Chapter 10

Alana felt a growing sense of anxiety, concerned about Ajax's impulsive decision. She was well aware of Charles's strength, and Ajax, not yet a pilot, would be delusional to challenge Charles.

Despite Ajax's aggressive tactics, Charles remained unfazed, even eager for a match. He had been overwhelmed with anticipation, as he hadn't had the chance to showcase his skills in today's game.

"I'll use the most common mecha without accessories to avoid accusations of bullying you," Charles said with a contemptuous expression.

Ajax, however, insisted that Charles use the undamaged Parallax-Class mecha from the previous competition. The provocations reached a breaking point, and Charles approached Ajax with a ferocious expression, declaring his readiness for a battle in the ring.

Undeterred, Ajax looked into Charles's eyes calmly and replied, "I hope your strength matches your words. See you on stage in five minutes." He then turned and walked away, heading towards Alana's preparation area. Alana glanced at Charles and quickly followed.

"He's a strong control pilot. Are you sure you want to fight him?" She tried to dissuade Ajax.

"I know, but defeating him conventionally is not my plan. Can you lend me a mecha?" Ajax chuckled, showing no sign of pre-battle tension.

"Of course, you can use mine. Its strength is comparable to his," Alana offered, genuinely wanting Ajax to succeed.

"No, yours is a thunder mech. I'm not used to it. Your team member's mecha looks suitable," Ajax pointed to a red and blue mech in the preparation area.

"That one? It's a Knight-Class hurricane-type mech. It's unstoppable," Alana said, surprised.

There are five types of mechs: Thunder, Groundbreaker, Blade, Hurricane, and Gun. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

....

*TN: I will, from now on, be changing these classifications to the following and will be updating the Auxiliary chapter as well*

Thunder > Echo

Groundbreaker > Trailblazer

Blade > Swordsplitter

Hurricane > Bezerker

Gun > Roscoe

....

"I don't intend to confront him head-on. I just want to prove a point. I want him to know that the theory I mentioned yesterday is correct," Ajax explained with determination.

Alana, speechless for a moment, couldn't comprehend Ajax's provocation. Fighting a Parallax-Class with a Knight-Class, given the model disparities and strength differentials, seemed impractical. Ajax, however, displayed either ignorance or unwavering confidence.

Minutes later, both Alana and Charles sent requests to the referee for an extra match. After some discussion, the referee and school leaders approved the duel, considering it a common occurrence in the school.

The audience, intrigued by the unexpected turn of events, eagerly returned to their seats. Although surprised by today's matches, many felt Charles deserved the championship and was deceived.

Unaware of the audience's sentiments, Charles was satisfied with the attention, ready to showcase his skills in the upcoming match.

Ajax, glancing at the battle stage, took a deep breath and immersed himself in the mecha. This marked his first taste of combat, but having piloted multiple mechas countless times, he was well-versed in basic knowledge. It was time to put his theories into practice.

Speculations about Ajax's background and reasons for challenging Charles filled the air among the curious audience members. Ajax, driving a Knight-Class mecha against a Parallax-Class, added an element of unpredictability to the bout.

As the referee signaled, the match began. Charles, wielding a blade with an edge that approached 3000 degrees Celsius, charged toward Ajax, aiming to demonstrate his strength and end the battle within thirty seconds.

Ajax, equipped with a Mk.5 High-powered Sniper Rifle and six powerful armor-piercing shells, fired efficiently while maintaining a clever distance of about three meters. Despite initially targeting less crucial areas, Ajax displayed exceptional skill, hitting the lower half of Charles repeatedly.

The audience, commentators, and Charles himself were puzzled by Ajax's strategy. The seemingly ineffective attacks raised questions about Ajax's intentions.

However, after five seconds, it became apparent that Ajax wasn't being pursued by Charles but was leading him while maintaining a distance. The realization dawned on the audience as they observed the visible gap in speed between Charles and Ajax.

Ajax, attacking and retreating simultaneously, displayed remarkable control over the situation. The audience watched nervously as the two mechas neared collision.

Suddenly, Charles staggered, dropping one of his mecha's knees to the ground, creating a considerable distance from Ajax. The unexpected turn left the audience in awe, and Alana, who had been closely watching Ajax's every move, almost exclaimed.

Alana, realizing Ajax's strategy to target a specific area to impair Charles's movement, clenched her fists in silent support. She knew that damaging the knee could significantly impact Charles's speed and overall mobility.

As the referee and commentators struggled to comprehend the swift turn of events, the audience erupted with excitement. Ajax, despite using a Knight-Class mecha against a Parallax-Class, had successfully outmaneuvered and essentially crippled Charles's mech.

The commentators, once anxious about Ajax's apparent inefficiency, now marveled at his tactical brilliance. The audience, previously perplexed by Ajax's unconventional approach, cheered for the unexpected underdog.

The victory of Ajax, defeating Charles with strategic precision, added a thrilling conclusion to the school competition. Alana, observing from the sidelines, felt a sense of pride and relief, knowing that Ajax's unorthodox strategy had triumphed against all odds.