Chapter 62: Squad Leader

Although Malilan's teaching methods were somewhat cruel, under the coercion of her anti-aircraft guns, all first-year rookie commanders completed a 10-kilometer run.

Moreover, the training ground here is still a beach; although it is relatively hard, it is still more difficult than hard ground.

Seeing the commanders lying all around, a blue light flashed on Malilan's body, and she retracted her ship equipment.

"Not bad, isn't it something everyone can finish?" Malilan said mockingly.

However, panting filled the air, and no one answered her words.

Malilan didn't mind, instead saying to everyone, "Qin Ge achieved relatively outstanding results in this evaluation, so from now on he will be your squad leader—any objections?"

"No..." everyone shook their heads, their gazes toward Qin Ge changing somewhat.

Only when they finished this 10-kilometer run did they realize just how formidable Qin Ge's physical fitness was—know that when he finished the 10 kilometers, the last person hadn't even completed 5 kilometers.

And now, while nobody wanted to move, Qin Ge was actually doing physical training by himself there.

"Very well, considering today is your first day, I will no longer be harsh on you; you may go home on your own and rest.

However, when tomorrow begins the second lesson, that will be the true start of our combat physical training; you all must cheer up, understand?"

Malilan's voice rang out in the ears of the group of commanders, giving everyone a sense of relief. But upon hearing that tomorrow would continue with extra training, everyone fell into despair.

But it seemed that Malilan expected exactly this expression; she smiled slightly, turned, and left the training field.

Seeing Malilan's departing figure, the remaining commanders all let out a long sigh and lay down on the ground.

They were utterly exhausted; although they had prepared to become commanders, they had previously not been professional soldiers.

Just like Li Chenming, some were small traders, some were college students who had just left campus, and of course there were some with better qualities. But as soon as they started with a 10-kilometer run, aside from Qin Ge, who had prior training, nobody could endure it.

However, these commanders were not fools; they quickly turned their faces toward Qin Ge and began asking him how to run faster.

Qin Ge naturally held nothing back from these commanders, teaching them breathing methods and rhythm-adjusting methods without reservation.

The commanders who learned these methods were all delighted; if they had to figure these out on their own, who knows when it would happen—year of the monkey, month of the horse. But now there is a ready-made method they can use, giving them a bit more confidence for tomorrow's training.

"Alright, you also shouldn't sit on the ground for too long; after intense exercise, sitting for a long time will stiffen your leg muscles, and later when you walk your legs will go weak." Qin Ge said to the assembled commanders after teaching the methods.

"Now everyone stand up, help each other, and walk back to your rooms; otherwise later you'll only be able to call your shipgirls to come and take you back."

Although they were a hundred percent unwilling inside, it was obvious Qin Ge's words were for their benefit; amid groans and shouts, these rookie commanders one by one rose, linked arms, and walked toward their dormitories.

Qin Ge naturally helped Li Chenming, who was beside him, to his feet and, following his guidance, walked toward his room.

Walking along the road, Li Chenming's legs had almost lost sensation, his whole body leaning on Qin Ge.

"I finally understand what Zhang Shaocheng meant by 'devilish instructor'… this is literally playing with my life!" Li Chenming gave a wry laugh, "But you're also impressive—you finished the 10-kilometer run as if nothing happened."

"Um… I run every morning and evening—five kilometers in the morning, ten at night—I've already gotten used to it." Qin Ge said to Li Chenming.

"... Impressive!" Li Chenming remained silent for a moment, then squeezed out two words from between his teeth.

"There's nothing special about being impressive or not; once you get used to Instructor Malilan's training, everything will improve. And you'll even come to appreciate the instructor who's training you hard now." Qin Ge said with a smile to Li Chenming.

What he said isn't wrong; the human body works like that—if you aren't hard on yourself, you'll never know your physical limits.

Just like when Qin Ge first entered the academy and encountered that instructor, he ruthlessly trained Qin Ge and them, and it was precisely that training that forged Qin Ge's current strong physique.

Fortunately, the commanders' quarters aren't far from the training field; before long Qin Ge helped Li Chenming to his door, rang the bell, and the door was opened by Z1.

Upon seeing Li Chenming hanging on Qin Ge, Z1 exclaimed in surprise, "Commander, what happened to you?"

"Just a bit tired…" Li Chenming said weakly.

So Z1 turned his gaze to Qin Ge beside him, who chuckled and said, "Instructor Malilan just had us run a 10-kilometer; Li Chenming probably never ran that far before, so his legs are a bit soft now."

"I see," Z1 said, suddenly understanding. She bowed to Qin Ge, "Thank you, Commander Qin Ge, for bringing my commander back; from now on I'll take over."

Watching Z1 prepare to take Li Chenming from his hands, Qin Ge worried whether Z1 could handle him properly, but couldn't refuse—after all, Z1 is Li Chenming's shipgirl.

So Qin Ge handed Li Chenming over to Z1; although Z1 still felt some strain supporting him, the situation Qin Ge feared did not occur.

"Well then, I won't disturb you further." Qin Ge said to Li Chenming and Z1.

"Mm." Li Chenming gave a weak reply.

Meanwhile Z1 confidently patted her chest, "Leave it to me, Commander Qin Ge, take your time."

"Mm, goodbye."

After bidding farewell to the two, Qin Ge turned and left Li Chenming's house, casually closing the door behind him, then headed toward his own residence.

Upon returning to his room, he found Banrenma and Nengdai still studying materials in his room, not having come down.

Qin Ge then went to his room, washed up, changed into his navy uniform, and tossed his sweat-soaked training outfit into the washing machine.

After tidying his appearance, Qin Ge walked toward Nengdai's room, after all those nine Wisdom Cubes were still placed in Nengdai's ship equipment space…