First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Adjustment

The gymnasium buzzed with noise until someone started clapping, prompting the crowd to join in.

"I love girls like this! So bold!"

"Impressive!"

"No exaggeration, those staff moves were legit."

"Her skills look good, so why's she using a staff?"

"A newbie?"

"There are no newbies in military departments! Who transfers to military studies without playing simulation battles first?"

The boy being rebutted was speechless: "Then you guess!"

"I... choose to kneel and shout 666!"

The two "sacrificed" comrades rushed out of their equipment and immediately logged into the live stream. Witnessing Lian Sheng stripping them bare left them utterly devastated.

For them, dying in battle was nothing—as foot soldiers, they were used to it. But having their corpses looted post-mortem? That was brutal.

Stealing weapons was one thing—sometimes troop types were short, and temporary conversions happened. But stripping clothes? Too humiliating. This was a matter of dignity!

Lin Lie watched this scene, lips pressed tight.

"Uh..." The department head said, "Good, very good. See how clever she is? Making full use of all available resources."

Observing her complicated expression, he tentatively asked, "Colonel Lin, what do you think?"

Lin Lie said, "I don't know."

...She needed a moment to process.

Lian Sheng stripped off the armor and put it on herself. But the size was completely wrong—way too big. Especially the boots—less comfortable than straw sandals.

Bystanders groaned: "Who puts on clothes mid-battle? Are you kidding me?"

Lian Sheng used the belts from the two bodies to roughly secure the armor. Standing up, she said, "I need two more belts."

The crowd: "..."

Having just killed two, Lian Sheng now wielded a blade in each hand. As she prepared to continue, allies stopped her: "Model Soldier, stand still! I'll loot the corpses for you!"

They eagerly rushed toward the "corpses" ahead but were intercepted halfway by enemy counterattacks.

Liu Team soldiers shouted: "They're messing with our brothers! Protect their dignity!"

"Holy shit, someone's knocking on my door saying they died with grievances!"

"Seriously, for old times' sake, I entrust my remains to you."

"Just don't take the pants, okay? I'll give you my helmet!"

Chu Team members charged forward without hesitation. Both sides fought around the "corpses" in a chaotic chase.

An ally asked: "Model Soldier Lian, do you want a spear?"

Lian Sheng: "No, too heavy."

Ally: "Understood, Model Soldier Lian!"

The infantry captain wiped his face and roared: "What are you doing?! This is a competition—be serious!"

A nearby male student echoed: "Alliance University group—yes, you! You're seriously disrupting the match!"

Lian Sheng decided to temporarily abandon the boots. She wore the upper armor and helmet to cover vital points, sacrificing lower-body gear for mobility. Then she advanced.

She scouted for a slimmer male target. Maybe there were girls here—that'd be perfect.

The moment she moved, enemy troops scattered.

The opposing captain yelled: "It's just stripping clothes! Don't chicken out! Charge!"

The gymnasium erupted in laughter.

Lin Lie watched, puzzled.

Many in this team knew Lian Sheng—not just knew her but seemed friendly. They called her "Model Soldier" and joked with her.

Lian Sheng had just transferred to the Military Academy. Her only chance to interact with students was during combat exercises. But Lin Lie knew command students usually just went through the motions in drills. Plus, Lian Sheng's introverted personality made it unlikely she'd make so many friends.

Lin Lie asked: "They know Lian Sheng?"

"Our school's students? Yes, most know her." The department head smiled. "The drill instructor told me Lian Sheng performed exceptionally."

Lin Lie started: "Exceptionally? Didn't she score zero?"

The department head understood now and said tactfully, "She might have been too embarrassed to tell you. Though her physical strength is lacking, her exercise performance was outstanding—especially in the second drill. Her team still ranked first despite her early exit, though she was ultimately penalized with zero points for disobeying orders."

Lin Lie's thoughts raced. Disbelieving, she asked: "And she still became a model soldier?"

The department head nodded.

Lin Lie shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"As I said, she has remarkable command talent—observation, adaptability, decisiveness. These are her demonstrated strengths." The department head added, "If she gets the chance to join the military, she could learn even more. After all, we're just a school—limited in what we can provide. You understand."

