Even though it was just a mecha simulator, Abyss 107’s capabilities were still formidable.

But perhaps because Jay Brown had experience fighting against Tree Star 106, he seemed more adept when it came to facing Abyss 107.

He even discovered that Tree Star 106’s fighting style was specifically designed to counter Abyss 107’s.

This realization exhilarated him.

So excited, in fact, that in the heat of the moment, he wanted to utilize Tree Star 106’s moves.

In the end, he restrained himself, opting to withstand Abyss 107’s attacks.

Because the old principal had instructed that the existence of Tree Star 106 must not be known by anyone.

At that moment, he seemed to understand why Hannah had to conceal her true strength and intentionally hold back.

Many times, it’s not a matter of want, but of necessity.

The simulated battle lasted fifteen minutes.

After it ended, Jay Brown emerged from the mecha drenched in sweat.

Wayne Lane commented, "Not bad."

Panting, Jay Brown replied, "Thank you, Instructor Wayne."

He returned to his seat, where a female student offered him a tissue. He politely declined and then took the bottle of water from Samuel Hoffman.

The girl lowered her head to look at the tissue in her hand and then at Samuel Hoffman, who was chatting with Jay Brown and patting his shoulder. She got up and returned to her seat. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Taking the recent simulated battle as a main point, Wayne Lane began a detailed explanation.

...

After class, Wayne Lane called out to Jay Brown as he passed by.

Jay Brown stopped in his tracks, suggested Samuel Hoffman go ahead, and then turned back.

There were still students lingering in the training field.

"Instructor Wayne, is something the matter?" Jay Brown asked.

Some people looked over.

Wayne Lane had finished packing up his materials from the desk and was dressed casually and relaxed.

At school, he was simply an instructor.

It was now evening.

He didn’t speak, standing in the shadow near a streetlamp with half of his face obscured.

"Instructor Wayne, is something the matter?" Jay Brown tried to appear calm, but in Wayne Lane’s presence, whether due to the difference in status or the teacher-student relationship, he couldn’t help but tense up nervously.

He was reflecting on whether he had revealed any flaws during the battle.

Jay Brown was a person eager to learn; he had studied Hannah for a long time.

Especially her combat moves.

He had watched the few remaining videos given to him by the old principal over and over.

Maybe he even inadvertently adopted some of Hannah’s habits during the battle.

After a while, Wayne Lane spoke up, "How long have you been at the Mecha Academy?"

The terms at the Mecha Academy were renewed every thirty years.

During this time, the outstanding students would graduate early, and those who needed more polish were kept back for further study.

Of course, exceptionally talented students could also be admitted out of cycle.

It was a very normal, routine question.

Jay Brown remembered clearly the time he enrolled, so he answered almost without thinking, "Seven years."

"Seven years," Wayne Lane murmured to himself.

Jay Brown inquired, "Is there a problem?"

Wayne Lane shook his head, "Just recalling something."

Jay Brown subconsciously felt that whatever Wayne Lane was recalling might have something to do with Hannah.

He had heard from the old principal.

Back in their time at the academy, Hannah and Wayne Lane, although competitors, had also shared a close relationship.