"Welcome to Waltz 3.0 Simulation System. This appears to be your first time. Please enter your callsign."
The voice in the cockpit was gentle and almost soothing.
Waltz—that was the name of the combat simulation system's developer.
"Rookie," Lyn Darnell muttered after a pause.
Fitting. That's exactly what he was—an absolute beginner.
"You have selected the Nottingham Series-3 Model E. Your current score: 0.You may now choose an opponent. Upon their confirmation, a simulated battle will begin."
The E-Class was the most basic mech model available—low performance, low specs, low risk. Perfect for someone like Lyn, who was piloting for the very first time.
On the screen, a single opponent name popped up:
VelvetRose99 Wins, 1 Loss.Score: 198.
Lyn blinked.
Seriously? She's the only other person logged in right now?
He refreshed the page—twice, three times. Still just VelvetRose.
With no other option, Lyn reluctantly sent a battle request.
To his surprise, she accepted immediately.
The screen blurred, shifting into a desert battlefield.
Round One.
VelvetRose came flying at him.
Lyn saw the attack coming and knew what to do. His brain reacted, but his body—well, his mech—didn't. He managed a clumsy sidestep, barely shifting the E-Class before—
Defeated.
Three seconds. That's how long it took.
Round Two.
This time, Lyn charged in first, determined not to play defense.
VelvetRose didn't dodge. She welcomed the attack.
Their mechs clashed. Hers easily overpowered his. The result?
Two seconds.
Round Three.
Lyn held back. He focused entirely on dodging, observing, learning. No offense, just survival.
Ten seconds.
Progress.
Within thirty minutes, Lyn had already been defeated three times. Though he knew she was strong—clearly far beyond his level—it still stung. But rather than give up, he kept issuing challenge after challenge.
And she kept accepting.
Does she enjoy bullying beginners or something?
He didn't know, and frankly, didn't care.
His pride had kicked in. Each swift defeat lit a fire in him. He became obsessed—like a gambler on a losing streak who refused to walk away.
Even when more opponents started appearing on the list, he ignored them.
Just you and me, VelvetRose.
Gradually, he improved.
One minute. Two. Four.
With every match, he grew more synchronized with his mech. The sluggishness disappeared. His reactions sharpened. He adapted.
When VelvetRose claimed her 100th win, Lyn had lasted nearly ten full minutes.
It wasn't a win, but it was a milestone.
I'm getting there…
But his body had its limits. Exhausted, limbs trembling, he slumped in the cockpit, dripping sweat. After a short rest, he stumbled out of the simulator and left the training center—headed straight for the cafeteria.
What Lyn didn't notice was the girl who followed him out, her gaze fixed on his retreating back.
"It's… him?" she murmured, expression unreadable.
"Finally full!" Lyn let out a sigh of satisfaction as he polished off his eighth combo meal.
At the next table, a few students stared at him, dumbfounded.
This guy isn't human…
Lyn Darnell had become something of a celebrity at Nottingham Academy recently. First came the scandalous rumors with Tanya Bing, the Ice Queen herself—rumors that had dominated the school's gossip forums for nearly two weeks. And just as that buzz began to fade, he'd shocked everyone again.
He defeated Marcus Han.
Marcus was still in the hospital, nursing his wounds.
No one could believe it. The infamous "disgrace" of the Darnell Clan—a known failure—had taken down one of the academy's elite fighters. Even if it was a hand-to-hand fight, it was still monumental.
And then there was Andrei—the moody golden prince of the academy—who publicly declared Lyn as his friend.
And Tanya Bing?
After the fight, she had personally carried Lyn off the battlefield.
That alone was enough to set the whole school ablaze.
Is this guy really the same washed-up reject from the Darnell family?
Doubt began to fester in everyone's mind.
"Lyn! I finally found you!"
A loud, dramatic voice shattered the moment. It was Fang Yang, barreling toward Lyn like a hurricane.
"What is it now?" Lyn asked warily. Something about Fang Yang always made him uneasy.
"You killed me, man!" Fang Yang wailed. "You sneaked out in the middle of the night! When Bing found your room empty, she lost it on me! Said I didn't keep an eye on you! Threatened to ban me from food! Said she'd lock me in the house!"
"Wait… seriously?"
"Shh!" Fang Yang lowered his voice. "I managed to sneak a snack, but if she finds out, she'll really chain me to the basement or something!"
Lyn blinked. Was Fang Yang really this scared of Tanya?
This guy's supposed to be her fiancé? Really?
"Anyway, gotta go report back before she skins me alive! Don't move! Stay here!" Fang Yang dashed off like his life depended on it.
"...What is my life right now?" Lyn muttered.
He sighed.
The next time he saw Fang Yang, he was going to demand an honest answer: What's your deal with Tanya Bing?If she was really his fiancée, how could he not be at least a little possessive?
"Mind if I join you?"
Another voice, smooth and melodic, broke into his thoughts.
Lyn looked up—and froze.
It was Andrei.
Yes, that Andrei. The aloof, untouchable prince of Nottingham Academy.
"Of course, have a seat!" Lyn replied, stunned.
He had wanted to talk to Andrei anyway—about yesterday. About why he had stood up for him.
"I've been meaning to speak with you," Andrei said, smiling faintly. That subtle, melancholic smile sent a ripple of excitement through the nearby girls.
Some even squealed aloud.
Dear God… he really is a magnet for drama, Lyn thought.
"So… what did you want to talk about?" he asked cautiously.
Don't say anything weird. Please don't say anything weird.
A dark thought crept into Lyn's mind. Andrei was insanely popular, but never dated. What if…
No. Nope. Stop. Don't go there.
...