Following standard procedure, the arbitrator explained the duel rules and then directed the two starships to proceed to their randomly assigned "starting points" to prepare for the upcoming starship duel.
The video communication was still connected.
Zhou Min was currently doubled over with laughter, pointing at Zhao Wan'er on the other side and sneering, "Zhao Wan'er, are you trying to make me die laughing to win this duel?
If that's the case, congratulations.
You almost succeeded.
Using an interstellar frigate to fight an interstellar battleship—only you could come up with that."
Zhao Wan'er remained expressionless. "I hope you can still laugh like that later."
The video communication cut off.
Zhou Min jeered, "An interstellar frigate still trying to show off? Just wait and see how I blast your little frigate into dust!"
In the spectator stands, everyone was waiting for the duel to begin.
But a clear polarization of emotions was evident.
The students from Tianyao Noble Starship Military Academy were all in high spirits, as if they were about to watch a comedy.
On the other side, a small portion of the North Star Starship Military Academy students had already left the venue.
Using an interstellar frigate to fight a stellar battlecruiser—they couldn't even imagine how this would play out.
Perhaps the interstellar frigate's armor strength was decent, capable of withstanding a few rounds of enemy ship artillery strikes.
But what about its firepower?
The firepower of an interstellar frigate was widely acknowledged as the weakest among all starship types.
And with such a small starship, how many weapon modules could it possibly equip?
How could it possibly fight an interstellar battleship?
With its pitiful close defense cannons?
Don't make people laugh.
"Using an interstellar frigate to fight a stellar battlecruiser—is this the kind of education your academy provides? It's truly astonishing," Vice Dean Jia openly mocked Vice Dean Hong, wearing an expression of someone eagerly awaiting a spectacle.
Vice Dean Hong himself was actually quite uncertain. He glanced at Zhao Chen, who remained unfazed nearby.
Logically, Zhao Chen shouldn't be someone who didn't know his limits, but using an interstellar frigate to fight a stellar battlecruiser...
This... this... there was simply no such combat scenario in any textbook!
"It's just... academic exchange... nothing more," Vice Dean Hong could only murmur.
Soon, both starships reached their "starting points."
The moment the arbitrator announced the start of the battle.
The two starships showed no intention of maneuvering or evading; instead, they headed straight toward the enemy ship's location as detected on their starship radars.
Bridge of the T2 Black Rhinoceros-class Interstellar Heavy Assault Frigate
"I can't wait to see that wretched woman's expression now. Have all gun emplacements prepare for action!" Zhao Wan'er sat in the captain's chair, her chest filled with suppressed anger.
Secretary Officer Lilith and the original captain of this T2 Black Rhinoceros-class interstellar heavy assault frigate stood on either side.
"Miss Wan'er, I believe we might not need to fire our cannons this time," Secretary Officer Lilith spoke up.
Zhao Wan'er was taken aback, looking at Lilith in confusion. "Not fire? Then how do we win?"
"Among all the sea trial programs for the T2 Black Rhinoceros-class interstellar heavy assault frigate, there's one that we haven't had the chance to test until now."
"I think perhaps we can try something during this battle," Lilith said, a sly glint flashing in her eyes.
"What test?" Zhao Wan'er inquired.
Lilith replied, "A hull collision experiment in actual combat."
Zhao Wan'er was taken aback for a moment, then a mischievous expression spread across her face as she understood.
After a few minutes of travel.
The two starships were about to enter each other's weapon coverage range.
Bridge of the T2 Purple Rose-class Medium Interstellar Battlecruiser
"Magnetic rail cannons, target that interstellar frigate!" Zhou Min intended to teach the other side a lesson right from the start.
Using an interstellar frigate to challenge her interstellar battlecruiser was truly overestimating their capabilities.
"Report, ten magnetic rail cannons fully charged and ready to fire at any time!" the Deputy Captain reported beside her.
Zhou Min stared at the interstellar radar, sneering as she said, "Let them get a little closer. Fire in one minute!"
"Yes."
Audience Stands
Everyone watched the live battlefield feed as two starships—one large, one small—approached each other.
Soon, they saw the T2 Purple Rose-class Medium Interstellar Battlecruiser take the initiative.
Ten T2-class twin 200mm medium railguns opened fire.
Ten metal shells shot out of the barrels at incredible speed, striking the interstellar frigate.
The metal shells landed one after another on the starship armor of the T2 Black Rhinoceros-class interstellar heavy assault frigate. The explosions generated massive clouds of dust, temporarily obscuring the small vessel, which was only 100 meters long.
Students from the North Star Starship Military Academy began to worry about that talented student, Zhao Wan'er, who was quite popular among the student body.
Xue Xiaoxiao had even unknowingly clenched Zhao Chen's sleeve, clearly showing her concern for her close friend.
A few seconds later, a small silhouette burst through the dust cloud.
Almost at that moment, everyone stood up, staring in stunned disbelief at the small ship.
"This... this... how is this possible..." Vice Dean Jia's face was filled with incredulity.
Others also exclaimed in shock and began discussing animatedly.
Because!
That interstellar frigate showed no obvious damage whatsoever!
Perhaps if the starship were placed right in front of them for close inspection, they might find some scratches on the paintwork, but at least on the live feed, it truly looked exactly the same as before the attack.
The T2 Black Rhinoceros-class interstellar heavy assault frigate continued sailing toward the T2 Purple Rose-class Medium Interstellar Battlecruiser, the distance between them steadily closing.
"How could there be no damage at all? Keep firing! Keep firing! Use armor-piercing type shells!" Zhou Min was starting to panic now.
After the second artillery strike.
Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the dust cloud.
A few seconds later, it was still that same starship.
Still appearing completely intact before everyone's eyes.
"My God! What kind of starship armor is that? It took two direct volleys from a T2 Purple Rose and emerged completely unscathed!"
"Could that be a T3 Level interstellar frigate?"
"Is that really the interstellar frigate we learned about in our textbooks?"
All the students were finding it hard to believe.
Simultaneously, the students from the North Star Starship Military Academy grew excited and energized, while the students from the Tianyao Noble Starship Military Academy stood there dumbfounded.
"My goodness, this... it actually has no damage at all? Zhao Chen, what kind of Interstellar Frigate is this!" Li Wei stared at Zhao Chen in astonishment.
Xue Xiaoxiao also cast a curious glance.
"It's just a relatively sturdy Interstellar Frigate, that's all," Zhao Chen said nonchalantly.
Li Wei and Xue Xiaoxiao rolled their eyes.
This is called relatively sturdy?
"With this Armor Strength, it could probably withstand a few shots from an Interstellar Battleship's Heavy Artillery," Xue Xiaoxiao muttered quietly beside them.