Marshal Kevin had initially planned to simply introduce Yue'an to the atmosphere of the military department and let him play around with the mechs a bit. However, the encounter with Xiu Jun changed everything.

Kevin was well aware of Xiu Jun's capabilities. To be honest, he could no longer match his former student in combat. The vast difference in physical prowess, combined with Kevin's declining condition, meant that he could no longer hold his own against Xiu Jun. While sparring in private to keep in shape was one thing, being humiliated in front of a crowd was quite another.

Moreover, the idea of two Marshals teaching a novice seemed almost comically excessive.

Xiu Jun, for his part, understood that publicly embarrassing his respected teacher would be inappropriate. However, he had already promised Yue'an the chance to experience piloting a mech, and breaking that promise was out of the question.

There was also the matter of virtual mechs versus their real-world counterparts. The difference was significant enough to warrant consideration.

After a brief consultation with each other and confirming Yue'an's willingness, the two battle-hardened Marshals decided to leave the military's mech training grounds. Instead, they headed for a high-end mech training club in the imperial capital, hoping to potentially catch a bigger fish in their net.

This "big fish" was none other than Prince Kels, whom they had been itching to corner for some time.

Ever since the destruction of the black market, any leads that could implicate the Prince had vanished overnight. Even his clandestine financial transactions had been surgically removed, leaving no trace behind.

When Marshal Kevin had escorted the young Emperor and his secretary back to the palace, he had extensively advised them to maintain normalcy. A week had passed, and the political sphere showed no signs of turbulent reaction, suggesting that the young Emperor had managed the situation well.

While the deployment of two Marshals might seem excessive, it was a calculated move. The presence of both often necessitated an appropriate response from the other party. In this case, it meant that Prince Kels, as the owner of the club, would have to make an appearance.

In a private training room, Marshal Kevin was helping Yue'an select a mech suitable for beginners. Before their arrival, Xiu Jun had emphasized the importance of avoiding the empathic sync mode, instead opting for mechs with simpler manual controls.

This precaution was necessary because Yue'an's gene and psychic power levels had been falsified. They had registered him with stats that were above average for ordinary people but mediocre by military standards. If they were to connect to the empathic sync mode, Yue'an's true SS-grade (or even higher) psychic power would be immediately exposed.

This practice of protecting promising youngsters behind a façade of mediocrity was common in high-level circles. While it was gratifying to take pride in a child's excellence, it was far more crucial to shield them from potential sabotage by political enemies or other malicious actors. It was better to maintain the disguise than to risk a fatal setback.

After all, they weren't common folk who needed to rely on exceptional talent to open doors. Being too conspicuous offered no advantages in their position.

Xiu Jun observed Marshal Kevin and Yue'an as they selected a mech, his face a mask of cool indifference.

Meanwhile, Prince Kels was utterly surprised by the joint visit of the two Marshals. He frowned at his assistant who had just reported their arrival.

"What are they doing here? Is there something the military's training grounds can't handle?" the portly prince inquired.

The assistant hesitated before adding, "Marshal Kevin brought his adopted son with him."

The prince's eyes widened in realization. The military-grade mechs, even when loaded with blanks for training, were often too dangerous for absolute beginners. They frequently caused injuries among trainees, making them unsuitable for novices.

Considering the relationship between Marshal Kevin and Xiu Jun, Prince Kels could guess their motivations. Kevin likely wanted to teach his adopted son how to use a mech, while Xiu Jun was probably there to assess the capabilities of his potential future rival.

"Bringing him to pilot mechs on the first day of adoption seems rather hasty," Prince Kels mused, still feeling that something was amiss. "What's the data on this adopted son?"

The assistant promptly replied, "Gene level A, psychic power level B."

"False," Prince Kels declared without hesitation. "That old fox Kevin would never casually adopt a child. He's getting old."

As people age, they often feel an urgent need to pass on their legacy. It's a basic human instinct, rooted in our nature as living beings. Following the rules of evolution, offspring with superior physiques have a higher chance of survival. Selecting and focusing on teaching exceptional children is another such instinct, especially for someone as accomplished as Kevin.

