?"1:19? God, is he from the advanced zone?"?


    Outside, the crowd erupted into chaos. Voices shouted: "Open the door! Let us in!"


    Schneider paled. The mob’s frenzy made opening the door unthinkable.


    Card strode to the entrance, retracting his mech. Over the public channel, he barked: "Disperse. Don’t embarrass our training camp."


    The crowd hesitated—Card was one of the camp’s legends.


    ?"I guarantee this pilot will train here regularly,"? Card declared, ?"but only if he’s not harassed. Want to scare him off? Keep crowding."?


    The threat worked. Observers scattered, though covert glances lingered.


    Harry sipped virtual black coffee—a luxury imported from Tengu Galaxy. In reality, it cost a fortune; here, mere credits. As training camp director, he’d erased Schneider and Latham’s logs. A wise move—Schneider would’ve been mobbed otherwise.


    ?"Schneider, activate blackout mode,"? Card ordered.


    The training room plunged into darkness. Outside, curses rippled.


    <hr>


    Inside:


    ?"Latham."? Card smiled warmly. ?"Mind stepping out of that clunker?"?


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    Latham complied. The mech dissolved into light. Larry and Schneider followed suit.


    ?"You’re a prodigy."? Card extended a hand. ?"Card. Security Manager, Black Phage Group’s Millard branch."?


    ?"Black Phage?"? Latham blinked. His parents worked there—the report said so.


    ?"You know us?"? Card feigned surprise.


    ?"My parents are in your company."?


    ?"Wonderful! We’re practically family!"? Card beamed, already planning to "accidentally" promote Latham’s parents.


    Larry shoved between them. ?"Enough buttering up. I’m his professor. Latham—join Millard Public College’s Mech Enthusiasts Association. I’ll guarantee straight A’s."?


    ?"All subjects?!"? Latham gasped.


    ?"Every. Single. One."? Larry glared at Schneider, who muttered: "I never got that deal…"


    ?"Quiet!"?


    Card interjected: ?"Larry, your club needs sponsors. Black Phage could—"?


    ?"We’ll secure better sponsors!"? Larry snapped. ?"BaoLing Group. Spiritual Arms Division. Real players."?


    ?"His parents work for us,"? Card countered. ?"No one values loyalty like Black Phage."? He turned to Latham. ?"No pressure. Just… think where your family thrives best."?


    Larry’s eyes gleamed like a jeweler appraising a diamond. ?"He’ll be an ace pilot. The best."?


    Outside, Harry chuckled. This bidding war had only begun.