First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 1
Chapter 1: Challenge
Lian Sheng's face rested against her long sword, the cold sensation seeping through her skin into her veins. Though her eyes were closed, her thoughts churned incessantly.
No weapons, no provisions, no reinforcements. How would they survive this winter? How would they cross the coldest frozen rivers to return to their homeland? How many of her brothers remained? Their soldiers could only flee on foot while the enemy rode the fine steeds their own court had surrendered—could they possibly escape the enemy's encirclement...
The rapid drumbeat of approaching hooves vibrated through the earth into her ears. Growing louder and clearer with each heartbeat, like war drums pounding, about to rupture her eardrums.
"Run—!"
Before the shout could leave her throat, Lian Sheng's eyes snapped open.
Before her was a transparent windowsill, bright sunlight shining on her hands.
Beneath her wasn't muddy ground, and what she'd been resting against wasn't cold steel. For a moment, Lian Sheng felt disoriented.
A dream.
Though she'd been here for some time now, memories of her past kept surfacing.
On one side was the battlefield of iron horses and frozen rivers, on the other this peaceful, stable future society. She didn't know how many years she'd crossed to arrive here. This place remained too unfamiliar—she couldn't blend in, only play her assigned role.
Lian Sheng touched her neck, gazing absently out the window when three rhythmic knocks sounded at her door.
A woman's voice called: "Get up already! Do you know what time it is?"
Lian Sheng glanced at the optical computer by her bed, wiped away cold sweat, rubbed her face vigorously, then threw off the covers.
It was the year 335 of the Alliance New Calendar. The Alliance University Military Academy's combat exercises were about to begin—mandatory participation for all students each semester.
Including her—a newly transferred junior in the Military Command Department.
Lian Sheng shuffled down the stairs, her entire being radiating listlessness.
Too lax... She truly couldn't adjust to this kind of life.
Her mother—Lin Lie, a sharp-featured woman with long hair—sat at the dining table, one leg crossed, saying with mild displeasure: "If you don't like the Military Academy, apply to transfer again. The Command Department isn't a major where you can idle away your time."
Lian Sheng glanced at the photo on the wall. Two people in military uniforms, medals on their chests, faces full of vigor. Then at herself—frail, arms lacking any strength, clearly out of shape.
She couldn't help curling her lip. What a disappointment.
Sitting at the table, Lian Sheng stretched her arms and answered succinctly: "No. The military's fine."
Lin Lie looked at her but said nothing more.
Their combined daily conversation never exceeded three sentences. This morning's quota was already met.
Lin Lie grabbed her coat from the chair, slipped it on, then snatched the keys from the table, stating emotionlessly: "Take your breakfast. I'll drop you at camp first, then return to the research institute."
Lian Sheng stopped her visual wandering, grabbed some bread, and followed her out.
Wordlessly boarding the aircraft, fastening her seatbelt, waiting for takeoff.
Lian Sheng closed her eyes to adjust.
If Da Liang had possessed this technology... No, just one of these machines, and she could've smashed through city walls.
The thought darkened her expression.
Arriving here so abruptly—who knew what had become of her other self there?
The scenery flashed by outside. Before Lian Sheng could fully compose herself, they'd arrived.
The Alliance University's combat exercises weren't held on campus but in a rented mountainous forest.
According to Lian Sheng's research, this forest largely preserved its original terrain and appearance. Sounded perfect for her purposes.
After dropping her at camp, Lin Lie departed immediately, leaving Lian Sheng to handle things alone.
Lian Sheng wasn't familiar with the school's people, nor they with her—being a newly transferred student this year. But her presence was too conspicuous, drawing stares wherever she went.
Fortunately, the written language here closely resembled her own. After studying online character databases, she recognized about ninety percent.
Following camp signage, she collected a tent and map from the supply point, then laboriously dragged everything back to her department's designated area.
The equipment was quite heavy—or perhaps Lian Sheng was simply too out of shape. She hauled it past three clustered campsites without anyone offering assistance.
The Command Department's contingent occupied riverside clearing.
After scouting the riverbank, Lian Sheng chose a higher, more remote spot to pitch camp.
In warfare, one camps away from water, on elevated ground facing sunlight—constant vigilance. Though no enemies threatened here, if rain came and waters rose overnight, those below would likely flood.
Relocating later would be troublesome, possibly sparking disputes. With rain's unpredictability, better to secure a safe position initially.
Now the question: How did this thing work?
Plopping onto the tent fabric, Lian Sheng studied the instructions intently before finally looking up with a deep sigh.
Her late arrival, combined with wandering and dawdling, meant others had already erected tents and gathered in groups while hers remained packed.
As she prepared to seek help, a sharp whistle sounded in the distance.
At the signal, everyone rose and assembled. Lian Sheng dropped her items, shoved hands in pockets, and strode over.
The gathering area was expansive, well-equipped—reminiscent of old training grounds.
Nearby structures, per the map, likely housed medical facilities, cafeteria, power station, and instructors' quarters—comprehensive preparations for contingencies.
Students formed neat rows. Lian Sheng squeezed into formation as an imposter.
Ahead stood a camouflage-uniformed soldier, flanked by a dozen similar formations.
"Command Department juniors, I'm Instructor Fu. Starting today, I'll oversee your fifteen-day combat exercises." His words rang crisp as he began circling them. "My orders are military commands requiring absolute obedience. As command students, you should understand..."
Pausing directly before Lian Sheng, he broke off mid-sentence.
Their eyes met. Silence.
The group's attention snapped to Lian Sheng.
Instructor Fu frowned. "Where's your uniform?"
