Shadows of the Deep Space

As soon as these words came out, Mink and the others were all dumbfounded, not knowing what to say anymore.

Chen Tong also looked particularly displeased, saying somewhat defiantly,

"Then we can at least compete against other schools, can't we?"

"True, it's easier to get into other schools, with a thousand spots available, but you have to realize something. Last year, the entire Thirteenth District only had 101 people accepted into those schools, 72 of whom were students from the First Intermediate College·Haiheng. Our school only had 3 students make it. Plus, among those 101 who were accepted, there were not a few who got in through back doors. So think about it, how many people got in entirely on their own merit?"

Zhou Wei explained with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Su Ming's brows furrowed slightly, as he had not expected the difficulty to be so high.

"The hard truth for you all is that the 3 people from our school who got in last year were all Special Training Students, which means us. Imperial Court Academy has never been something that you could compete for; you're only suited to gamble on getting into one of the other garbage schools."

Zhang Tai mocked unapologetically.

"How can this be? They give our district so many spots; if only this few are admitted, can the Imperial Court Military Academy fill up its quota?"

Zhao Ran and the others found it hard to believe.

Looking at Zhao Ran, Zhou Wei replied with a smile,

"That's not something you need to worry about, they'll definitely fill it up. You have to realize that we are the Thirteenth District, and the twelve districts before us are all stronger. Furthermore, the students from the surface cities have access to resources we can't even touch; they are simply not in the same league. If that's not enough, there are also students from the outer planets. Although their conditions might be worse, out of tens of millions of people, surely a genius or two will emerge, right? When considering their population base, it too is quite significant."

"Hmph, so you see, don't harbor any delusions, you bunch of ignorant fools. Just try your best to see if you can get into one of the other garbage schools. Once assigned to a Mecha Reserve Force, after slaving away for a couple of years, perhaps you'll have a chance to go full-time and touch a real Mecha."

Zhang Tai said with a cold laugh.

"Enough, let's go."

Lin Chuyu spoke indifferently to Zhang Tai and the others.

Upon Lin Chuyu's cue, Zhang Tai and Zhou Wei said no more and promptly left with her.

At this moment, Mink and the others were all deeply struck, like eggplants hit by frost, completely dejected.

Some of the girls were so devastated they simply squatted down, burying their heads in their clasped hands.

Seeing this, Su Ming also felt a bit of a headache. It was all over now, they had truly been drenched by a cold shower.

Meanwhile, Tang Yan, after finishing his conversation with Chen Yi, walked into the training field with a heavy heart, his mind continually replaying the issue of the slots.

The so-called slots actually referred to the number of students from the Imperial Court Military-level College that could be admitted to other schools. By guiding a certain number of students to admission, one could apply for a job transfer to different city schools.

Of course, the caliber of the school one could transfer to depended on the number of slots.

It started with a minimum of 10 slots to transfer, and for Teacher Chen Yi, he aimed to gather 30 slots, and in one stroke, jump to a school within the three cities.

For this dream, he had been striving hard for twenty years.

"Sigh!"

Tang Yan sighed. He also needed thirty slots, but over so many years he had only secured three.

Of course, it wasn't that there weren't shortcuts. If he could nurture a student who made it into the inner school, he could get an unconditional promotion.

However, Tang Yan quickly adjusted his despondent mood and headed toward the training area.

But when Tang Yan returned to the training ground, he stood frozen in place. The students who should have been training vigorously were all squatting on the ground, listless.

The whole area was filled with negativity and a sense of loss.

It was as if Tang Yan saw the wheat sprouts he had laboriously cultivated all wilt away. He quickly asked,

"What's going on? Why aren't you training?"

"What's the use of one training session when there's no hope?"

"Forget it, there's no point in struggling any further."

...

Student after student spoke in dejection.

"Hey, Mink, what exactly happened?"

Tang Yan was getting frantic, immediately turning to Mink.

Mink looked up, his face a mix of emotions as he questioned Tang Yan.

"Teacher, is what they said true? Has the Thirteenth District really not had anyone get into the inner school of Imperial Court Academy for five years, and is it true that only Special Training Students have any hope of getting into the outer school? Do we have no chance at all?"

Su Ming and the others also raised their heads to look at Tang Yan.

Hearing this, Tang Yan immediately understood and cursed Zhang Tai and the others in his heart.

He had invested so much, had finally nourished his seedlings, and now they were about to be ruined.

No, he couldn't let it continue like this, so Tang Yan tried to rally them,

"What they said is true, but you have to believe in yourselves. There is an old saying that goes well, 'The world is yet to be determined, you and I are both dark horses!'"

"Really?"

Mink and the others looked at Tang Yan full of expectation.

"Of course, it's true. You must believe in miracles!"

Tang Yan said, expressing his firm belief.

"Miracles? It's over, there's no chance."

After hearing Tang Yan's words, Mink and the others became even more despondent. Miracles were as good as winning a big prize, weren't they? Instantly, they all radiated negativity.

The corners of Su Ming's mouth twitched involuntarily; Mr. Tang really knew how to comfort someone.

Tang Yan's heart jerked suddenly, realizing he had said the wrong thing, and quickly continued to inspire,

"Don't lose heart, you guys. What I said was just a metaphor; there's still hope!"

Unfortunately, it wasn't much use; everyone still looked dispirited.

Seeing this scene, Tang Yan stamped his foot and said,

"Don't be discouraged, after all, it's up to us to make things happen. Let's call it a day for training, I'll treat all of you to barbecue!"

"Really?"

The previously devastated students all stood up excitedly and asked.

"Of course, it's true. Let's go!"

Although it hurt his wallet, Tang Yan had no choice but to bleed cash. These were his students after all, his potential slots depended on them.

"Alright!"

Mink and others cheered happily.

....

Half an hour later.

Near Mint Middle School·Niu Niu Barbecue Restaurant.

The originally quiet restaurant was now bustling with excitement as it was stuffed full with fifty students.

A somewhat plump middle-aged woman, her face beaming with smiles, urged the waitstaff,

"Hurry, hurry, get all the meat out there!"

...

These days, business is tough, and it was rare to have so many customers at once.

Sizzling~

As the fat dripped out, the scent of grilled meat filled the entire hall.

"Delicious!"

"It's just too tasty. When someone else is treating, it somehow tastes different."

...

Everyone was chatting and laughing while enjoying the barbecue, although it was all fast-fattening feed, it still tasted awesome.

Su Ming watched the meat grill to a crispy brown, constantly swallowing his saliva. His mind told him he shouldn't eat, but his body's natural reactions were brutally honest.

It was agonizing for him to sit there, enduring the temptation.