Counterfeit Hero

"Tian Xingjian?" The old professor was stunned.

Although he had long been engrossed in his research and rarely paid attention to outside events, it didn't mean he was unaware of this Leray legend.

Setting aside all other feats, just the capture of the Gazalin Emperor James was enough to make this name resonate far and wide.

Posters everywhere, all television channels, information networks, magazines, newspapers, and even street chatter - the appearance frequency of Federation Hero Tian Xingjian was even higher than that of the Federation President! No matter how isolated or indifferent one might be, they would inevitably come across this name at some point by a fleeting glance or overhearing a conversation.

The professor was dumbstruck, as were the other professors and researchers around him.

Like a flying stone hitting the calm surface of Peace Lake, causing ripples upon ripples; when this name spread from the security chief as the center, being repeatedly and involuntarily echoed by gaping mouths throughout the entire stadium, everyone was stunned.

All eyes turned to the still unopened simulation cabin. The cadets thought of the person inside and recalled the spectacular combat just now, feeling their spirits soar uncontrollably.

It turned out the mysterious master who effortlessly defeated the Level 3 Mecha Knight was actually their heroic idol!

It turned out that this pride of the Federation already possessed strength that even Level 1 Mecha Knights from Free Port could not face head-on!

Most importantly, it turned out the idol was so close to them!

Shock, joy, and excitement filled the hearts of the cadets in an instant.

The cadets of the Capital First Military Academy had already forgotten their feelings of opposition at this moment. They didn't care who this person was competing for; they only knew that this person was a hero shared by all Leray people!

He fought life and death for the Federation on the frontlines, his legendary deeds were countless. What did winning or losing in an academy competition matter?

Even the sympathy they had for Taylor's crushing defeat earlier now turned into envy. Being able to duel Federation Hero Tian Xingjian and lose to him was a blessing!

Belinda and Taylor looked enviously at Radish Head and Catherine. They finally understood why these guys had cheered before the match started and why they had given up their spots and entrusted the match to one person.

The stadium was dead silent. Amidst the silence, only two voices reverberated.

"Fatty, come out!" Boswell knocked on the simulation cabin, hopping mad.

"No!" Fatty was obviously shaking his head inside. Those close to the simulation cabin could even hear the muffled sounds coming from his mouth as he shook his jowls.

"Wheeze, wheeze." The old man knocked for a long time with the gun handle, panting heavily. In the end, he simply sat down at the cabin door: "If you've got the guts, just stay inside!"

"If you've got the guts, don't use the gun!" Fatty roared defiantly.

"Fine!" The old man decisively threw the gun aside: "Now come out!"

"Aren't you something?" Fatty continued to act shamelessly: "I'm not coming out."

"This is your last chance!" Boswell roared: "Do you want me to reveal what you did?"

As soon as the old man finished speaking, a soft "zizz" was heard. The previously tightly closed simulation cabin door suddenly opened.

The door opened so quickly that all the spectators were caught off guard. The hero they had imagined as being so resolute and unyielding had opened the door so quickly upon being threatened. Surely he could have held out a bit longer.

With prepared minds, all eyes focused on the face of the disheveled Fatty at the cabin door. The face was exactly as it appeared on the posters - the unmistakable Federation Hero, Tian Xingjian.

As Fatty walked out of the simulation cabin, the thousands of cadets in the stadium erupted into deafening cheers.

These high-pitched and intense cheers were an emotional release from each cadet.

The three-year war for national defense had already plunged Leray into immense suffering. It had already burdened these young future officers with a heavy load. It had also turned this country into one of soaring patriotism and an era of hero worship.

Every cadet knew that once they stepped out of this campus, brimming with youth and vitality, ideals and valor, the knowledge they had acquired, the uniforms they wore, and the responsibilities they shouldered, they were destined to throw themselves into the brutal war!

