Chapter 78: Training (2)
Vera called everyone into formation. She looked at them with a serious expression, saying nothing for several minutes as she silently scrutinized each one of them.
Beads of sweat gathered on the soldiers' foreheads and backs. Though they were trained soldiers, they always found their new captain's face hard to read, like she wore a mask carefully designed to conceal her thoughts.
"I want everyone to know that I'm very disappointed with your performance these past few weeks. Because of this, I will be changing our training plan," Vera declared in a thunderous voice that startled everyone into attention.
After hearing what she said, some soldiers couldn't help but feel annoyed and frustrated. They felt as if their efforts were being taken for granted. They had been doing their best over the past week. True, they had failed to complete the assignments given to them, but in their opinion, the tasks were simply too difficult for their current level. They just needed more time to adjust to the terrain and this type of training. If given more chances, they were confident they could complete their missions soon.
One soldier couldn't hold back his frustration.
"Captain, I believe this training is too difficult for us right now. But if you give us a chance, we're confident we can complete the mission."
Vera turned to look at the soldier who had the courage to speak his mind.
"Is that so?" Vera said, her eyes narrowing. "Then tell me, what's wrong with your training? And why do you keep failing this mission?"
The soldier began to sweat even more after hearing Vera's question.
"Captain, I believe the obstacles you've set up for us are a bit excessive. There's no way we can accomplish them within the given time."
"How so?" Vera replied sharply. "What if I told you that a seventeen years old boy completed all the training, I've set up for you in just one day? Would you believe that?"
The soldier's eyes widened in shock at Vera's words. They couldn't believe what they were hearing. How could a teenager who is not even an adult possibly complete the mission they, as professional and trained soldiers, had failed multiple times?
It was simply impossible. No, even though they heard it, they couldn't bring themselves to believe it.
A soldier, clearly unconvinced by Vera's words, raised his hand to speak but was interrupted when a car pulled up at the edge of the clearing.
To everyone's surprise, a man they hadn't expected stepped out and calmly walked over, positioning himself beside Vera as if ready to join the conversation.
Xu Long Wei didn't bother to greet anyone. He simply stood next to Vera, prepared to listen in on whatever discussion he had just walked into.
Earlier that afternoon, he had dropped by the training ground looking for Vera but was informed by Draco about the incident that took place that morning. Sensing that something significant was about to unfold, he didn't want to miss it, and so he decided to come and pick up his wife from the clearing himself.
Seeing that the soldier was still waiting for his turn to speak, Xu Long Wei gave a slight nod, signalling him to continue.
"Captain, how can a teenager possibly complete all the missions we had today? That's impossible. I've never seen anyone finish these difficult tasks," the soldier said firmly.
Vera stepped forward; her gaze unwavering. "What I'm telling you now is true. And your commander standing right here is my proof."
Xu Long Wei looked at them calmly. "That teenager… was me. I know for a fact that these missions can be done because I've completed them before—when I was 17 years old. As a matter of fact, your captain was there too. She completed the entire course… just a few minutes ahead of me, and she was 10 years old."
BOOM!
The soldiers couldn't believe what they were hearing; it was as if a thunderbolt had struck them where they stood. Seventeen years old? Ten years old? Their captain was only ten when she completed all those obstacle courses… and even finished faster than their commander?
How was that possible?
This was truly astonishing. News like this, they had never heard anything like it before. It shook them, challenged everything they believed about training, and filled them with a mix of awe, disbelief, and newfound respect.
While some soldiers were beginning to believe their captain's words, others still felt skeptical, convinced it was all a lie.
One soldier, unable to hold back, stepped forward and challenged Vera.
"Captain, I don't mean to be rude, but what you're saying right now is impossible. I'll only believe you if you show us that you can complete this mission better than we did. Only then will I believe your words."
Vera looked at the man who had just spoken. He was one of the oldest soldiers on her team. He didn't appear aggressive, and she could tell he was genuinely shocked by what she had said. So, she didn't take his challenge as disrespect.
"I don't mind showing you that this obstacle course isn't as difficult as it seems, if you know what you're doing," she said calmly. "Tomorrow morning, come back to this clearing, and I'll show you how this mission is done properly."
She glanced at Xu Long Wei. "Your commander will be the one planting the bomb instead of me. My task will be to find it and detonate it while completing all the challenges and traps I created for everyone.
"Does that sound fair to you?"
The oldest soldier looked at Vera and couldn't help but smirk. Deep down, he was pleased to hear that she was willing to take on the challenge.
It wasn't that he didn't believe her—he just genuinely wanted to witness his new captain's abilities for himself. If this woman was truly as skilled as they said, then he had no problem following her and giving her the respect she deserved.
Though he was older, he wasn't close-minded. He believed the younger generation could surpass them if given the right training and enough discipline.
If what their commander said was true, then Vera had been trained from a young age. That meant she grew up in an entirely different environment, perhaps even harsher than what they had faced. After all, no one could carry that kind of confidence without earning it through real experience.
He nodded and said, "I can't wait to see your performance tomorrow, Captain."
The other soldiers, watching the scene unfold, couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement in their hearts. Finally, tomorrow, they would witness their new captain's abilities firsthand.
Until now, they had followed her orders, but they truly had no idea what she was capable of. They'd heard countless stories from other teams who had fought with her—praises, rumors, tales of her strength and skill.
But hearing was one thing. Seeing it with their own eyes was another. Tomorrow, they would finally find out what kind of leader they were really following.
Vera dismissed everyone, instructing them to take a proper shower, clean themselves up, and prepare for tomorrow's big event.
At the same time, she glanced at Xu Long Wei, who had a subtle sparkle in his eyes after hearing her bold declaration.
It wasn't just the soldiers who were eager to see her in action; he was, too. In fact, he could hardly wait to witness the love of his life in her true element.
Vera noticed the look in Xu Long Wei's eyes and couldn't help but nudge him with her elbow. He chuckled and said, "I'm really happy to see you in action again. Seeing you like this… I can't help but remember the old you. Tomorrow, I'll finally get to see that side of you again."
Vera let out a quiet sigh. She hadn't expected things to unfold this way, but deep down, she felt a flicker of excitement. It had been so long since she last experienced those kinds of obstacles. They brought her joy when she was a child; it was part of her past, part of her precious memories.
And tomorrow, she would get to relive it.
Maybe… It wasn't such a bad idea after all.