Chapter 22: Devilish Training

Following the conclusion of the orientation assembly, Ma Yuan and his peers officially began their new lives at Huali Military Academy. Though they started as strangers, the six roommates became quite well-acquainted within just a few days. As everyone grew accustomed to the academy, preparations for the entrance trial mentioned during the assembly began to take shape. Ma Yuan’s dorm received notice that day that the pre-trial training would commence the following morning.

Amidst the anxiety of many newcomers, the training began as scheduled. The students were organized into ten squads of approximately fifty people each. The six roommates from Ma Yuan’s dorm were assigned to the tenth squad—the final group. It was a squad that no one wanted to join, for its commander was known as the "Devil Coach" of Huali Military Academy.

"Listen to me! I will not repeat myself. If you didn't hear me clearly, go run ten laps around the drill field and then come back to ask," a middle-aged man in camouflage fatigues stood before the squad, his tone harsh and dripping with impatience.

This man was Fang Lei, the squad’s instructor, nicknamed "Thunderbolt." In every incoming class, fewer than twenty percent of the students under his command passed the final evaluation. His pass rate was notoriously low, and his training methods were brutal—punishments and extreme physical exertion were standard procedure. The students under his watch suffered immensely. Yet, Fang Lei was never dismissed from Huali Military Academy, for the graduates who survived his training went on to become formidable leaders in their respective fields.

Ma Yuan did not yet realize that from this moment on, his destiny was beginning to shift because of Fang Lei.

"You are all pampered rich kids from comfortable homes, likely having never known true hardship. But here, if you don't endure suffering, get out. If you don't bleed and sweat, get out. My squad has no room for cowards; I won't have you tarnishing my reputation once you leave this place."

Fang Lei’s thunderous voice echoed across the plaza, striking the fifty-plus students with a force that felt as though it were being branded onto their very souls.

Hou Xinjie whispered to himself, "As the rumors suggested, this 'Thunderbolt' is truly ruthless. It seems passing the entrance exam under his command will be difficult."

Ma Yuan frowned. He had heard stories about Fang Lei before, and it appeared the rumors were true.

"Alright, I've told you what I needed to. There is one month until the entrance exam. During this month, I will put you through hell. I hope every one of you manages to pass and becomes an official student of this academy."

"Oh, and one more thing," Fang Lei added, as if just remembering that this year’s exam was different. "Only forty percent of students will be admitted. That means out of five hundred, only two hundred will remain. That is over a hundred fewer than usual. Merit-based selection—that is the principle."

"What?" Wang Xian gasped. Based on what he knew of the past, the pass rate for Huali Military Academy was usually sixty to seventy percent. It had never been this low.

Hou Xinjie wore a pained expression. "It’s over. It’s definitely over. I’m never going to pass."

"Don't talk like a loser," interjected Tian Su from the side. "On the contrary, this is our opportunity. If we can pass, we will be the true elite of the academy."

Ma Yuan listened to them, clenching his fists. This was his chance. He knew he couldn't compete with the family backgrounds of Wang Xian or Hou Xinjie, or even Tian Su. Only through his own effort could he truly graduate from Huali Military Academy and become an elite soldier.

After Fang Lei finished his speech, he set the squad to training. The entire day was an exercise in overexertion; by the end, the students were too exhausted to do anything.

That night, after dinner, Ma Yuan and his friends took a walk along the academy paths to familiarize themselves with the campus. Not far away, in a pavilion, Cheng Yunfeng was drinking tea with his older brother, Cheng Yuntai, accompanied by several followers.

"Big brother, that is Wang Xian of the Wang family, the one who is always working against us," Cheng Yunfeng said, seething with resentment as he recalled their encounter at Zuiyun Pavilion. "If you have a way, please teach that brat a lesson and make the Wang family lose some face."

Cheng Yuntai smiled helplessly. He had doted on his younger brother since childhood and satisfied his every request.

"Yunfeng, fighting is not allowed in the academy, but small disciplinary actions are fine. However, remember that causing trouble in school is trivial. If you can, wait until you meet him on the battlefield in the future; then you can teach him a lesson, and no one will be able to stop you." As a third-year student, Cheng Yuntai understood the academy’s philosophy well and warned his brother to avoid violating the rules, lest the Cheng family lose face.

"I know, I know," Cheng Yunfeng replied impatiently. "Just help me vent this anger for now, and I’ll be careful later."

Cheng Yuntai chuckled, indulging his brother’s willfulness. He waved his hand at the men behind him, and a lean man stepped forward.

"Wu Hao, go give him a lesson," Cheng Yuntai said, as if mentioning something inconsequential.

As Ma Yuan and his friends chatted while walking, a ball-like object flew straight toward Wang Xian. Wang Xian frowned and stepped aside to dodge it, but the object landed in the nearby pond. Before the group could look for the culprit, several people approached them.

"Hey, what year are you? Don't you know how to catch a ball for Brother Hao? Now it's in the pond," a voice called out, full of blame.

"It was clearly your—" Hou Xinjie started, but Tian Su interrupted him.

"Wu Hao? What are you doing?" Tian Su said sternly. "These are new students. The academy has strict rules: any senior student who attacks a freshman will be expelled." Tian Su recognized Wu Hao.

Wu Hao scoffed. "Tian Su, you’re embarrassing. You were a second-year, but you got demoted to the first year, and yet you have the audacity to lecture me? Ha!" He turned back to Wang Xian. "And you, kid, if you had blocked the ball for me, it wouldn't have fallen in. Now, jump in and fish it out for me, and I’ll let you go today."

Wang Xian’s brow furrowed. He wasn't a fool; he knew this Wu Hao was deliberately looking for trouble.

"Hey, senior," Hou Xinjie couldn't hold back anymore. "You are clearly targeting us. Do you want us to tell our instructor? Our instructor is the one they call 'Thunderbolt' Fang Lei!"