Every day, they prepared to defend their homeland and fight on the battlefield. Every night, they grappled with the confusion between reality and ideals, the thoughts of war and peace, the choices between life and death, and between shame and glory.

But now, as their idol, their forerunner, the hero they deeply respected appeared before them in the flesh, all confusion vanished!

Because they saw this person had been fighting on the frontlines since the war broke out, constantly writing the legends of Leray soldiers' bravery. He wasn't just a Federation Hero; he was the future reflection of these young officers about to enter the battlefield!

At that moment, the cadets were shouting the hero's name, their blood boiling.

"Tian Xingjian!"

"Tian Xingjian!"

This name was chanted over and over again amid the thunderous applause, the sound becoming more unified and louder! This name represented the cadets' reverence for the hero, their cheers for victory, their longing for ideals, and their aspirations for the future!

Fatty was stunned by the sudden outburst of cheers. Beside him, Boswell, Thomas, and the relatively unfamiliar with Leray Cosmo were equally stunned by the cheers that almost lifted the roof. They stood dumbfounded in front of the simulation cabin, looking around.

Before their eyes were youthful faces, flushed with excitement. Everyone clapped vigorously, chanting Fatty's name hoarsely, their eyes shining with near-frenzied excitement.

Boys, girls, even the guards. At this moment, no one could remain calm and reserved; they waved their arms, jumped, and shouted, saluting their hero. They felt pride and glory from the bottom of their hearts for their country's hero.

Standing quietly in the center of the stadium, turning in circles, Fatty finally realized in astonishment that all this cheering was for him. The dazzling lights, the stands full of spectators, the synchronized cheers and applause, spun around in his vision, making him dizzy.

Fatty never wanted to be the center of attention, but at this moment, no matter how indifferent he tried to remain, he couldn't help but be moved.

For he had never felt such enthusiasm, had never received such respect from so many people, had never known he was so significant, and had never felt so proud of what he had done.

Stepping onto the battlefield until now, scenes replayed in his mind like a clear, vivid film.

Fatty couldn't help but tear up. He finally understood that he would always belong to this group, to this country. Everything he did was seen and remembered by the people, making it all worthwhile!

Fatty involuntarily raised his arms slowly!

After a second of silence, an electrifying excitement swept over everyone present.

"Long live Leray!"

The stadium's atmosphere reached its peak in an instant. At this moment, everyone's hearts beat as one. At this moment, people could clearly feel the strength and unity of the Leray Federation!

Even Cosmo, who had nothing to do with the Leray Federation, was involuntarily moved by this exhilarating scene. Growing up in Free Port, he couldn't imagine one person receiving such adoration, nor could he imagine a Mechanical Warrior reaching such heights!

Looking at the ordinary, slightly chubby figure standing in the center of the field, and the fanatical cadets around him, Cosmo suddenly understood that no matter how powerful a civilian Mech Knight might be or how skilled in combat, they couldn't compare to Military Mecha Warriors.

These warriors fought for their country and their loved ones! They lived amidst blood and war. Every battle they fought was a walk on the edge of death!

Only these people were the real men of this era, and only they deserved such adoration and cheers.

"Long live Leray!"

"Tian Xingjian! Tian Xingjian!"

The cheers continued. Some fanatical cadets had already rushed down from the stands.

As they looked at the raised-armed Tian Xingjian and listened to the resounding cheers, Boswell finally realized how wise the Command Department's decision had been.

If the news hadn't been sealed off immediately upon Fatty's return, if the Federation's top leadership hadn't collectively met and consoled him, and if the emergency confidentiality document for the Newly-built 19th Division hadn't been issued to block the outlet for Fatty's demotion news... then, as soon as the news of Fatty's twist in the war situation and subsequent demotion leaked, it would have instantly triggered overwhelming accusations against the Fei Alliance and the Command Department!

In this country, the people would never allow their children, who fought life and death on the frontlines, to suffer any injustice! In this country, Tian Xingjian was everyone's darling!

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