Double A In Line Chapter 17

Chapter 17 Are You Also a Student of Typhon United University?

Even in a future with such advanced technology, civilian mechas were definitely not something an ordinary family could easily obtain.

Even many middle-class families found it difficult to own a civilian mecha of their own.

Owning a mecha required not only sufficient funds but also qualification certification.

Lin Sheng’s family held a mecha permit for two reasons: first, because his father was a Union Major, and second, because the families of both his father and his papa held considerable influence on Changhua Star.

But Cheng Yan… Lin Sheng didn’t know his background, but it certainly wouldn’t be poor, unless he was lying just to show off—but that was clearly impossible.

When they brought the mechas out of the school warehouse, Lin Sheng focused most of his attention on the mecha Cheng Yan was operating, aside from controlling his own.

At least from what he could observe from the outside, that mecha was running very smoothly. It wasn’t like the other mecha trailing at the back, which, although moving, often stuttered in its actions and was relatively slow, likely because the pilot wasn’t yet proficient.

Lin Sheng thought that Cheng Yan likely came from a family with a significant background, one that was willing to let a child use a mecha freely.

Wait, then why was he so sarcastic when they first met? Lin Sheng suddenly couldn’t wrap his head around it.

He admitted his family was indeed part of the privileged class, especially when comparing his current life to his past one; he knew exactly how many rights his family possessed that ordinary people would envy.

So when Cheng Yan had mocked him back then, even though he thought the guy was acting crazy, he had just sucked it up and accepted it.

But looking at it now, Cheng Yan was clearly part of the very privilege he had criticized. Didn’t that mean Lin Sheng had been scolded for no reason?

What was going on? Cheng Yan was the one who was crazy.

He didn’t know when he could change dorms. Although their relationship had shown signs of easing over the past few days and Lin Sheng’s desire to switch wasn’t as intense as before, now he felt that if he could switch, he really should.

He hadn’t known before, but it turned out Cheng Yan didn’t simply hate the rich; he just had pure double standards.

In that case, it was better not to be roommates. He was afraid they would just clash again in the future.

When they returned to the classroom, the teacher emerged from his mecha and signaled for the others to stay inside, though they were to move from the pilot’s seat to the co-pilot’s seat.

After all, most students were operating a mecha for the first time. During instruction, someone needed to be inside to watch over them and prevent accidents. Since the instructor wanted everyone to experience mecha operation within a single class period, he could only use these few experienced students as manual labor.

In this particular class, there were more capable “soldiers” to order around than he had expected. Consequently, by the time everyone had finished their trial, there was still some time left before the end of the lesson.

Lu Shoucheng looked at the students in the stands with a bit of worry. This was the first time since he had retired and started teaching that he hadn’t run over time.

Should they go back to the classroom to teach the next steps? There wasn’t quite enough time for that. Or should he just end class now? But the teaching quotas…

As his gaze swept over Lin Sheng, Lu Shoucheng suddenly had an idea.

As everyone knows, although civilian mechas aren’t loaded with weapon systems, they still have a certain amount of defensive capability. Is everyone interested? He cleared his throat and asked.

Yes!

Teacher Lu, give us a performance!

The classroom immediately erupted with cheers and heckling. Most of them had rarely seen mechas up close, so everything seemed fresh and exciting.

Sheng… Lin Sheng, go back in for a moment. Lu Shoucheng looked at Lin Sheng, who had just jumped down from the rear hatch of the mecha.

Since everyone wants to see it so much, Student Lin and I will give you a demonstration. After he sat in his mecha, he asked Lin Sheng, Do you still remember how to fight with this kind of mecha?

I remember, Lin Sheng replied.

Good, let’s begin. You take the first move, Lu Shoucheng said calmly.

Hearing those words, Lin Sheng didn’t hesitate. He immediately operated the mecha to rush forward, raising his hand to throw a punch.

Lu Shoucheng was Lin Sheng’s father’s former superior and used to visit their home often. Lin Sheng’s mecha piloting skills were originally taught by him on a whim.

Therefore, both sides had a certain understanding of each other’s strength. In terms of mecha operation, Lin Sheng was far behind a retired military officer like Lu Shoucheng. In both their minds, this was actually an exhibition match where Lu Shoucheng would go easy on him.

Lu Shoucheng’s mecha didn’t move until Lin Sheng was right in front of him. Only then did he raise an arm to block the punch before quickly counterattacking from the side.

The battle was like a sparring session where an elder guides a junior. At the start, Lu Shoucheng used basic combat techniques just to accommodate Lin Sheng.

However, he soon noticed something was wrong.

Unlike in the past, Lin Sheng actually managed to block all of his moves this time, and he appeared to be doing so with ease.

Good lad! A light flashed in Lu Shoucheng’s eyes. He gradually began to increase his attack speed, and his angles of attack became increasingly tricky.

Inside the other mecha, Lin Sheng was also somewhat surprised. His reaction speed seemed to have become faster. In the past, he couldn’t even last a few minutes against Uncle Lu, but now, he could barely hold his own even against this continuous, dense offensive.

Bang! Eventually, Lu Shoucheng found a flaw and slammed a fist into the chest of the opposing mecha. Lin Sheng was knocked off balance by the force of the blow, and he only managed to steady himself after controlling the mecha to retreat several steps.

Not bad, let’s stop here! Lu Shoucheng spoke up in time to announce the end of the spar.

There was no doubt that Lin Sheng had lost the match. However, no one present felt his skill was lacking. Instead, they swarmed around him, offering words of praise.

Lin Sheng, you’re so amazing, being able to hold out for so long against the teacher, the person closest to Lin Sheng praised.

No, I’ve just been practicing for a longer time, that’s all.

When did you start learning about mechas?

