Whats's it like to have a fleet that can only recuirt female soldiers?

The students were very excited.

North Star Starship Academy, Grade 3, Class 8

"Hey, Zhao Chen from your Class 8 didn't come to class again today. Maybe he was afraid and hid himself, too scared to show up."

A sarcastic voice echoed through the classroom during break.

The students in the room immediately frowned, knowing who the visitor was without a second thought.

It was Zhang Haoran from Class 2, Grade 3, along with his gang.

Since Zhao Chen and Zhang Haoran had agreed to a starship duel, Zhang Haoran had been showing up in Class 8 regularly to gloat. After Zhao Chen's extended absence, Zhang Haoran became even bolder, assuming that Zhao Chen was too frightened to face him.

"Zhang Haoran, this is our Class 8. If you have nothing to do, go back to your Class 2!" A cold-faced girl stood up, addressing him sharply.

"Please, the school rules don't say you can't visit other classrooms during break time. Besides, I'm not here to find your precious classmate Zhao Chen. He made an appointment with me, and with the end of June approaching, I thought I'd come remind him," Zhang Haoran said, casting a glance at Shen Bing, the class monitor, who was also the class's most beautiful and capable student.

Shen Bing replied icily, "Zhao Chen hasn't been to class in more than half a month. If you want to find him, do it on your own and don't disturb us."

"Oh, isn't Class 8 supposed to be a group? It looks like Zhao Chen's not even part of it," Zhang Haoran chuckled.

His followers joined in with their own jibes.

"I think Zhao Chen's hiding out of fear."

"We'll be on vacation after June. The so-called 'Lord Baron' will probably slink back to his territory in disgrace."

"Coward. Why challenge our Young Master Zhang to a duel if you're too scared to fight?"

"If you ask me, our Young Master Zhang will be magnanimous. When the time comes, he'll let Zhao Chen kneel and apologize. 'Dad, I was wrong,' a few times, and then forget it. Hahaha..."

The mocking laughter outside the classroom irritated the students inside, but they held back their frustration. After all, most of them came from ordinary backgrounds, and Zhang Haoran's gang came from powerful families.

Aside from Shen Bing, no one dared to challenge them, as they feared their influence. This only added to the discontent toward Zhao Chen among the other students of Class 8. He had been an outcast before and now, by causing trouble outside the school, was dragging everyone down with him.

"Zhao Chen should just drop out already," some whispered.

Li Wei, unable to stay silent, stood up. "Zhang Haoran, if you have the guts, then fight me instead! What's the point of all this yelling? And the duel is set for the end of June, so don't act like it's happening today!"

Zhang Haoran sneered. "Li Wei, do you really want to defend your useless brother? Seriously, what good is having a baron like him?" He didn't even acknowledge Li Wei's words, focusing on mocking Zhao Chen further.

"You..." Li Wei's face flushed with anger.

"Since someone can't wait to go through the withdrawal process, I'll help him out," came a slow, confident voice from the doorway.

Everyone turned to see Zhao Chen walking into the room.

Zhao Chen, who had been absent for nearly a month, was here!

"I thought you'd gone into hiding," Zhang Haoran said, surprised but not intimidated. In his eyes, Zhao Chen was just an insignificant obstacle he could crush easily.

Zhao Chen smiled calmly. "I just wanted a few days of rest, but it seems someone was too eager for a beating. Since you're so impatient, let's schedule our duel for tomorrow."

Li Wei hurried to Zhao Chen's side, whispering, "Zhao Chen, calm down. This starship duel isn't something to take lightly. Once it starts, there's no going back."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Zhao Chen reassured him with a pat on his shoulder.

"If you still want to go through with it, let's make it official," Zhang Haoran said, pulling out his student ID card.

Zhao Chen didn't hesitate and did the same.

The duel time was set: Tomorrow at 10 a.m. at the North Star Starship Academy No. 2 Starship Simulation Duel Field.

"Since everything's settled, you and your lackeys can leave now. Don't disturb the students in our class," Zhao Chen ordered, his tone firm.

Zhang Haoran's followers were fuming, but he silenced them with a gesture. There was no need to argue further. The duel had been scheduled, and tomorrow he'd humiliate Zhao Chen in front of everyone.

"Then I'll look forward to tomorrow's exciting battle," Zhang Haoran said, still sneering. "But don't disappear again before then."

Zhao Chen sat back down, unfazed by the words. The other students started gossiping in hushed tones, but most of them were doubting Zhao Chen.

"Zhao Chen's crazy. How could he possibly challenge Zhang Haoran?"

"Does he even have a starship? I heard Zhang Haoran just got a brand-new T2 starship!"

"It's one thing for Zhao Chen to get expelled in disgrace, but now we're all being embarrassed because of him."

Zhao Chen ignored their murmurs. In his mind, only the outcome would silence them all.

Li Wei, sitting beside him, opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. Before he could, someone else spoke up first.

"If a person doesn't have enough strength, then everything they do is wrong. You're part of Class 8, and I don't want you to be remembered as a failure because of him. Your sister is a genius student, and with her connections, this matter should be settled," Shen Bing said coldly, standing in front of Zhao Chen.

Zhao Chen looked at her, his gaze calm. "You don't believe I can win either, do you?"

"What do you think?" Shen Bing shot back without any politeness.

Zhao Chen shrugged. "Then let's just wait and see."

Unable to persuade him, Shen Bing's eyes grew colder. She turned and left without another word.

Li Wei looked at Zhao Chen, his expression serious. "Do you really want to go through with this duel?"

Zhao Chen was getting frustrated by the repeated questions. "Confirm, affirm, and don't deny it."

Li Wei could see that Zhao Chen's attitude had shifted dramatically over the past month. "Since you've decided, then use my T2 Hyena for the duel tomorrow. My deputy captain is a starship commander with 20 years of experience in the Imperial Army's T2 combat division. You can give him full authority."

Zhao Chen shook his head, a little helpless. "Don't worry, I have my own starship."

"You can't seriously think you'll win with those three worn-out starships you've been using!" Li Wei said in frustration.

Zhao Chen didn't feel like explaining, so he simply got up and left the classroom.

Right now, no one believed he could win the duel, but he was determined to prove them wrong.