Chapter 110 - 110: Why Are You Competing With Him?
[Speed: 1.25]
[Stamina: 1.55]
[Skills: Light 3km Off-Road Lvl 4 (max level), 400m Lvl 4 (max level)…]
[Skill Points: 2]
Wang Ye decided to utilize all three skill points at once.
Originally, he had planned to distribute one point each to the 400 meters and three kilometers skills. However, after some contemplation, he determinedly invested a little more, pushing the 400-meter skill to level 4.
He understood the importance of being well-prepared for the upcoming challenge. The third-class merit required him to perform exceptionally well. If he could only manage to complete the run in one minute and fifty seconds the first time, he wouldn’t have the confidence to face the second attempt.
Therefore, he set his mind on achieving the best results in his initial trial, aiming to complete the run within one minute and fifty seconds to secure a chance at a second try.
Focused and determined, Wang Ye’s attention was now fixated on the obstacles scattered throughout the training ground. He observed how other classes and recruits successfully passed them, analyzing the methods the veterans used, searching for the easiest, most confident, and fastest ways to conquer each obstacle.
Even when Qin Li, who intended to approach him for a chat, attempted to engage, Wang Ye swiftly halted her, commanding, “Observe carefully and stop chatting!” dismissing her immediately.
“Get up! Hurry up! You go first! Oh no, forget it! Go around the side!”
“Run! Pay attention to your feet! Ah fuck!”
The once lively training ground fell into silence. The new recruits were no longer in the mood for cheering; their focus was now on the challenge ahead.
On the training ground, the class monitors took on the role of relentless instructors as they closely supervised the recruits.
It was the first time for most of the recruits to attempt the 400-meter obstacle course, and it quickly became apparent that there were numerous challenges to overcome. What seemed trivial when observing others became an entirely different experience once they were on the course themselves.
Numerous mishaps occurred, with some losing their balance and falling while attempting the three postures. Others hesitated to jump over trenches, and some even ended up falling into the pits. Among them, a member of the fifth batch in Class Three had already been sent to the infirmary by the veterans of the Iron Blood Fourth Company. His face bore the signs of bruises and bleeding, though fortunately, it was not a severe injury.
Additionally, there were recruits who struggled to make it across the high and low platforms. Some fell off the wooden bridge, while others had difficulties climbing down the pile net, resulting in getting hung by the neck and stumbling upon their return.
The seasoned soldiers of the Iron Blood Company found amusement in the various situations and couldn’t help but laugh and point at the recruits’ struggles.
“It’s our turn soon. Remember, I don’t expect you to achieve outstanding results, but please don’t embarrass yourselves. At the very least, make sure to complete the entire race!”
As the fifth class was preparing to run, Ye Sanshi intentionally switched positions with the other veteran class leaders so that he could address the fifth class personally.
Looking at Wan Baojiang, Liang Fan, Wang Ye, and the others, he said, “You guys are the top students in our class, and your training results are commendable. This time, focus on running as fast as possible while ensuring you can pass the 400-meter obstacle course. For the rest of you, I expect you to finish, but my specific request for some of you is to complete it within two minutes.”
He then promised, “Yes, if you manage to do it, tonight, everyone in our class will get a bottle of coke on me.”
Gu Yingnan immediately interjected with a bitter face, “Ah, class monitor… Can you reconsider not having Coke as the reward?”
He realized that the odds of accomplishing this task were incredibly slim. The previous seven batches had the best result of two minutes and two seconds, which meant no one had managed a two-minute entry yet. It felt like an impossible challenge, and winning this bet would be like winning five million dollars in the lottery.
But Wang Ye didn’t share the same concerns as the others. He was unfazed by the bet.
Reaching two points was not his goal; he had something else in mind. His determination was set on a different target, and he was eager to prove himself in a way that surpassed everyone’s expectations.
“Alright, forget about the Coke. I’ll spare you the trouble, but my condition remains the same. If you can’t finish within two minutes, then it’s lights out at midnight. If you dislike that, we can extend it to two in the morning.”
“No, no. Midnight is late enough,” Gu Yingnan hastily said.
Ye Sanshi coldly snorted and dismissed his concerns, reiterating his strict rule. He then turned his attention to Zhang Ping’an, cautioning him to conserve his energy for the high platform and the last pit during the run.
When it came to Zhang Ping’an’s turn, he was given the requirement of finishing the entire race within three minutes, which seemed manageable and less stressful compared to the other recruits.
However, Qin Li, who was not much taller than Zhang Ping’an at 1.7 meters, piped up with eagerness, seeking some leniency in his case as well. He hoped that if Qin Li received a more relaxed condition, he might have a chance too.
But Ye Sanshi stared at Qin Li and challenged him, “What? Aren’t you taller than me? Let me remind you, I ran it in 1 minute and 39 seconds. If you can’t make it back within 2 minutes and 9 seconds today, you’ll be joining me for guard duty tonight!”
Qin Li’s face instantly turned bitter as he realized he had made a mistake in speaking up. He regretted his decision and fell silent, knowing he had no choice but to give it his best shot to meet the demanding condition set by the class monitor.
As the time approached for their class to run, only one or two students in each class seemed capable of meeting the two minutes and nine seconds challenge set by Ye Sanshi. Among them, Wang Ye noticed that Zhang Ping’an had always received some preferential treatment.
Zhang Ping’an was a chef, and the instructors had expressed a desire to keep him in their company, specifically the Iron Blood Fourth Company. This meant that they were on the same side, and in the future, Ye Sanshi would have to eat Zhang Ping’an’s cooking. Given this favoritism, Wang Ye couldn’t understand why Qin Li was competing with him.
“Alright, it’s almost time for our class!” Ye Sanshi announced, glancing at the training ground before continuing, “The first batch of our class: Wan Baojiang, Wang Ye, Liang Fan, Deng Hai, and… the last one, Qin Li.”
Qin Li tried to interject again, but Ye Sanshi swiftly shut him down, threatening, “If you continue to talk nonsense, you’ll be frog-jumping your way back later!”
Feeling helpless, Qin Li silenced himself, but his expression clearly showed his frustration at the challenging task ahead.
Wang Ye looked at him, offering a smile without uttering a word.
“You’re helpless, and I can’t help you either!” he stated firmly.
Moreover, running the first and second batches would yield the same results. There was no guarantee that the outcome would be any better if they ran the second batch.
Of course, Wang Ye was aware of what he was thinking.
He was almost certain that he would rank at the bottom if he ran with his own group. However, he had confidence that he wouldn’t end up last if he ran with the others.
Though the results might be the same, it wasn’t as if they had better appearances.
“Twenty-seven out of two…” called out a platoon leader holding a stopwatch.
The second batch of students from Class Four had returned.
“Alright, let’s go. Each person has a track. It’s the same. You can choose one yourself,” Ye Sanshi said to the people who were already prepared.
Without hesitation, Wang Ye took a deep breath.
Then, he raised his leg and started moving forward.