Squandering Heaven's Bounty

"Xu, you're still training?"

Seeing that they were almost at the Lunar Base, Hans and the other three arrived at the simulator to watch Xu De, feeling both admiration and helplessness.

Although he had broken the Third Fleet's internal record, Xu De had no intention of stopping at all.

Just look, he had only rested for a few hours, and here he was again.

"Why not rest a bit longer?"

When Xu De had emerged from the simulator earlier, although he looked spirited, they had all seen the sweat on his forehead and the fatigue in his eyes.

Even though he had broken the record with apparent ease, for Xu De, it had required his full strength.

Of course, this did not make them look down on him.

After all, they hadn't been able to break the record even after giving it their all.

"It's nothing, just some simple exercise."

Xu De shook his head.

With the moon almost in sight and only a few days left until the assessment, he naturally had to continue honing his reaction speed and calculation abilities.

It would be best to spar with real people.

However, the equipment here was insufficient, so he would just have to wait until they reached the moon.

"Your constitution must be different from ours."

Looking at the youth, who was drenched in sweat and possessed an increasingly toned physique, Price couldn't help but say.

Had Xu De even rested since that great battle?

Aside from brief periods of sleep, it seemed he really hadn't.

It wasn't that sleep was bad, but they simply couldn't maintain such a high-strung lifestyle.

Why else would they be provided with cigarettes and alcohol to numb their nerves?

This was the result of different upbringings.

"You all should hurry up and train as well."

Xu De shook his head.

Facing life and death, not many people wanted to remain clear-headed.

At least, that was the case in the Atlantic.

However, they did not know that for Xu De, this was not necessarily true.

Discipline and training did not change just because one was facing life or death.

Only in this way could one maintain the necessary composure in the face of death, or rather, be able to unleash one's full potential.

Otherwise, holding a first-place record on a simulator would be useless in actual combat.

"We'll do our best!"

"We won't let you leave us behind!"

Flint said earnestly.

"Mm."

Facing the serious expressions of the group, Xu De nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face.

It was for the best if they could continue to grow stronger.

The strength of one person and what they could achieve were limited.

Hans and the others were, for all intents and purposes, his future subordinates.

As long as they had the ability, he would have the connections and the money when the time came.

Helping them clear their paths appropriately would be for the best.

As the group spoke, they walked out of the training area.

On the way, many people who had seen Xu De emerge from the simulator began to crowd toward the youth.

This Xu De was a genius who had broken the record for the entire Third Fleet.

His future rise to prominence was a certainty, so there was no shame in trying to get on familiar terms with him now.

There were even a few young, beautiful female crew members who enthusiastically approached Xu De.

"Xu~ if you have time when we get to the moon, come find us to hang out!"

"Here is our contact information."

These young women, possessing the unique passion of the Atlantic, had bright, shining eyes, as if they were looking at a prize catch.

Their faces were flushed, and their smiles carried a distinct meaning, as if they were offering themselves for him to choose from.

Of course, in the naturally uninhibited Atlantic, a night or a few nights together wouldn't be a loss; after all, Xu De currently held that kind of value.

He also looks quite muscular, and I heard he even took on several corporals in single combat; his martial arts must be decent.

Getting on familiar terms makes things easier to discuss later.

Respect for the strong is the main theme here.

As for Xu De, he only raised the corners of his mouth slightly.

"Thank you all, but I have other matters to attend to after I head to the Moon."

Xu De refused softly, while his pace toward the cafeteria quickened a bit.

His demeanor, clearly indicating he did not wish to speak further, made the others stop in their tracks.

They had come to curry favor with Xu De; offending him would be putting the cart before the horse.

Those who had come over were experts at social climbing, so they certainly possessed the ability to read the room.

Seeing this, they immediately had no intention of following any further.

"What a cold handsome guy."

Watching Xu De's retreating back, the young women did not withdraw their gazes.

"I'm not cold~"

A young man nearby who had originally come to curry favor spoke up at the right moment, his tone suggestive.

However, the young woman merely glanced at the young man's shoulder insignia, rolled her eyes, and turned to leave with her companions.

"You..."

The young man watched the girl leave without looking back, his face full of indignation.

His companion on the side patted him on the shoulder.

"Just give up; plenty of people have said that to them, they don't have eyes for you."

Compared to the others fighting on the front lines, these young women were responsible for communication and liaison posts.

They were also among the few female soldiers.

They were like a rare oasis in the desert; there was no telling how many people wanted to develop a relationship with them, and they looked down on these ordinary Atlantic soldiers.

"At the very least, they're looking for someone of officer rank."

This was the reality of the situation.

The encounters in fairy tales where people don't care about status or position are just fairy tales.

Without strength, you have nothing.

This is just another kind of transaction, only a long-term one.

"But Xu De..."

The young man heard "officer" and indignantly retorted half a sentence before stopping.

"It's a sure thing that he'll be an officer, and there's a high probability he'll become a field-grade officer, so what do you think?"

His companion looked at him with an expression that said he was a fool.

"..."

Unaware of the discussion, Xu De, finally finding some peace, brought the others to a less crowded part of the cafeteria to sit down.

"Why didn't you take them up on it?"

Thinking of those young women, Hans's eyes were now burning with intensity, his expression ravenous.

"Judging by their intentions, I reckon they wouldn't have minded if you took them all on at once."

"Forget it..."

They were looking for an exchange of benefits, but he didn't even have enough resources for himself right now, even though he could obtain returns in a certain sense.

But that kind of thing, according to the mindset of the people here, is supposed to be something two people enjoy together.

Xu De considered his own skills to be quite adequate; he couldn't say he would need to trade resources or benefits for that kind of thing.

Mutual benefit and mutual support would be one thing.

But one-sided arrangements? They were just passing acquaintances.

"You brat! God damn it, what a waste!!"

Hans slammed the table and stood up.

Listening to Hans's accusation, Xu De said speechlessly.

"Then you go for it yourself."

"They don't want to go for me."

Hans rolled his eyes at him, looking as resentful as a mistreated young wife.

Xu De, however, felt a sense of satisfaction rise in his heart.

Actually, it would be possible for Hans to go for it.

Most people here knew they were close brothers, so there would certainly be someone willing.

But if Hans really did, then in the future, that person would likely make Hans take corresponding benefits from him.

By then, whether Hans agreed or not, it would be bad for their relationship.

Hans probably understood this point as well.