First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 118
Chapter 118: Running
The approach these male students took was rather cunning.
They would first scout out opponents who appeared weaker, then adjust their speed and current running distance to stay synchronized with that person. When the target entered the combat zone, they would sprint over to challenge them. Female students were particularly irresistible prey.
Originally, female students in the military academy made up less than one-tenth of the total population, and even fewer had the courage to participate in this intensive training. Apart from Lian Sheng, the other female students indeed weren't very capable fighters. After all, the difference in strength and physical ability between the two sides was too great.
This was also why the instructors had set the running time slightly longer—enough to support students in maintaining a slow jog.
If anyone was forced to withdraw midway due to exhaustion, they would also be expelled from this training session. These female students were at a disadvantage from the start. At least half of them were carrying penalty weights today for failing to complete last night's mission.
The worst-case scenario was having to carry weights while running continuously from 5:30 to 11:30—a full six hours of slow jogging. The only possible rest time was the few seconds spent in combat. But this sudden break in rhythm actually made it easier for people to collapse.
Thus, opponents like these allowed the male students to win repeatedly.
After tasting sweetness, it was inevitable they'd eventually kick an iron plate.
Lian Sheng lifted her legs to stretch her limbs, then waved at her opponent.
"Sorry little sister, don't blame me," the male student said playfully. "Circumstances force this—it has nothing to do with character. And don't cry if you lose, okay?"
Perhaps having learned from past mistakes, the boy remained somewhat guarded. When throwing a punch, he actually feinted—first hooking with his left fist, then raising his right shoulder before switching to a straight punch.
Lian Sheng slightly raised her chin. Such fake moves were useless against her, and this one was particularly clumsy.
Lian Sheng was shorter than the boy—by over ten centimeters. She simply squatted down, easily avoiding his optimal striking point.
Mid-punch, the boy found his target suddenly gone. In his moment of astonishment, Lian Sheng ghost-like emerged from below. A knife-hand strike came down along his neck. Worried the force might be insufficient, she added extra weight, pressing him directly to the ground.
"Match over!" the instructor immediately declared. "Lian Sheng wins! Alright, everyone get out of the circle pronto!"
"Holy—!"
The male students running past laughed and playfully waved toward the center, still full of energy.
The defeated boy clutched his neck, hissing in pain as he moved toward the sidelines. "Too ruthless!" he cried. "Women from any background are trouble! Especially military students!"
His friends nearby jeered: "Even if your feet were oiled, you wouldn't have run as fast as you did just now. Got any shame left?"
"Lust clouds judgment, brother."
The boy roared: "Screw off!"
Lian Sheng exited the arena.
The liquid she'd soaked in earlier now enveloped her limbs with a warm sensation. Her weakened muscles were recovering, but simultaneously, the soreness became increasingly pronounced.
Her biggest issue was that during yesterday's defensive drills against the combat robots, she'd used her arms and legs to block numerous strikes. Her muscle strength clearly couldn't compare to the male students who trained constantly, so the bruising on her limbs was particularly severe.
When running, unable to properly engage her muscles, she instinctively exerted more force with each step, nearly doubling her energy expenditure.
From this perspective, the soaking solution's therapeutic effects were remarkably effective.
Nearby, Zhao Zhuoluo had just finished his third match. The two once again found themselves near the medical station.
Fang Jianchen had completed two laps at lightning speed, only to unfortunately kick an iron plate. Failing to secure the ten-minute rest period, he immediately began wilting.
When Lian Sheng achieved her fourth victory, the crowd's laughter faded. They finally recognized the severity of the situation.
The students chose to observe rather than rush forward competitively.
"You guys weren't going easy on her, were you? If you were, that's taking it too far."
"Are you kidding? Who the hell would go easy? She's genuinely skilled!"
"Damn, so the ancient martial arts master title isn't just hype?"
"Face reality, friends. If Liliana gave her a recommendation, there must be some merit to it."
"Setting that aside—didn't their school make them run two kilometers as punishment at the start? Where's her stamina issue?"
"That was ages ago, friend. She's already had multiple breaks since."
"Can someone describe how it feels? I was running earlier and too far away to see clearly."
Those who could describe the experience were currently scattered across the training field running—hardly in the mood to gather and chat. Only those resting on the ground and Alliance University students who'd personally experienced it offered a few casual comments.
Seeing Lian Sheng enter the arena again, the students collectively turned their attention toward her. Calculating the timing, they changed course, running toward her combat zone to observe from a distance.
It was as if they were undertaking some grand operation to decipher the secret of her victories.
After watching one match, they truly couldn't identify any earth-shattering, divine techniques.
Flashy moves aren't necessarily effective—her responses were simple yet precise, consistently striking vital points without any superfluous actions.
