First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 93
Chapter 93: Sparring
Lian Sheng changed her clothes and prepared to return directly to school. After all, her home was empty now—it didn't matter where she stayed.
She took a detour by bus back to campus... an oddity who rarely attended classes yet preferred staying at school. Wrapped in her coat, she jogged toward the dormitory.
A few scattered students still moved along the paths.
Two male students walked past Lian Sheng, laughing. One suddenly paused mid-conversation, stopped walking, and turned to stare at her retreating figure before abruptly changing direction. His bewildered companion followed.
The pair trailed her at a distance all the way to the girls' dorm entrance, where they were stopped by the security robot.
Lian Sheng turned at the corridor entrance to see the two boys still loitering by the door, hands in pockets, whispering.
One ventured, "That was Lian Sheng, right?"
The other replied, "Think so? Why'd you follow her? So creepy—I was afraid she'd turn around and kick you to death."
The first boy rubbed his head. "Don't know what came over me. I just wanted to call out to her coolly and say hi."
His friend said flatly, "Then go do it!"
The boy shuddered. "Didn't dare. She looked terrifying. Didn't you see her expression?"
Lian Sheng: "..."
She reached up to touch her face and found it indeed tightly scrunched.
Anticipating a fight had made her... somewhat excited.
She turned and headed upstairs.
With one day left before the holiday ended, the dorm was quiet. Lian Sheng entered her room and opened the window for air. Checking the time—only 6 p.m.
Might as well log into Sanyao and see what could be done.
Bright Bulb seemed to have been waiting. Seeing her online, he sent a friend request along with coordinates to meet. Hundred Meter Flying Dagger was also there.
This was Lian Sheng's first time seeing them face-to-face.
Whether these were their real appearances or not, Bright Bulb was massively muscular and tall—a head and a half taller than her. Wearing a fitted tank top, he waved. "You're here. Wait a bit longer."
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger sat bored nearby. Though clearly toned, he seemed almost scholarly next to Bulb.
Soon, Super Bright Bulb arrived.
"Let's go," Bright Bulb said, immediately sending her a duel request.
They transported to a pure white room—completely open, no cover. Standing two meters apart.
"First round, let's see your close combat skills." Bright Bulb rolled his shoulders, cracking his knuckles. "See if it's as flashy as the videos."
Lian Sheng shrugged.
Bright Bulb clenched his fists, settling into stance. "Here I come! I'll attack first this round!"
He pushed off his heels, torso low, charging straight at her.
Lian Sheng's eyes flicked to his leg muscles.
Such explosive power. Every corded fiber seemed to brim with strength. His momentum surged, speed instantly peaking.
Right knee lifting, ankle pivoting, weight shifting back—a kick coming.
At this distance, dodging was impossible. Only blocking remained.
Lian Sheng slid her right foot wide, bracing. Left arm rose to shield her face, right hand ready to reinforce if the impact overwhelmed her. Counterscenarios flashed through her mind—
Block left, grab his ankle with right, spin into a counterkick? Or double-block, drop low to sweep his legs? Given his likely strength, the second seemed safer.
But deliberation was a luxury she didn't have.
When his foot struck her forearm, dread flashed through her. The arm's sensors failed instantly as it bent unnaturally, smashing into her own head.
Weightless—then impact. She sat up quickly, first checking her left arm. It hung limp, unresponsive. Probing confirmed the system's verdict: fractured.
Lian Sheng frowned. Bulb's strength exceeded expectations—or perhaps her muscles were still too weak.
Absolute force crushing technique. His sheer power had shattered her defense before technique even mattered.
Bright Bulb exited the match. Lian Sheng followed.
The moment their avatars reloaded, he declared, "Again!" and sent another invite.
Back in the arena.
"Your turn or mine?" Bulb bounced lightly.
Lian Sheng crooked a finger.
Without hesitation, he shifted to offense, charging.
The same straight kick—identical trajectory, same stance.
Lian Sheng's lips thinned. Was this contempt? She retreated two short steps, leaning back. His tensed toes whiffed past, the following gust brushing her nose.
Taking that kick head-on would be no joke.
Missing, Bulb retracted his leg without resetting, left knee bending to swing a punch.
His attacks were brutally straightforward—or perhaps he needed no subtlety. Raw power was his technique; offense, his defense. Evasion was his opponent's burden.
Lian Sheng hopped sideways, dodging again.
Outmatched in speed, evasion was her best tactic. No more direct clashes—find weak points, test effectiveness, then plan.
Two misses made Bulb's eyebrow twitch.
Each strike met only air as she seemed to float just beyond reach. Her body wasn't flexible, yet her center of gravity shifted dramatically. Not fast, yet her footwork was frantic.
She must be reading his patterns, reacting in sync.
Lian Sheng relied entirely on footwork—never still, constantly adjusting. Small slides for movement, large steps for dodges, always maintaining balance. She forced him to chase her rhythm.
Yet never chaotic.
Bulb realized—she was circling, making him pivot.
Rapid cross-steps that should trip her up seemed second nature. This fluency made her movements unpredictably fluid.
Slowing slightly, Bulb laughed heartily. "Just dodging won't cut it! You can't beat me like this!"
Lian Sheng abruptly dropped, left leg shooting out to hook his ankle.
His stance held firm—the sweep barely shifted him.
"Yes! Like that!" Bulb cheered. "But don't tickle—put some muscle in it!"
Lian Sheng had already withdrawn, putting distance between them.
