Arbitration Zone
All the instructors and student spectators were dumbfounded.
One shot, one soul!
A single shell from the Zero Blizzard had actually dealt critical damage to the T2 White Eagle-class Light Interstellar Cruiser, nearly causing it to fall outright.
They could all clearly see a crater at least ten meters in diameter blasted open in the starboard armor of the T2 White Eagle-class Light Interstellar Cruiser, with occasional flashes of sympathetic detonation visible inside.
And the Zero Blizzard's subsequent pursuit of victory further continuously damaged the frontal armor of the T2 White Eagle-class Light Interstellar Cruiser.
If the fight continued, there was only one outcome.
At this point, the judging panel was already preparing to issue a mandatory judgment, as the winner was obvious.
And at this moment, the T2 White Eagle-class Light Interstellar Cruiser had also voluntarily conceded defeat.
The chief referee immediately announced that the winner of this Starship Duel was Zhao Chen's Zero Blizzard; simultaneously, he contacted Zhao Chen, ordering his starship to cease fire!
"This... this starship is simply too powerful."
"Zhang Haoran... lost just like that?"
"So, this means... Zhao Chen won?"
Many people were left speechless for a long time.
Among them was Jiang Shasha, her expression stunned, eyes wide open.
Zhao Chen... won?
Zhao Chen's dilapidated starship defeated Zhang Haoran's T2 White Eagle-class Light Interstellar Cruiser?
Recalling Zhao Chen's indifference toward her in the cafeteria earlier, Jiang Shasha now felt a very unpleasant sensation in her heart.
Especially after Zhao Chen won this battle.
"Shasha... Zhao Chen actually won..." a friend who had come with Jiang Shasha said beside her, looking at her with a strange expression.
"I'm not blind," Jiang Shasha said with a dark face. She took one last look at the strange starship in the broadcast feed, then turned and left the spectator area, heading back to the Academy.
"Shasha... aren't you waiting for Wang Shao... wait for me."
Some people were in a bad mood, while others were naturally in a very good mood.
"See that! Big guns are the only truth! Wan'er, your brother's ship is really amazing. When can you talk to your brother and let me go take a look? I'd love to get a feel for that 1200mm caliber monster cannon of his!" The twin-tailed loli Xue Xiaoxiao stared at Zhao Wan'er with shining eyes.
Zhao Wan'er's expression was one of shock and disbelief.
"It's... it's over already?"
From the moment the two starships entered combat range to the end of the battle, it had taken less than five minutes.
Most importantly, that "one shot, one soul" was something no one had anticipated. That single shot had ended the battle so quickly.
"The ship hull armor of the T2 White Eagle-class Light Interstellar Cruiser is inherently weak, especially when facing one equipped with a T2 Heavy 1200mm Devil Crocodile Cannon.
A hit on the starship armor would basically always result in a very serious outcome.
Directly penetrating the armor, causing compartment sympathetic detonation—your brother might have been lucky.
But it has to be said, this assembled starship is really powerful. A stellar speed of 100 knots is incredible." Senior Su Lan offered her evaluation beside them, smiling as she looked at Zhao Wan'er. "It seems your brother won't need my help after all."
At this moment, Senior Su Lan's impression of her friend's brother had greatly improved, and she even felt a spark of curiosity toward him.
To assemble such a starship from three old vessels within a month, that third-year student named Zhao Chen truly has remarkable skills.
While Zero Blizzard astonished everyone with its performance.
On his own bridge, Zhao Chen excitedly waved his fist. "Damn, it was a one-shot knockout!"
"We got lucky. We probably hit the enemy ship's ammunition chamber, causing a sympathetic detonation that affected multiple system modules of the hull," Deputy Captain Charlotte analyzed beside him.
This was also why she had ordered a high-speed assault earlier, continuing the attack.
Such a golden opportunity—as a seasoned veteran, how could she not press the advantage and secure the victory?
Luck?
Zhao Chen recalled the special reward the system had given him earlier: the 'Fleet Luck Bonus.' Because of this reward, he could only recruit female crew members.
