The Assessment Begins

He was still not entirely clear about Bella's situation.

Was it just the infatuation of youth? Or did she simply want to play around?

He didn't know, and after this, they probably wouldn't have a chance to meet for a while, so he would see what Bella's attitude was then.

He also needed to clearly understand the connections behind her family; otherwise, if they truly became intimate only to grow weary of each other later, it would be a nuisance.

In this regard, Xu De was influenced by the other half of the original owner's soul, remaining quite mature.

If she just wanted to have fun, they could be drinking buddies, relaxing when they had time and exchanging information.

If she wanted a serious relationship, then things would become troublesome.

He was tempted, but at least for now, he wasn't completely committed.

He would wait and see.

With his mind made up, the two finished their meal in harmony. Under Bella's reluctant gaze, Xu De did not return to the barracks, but instead headed toward the training area.

It wouldn't take long for the simulator to be ready.

And until the training footage of those people was sent over, he would maintain his current training routine.

Even if he might have to fight that guy named Hal later, the most important thing first was piloting the MS.

Otherwise, if he couldn't even walk, would they just be two people rolling around on the ground like brawling infants?

Only by learning to pilot would he have a competitive edge later.

Ultimately, he needed to exercise more; he didn't expect to be proficient immediately, but at least he had to figure out the preset movements in the Ginn's program.

With his current dual-capacity ability, as long as he was willing to put in the effort, there was definitely hope.

As for what to do if he was cut.

Just as he had thought before, he would take the other path: gain experience with the Eighth Fleet, and he would still encounter the main cast in a year.

He would turn around the fate of the Eighth Fleet and climb the ranks through the Halberton line.

It was just that this approach was more passive.

And he wouldn't be able to get the Gundam.

This opportunity was rare, so he would give it his all!

After running a few more rounds in the Mistral, Xu De returned to the barracks before long.

Since there was no specific time on the Moon, the time here was naturally calculated according to the time in Washington, the capital of the Atlantic.

By the time Xu De returned to the barracks, it was already close to curfew.

The noisy sounds from before were gone, but the smell remained foul.

It was a world of difference from the restaurant, so it was no wonder Bella was so disgusted.

The main issue was that the limited water resources were not prioritized for them.

Too many people had arrived at the Moon Base at once; after all, their previous base had been at the World Tree.

With basic resources already insufficient, it was no surprise that they were being rationed from the top down.

Therefore, according to the announcement, as common soldiers, the barracks were currently allocated bathwater only once every three days.

For the grunts under the Atlantic, it was actually not bad.

In any case, his primary goal now was to obtain the status of an MS reserve pilot; luxuries like bathing could wait until he had time.

Just as Xu De entered the barracks again, the others looked at him, but the envy, jealousy, and hatred from before were gone, replaced by mostly eager gazes.

In this short time, Xu De's achievements had already spread through the few people in the same fleet.

Although a few people still felt resentful because of Xu De's skin color, upon thinking of the boy's awe-inspiring results, no one dared to step forward and pick a fight.

That was a person who had lasted eleven minutes in Survival Mode, destroyed one Ginn, and captured another.

If they really wanted to steal his girlfriend, they would have to weigh the consequences.

Moreover, once the higher-ups finished their meeting and arranged the subsequent matters, Xu De would certainly be promoted for his merits.

A commission was a certainty.

In other words, he could actually be considered a match for that beautiful female officer.

If a mere corporal like them meddled, they would surely meet a miserable end.

Facing the gazes of the crowd—a mix of fear and admiration, with some wanting to strike up a conversation—Xu De showed no reaction, nor did he have any intention of getting closer to them. He simply went to his bunk and began to study the program manual.

Although he had a small group, he wasn't just going to recruit anyone; quantity without quality was useless.

Otherwise, he might get sold out without even knowing it.

Amidst Xu De's focused study, time slipped away quietly.

During this period, Xu De took the time to have a meal with Hans and the others, after which he immersed himself in training once again.

During this time, the data Bella found was also sent over.

He spent his time studying his competitors while piloting the Mistral to train his reaction speed and calculations.

Two days later, while Xu De was still exercising in the training area, he was greeted by a familiar lieutenant colonel.

"Xu De."

Cook looked at the youth before him, his eyes deepening.

"Sir, long time no see!"

Xu De stood up and saluted as he replied.

"Follow me, the MS simulator is ready."

Seeing Xu De's appearance, the officer merely nodded, then turned and walked away without caring whether Xu De had any questions.

Xu De was already used to this.

After all, this was simply Cook's personality, and he likely still held some grievances against him because of Bella.

But deep down, he was not an enemy.

After all, he was the one who had provided the data on those people.

However, he hadn't stated it explicitly, and naturally, Xu De wouldn't bring it up either.

Besides, the man had the capital to be arrogant.

Even if Xu De were truly a reserve MS pilot, he would still have to follow the man's orders.

As for Revil, he was only more enthusiastic because he wanted to build a good relationship, and having lost the backing of the Third Fleet, his confidence had waned significantly.

Neither of them spoke along the way, and before long, they had drifted to the end of the long corridor.

The room was about a hundred square meters and contained five simulators.

Even from the outside, one could tell that the structure of these simulators was much more complex than that of the Moebius.

They were identical to the cockpit structure of the Ginn that Xu De had seen in the manual.

Outside these five cockpits, nine people were already waiting; without exception, they were all wearing the uniforms of second lieutenants, with one person being a first lieutenant.

When these people looked at Xu De, especially at his shoulder insignia, some were confused while others seemed to understand. Xu De couldn't tell, but he was observing the group before him all the same.

"It's about to start, stand in line."

After Cook finished speaking, he had no intention of introducing anyone, heading straight for a separate, protruding room on the upper level.

It was clearly some kind of observation room.

"Understood."

Xu De replied and went to the end of the line, taking the initiative to greet them.

"Corporal Xu De, greetings, sirs."

Hearing this, the few who had been too arrogant to ask for information, or who lacked the sources to obtain it, were plunged into shock.

This guy wasn't here to do chores; he was actually here for the assessment? Is this even normal?