A Chemist's Interstellar Saga
Chapter 178: Cheaters

Chapter 178: Cheaters

Sykes and Vesryn were busy throwing sarcastic comments at each other, stopping only when the insectoid wave got too close. They quickly called in their respective mecha squads, ready to face the threat.

Sykes looked over the Supergiant-Class mecha pilots assembled before him. With a stern expression, he said, "I won’t say much. Just remember, if things get too dangerous, don’t hesitate to pull back. Got it?"

"Understood, Admiral!" the pilots, Arix included, replied in unison.

Sykes nodded approvingly and gave a few more pointers. Once done, Sykes and Vesryn exchanged contemptuous looks, then barked out orders together, "Everyone, take your positions! Prepare for battle!"

With that command, the mecha squads from both the Empire and the Alliance moved into position, ready to face the incoming insectoid swarm.

The armies from both sides cleared the area, giving the two squads space to prove themselves.

This decision, though, didn’t sit well with everyone. In the Empire, where the strong thrive, the move was accepted—young soldiers often faced such trials.

But on the Alliance side, soldiers thought their leaders were being reckless.

"This is a battlefield, not a playground! They shouldn’t be treating it like a competition for these kids," grumbled one of the military mecha squad members over the team channel.

"We’re up against an insectoid wave. If they fail to hold the line and the starship carriers behind us get hit, we’re done for," another chimed in angrily.

The military mecha squad was uneasy, feeling the decision was too risky. The squad leader shared their concerns but knew he couldn’t challenge the orders from above. He sighed, "Let’s watch and see. If things go south, we step in immediately."

"Yes, sir!" The squad members replied, feeling a bit better knowing they had a backup plan. Even if it meant stepping in to save the day, they preferred action over idleness.

Meanwhile, on the front lines, Arix and her team were getting frustrated. They had already fought off two waves of insectoids, while the Empire’s mecha squad hadn’t seen of that. They just stood there, watching the Alliance team handle the threat.

The Empire’s mecha squad stood by, watching the Alliance squad struggle with the insectoid wave. Elio, noticing the difference, complained, "Wow! It turns out the insectoid wave on our side is much stronger."

"Seriously, it feels like these bugs are favoring them," Drexel added, as they watched the insectoids avoid the Empire’s side and head straight for the Alliance.

Cirilla, having just decapitated an insectoid with her whip, tried to reassure her teammates, "The insectoids at the start of the wave are usually weaker. Let’s treat this as a warm-up."

"Keep your moves simple and conserve your energy," Zephyr advised calmly.

"Understood!" Arix and the others responded in unison.

Following Zephyr’s advice, their mecha movements became more efficient, clearly aimed at conserving energy. This was a letdown for the Empire’s mecha squad, who had hoped the Alliance team would wear themselves out quickly.

As time went on, the insectoid attacks became stronger. The Empire’s squad also started facing their share of the wave. The previously uneven distribution of attacks evened out, with both squads now fully engaged in the battle.

Minutes stretched into half an hour, and then into an hour... Both squads transitioned from sharp and focused to visibly worn out.

"Watch out!" Arix shouted, as she intercepted an insectoid attempting to ambush Varden. She quickly swung her sword, slicing the insectoid in half.

"Thanks!" Varden panted, clearly exhausted. He was struggling, his hands trembling as he gripped his sword.

Seeing this, Zephyr immediately instructed, "Varden, fall back and recover. Arix, can you hold the line for a while?"

"I can do it!" Arix responded with determination, tightening her grip on her sword.

She had been picking off stragglers and weaker targets, but now it was time for her to take on a bigger role.

Though still a beginner compared to Drexel and the others, she felt it was her time to step up.

Taking a deep breath, Arix moved forward and swapped places with Varden.

However, facing the full force of the insectoid attack, she hesitated, unsure whether to block or strike first.

This moment of uncertainty allowed several insectoids to breach their defense line.

"Arix, stay calm; we’re here!" Zephyr shouted, taking down an insectoid that had slipped through.

"Don’t worry, Arix. We’ve got your back!" Cirilla encouraged, though she was panting heavily.

"Arix, keep going!" Drexel, who was in the best condition, moved closer to help reduce the pressure on her.

"If you can’t handle it, I’ll take over!" Varden offered, worried for her safety.

Hearing everyone’s concern and encouragement, Arix felt a warmth spread through her heart. She bit her lower lip and declared, "Thank you, everyone. I can do this!"

With renewed determination, Arix launched into the fray, slashing at the insectoids with all her might.

Her fierce attacks held back the swarm, but she quickly realized that this approach was draining her energy at an alarming rate. It wasn’t sustainable.

’What should I do?’ Arix’s mind raced, sifting through her training and past experiences.

Then, she remembered Scion’s technique—using a single sword strike to unleash a powerful energy blade capable. That strike would wipe out insectoids within a hundred meters.

That technique required a combination an energy stone with psychic power; the stronger the psychic power, the more potent the attack.

Arix wasn’t sure if she could pull it off, but she was running out of options. She decided to give it a shot.

Her mecha, Starfall, suddenly ceased its movements. She gripped her sword tightly with both hands, focusing her energy.

As an insectoid lunged at her, Varden instinctively moved to help, but Drexel stopped him.

"Trust her!" Drexel said with a confident smile, watching his sister closely.

Varden hesitated, frowning in confusion, but chose to step back and trust Arix’s judgment.

Arix recalled Scion’s precise movements as she channeled her mecha’s energy along with her psychic powers into her sword.

As the insectoid’s sharp limbs closed in, just a meter away, Arix’s mecha sprang into action.

She swung the sword with a swift motion, releasing a 30-meter-wide blade of energy that cleaved through all the insectoids within a 50-meter radius.

This incredible display of power left her teammates in awe, and even Arix couldn’t believe what she’d just done.

"Wow, Arix, that was awesome!" Elio exclaimed, clearly impressed.

"Well done," Zephyr added, his tone calm but carrying a hint of pride.

"That’s my sister!" Cirilla cheered, giving Arix a thumbs up while cracking her whip.

"That’s a big step; you’ve proved you can hold your own!" Varden grinned.

Drexel didn’t say a word but raised his mecha’s thumb above his head, and the he even blew a kiss. Arix, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the compliments, felt her stomach turn at Drexel’s over-the-top gesture.

Elio and the others cringed, while Zephyr shot Drexel a frosty glare, even firing a shot to stop him from doing anything more.

"Hey, Zephyr, be careful!" Drexel snapped, irritated at being interrupted.

"My bad, hand slipped," Zephyr replied coolly, face expressionless.

Drexel didn’t push it further, and he turned his attention back to the battle with the insectoids.

The rest of the team subtly signaled their approval to Zephyr.

With Arix’s newfound ability to unleash the energy blade, the pressure eased off Elio and the others.

Zephyr quickly organized shifts so they could take turns resting. After getting his own mecha team sorted, Zephyr turned his focus to the Empire’s mecha team.

Both teams were looking worn out, though the Empire’s team had been slightly stronger initially. But with Arix’s unexpected assistance, things were now evenly matched.

The two groups seemed like fraying ropes being sliced by knives, each side waiting to see who would break first.

As time dragged on, a member of the Empire’s team fell, soon followed by one from the Alliance’s side.

"Take a break!" Zephyr called out, helping Varden back to the cockpit.

"Sorry..." Varden mumbled, exhausted from the strain of using both psychic and physical energy, before passing out.

The battle seemed almost cursed, with team members dropping one by one. Elio, Cirilla, and the others...

Now, only three from each side remained, both the Empire’s and the Alliance’s teams dwindling down to the last few fighters.