can tell that this must be a warship that has experienced countless battles.

Beside the airport, there are already many people waiting on the side.They all wore the formal silver dresses of Clemson College and stood in two lines on both sides of the corridor of the airport.

And the few people standing at the front of the team were looking at the landing hatch of the huge battleship solemnly, waiting for the adult to appear.

A tall figure gradually stepped out of the battleship. The person wearing the black military uniform of the Bertutan tribe walked down the gangway step by step.

His eyes were covered by black goggles, and no one could see through his expression.And as he gradually approached, those who greeted him couldn't help but be oppressed by the man-loving aura and couldn't straighten their bodies.The person who was swept by those eyes hidden under the goggles felt an inexplicable chill.

Rhine Bertutan, the commander-in-chief of the Golden Clan army, is also the commander-in-chief of the Interstellar General Assembly.At this time, this prestigious emperor-level powerhouse stood in front of everyone like this, and it seemed like an illusion for a while.

This strong man who seems to come from another world, no one can see through his hidden deepest emotions and thoughts.

Rhine looked at everyone one by one, frowning slightly invisibly.

Siaris, who had been waiting by the side, stepped forward, knelt down on one knee, and shouted respectfully.

"Seventh Legion, Shiaris Cranson, please see Your Excellency the Chief of the United Front!"

"Xiaris." The deep voice called out the name of the female chief in front of him, and Rhine asked unexpectedly.

"Among the people who came to greet him, why is there no Leiber?"

"Your Excellency! The first-year student Leiber Bertutan is in a duel."

Rhine was silent for a long time before speaking out. "with who?"

"Human Chief, Cheng Zhen."

This was the first time Rhine heard that person's name from someone else.But at this moment, the owner of this name is just a stranger to Rhine Bertutan.