Probably around elementary school. My father started explaining mecha operations to me then, but I was too young to operate them myself.

That’s so nice.

Lin Sheng was surrounded so tightly by his classmates that he could only helplessly answer their questions one by one.

His gaze would occasionally linger on his optical computer, then he would look up to continue answering his classmates.

Today was the Valentine’s Day event. He had agreed to go online with Huo Huo Huo at 19:00 to do the event. Because the battle had dragged on and he was now surrounded by classmates, he was a bit worried he wouldn’t make it on time.

Actually, he’s not that great. The teacher went easy on him, right? While Cheng Yan stood in the distance watching the surrounded Lin Sheng, someone suddenly spoke to him.

He turned his head and saw the shorter student among the five who had gone to retrieve the mechas with him.

He and the teacher clearly know each other, which is why he was allowed to show off in class. The short student’s tone carried a hint of indignation as he looked at Cheng Yan, waiting for his agreement.

Cheng Yan turned back to look at Lin Sheng. Unlike the state they were in when they fought, the current Lin Sheng looked quite gentle while talking to the other students. He looked a bit like… a bit like Sheng Sheng Man in the game.

He is indeed very skilled. I am far behind him, Cheng Yan said.

Seeing that Cheng Yan, who was so distant from Lin Sheng, wasn’t on the same side as him, the short student’s expression shifted. He walked away awkwardly.

After a good while, the excited students finally began to disperse, and Lin Sheng prepared to return to the dormitory.

Sheng Sheng, stay for a moment.

Lin Sheng turned and saw Lu Shoucheng waving at him with a kind expression.

Haven’t seen you for a few months, and you’ve improved again? Lu Shoucheng said with gratification as Lin Sheng walked over.

I don’t know either. It feels like I suddenly got better.

That’s normal. A bottleneck period. I encountered them in the past too. Speaking of this, Lu Shoucheng paused, his gaze toward Lin Sheng becoming somewhat complex. Sheng Sheng, do you really not plan on going to a military academy? You’re only a freshman. I’ll write you a recommendation letter. As long as you pass the physical exam, you’ll definitely be able to transfer to one of the Big Four.

The Big Four military academies were the four best military schools in the entire Typhon Galaxy. Both Lu Shoucheng and Lin Sheng’s father, Lin Yu, had graduated from the Big Four.

No thank you, Uncle Lu. I’m really not interested in military academies, Lin Sheng refused. He was very interested in mechas, but if he had to live the rigorous life of a soldier, Lin Sheng didn’t think he could handle it. He preferred his current life.

Sigh. Lu Shoucheng let out a helpless sigh, his eyes full of regret for a wasted talent. Lin Sheng’s talent for mechas was top-tier; not going to a mecha department in a military academy was simply a waste.

If this were the era of the war against the Zerg, he would have kidnapped the boy to a military academy. But in this era of peace, he would let the kid do what he loved.

Alright then. But don’t forget to train while you’re at Typhon United University. If there’s anything you don’t understand, come find your Uncle Lu.

Yes, I understand. Thank you, Uncle Lu, Lin Sheng answered obediently. He secretly lifted his hand a little, wanting to check the time.

He thought his movement was subtle enough, but Lu Shoucheng noticed anyway.

Do you have something to do? Why do you keep checking the time?

Yes, I have something today. I made an appointment with someone, and the time is almost up, Lin Sheng said vaguely. He didn’t mention the game, as he remembered Uncle Lu wasn’t very fond of holographic games.

Hearing Lin Sheng’s words, Lu Shoucheng also raised his hand to check his optical computer. Seeing the date displayed, he suddenly understood.

Today is September 19th, right?

He patted Lin Sheng’s shoulder, wearing an “I understand” expression, and said earnestly, Hurry along then. Don’t be late and leave a bad impression.

Uncle Lu, I’ll be going then. Lin Sheng nodded and quickly left the classroom.

Because he was in a hurry, he didn’t pay much attention to the expression on Lu Shoucheng’s face.

It was only after he logged on that Lin Sheng suddenly realized—had Uncle Lu misunderstood something?

Log off now to explain? That would be too ridiculous, like a guilty person protesting too much. And besides…

Sheng Sheng. A familiar voice came from behind. Lin Sheng turned and saw the snow leopard beastman waiting obediently by the roadside. Seeing him turn around, the beastman gave him a gentle smile.

Sorry, something came up offline and delayed me a bit. Lin Sheng walked over quickly and explained.

It’s fine, I just logged on myself. Let’s go, we need to pick up the quest, Cheng Yan said as he stood up.

When the two of them arrived, the area around the activity ambassador was already crowded. People were constantly leaving and others were squeezing in; the size of the crowd didn’t seem to shrink at all. Just as Lin Sheng was about to squeeze forward with the masses, he happened to see two people who had finished taking the quest walking out from the other side.

His footsteps slowed down involuntarily.

What’s wrong? As Cheng Yan asked, he followed Lin Sheng’s gaze and noticed the two people. One of them was MK-2000, who had teamed up with him last time, and the other… he actually recognized the avatar that person was using now.

I think I saw someone I know.

Two Thousand? I saw him too.

No, the one next to him. He looks like the top student of our school, Lin Sheng said with a strange expression.

A normal player wouldn’t mold their game avatar to look exactly like themselves, right? But he really couldn’t figure out why anyone else would bother using someone else’s appearance. If Lu Xingzhou were a celebrity, it would be one thing, but he was just a student—at most, he had some fame within Typhon United University.

You aren’t talking about Lu Xingzhou, are you?

Lin Sheng turned his head and found that the person beside him also had a strange look on his face.

You know him?

Of course I know him. He was the top scorer of our school’s entrance exam, Cheng Yan said. Actually, I’ve been meaning to ask… you’re also a student of Typhon United University, right?