Rebirth: The Universe's Hidden Heiress-Chapter 61: Fighting Insectoids (1)

A few minutes later, Kenji entered the underground parking garage.

He released all the mechas, and as the students in need of modifications located their mechas by their numbers, the modifiers approached. They caressed the outer shells of the mechas, admiring them, and began their work.

They would need at least half a day for the modifications. Yuka and the others didn’t want to just stay here and watch, so they turned to leave.

Donny called out to them, asking, "Next month, my family is hosting a ball. I’d like to invite you all to attend, would you come?"

In reality, the Horn family was planning a grand ceremony that day to announce Donny Horn as the next family head. The ball was merely a secondary, entertaining event.

Donny felt indifferent about it. Ever since her brother was completely abandoned by the family, she had been the inevitable heiress. freewebnoveℓ.com

For the sake of the family, she was prepared to interact with those hypocritically smiling individuals with vested interests. It was her duty.

Still, she hoped Yuka and the others would come to the ball. She couldn’t exactly explain why, but she firmly believed that their blessings might make her a bit happier.

Donny looked nervously at Yuka, knowing she was the most opinionated of the group. If Yuka agreed, Ayoi and Alex would likely attend too.

The butler excitedly exclaimed, "It’s a ball! Master, go! I’ll do your most beautiful makeup and pick out the prettiest dress, so everyone will be captivated by you!"

Yuka ignored him and exchanged looks with Ayoi and Alex before asking Donny, "Are there any special requirements for the ball, like wearing formal dresses?"

"There’s no such thing," Donny replied, waving her hand. "But it’s a masquerade ball. The idea was Vivian’s. She said everyone could wear masks to cover their faces and wear whatever they like. It’s okay not to dance, just have fun. Would you like to come?"

After a moment, Yuka said, "I have no problem with that."

Ayoi and Alex also agreed, "We’re fine with it too."

The butler cheered, "Yay!"

Donny smiled slightly, "Great, I’ll send you the invitations right away."

When Yuka and the others returned in the afternoon, Toru had already finished modifying their mechas.

Yuka handed Toru a bottle of energy drink. Toru thanked her, drank it in one gulp, and excitedly said, "The mechas are modified! Go try them out and see if anything else needs to be adjusted."

Yuka and her friends climbed into their own mechas and entered the cockpits. Yuka extended the mechanical arm, moved her fingers, and found it more flexible than before, with no stiffness in the movements.

She tried a bending motion, supporting herself steadily on her hands on the ground, then pushed back up to her original position.

Donny, watching from the side, realized the truth in Yuka’s claim of having practiced gymnastics. Being able to perform such movements with a mecha indicated Yuka’s excellent balance.

But that was all - just good balance.

Donny recalled Yuka’s previous poor performance and sighed quietly. The first time she met Yuka, she noticed the gaze Yuka had on her—It was pure admiration for her strength, not because she was from the Horn family, nor related to other factors. That was why Donny felt a warmth in her heart, unable to resist starting a conversation with Yuka.

However, after learning Yuka’s name, Donny felt a bit disappointed. Vivian had told her that the girl named Yuka didn’t seem fit for the mecha specialization, and Yuka’s later actions confirmed this.

Yuka was too weak in strength.

Donny found Yuka too beautiful to look like someone who could fight. At that time, she also thought that, if Yuka kept refusing her suggestions and didn’t strive to improve, she really wouldn’t fit in the mecha specialization or the Alliance Army.

The Horn family already had enough business partners. And, representing her family’s will, Donny needed only to interact with the Alliance Army or people related to it, meaning she wouldn’t have the chance to make friends with Yuka anymore.

Her father had always said not to waste time on people without utilitarian value. Inviting Yuka and the others to the ball was the most outrageous thing Donny could do under her father’s strict guidance.

"Amazing!" Yuka stepped out of the cockpit and gave Toru a thumbs up. "No problem at all."

Ayoi and Alex also jumped out of their mechas, expressing their gratitude to Toru. Toru, smiling bashfully, left with his toolbox.

"Mr. Kuba, could you tell us about what kind of test it will be first?" they asked.

Yuka heard someone asking Kenji about the test, and then heard Kenji’s reply, "It’s a virtual map test, similar to the physical training test you had on Monday."

"Ah?" the student who asked was surprised. "A virtual map test? Then, sir, if we don’t need to use real mechas for combat, why did you have us modify our mechas before the test?"

"I didn’t say the test would involve mechas," Kenji replied indifferently. "You’re not yet qualified for real mecha combat. Apart from damaging them, I don’t think you can show any impressive maneuvers."

He glanced at Yuka and her friends standing at the edge, thinking to himself that these three were exceptions.

The questioning student silently closed their mouth and retreated back into the crowd, not daring to speak further.

"Please inform each other, everyone meet in the white classroom tomorrow," Kenji announced to the crowd in the underground parking garage. "Be on time, and click on the test mode to enter."

...

Yuka and Ayoi arrived on time in the white classroom, lay in the training pods, and clicked on the test mode.

Yuka found herself on a familiar lawn with Kenji standing in front. When everyone had arrived, he said, "Before the test, I want to explain the rules. Listen carefully, I will only say this once. In this test, students must form teams, three to a team. Everyone will have a health display, just like in the previous physical training test. Zero health means elimination."