The main building of Zhanhun Military Academy not only soared into the clouds but also covered an area resembling a true fortress.
It combined teaching areas for each grade, research institutes for various majors, an infirmary, and other functional zones, allowing it to handle education, medical care, and research simultaneously.
Moreover, this massive landmark maintained its military defenses while ensuring academic education.
The energy shield enveloping the entire building could keep it intact under orbital bombardment.
Hidden artillery within the structure could, when necessary, turn the main building into a fearsome firepower fortress.
The terminal control systems at each floor node had independent electronic firewalls to prevent the building’s systems from being easily hacked.
In short, the main building of Zhanhun Military Academy was the toughest building to assault on Beiken Star, bar none.
Ye Lan left the infirmary without hurrying back to his dormitory and went with Su Lixiao to one of the observation decks found on every floor.
After sleeping for two days, it was better to enjoy the academy’s view first.
The infirmary was located on a high floor, allowing a nearly full view of the academy from the observation windows.
Various buildings, arranged like planets orbiting the sun, surrounded the main building.
Though it was nighttime, dazzling neon lights on the ground made the area as bright as day.
Beiken Star’s main commercial, industrial, residential zones, and military training facilities were all built around the academy.
People walking the streets were mostly students of Zhanhun Academy, and convenient rail transport allowed them to reach any destination.
It was essentially an academy city.
After confirming that the scene matched his memory, Ye Lan said to Su Lixiao, “Let’s go.”
“Is it over already?” Su Lixiao was surprised; she thought the scenery should be fascinating, yet Ye Lan had barely looked for a minute.
Ye Lan said, “Just looking without participating is meaningless.”
In his past life, he was reclusive, never joining clubs or gatherings, mostly staying in the dormitory, so he had never seen many of the academy’s training buildings.
It was understandable that Ye Lan was unfamiliar with Zhanhun Military Academy.
Leaving the observation deck, Ye Lan and Su Lixiao walked along the corridor leading to the teaching area.
They walked slowly and in silence.
The main building had finished daytime classes, and no one visited the infirmary at night, so their footsteps echoed clearly in the quiet corridor.
Ahead of them, a fork in the corridor appeared.
The sign pointing left read, “To Classes A, B, C,” while the one pointing right read, “To Classes D, E.”
Each class had different classrooms, dormitory locations, and even different instructors.
But these “differences” were really just disparities.
Class E had fewer resources than Class A, and teacher quality varied.
It was less about tailored education and more about survival of the fittest.
Ye Lan said, “Lixiao, you’re in Class A, right? You should go left.”
“…” Su Lixiao didn’t speak.
She lowered her head, her bangs covering her eyes, hiding her thoughts.
After a long pause, she said, “I’m sorry.”
Ye Lan smiled wryly, knowing she felt guilty for not being able to share the glory with him and for the ruin his reputation had suffered.
He said, “No need to apologize.”
‘The one who should apologize is me. I lack the strength to fight beside you.’
Though his reputation had suffered, his strong abilities could counter all rumors.
This bad reputation, in some ways, even served as a protective shield—no one cared about a mouse in a smelly gutter.
Before becoming truly powerful, Ye Lan didn’t want Su Lixiao tainted by his mess.
He said, “You should go. Staying here longer with me will harm your reputation.”
His words struck her like a blade.
Su Lixiao instinctively shouted, “But part of this glory belongs to you too!”
She clutched her chest, aware that her achievement as the student representative owed much to him.
Without the Wolf Spider vehicle’s artillery, the black mech would have exhausted her energy and psychic power, and she would have lost.
Given Ye Lan’s injuries, he should have been unconscious for a week.
Now, the campus rumor said he “panicked and ran into walls.”
Coward! Defector!
These baseless accusations clung to him, especially now that Su Lixiao was the star of the freshman class.
Even if Ye Lan showed a trace of anger, Su Lixiao would have traded her honor to clear his name.
But he showed no anger and was genuinely pleased with her glory.
This deepened Su Lixiao’s guilt.
“Sorry…”
She buried her head in Ye Lan’s chest, quietly sobbing.
A hand gently stroked her smooth hair.
She lifted her head to see Ye Lan’s gentle face and the resolve in his eyes.
Ye Lan said, “I promise you, one day I will step into Class A’s gate and take you out.”
His words buzzed in her ears.
She realized he was serious.
Their faces were very close, almost touching; she blushed.
Moreover, his words felt like a confession.
“Annoying!”
Su Lixiao pushed him away with both hands and ran down the left corridor toward Class A.
Ye Lan, caught off guard, saw the scenery retreating and sat hard on the ground.
The noise had been noticeable.
He quickly dusted himself off and ran, not wanting to stay and risk being seen.
Though his reputation was already bad, he didn’t want it worse.
Approaching the fork, he glanced left.
Even though he couldn’t see her figure, he made a vow:
“I will catch up to your figure. But now, let me protect you in the darkness.”
On the left, Su Lixiao paused as if sensing him.
She couldn’t see Ye Lan, but felt him present.
“I’ll wait for you. I’ll always wait for you until you come to my side…”
She tapped her lips with her finger, then shook her head to dispel the thought.
“Oh no!”
She remembered something, tapping her head in frustration.
“I forgot to tell him… oh, never mind!”
She laughed lightly, her silver-bell-like voice echoing down the corridor, signaling her mood had brightened.