Chapter 216: Chapter 216: A Separate Celebration
Zoe Pierce’s team became a massive hit in both the Empire and the Federation.
Even people who paid no attention to the Friendship Match could name the final victors.
The most discussed person was Zoe Pierce, followed by Miles Sherman.
The commands Zoe Pierce had issued from inside the mecha were still a topic of hot debate.
Some people felt as if Zoe Pierce herself were piloting the mecha, while others retorted that it was impossible—after all, how could an Omega pilot a mecha?
The interviewer specifically brought this up with Miles Sherman.
But Miles Sherman just smiled faintly and said she was the one piloting it.
His words sent everyone into an uproar. Even the interviewer was stunned and immediately turned to ask Zoe Pierce.
In the end, it was Zoe Pierce who had to smooth things over. She explained that she had noticed a disturbance on the snowy mountain ahead and had no time to explain, so she issued the commands directly. She added that Miles Sherman trusted her completely and had simply followed her instructions, which barely managed to make the story plausible.
Zoe Pierce understood Miles Sherman’s intentions; he was just trying to protect her in the only way he knew how.
’If he were asked to take the credit for piloting, Miles Sherman would never be able to bring himself to say it.’
The victory banquet was held as scheduled.
The Federation and the Empire completely sealed off the mountain range, conducting a thorough grid search.
Officials from both the Military and the diplomatic corps were praising the way Zoe Pierce and her team had handled the situation.
From the mention of "red eyes," to the discovery of the anomalous corpse, to the incredible moment they burst out of the avalanche.
"Truly, the younger generation is formidable," someone from the Military said to Director Quinn and the other teachers from the Federal Military Academy. "The Federation won’t have to worry about recruitment for the next five years!"
With Zoe Pierce and her teammates as living, breathing advertisements, the Federal Military Academy’s applicant pool would be in a league of its own.
Most importantly, it wouldn’t just be Alphas like in the past; the number of Omega applicants would likely be far higher than usual as well.
"A toast to you all. For the honor you’ve brought the Federation," the official said, raising his glass high with a beaming smile.
This time, Zoe Pierce and the others didn’t offer any modest refusals, simply raising their glasses and smiling in return.
This was only the beginning. A stream of people, from junior officials all the way up to a Major General, came to offer them a toast.
However, everyone was tactful. They knew Zoe Pierce and her team were still students, as well as heroes of the day, so no one pressured them to drink.
Most simply drank their own glass and told the students to drink as they pleased.
The banquet was halfway over, and they had met everyone they needed to, when Director Quinn pulled Miles Sherman aside and whispered a few words in his ear.
Even the ever-composed Miles Sherman was stunned by the director’s words. "Teacher Quinn..."
Director Quinn’s typically stern expression softened. "Go on. Your teachers have prepared everything for you. Go relax, *relax*."
"I’ve already cleared it with the authorities, so don’t worry."
"It’s not good for young people to be so serious all the time," he said, patting Miles Sherman’s shoulder.
When Miles Sherman returned, Chase Shaw asked, "What did he say?"
Even Miles, who was usually unshakeable, couldn’t hide his surprise.
Miles Sherman glanced at the others, whose attention had been drawn to him. "Put down your glasses," he said. "Come with me."
He said it so naturally that no one, not even Nathan Lockwood, suspected anything. They all followed Miles Sherman out.
At first, they thought he was just taking them somewhere private to talk, but when they left the grand hall entirely and boarded a hovercar, even Zoe Pierce was confused.
"Where are we going?" she asked. If they were just going to talk, they wouldn’t have needed to get in a vehicle. "Do they need us back in the Polar Region?"
Fortunately, they weren’t in formal attire today, but in their academy training uniforms, which were convenient for travel.
Miles Sherman didn’t answer.
Nathan Lockwood shot Miles Sherman a look, his eyes narrowing slightly.
When he didn’t answer, everyone exchanged bewildered glances. Their suspicion only grew when they realized the hovercar was heading toward their hotel.
"Miles?" Zoe Pierce called his name again.
This time, Miles Sherman didn’t remain silent. "Teacher Quinn said he specially arranged a top-floor suite for us. It has everything, and no one will disturb us. We can have our own private celebration."
"He said this celebration belongs to us, and we should enjoy ourselves."
"He already cleared it with the Military. We have approval to leave early. From tonight until noon tomorrow, no one will disturb us. If we need anything, we can contact the person in charge directly."
The moment he finished speaking, Erin Xavier’s eyes lit up. "Wow, Director Quinn really gets it."
All banquets ended up being the same: a whirlwind of toasts where everyone wore polite masks and exchanged empty pleasantries. It was all so boring.
The thought of the five of them celebrating alone was already far more exciting than standing around at the official party.
Even Chase Shaw raised an eyebrow, clearly not having expected this.
The hovercar door slid open, and the group stepped out.
They took an elevator straight to the top floor. After an iris scan, the doors opened to a sprawling, nearly 200-square-meter suite.
A lavish spread of food and drinks covered a table, and the walls were adorned with decorations bearing messages of congratulations.
It didn’t look like something the teachers had put together themselves, but rather the work of professionals who specialized in this sort of thing.
Zoe Pierce looked at the colorful bouquets that seemed to fill the room, and an idea suddenly struck her.
Aside from the official photos taken during the competition, the five of them had never actually taken a picture together.
She activated her Intelligent Brain, opened the camera settings, and carefully positioned it at the right height.
Then she turned to the others. "Should we take a picture?"
The four men had guessed what she was doing the moment she started fiddling with her Intelligent Brain. Of course, they wouldn’t refuse.
They casually walked over to her. Erin Xavier and Chase Shaw were the quickest, flanking Zoe Pierce and claiming the spots closest to her.
Seeing this, Nathan Lockwood and Miles Sherman didn’t compete, simply taking their places beside them.
Soon, a group photo of the five of them was saved on Zoe Pierce’s Intelligent Brain. She sent it to the others. In the picture, all five were smiling. Zoe Pierce was holding a bouquet, and the banner on the wall behind them read "Friendship Match Victory."
The four men, each with his own distinct style, looked incredibly handsome even in the photo.
Handsome men and a beautiful woman—they made for a stunning picture.
After seeing the photo, Erin Xavier still wasn’t satisfied. "Sister," he cooed, "I want to take one alone with you."
’On such a special occasion, of course I want a picture with just her, not with all the other guys.’
He called her this so naturally, completely oblivious to the fact that the other men had all turned to stare at him.
Chase Shaw scoffed. "And who was it that said he’d rather die than call her ’Sister’?"
The memory was still fresh in their minds.
Erin Xavier grinned. "Jealous, Chase? Can’t be helped, I’m the youngest."
’What, are they going to call her ’little sister’?’
’That would sound way creepier than ’Sister’.’
Some people had skin as thick as a metal wall.
Chase Shaw couldn’t be bothered to argue with him.
He just watched as Erin pulled Zoe aside. Then, without a hint of shame, Erin shoved the Intelligent Brain into Chase’s hands. Even though the device could auto-focus and lock on its own, he deliberately handed it over. "Thanks for your help, Chase."
His cheeky grin was exasperating.
He stood behind Zoe Pierce, completely unabashed, pressing his cheek so close to hers that they looked like a couple.
