"Xu, you're still training?"
They were almost at the Moon Base. Hans and the other three had come over to the simulator and were watching Xu De with a mixture of admiration and helplessness.
Even after breaking the Third Fleet's internal record, Xu De had no intention of stopping.
He'd only rested for a few hours, and now he was back at it.
"Why don't you rest a little longer?"
When Xu De had come out of the simulator earlier, he'd seemed energetic enough, but they had noticed the sweat on his forehead and the weariness in his eyes.
Although he'd broken the record with apparent ease, he had given it everything he had.
Of course, that didn't make them think any less of him.
After all, they had given it their all and still hadn't managed to break the record.
"It's fine. I'm just getting in a little exercise."
Xu De shook his head.
They were nearly at the Moon Base, and there were only a few days left before the assessment. Naturally, he had to keep training his reflexes and calculating ability.
It would be best to spar against real people.
But the facilities here were lacking, so he'd have to wait until they reached the moon.
"I don't think you're built like the rest of us."
Looking at the young man, glistening with sweat and growing more muscular by the day, Price couldn't help saying so.
Had Xu De even rested after that big battle?
Other than a brief nap, it seemed he really hadn't.
It wasn't that sleeping was a problem. They just couldn't live under such constant strain.
Otherwise, why would they need those cigarettes and drinks to numb their nerves?
It came down to differences in their upbringing.
"You should all make the most of your time and train, too."
Xu De shook his head.
When life and death were at stake, not many people wanted to stay clearheaded.
At least, that was how things were in the Atlantic.
But they didn't know that Xu De felt differently.
Discipline and training didn't change just because life and death were on the line.
Only then could you keep your composure in the face of death—or, more precisely, bring your full strength to bear.
Otherwise, what was the point of ranking first on the simulator every day if it counted for nothing in a real fight?
"We'll do our best!"
"We won't let you leave us behind!"
Flint said earnestly.
"Good."
Seeing the others grow serious, Xu De nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face.
It was best if they could keep getting stronger.
One person's strength—and what one person could accomplish—was limited.
Hans and the others were, more or less, his future inner circle.
As long as they had the ability, by then he'd have the connections and money to help them out.
It would be best to use those resources to smooth their path when appropriate.
As they talked, the group headed out of the training area.
On the way, plenty of people who had seen Xu De come out of the simulator also made their way over to him.
Xu De had broken the record for the entire Third Fleet. He was a genius.
His rapid rise through the ranks was all but certain, so there was nothing wrong with getting acquainted with him now.
A few pretty young female crew members were among them, and they approached Xu De enthusiastically.
"Xu, come find us when you have some free time on the moon!"
"Here are our numbers."
The young women had the Atlantic's distinctive warmth. Their eyes gleamed as they looked at him like he was a prize.
Their faces were flushed, and their smiles held a suggestive note, as if they were letting him take his pick.
Of course, in the already uninhibited Atlantic, spending a night or several together was no loss. Xu De was certainly worth it now.
Besides, he looked well-built. They'd heard he had taken on several noncommissioned officers by himself, so he was probably good in a fight.
Getting acquainted could come in handy later.
Might as well see what they could work out.
Might made right. That was the prevailing attitude here.
Xu De merely lifted the corners of his mouth a little.
"Thanks, everyone, but I'll have other things to take care of once I reach the moon."
Xu De declined softly and quickened his pace toward the mess hall.
His obvious lack of interest stopped the others in their tracks.
They were here to curry favor with Xu De. Offending him would defeat the whole purpose.
They had come because they knew how to work the system, and they were good at reading the room.
Seeing his reaction, they immediately decided not to follow him.
"What a cool, handsome guy."
The young women didn't take their eyes off Xu De as he walked away.
"I'm not cold, you know~"
The young man who had come over to curry favor at first seized the moment to chime in, his tone suggestive.
But the young woman only glanced at the insignia on his shoulder, rolled her eyes, and turned to leave with her companions.
"You..."
The young man stared after her, indignant that she hadn't even looked back.
His companion patted him on the shoulder.
"Forget it. They've heard that line plenty of times. They're not interested in you."
Compared with everyone fighting on the front lines, these young women were responsible for communications.
They were also among the few female soldiers.
They were like rare oases in the desert. Plenty of people wanted to get close to them, so they weren't going to settle for ordinary Atlantic soldiers.
"They're looking for at least a lieutenant."
That was the reality.
The kind of encounter in fairy tales, where people didn't care about status or rank, was just a fairy tale.
Without strength, you had nothing.
This was another kind of transaction, only a long-term one.
"But Xu De..."
The young man muttered half a sentence, seething at the mention of the lieutenants, then stopped.
"Xu De is bound to become a lieutenant. There's a good chance he'll even become a field officer. What do you think?"
His companion looked at him as if he were an idiot.
"..."
Unaware of what everyone had been saying, Xu De finally found some peace. He led the others to a quiet spot in the mess hall and sat down.
"Why didn't you take them up on it?"
Thinking of those young women, Hans's eyes lit up. He looked ready to eat someone alive.
"From the way they acted, I bet they wouldn't have minded if you picked all of them at once."
"I'll pass..."
They were looking to exchange favors, but right now he didn't even have enough resources for himself. Though he could, in a sense, get something in return.
Still, in the way people here saw it, that kind of thing was supposed to make both people happy.
Xu De considered himself reasonably skilled. He couldn't very well trade resources and favors for something like that.
Mutual benefit and supporting each other was one thing.
But not a one-sided arrangement. They were strangers, after all.
"You brat! You're wasting something precious!"
Hans slapped the table and stood up.
Xu De listened to Hans's complaint and replied helplessly, "Then go for it yourself."
"They don't want me."
Hans rolled his eyes at him, looking aggrieved, like a wife who'd been wronged.
Xu De felt a little pleased.
Hans actually could have gone for it.
Most people here knew they were close, like brothers. There would certainly be some who were willing.
But if Hans really did, the other person would probably expect him to ask Xu De for favors in return.
Whether Hans agreed or not, it would be bad for their relationship.
Hans probably understood that, too.
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