Not long after, Zephyr returned to the training ground alone.
"Teacher, is that all?" Vic asked, puzzled, seeing that Zephyr was the only one there.
"It won't be that fast. I've already spoken to the people over there; they'll handle the data entry and I just need to wait for the results. They're professionals!"
"Oh!"
"I came back because I have something to tell you!" Zephyr continued.
"Huh? What's the matter that you're taking it so seriously?" Vic asked, puzzled.
"It's about the Elite Camp training plan. I talked to Sengoku about it yesterday, and he agreed. My plan is for this year's Elite Camp to train directly at sea, combining training with trials, for a period of six months!" Zephyr said seriously.
Vic's heart skipped a beat. Wasn't this the beginning of the later massacre of the Elite Camp on the warship? Vic had been wondering how the Elite Camp, which always trained at headquarters, could be massacred at sea. He thought they encountered it during an assessment, but that would be too coincidental, unless they were being targeted.
But would Miss Bakkin really dare to target the warship where the former Admiral was stationed? If she knew, she'd probably be terrified. Could a Weevil really make her so arrogant?
So that's where the root of the problem lies. It probably started with this class, and it's been the same pattern ever since. That's how we ended up with Weevil by chance. Miss Bakkin even used despicable means to restrain the Admiral Who Does Not Kill.
"Teacher, this model is certainly excellent, and it provides the best training for new recruits!" Vic replied.
"Yes, that's exactly what I think. In the previous Elite Camp's assessment, many recruits were too afraid to fight pirates and became hothouse flowers!" Zephyr said excitedly.
"Teacher, there's a problem here!" Vic couldn't help but remind him.
What's the problem?
"The recruits aren't very strong to begin with. What if they run into a powerful pirate crew?" Vic asked.
"Isn't it enough that we have you and me?"
"Yes, this class is enough. But what about the next class? Not every class will have someone like me. What if you're fighting someone and the trainees get captured and used to blackmail you?" Vic continued his probing questions.
"This..." Zephyr fell into deep thought.
"Teacher, since you've chosen to become a Marine, you must be prepared to face death. If the situation truly doesn't allow it, you can give it up; otherwise, you might lose even more!"
Vic's words were somewhat cold-blooded, but the more you show concern for your students, the more they will be manipulated. Vic was just giving Zephyr a heads-up.
"If I hear any news about Weevil in the future, I can choose to kill him in advance. That should save Professor Zephyr. I'm just afraid I'll be unlucky and not run into him, and then Professor Zephyr will run into me right away!" Vic thought to himself.
Zephyr remained silent. The hypothesis had a profound impact on him. He felt that Vic was right, but he also felt that he shouldn't have done it. He was conflicted.
Vic stopped talking. Zephyr had to figure this out himself. Since he had already made up his mind, he might as well spend half a year on the ship and get used to it in advance.
"Sigh, I just found a place to cultivate my Haki and physique, and now I can't use the Divine Staff anymore. I need to bring it into the open as soon as possible!" Vic looked up at the top of the Red Line.
Soon, the trainees returned one after another, and they all started exercising on their own. The test results won't be available until tomorrow.
"Teacher, now that you're back, you can take over the teaching from now on. I was just thinking of going into seclusion for a few days. Rebecca can let me know when I'm leaving," Vic said to Zephyr, who was deep in thought.
"Okay, you can't neglect your cultivation either. I've delayed your cultivation these past few days!" Zephyr said after regaining his senses.
Vic only needs to be listed as a member of the Elite Camp now; there's not much for him to teach. The real work is to occasionally spar with Zephyr, which is like a practical lesson.
"It's only a few days, it's no big deal!" Vic said nonchalantly. He really didn't care before. He had already planned that he wouldn't need to come to class and could continue his seclusion on the Red Line, only occasionally coming down to fight Zephyr. He could cultivate in peace for half a year, which would greatly improve his skills.
