Chapter 17: This Kid Is Truly Wicked!

Generally speaking, when you enter a school as a freshman, before you even have a chance to make friends, you encounter someone who surpasses you in every way. To him, the struggles for which you exhaust all your efforts seem effortless. When he discovers your hostility, instead of getting angry, he even teases you with his words. And when you are hurt, just when you expect him to humiliate you, he instead gently bandages your wounds and stays by your side until the very end. To encounter such a person and not feel a stir in your heart is impossible.

The sycophants of Garma’s personal guard were well aware of this. After enrollment, they had specifically arranged for someone to share a room with Garma Zabi, ensuring both his safety and the management of his daily life. The downside, however, was having to hear things they shouldn’t and see things they shouldn't.

For instance, there were the report cards where Garma, who consistently ranked second in the class, had written "Char, I will definitely surpass you," or the late-night study sessions where one might overhear him mutter, "It’s so late now, Char probably hasn't slept either and is still pushing himself, so I can't fall behind." It seemed that meeting by day and longing by night had become his reality.

Therefore, the guards sometimes wondered if Lord Garma had truly fallen for him. Later, when Garma took the initiative to move Char into his own room, such scandalous suspicions took root uncontrollably.

Moreover, Garma genuinely liked Char. The man’s character was impeccable, and his conduct was consistent with his principles; in Garma’s eyes, he was a rare and perfect role model.

The trouble was that at moments like these, Garma would not only blush but also deny it with a stammer—much like a Japanese high school girl harboring a secret crush on a convenience store clerk—which made it difficult for others not to gossip.

Several female cadets who had just been chatting about celebrities, cosmetics, and the latest fashion trends were startled by Garma’s voice. The topic quickly shifted to the two of them, especially since Char realized he could no longer let this boy dictate the pace, lest he, as the son of Zeon Deikun, bring shame upon his late father.

"I haven't had the pleasure of knowing your name! Judging by your uniform insignia, you must be in the armored corps!"

"Yes, I am the commander of a Type 61 tank. My name is Makarius Crini, and I’m only sixteen this year. This is my first time participating in an exercise, so I’m very excited!"

Upon hearing Makarius’s age, Char’s eyebrows twitched. That age was a bit young!

"At your age, how are you in military academy?"

"My grandfather has some friends in the military; they pulled some strings to get me in. It’s just a pity that I’m so young, I can’t seem to do anything right!"

"But today, to be able to come to Zeon and participate in this exercise with you all, I am very happy—especially to meet Lord Garma Zabi. You are a role model for all soldiers; we have admired you for a long time. If it’s not too much trouble, please give me a few more autographs!"

Admiring Garma was certainly a lie. Makarius’s main goal was to fleece him. After all, ever since the day he met Char Aznable, the countdown for his own life had begun. Makarius could almost hear the ticking of a clock. As the heir to the Principality of Zeon, Garma’s ink and paper would surely be very valuable. Makarius was simply waiting for the guy to kick the bucket so he could profit from the aftermath.

As for sympathizing with Garma, there was no need. The Zabi family had backstabbed Char’s father, torn his family apart, and even Garma’s sister had allegedly tried to play "strange games" with the young Char (according to unofficial history). Therefore, it was only natural for the man to seek revenge.

"Garma, this guy is suspicious!"

Char tried to warn Garma discreetly, but unfortunately, the innocence he usually exploited as a weakness now acted as a shield. Garma, hearing this from Makarius, was overjoyed. He felt that just as he admired his lieutenant general brother, this young Federation man admired him. He immediately waved his hand, and his guard promptly presented a pen.

"Where would you like me to sign?"

"Then, blonde big brother, could you sign a few for me too? I’ll keep both of yours together!"

"But I’m not anyone famous. You don’t even know my name!"

"Oh, but I’ve seen your matches! You’re a Luna Ball expert, Char Aznable!"

At this, the blonde big brother in sunglasses could no longer remain calm. Though his expression remained unchanged, he took Garma’s pen quite naturally.

"Then, where shall I sign?"

Char could not remain calm because of Makarius’s words. In truth, he was masquerading under the identity of Char Aznable, but for various reasons, he could not access the information regarding this identity’s past before he assumed it. Yet, here in the academy, a Zeon cadet had recognized him and mentioned Luna Ball, and now it was brought up again. It made him wonder: was he truly a Luna Ball expert?

Having secured the autographs, Makarius had successfully kicked off the social interaction. Many cadets followed suit, exchanging items such as Federation branch insignia or the exquisite small capes worn by Zeon cadets. While not necessarily precious, these capes were a small morale-boosting tool issued by the Zeon military to high-performing personnel; in the academy, only those in the top hundred were awarded them.

And so, the harmonious cold buffet came to an end. Both sides appeared refined and polite, showing no signs of the violence they would unleash upon each other the next day. However, that veneer of politeness vanished by nightfall.

Because both sides received a set of public intelligence files detailing the information of their opponents. The first page in the Zeon cadets’ hands was none other than Makarius Crini.

"That guy said this was his first time participating in an exercise?"

Char stared at the thin document in front of him, three giant question marks hovering over his head. The file detailed every single exercise he had ever participated in, specific to the name of the drill, the outcome, and a dense list of the awards he had received.

"My god, are the current Federation cadets all monsters?"

"This guy is only sixteen?"

"Wait, I remember him saying this was his first exercise?"

"Yes, and he dared to lie to us! The Federation people truly have no good intentions!"

"See, Garma? I told you that guy wasn’t a good person! You can’t trust him!"

For once, Char’s words were met with unanimous agreement from the other Zeon cadets in the room.