NOVEL WEB Chapter 199 - Origins
“Technically… only Commanders are supposed to be able to detect the unique mental energy waves of other Commanders. Could it be that we have another overlooked talent for Command on our hands?” Min Hao wondered aloud, switching over to the trio’s channel, where he could clearly observe their interactions and movements.
Min Hao had a hunch about Huan Xian’s unusual behavior and realized this method of communication was actually a smart way for Huan to cope with his struggles. With teammates who trusted him, weren’t afraid of his abilities, and even offered him support, Huan Xian was already coming out of his difficult state—a state that had felt like a nightmare for him up until now.
“Ah, so it turns out my class of rookies doesn’t stand a chance—here’s a ‘wild’ talent showing them up, and yet I wasted a whole month of special training on them,” Min Hao sighed in frustration.
“A month? That’s hardly enough. Even if you gave them three years, it wouldn’t make much difference,” replied Captain Noderby, glancing at the younger lieutenant with a thought that the man was still a bit naive.
True Command talent was exceedingly rare, and even among those with the potential, very few could actually master it and apply it effectively on the battlefield.
Captain Noderby was approaching retirement, and teaching assignments like these had been his transitional duty for several years now. He’d served at numerous academies, including some of the most prestigious ones in the inner sectors, and he had taught many Command students. He knew all too well that only a handful of those who studied to be Commanders ever truly made it onto the battlefield as actual commanders.
“And yet, look at her,” Min Hao grumbled. “She’s not even remotely in a Command-related field, but she can manage Command, reconnaissance, teamwork… she’s picked up a bit of everything. She really ought to be in Command. It’s obvious she has the talent for it, even if she hasn’t yet learned how to use it.” The more Min Hao observed, the more conflicted he felt—disappointment in his own class’s lack of drive mixed with a growing sense of appreciation for this promising talent.
“You’re thinking too highly of it,” Captain Noderby said, striking down the thought again. “One of them is the top student. From her performance, it’s clear she’ll be a key focus for future training in combat specialization. I’ve heard she’s also a student favored by Captain Stark—how could she possibly be let go? As for the other one…”
“You’re daring to dream!” Captain Noderby couldn’t help but pat the younger man’s shoulder. Seeing no one else around, he lowered his voice. “He’s from the Zhou family—the one from General Zhou Yuanjing’s family.”
“…Is it really him?” Min Hao was startled, quickly examining the boy’s features. There was definitely something familiar about him, an expression that seemed to echo someone Min Hao knew.
Min Hao had missed the secret meeting at the start of the semester due to other matters. That was the meeting where almost all the school’s faculty attended, as it was announced that General Zhou Yuanjing’s only child would be attending. The child was sent by Lieutenant General Rex Dolenti, the commander of the 23rd Corps, who was also Zhou Yuanjing’s former aide and a figure personally promoted by him.
Of course, the teachers had to meet the child, if only to familiarize themselves. While they didn’t offer special treatment, it was necessary to recognize him, to avoid any mishaps in the future that could involve him. General Zhou Yuanjing’s contributions needed no elaboration; he was someone even the upper echelons of the Imperial Capital would avoid. With his merit and influence, no one would dare harm his son. Otherwise, they would likely face public scorn.
The school had been troubled at first, unsure how to handle such a prominent figure.
Fortunately, neither General Zhou nor the Corps Commander seemed to ask for anything special. The only request was to ensure the child’s safety and privacy, allowing him to grow up like any ordinary student without causing any unnecessary commotion.
Min Hao had heard of this when he returned. It was also rumored that the child didn’t seem particularly interested in or gifted for any military-related subjects, choosing an obscure specialty instead. After that, there had been no news of him, until now. And it turned out it was indeed this boy.
So, who said the kid had no talent? He had used mental energy transmission so effortlessly, despite not receiving formal training, and was even able to resonate with someone like Huan Xian, a highly aggressive mental energy awakener capable of linking all five senses. This was called having no talent?
Min Hao wondered if the other person knew about it—or perhaps… he knew and still allowed it to happen.