Bulb spread his hands. "Don't be scared. I'm complimenting you!"
Lian Sheng rolled her neck. "Unnecessary. Your grin right now is disturbing."
Bright Bulb: "..."
He stepped forward, bellowing, "Here I come!"
Another charge, this time a wide hook. When Lian Sheng dodged, his lead foot unexpectedly hopped forward, body spinning into a back kick.
Exhaling sharply, Lian Sheng dropped low. Her gaze traveled upward, locking onto his torso.
Overextended—left shoulder exposed!
Breath catching, she lunged from her crouch, palm striking upward. Just as her fingers grazed fabric, a tanned hand clamped her wrist.
Looking up, she met his eyes.
"Heh." Bulb smirked. "Hmm?"
He twisted her arm back, elbow driving between her shoulder blades to pin her down.
The sound of simulated bones cracking filled her ears. At least this was virtual—but still vicious.
Match over, they exited.
Super Bright Bulb clutched his chest, tsking. "Too brutal. What was that? Treating a girl like that—no wonder you're forever single."
Bright Bulb grinned. "Takes one to know one."
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger stroked his chin. "Hmm. Enough to impress amateurs. Your biggest flaw is strength—even for a regular cadet, it's lacking. Technique can compensate somewhat, but not entirely. Against top opponents, the gap's obvious."
"Your reaction speed's sharp—those dodges were quick. But Uncle here's spent decades honing self-defense." Bright Bulb told Lian Sheng, "Your main issue is sluggish movement, poor explosiveness. You avoid punches and kicks that might leave you open. Before you can execute, you're already dead."
Lian Sheng studied him. She knew their disparity was vast. Bulb was an exceptional fighter augmented by physicality she couldn't yet match.
Super Bright Bulb suggested, "Hard to assess like this. Why not hold back and spar properly?"
Before Bulb could answer, Lian Sheng said, "No. Half-hearted matches are meaningless. Enemies won't pull punches to admire my form. I'll catch up, then rematch."
"Oho." Bright Bulb flashed teeth. "Promising, girl."
Super Bright Bulb clapped her back. "Ignore him. He's gatekeeping his top-dog status by bullying you."
Bright Bulb shrugged, then struck a pose. "I've got steel skin, aluminum alloy muscles, and diamond bones. Right?"
Lian Sheng: "..."
Thinking it was purchasable, she asked, "That's buyable?"
Bright Bulb said, "Sure—with your time."
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger slapped his thigh. "Next, let's test mechs. General, seen his skills before?"
Lian Sheng: "Recordings."
"Now see them live."
Bright Bulb added, "Try close combat. Pick Pojun—low-spec first."
Third match—two mechs facing off, drawing longswords.
Bright Bulb said, "Ditch your cannon. Reduces weight."
Lian Sheng complied.
Bulb activated thrusters, attacking head-on. Lian Sheng gripped her sword two-handed, blocking straight on.
In mechs, strength differentials narrowed—speed and aggression mattered more.
Bulb suddenly retreated, then accelerated into another slash.
His assault was relentless, thruster-assisted pushes driving Lian Sheng backward.
At the next retreat, Lian Sheng swung horizontally toward his abdomen—
His momentum unchecked, he leapt over her.
She twisted her wrists, angling the blade upward. The slash met empty air. Looking up, she saw him hovering oddly—thrusters firing downward to suspend him unpredictably.
Seizing her miss, he reversed thrusters, dropping like a hammer.
Lian Sheng stumbled back, nearly toppling.
His tempo shifts were too abrupt—no flow to counter.
Five minutes later, they respawned outside.
Lian Sheng sat cross-legged, sighing.
Super Bright Bulb: "Verdict?"
Bright Bulb mused, "Mech skills aren't stage-ready yet. Overly simplistic understanding of functions. Sanyao's mechs are already streamlined—real ones are far more complex. If you can't handle these basics..." He paused. "But your techniques are solid. Lacking power and stability, yet highly deceptive when disadvantaged, with excellent defense. You must have strong offensive moves too..."
He thumped his chest. "Keep talent in-house—teach me first. I'll propagate ancient martial arts."
Lian Sheng: "..."
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger cut in, "Have him commission you! Off-hours mean double rates. Boss takes a cut!"
Bright Bulb agreed readily. "Let's go—I'll be your first client."
Lian Sheng asked, "How to learn mechs? Teach me, I'll teach you—no commission."
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger: "No under-the-table deals! Open books only—discussing this in front of the boss? Shameless."
"It's about practice. More fights, get used to thruster rhythms, and you'll improve. Once it clicks, it's fun. You rely on footwork? Mechs use pure speed. Self-controlled, more freedom to disrupt rhythms. But watch energy." Bright Bulb asked, "Ancient martial arts?"
Lian Sheng: "Similar. Reacting to opponents' moves—timing, footwork, leveraging force. Most styles balance hardness and softness, rejecting brute strength."
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger suddenly exclaimed, "You've got a commission! Not your first."
"For me?" Lian Sheng asked. "Who?"
"New client." Checking records, he whistled. "Big spender—paid in full upfront, no deposit. Asks when you're free."
Lian Sheng stood, tossing her hair. "I'm free now."
"Not possible—they booked a large battlefield. Requested live combat coaching."
Lian Sheng raised a brow. "Meaning?"
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger nodded. "They want you to crash a match."
The Bulbs' eyes lit up. "Oho!"
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Tyy for the update!
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