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The Singularity: Z-01
Chapter: 18 Dueling Ambitions

Chapter: 18 Dueling Ambitions

Z-01's morning began like many others, with a routine delivery to the twins' shared dorm rooms. Over time, he had perfected the art of providing them with fresh human steaks, neatly wrapped in silver foil, just the way they liked them. Ember and Aster, though they eagerly awaited their meals, were always a bit embarrassed to indulge in their carnivorous preferences in front of Z-01. After a friendly exchange of greetings, he left them to enjoy their peculiar breakfast and continued with his day.

As he walked away from the twins' dorm, his phone buzzed with an urgent call from Saiya. She needed his assistance with moving her belongings from the Silver Comet Club dorms to the Red Star Club, their new residence. Z-01, ever the reliable friend, immediately made his way in her direction.

To his surprise, upon arriving at the dorms, he found Lysander already there, deeply engaged in conversation with Saiya. Z-01 sensed an unspoken tension in the air but decided not to intrude. Instead, he focused on the task at hand, helping Saiya load her belongings onto a moving cart.

"Hey, Vex," Saiya greeted him with a warm smile. "Thanks for coming. I really appreciate it."

"No problem, Saiya," Z-01 replied, his voice carrying genuine warmth. "You know I'm always here to help."

His gaze shifted to Lysander, who offered a brief nod of acknowledgment. Z-01 couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss about him, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.

Their work continued smoothly until Astrid suddenly rushed outside in a state of panic, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Saiya, what on earth are you doing?" Astrid exclaimed. "Why are you moving out? And why are you with him?"

Saiya maintained her composure, meeting Astrid's frantic gaze with a sense of determination. "Astrid, I understand this might be difficult to accept, but I've made the decision to join the Red Star Club. I believe it's the best choice for me."

Astrid gasped, struggling to comprehend Saiya's unexpected announcement. "Saiya, you can't trust him! He's your enemy!"

Saiya shook her head firmly. "No, Astrid. You've got it all wrong. Lysander is not my enemy. He knows things about me that you don't."

Astrid's emotions swirled in a turbulent mix of anger and fear. She couldn't help but wonder if Saiya had somehow uncovered her secret investigation into her past. Or worse, had she learned the truth about Saiya's own mysterious origins?

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Z-01, ever the curious observer, couldn't resist the temptation to delve deeper into the thoughts swirling within Astrid's mind. His telepathic abilities allowed him to peer into her innermost thoughts, revealing a torrent of questions and suspicions. Did Saiya find out that she had been investigating her past? Or that she knew Saiya wasn’t even human?

Driven by an insatiable curiosity, Z-01 decided to extend his telepathic reach further, delving into Lysander's thoughts. What he uncovered was deeply unsettling. Lysander had orchestrated this move meticulously, and he took secret satisfaction in how easily he had convinced Saiya to align herself with the Red Star Club. It was as though the pieces of his plan had fallen into perfect harmony, with a cryptic reference to Saiya's mother.

Astrid stood there, her expression blank, as a growing crowd of students gathered, their phones held aloft to capture the unfolding drama. Whispers and murmurs rippled through the onlookers as they exchanged theories and opinions on the abrupt turn of events.

But the most unexpected entrance came from Aurelia, who burst through the crowd, her eyes blazing with determination. She pointed a finger at Lysander with unwavering resolve and declared for all to hear, "I challenge you, Lysander, to a mecha piloting duel! The winner claims Saiya as their new club member!"

The audacity of her challenge hung in the air, momentarily silencing the crowd. It was an unprecedented move, and the students were torn between shock and fascination. Z-01 watched with a hint of curiosity, wondering what had prompted Aurelia to take such a bold step.

While the challenge ignited discussion among the students, Z-01 seized the opportunity to extend his telepathic senses towards Aurelia. He delved into her thoughts, seeking to uncover the motivations behind her unexpected challenge.

What he discovered left him taken aback. It appeared that Aurelia harbored her own ulterior motives. She had no intention of following through with Lysander's previous plan, which involved her losing the duel. Instead, she was planning to double-cross him, aiming for a victory. Her true desire was to tap into Saiya's wealth and influence, and perhaps something more personal—her feelings for Lysander were undeniable, and she couldn't bear to see him with the so-called "perfect academy princess."

Lysander, never one to back down from a challenge, accepted Aurelia's proposition with a smirk and a nod, setting the stage for the unprecedented mecha duel.

However, just as the duel was about to commence, a surprising twist unfolded. Astrid, seemingly out of nowhere, made her entrance, determined to participate and secure the rights to the duel. If she emerged victorious, Saiya would be compelled to join the Golden Sun Club, alongside Leonidas Silverwing, who her mother had secretly contacted moments ago.

The rules of the duel were simple: the first pilot to reach the finish line would claim Saiya as their new club member. The tension in the air was thick as the mecha pilots took their positions.

The battle commenced with a thunderous roar of engines and a flurry of mechanical limbs. Mechas clashed and raced, pushing themselves to their limits. The spectators held their breath as they watched the titanic contest unfold.

In the end, it was Lysander's mecha, the formidable RedNova, that crossed the finish line first, securing his victory. The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and disappointed murmurs as the duel came to a dramatic conclusion.