Professor Lawrence said, "You just stand here and wait."

Jay Brown nodded.

Professor Lawrence then turned to look at Emma standing to the side.

Emma still had a smile on her face, but no matter how one looked at it, there seemed to be a hint of falsehood.

"What are you here for today?"

"Just here to have a look."

"To have a look?" Professor Lawrence’s eyes held a scrutinizing gaze.

The look made Emma feel somewhat overwhelmed, and she could only change her excuse, "I was thinking that I haven’t tried mecha combat in so many years. I’m worried I might be rusty, so I wanted to come and learn a bit."

Professor Lawrence chuckled, "Learning is hardly the word, as I recall, the royal family should have provided you with a tutor, right?"

Emma suppressed her irritation, nodding with a smile, "Yes, I have a tutor, but even with the best tutor, it’s still good to accumulate real combat experience."

She was right.

Knowledge gained from books is shallow; true understanding comes from personal experience.

Professor Lawrence nodded, as if he had been persuaded.

Emma sighed with relief.

Little did she know that the very next second, Professor Lawrence pointed at Jay Brown and said, "It is commendable for someone of your royal status to have such enlightenment. Since that’s the case, I have already chosen your partner for you. He’s right here. Use this opportunity to gain some experience."

Emma froze.

Jay Brown walked forward very naturally and gave a slight nod in greeting.

There was a rule in the Mech Academy that royal protocols need not be observed within its premises.

As a student of the Mech Academy, it wasn’t necessary to pay respects to nobility.

"Do we start now?"

Emma asked, feeling a little uncertain inside.

She knew her own level—her spirit force might pass muster, but with piloting mechs, she truly lacked talent.

Moreover, she hadn’t touched a mech in many years.

If she really faced someone from the Mech Academy, she would definitely...

"Jay Brown is our brightest student in this class. You can go all out against him without worrying about injuring him," Professor Lawrence added, stroking his beard, "Or, should I call the students back and have everyone learn together?"

Emma’s expression stiffened, and she spoke as if biting the words, "There’s no need."

"Then let’s begin."

Professor Lawrence waved his hand.

It wasn’t long before two basic mechs were lowered into the central area of the combat room.

"To be fair, both parties will use the basic mechs provided by the academy. Any objections?" While the question was addressed to both of them, Professor Lawrence only looked at Emma, "Your Highness Princess, what do you think?"

Emma could no longer muster a smile.

This old man, now he remembered she was Her Highness Princess.

"Perhaps we should compete another time."

Emma put on a smile, but her eyes lacked any mirth.

But Professor Lawrence, as if oblivious, smiled benignly, "Her Highness Princess said she wanted to learn, so I brought the academy’s best student. Why are you saying next time now?"

Emma explained, "My schedule today is a bit rushed, I wasn’t prepared."

Professor Lawrence shook his head, "Ah, mecha combat doesn’t need any preparation, and with Your Highness’s level, it should be Jay Brown who feels the pressure."

"Is... is that so."

Emma pulled at the corner of her mouth; she was unable to say anything further.

It was as though she was being pushed onto a stage against her will.

The casual lie she had tossed out was caught and thrown back by someone else, landing squarely on herself.

Jay wasn’t wasting any time; he had already walked to the side and was putting on his combat suit.

The nearly ten-meter-high mech exuded an invisible pressure.

The more Emma looked at it, the uglier her expression became.

Fortunately, at the crucial moment, Wayne Lane arrived.

He had already learned the whole story on the way over.