Chapter 333: Opening Ceremony

Is this okay?

Qin Gang stood before the mirror, looking at himself in the fitting mirror, smiling as he spoke.

"Hmm, Master looks energetic and also handsome." Belfast smiled beside him, light flowing in her eyes, that deep feeling evident.

Qin Ge smiled, turned to look at Belfast, and said, "It's still you who does it best; if I did it myself, it definitely wouldn't be this good."

But speaking of which, time really flies; I didn't even notice these days pass, and today is already the time for the opening ceremony.

"Yes, after today, Master will get busy again." Belfast said with some heartache.

As Qin Ge's personal maid, Belfast has seen too many of his busy moments; compared to ordinary people, her commander has endured too much.

"I might just be destined to be busy, unable to rest." Qin Ge smiled, "Alright, don't say such defeatist talk. Mikasa senior should still be waiting for me at her place; also, this time I need to invite Koln as well."

"But Master, do we really not need to go?" Belfast asked.

"No need, the opening ceremony is inside the school, nothing unsafe. Moreover, when I first attended the opening ceremony, Banrenma and Nengdai didn't go either." Qin Ge said.

Belfast nodded, "Then I'll accompany Master to the venue's edge; today's tasks are almost done, so I can treat this time as a rest."

Faced with Belfast's request, Qin Ge couldn't refuse, only able to nod and agree.

Thus the two walked out of the reception house, along the road in front of it, heading toward Mikasa's and Koln's rooms; upon reaching outside their doors, they discovered the two were already standing there waiting.

"Good morning, Mikasa senior, Instructor Koln. I was just about to come call you, but you seem earlier than I imagined." Qin Ge greeted them while speaking.

"Hehe, Instructor Qin Ge good, actually we just came out too; earlier Mikasa senior came to call me, saying Instructor Qin Ge might arrive soon. Looks like Mikasa senior was right; we just came out and saw you walking over." Koln said smiling.

Qin Ge looked at Mikasa beside him, seeing her smile at him, and said, "I think according to your usual character, it's about this time."

"Indeed." Qin Ge smiled and nodded, "Then shall we go together?"

"Good." Mikasa nodded, and the few people then walked together toward the venue.

On the way, Mikasa said to Qin Ge, "How come you brought Belfast to this meeting this time?"

Qin Ge glanced at Belfast beside him, smiled, and said, "I told her before, but she insisted on this, so it ended up this way."

"Hehe, looks like she's indeed a maid with full trust; when will you give them rings?" Mikasa teased.

Qin Ge had a black line on his face, "Mikasa senior, don't tease me; rings and such are still far off."

"In other words, you plan to give them rings, but not now; then when are you preparing to give them rings?" Mikasa, having caught the loophole in Qin Ge's words, asked promptly.

"This..." Qin Ge was at a loss for words, turned his head to look at Belfast, discovering she still had that perfect, nonchalant smile, utterly unaffected by Mikasa's words.

After taking a deep breath, Qin Ge said, "I don't know either; let's wait until we find our footing in this world before talking. You also know my situation—although it seems I'm a heaven‑chosen prodigy, the inside…

So, discussing these issues now is premature; at the very least, wait until we can stand firm, then we can talk about them.

Upon hearing Qin Ge say that, Mikasa also nodded slightly. She knew what Qin Ge meant, but facing these, she herself could do nothing.

At that moment, the light in Belfast's eyes behind Qin Ge shifted, but she said nothing, and her face still bore that same smile.

As for Koln beside him, he looked at Qin Ge with some surprise; it seems the commander renowned in Donghuang has encountered some problems, and these problems are not simple.

Thus, thinking that, the four walked together to the open‑air venue outside the hall.

After telling Belfast to wait nearby, Qin Ge, Mikasa, and Koln went up to the instructor platform; indeed, just like the first time, they were the first to arrive.

Seated on the platform, Qin Ge turned his head to look at the commanders below; at this moment, the commanders of the two grades sat separately, their performances markedly different.

The second‑year students were comparatively steady and quiet; after experiencing summer training, they finally had a clear understanding of this war, no longer as before.

Meanwhile, the newly arrived first‑year students were more lively, finding everything novel; many had eyes shining with excitement, whispering to each other, chatting happily.

"What are you looking at?" Mikasa asked with a smile.

Qin Ge laughed and shook his head, "The passing of time? One could say so."

"The passing of time? Why suddenly speak such philosophical words? You're still young." Mikasa laughed.

"No, in the first semester I didn't pay that much attention to everyone's facial expressions, but now looking at each person's performance and expression, I suddenly feel a bit nostalgic." Qin Ge said.

"Yes, they have all grown up." Mikasa said, looking at that group of second‑year students.

"This is normal; regarding these, I've actually seen more commanders. Those just graduated from the academy and those who have served many years each convey a different feeling."

Actually I quite like it here; back at the port, I could always see enthusiastic commanders rushing to the battlefield, that drive is something older commanders lack." Koln smiled.

Upon hearing Koln's words, Qin Ge laughed and asked her, "Then, what is the deepest impression those older commanders have left on you?"

Koln thought, then adjusted her glasses, "Steady, efficient, learned to yield."

Qin Ge nodded; he could imagine that. Because among the grand fleet commanders he teaches, there are also older ones. They don't like to ask questions, but when listening they are the most attentive.

Conversely, the younger commanders always like to raise questions, so they can know more comprehensively.

The three chatted like that; not long after, the other instructors arrived one after another, and the venue's environment gradually grew quiet.