L1terary-N0v3l hosted the first appearance of this chapter at N0vel.B1n.

Shi Lang and Jenkins began to trade blows at a high speed. The impact was so high that they both could feel their bodies shivering from every blow that they came across. The people around them were surprised by the ferocity of this exchange.

Shi Lang had a smile on his face, while Jenkins had complicated emotions in his eyes. He had never imagined such a high competition coming from someone in his peers. He could sense that Shi Lang did not have as much strength as him, however, he did not expect him to meet him so fearlessly.

He thought to himself, ‘It could be that this is a simulation realm that he is so carefree.’

However, the next moment, he contradicted his notion, after all, the simulation realm did not isolate the pain the people would face from the injuries they suffer inside this place. Shi Lang must have been facing a tremendous amount of pain, and so was he, but still he moved forward with a subtle smile on his face and fearless gaze.

Shi Lang said as he weaved his body from side to side to avoid the attacks being thrown at him, “You are very strong Jenkins, everyone know that. However, you are missing something that could have made you defeat me.”

Jenkins did not reply, neither did he slow down in his barrage, however, in his mind a thought did arise. He wanted to ask Shi Lang what was it that he lacked. He had everything that anyone could have asked for, talent, skills, resources, everything. What was it that he lacked?

Shi lang said, “You lack the heart of the strong.”

The boy answered the question, and it was not intended to make the Jenkins falter in his charge but was to show him the difference. He said, “Now, my turn.”

As soon as his words dropped the attack began. All the blows were focused on Jenkins vitals, suddenly, Shi Lang unleashed his whole potential. His legs, elbows, palms, shoulders, and even thighs and knees became his weapons. The barrage was so terrifying that those watching him were shocked to the depth of their cores.

..

Rackham said, “Why is his stance like that of First General Edwards.”

Stevenson said, “It is not like First General Edwards, but it is the same, Hero’s charge.”

Hero’s charge was a stance to a special attack technique. This technique was a secret technique of the First General Edwards.

Aries asked, “How does he know this stance?”

Rosa said, “Ummm, the first general visited the academy a few times in the past. He once gave a speech where he assumed the charge stance. Shi Lang has been studying that video for two years and he has been trying to come up with his variant of hero’s charge. He had written a complete thesis on this and submitted it back to the school.”

Stevenson asked, “Why did I not know about something like this?”

Rosa rolled her eyes and said, “You were not interested in holding an award ceremony for the literature thesis winners.”

The old man felt a twitch on his lips and said, “What sort of monster is this kid? Jack of all trades?”

Aries said, “More like an Ace among Terrans.”

The people did not know that the words spoken by Aries were going to become reality. They put this at the back of their heads as they watched the two boys struggle against each other.

..

Shi Lang did not move back, as he started to attack Jenkins ceaselessly. His speed also did not slow down but increased. Jenkins could not face up against such a frantic charge. He was shocked when he saw Shi Lang stand with legs one in front of the other and his hands were held in front of his body. For a second he imagined that he was facing his father.

Jenkins knew that the stance was similar to Hero’s charge to the point where it looked the same. However, that was all that it was about. Shi Lang was not attacking like how his father would engage his enemies.

This was not a shock for him, but the realization that even after such a frantic attack sequence, Shi Lang did not leave a single opening in his attacks, and that Shi lang was mixing up his attacks with feints and sometimes he would radiate killing intent was confusing him. This was a charge that did not assault a person on the physical but also mental front. He had no idea what he should do to stop Shi lang.

It was not that he did not have any skill, but as he was defending himself, he worked up an attack sequence in his mind, however, all the thoughts and calculations made him conclude the duel with a defeat. Shi Lang was using a weird technique that allowed him to almost bypass his defense and damage him internally.

He did not have the confidence to attack him while the charge was on. If Shi Lang somehow managed to take advantage of his attacks, then things will end up bad. As he was lost in his thoughts, his guard became lax, and Shi Lang delivered him two hits on the guts.

The attack was perfectly delivered and the feedback was proper as well, Jenkins sensed his body keel over, and the next moment he sensed a strong pain coming from his nape. He raised his hand to feel around his nape. He was having difficulty in breathing and found a dagger buried in his flesh.

He raised his head to look at Shi Lang. The latter stood in front of him, panting. Shi Lang sensed his gaze and said, “You are strong, but I needed to win, the next time, I will have a complete bout with you. Also, you are very strong, you should understand that if you always focus on winning without knowing the meaning of defeat, you will never cherish your victory.

When we are lost, we feel sad, and sometimes even cry. I would cry every time you beat me or my friends, but that did not mean I will focus on winning by hook or by crook, but to grow strong enough to stand up from a defeat and start again. That is the truth behind strength. The will to get up and stand once more. That is the truth one needs to become truly strong.”

Jenkins could not hear anything after that because his consciousness had retracted back to his own body. Shi Lang walked back to where he had dropped his gun. He picked up his gun and after carefully checking that his gun still had enough ammunition. He aimed it in one particular direction and said, “Would you like to surrender?”

Jane and the rest had walked over to him after Jenkins’s body fell on the ground. They wanted to ask him what he was doing, aiming at the void when they froze. A girl manifested in front of them. The girl raised her head over her head and said, “I surrender.”

Amelia Knight was the last candidate from the Battle class and she was responsible for recon and assassinating. To be honest, she did want to act upon the two people when they were fighting but in the duel, Shi Lang had been casting a gaze at her when she moved. It was as if he could see her like a normal person.

Suddenly, they heard a mechanical voice, “The group battle has ended. The winner is the technology class, with fifteen members alive. The Battle class has only one member alive. The simulation will now end.”

The group battle now came to an end and finally, the technological class emerged victoriously. They had won back their pride and they had done it with style and class. Shi Lang had played the role of their Ace impeccably.