"In my bag." No time to change.
Suppressing initial anger—they'd met less than a minute ago—he jerked his chin. "Go change."
Lian Sheng obeyed, running off.
With her tent still unassembled and unwilling to change outdoors, she draped fabric over herself like a canopy, changed blindly, then hurried back.
Returning, she heard Instructor Fu roaring: "Did everyone hear my earlier instructions?"
The chorus replied: "Yes, sir!"
Lian Sheng rushed back to position.
"Halt!" Instructor Fu bellowed at her. "I just said returning to formation requires reporting! What are you doing?"
Lian Sheng turned: "...I wasn't here earlier."
Instructor Fu: "..."
As he prepared to order her to report now, Lian Sheng preemptively stepped forward: "Reporting!"
Instructor Fu: "..."
This stifled frustration proved unbearable.
Waving her back, he commanded: "All personnel! Disperse and sit!"
Students smoothly formed concentric circles, sitting in staggered rows.
Lian Sheng sat mid-group, chewing a fingernail while listening.
"Another year's combat exercises. As juniors, I needn't elaborate." Instructor Fu smirked. "Come here without shedding skin, and you've disrespected these mountains. Right?"
The group tensed, evidently recalling unpleasant memories.
Scanning them, his gaze settled on Lian Sheng.
This person was... utterly lifeless! Her indifferent, disinterested expression showed zero urgency.
Pointing at her, he declared: "Like you—delicate skin, though female, expect no special treatment here."
Suddenly addressed, Lian Sheng lowered her hand and raised a dismissive brow: "Oh?"
Studying her, he asked: "You're really a junior?"
A neighbor explained: "She just transferred to Military Academy this semester."
"Ah." His nod carried meaning. "Cherish these final moments."
He doubted she'd last a day before transferring out. Every year brought such misguided souls.
Lian Sheng remained expressionless, ignoring his words entirely.
Then she yawned, gazing vacantly into the distance.
—Genuinely unconcerned.
Students sensing the instructor's anger averted their eyes.
Instructor Fu's face reddened, jaw clenched.
So soon, someone challenged his authority.
This girl was exceptional.
As he continued explaining exercise arrangements, another instructor approached cheerfully: "How about it, Brother Fu? A points competition with the recruits?"
Arms crossed, slouching, Lian Sheng observed silently.
After brief discussion, Instructor Fu turned: "Well? Freshmen opponents—game on?"
Silence.
"Can't avoid it forever. Better freshmen than seniors, no?" He decided for them: "Versus freshmen Individual Combat Department—points match begins now!"
Groans erupted.
The Individual Combat Department!
Baffled, Lian Sheng asked a male student: "What's a points competition?"
Removing his cap to adjust hair, equally dejected, he summarized: "One-on-one fights. Win gains points, lose deducts."
Another whispered: "The Individual Combat Department? That's brutal. Hope I'm not picked."
Lian Sheng's eyes gleamed: "Fighting?"
The first gave her a sidelong glance: "Scared?"
Leg jiggling, finally engaged, she smiled: "Heh. Interesting."
Individual Combat specialized in elite soldiers—peak physical specimens capable of overcoming multiple opponents. Though freshmen, they'd dominate the academy's weakest department.
"Since you're unfamiliar, proper introductions are in order. The combat exercise tradition—points competition—is the perfect method!" Instructor Fu pointed at someone. "Starting here, count off one through four!"
The counting divided them into four groups. "Three" remained while others withdrew.
Lian Sheng had won the unlucky draw.
Their opponents selected a quarter of their members to join the chosen group.
The competition employed one-on-one challenge format. For fairness, participants took turns selecting opponents.
Military Command students were cannon fodder—precious point-generating machines.
Female command students? Even more precious. Shining, tantalizing points.
Among these glittering point sources, Lian Sheng—muscle-free, pale as death—was the brightest.
The instructor randomly selected someone to step forward: "First choice?"
The combat student pointed.
Lian Sheng, adjusting her belt, missed the announcement until nudged: "What?"
"He challenged you!"
"Me?" So soon?
A sympathetic whisper: "Just surrender quickly if needed. Never show off against these freaks. Our department often finishes negative—no shame in it."
The young man, seeing her hesitation, cracked his knuckles and beckoned.
Lian Sheng smiled again.
Perfect.
As she stood, cheers erupted.
Originally from Materials Engineering, Lian Sheng had attempted transfer to combat majors at semester's end but was rejected for poor fitness, barely admitted to Command.
The original host's wish, but serendipitous for Lian Sheng.
To Command peers, however, her actions carried insulting undertones, earning their disfavor.
Instructor Fu clicked his tongue, anticipating the unfortunate outcome, ready to intervene if she was injured.
The opposing instructor called: "Hey! Be gentle! Stop at contact—don't embarrass our department!"
Students chanted and laughed uproariously.
Removing her cap and jacket, Lian Sheng stepped onto the field amid applause.
Planting one foot firmly, she looked up—her aura transformed instantly.
From diluted mud to stalking tiger—ferocious, piercing.
Her eyes roved analytically over his limbs.
Under her gaze, her opponent felt chilling dread rise from his feet—as if targeted by something predatory. Shaking his head, he dismissed the notion.
Ridiculous! She was the infamous weak transfer student.
Instructor Fu, positioned ahead of her, stared bewildered at her demeanor—uncertain which version was the illusion.
Her posture, bearing—all reflected impeccable military standards.
Unmistakable killing intent.
Yes, that razor-sharp aura of lethality.
Oooh seems interesting!! Looking forward to future updates~~
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