"Years ago, he picked up Xiu Jun, who, after more than two decades of training under him, became a Marshal at just over 70 years old. Although Xiu Jun turned out to be an ungrateful wretch, it's undeniable that Kevin's professional guidance was truly formidable," Prince Kels said as he stood up, allowing his assistant to drape his coat over his shoulders.

"Now that he's adopted a child into his own household, this boy is bound to be at least as promising as Xiu Jun was," the prince continued.

But Prince Kels wasn't concerned. He had managed to drive a wedge between the once inseparable Xiu Jun and Kevin; dealing with a child in his twenties or thirties would require only minor machinations.

The plan was simple: first, prevent the boy from getting close to Marshal Kevin, and later, when he had grown, turn him against Marshal Xiu Jun.

Prince Kels, who had been manipulating the young Emperor with ease, felt confident in his ability to handle a mere child.

Little did he know, both Xiu Jun and Marshal Kevin were equally adept at manipulating Prince Kels.

Inside the mech cockpit, Marshal Kevin was teaching Yue'an the most basic operations. This beginner's mech had two seats in the control cabin, perfect for one-on-one instruction.

Xiu Jun maintained his cold expression, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on the mech.

As Prince Kels waddled over, this was the scene that greeted him. He approached Xiu Jun, his face creasing into a smile. "Kevin really does love to teach, doesn't he?"

Marshal Xiu Jun didn't even spare him a glance.

Prince Kels was used to Xiu Jun's icy demeanor, which only thawed for the Emperor. He didn't mind; after all, the Emperor's will was his will, and Xiu Jun's obedience to the Emperor meant obedience to him. Whether Xiu Jun bothered with surface-level courtesies or not was of no consequence to the prince.

"You know, Marshal Xiu," Prince Kels continued, "you're far more skilled than Kevin. If there's a promising seedling to nurture, it should be you doing the teaching."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the previously motionless mech suddenly raised its arm with lightning speed. With a resounding "boom," it fired a blank round directly at where they were standing.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Xiu Jun remained perfectly still as the dust-filled blank shell exploded against the wall, merely a meter away from Prince Kels. The prince's portly figure effectively shielded Xiu Jun from most of the dust, with only a few specks settling on the Marshal's shoulders.

Inside the cockpit, Marshal Kevin laughed heartily, patting Yue'an on the shoulder. "Excellent aim! If that had been live ammunition, he'd be nothing but ash now."

It had been Kevin's idea to have Yue'an target Kels, but even he hadn't expected Yue'an to apply the theoretical knowledge so effectively in practice.

The boy was brilliant. If he were to enter the military academy, he would undoubtedly become another legendary prodigy.

A person with such talent would be wasted in a military academy. It would be far better to bring him directly to the battlefield, allowing him to absorb practical experience from the ever-changing tides of war.

With this thought, Kevin opened the mech cockpit and jumped down. He turned to Prince Kels, a smirk playing on his lips. "No matter how much I've declined, I'm still leagues ahead of someone who can't even dodge a simple attack."

Prince Kels wiped his face, his eyes blazing with anger. Damn that old fox Kevin!

Kevin met Kels' gaze, his face a picture of feigned innocence. Internally, he was thinking the same: Damn that old schemer Kels!

Finally, Xiu Jun shifted his gaze from the mech. He selected another beginner's mech and piloted it towards Yue'an.

Kevin's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of discontent crossing his face. It was all an act, of course.

Seeing Kevin's expression, Prince Kels' mouth curved into a smile. Kevin's displeasure was music to his ears.

"Marshal Xiu's abilities are beyond question," Kels said smoothly. "It would be beneficial for the child to receive his guidance."

Kevin resisted the urge to roll his eyes. As if they needed Kels to point that out.

He sat down at the edge of the training ground, his eyes fixed on the two mechs, as if ready to intervene should Xiu Jun be too harsh with his adopted son.

