Chase Shaw’s gaze shifted to the now-closed simulation room. "Just linking spiritual power is enough to get you this worked up?"

"When did you start overthinking things so much?" Chase Shaw’s face was devoid of any smile. "What, does it bother you that much when I get close to her?"

The smile vanished from Nathan Lockwood’s handsome, refined face as well. "I just wanted to remind you, Zoe Pierce is our teammate."

Chase Shaw pulled his gaze back and fixed it on him. "I know. So what if we linked our spiritual power? If you wanted to, you could have her link with you too. I’ve never stopped you."

He took a step toward Nathan Lockwood. "Do I need to remind you? Zoe Pierce’s glands haven’t recovered at all."

"Applying that whole Alpha-Omega dynamic to her right now is a little ridiculous, don’t you think?" It was unclear whether Chase Shaw said this to admonish himself or Nathan Lockwood.

He knew better than anyone the true condition of Zoe Pierce’s glands.

His eyes darkened. "Nathan Lockwood, who’s the unprofessional one here, me or you? Doesn’t she need to move forward?"

To do that, mechas are an unavoidable part of her path.

Everything she does, she does without relying on an Alpha. She just needs a guide, and that person could be any one of us, or someone else entirely.

We were just the lucky ones who happened to show up at her side at the right time and discover her.

If it had been someone like Jasper Quinn instead, he would have given her just as much support.

Chase Shaw had nothing more to say to Nathan Lockwood. He brushed past his shoulder, his gaze fixed forward. "Excuse me."

Their shoulders bumped. He immediately opened the hatch and walked into the simulation room.

Because Zoe Pierce was clearly agitated, Miles Sherman hadn’t actually shown her around the mecha as he had just said he would.

He only had her look at some of the control systems and the history of mecha evolution.

There was no precedent for an Omega being able to link with an Alpha’s mecha.

Moreover, Miles Sherman knew he understood what Nathan Lockwood was alluding to.

It was a common occurrence in the Mechanical System.

After an Alpha started dating an Omega, they would show the Omega their mecha.

They would give the Omega a tour of their cockpit.

It was a display of affection.

It symbolized, ’I am showing you everything about this machine that brings me honor, that represents my second life.’

And Chase Shaw had just done exactly that.

But his excuse was so high-sounding and righteous.

Zoe Pierce wasn’t an ordinary Omega. She could indeed link with a mecha, and in the near future, if a compatible mecha couldn’t be found for her, she might actually have to use one of theirs.

This was a detail no one had noticed during the joint examination, but as soon as they left that environment, Chase Shaw had picked up on it.

Of the people present, Erin Xavier was probably the only one who truly didn’t understand the implications.

"Chase." The moment the hatch opened, Zoe Pierce stood up and called out to him.

Chase Shaw saw the unconcealed nervousness in her eyes and grunted in acknowledgment. "It’s fine."

Zoe Pierce glanced behind him; Nathan Lockwood hadn’t followed.

"As long as it’s fine..." Zoe Pierce didn’t know what else to say. She had just been looking at a pile of data, but none of it had registered.

Miles Sherman took the initiative and walked out of the hatch. A moment later, Nathan Lockwood followed him back inside.

The atmosphere between Chase Shaw and Nathan Lockwood was extremely delicate. Miles Sherman, taking it all in, relayed the information he had just gotten from the supervising instructor. "The airship’s flight is estimated to take fifteen working days, during which we will perform an interstellar jump."

"Siren Star is a mid-tier planet and a transportation hub for the surrounding star systems. Xenobeast activity is frequent."

"Zoe Pierce, during these fifteen days, with the exception of the jump, you cannot stop your daily physical training."

In front of everyone, Miles Sherman looked at Chase Shaw. "Chase Shaw was right about one thing. You’ll also need to dedicate a portion of your time each day to mechas. Our objective isn’t just the Xenobeasts on Siren Star; it’s also Wesley White."

This was the first time Miles Sherman had addressed Zoe Pierce’s personal matter so directly. According to the agreement they had signed, Zoe’s most pressing need was to investigate the inexplicable mining disaster that affected her family. Now that they had a lead, there was no way she wouldn’t pursue it.

"We can’t go to Planet B36 the moment we arrive at Siren Star, so, Zoe Pierce, you need to be patient and wait."

Hearing this, Zoe Pierce nodded silently.

Her current situation was already much better than when she had first woken up, completely in the dark. Now she at least had a direction. She could endure waiting a little while.

"As for the rest, we’ll discuss it after we land." Miles Sherman mulled it over for a moment. "Later, if you want to see anyone else’s mecha, you can."

His words seemed to put a period on the sudden conflict that had erupted today. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Chase Shaw’s gaze turned to Nathan Lockwood again, whose eyes met his. In the end, neither of them spoke, locked in a silent standoff.

It was Erin Xavier who broke the stalemate. "Zoe Pierce, you can see my mecha tomorrow! Let me tell you, mine is a lightweight model, different from Chase’s."

A lump caught in Chase Shaw’s throat, and then he heard Nathan Lockwood let out a soft chuckle.

With Miles Sherman’s words providing a resolution, Zoe Pierce knew the matter was settled.

As for Erin Xavier’s invitation, she glanced at everyone’s expressions before nodding.

Erin Xavier added, "After you see mine, you can check out Miles’s. His mecha is pretty cool."

"As for Nathan’s, his specialty isn’t mechas anyway, so it doesn’t matter if you try his or not." The moment Erin Xavier finished speaking, Chase Shaw burst out laughing.

The sound was so obvious it made everyone turn to look.

Erin Xavier glanced at Nathan Lockwood. Usually, when he said things like that, Nathan was expressionless and accepted it calmly, but today his face held a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

"Chase, what are you laughing at?" Normally, Chase wouldn’t laugh at a comment like that.

Chase Shaw’s soft laugh was somewhat similar to Nathan Lockwood’s from a moment ago. "Nothing. I just think, since you’re so good at talking, you should say more."

’Okay,’ Erin Xavier thought, ’I get it now. Chase and Nathan haven’t made up yet.’

’No wonder Nathan has that look on his face.’

He shrugged and zipped his lips.

’If that’s how it’s going to be, then I’ll just shut up.’

’I have no idea what’s gotten into those two. It’s just a mecha. Why are they making such a big deal out of it?’

He gave Zoe Pierce a helpless look.

Zoe Pierce was already over it. She felt that trying to hash this out any further would be pointless. It was better to just let it fade away.

*

「Airship Control Room.」

Three instructors sat before the control console, looking at a video screen.

The person on the screen was none other than Director Quinn.

Jasper Quinn’s face showed unconcealed exhaustion. When the video link connected, he looked at them. "No incidents, I hope?"

Mr. Troy replied, "No problems here. And on your end, sir?"

Jasper Quinn said coolly, "It’s fine. They’re all reaching too far, all the way to the Disciplinary Committee."