A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 32: The Instructors
Chapter 32: The Instructors

The three instructors collected everyone’s opticomputers and Space Buttons into a bag. Then they stood next to Gunder and nodded at him.

After receiving the signal from the instructors, Gunder smiled with satisfaction. He looked back at the newcomers and praised, ”Good, everyone is acting cooperatively. The next part of your journey will be with the instructors. Please welcome the three instructors now.”

The students clapped respectfully.

The highest-ranking instructor among them, a lieutenant, stepped forward amid the applause. His handsome, youthful face, coupled with his impressive physique, caught the eyes of many girls. Some bold ones even started whispering among themselves.

The guy, Ortiz, after he positioned himself, made a silencing gesture to the students. Once the students quieted down, he spoke out loudly, ”Hello, everyone, I am your chief instructor, Ortiz. On my left is my vice, Bauer. On my right is instructor Virtanen.”

Bauer was a typical military man. His ordinary features, weathered by experience, gave off a rugged charm. The uniform added an indescribable sense of integrity to him. It felt like safety, as if having him around meant having someone to take on the world for you.

Instructor Virtanen was the one who had been ”tug-of-warring” with Drexel earlier. He was thin and carried an air of a scholar about him. He seemed a bit shy as well. He now stood behind Ortiz, secretly sizing up each student.

After introducing his partners, Ortiz continued, ”First, on behalf of all the officers and soldiers of the Fifth Legion, I welcome the students training at the Hecaris Military Academy. Since you’ve chosen the military academy, I assume you are ready to bravely forge yourselves, face hardships, and strengthen your resolve, right?”

”Yes, sir,” the newcomers responded weakly, intimidated by the thought of the grueling month ahead.

”You haven’t started to suffer yet, but let me make it clear—you know what you are enduring this for? It’s so that later you can protect the people from the insectoids and defend the Alliance! Now tell me, can you do it? Louder!” Ortiz shouted loudly.

”Yes, sir!” The newcomers’ spirits were ignited. Like newborn wolf pups, they puffed up their chests, and they shouted with flushed faces.

”Good, now everyone go back to your cabins to rest and wait for further instructions. Also, the number on your room corresponds to the number on your bracelet. If you have any questions, you can ask the robot butler in your room. Dismissed!” Ortiz instructed.

After watching the students enter their cabins, he turned to Gunder with a look of deep respect.

”Ortiz, you are getting better at this,” Gunder said warmly to the trio, his eyes carrying a hint of nostalgia.

He clearly remembered how these three had once stood here receiving his own lectures. They too had been timid kids, terrified of the insectoids. Gunder was now proud as he saw them as capable soldiers able to stand on their own.

”Sir, you flatter us,” Ortiz responded modestly, but his face couldn’t hide a trace of excitement.

”Sir, just speak your mind, what’s there that we can’t discuss?” Bauer, the oldest of the trio and more worldly-wise, was the first to sense that Gunder had something more to say.

Gunder, his thoughts exposed, decided not to beat around the bush anymore. ”This batch of newcomers includes a girl named Arix. Keep a close eye on her.”

”Is there a problem with her? Is she a spy sent by the Empire’s warmongers?” Ortiz asked sharply.

Gunder, who treated Arix as if she were a priceless treasure, was annoyed by Ortiz’s assumption and knocked him on the forehead. Then scolding Ortiz, he said, ”Let me finish! You start guessing before I’ve even explained. Let me tell you, not only is Arix’s background impeccable, but she is also of great importance to the Alliance.”

”So what do we do?” Ortiz, rubbing his head and not daring to interrupt further, asked meekly.

”I want you to elevate her physical power to Star Class before training ends,” Gunder said firmly, his eyes serious.

”Isn’t that asking too much of the girl?” Virtanen, who had access to the recruits’ data, had just reviewed Arix’s profile and knew her current level was only Planet Class.

The idea of boosting Arix’s physical power to jump a whole class in just one month was almost absurd. If anyone other than Gunder had suggested this, Virtanen might have laughed it off.

Ordinarily, even the diligent need at least three years of training to possibly break through. Even with shortcuts, like using a Star-Class booster, it would still require at least three months of training to be effective.

After all, using a Star-Class booster wouldn’t be as straightforward as the lower-class boosters, where you might experience a breakthrough just by consuming one.

To break through to Star-Class and above, even with a potion, one still needs to combine it with extensive training to stand a chance.

Boosters below Planet Class force a breakthrough. Boosters for Star-Class and above, however, are primarily for assistance.

Most people only use them when they are on the brink of advancing to the next level, to reduce the risk of failure.

”Sir, may I ask why?” Bauer looked directly at Gunder. He knew Gunder was a dependable person. If he spoke so, there likely were hidden complexities regarding Arix.

Gunder wasn’t one to hide things unnecessarily. He shared what he could, ”Arix’s psychic power is incredibly strong, but her physical condition is at the other extreme. If she hadn’t taken a Planet-Class Booster before, she might now only be able to survive in a healing pod, or worse, she might not have survived at all.”

Given the life-threatening stakes for the student, the three instructors nodded solemnly. ”Rest assured, we know what to do.”

”Alright, no need to be so tense. Things aren’t as bad as they seem. Arix has been nurtured this month with all sorts of rare treasures by her parents, and she’s almost reaching Star-Class. She just lacks an opportunity, and that’s where you come in. I can’t help any further, I’ll be leaving now,” said Gunder. After his words, he stepped onto the boarding ladder and returned to the Hecaris Military Academy.

After Gunder had left, Ortiz and the others discussed among themselves for a while. They finally made a decision together before returning to their own cabins.