"If you ask me," Kels continued, his voice dripping with false concern, "your approach to teaching is too gradual. When Marshal Xiu was under your tutelage, he was thrown directly onto the battlefield, wasn't he?"

Kevin's eyebrow twitched. He didn't like where this conversation was heading. Was Kels suggesting that his student should poach his adopted son?

"Military talent is best honed through firsthand battlefield experience," Kels argued, his words carefully chosen to sound reasonable and well-intentioned. Kevin had to admit, grudgingly, that the man knew how to use his silver tongue. Kels spoke as if he were a long-time friend offering heartfelt advice, rather than a bitter rival.

In reality, these two men would gladly thrust a knife into each other's hearts and twist it for good measure.

Yue'an, listening to their conversation through the mech's audio system, heard every word clearly.

Xiu Jun, who was demonstrating full-body mech movements, noticed Yue'an's distraction. "Don't mind them," he advised curtly.

Yue'an turned back, his beautiful blue eyes meeting Xiu Jun's gaze in the communication window.

"Politicians and their games," Xiu Jun explained briefly. "It's not worth your attention."

"Oh..." Yue'an responded softly.

In truth, his interest in mechs had waned after the initial curiosity. But Xiu Jun was earnestly teaching him, so Yue'an cast one last glance at the two verbal sparring men before focusing on following Xiu Jun's instructions.

However, their conversation drifted over again a moment later.

"I believe your child would benefit most from training under Marshal Xiu," Kels was saying. "As it happens, His Majesty mentioned to me the other day that he wishes to emulate the first Emperor by personally going to the front lines. Even if he doesn't participate in combat, he hopes to observe the situation firsthand."

Both Kevin and Xiu Jun froze at these words.

The young Emperor, wanting to go to the front lines? With his timid nature? Who did Kels think he was fooling?

Both Marshals fixed Kels with looks of utter disbelief.

Kels, noticing Kevin's incredulous expression, let out a derisive chuckle. It didn't matter if the military didn't believe him. As long as the Emperor nodded his assent, they would have to obey—especially Xiu Jun.

As Kels himself approached his twilight years, never having stood at the pinnacle of power himself, he found it increasingly difficult to control his ambitions.

"Kevin, your child is about the same age as His Majesty. They would make good companions," Kels continued slowly. "Why not let him accompany Marshal Xiu on his next campaign?"

Before he could finish, the mech on the field raised its arm again, firing another round in his direction.

Shut up already!

Yue'an was furious. Who did this man think he was, deciding where Yue'an should go? Had he ever seen a cat willingly go to war? And with Xiu Jun, no less! Didn't he think Yue'an had been beaten up enough already?

Yue'an was so angry he was tempted to sneak into Kels' house that night and pluck out every hair on his head!

Xiu Jun stopped Yue'an from continuing his attack. In truth, Kels' suggestion was exactly what he and Kevin had been hoping for. Xiu Jun had always intended to take Yue'an to the battlefield, and Kevin believed that real combat experience was the fastest way to improve—the only problem was the addition of the young Emperor, who shouldn't be there at all.

They couldn't possibly bring the Emperor along. If anything were to happen to him, the military would be held responsible.

Especially if Yue'an were tasked with protecting the Emperor. What would that mean? It would mean that if anything happened to the Emperor, the blame would fall not on Xiu Jun, but on Yue'an and, by extension, Kevin, who shared the same household register.

This was clearly a move aimed at Kevin, and Xiu Jun couldn't openly intervene.

He looked at Yue'an, whose face was impassive, but whose beautiful blue eyes were filled with discontent.

"Unhappy?" Xiu Jun asked.

Yue'an nodded. "Mm."

Xiu Jun paused, recalling Kels' words, and asked, "Unhappy about going on campaign with me?"

Yue'an stared at Xiu Jun for a long moment before mumbling, "Not exactly."

Xiu Jun waited patiently, a look of attentive listening on his face.

"I don't want to fight anymore," Yue'an said, stretching out his arms. "Everything hurts."