From their perspective and based on past experience, Lian Sheng's attacks weren't particularly fast, nor were her opponents' reactions. But Lian Sheng's positioning speed was remarkably quick.
Moreover, every move she made was always followed by a second—her overall movements appeared more fluid. Every ounce of strength she exerted, whether it hit the target or not, was perfectly controlled.
The more straightforward and strength-reliant the opponent, the quicker they'd lose. Conversely, overly cautious, defensive fighters lasted slightly longer against Lian Sheng.
Analyzing this, she wasn't an offense-oriented fighter—her strength lay in reactive techniques.
Compared to physically exceptional male students, Lian Sheng's slender build ironically enhanced her intimidating presence, creating an unprecedented sense of urgency among the group.
This was already the fifth opponent! One more and she'd be free! Absolutely unacceptable!
By now, the training had progressed over two hours. Those who hadn't exerted effort earlier—leading to later regret as they ran endlessly—finally realized with horror that they hadn't even completed half their required matches.
They needed a strategy against her! If she achieved six consecutive victories here, their dignity would suffer crushing humiliation!
"Comrades, get serious! The time for unity against a common enemy has arrived! No joking around now—maintaining numbers is crucial!"
Fewer participants meant greater danger for those remaining.
While numbers were still high, they could maintain some initiative in ambushing preferred opponents. But as numbers dwindled, inevitably half would rest while half couldn't. Those with depleted stamina would become prey.
"Last spot up for grabs, comrades! Search your hearts—aren't you ashamed? Stopping her here means future advantages are ours!" a male student shouted. "Stay calm! Observe before acting. Don't underestimate her because she's female."
Here, victories created a domino effect. Showing any weakness meant becoming a target, potentially losing all future rest opportunities.
The instructors watched amused from the sidelines: "So many boys ganging up on one girl?"
A male student declared righteously: "Opponents have no gender—only strength matters!"
"Exactly! We respect our opponents!"
"Special treatment for females only applies when confirming one's own superior position. If she's about to escape, who's bullying whom here?"
One boy ran beside Lian Sheng, dramatically wiping his eyes: "Stop bullying us, Big Sister Lian Sheng."
Suddenly the center of attention, Lian Sheng raised an eyebrow.
An instructor voiced Lian Sheng's thoughts: "Really makes you want to punch them."
After completing another kilometer, Lian Sheng stepped into the combat zone.
"Ahhh!" A male student raised his hand dramatically. "I'll go!" He sprinted over.
"Carry the Allied Academy's glory with you, friend!"
"...Why does she seem to be in better condition the more she runs?"
"Hell, if I could rest ten minutes after every kilometer, I'd be in great shape too!"
"...First try actually getting that initial rest period."
Lian Sheng twisted her neck.
Her limbs had progressed from weakness to slight warmth to now a stinging heat—overall not particularly comfortable.
She crooked a finger at her opponent: "Come on."
The boy shook his head.
Defense. He'd hold! Lian Sheng's offensive power couldn't be high—if he maintained defense, he controlled the pace!
Lian Sheng just wanted a quick resolution: "If you won't come, I will."
The boy tilted his head, watching her warily with a light smile: "Save the taunts—they won't work~"
Lian Sheng strode forward, striking palm-first. The boy raised his arms defensively.
Lian Sheng clenched her fist, curling her index finger to press against his inner elbow, while her left hand slid slightly downward to his flank.
The boy felt astonishing pressure—those two fingers seemed capable of piercing bone. He yelled, stepping back. Lian Sheng seized the opening, delivering a flying kick.
"Match over, Lian Sheng wins!" The instructor waved, then applauded. "Not bad—true proof that women hold up half the sky."
The students gasped in unison: "Holy—shit!"
The instructor shook his head ruefully: "This batch of boys just isn't cutting it."
"Bro, you joking? A few pokes and you retreat? Leaving such huge openings—are you made of tofu?"
"Tofu can be poked! Even with holes, tofu maintains its form without crumbling. This guy disintegrated at a touch!"
The boy protested: "It hurt like hell! Damn, it really hurt!"
"Who cares? Your pain is yours alone—doesn't hurt my heart!"
"Then you try it!"
"I don't have the chance!"
"You do!" an instructor interjected. "This afternoon and evening, plenty of opportunities. Don't worry."
The crowd: "..."
Lian Sheng clapped her hands: "Don't blame him—same result with anyone."
In direct confrontations, these recruits were no match for Lian Sheng—especially when she was well-rested and had medical support.
The boys looked ready to chew their handkerchiefs in frustration.
"See! See! Because you lost so pathetically, I can't even argue back now!"
"This hurts! My heart's breaking!"
The defeated boy sprinted ahead, roaring: "Have some dignity! Leave yourselves some face!"
Lian Sheng concluded her training early with a flawless record, sitting aside to rest.
