First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 134

Chapter 134: Opening Ceremony

Several days later, all members of the Military Academy had returned.

Though they hadn't seen Lian Sheng during the winter break, they felt her influence lingering like a shadow—especially their final exam results, which had become an inescapable dark cloud hanging over them.

After surviving the life-and-death training exercises, they'd nearly forgotten about it. But as classes resumed, professors kept bringing up her legendary exploits, causing that dark cloud to return and swell into a downpour.

When they learned Lian Sheng's current academic point total, their hearts turned completely cold.

The student body collectively agreed: being friends with her would shorten one's lifespan.

However, this matter didn't trouble them for long. The mech selection competition's registration period lasted only one week. After closing, qualification reviews began immediately. To save time, approved students were immediately assigned match schedules.

Everyone was discussing the mech selection competition—after all, it was the most important event for third-year students.

Command Department students could only spectate while preparing relevant documents. Still, they offered sincere support for Lian Sheng's participation, promising to attend her matches.

Given Lian Sheng's current points, her early matches were unlikely to be intense.

Time quickly advanced to March 1st.

At 8:00 AM, all participating military academy students gathered in their respective gymnasiums to attend the opening ceremony via holographic projection.

With so few Command Department participants from Alliance University, Lian Sheng—once again the department's prized representative—was pulled to stand at the front of the Individual Combat Department's formation.

From this position, she could clearly see the faces of the officials on the commander's platform.

The formally dressed leader seated at the center slowly began: "We thank all students participating in this year's mech selection competition. You are Alliance's proudest scholars. First, on behalf of the organizing committee..."

Nearly all events began with lengthy speeches allowing various leaders and representatives to take the stage. But not all speeches were tedious—the Expeditionary Force representative's mobilization speeches were always brief yet powerful, setting blood boiling with excitement.

Traditionally, a renowned Expeditionary Force officer would deliver this address. This time, however, after a long wait, only an unfamiliar lieutenant appeared to take over hosting duties.

Lian Sheng likely wouldn't recognize whoever appeared, so she remained indifferent. But the male student behind her whispered, "Who... is this newly promoted officer? Which unit? What achievements? Have I been too isolated from the outside world?"

The instructor at the front turned and glared, signaling absolute silence. The student immediately stiffened and lowered his head.

After the oath-taking and a brief overview of procedures and rules, the day's match participants were announced—unsurprisingly excluding Lian Sheng.

Following the ceremony's conclusion, students dispersed to check the official website for match schedules covering the next three days.

Lian Sheng searched but found no matches assigned to her. Zhao Zhuoluo and his team, however, had one scheduled.

After the competition began, relevant departments at Alliance University shifted into training mode, treating this as their top priority. Even early eliminations left other competitive opportunities to shine.

Given prior experience, professors didn't force her to attend academic courses. The academy also reduced their physical training for collective considerations.

This left Lian Sheng awkwardly adrift on campus with nowhere to belong.

Without specialized mech training, Lian Sheng found herself completely free. She ultimately chose to visit the Sanyao virtual platform.

Sanyao users erupted in excitement at her appearance, flooding the world channel as if greeting a long-lost friend:

"Great General! My dream lover Great General!"

"Great General, Sanyao felt so empty without you."

"No one else can match your domineering style—humbling others while slapping their faces."

"I can still see you hosting those arena matches years ago."

"Great General's clearly better at command battles."

"Was Great General training for the selection competition? Still has time for leisure?"

"Is there anything Great General dares not do? Ridiculous!"

Lian Sheng scanned the messages nostalgically before closing the channel.

She rarely appeared in District 12 now—her arena matches belonged to a glorious past. With mech proficiency and sufficient points, playing with newcomers held little meaning.

Checking her notifications, she remembered: she still had unfinished arena business.

Hundred Meter Flying Dagger and his studio colleagues, all online, greeted her: "Long time no see."

Piaoqi Great General: "Yo."

"'Yo' what? Forgetting I'm your boss?" Hundred Meter Flying Dagger said. "Never reporting anything. How irresponsible."

Piaoqi Great General: "..."

Though contracted to his studio, he'd never actually bothered her.

After the Xia Yanfeng incident, many likely wanted to challenge Lian Sheng. A team personally praised by Liliana, backed by retired Expeditionary Force members—losing wouldn't be shameful, while winning would bring supreme honor. Regardless, the experience would be invaluable for those who could afford it.

Yet Lian Sheng received no requests—Hundred Meter Flying Dagger must have declined them all.

Then Bright Bulb contacted her: "No one training you for the selection? Need last-minute cramming?"

Piaoqi Great General: "Oh? Offering tutoring?"

"Sure," Bright Bulb said. "I'm free anyway. And didn't you promise to teach me ancient martial arts?"

Too many commitments—she couldn't keep track.

Bright Bulb: "Room's open. Come."

If base training focused on practical mech skills, Bright Bulb specialized in exam preparation.

Extremely familiar with Sanyao mechs, he reviewed parameters, weaknesses, combo moves, and techniques—the rest depended on her comprehension and accumulated experience.

Last seeing her mech operation before New Year's, he eagerly anticipated her progress. Though brief, her improvement always amazed.

He selected a high-difficulty jungle map, requiring her to circle it at top speed while maintaining stability—testing thruster control.

This mirrored previous training.

Maximum agility required optimizing speed while preserving stability—just improving speed could significantly elevate her level.

Initially, Lian Sheng progressed slowly, constantly falling while failing to coordinate limbs. She couldn't grasp the technique.

Now, she surprised even herself.

Perhaps the base's insane balance training had rewired her muscles. Operating thrusters felt suddenly intuitive.

Though practicing only one or two days then, her entire body had engaged in the process. Now her limbs naturally relaxed, sensing how forces affected movement and instinctively adjusting.

Compared to real mechs' unpredictable balance shifts, thrusters were simpler—controllable.

Indeed, seemingly useless training often revealed its purpose unexpectedly.

Bright Bulb and the others watched her speed through the twisting jungle, perfectly navigating narrow paths. Though slightly stiff, she completed the course flawlessly on her first attempt.

Bright Bulb whistled approvingly: "Not bad."

During her first attempt months prior, she'd constantly crashed into obstacles from delayed thruster adjustments, taking over twice as long. The contrast was staggering.

Her vision had always been sharp, but previously her limbs couldn't keep up. Now, everything flowed naturally.

Bright Bulb laughed: "Time for an advanced reward package."

Lian Sheng asked: "Monetary?"

Hundred Meter Flying Dagger clapped: "An elder's passionate encouragement."

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