Chapter 137
137 Let’s go again
With the sun dancing in the middle of the blue sky the sounds of patrolling drones and cruisers flying over Capital Star ripped through the atmosphere. The city was still panic-stricken after the incident over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the future heroes of the federation were in blood and tears enduring the most intense training in hand to hand combat. It seemed their drill instructor had roused his patriotic spirit and decided to push these trainees so they can defend the Federation well in the future.
Zi Han for once was paired with the most unlikely candidate. He was paired up with Evan and their spurring session almost broke into a real fight.
From the previous training where Yi Chen failed to make Zi Han yield, Evan had assumed that Yi Chen was pulling his punches but after experiencing it first hand he realized he was wrong. Zi Han was as stubborn as a mule and wouldn’t back down no matter what.
When you think he would yield he would manipulate the most unlikely loopholes and free himself then attack again much more fierce than before. After thirty minutes of this Evan was worn out and Zi Han pinned him down with his arm tightly gripped around Evan’s neck.
Evan tried to fight back but under Zi Han’s suppression, his struggles seemed weak and pathetic. His chest fluctuated violently as he tried to pull Zi Han’s arm with beads of sweat flowing down his forehead and his veins throbbing at his temples.
Zi Han tightened his grip with his face moving closer. Evan felt an itchy feeling as Zi Han’s damp hair brushed against the side of his cheek. He wanted to raise his hand to brush away the itchy feeling when the sounds of low laughter came from Zi Han.
The vibrations from Zi Han’s chest transmitted into his body reverberating straight into his heart. He suddenly lost the will to fight. He just wanted to get away from this person and calm his taut nerves thus he opened his mouth to yield.
“I, I yield,” he said in a hoarse voice, and immediately the arm around his neck loosened before the weight on his body vanished.
.....
A sense of relief washed over him like an innocent prisoner released after being caged for ten years. With a slight turn of his neck, he glanced at Zi Han, and his heart that was calming down jolted sharply.
Zi Han was standing upright while pulling up the hem of his t-shirt to wipe away the sweat on his forehead. The fabric slipped up the porcelain-toned belly with faintly visible abs and fine beads of sweat making Evan take a second glance.
Zi Han wasn’t even aware of it. He pulled down his t-shirt and raked his fingers through his hair struggling to catch his breath. His chest rising and falling he took a few steps back before turning to look at Evan.
Evan who had been caught staring averted his gaze as he looked away but Zi Han thought he was struggling to accept defeat. “Don’t take it to heart. It’s just training,” said Zi Han and as a light chuckle escaped his throat he felt a sharp gaze slicing through the air in his direction.
Curious, he looked around but like him and Evan, everyone was focused on spurring with the drill instructor walking around observing the situation while occasionally correcting the cadets.
As he tightened the straps of his gloves Zi Han’s line of sight fell on Yi Chen and their gazes met. He smiled at him but instead, he was met by an ice-cold shoulder making his smile stiffen.
‘AAAAAHHHHH... since when did Yi Chen become the short-tempered one? That’s my thing,’ thought Zi Han as faint bitterness rose to his chest.
“Tch..... let’s go again,” he said to Evan seeking an outlet.
Evan’s back stiffened hearing this. If Zi Han has the same resilience in bed then won’t his bed partner in the future be worn out? Man or woman, they deserved to be pitied.
After twenty minutes of spurring Evan was done. Looking quite pitiful he was sitting by the bleachers with a slumped back. Beside him was the red-haired boy who was drinking a bottle of water while people watching absentmindedly.
Rubbing his sore muscles Evan almost broke into tears when he received a notification that his mech modification had been approved. Seeing light at the end of the tunnel he yelled, “Yes,” as he abruptly got up.
He was unable to contain his excitement which attracted the attention of the people around him. Once one enlists mech modifications needed to be approved even if it was private property.
That’s because these mech designs and plans were now considered confidential. Any modifications were now done by the mech masters in the military to prevent any information leaks that could be used to defeat the army.
Thus his reaction was warranted. A couple of curious classmates walked over to see his approved design and one such curious person was Zi Han. He walked over and took a look and his eyes gleamed with excitement.
He hated repairing mechs but he was obsessed with high-powered modifications and upgrades. He also thought of submitting an application to have his mech modified.
As the thought flashed through his mind he leaned his elbow on Evan’s shoulder while scrolling through the military academy’s system to make a submission.
Meanwhile, he didn’t notice the figure a few feet away from him staring at them primarily the elbow resting on Evan’s shoulder.
Evan was eagerly guiding Zi Han on how to make a submission and Zi Han was seriously listening as tapped something on the floating screen.
It was rather an innocent thing but Yi Chen couldn’t restrain the sourness in his throat. His gaze darted from that shoulder he wished to chop off and Zi Han’s happy expression as he responded to Evan’s words.
At this moment Yi Chen felt like his body wasn’t his own. A feeling of restlessness took hold of him his foot subconsciously tapping the floor making his body bounce slightly. He bit his lip tightly suppressing something but in the end, he failed.
“It won’t get approved unless you get a breakthrough in your mental power,” he blurted out drawing Zi Han’s attention.
Zi Han’s brow creased as he removed his elbow on Evan’s shoulder and walked toward him. Seeing the boy’s attention all on him the sour feeling vanished and his mood took a drastic turn. A slight quirk appeared at the corner of his lips with smiling eyes.
“How do you know?” asked Zi Han with the
corners of his lips turned down with unhappiness.
“I just know,” replied Yi Chen his head lowered as though to match Zi Han’s height.
Evan was slightly annoyed seeing this. He interrupted them by saying, “There is a way around it. I can teach you.”
Zi Han was so intrigued that he turned to look at Evan abandoning the conversation he was having with Yi Chen. By the time he turned back around the person standing next to him was gone.
Yi Chen’s good mood just now had vanished completely and he was unable to watch this so he left to cool down. If he stayed any longer he might tear his mask and shed all pretenses.