CH 67

Chapter 67: Freshmen Training

"Wei Ran, Qingyang, Xiaotian, have you all formed teams for the freshmen training?" Xu Kaiyang asked as he saw everyone gathered in the dormitory.

"Not yet," Lin Weiran shrugged in response.

Gu Xiaotian also shook his head, while only Xiao Qingyang wore a puzzled expression and asked, "What's the freshmen training?"

The others were already accustomed to Xiao Qingyang's "ignorance" and explained to him, "Every year, one month after the freshmen enroll, the school organizes a freshmen training, similar to military training. Each team consists of ten members, with at least two superhumans, two students from the Mecha Warrior program, one student from the Pharmaceutical or Spirit Plant Cultivation program, one student from the Mecha Maintenance program, and the remaining four spots can be filled with students from other majors."

Although it was just a training exercise for the freshmen, rewards were also offered. The teams that ranked in the top three would receive generous rewards.

Therefore, many teams were formed based on the pursuit of rewards. Apart from the essential requirements, the remaining four members of the team were usually students from the superhuman or Mecha Warrior programs. This enhanced the team's combat effectiveness and increased their chances of winning.

While students from the Pharmaceutical or Spirit Plant programs were popular within the school and in other competitions, they were not as sought after in the freshmen training.

After all, everyone was a newly enrolled student, and even if the students from the Pharmaceutical or Spirit Planting Programs would become pharmacists in the future, it didn't matter during the freshmen training. They were just ordinary individuals who would lower the overall combat strength of the team.

Therefore, apart from the mandatory inclusion of one student from the Pharmaceutical or Spirit Planting program, there were hardly any remaining spots.

Fortunately, the number of students in these two majors was relatively small, so they could usually find a team. Otherwise, it would be embarrassing to be left behind.

"According to the school's regulations, what about students from other majors who can't meet the mandatory requirements?" Xiao Qingyang asked.

"Students who cannot form a team based on the requirements will have a special instructor come to the school for their military training. However, it's not as exciting as going on an off-campus expedition. This planet, aside from the area occupied by our academy, also has a large forest in the southern hemisphere. According to the seniors, there are many fierce beasts and abundant resources there. The freshmen training is usually held there, but it's restricted to the outskirts, and entry into the deeper parts is not allowed," Lin Weiran explained.

The exact location of this entire planet is unknown to everyone. Even on the Empire's map, there is no marking for it. However, this planet does indeed belong to the Empire, more precisely, to the royal family. It has been generously offered by the royal family as the territory for the military academy.

Aside from the part where the academy is built, other areas have been altered. The extremely dangerous beasts have been eradicated. After all, this planet serves as the place where the Royal Military Academy nurtures talents. They cannot allow these talents to become prey for wild beasts before they have a chance to grow.

The forest outside the campus is the best training ground for the students, especially for those in the superhuman and Mecha Warrior programs. They enjoy going there to hone their skills.

"Since none of you have found a team, let's form a team with our dormitory members. I'll go to our class and find a superhuman, Weiran can find a Mecha warrior, and then we'll find a student from the maintenance program. That way, we'll have the complete lineup," Xu Kaiyang suggested cheerfully.

Gu Xiaotian was touched by Xu Kaiyang's proposal but knew that he didn't possess any skills and would only hold the team back. So he said, "I'd better pass. I'll only be a burden to the team."

"That's okay. We're not doing this for the rewards. We just want to experience it. Freshmen only have this one opportunity to participate. Are you sure you don't want to go, Xiaotian?" Xu Kaiyang tempted.

For students in the superhuman and Mecha Warrior programs, there are many opportunities to go to the forest. But for students in certain special majors, this freshmen training might be their only chance.

Gu Xiaotian was naturally tempted. He wanted to go out and have an adventure like any other man. Even though he knew his own strength was relatively weak, he was just worried about becoming a burden to his roommates.

"We four from the dormitory will be in the same team, so we can take care of each other," Lin Weiran also persuaded.

"Yes, Xiaotian, let's participate together. This way, even when we're outside, we can still have good food. Otherwise, I feel like I won't be able to endure for a month with the tasteless nutrient drinks," Xiao Qingyang exaggerated.

Xiao Qingyang mentioned something that Xu Kaiyang and Lin Weiran hadn't realized yet. Hearing this, their eyes lit up even brighter with excitement when they looked at Gu Xiaotian.

Having become accustomed to the delicious food prepared by Xiaotian, they couldn't bear the thought of consuming bland nutrient drinks outside. 

Gu Xiaotian was already inclined to participate, and with the persuasion of his roommates, he couldn't resist. He felt a warm sensation in his heart, realizing how lucky he was to have such great roommates.

