The arbitrator, as per custom, explained the duel rules, then had the two starships proceed to random 'spawn points' to prepare for the upcoming starship duel. The video communication was still connecting.
Min Zhou was laughing hysterically, pointing at Wendy Chase opposite her, and scoffing, "Wendy, are you trying to make me die of laughter to win this duel? If that's the case, congratulations. You almost won. Using an Interstellar Frigate to fight an Interstellar Battleship—you're really something."
Wendy's expression remained unchanged: "I hope you can still laugh later."
The video communication was cut off.
Min Zhou sneered, "An Interstellar Frigate still wants to show off? Just wait and see how I blast your Interstellar Frigate into smithereens!"
In the spectator stands, everyone was waiting for the duel to begin. But the emotions were clearly polarized. The students from Tianyao Academy were all very happy, as if they were watching a comedy. On the other side, at North Star Academy, a small portion had already left the venue. Using an Interstellar Frigate to fight an Interstellar Battlecruiser—they couldn't even imagine what the plot would be like.
Perhaps the Interstellar Frigate's armor strength was very good and could withstand a few rounds of enemy ship bombardment. But what about your firepower? The firepower of an Interstellar Frigate is generally recognized as the lowest among all ship types. And with such a small starship, how many weapon modules can you equip? How are you going to fight their Interstellar Battleship? With your pathetic point-defense guns? Don't make people laugh.
"Using an Interstellar Frigate to fight an Interstellar Battlecruiser—is this your esteemed school's education? It's truly astonishing." Deputy Dean Jia mercilessly mocked Vice Dean Hong, with an expression of one watching a good show.
Vice Dean Hong was actually very unsure himself; he glanced at Zachary Chase, who was still expressionless not far away. Logically speaking, Zachary shouldn't be the kind of person who doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth, but using an Interstellar Frigate to fight an Interstellar Battlecruiser… This… this… there's no such combat lesson plan in the textbooks!
"Academic exchange… just academic exchange…" Vice Dean Hong could only mutter.
Soon, both interstellar warships arrived at their 'spawn points'. The moment the arbitrator announced the start of combat, neither interstellar warship showed any intention of maneuvering, heading straight toward the direction of the enemy ship detected on their starship radar.
T2 Black Rhino-class Interstellar Heavy Assault Frigate · Bridge
"I can't wait to see that bitch's expression now. Get all gun emplacements ready!" Wendy sat in the captain's chair, her chest filled with suppressed rage.
Secretary Lilith and the other original captain of this T2 Black Rhino stood on either side.
"Miss Wendy, I don't think we need to fire this time," Secretary Lilith said.
Wendy was startled, looking at Lilith in confusion: "Don't fire? Then how do we win?"
"Among all the test items for the T2 Black Rhino, there's one that we haven't had a chance to do before. I think perhaps we can try it in this battle," Lilith said, a hint of slyness appearing in her eyes.
"What test?" Wendy asked.
Lilith replied: "Hull collision experiments in actual combat."
Wendy was stunned, then she showed a somewhat mischievous expression, understanding her meaning.
After a few minutes of navigation, the two starships were about to enter each other's firing range.
T2 Purple Rose-class Medium Interstellar Battlecruiser · Bridge
"Railguns, target that Interstellar Frigate!" Min Zhou immediately prepared to teach the opponent a lesson. Using an Interstellar Frigate to fight her Interstellar Battlecruiser was truly overestimating herself.
"Report, ten railguns fully charged, ready to fire at any time!" The vice captain reported from the side.
Min Zhou stared at the starship radar, sneering, "Let them get a little closer. Open fire in one minute!"
"Yes."
Audience seating
Everyone stared at the live battlefield feed—two starships, one large and one small, approaching each other.
Soon, they saw the T2 Purple Rose-class Medium Interstellar Battlecruiser make the first move. Ten T2-class twin-barreled 200mm medium railguns opened fire. Twenty metal shells exited the barrels at extremely high speed, then struck the Interstellar Frigate.
The metal shells landed one by one on the hull armor of the T2 Black Rhino-class Interstellar Heavy Assault Frigate, and the explosions produced a large amount of smoke and dust, momentarily covering the small 100-meter-long ship.
The students of North Star Academy began to worry about that genius student; Wendy was quite popular among the students. Lily Xue had even clutched Zachary's clothes at some point, showing that she was very worried about her best friend.
A few seconds later, a small silhouette burst out of the smoke.
Almost at this moment, everyone stood up, staring dumbfounded at the small ship.
"This… this… how is this possible…" Deputy Dean Jia's face was filled with disbelief.
The others also discussed in surprise.
Because! That Interstellar Frigate actually had no obvious damage at all! Perhaps if the starship were placed in front of them for close inspection, they might find traces of damaged paint, but at least on the live broadcast screen, it truly looked exactly the same as before the attack.
The T2 Black Rhino was still sailing toward the T2 Purple Rose-class Medium Interstellar Battlecruiser, and the distance between the two was constantly closing.
"How could there be no damage at all? Keep firing! Keep firing! Use armor-piercing shells!" Min Zhou was a little panicked at this moment.
After the second round of shelling, everyone held their breath, staring at the cloud of smoke. A few seconds later, it was still that starship. It still appeared perfectly intact before everyone's eyes.
"Oh my god! What kind of hull armor is that? Taking two rounds of shelling from a T2 Purple Rose head-on, and it's completely unharmed!"
"This couldn't be a T3-level Interstellar Frigate, could it?"
"Is this really the Interstellar Frigate we learned about in our textbooks?"
All the students were incredulous.
At the same time, the students of North Star Academy's emotions were ignited, while the students of Tianyao Academy were all dumbfounded.
"My goodness, this… this actually has no damage at all? Zachary, what kind of Interstellar Frigate is this?!" Levi Warren stared at Zachary in shock.
Lily also cast a curious gaze.
"It's just a relatively sturdy Interstellar Frigate, that's all," Zachary said casually.
Levi and Lily, however, rolled their eyes. This is called 'relatively sturdy'?
"With this armor strength, even an Interstellar Battleship's main cannon would probably be able to withstand a few hits," Lily muttered softly beside him.