Zhao Zhuoluo had taken two hours; Lian Sheng took two and a half.
Actually, rest periods were fixed, and running times varied by only minutes. With equal matches, completion times were similar.
By 10:00—four and a half hours in—most had escaped their ordeal. Fewer than two hundred remained, some needing just one more victory to break free. Several female students still struggled visibly.
The remaining participants were evenly matched—it came down to luck in securing rest opportunities to reverse fortunes.
Some female students tried avoiding male opponents, seeking internal matches.
When the weak clashed, one would emerge weaker. But after hours of weighted running—both mentally and physically exhausted, especially after repeated overtime penalties without respite—they neared breaking points.
Lian Sheng knelt in a box, watching the battles in an odd posture.
Finally, after another defeat, one girl sat crying uncontrollably, refusing to rise.
A doctor handed her water. With trembling hands, she sipped, moistening her throat before steadying herself to negotiate: "Pure stamina competitions are inherently unfair to females! The physical gap between genders exists—you can't ignore it when designing training. And mech battles don't rely solely on stamina—they test skill!"
The instructor calmly replied: "We gave you advantages—you just couldn't secure them."
Namely, the medical team's additional support.
"Your 'advantages' are based on unfair conditions," the girl countered. "We couldn't access them."
"It's not purely about stamina," Lian Sheng interjected. "I don't know their future plans, but today's training showed that lacking stamina can be offset by skill. What's skill? Isn't one-on-one combat skill? Unequal stamina or strength can still be overcome with technique. If you lack both skill and stamina, why are you here? Why expect constant accommodation? I've never heard of segregated gender divisions in selection competitions."
She turned to confirm: "There aren't, right?"
Zhao Zhuoluo: "...No. Could you sound more certain?"
Lian Sheng: "Take me—I'm probably the least physically capable here, yet I'm already resting. You've persisted this far—keep pushing."
The girl touched her shoulder—her hands barely steady after hours with ten-kilogram weights straining her spine.
Lian Sheng understood: "Your weights are self-inflicted. I completed yesterday's mission; you didn't. This isn't unfair—it's proof of insufficient capability. To shed them, endure."
She pointed: "That girl with equal weights is still fighting."
The girl looked over, tears welling before she resolutely wiped her face and resumed running—weeping as she went.
Lian Sheng stood: "Actually, the rule is: if you can't endure, you'll be sent back. Failing tasks only means continuing penalties. If you're exhausted but want to stay, control your pace—don't chase the seven-minute mark."
Seven minutes per kilometer was already slow-jogging pace.
The rules prohibited walking or resting, but didn't explicitly forbid slowing down.
Some had already adopted walk-run intervals—instructors didn't intervene, tacitly allowing such borderline behavior.
After all, this was their last-ditch effort to remain.
Lian Sheng sat back, murmuring: "You males can indeed do more—run faster, longer. But regarding individual suffering, I respect these girls' perseverance."
Lacking skill, all they had was endurance. Yet even at breaking points, they pushed through tears—proof of genuine dedication.
Ultimately, the last few stubbornly persisted until 11:30 to remain.
The instructor dismissed them: "Rest now! You have two and a half hours for lunch and break. Reassemble at 14:00 sharp. Dismissed!"
Lian Sheng wolfed down lunch and returned to her dorm to sleep, finding one roommate present.
The crying girl was one of her roommates, applying medicine to her shoulders—the straps had chafed her skin raw after hours of weighted running.
"Need help?" Lian Sheng asked. "You okay?"
"I'm fine—my own fault," the girl sniffled. "Normal marches carry twenty kilograms for over twenty days. I only did six hours—nowhere close."
Lian Sheng said: "Worse than some, better than others."
The girl dressed, thanked Lian Sheng, and left for medical treatment—her two other roommates likely doing the same. With limited time, they could only recover in fragments.
At 13:45, Lian Sheng arrived at the training field—many students already present, having learned their lesson.
True to form, instructors appeared ten minutes early.
"Morning was easy, right? Enjoyable?" an instructor grinned. "Afternoon's the same—six wins for rest. Surprise! Settle scores now."
Morning sessions ran 5:30-11:30; afternoon was 14:00-17:00.
Same requirements, but duration halved from six to three hours.
Lian Sheng suspected:
The morning was designed to weed out the weakest through prolonged exertion, allowing voluntary withdrawal while top students adjusted.
The real selection process began this afternoon.
Sure enough, the instructor continued: "But one rule changes: effective running time per kilometer drops from seven to six minutes."
Students gasped.
Half the duration, plus one minute shaved per kilometer.
"Correct—evening sessions maintain this, but effective time drops to five minutes. Prepare yourselves." The instructor smiled maternally. "Many will face penalties tomorrow. You won't be alone."
The crowd: "..."
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Ty for the update!!
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