The Strongest Brain in the Interstellar

No one knew how much time had passed, but the shooting practice finally came to an end. As the dismissal bell rang, everyone let out a collective sigh amidst the tense and stifling atmosphere, unsure if it was due to disappointment or relief.

For today’s initial training, Nie Erqi and Stark didn’t provide any closing remarks. Instead, they simply instructed everyone to stand in formation and then routinely gather the training equipment.

Perhaps having had their fill of it, the students were no longer as reluctant to part with the intricate training equipment as they were in the morning. Most of them quickly returned the gear to the instructors, their thoughts already drifting to the delicious food they’d soon have at the cafeteria.

Jiang Hui was no exception. While the laser gun was indeed impressive and stirred a sense of determination and interest within her, a day’s worth of training was enough. Lunch had only consisted of a quick nutritional supplement meal — sufficient in nutrients but not satisfying to the taste buds. She usually just swallowed it down quickly, knowing that a full, satisfying meal would have to wait until dinner.

This time, the instructor collecting her laser gun was none other than Instructor Nie Erqi.

When Nie Erqi took the laser gun Jiang Hui handed him, he suddenly said, “Your shoulders are slightly uneven compared to others. Adjust them a bit while shooting to improve your accuracy.”

Jiang Hui hadn’t expected such a specific tip and was taken aback. But Nie Erqi didn’t seem to care if she’d registered his advice or not, already moving on to the next student without pausing.

After all the students had left, it was just Nie Erqi and Stark on the training grounds, as usual. Though Stark was the homeroom teacher, specialized shooting training was naturally led by instructors assigned by the school.

Stark knew his colleague Nie Erqi was highly skilled at shooting — his talent for it was far superior to Stark’s own. It was a real benefit for the students to learn from him, so Stark served more as an overseer and assistant during class, never intervening.

Nie Erqi, however, seemed to have a lot to complain about to Stark, grumbling that the kids were harder to teach than new recruits, and even more undisciplined. One moment, he’d complain that today’s kids were spoiled and couldn’t handle hardship; the next, he’d grumble about their lack of focus, how they couldn’t grasp the essentials no matter how much he drilled them…

Stark listened in silence, neither responding nor taking offense at Nie Erqi’s dismissive remarks. He had once been annoyed by Nie Erqi’s blunt demeanor, assuming he was just another arrogant, condescending type. But after spending more time together, Stark realized that Nie Erqi’s personality was simply like that — rough-spoken but genuinely well-intentioned in his actions.

It seemed Nie Erqi was always looking down on others, yet he put his full effort into what he wanted to do — even helping the very people he seemed to disdain. His bluntness was more habit than intent, like he couldn’t help speaking without a filter. Sometimes, he’d say things and regret them, but by then it was too late to take them back, so he’d stubbornly stick to his words.

To get him to stop offending others or stabbing them with his words, he’d probably have to learn to keep quiet altogether — but that wasn’t in him.

It wasn’t until a small incident, a genuine accident, that Nie Erqi finally learned to hold back his offhand remarks and rein in his speech. Not knowing how to temper himself naturally, he became more reserved and cold over time. Only people like Stark, who had watched him grow, understood that he hadn’t truly changed — he’d simply hidden that side of himself.

So now, all his complaints about the students were likely just old habits coming through as he relaxed. He probably didn’t mean half of it; perhaps…he was just looking for someone to talk to.

Stark, however, wasn’t interested in listening to these gripes. Since Nie Erqi insisted on talking, Stark figured he might as well steer the conversation to something else — he did have a question in mind.

“I noticed you said something to a couple of students?” Stark had been on the opposite side, too far to hear what Nie Erqi had said to Jiang Hui, but his curiosity was piqued.

“Oh, nothing much,” Nie Erqi replied. “Just gave them a bit of guidance. Those two kids have some real talent.”

“Oh?” Stark’s interest was now fully engaged.

“The surname ‘Clarens’ isn’t common in this part of the star system, is it?” Nie Erqi raised an eyebrow with a meaningful look.

Indeed, Stark had made the same connection. Given the student’s distinctive appearance and that surname… it was hard not to think of a certain well-known family. It was surprising to see someone from that family studying in a remote star system like this.

“This kid is clearly no novice. Every move is precise and methodical. Aside from a slight adjustment period at the start, his accuracy rate is frighteningly high. His mental strength seems significant, too—a promising talent.”

“But he’s got a bit of an arrogant streak, doing things his own way, not very receptive to guidance. Fortunately, he’s not stubborn. You’ll need to invest some effort in mentoring him. If he really is that family’s young heir, having him under your wing could be quite an opportunity for you…”

Stark shot him a glare, clearly annoyed. “What nonsense are you spouting? An opportunity? If you’re so keen, why don’t you take over as their instructor? I’d gladly hand the position over to you.”

“Oh, no, no, I’m not interested in teaching. Only someone as bored as you would voluntarily step back from the front lines to come here and teach. The points and merits you can earn here are nowhere near those on the battlefield, let alone the career advancements you’re giving up.”

Stark knew Nie Erqi was taking the opportunity to jab at him and didn’t bother replying. Instead, he continued, “And the other student?”

“That one…” Nie Erqi, still grinning, paused thoughtfully. “That one’s a complete beginner.”

“It’s odd, though,” he continued. “While the girl’s movements are unrefined, and she lacks fluidity, every maneuver she makes is… incredibly accurate. So accurate it’s almost uncanny.”

How to put it? It’s as if every move she makes is calculated. The exact moment to lift the weapon, the precise timing to pull the safety latch, when to slide the front cover, and the split-second to pull the trigger—it’s all perfectly aligned. Even the pressure she applies to the trigger is exactly right, neither too much nor too little.

Nie Erqi could clearly sense an unusual flow beneath her somewhat inexperienced movements—a natural rhythm that was remarkably smooth. What she likely lacks is just a bit more experience and time.

He could say confidently that even when he was first starting out, he probably didn’t have this level of control. It requires a heightened sense of intuition.

—And people like this often become exceptional shooters.