The academy's training hall was louder than usual. Today was Challenge Day, where cadets were paired with higher-ranked students or instructors to test skill under pressure. Whispers rippled through the hall: "Vale is finally in the spotlight…"
Elias Vale stepped onto the platform, the System humming softly in his mind. Yesterday's sparring match had boosted his confidence, but today would be a real test.
SYSTEM ALERT:
Combat Rating: A
Pilot Synchronization: 97%
Weapon Damage Output: 97%
Harem Potential (female attention): 28%
A soft ping accompanied a new notification:
"NEW FUNCTION UNLOCKED: EVOLVE ENHANCED TARGETING SYSTEM."
Elias blinked. Enhanced Targeting? That meant he could anticipate enemy movements more efficiently, almost like seeing their next step before they took it.
From the observation deck, a familiar voice rang out:
"Vale," said Commander Rylin Vox, one of the academy's elite instructors and former combat champion, her piercing gray eyes scanning him. "I hear you've been making… waves."
The cadets around murmured. Rylin Vox wasn't someone to impress lightly. Known for her ruthless training methods, she had a reputation for crushing the weak. And now, she was personally evaluating him.
Serena, standing beside Lira, whispered, "This is it… the real test. No mercy." Her blue eyes gleamed with a mixture of curiosity and tension, betraying a flicker of worry Elias didn't miss.
Elias climbed into his mech, feeling the familiar surge of the System. He ran diagnostics:
Hull Integrity: 82% → 83%
Servo Efficiency: 91% → 93%
Weapon Output: 97% → 97%
Rylin's mech powered up across from him. It gleamed like liquid metal, a perfect combination of speed, agility, and weapon systems.
The bell rang. Combat simulation activated.
Rylin struck first, fast and precise. Elias dodged instinctively, the System highlighting weak points in her movements:
"Enhanced Targeting: Optimal Evasion Path Calculated. Expected Success: 91%."
He moved, barely evading a laser strike. The System flashed new calculations:
Enemy Strike Trajectory: Predicted
Weak Point: Shoulder Armor Joint
Recommended Counter: Plasma Strike → Success Rate 87%
He executed the move. Sparks flew as his mech's plasma cannon struck perfectly. Rylin's mech staggered slightly—a minor victory, but a victory nonetheless.
Serena and Lira were watching intently. Serena's normally confident expression had softened, lips slightly parted. Lira leaned forward, eyes wide.
Elias could feel their attention—two pairs of eyes glued to his every move. The System's subtle indicator popped:
Harem Engagement Increase: +5%
He felt a rush of warmth, but forced himself to focus. Power first, admiration second.
Rylin recovered quickly, countering with a rapid barrage. Elias's mech took hits, shields dropping to 64%.
SYSTEM ALERT: Hull Integrity 83% → 70%
He gritted his teeth. Time to test the new function fully. Targeting algorithms activated. The System analyzed Rylin's movements in real-time, predicting sequences, calculating weak points, and optimizing his weapon output.
Attack Accuracy: +28%
Reaction Time: +15%
Damage Output: +12%
He dodged another volley, then landed a precise strike to her leg servos. Rylin staggered back, visibly impressed.
The hall erupted in whispers:
"Vale… he's… predicting her moves?"
"I thought Rylin was untouchable!"
"That's insane! The weak cadet is challenging elites!"
Serena's eyes glimmered. She leaned toward Lira, whispering:"I didn't think he had it in him… but that move just now…"
Lira smirked. "I told you. Vale isn't just lucky. He's… something else."
The subtle tension between the three cadets was palpable. Elias noticed the glances, the admiration, the hidden blushes. He didn't act on it—not yet—but he filed the observations away.
Rylin stepped back, her mech powering down. "Interesting," she said, tone neutral but edged with respect. "You've improved since yesterday. This is… promising. Keep it up, Vale. You might actually survive the academy after all."
The cadets around them whispered louder. Elias's chest swelled. Recognition. Respect. Even admiration. And yes… subtle attraction from the cadets he was beginning to notice.
Later, back in his quarters, Elias analyzed the day:
Combat Rating: A → A+
Pilot Synchronization: 97% → 99%
Weapon Damage Output: 97% → 99%
Harem Potential: 28% → 35%
He smiled to himself. The System had unlocked new potential. He was no longer the weakest. He was a rising force.
And with every glance from Serena, every teasing smirk from Lira, he realized something else: power drew attention, and attention drew influence.
Tomorrow would bring more challenges. More rivals. More opportunities.
But one thing was certain: the academy would never see him the same way again.