Ground Vehicles

Ye Lan and Su Lixiao were unaware of the danger approaching as they walked along the avenue leading to the Soul-Cutting Military Academy headquarters.

In the distance, they could see the academy flag fluttering in the air. Even Ye Lan, who had lived two lives, felt his mind relax slightly at the sight.

Ye Lan knew that battles rarely occurred within ten kilometers of the academy headquarters.

Being close to the headquarters meant reinforcements from all sides would arrive quickly.

To avoid becoming stuck in a pointless tug-of-war that would trap everyone, it had become an unspoken rule: the closer to headquarters, the safer.

Thus, the land untouched by artillery still retained several intact roads leading to the headquarters.

Nearby buildings, though empty, were mostly intact, and many still displayed banners reading “Welcome New Students.”

Although the Soul-Cutting Military Academy wasn’t top-tier in the Human Alliance, its attention to detail was excellent.

Whether on Beiken’s homeworld construction crust or on planets used for war exercises, students had ample opportunities for practical training.

Some second- or third-tier academies had to borrow battlefields from other military schools, but Soul-Cutting, though small, had everything in place.

“Woo—woo—” sirens approached, and a convoy of armored vehicles sped past Ye Lan and Su Lixiao.

The vehicles were equipped with standard 120mm smoothbore cannons, but the red cross markings indicated they were volunteer rescue vehicles.

Although the academy’s shield emblem could prevent fatal injuries, serious wounds were often unavoidable.

The emblem would decide whether to call for help based on the student’s condition.

At that moment, ambulances were summoned to return injured students to the academy hospital.

As the last vehicle passed Ye Lan, he saw a senior inside give them a thumbs-up for encouragement.

Ye Lan smiled and waved back.

After all, it wasn’t common for freshmen to walk to the headquarters on foot.

Su Lixiao watched the convoy leave with interest until it vanished from sight, then turned to Ye Lan and asked: “Lan, what were those two spider-like vehicles in the convoy?”

Among the rescue convoy, besides common wheeled and tracked vehicles, there were two multi-legged armored vehicles resembling giant spiders.

Ye Lan explained: “Those are standard-model Wolf Spider multi-legged tanks.”

The Wolf Spider tank had “tank” in its name but had no wheels; it moved using six mechanical legs, giving it a spider-like appearance.

Ground vehicles could move via tires, tracks, crawling legs, or magnetic levitation, among other methods.

Different terrains required different vehicles. In the old city, ruined roads made wheels and tracks inefficient, making multi-legged vehicles ideal.

Don’t underestimate these spider-like vehicles.

Even the heaviest models could reach an average speed of 80 km/h, while lighter models could reach 120 km/h.

Wolf Spider tanks could also jump, climb walls, and crouch—maneuvers impossible for wheeled or tracked vehicles.

Compared to maglev tanks used in lava fields, oceans, or frozen plains, multi-legged crawlers were the most common for complex terrains.

If the terrain worsened, mechas or spacecraft would be deployed, and ground vehicles wouldn’t be needed.

Along the avenue, many Wolf Spider tanks were parked.

Unlike mechas, rare human pinnacle units, these tanks were public vehicles for students.

Completing the “Tank Driving Level One” course granted permission to operate them.

Students could pick a tank and race across Beiken at will.

“Can you drive one?” Su Lixiao asked Ye Lan.

“I can drive it,” Ye Lan said, scratching his head, “but I don’t have permission…”

Not just tanks, Ye Lan could operate mechas too.

However, his current body couldn’t handle the strain of mecha maneuvers, and he lacked authorization.

There were unconventional methods to operate vehicles without permission.

Ye Lan could actually use one now: the electronic dagger given by Haidrei.

Unlike Zhou Zhanying’s steel dagger, this electronic dagger could interface with a machine’s circuits, implanting a virus.

However, electronic hacking was limited—usable only once per vehicle, with a time limit.

So Ye Lan wouldn’t use it unless necessary. Fortunately, there was no immediate need—the academy gates were just ahead.

“Lan, what do you think the academy will be like?” Su Lixiao asked with curiosity and apprehension.

“Who knows?” Ye Lan looked toward the distant flag, feeling a mix of emotions.

In his previous life, he had left many memories at the academy—sweet, bitter, and especially painful.

Now, everything started anew, and past tragedies could be avoided.

“Seems like we won’t be in the same class…” Su Lixiao walked a few steps ahead.

She turned to Ye Lan and said earnestly: “Take care of yourself. If someone bullies you, use my name.”

Ye Lan was stunned.

He didn’t remember if she had ever said that when he enrolled previously.

But based on her actions in the past, she often considered his well-being, even from a high position.

Ye Lan smiled and gently patted Su Lixiao’s head.

Their height difference was minimal—just half a head—so the gesture wasn’t awkward.

“Ugh~ I’m not a child,” Su Lixiao protested lightly but didn’t stop him.

“Neither am I,” Ye Lan replied, retracting his hand and meeting her gaze.

“So I’ll take care of myself.”

He knew someone would inevitably try to harm him, but this time, he would outsmart them before they could act.

“Don’t stare at me like that…”

Su Lixiao blushed under Ye Lan’s intense gaze and turned her head shyly.

Suddenly, an alarm went off in Ye Lan’s mind.

Before he could react, Su Lixiao was faster.

He felt a force push him backward, and the scenery around them flew past.

“Boom!”

A massive black mecha, using its steel body, smashed through a building and blocked Ye Lan and Su Lixiao’s path.