This Setup Is Broken - This Setup Is Broken Chapter 14: Entering the Competition

Bai Shi stares at the announcement, stunned for half a second before clenching his fists. Though he’s given up on breaking low-level records, seeing an unfamiliar name there always makes him a bit uncomfortable. 

But now that Chi Zuo not only smashed the record but did it with a two-year age difference, shocking everyone. Bai Shi feels a rush of excitement and satisfaction.

“Well done, kid. That’s my little brother!”

He quickly looks around for Chi Haitian and rushes over. “Grandpa, it’s Xiao Zuo!”

Chi Haitian has already seen the new record. He looks up at the screen and nods. Through the network, Bai Shi can’t see his expression, but with his grandson doing so well, he imagines Chi Haitian must feel proud. 

Bai Shi glances at the screen again, his eyes fill with pride. “Xiao Zuo is definitely a top student there.”

Being in the same academy and year, those three little brats who used to bully him and Chi Zuo must be shaking now. Plus, good students are always highly regarded by teachers, so unless those three are completely clueless, they wouldn’t dare bother Chi Zuo again.

Just imagining it feels great. “Wait, though…being beaten by someone they looked down on can’t sit well with anyone. Could it be that when they meet him at the mecha competition, they’re trying to gain some sense of superiority?”

Bai Shi feels he’s stumbled upon the truth and silently lights a candle for them.

Chi Haitian, unaware that Bai Shi’s thoughts have drifted, says: “He’s got an A-level gene, giving him a solid foundation in physical ability. He’s bound to excel beyond others.”

Bai Shi nods, then pauses, recalling the tests he went through after transmigrating, and the devices Chi Haitian occasionally used. The way Chi Haitian acted calm back then…maybe he knew their gene levels all along.

Later, when Chi Haitian sent Chi Zuo to the Youth Academy, he saw that Bai Shi would be left to wander, he enlisted uncle Xiao as a coach, arranging a very structured training plan. He’s been a responsible guardian, no doubt. 

But with this newfound understanding, Bai Shi realizes Chi Haitian hadn’t initially planned to personally teach him. Something must have changed his mind along the way.

“Could it be that he saw talent for mechas in me? No, with Chi Zuo’s A-level gene, he’d definitely have more potential, so it’s probably not that.”

“Then why? Had I somehow unconsciously made a powerful impression? I can’t recall anything like that.”

Chi Haitian, noticing Bai Shi’s prolonged silence, asks: “Thinking about Xiao Zuo?”

Bai Shi instinctively wants to deny it, but then swallows his words. “A little. Grandpa, I think your training methods are excellent. Do you think it would be better for Xiao Zuo to train here with me or stay at the academy?”

Since the main character’s teacher has to be a top-notch expert, Bai Shi naturally hopes his little bro can come back. But uncertain if that might disrupt the plot, he leaves the choice to Chi Haitian. After all, he’s already committed to teaching, so adding one more wouldn’t bother him.

Chi Haitian pauses for a couple of seconds, then says: “The academy is more professional, let him stay there.”

Bai Shi obediently nods. He knows Chi Haitian must have his reasons. In line with the usual storyline, he suspects Chi Haitian has a tragic past, hiding out here in Keli Town. Then by chance crossed paths with the main character, reigniting his spirit.

He’s sure this will eventually reveal a hidden storyline connected to Chi Haitian. He glances at him thoughtfully.

Even though Chi Haitian is fictional, they’re sharing this world now, and Bai Shi genuinely feels his presence. 

After spending these years together, he already sees him as family. Both personally and story-wise, he can’t tolerate the thought of Chi Haitian being driven to such a bleak existence.

So, he speaks with sincere determination. “Fine, Xiao Zuo might even get recommended to military school from the academy. I’ll keep working hard to get stronger too, so we can both take care of you. And if anyone tries to mess with you, we’ll crush them!”

So if you do have any old scores to settle, leave it to us! He pats him on the shoulder.

Chi Haitian feels both amused and comforted, though his tone online remains calm. “It’s enough that you feel that way. Have you registered yet?”

“Yes, I’ve got the mecha, too.”

Chi Haitian nods and walks him toward the arena. Bai Shi follows obediently, suddenly recalling that he hasn’t filled in his ID. He opens the registration page, planning to think it over, but freezes.

Last time, he’d tried and deleted several names without satisfaction, until he randomly typed in one as a joke. 

Just as he was about to delete it, the low-level record suddenly refreshed. In his excitement, he hit minimize without noticing that he’d accidentally confirmed the ID.

Now he’s facing a fait accompli. He stares at the name for several seconds.

“…Grandpa.”

“Yes?”

“Can you only apply for one account per person?”

“Yes, each is bound to an identity card.”

Bai Shi feels his heart skip painfully. “So…can I change my ID?”

“Once confirmed, the system automatically assigns you to a match, so no, you can’t change it. Why?”

