Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

"What's making things so lively?"

It was not Yue Ying's first day at the military camp, but it was the first time she heard such a raucous night.

Of course, it was usually noisy as well, since nighttime in the camp was less solemn and stiff than the day. Old soldiers often pulled the new recruits over to the bonfire to tell their exaggerated heroic tales loudly.

The occasional addition of natural-born soldiers only made all the artificial soldiers more interested in the true aspects of the world.

It was a rare amusement for these soldiers, a pleasant moment of relaxation after a day full of training.

But it was somewhat restrained.

Today was different.

The atmosphere today was more restless, and Yue Ying could even feel the aggressive hormonal air permeating the atmosphere.

What happened?

Yue Ying's gaze turned toward the source of the restlessness; the fiery bonfire lit up half the sky, abuzz with lively figures.

After a few ups and downs, she ascended the watchtower and the figures' interlocking gaps allowed the scene through space to fall into her flickering fiery eyes.

"Is that him?"

The artificially created soldier, who performed exceptionally well during training, was now engaged in an intense melee with another fighter she hardly remembered.

Sparks flew as blades clashed.

"Bang!"

[Your attack has caused a critical hit.]

[You've landed a critical hit in live combat, heavy weapon mastery experience +0. (Current opponent too weak, unable to gain improvement.)]

["Lucky Strike" charge +3.]

A forceful and heavy slash made the unknown fighter stagger backward.

"Nice!"

The watching new recruits cheered happily.

The newcomers had much to learn, but being drawn to excitement was an unchanging nature.

Bai E held his sword, standing in the center of the arena, surveying the surroundings with an expression as still as an ancient well.

"I'm in a hurry! Anyone else want a go?"

He didn't know how things had gotten this far.

The agreed-upon one-on-one had somehow turned into this ongoing series of individual challenges.

A single day's training wasn't sufficient for these new soldiers to all gain weapon mastery, not to mention Bai E's 12-point physical fitness level was unrivaled, overpowering in both skill and brute strength.

Luckily, there were still "Lucky Strike" charge credits to be earned, or else this beating would have been utterly dull.

"I'll take you on!"

Another fighter, a woman with an agile figure sporting a wolf's tail braid, shouldered her sword and stepped forward.

It seemed like she had just finished her training and rushed over, her light brown abdomen bare beneath a black sports bra, beads of sweat trickling down it.

Her sharply defined abs exuded a wild ferocity.

Bai E's gaze swept over the iron tag on her chest—92C13.

The woman's eyes held a similar wildness as they fixed on Bai E's face, filled with the intention to attack.

"You've got a talent for shooting?"

"What about it?"

The female soldier pointed her sword at Bai E, her smile recklessly confident, "I believe she didn't go easy on you when you faced that mysterious expert, but while you were training your shooting skills, we were still practicing our swordsmanship. Now, having a shooter like you challenge all of our brothers hurts our pride.

The instructor has given a direct order for me to defeat you, or else the whole squad goes hungry tomorrow."

"Oh~"

The instructor sure knew how to stir things up...

"So, you'll fall to my sword... Of course, it won't be fair. After I defeat you, I'll request the instructor provide extra training just for us two, hoping you can keep up with my pace and earn your way back."

Bai E indifferently lifted his sword, "I hope your sword is as tough as your mouth."

The female soldier laughed outright, "Tough or not, we'll see after the test! Watch out!"

Then came a slash straight for his head.

"Ha!"

The precondition for boasting, of course, is having enough confidence.

This woman appeared to be the ace of the new recruits in close combat, or else her instructor wouldn't have sent her out to regain their honor.

As soon as the sword was drawn, that fierce and unparalleled fighting spirit spread.

Maybe she hadn't mastered weapon proficiency during her bout with that mysterious expert, but while Bai E trained in shooting that afternoon, the exceedingly talented woman also achieved level 1 in heavy weapon mastery.

With every move, she instinctively tried to force Bai E into revealing an opening with sheer brute force.

