The routine drill of the Mechanical Repair Camp was over. These cadets were different from the Special Forces Camp. Their main training focused on familiarizing and mastering the structure and key repair points of various active weaponry and equipment. In future battles, repair soldiers who only knew theory and lacked practical experience would be scolded harshly. The soldiers of combat units had bad tempers; if they couldn’t fix things, they would be cursed, and if they took too long to fix them, they’d be cursed anyway.
Major Hanke was a short officer, having served for almost ten years. He was skilled in military mechanical repairs. His appearance didn’t resemble that of a major but more of a middle-aged farmer, with rough hands and feet, looking honest and simple. He had been suppressing laughter seeing Fatty happily laughing on the side. As soon as the drill ended, he handed the cadets over to Fatty and cheerfully pulled up a chair to watch the training of the Special Forces Camp.
The cadets of the Special Forces Camp were fuming. Just when they got rid of one fat guy, another simpleton came along, deepening their grudges.
In the Mechanical Repair Camp, aside from a few veteran soldiers who joined midway, most others were newly admitted cadets majoring in Mecha and Weapon Design and Manufacturing. The theory would wait for them to master later; previous repair training had been very minimal, only rudimentarily allowing them to familiarize themselves with the equipment.
It was Fatty’s first time as an instructor, and he trained and set standards completely based on his own methods, not following the manual, making his teaching appear very irresponsible.
Using an electronic pen, he casually drew the disassembled parts and steps of the BG-17 Federation standard energy rifle on a virtual board, then proceeded to demonstrate each step one by one. After the demonstration, the rest was up to the cadets to explore the disassembly and assembly while looking at the diagram.
Fatty himself had trained this way. The BG-17’s parts assembly was excellent, considered one of the simplest among standard weapons. The requirement was to be more familiar with the disassembly and assembly each time. On this first day, they had to perform the disassembly and assembly a hundred times until they met the standards of twelve seconds for disassembly and fifteen seconds for assembly. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on ɴovᴇl(ꜰ)ir(e).nᴇt
Simple as it may be, the issue was that this thing was heavy. The cadets had just been rigorously drilled in tedious formations by Major Hanke, leaving them with sore waists, aching backs, numb hands, and weak legs, complaining constantly. Now, Fatty, who seemed relaxed on the side, made them more resentful by merely drawing a few diagrams, ending the session, leaving them with the exhausting and tedious task of disassembly and reassembly.
Cadets and instructors, by nature, are often at odds: one wants to control, the other resists control. Fatty had frequently been beaten up by Bear Instructor before. Such training typically only eased the tension between both parties towards the end.
It was the same in the Mechanical Repair Camp. Hence, Fatty had just timed two rounds of disassembly and assembly when someone couldn’t take it anymore.
First, a group of female cadets cried and stood idle before the repair tables. Fatty walked over and gasped; among them was the notable Big White Rabbit.
Fatty, pretending to be solemn, stared at her, carrying one hand behind his back and using his right hand to point at her chest, earnestly saying, "If you want to become a qualified graduate of the Design and Manufacturing Department, you must not only have grand ideals and expansive vision but also proficient skills. Keep practicing, I’ll watch you practice!"
Big White Rabbit hadn’t expected that the dazed looking Fatty standing at the dormitory door was actually an instructor in the Repair Camp. Perhaps meeting someone familiar made her cry harder, causing her chest to heave with each sob.
Fatty felt dizzy from her gyrating chest, secretly muttering, "Enchantment! This must be enchantment! There are two demons inside!"
With supreme self-control, Fatty diverted his gaze, looking at the other female cadets and asked, "What’s the matter? It’s only been two rounds of disassembly and assembly, you still have 98 rounds left."
One female cadet sobbed, "Ooh, my hands hurt, I can’t lift them."
Some of the male cadets took the opportunity to shout, "This rifle is so heavy, disassembling and assembling it a hundred times will kill us from exhaustion!"
"Exactly! I think the instructor is tormenting us!"
"Twelve seconds to disassemble, fifteen seconds to assemble, who set this standard? It’s impossible!"
"I’ve long realized this Fatty is up to no good, just look at how lecherous he looks!"
In an instant, the group was indignantly rowdy, the female cadets’ cries becoming even more thunderous.
Fatty was startled and shouted angrily, "Shut up!"
As instructors go, they do command respect, and the cadets immediately quieted down, even the female ones stopped crying. Fatty, being a former cadet himself, understood their thoughts. He softened his expression and said, "All of you were carefully selected from countless applicants to Gallipalan Military Academy. Judging by intelligence and ability, you’re the best..."
Everyone likes to hear compliments, this statement made the cadets feel better, and Fatty seemed less detestable.
Flattering and manipulating people was Fatty’s forte. Seeing their faces ease, he straightened up and said, "However, your preparation for enduring hardships is insufficient. Wanting success without enduring hardships, what do you think the military is?"
Fatty’s tone became somewhat harsh, and the psychological gap left the cadets speechless.
Not giving them a chance to react, Fatty changed face again, smiled amiably, and said, "Compared to me, a humble lieutenant, your future is much brighter! Not to mention, just this..." Fatty pointed to his head, "I can’t compare to you at all, I’ll never catch up. In a few years, I’ll have to call you ’Sir’!"
"But..." Fatty said sternly, "A soldier is a soldier! From the day you stepped into the academy, you are soldiers! A soldier’s duty is to obey orders! As your instructor now, my words are orders! If you don’t comply, you can pack up and go home immediately, or be sent to a military court!"
The four words ’military court’ had unparalleled intimidating power. In reality, the Federation’s military court dealt with everything, not only major cases like treason but even trivial matters. It only dealt with military personnel, and that’s why it was called a military court.
The cadets turned pale, some who had been the loudest began to regret.
Fatty picked up a BG-17 energy rifle, "This thing is the simplest firearm in the Federation Army. As long as you master the technique, you can all complete the task. How does one acquire the technique? Through hard practice! Through brain work!"
With that, an assembled rifle turned into pieces in Fatty’s hand instantly, scattering on the table.
The cadets were stunned, unable to believe their eyes.
"Watch." Fatty’s hands turned into a whirlwind of light, without needing to pick up the parts, they rapidly assembled on the table. After a few crisp clicks, a BG-17 energy rifle was assembled, taking less than four seconds.
Over a thousand cadets in the Mechanical Repair Camp were speechless, feeling both awe and admiration. This was real skill, something they took minutes to accomplish, Fatty could do in seconds. What a pro!
People always tend to follow the strong, and the cadets respected Fatty immensely.
Especially the disassembly skill, the rifle fell apart in the lieutenant’s hands instantly, like a magician’s performance, truly magical, so cool.
A few female cadets standing in front of Fatty were thoroughly conquered, collectively grabbing their hair, pupils dilating, mouths agape, breathing heavily, looking around frantically and screaming.
Fatty was startled, playing with the rifle made them collectively reach a climax. He had never seen this kind of situation before.