Bai Shi: “……”

“Dammit, why’d I have to be so careless?! Where’s the rope? This time, I really can’t go on!”

He follows Chi Haitian in slowly, standing silently in the player’s area. Chi Haitian looks at him. “Why are you standing there? Get your mecha out.”

“…Are you going to stay and watch?”

Chi Haitian says: “How else am I supposed to see if you have any issues?”

Bai Shi hesitates. “Actually, I think I’m probably okay at the beginner level.”

Chi Haitian remains firm. “Don’t waste time. Hurry and get in the match.”

Bai Shi stands there for a moment, resigned, before finally summoning his mecha. Chi Haitian takes a quick glance at it, noticing the glaringly bold name on top: Supreme Dunce.

Chi Haitian: “……”

Chi Haitian stares silently at him. Though he’s using a virtual avatar, Bai Shi can still somehow feel him thinking: “Was this kid dropped on his head by a mule?”

He feels like crying. He’d just been reminded of the main character’s top-grade mecha and thought about how the mecha’s personality was a bit dumb, so he typed the name as a joke. Who could’ve known he’d accidentally hit confirm?!

Bai Shi silently looks at him, silently gets into the cockpit, and silently presses the “Enter Match” button.

In this world where mechas dominate, mecha battles are the most popular sport. However, because of the risks and the high physical requirements, many mecha enthusiasts are sadly left out. Until the launch of the online Mecha Domination League, which finally gave them hope.

The League’s system simulates mecha performance nearly identically to the real thing. But with zero physical strain, so even those with an E-level gene can participate. It became a hit the moment it launched.

Its main appeal lies in absolute fairness. There’s no VIP privilege, everyone starts with the same mecha and points. Win means gain 1 point, lose means minus 1 point. 

Once reaching a certain score, the system automatically upgrades the mecha. Mechas of the same level are identical, so winning relies solely on speed and skill.

The League’s system has been updated for fifty years and is now highly advanced. Bai Shi only has to move his mecha into the player’s area and press the “Enter Match” button on the interface to be immediately transported into a match room.

As the system transports him, a glow appears around him, displaying the room number he’s entering. Chi Haitian glances at it, then heads to the spectator area, finds a spot, and starts watching.

The spectator area is divided into a main arena and side arena. The main arena broadcasts exciting matches, while the side arena allows individual selections.

As Chi Haitian sits, a screen pops up in front of him. He finds Bai Shi’s room and clicks to enter, quickly seeing what’s happening inside.

The League’s matchmaking pits players with similar scores. Since there’s no negative score, even if a player’s losses total in the hundreds, the system shows them as zero points. Bai Shi’s starting score of zero has matched him mostly with newbies. While Chi Haitian takes time to reach the arena, he’d already instantly defeated his first opponent.

Gaining 1 point, Bai Shi presses “continue” and the system immediately pairs him with another player with 1 point.

The room has voice mode enabled, so as soon as the opponent sees Bai Shi’s name, there’s a small snicker.

Bai Shi, expressionless, presses “start”. The moment his opponent confirms, he rushes forward, quickly dodging a shot mid-movement with a sharp sidestep before swinging his sword down.

His opponent, startled by Bai Shi’s speed, fumbles to draw their sword in defense. But just then, Bai Shi vanishes, reappearing a moment later as a sharp blade pierces through his opponent’s neck from behind. The screen turns white, displaying the word “defeated”.

Another instant win. Bai Shi hits “continue” and dives into the next battle. Chi Haitian watches him rack up these instant wins without surprise. The League’s control system is the same as the simulation pod. 

But unlike the simulation pid, League’s control system doesn’t strain the body, making movements easier. Bai Shi, who already spent hours training daily in the cabin and has cleared every level, naturally surpasses these low-score beginners.

In less than two minutes, there’s a notification sound. System announcement: Congratulations to player [Supreme Dunce] for ten consecutive wins.

Bai Shi: “……”

He wants to flip a table. “This name isn’t even remotely intimidating! He’d rather be called Bai Goudan!”

He takes a deep breath, resumes fighting, and continues enduring his opponents’ occasional laughter. But as he listens, he starts growing numb, his thoughts twisting onto a different track.

“Fine then. If I’m stuck with this, I’ll make sure that whenever you see this name, you feel nothing but terror and awe!”

“Tremble before me, foolish mortals!”

With that, his frustration bursts out, and he begins mowing down opponents, leaving each beginner completely humiliated. Soon, there’s another ding, and the system announces: Congratulations to player [Supreme Dunce] for fifty consecutive wins.

Bai Shi glances at the screen, wipes his face, and keeps going.

As his scores gradually increase, it’s not quite as easy, but these are still low-level mechas. Plus, Bai Shi is not only skilled in mecha operation but also incorporates hand-to-hand combat techniques, so he doesn’t struggle much.

By evening, the system announces his achievement of one hundred consecutive wins, and his mecha upgrades from low-tier level three to level two.