Unlike the phantom pain from virtual training, which was slightly dulled and quick to fade after the match, the aches and fatigue from real training were intense and long-lasting.

In all his years as a cat, Yue'an had never experienced such pain and discomfort. If he hadn't clearly felt the effectiveness of Xiu Jun's training methods, and if he wasn't certain that Xiu Jun genuinely had his best interests at heart, Yue'an would have been tempted to claw the man's face.

"It hurts. I don't want to fight anymore," Yue'an repeated, his voice soft and slightly nasal, sounding utterly miserable.

Yue'an didn't expect much from his pitiful act—after all, Xiu Jun was a man of steel who had resisted all eighteen of Yue'an's cute and coquettish techniques without batting an eye.

But to his surprise, his whining tone, which had failed so many times before, seemed to have an effect this time.

...Even if it was just a tiny bit.

"Then we'll rest today," Xiu Jun said. "Just for today."

Yue'an was stunned for a moment, but when he realized what had happened, all traces of misery vanished from his face.

"Then I want to go out and play today!" he said excitedly. "And eat delicious food!"

Xiu Jun, realizing he had been outmaneuvered, remained silent for a moment before nodding. "Alright."

Yue'an, emboldened by his success, pushed further: "And I want you to come with me."

Xiu Jun was about to refuse, but when he met Yue'an's sparkling eyes, the words of rejection died in his throat.

Fine, he'd go with him.

After all, they had already caught their fish today—Kels was clearly targeting Kevin. In this situation, Kevin would take the lead, with Xiu Jun providing support from the shadows.

Moreover, since they wouldn't be continuing practical training today, there was no harm in taking Yue'an out for some fun.

Xiu Jun realized that since returning to the imperial capital, he hadn't properly taken his cat out to play.

He pressed his lips together and nodded. "Alright."

Yue'an's entire face lit up with joy and excitement.

Xiu Jun made a mental note to teach Yue'an how to control his expressions better—he must look very handsome when he smiles. It didn't occur to Xiu Jun that it was precisely because of his own lack of expressiveness that Yue'an, who had spent so much time with him, had trouble showing emotions.

This day turned out to be the most enjoyable one Yue'an had experienced since arriving on planet Cinders.

Partly it was due to the brief reprieve from Xiu Jun's hellish practical training, but mostly it was because Xiu Jun had actually accompanied him on an outing.

Although they both wore disguise devices, Yue'an was overjoyed. He had always envied other cats whose owners would buy space backpacks and take them on world tours. Unfortunately, after gaining sentience, he had distanced himself from humans.

Now that he had finally found a second owner, the fact that this owner had never had time to take him out had left Yue'an feeling somewhat disappointed.

But now that Xiu Jun had finally agreed to go out with him, Yue'an was over the moon.

If Xiu Jun was willing to go out with him today, surely a tour of the world... no, a tour of the galaxy couldn't be far behind!

Of course not!

Yue'an was so happy he practically bounced as he walked.

As dusk fell, they returned home laden with packages—mostly snacks that Yue'an had impulsively bought.

Yue'an, who had been full of energy right up until they got into the car, collapsed onto the sofa as soon as they entered the house, sprawling like a limp fish.

"Go wash..." Xiu Jun began, but the words caught in his throat.

This scene seemed eerily familiar, as if it had frequently occurred in this house before.

He remembered his father gently urging his mother to take a bath first when she would flop onto the sofa after a shopping trip, still in full makeup.

The Marshal stood silently in the doorway for a moment, then set aside the various snacks he was carrying. He closed the door and walked to the sofa, lowering the backrest.

Yue'an rolled with the motion, ending up in the middle of the sofa bed.

"Lie still," Xiu Jun said, removing the disguise cuff from Yue'an's wrist and patting his head.

Yue'an cracked open an eye. "Hm?"

"Didn't you say you were sore?" Xiu Jun asked, removing his own disguise device and coat. "Lie still. I'll give you a massage."