If it weren't for them, he wouldn't have been able to participate in the freshmen training. After all, students with specialized majors like theirs wouldn't have a team willing to take them in.

"Okay, I'll take care of your meals," Gu Xiaotian said firmly.

At the moment, cooking was the only thing he knew how to do. He was useless in other areas and would only hold everyone back. So, when it came to food, he had to take good care of everyone.

With half a month left before the freshmen training, he planned to learn a few more dishes so that everyone could enjoy something new.

Thus, the four members of Dorm 619 had reached a consensus, leaving Xu Kaiyang and Lin Weiran to find the remaining six team members.

During this time, Gu Xiaotian diligently studied new dishes every day, while Xiao Qingyang focused on making various potions. They needed potions not only for sale in the online store but also for the duration of their freshmen training.

...

Since he didn't have morning classes, Xiao Qingyang went straight to the alchemy room and stayed there until just before afternoon classes. Naturally, he gained a lot.

The online store was as popular as ever, with new items selling out immediately. The star currency balance, which had nearly reached zero, finally increased significantly. Xiao Qingyang was delighted with this outcome.

Hastily arriving at the classroom door, Xiao Qingyang saw a crowd of people gathered outside, making it almost impossible to enter the classroom.

It was the first time Xiao Qingyang had seen so many people in the alchemy building. Usually, there were only students and teachers from their alchemy major, and their numbers were far fewer compared to other majors.

"What's going on?" Xiao Qingyang managed to squeeze into the classroom and asked Meng Chenhan, who was sitting beside him.

"It's because the freshmen training is about to start. These people are here to find students from our major to form teams," Meng Chenhan replied.

Students majoring in alchemy and spiritual plant cultivation were a standard part of the teams, so there were many people actively seeking teammates.

"Do you have a team? If not, I can talk to the captain and get you into our team," Meng Chenhan casually asked, pretending not to care.

"Are you worried about me?" Xiao Qingyang smiled, evading a direct answer.

After half a month of being classmates, Xiao Qingyang had learned a bit about Meng Chenhan. Although her tone seemed indifferent, Xiao Qingyang knew that she was genuinely concerned.

"Who's worried about you? I'm afraid no one will want you, so I pity you," Meng Chenhan said, his words contradicting his true feelings.

Xiao Qingyang naturally didn't take his words to heart and replied with a smile, "I formed a team with my roommates, so don't worry about me."

"I told you, I'm not worried. Don't be so presumptuous," Meng Chenhan said, frustrated.

"Okay, okay," Xiao Qingyang responded with a good-natured tone.

At that moment, a slightly louder female voice came from the front, "Qinglan, I envy you so much. So many people want to invite you to join their teams."

"Yeah, who wouldn't want to team up with Qinglan? She's already able to make potions as a freshman. If I were from another major, I would definitely look for Qinglan," another girl chimed in, patting Xiao Qinglan's ego.

"Sigh... How can there be such a big difference between people with the same bloodline? Some people have high spiritual power and talent. They become real alchemists as soon as they enter college. But then there are others who have no spiritual power at all and still insist on staying in our major. They really have thick skin," a girl sitting on Xiao Qinglan's left, her voice loud, said while casting a vague glance backward.

Everyone knew who she was referring to.

Xiao Qinglan heard the comment and naturally felt extremely pleased, although he maintained a modest expression on her face. She said, "You all have high spiritual power as well. I believe you will soon be able to create real potions too."

"How can we compare to you, Qinglan? Your spiritual power is at the S-level. It's hard to find more than a few people with that level of power in the entire institute."

"That's true."

"Hypocrite." Meng Chenhan couldn't help but roll her eyes and sarcastically commented.

Xiao Qingyang couldn't be bothered to pay attention to those people. After all, their words were theirs to bear, and he had no control over them.

"They're insinuating things about you, aren't you angry?" Meng Chenhan looked at Xiao Qingyang, who remained calm, with confusion.

"What's there to be angry about? If I let anger consume me, I'll be the one suffering physically. It's not worth it," Xiao Qingyang replied with a smile.

Of course, Xiao Qingyang wasn't that generous of a person. Since these people looked down on him, he planned to defeat them in their own field of expertise. Their expressions would be quite interesting to see.

The group of students from other majors didn't stay in the alchemy building for long. After all, everyone had classes, and the teachers quickly ushered them out.

After finishing the afternoon classes, Xiao Qingyang didn't go to the alchemy room but headed straight back to the dormitory.

He had received a message from Xu Kaiyang earlier, saying that the team members had been gathered, and they would be introduced to each other that evening.

As expected, as soon as Xiao Qingyang returned to the dormitory, he found the living room filled with people. These should be the teammates for their training.