Lin Lie certainly understood. Universities focused on systematic learning—training physique and awareness. Matters of national defense capability? Impossible to discuss at military academies.

Lin Lie lowered her eyes: "No. Personally, I don't want her on the battlefield."

Meanwhile, Lian Sheng led her entourage into battle.

"Don't scatter! Use your group attack advantage! Charging blindly isn't an army—it's a mob!" Lian Sheng instinctively began commanding. "Positioning! Positioning matters! Don't clump up—mind the angles, cover your comrades!"

She directed nearby fighters to specific spots where they could maintain combat effectiveness while guarding against flanking attacks.

The boys enthusiastically tried the formation, shouting exaggerated, playful commands.

Spectators initially laughed at their antics. But when they started advancing smoothly, racking up kills with minimal losses, the crowd sobered—realizing Lian Sheng was dead serious.

Battle formations mattered—it wasn't just about grouping people. The narrow space and enemy infiltration limited complex tactics, but positioning principles couldn't be ignored.

Scanning the area, Lian Sheng raised her blades and admonished her allies: "Stay sharp! No slacking! What are you staring at with that sword? This is a battlefield—act like it!"

The infantry captain approached, exasperated: "...I'm this unit's officer."

"Then you do it." Lian Sheng looked up, inviting: "You lead the charge."

"..." The captain flushed. "Are you mocking me? Stop fooling around!"

Lian Sheng answered with a swift slash: "What did you say? Who's fooling around?"

Infantry Captain: "..."

He bellowed: "Assemble! Form ranks! Everyone focus on killing! Stragglers get up here now, or I swear—!"

Restraining himself, he exhaled sharply and went to rally the rear.

In matches like this, some always hid in the back. Given the choice, they'd prefer being archers. It wasn't about cowardice—staying alive meant scoring opportunities. Many had waited through multiple match rotations for this chance. Dying immediately as cannon fodder? More frustrating than not playing at all—it was squandering their own hopes.

Better cautious than dead!

The captain had to stay back, herding fighters forward.

The enemy retreated gradually, shifting the battle's momentum.

After clearing the path, the foes turned and fled. Mountain archers received orders and began descending.

The captain regrouped his unit: "Form up! Now!"

Adjusting his helmet, he sighed: "God, what a mess of a team!"

Even formed up, they exuded a ragtag aura.

These students came from different academies, majors, and grades—randomly assigned roles and weapons with no prior coordination. It was like drafting random civilians—except slightly more skilled. Emphasis on slightly.

Expecting such a group to function from a few shouted orders? Unrealistic.

In large-scale battles, slacking was rampant—testing commanders severely.

Lian Sheng glanced at him: "Careful. Don't rush."

If such a disorganized force repelled the enemy, it was likely a feigned retreat—luring them into ambush. With unknown terrain ahead, traps were probable.

The captain had received similar intel from command, hence his hesitation. Hearing her, he recalled her earlier positioning and asked: "Are you studying command?"

Lian Sheng said flatly: "Yes."

He pleaded: "Fix this."

Lian Sheng gestured indifference but stepped forward, shouting: "Under my command! Heavy infantry forward! Spearmen and swordsmen hold the middle! All positions spread out!"

The unit adjusted spacing accordingly.

Lian Sheng moved aside, pointing: "Left column, rows 3,5,6,9—men step out! Second column..."

She walked along, quickly selecting burly males to collect shields and reinforce the front, while slimmer heavy infantry shifted back. She rearranged spearmen and swordsmen—elites to the front and center, ensuring attack power.

Frowning, she called out: "Why are swordsmen mixed with archers? Archers, what are you doing up front? This isn't a reunion—fall back now!"

"Fill gaps by aligning left and right—if overcrowded, start a new row! Spread out—you're military students! Where's your combat awareness?"

Someone muttered: "Tch. Borrowing authority."

Just as Lian Sheng cleared her throat, the words reached her.

She turned to reprimand him, but the captain cut in: "Is it borrowed authority or your own incompetence? Compare kill counts if you dare!"

Pointing skyward, he roared: "I swear—anyone who disobeys orders, deserts formation, or hides in the rear again, I'll cut you down myself! Try me!"

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