Thinking about it now, this 'one-shot knockout' was likely connected to that.
"If every shot from now on is a 'one-shot knockout,' wouldn't that be amazing!" Zhao Chen fantasized in his mind.
As for whether it was truly set up that way, only future battles would tell.
"Zhao Chen, you have already won. Please cease all offensive actions immediately!"
The Chief Referee's voice rang out.
"Understood," Zhao Chen replied.
Looking at the battered T2 White Eagle-class Light Interstellar Cruiser, the breached section of its hull no longer showed flames, but thick smoke still billowed out.
It probably couldn't make it back on its own; it would have to wait for an interstellar tug to assist.
"Chief Referee, may I establish a video communication with the T2 White Eagle-class Light Interstellar Cruiser?" Zhao Chen made a request.
The Chief Referee on the video feed hesitated for a moment before ultimately agreeing to the request.
As the judging panel, they had the authority to initiate video communications with both starships at any time.
Soon, a video window appeared before Zhao Chen. On the other side was a chaotic bridge, filled with thick smoke and scattered damaged components—a stark contrast to its previously pristine appearance.
Captain Zhang Haoran was slumped on the floor, his face pale, with a puddle of liquid visibly beneath him.
"Pfft... Zhang Haoran, you actually pissed yourself."
When Zhao Chen's voice echoed through Zhang Haoran's bridge, the latter finally noticed the communication window. Pointing at Zhao Chen in shame and anger, he shouted, "Zhao Chen! You cheated! There's no way you could beat me! You must have cheated!"
"The Chief Referee is listening to our conversation. By accusing me of cheating now, are you questioning the fairness and integrity of the judging panel?" Zhao Chen teased.
The Chief Referee, who was responsible for relaying the video communication, said coldly, "Cadet Zhang Haoran, we monitored this starship duel in its entirety, and there were no issues.
If you have any objections to our judgment, you may appeal to our superiors.
Cadet Zhao Chen, if there's nothing else, let's conclude this communication."
It was clear the Chief Referee had a poor impression of this spoiled young master.
"Chief Referee, just one last thing," Zhao Chen said, looking at Zhang Haoran. He spoke calmly, "The duel is over. Young Master Zhang surely hasn't forgotten our bet agreement, right?
It was officially recognized by the Academy."
"Zhang Haoran, according to the terms of your starship duel agreement, you are to withdraw from the North Star Starship Military Academy."
"Do you understand clearly?" The Chief Referee didn't miss the chance to add a final blow.
"Clear... clear... I understand..." Zhang Haoran was utterly devastated. If he were really expelled from the North Star Starship Military Academy, it would all be over.
His Viscount father would definitely kill him!
The video communication ended.
Zhao Chen had no interest in paying attention to this defeated opponent.
"Return to base," Zhao Chen said, sitting in the captain's chair, feeling incredibly satisfied.
However, the uproar surrounding this interstellar duel was far from over.
——————
Class 3-8
"That's all for today's lesson," the teacher announced the end of class.
Immediately, some students began frantically searching for the live broadcast channel of the starship duel, only to find it had already been shut down.
"Why can't I find the starship duel between Zhao Chen and Zhang Haoran anymore?"
A student nearby chuckled, "Come on, look how long it's been. Zhao Chen was probably defeated by Zhang Haoran ages ago. That was a T2 White Eagle-class Light Interstellar Cruiser."
"Yeah. It's Zhao Chen's own fault, overestimating himself and trying to smash a rock with an egg. This is for the best; our class will have one less eyesore from now on."
"Next year we have a group mission. If we had to bring him along, our class would be in trouble."
Many in the class were sneering and mocking at this moment.
Li Wei, his face dark, began contacting Zhao Chen, already thinking of various ways to help him.
"Wait... something's not right... everyone, look at the Academy Intranet's Hot Search List!" a girl who frequently browsed the intranet forums suddenly exclaimed.
"Zhao Chen... seems to have won..."