Chapter Ninety-Nine

Chapter Ninety-Nine

As the dust settled on the selection of all main team members, this brief period of intensive training also came to an end.

However, a new issue quickly arose among the fifteen main seat winners:

Who would be the commander-in-chief for this military exercise?

All the main team members were gathered in a conference room, facing four teachers—the ones leading this military exercise.

"I represent the teachers in this joint military exercise, Ruokuo Ming."

Ruokuo Ming surveyed the fifteen students seated before him with a solemn expression.

Despite a scholarly demeanor, his actions exuded a decisive and swift intensity, surpassing any instructors Bai Sha and the others had previously encountered.

"Considering you all have emerged as the strongest through rigorous selection from the four major military academies, the position of commander-in-chief for this joint military exercise will be chosen from among you," stated Ruokuo Ming.

"The commander-in-chief holds the highest decision-making authority in the military exercise," added a female teacher beside Ruokuo Ming—her features as graceful as a classical painting, her smile warm yet cunning. Her name tag read "Xian Chenglian," "In urgent situations, it's the commander-in-chief's decisions and judgments that count. For instance, in the exercise, if there’s a need to split forces, the division of numbers and the selection of squad leaders will be determined by the commander-in-chief."

The students in the meeting room fell into silence.

...They knew the role of commander-in-chief was powerful, but hadn’t anticipated this extent of authority.

"Of course, theoretically, all students are entitled to make suggestions. Therefore, the pressure on the commander-in-chief is immense. Not only must they possess exceptional judgment, but they also need the charisma to command everyone's respect," Xian Chenglian said, her eyes slightly narrowed, addressing them, "Does anyone wish to nominate themselves? Or we could decide by voting."

The students: "..."

"Xino and others discreetly turned their gaze towards Bai Sha."

"Bai Sha made a cross gesture with her hands."

"Let her slack off! She had no desire to be the overall commander!"

"Just then, a third-year mech soldier stood up and spoke."

"'Everyone, I am Lu Renyang, a third-year mech soldier from Tianquan Military Academy, and the top candidate of our year in this four-school selection,' he said, his buzz-cut hair and faint scar at the corner of his eye giving him a resolute look. 'I propose that I take the role of overall commander. Firstly, as third-years, we have the deepest experience with military internships, and I understand the responsibilities and duties of a commander. Secondly, I am confident in my ability to handle all possible scenarios in the military exercise... Please trust me.'"

"'I object,' Jiya was the first to speak up, 'In terms of experience, I've spent more time in the military districts and even on the front lines than you, senior. Even Xino of the Uss family is the same. Being the oldest doesn't mean the most experienced.'"

"This time, even Kasin Greiz stood with Jiya. Without any hesitation, he added, 'I also object.'"

"Kasin Greiz looked up, his striking blood-red eyes fixed on Lu Renyang, his expression cold and indifferent, but his words sharply aggressive, 'And what was that you said? 'Please' trust you?'"

"Lu Renyang frowned, 'Is there something wrong with that statement?'"

"'It's clear you've never led troops,' Kasin Greiz nodded and said, 'Even with imperial soldiers, who value honor above all and would never betray, what keeps an army together isn't 'trust' or 'reason,' but 'loyalty' and 'obedience.' You want to negotiate with us? Then you're not suited for the role of commander from the start.'"

"Lu Renyang's eyes trembled, involuntarily lowering his gaze."

"Bai Sha, watching the squabble unfold, recalled what Wei Li had told her back on Youdu Star. He was indeed prophetic. Without a firm hand, one couldn't control these 'thorns'—Lu Renyang just couldn't suppress Jiya and Kasin."

"After Kasin spoke, he and Jiya exchanged glances, both snorted coldly, and looked away."

"Xino's face showed interest, 'You two want to compete for the commander role? Then I can't be left out—I'm joining the competition.' As he spoke, he seemed to recall something unbearable and sighed, 'If it were Jiya, that's fine, but I really don't want to follow orders from a Greiz. Think about it, Kasin, with your background, are you suitable to be a commander?'"

"The 'Greiz' identity was quite sensitive: a family known for once having a beast-kind leader, now semi-openly rebelling against the royal family. Having him as a commander and expecting people to follow his orders would be strange indeed."

"Kasin seemed taken aback, casting a resentful glance at Bai Sha before suddenly bursting out, 'What about you, Bai Sha? Aren't you going to say anything?'"

"Bai Sha straightened up, 'What can I, a frail mech engineer, possibly say?'"

"'Stop playing coy. You're just a mech engineer in team battles, but in the joint military exercise, you're still participating as a solo combatant,' Kasin Greiz said disdainfully, 'So frail — dare you not to fight in the 5v5 team battles.'"

"Bai Sha raised an eyebrow: 'That's impossible. I have to fight; how else can I show my unique approach as a mech engineer?'"

"Everyone: '...'"

"'Stop showing off. Look around, Jiya, Xino Uss, aren't they under your command? Unless you lead, this team will fall apart before even entering the field,' Kasin Greiz slapped the table, 'I don't want to lose to the softies of the Federation in the military exercise.'"

"'Are you kidding me? This is clearly your and Jiya's conflict—there's no deep-seated enmity between Jiya and Xino. Isn't the problem with you?' Cen Yuehuai chuckled lightly, 'As long as your West State Military Academy is willing to cooperate, who wouldn't? But your point is interesting. If Bai Sha becomes the commander, the team won’t fall apart? Does that mean you're also willing to follow her orders? Can I take that as a form of concession?'"

"'It's a sacrifice, a necessary compromise for the sake of the entire team. Our internal struggles are one thing, but our enemies in the joint military exercise are from the Federation — shouldn't we unite all our forces to strike them hard?' Kasin retorted."

"Cen Yuehuai: '...You make a good point, I was being narrow-minded.' She cast an approving glance at Kasin Greiz."

"After the discussion, Jiya, Xino, Kasin, and Cen Yuehuai’s gazes all converged on Bai Sha. Soon, more eyes followed suit."

"Bai Sha: '...'"

"'Let's just have a vote. Those in favor of Bai Sha as commander, please raise your hand,' Jiya suggested, slowly raising her hand first."

"Besides those familiar with Bai Sha, several other students hesitantly raised their hands. Perhaps out of admiration for the royal family, maybe due to Bai Sha's past deeds, or influenced by the recent debate, they felt she was the most suitable candidate — eventually, the majority voted in favor."

"Bai Sha: '???'"

"What does this mean? Can't escape this?"