"Second, Ruo Xi, your reaction speed is fast enough, but your Arc Energy consumption is too high. Be more conservative.
Third, Qiuyue, you’re steady, but the rhythm of your attacks is a bit slow. You need to increase your efficiency!"
"Captain, what about me?" Bai Lin asked, pushing up his glasses.
"You’re doing okay," Li Chang’an said with a nod.
"But you can be faster!"
"Alright, back to making improvements, I guess," Sun Yang sighed.
"Captain, how much longer is this training going to last?"
"Until you all meet the standard!" Li Chang’an said coldly.
"Get ready. The next round starts now!"
...
The second round of training had just begun when Sun Yang started complaining.
"Captain, can’t we switch it up a bit? These holographic Insect Race just do the same old thing over and over. There’s no originality!"
"Originality?" Li Chang’an stood by the console, looking up at him.
"Fine. Next time you face the real Insect Race, you can have all the originality you want!"
"No, don’t! Captain, I was just kidding!" Sun Yang immediately waved his hands, his smile stiffening on his face.
"Focus on your training. If you’re going to run your mouth, then stay off the field," Li Chang’an said, glancing at him coolly.
"Don’t make the same mistake you made last time by letting an enemy slip through."
Sun Yang rubbed his nose and muttered under his breath.
’The Captain’s glare could kill a man!’
"You run faster than anyone when the Captain gets that murderous look in his eye," Han Ruoxi chimed in from the side.
"Are you more afraid of getting yelled at or getting beaten up?"
"Ruo Xi, can we not tear each other down?" Sun Yang shot her a glare.
"So what if your Arc Energy is accurate? If you’re so great, why don’t you take them all on by yourself!"
"I’d be more reliable fighting solo than you are!" Han Ruoxi shot back, and immediately began adjusting her Energy output.
"That’s enough. Stop arguing," Shen Qiuyue said coldly.
"Everyone focus. Is there any point in wasting time like this?"
Sun Yang snorted, shut his mouth, and repositioned himself with his Pulse Gun.
This time, the holographic scenario was upgraded. The types and number of Insect Race had increased, and they even simulated several extremely fast scout-type insects.
"Your left! Deal with it, now!" Shen Qiuyue shouted to Sun Yang as she blocked an insect warrior.
"I know, I know!" Sun Yang adjusted his aim and sprayed a volley from his Pulse Gun, hitting a few of the insects, but he still missed one.
"You missed one again!" Han Ruoxi released a bolt of Arc Energy, covering for Sun Yang’s mistake.
"This thing is too fast! Captain, isn’t this projection upgrade a little too brutal?" Sun Yang yelled while fighting.
"Speed is the Insect Race’s advantage," Li Chang’an stated calmly from the side.
"If you can’t adapt, then you shouldn’t be an Insect Hunter!"
Sun Yang gritted his teeth and said no more, focusing on suppressing the holographic insects.
...
After the training session ended, Sun Yang plopped onto the ground, panting heavily.
"Captain, I give up. These holograms are harder to fight than the real thing!"
"If you can’t beat the holograms, the real Insect Race will kill you before you can even get a word out," Li Chang’an said, walking up to him.
"Next time you make such a rookie mistake, your training time will be doubled!"
"Alright, alright, I get it!" Sun Yang said with a bitter smile, waving his hands in surrender.
"Captain, you’re really iron-fisted and merciless!"
"I’m iron-fisted and merciless with the enemy," Li Chang’an replied, putting away his terminal.
"With you all, I’m already being lenient enough."
"Lenient?" Han Ruoxi scoffed.
"Captain, I don’t believe that for a second!"
"Believe what you want," Li Chang’an said, turning to the others.
"That’s all for today’s training. Go back, clean your gear, and prepare for battle."
"Clean our gear again..." Sun Yang moaned, covering his face with his hands.
"We spend half our day just cleaning gear!"
"Then don’t get it dirty," Shen Qiuyue replied coldly and turned to leave.
"Easy for you to say, Sister Qiuyue!" Sun Yang sighed helplessly as he watched her leave.
"Stop complaining and let’s go," Han Ruoxi said, patting his shoulder.
"If you mess up again, the Captain’s going to deal with you himself."
Sun Yang grinned.
"Alright, I’ll buy everyone drinks later as an apology."
"Oh, treating us to the base’s nutrient solution? You’re all heart," Han Ruoxi said sarcastically as she walked away.
"Hey, nutrient solution still costs money!" Sun Yang shouted at her back.
...
After training, the team members gradually returned to the rest area.
Sun Yang was sprawled on the sofa, gulping down water.
"I’m telling you, how are we supposed to survive in this squad? It’s missions every day, training every day. My body can’t take much more of this!"
"All you know how to do is complain about being tired," Han Ruoxi said, sitting nearby and opening a bag of snacks.
"It’s your own fault for not putting in extra practice. You always drop the ball when it counts."
"Ruo Xi, can’t you say something nice for a change?" Sun Yang whined with a mournful look.
"Besides, I only drop the ball occasionally! Occasionally! It’s not a regular thing!"
"That’s enough," Shen Qiuyue said from her spot by the window, her tone impassive.
"You complain and spout more nonsense than you train. Aren’t you tired of it?"
"Sister Qiuyue, that one really stings," Sun Yang said with a long sigh.
"But seriously, when is the Captain ever going to let us have a day off?"
"A day off?" Han Ruoxi took a bite of her snack.
"You can talk about that when the Insect Race is extinct."
"Extinct? That won’t happen until pigs fly!" Sun Yang threw his hands up in resignation.
"Keep arguing and you’ll get extra training," Li Chang’an said as he pushed the door open, a report in his hand.
"Sun Yang, say one more word and I guarantee you won’t be sleeping tonight."
"Okay, whatever the Captain says, goes!" Sun Yang quickly shut his mouth and shrank back into the sofa.
"Everyone assemble in the conference room at 0700 tomorrow morning," Li Chang’an said, placing the report on the table.
"A new mission could be assigned at any moment. Be ready."
"Another new mission?" Han Ruoxi frowned.
"Captain, can you give us a hint? Is it related to the Insect Race again?"
"You’ll find out tomorrow morning." Li Chang’an turned and left.