"No need to look anymore... I got selected." Jiang Hui said to her companions who still didn't understand the situation.
Probably because her tone was too certain, as if it were already a done deal, everyone including Clarens turned their heads to look at her.
"I don't need to select anymore. Teacher Carlo said he's already selected me." Jiang Hui was now extremely grateful that the slot Huan Xian had randomly thrown out earlier didn't include her. She also didn't know when Carlo had helped her select the course, but if Huan Xian had worked so hard climbing walls only to throw out a slot and discover it was useless effort, that would have been awkward.
The reason for the blank screen display now was because she had already obtained the course attendance slot. The timing was just right - they could say their luck was really good, as they had all managed to grab attendance slots.
Upon hearing this, the group didn't know whether to feel relieved or something else, but after a while, their expressions were all somewhat subtle.
"What's wrong? Why do you all have those expressions?" Jiang Hui couldn't stand such scrutiny and asked with a wry smile.
"...So this is possible too. Everyone else is fighting to get into the class, but you actually have the teacher specifically requesting you to attend? Didn't you say last time you just went to help out and organize some materials? How do I feel like he's taken a liking to you as a student." Xierman said, somewhat puzzled.
“Don’t talk nonsense. Teacher Carlo isn’t short of people wanting to be his student,” Jiang Hui said, reflecting. She didn’t think Carlo admired her to that extent—probably just found her good memory a bit intriguing. After all, during their time together, they hadn’t discussed mechas much. Most of the time, they were buried in organizing books, and since the librarian was quite lively, she’d actually gotten closer to him.
“Maybe… it’s part of the compensation?” Jiang Hui said uncertainly.
“What kind of compensation is that?” Xierman laughed, half-amused, half-exasperated. He firmly believed Carlo must admire Jiang Hui. He’d heard from his father that Carlo was a very proud man, sometimes to the point of seeming inappropriate. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have left the capital so dejectedly back then.
How could someone so confident in their knowledge and talent take special notice of a student just because she helped with some tasks? Jiang Hui must have some talent that caught his eye.
Honestly, the idea that a senior instructor revered by the mecha manufacturing department would care about a combat soldier student’s studies was so shocking it could make jaws drop.
Of course, this was Xierman’s friend. In his eyes, Jiang Hui was always the most impressive, unmatched even by Huan Xian. He held awe for the latter, but for Jiang Hui, it was near-blind trust.
Thinking of this, Xierman felt as if he were the impressive one. His mood visibly brightened, and his earlier grumbling was forgotten.
Jiang Hui had no idea why Xierman suddenly got so cheerful on his own. She turned to respond to the others’ conversation.
After confirming Jiang Hui had secured a slot, Huan Xian logged out and accessed the backend through another port. He wanted to double-check everyone’s course selections, as verbal assurances lacked the solidity of confirmation.
“You’ve been studying well lately,” Zhou Xiuwen said. He didn’t know the details of Jiang Hui’s academic progress, but seeing a mecha master take special notice of her suggested she’d been quietly working hard. Knowledge didn’t come from nowhere—it required relentless effort and digestion, often enduring pain others couldn’t. Jiang Hui had always excelled at this.
“Did you see the battle report case study on the B-2VGR2175 defense line last week? Want to discuss it sometime?” Clarens suddenly asked.
Jiang Hui nodded, casting an inquiring glance at Huan Xian, ready to invite him to join the discussion.
“You guys go ahead. I can’t today. I’ve got some things to handle later, and I’ll be taking leave to go out tomorrow and the day after,” Huan Xian said, shaking his head. He sent the successful course selection page to the group chat, then stood to leave early. “If you have any questions or need additional materials, message me. I’ll reply later.”
Jiang Hui and the others nodded, watching him leave the study room at a leisurely pace. None of them were curious or upset about being left behind—they were used to Huan Xian’s sudden bouts of busyness. He was like a dragon, seen briefly but never fully, the most mysterious among them.
“Then let’s head back too. Better rest up early. Tomorrow’s mecha practical class is the last basic training session before the comprehensive lecture starts. We need to make the most of it,” Xierman said with a sigh.
“Yeah, I haven’t slept well the past few days. I’m going back to catch up,” Zhou Xiuwen added.
“Then let’s all go back and rest—especially you, Jiang. No more sneaking in late-night study sessions,” Xierman said with mock seriousness. “Your dark circles are practically showing.”
What? Did interstellar people get dark circles too?! Having barely slept properly since arriving here due to various reasons, Jiang Hui had almost forgotten such a thing existed. Even when she stayed up all night for months, her under-eye area remained perfectly normal and healthy. She’d assumed interstellar humans, with their optimized genes, had left dark circles behind in history. So, they still existed?
“Pfft—you actually believed that?! What an outdated term. Humans don’t have that problem anymore. Don’t listen to him, it’s nonsense,” Zhou Xiuwen said, interrupting Xierman’s teasing as he saw Jiang Hui glance toward the study room’s mirror. “But seriously, you should rest more. You look exhausted,” he added, studying her face.
Jiang Hui paused, then gave a subtle nod.
“Come on, it’s getting dark. Let’s go,” Xierman said, half-pushing the group toward the door, swiftly shutting down the study room’s system.
“Let’s go, time to rest.”
“See you tomorrow.”
“Bye.”
Jiang Hui walked alone back to the dormitory. Though the sky was dark, it was still early, and the paths were quiet. At this hour, most people were either in the cafeteria or study rooms—few returned to the dorms so soon.
Was she really going back to catch up on sleep? Of course not.
She had a pile of things waiting for her. How could she sleep so early? Especially tonight—she had a hunch that something awaited her in her sleep, something that could upend her current state if her suspicions were correct.
So how could she possibly sleep? This short walk back to the dorm was probably the most idle and relaxed moment she’d get. She truly couldn’t afford to slow down.
A gentle breeze brushed past, and she allowed herself a moment to savor this fleeting peace.