"Clang!"

Bai E neither dodged nor avoided, meeting the attack head-on.

"Self-restraint" was always controlling the impulses brought by the hormones, but Bai E did not want to stop the body's natural, bold spirit in such a scene.

Before coming to this world, he had been just a possibly ordinary college student, without an opportunity to exhibit personal bravery and will in a well-regulated society.

But if he needed to survive in this world, he had to embrace it wholeheartedly and without hesitation.

Circumstances create heroes.

It was just a spar, be bold.

As the swords met, the jarring clash echoed throughout the arena, causing nearby soldiers to cover their ears in pain.

The first strike, evenly matched.

No matter how gifted, a new soldier could only break through his own limits three or four times on the first day of training.

At most, a physical ability score of 11.4 against Bai E's 12 certainly put one at a disadvantage, but it was only because the opponent moved first, seizing the advantageous position for exerting force, that a tie was barely achieved.

After the strike, the female warrior did not hesitate.

Everyone had witnessed Bai E's physical training achievements during the day; not having the upper hand in strength was expected.

However, combat is not just a contest of hardware capabilities.

Drawing the sword and turning around, she struck twice more with both hands!

Bai E's face was expressionless, steadying his slightly trembling hands, he gathered his strength to meet the challenge head-on once again.

The opponent's intent was quite clear, to force him to expose his weaknesses through brute force.

Whether it was physical strength or willpower.

The heavy blows in weapon mastery were meant to tear such opening.

He would get hurt, and so would his opponent!

"Clang!"

Another strike, the fierce sound of metal-on-metal clash made some of the mentally weaker soldiers instinctively take a step back.

Two consecutive confrontations were an opportunity, Bai E's reflexes peaked, and his will, following his nerves, directed every muscle in his body, executing an even faster third strike giving the female warrior no chance to breathe.

As the great sword fell toward her, the female warrior, muscles sore, forcefully blocked with her sword and slid away, retreating.

[Your attack caused a heavy hit.]

[You have dealt a heavy hit in actual combat, heavy weapon mastery experience +1.]

The force was mostly unloaded, but her arms were still numb.

"Huff!"

The sound of cutting wind came again, filled with a hopeless howl.

At the brink of defeat, the female warrior spun around, her eyes ablaze with wild fighting spirit, seemingly ready to trade injury for injury.

"Clang!"

The scenario of mutual destruction did not occur.

"Alright, alright, stop chopping before you break the swords."

"Instructor?"

The square-faced man who had abruptly stepped in eased his slightly sore muscles, making peace. "That's enough, let's call it a draw..."

"A draw my ass! I lost!"

The female warrior sheathed her sword and walked away, pushing through the crowd, her valiant voice echoing in the distance, "But remember my name -- Rose! I'll come back for a rematch!"

[You've experienced a refreshing battle, combat experience +5.]

["Lucky Strike" charge +1.]

Not bad.

Bai E massaged his arm, soothing his injury.

"Hiss~"

It did hurt a bit.

His face calm, "Next!"

...

Watching that spirited warrior in the arena, Yue Ying's eyes were full of admiration.

Good talent, and willing to make an effort.

In this rare moment of rest, he wanted to spar with other warriors to improve his skills.

But...

"Pity..."

A fine seedling indeed, but not in a good environment.

Apart from that female warrior, the others were far from being his match, and it wasn't a life-or-death situation.

What progress can one make by beating the weak?

Learning is like rowing upstream, not advancing means falling behind.

...

[Feedback from a commission, your physical ability +0.3, reflex +0.1.] (Stacked)

[Feedback from a commission, heavy weapon mastery experience +52.] (Stacked)

[Feedback from a commission, lumberjacking experience +38.] (Stacked)

...

"Hm?"

What's happening?

Yue Ying's eyes widened in surprise.

Just when he was feeling disinterested, the way Bai E swung his sword now overlapped with the posture from his memories but with some noticeable differences.

It seems, there was some improvement after all?

Not sure, let's watch some more.