Min Hao’s fleeting interest quickly waned. He stared at the figures on the screen, uncertain of his feelings.
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This batch of mental energy supplements was truly a timely blessing. Aside from Jiang Hui, the other two also eagerly took a bottle each before their next departure, clearly eager to make use of them.
Jiang Hui thought about it and agreed. These two had barely rested, and in between, they had been engaged in high-energy mental activities. The fact that they had made it this far was impressive. But they were probably close to their limit now, and the mental energy supplements were just what they needed.
And so, the difficult journey through the tunnel was about to begin again.
Perhaps seeing some progress, the two, who had previously been drifting, seemed to have adapted a little. With the help of the simulated chest harnesses, they were even able to glide a bit, which saved Jiang Hui a lot of effort. The team had finally returned to a state of cooperative balance, no longer relying on one person to pull the entire team forward. Jiang Hui genuinely breathed a sigh of relief because she wasn’t sure how long this stretch of waterway would last.
Between the two, it was clear that Zhou Xiuwen adapted a little faster. He wasn’t actually afraid of the water; he just hadn’t learned to handle it before, so he was at a loss. Jiang Hui noticed that this guy, though unassuming, was quite clever. He picked up new skills quickly. While not always perfect, his ability to learn things just enough to solve problems made a real difference.
Huan Xian, on the other hand, was the same as before. But now Jiang Hui noticed that he wasn’t just engaging in simple mental energy transmission with Zhou Xiuwen; there seemed to be a more unusual connection between them.
Every time he entered the water, Huan Xian would seal his ears with tape and cover his eyes, blocking out the most crucial senses. But clearly, these two senses weren’t needed in the water. The tunnel under the water was dark, and nothing could be seen, and aside from the sound of water, nothing could be heard either. So, Huan Xian’s actions seemed somewhat unnecessary.
It was strange that, even though he couldn’t overcome his fear of the water, he still maintained mental energy transmission with Zhou Xiuwen. This was odd in itself. Not only had they never met before, but they didn’t seem like the kind of people who could chat away easily. It had been quite a while since they started, yet here they were.
Despite his state, Huan Xian had somehow kept going without ever stopping along the way.
Jiang Hui suspected that the mental energy transmission between these two wasn’t just a simple exchange; it might very well be the reason for Huan Xian’s improved condition.
Sigh, why is it so mysterious? Can’t they just say it outright… Oh well, maybe they can’t. If they could, they probably would have by now.
Jiang Hui didn’t ask them directly but instead gave them space and continued forging ahead.
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Author Note: Sigh, although the author is just an ordinary citizen, this story certainly isn’t one with a typical “ordinary citizen” feel, as many of the characters, including the protagonist, have various backgrounds. This writing style is meant to set the stage for the broader context of the story.
However, everyone please remember that the setting of this story is a time when the military and politics are quite prosperous. In the grand context of the interstellar world, humanity should unite to safeguard the interests of the human race. Therefore, the focus of this book is on the various individuals born for war — with the protagonist, Jiang Hui’s growth as the main thread connecting the story. These unsung heroes from the battlefield, regardless of their background, are always ready to sacrifice everything, even their lives, for the safety and future of humanity. All the glory they earn is won through blood and fire, and they are the true heroes.
Their mindset becomes a precious spiritual heritage, passed down to the next generation. Protected by such great love, they grow up and inherit the will of the previous generation, walking a path that is both similar and different, willingly becoming the heroes who protect the growth of the next generation. This is the story I want to write about Jiang Hui’s generation.
The perspective is broad, the groundwork is long, and the writing style is a bit wordy (that’s the author’s fault). However, in comparison to the planned length of the story, these preparations are just a small part of it. I won’t set up the “flats” here; you can refer to the length of my previous works to get an idea of how long this one will be. Though I’m a little embarrassed to say that I’m writing a multi-character narrative (which may seem a bit presumptuous), I am indeed serious about telling this kind of story. So, for the angels reading this, I hope you’ll give it another chance. I will work hard to write it.