Translator: Abyssruler, AtlasStudios Editor: Lucas, AtlasStudios
Aina and Huiyin were in class. Aina was clearly listening intently, but Huiyin was humming to herself. Ever since her sister had come, she had felt a sense of relief. She no longer had to uphold the image of a princess when Aina was around to keep the standard high. In fact, she was bored, and was surfing the hot discussion topics. She found Wang Zheng’s battle, and was soon engrossed.
The lecturer soon felt that something was amiss. Logic class was something these students never paid attention to. Why were they so quiet today? Perhaps these guys were finally starting to realize the practical utility of logic…
Aina was not too fazed at the start, but she could not resist watching in the end. She had no idea what he was thinking, to face that monster alone. Even Imperial Glory Battle Team were unable to deal with it. But soon even Aina’s attention was far from class, completely immersed in the battle.
The period bell rang, and the lecturer was extremely gratified. These elites, the future. What mature youngsters! “Anything else you lot want to know about?”
The room was silent, and it finally dawned on the lecturer. These rascals!
But after a minute, he went with the flow. “This is a model example of practical application of logic. Very good movements. Acting only after a calm decision.”
The students were unsatisfied with his nagging to act after thinking. Against such speed, they were dead many times over by the time they were done thinking.
“A pity. I thought Wang Zheng could win.” Huiyin sighed.
Aina smiled and shook her head. “Winning is impossible. From the start, a mecha choice like the Wind God doesn’t have the necessary offensive power. But it is marvelous. He seems almost psychic.”
Lin Huiyin twinkled. “Sis, you seem to have a very good impression of Wang Zheng.”
Aina was taken aback. “Why do you say that?”
“Because you usually call people by their names.”
Aina pondered this a moment. She wasn’t that close with Wang Zheng.
Wang Zheng’s demonstration had wowed the crowd. Zhang Shan was fairly smart, and he had already roughly anticipated what Wang Zheng wanted him to do. To use all of his strength in that one instant.
Wang Zheng walked out, sweat pouring from his body. “The movement and attack patterns of the worm is roughly like so. The method is to wear down enough of its defenses and to setup a killing opportunity for Lie Xin.”
They understood the key. It was not just about attacks. They had to stop the worm from playing its hit and run games. This was the most difficult thing.
First they had to be convinced. Then the specific training could begin. Wang Zheng simply needed them to get accustomed to the worms’ movement patterns. The tank’s endurance, Vincent’s offense, Gold Wheel’s attacks would not directly target the body, but the tentacles instead. Similarly, they were aiming for a disruptive effect. This was a more difficult requirement.
Even so, they needed a few attempts to refine their moves. But Wang Zheng was convinced that this tactic, once polished, would consistently best the tentacle Zergs, and in a manner where they would not lose members. This was also Butcher’s desired result. Victory was the first step but, more importantly, it had to be achieved in a manner that minimized Battle Team injuries.
Saruman Snake Battle Team’s mood was excited. Achilles was also fully using his mobility potential, fully synchronizing with Wang Zheng’s training plan. Achilles, who had been nurtured by the Moon’s elite education from young, had expertise in the finer details which Wang Zheng could not match.
Some were galvanized, while others were dejected. Although Zhang Shan had put in his very best efforts, but he was still hitting a wall. The worms were determining that he was the weakest link, and targeting him first every time. Saruman Snake Battle Team had tried twice, but met with failure each time. The worms were fairly competent at throwing a Battle Team into disarray, and Wang Zheng’s individual agility could not be matched. But after a few all-out attempts, they had made some inroads. What was needed was major adherence to Wang Zheng’s commands directing the pace. Affinity was very important!
Not a day went by that Zhang Shan was not doing basic training.
But normal training would not help Zhang Shan catch up to the basics of others, who had spent many years perfecting their own.
Luckily Wang Zheng, who had been through the Rubik’s Cube before, had an idea that would help Zhang Shan finish accumulating his basics in record time.
“What special training?” Zhang Shan’s heart twinged. He had a bad feeling about this.
Wang Zheng smiled. “First, do the horse stance for an hour.”
Zhang Shan was taken aback. Just horse stance? That wasn’t too difficult.
After an hour…
Zhang Shan wanted to scream at somebody. If anybody ever dared to tell him that horse stance wasn’t difficult, he would stick it to them on the double. The position that Wang Zheng had instructed him to hold was as tiring as possible. An ordinary horse stance, he could hold it for an hour or two, no problem. IG’s training camp had not been for naught. But this horse stance that Wang Zheng had shown him, it was a killer!
“Wang Zheng… Isn’t… time… up… yet?”
What was worse, Wang Zheng was sitting in front of him, scrolling and flicking through his Skylink, and lazing around like a boss.
“Is it? You still have the energy to talk?”
“No…” Zhang Shan was sweating now.
Wang Zheng lifted two fingers. “How many?”
“Two.”
“Oh, you still can talk, and see clearly. Half an hour more, it is.”
“…” Zhang Shan wanted to scream.
But after seeing Wang Zheng’s smiling face, he chose to believe in Wang Zheng. They had been together since Ares College, had gone through IG together, had come to Inner Roland together, had fought in Elite Academy X together. If he could not trust Wang Zheng, who else could he trust?
He gritted his teeth. All out now. Brother was a genius. What was fatigue? When did genius ever fear hard work? AAARGH!
Wang Zheng was not actually lazing away, but creating a custom special training for Zhang Shan. This squatting horse stance was a diagnostic test for Zhang Shan’s body. Only by understanding this could he complete the plan. He was beginning to understand how Bonehead felt when he was being tortured in the Rubik’s Cube back then. This was the only way to free one from their laziness. The sooner one got used to it, the better.
At that moment, the Skylink flashed. An incoming call from Butcher.
Wang Zheng started. He had just accepted the call, when he heard Butcher laughing. “Wang Zheng, I watched your last attempt in fighting the worms. A pity. In terms of affinity, you all are still lacking.”
“Senior, we’re trying. But if we keep this up, we should be able to solve those problems.”
“I have good news for you this time. Your runic mecha’s prototype is finally out. Are you interested in going to Gemini Star for a test run?”
Gemini Star? Wang Zheng was surprised. Why did he have to go to Gemini Star for tests? Wait- Gemini Star that had seven times the usual gravity! Wang Zheng turned to eye Zhang Shan, who was still sweating in his horse stance. Eureka!
“Interested.”
“Aren’t you going to ask why you have to go to Gemini Star?”
“If I do, can you tell me the answer?”
“I can’t.”
Wang Zheng chuckled. Then what was the point of asking? Wang Zheng knew that it would not be as simple as a test run.
“Haha, you rascal. Sometimes, you’re too sharp for your own good. Don’t like that about you. Dawn flight tomorrow. Right, this is a special mission, which I think suits you. Which is why I recommended you. There’s additional school points to be won.” Butcher guffawed with clear affection. He loved talking to youngsters. It made him feel like the years fell away.
After entering the second year, the school would provide all kinds of missions much like the experiential mission to Hail Cloud Alliance the last time. Increase their experience, and accumulate knowledge. This was also an important lesson for elites.
