Chapter 26: Exercise League

I see, I didn't expect even a single drill to have such detailed classification." Qin Ge nodded, showing great interest.

Moreover, at the end of each school year, the Academy organizes commanders to conduct the Exercise League, and commanders who achieve rankings in the Exercise League receive very generous rewards." Anshan said with a smile.

What is the Exercise League?" Qin Ge asked, quite interested.

The Exercise League is, at the end of the term, the Academy's league to test commanders' achievements from this year's studies. It is divided into three types: one-on-one drills, formation drills, and squad drills, allowing first- and second-year students to participate together. Each competition has rankings, and commanders who achieve outstanding rankings will receive the Academy's rewards." Anshan explained.

If first- and second-year students participate together, wouldn't the second-years have a huge advantage?" Qin Ge said doubtfully.

Exactly, the second-years' advantage will be huge—even the top-ten ranking reward list has no first-years." Anshan said.

Isn't this a bit unfair?" Qin Ge wondered.

No, this is fair." Anshan looked at Qin Ge and said, "For second-years, what they lack are supplies, resources like Cubes, because they are about to leave the Academy's protection and truly step onto the battlefield, so supplies and such rewards are exactly what they need, greatly increasing their chances of survival."

As for first-years, after a year of theoretical study and practice, what they lack is not supplies but genuine combat experience. Coincidentally, some things are exclusive to second-years, so the biggest gain for first-years from second-years is experience, which is crucial for them when they later undertake commissioned missions outside as second-years." Anshan patiently explained to Qin Ge.

I see, Fearless really put in a lot of thought." Qin Ge suddenly understood, then he smiled and nodded, asking Anshan, "Has there ever been a case where a first-year defeated a second-year?"

Anshan smiled and said, "Of course there are, but very few; when the final rankings are tallied, first-years generally do not appear on the reward list, and if they do, they hover around eighth to tenth place."

That must be impressive." Qin Ge laughed.

It's not that they're strong, but their shipgirls are strong; any commander who achieves a ranking in the Exercise League has shipgirls that are, without exception, all Super Rare Shipgirls." Anshan said, looking at Qin Ge's Banrenma and Nengdai, "So I'm very curious, Commander Qin Ge, relying on your two Super Rare Shipgirls, how far can you go?"

Qin Ge glanced at Nengdai and Banrenma, gave a faint smile, and firmly nodded, "Of course it's first place! If I don't even have this bit of courage, how could I face them calling me commander?"

As soon as Qin Ge spoke, Banrenma and Nengdai's eyes lit up; they hadn't expected Qin Ge to have such boldness.

I will train with all my effort and will not disappoint your expectations!" Nengdai said firmly.

I have remembered the commander's feelings; I will also train with all my effort and will not let the commander down!" Banrenma clenched her fists, cheering herself on.

Qin Ge laughed and said, "This isn't just you cheering; I need to cheer as well. Let's set this shared goal: to win first place in this term's Exercise League."

Mm!" Banrenma and Nengdai said simultaneously.

Fushun beside them laughed and said, "Although the chance is slim, it's not zero, but if Commander Qin Ge wants to take first place in the Exercise League, just the two of you probably aren't enough."

Anshan nodded and said, "Fushun is right; I merely meant that having Super Rare Shipgirls makes the odds somewhat better, not that possessing them guarantees a ranking in the Exercise League. After all, a shipgirl's training level greatly affects her strength, and, as Fushun said, commanders who usually achieve first place tend to have about four shipgirls."

Oh, is it that impressive?" Qin Ge said, somewhat surprised.

That's right, but most main-force ships are few; they are mostly light ships. So, if you want to win with just two shipgirls, it might be difficult." Anshan smiled.

I believe in them, and with reasonable tactics, we will surely achieve victory!" Qin Ge said firmly.

Hehe, your words also fire me up; no first-year newcomer has ever won first place in the Exercise League, so if you manage it, you'll set a record since the Academy's founding." Fushun said, "So, when you have free time, you can come find me; I can be your sparring partner, but you'll have to bribe me properly first."

Fushun!" Anshan turned and glared at her; this blatant demand for a bribe, she could not pretend not to have seen it.

Hey, Anshan sister, it's just give and take, and Commander Qin Ge certainly won't lose out; I'm a high-level shipgirl with training over 90, and I usually don't drill with others!" Fushun said in a lamenting tone.

Qin Ge laughed and said to Anshan, "Fushun is right; if, when there's nothing going on, she can help me and my shipgirls drill together, then I'm willing to pay some price."

Hehe, Commander Qin Ge, you really know what's good! From now on, whenever you come find me, just bring a bottle of cola." Fushun, hearing Qin Ge say that, was especially happy and patted his shoulder.

Cola?" Qin Ge immediately realized, "You mean oxygen cola, right?"

That's right, Yixian sister and Mingshi have it for sale; supplies and oil can be bought. Moreover, after the school year begins, each week they will issue you 200 units of oil for your shipgirls' daily needs. However, since you have two shipgirls, and they are both Super Rare, they will give you even more." Fushun explained.

That point Fushun made is correct." Anshan nodded, "Because Super Rare Shipgirls' daily consumption is naturally higher than that of ordinary and rare ones, and moreover, since you are an Assistant Teacher, your corresponding treatment will be better."

Furthermore, if you bring torpedo tempura when you come, I can have Taiyuan join you in drills; don't look down on Taiyuan as weak—she too is a shipgirl with training over 90." Fushun patted the nearby Taiyuan as she said this.

Eh, sister..." Taiyuan looked helplessly at Fushun, not expecting her sister to turn around and sell her out.

Anyway, besides daily patrols, when you're free and have nothing to do, you can't just stay home all the time like that shut-in senior Xue Changchun; you'd be better off going out to move around, and besides, there's tempura to eat." Fushun tempted.

Thus Taiyuan, under Qin Ge's hopeful gaze, nodded. Meanwhile, Anshan beside them shook her head helplessly, "These two sisters…"