Chapter 298: Competition Items

Life in the following days was somewhat dull compared to before, but behind the scenes things were still tumultuous.

Especially the hotel where Donghuang was staying was particularly lively, as if the core of this eight‑faction affair was not dealing with the Northern Union's issue, but rather making contact with Donghuang.

In these few days, Qin Ge also met several participating commanders from other factions. Among them, eight were not lacking as the heaven‑chosen prodigies of each Commander Academy, and the one with the most possessed six shipgirls.

It's hard to imagine that, under the extremely scarce supplies of freshman year, one could still have six shipgirls—just how strong his luck must be. Qin Ge, however, is a special case and is not counted among them.

The other eight commanders also learned who their opponent was this time; upon hearing that Qin Ge possessed twenty‑two shipgirls, several of them couldn't help but widen their eyes.

Afterward they requested their faction's superiors to thoroughly investigate Qin Ge's shipgirls. After all, if he truly had twenty‑two shipgirls and they all had a certain level of training, they would surely be no match for him.

But if Qin Ge's shipgirls were an emergency contract arranged by Donghuang after learning the situation, then they could simply eliminate an opponent—why not?

However, after they asked their faction's superiors, the answer they received was confirmation.

Still, a few people weren't giving up, because during the competition in a few days there would definitely be a trust test between shipgirls and commanders, and that would be when his true colors were revealed.

Holding that thought, the day arrived when the Nine Major Factions had decided, and the commander showdown of the Nine Major Factions officially began.

The location was a training field on Sakura Empire's main island; although it was a semi‑public secret, it remained low‑key during the event. After the personnel of the Nine Major Factions brought their commanders to the designated spots, they waited in their respective allotted areas.

At this moment, first speaking of the several major factions waiting in their designated areas, yet they couldn't help but turn their gazes toward the area where Donghuang was located—not only the high‑ranking officials of each faction, but also the commanders participating in this match.

When they saw Qin Ge accompanied by Bisimai and Weineituo beside him, the commanders of the several major factions were surprised, but what followed was even more envy.

Seeing this, the Prince of Wales standing beside Qin Ge couldn't help but smile and say to him, "It looks like no matter where you go, you're always the most eye‑catching person in the crowd."

Qin Ge let out a bitter laugh, "Dean, you're joking—those people's gazes wish they could kill me; how is that being eye‑catching?"

The Prince of Wales looked at those commanders and let out a laugh, "Perhaps facing these heaven‑chosen prodigies, the high‑ranking officials of the major factions don't want them to know too much, otherwise it would damage their confidence."

But after a while, once they learn your strength, they probably won't look at you that way.

Because among humans there is a universal rule: those who are somewhat better than you may invite envy, but those who are far beyond your reach—so much that you cannot even touch them—will learn to look up to you.

The Prince of Wales's meaning, Qin Ge naturally understood: although he is now about the same age as them, he already has a certain influence within the Nine Major Factions. Compared to them, he is naturally stronger by an unknown multiple.

"Commander, the strong need not worry about the weak's gaze, for they can see farther. So steady your mind and prepare for the performance later." Bisimai pressed down her cap brim and said to Qin Ge.

"Mm." Qin Ge nodded, awaiting the start of the match.

Indeed, since the Nine Major Factions' time was up, the waiting period wasn't long. The flagship Zhang Men of the Sakura Empire faction arrived at the field, nodded toward where the Nine Major Factions were gathered, and Zhang Men walked straight into the center.

Although her stature is small, she nevertheless spoke in a very dignified voice to everyone: "It is an honor that Sakura Empire can host this internal competition of the Nine Major Factions as the host this time, and we warmly welcome the high‑ranking officials of all factions to come to Sakura Empire."

This competition is the internal match of the Nine Major Factions of the Azure Lane Commander Academy, and the winner can obtain naval exercise data for their faction.

I believe you all know what naval exercise data means for a faction, so I need not elaborate further here.

Then I will announce the items of this competition.

The competition consists of three items. The first is a strategic‑tactical knowledge contest; the judges are representatives of the high‑ranking officials of the Nine Major Factions. After totaling the scores, the highest and lowest scores are discarded, and the resulting average is the true score.

The second item is the paired drill of the Nine Major Factions. Since nine commanders are taking part, they adopt a format of three‑person teams rotating in matches to decide the top three. Then, from those three, they rotate matches again to decide first place.

The third item is the commander melee of the Nine Major Factions. You will engage in a nine‑person free‑for‑all in a designated sea area. Any tactics may be used, and alliances may jointly attack; ranking follows the order of elimination, with the last shipgirl and commander remaining on the field taking first place.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ge couldn't help but startle, then gave a bitter laugh, "Looks like when the third item comes around, we won't become the target of everyone's resentment, right?"

The Prince of Wales and Anshan beside him laughed together, "How come, are you afraid?"

"Being afraid is impossible; I just feel this rule is somewhat disadvantageous to me." Qin Ge said.

"Hehe, but if you can win the third item, there's no doubt you'll take first place in this match, and your name will spread among the commanders of the Nine Major Factions." The Prince of Wales said.

"Although I never thought of becoming that famous, if winning this match is necessary at this point, then I will strive." Qin Ge nodded and said.

At this moment, Zhang Men in the center had finished explaining the competition rules, and then said to all factions, "To ensure the competition's fairness and justice and eliminate cheating, this match will test the trust between commanders and shipgirls; only shipgirls that meet the trust standard may participate."

Following Zhang Men's words, Fu Sang walked up to his side, reached out and brushed across in front of her, and a circular device with a crystal ball appeared before everyone.

This device instantly drew the eyes of all faction commanders, and most of the high‑ranking officials were also very curious about it.

Seeing everyone's gaze fixed on the device, Zhang Men addressed the crowd, "This device is a trust‑testing tool made by Mingshi.

Moreover, rather than calling it trust level, it's better to call it affection level. As long as the commander and the shipgirl simultaneously place their hands on the tester's crystal ball, the affection level between this shipgirl and the commander will naturally be displayed, showing a numerical range from one to two hundred...