The Strongest Brain in the Interstellar

The morning consisted of basic firearm training, but this was specialized shooting practice, not a firearms research class; therefore, the theoretical training was only temporary.

After a series of hasty explanations in the morning, everyone had gained a certain understanding of this model of firearm.

Having gone through the initial stage of not knowing where to put their hands and feeling their faces and minds getting hot, everyone quickly adapted and eagerly began to handle this highly realistic training tool. By the end of the class, they were basically able to operate it proficiently.

Fortunately, the instructors knew that these young people were often impulsive and rarely managed to control their curiosity and impulses. Even if their minds retained some rationality, their actions sometimes outpaced their reasoning.

So, after figuring out the structure of the laser gun, more than half a dozen people had “accidentally” pulled the trigger, causing it to make a hollow sound due to the lack of ammunition.

These individuals naturally received special treatment from the instructors, resulting in after-class detention and running laps. After all, if such a situation could not be treated carelessly or impulsively, and if there had actually been ammunition in the laser guns, many would likely have been in trouble by now. With their minds and impulses running wild, it was indeed necessary to give them a lesson.

Jiang Hui, of course, did not stand out much; she was too immersed in the experience, and time seemed to slip away in an instant. By the time Stark and the others came around to collect the guns, she was caught off guard and instinctively used her other hand to protect herself.

Stark paused for a moment, and just then, Nie Erqi, who had walked over, cast a glance in their direction, a hint of intrigue evident in his brows.

Then this seemingly serious instructor unexpectedly called out to one of the students, who appeared a bit reluctant to part with the equipment: “Look at how eager you are. No matter how realistic this is, it’s all just a fake. How excited will you be when you finally get the chance to handle the real thing? Alright, we have afternoon classes, and this week will be full of such lessons, so don’t rush.”

Jiang Hui heard this and realized her reaction might have been a bit excessive. She quickly loosened her grip and voluntarily handed the laser gun to Stark. Stark didn’t say anything; he simply glanced at her before continuing to collect the next weapon.

Jiang Hui remained momentarily stunned, instinctively twisting her fingers as she seemed to still be recalling the mysterious and wondrous sensations from earlier.

Once the teaching tools were packed away, the morning session concluded. The two instructors announced that afternoon would be dedicated to specialized shooting training, and they dismissed the class.

Having already experienced the excitement of handling firearms, everyone was quite eager to dive straight into the next lesson. Unfortunately, this wish was doomed to remain unfulfilled, as the group was ultimately ushered away from the training ground by the two instructors and scattered in small groups to nearby temporary dining spots for a meal.

Only the two instructors remained in place. Once the others had left, they tacitly chose not to move.

“We should leave too.” After packing up the equipment, sealing and locking it away in a storage device as instructed, Nie Erqi spoke without turning around.

Stark understood that this was directed at him, but he didn’t respond immediately.

Nie Erqi then sighed in apparent resignation and turned to face him: “Hey, old friend, we haven’t seen each other in so long, and you’re still as cold as ever. Do you think I could just pretend not to know you and ignore you if you don’t greet me…?”

“How come I don’t know that you are my old friend?” Stark casually threw out this remark, casting a sidelong glance at the young man.

“Let’s not argue about this anymore. We’ve been arguing for years. Fine, fine, fine, if not old friends, then old rivals will do!” Nie Erqi took large strides toward Stark, stopping at a distance of one step away.

“Then let’s go have a meal at the cafeteria together. After all these years, even if we’re old rivals, you wouldn’t refuse to have a meal together, would you?”

Stark didn’t say whether that was good or bad; he simply turned and walked straight ahead, tacitly agreeing.

Nie Erqi understood that Stark likely wouldn’t say anything soft, so he followed along, chatting away with ease, the entire process flowing exceptionally well, clearly a familiar pattern for them.

Speaking of which, this school is quite good. He had thought that the educational resources in this permanent star system would be somewhat lacking, but everything turned out to be much better than he had imagined, even somewhat extraordinary.

He was now quite curious about what kind of academy this really was. Not only had his proud old friend willingly dropped his important tasks and opportunities to come here, but there were also so many outstanding individuals and wealthy youths hidden away within the school.

In addition to some familiar faces he could recognize but might not be able to name, there were even Major Hank, Lieutenant Lando, members of the Zhou family, the Mei family, and even people from the eleventh legion, as well as individuals from the Lu family in the imperial capital.

This was merely a mid-level academy in the permanent star system. If he didn’t know where this was, he could easily compare it to some of the well-known academies in the inner star systems. Could it be one of the key training bases for the Eighth Legion’s talents? If so, it would make sense to deploy so many people here.

But as Nie Erqi watched Stark’s increasingly brisk back, he had just managed to control his emotions and was thinking of how to persuade him with the right words. However, upon seeing Stark’s cold demeanor—unyielding as always and unwilling to say much—he couldn’t help but feel angry.

“Hey! Stark, are you really planning to just do nothing, give up your future, and sit here holding onto a captain’s position? Do you have any idea how many people are eyeing your spot? Do you know that if it weren’t for your stubbornness, you would have already been a major by now? If things go well, in a few years you could even be a lieutenant colonel… Have you really thought this through?”

The person ahead surely heard him, but his steps didn’t show any signs of stopping.

Seeing this, Nie Erqi grew even angrier and strode forward to block Stark’s path: “Are you planning to stay silent like this, or do you think it’s unnecessary to talk to me? Fine, if you don’t want to talk to me, at least you should explain things to the major general. He values you and wants to train you, providing you with resources that others don’t have, and this is how you repay him?!”

Stark, who was about to brush past him, suddenly halted, as if he finally had the desire to engage in conversation: “I don’t feel that way.”

Before Nie Erqi could say anything more, Stark continued, “You came here on your own, didn’t you?”

Nie Erqi instantly froze, unsure how he had been exposed.

Stark didn’t need to look at Nie Erqi’s reaction to know that he had indeed come on his own. If he had been sent by the major general… the major general would not have sent anyone. When Stark made his choice, he had already informed the major general in advance, who was very angry but ultimately let it go and set a deadline. So the only possibility was that Nie Erqi came by himself.