In terms of strength, he still doesn't reach the level of Admiral. If he didn't have Mind Power, he would probably be comparable to Queen. His domineering Haki is far from sufficient. With Mind Power, he can only say that he has a better ability to protect himself, but it would be more difficult for him to kill strong opponents.
Now that we're heading out to sea, we can't openly use the Divine Staff anymore, so I'd better catch up on my lessons these next few days.
" Rebecca, I'm going into seclusion on the Red Line. I'll send down a vine from there. If the Elite Camp needs to go out to sea, just pull the vine!" Vic whispered in Rebecca's ear.
"Ah! You were in seclusion on the Red Line? Was that where you were last time?" Rebecca was surprised; she didn't know this before, as Vic hadn't told her.
"Yeah, remember to keep it a secret! Celestial Dragons live up there!" Vic continued. Actually, Vic didn't even go to the top of the Red Line; he just opened a hole at the height where the clouds gathered. Thunder coming from the clouds is normal, right?
Rebecca looked around, said nothing, and nodded.
"I'm leaving now. You can prepare more food in the cabin!" Vic said, and then left the Elite Camp training ground.
Vic definitely won't go now; it would be too conspicuous in broad daylight, and he needs to store up more energy first.
So, the Sea Kings in the ocean suffered again. Vic is going to have a big meal today, and then go into seclusion.
Actually, it didn't take long, just three days. After three days, Vic was called down, but Vic didn't complain. Three days is three days, every little bit counts.
At this moment, Vic was saying goodbye to Smoker and Hina. Yes, they hadn't left yet; this time, it was the two of them who came to see them off.
" Vic, my appointment hasn't come through yet. Kuzan's gone, and you guys are leaving too. We'll be all alone!" Smoker said with a sigh.
"Yes, Hina was also very reluctant to part with Vic, Rebecca, Wendy, and Vic's Sea Kings feast! Slurp..." Hina's farewell was also very affectionate, but something strange was mixed in.
"Hey, Hina, why are you saying unnecessary things again? You're ruining this farewell scene!" Smoker scolded.
Rebecca and Wendy covered their mouths and chuckled, while Vic was speechless. "When did you two become foodies?"
"Hey, Smoker, don't say I didn't take care of you. To the southwest of the cabin by the sea, go into the forest, past five trees, and dig under the sixth tree. There's some good wine I buried there, homemade. You can drink it!" Vic said casually.
"What? You can brew wine? Is there anything you can't do? When did you brew it? I didn't know that!" Smoker asked, looking on with curiosity.
"I know a lot, do I have to tell you everything? Do I have to tell you that I know the Buddha's Palm technique too?" Vic was speechless.
"It was brewed two months after we came to headquarters. You two can drink it yourselves, don't give it to anyone else!" Vic warned. It was a strong spirit, very potent.
"Okay, we'll drink it ourselves!" the two replied, their eyes already shining. Anything from Vic is bound to be top-notch!
"What are you waiting for? Why isn't the boat leaving yet?"
"I don't know, it seems like Professor Zephyr hasn't arrived yet?"
"This warship is really different; the deck is covered with steel plates. This must have been prepared especially for us!"
"Of course, practicing the Six Powers on a regular wooden deck won't do!"
Vic overheard the conversations of his classmates and learned what they had been preparing for during the past few days; they had thought of everything quite thoroughly.
" Vic, your class of Elite Camp is so much better! You get to hunt down pirates right at sea. Unlike us, we're stuck at headquarters training all the time! I wish I had come to headquarters later. It would have been even better if I were in your class!" Smoker said with a look of envy.
"If you're in the same year as me, you won't be the top star anymore. You'll always be under my thumb and never be able to get ahead! Are you still willing to accept that?" Vic joked.
"What top spot? Whoever wants it can have it. Compared to you, my top spot is a joke!" Smoker said, looking displeased.
He's truly the top star of this year's competition. Vic's status as the top star is comparable to that of all previous top stars; it's a completely different concept. Now, everyone compares Vic to those three monster Vice Admiral.
"Oh! Professor Zephyr is finally here! Who's that guy following behind him?"
At that moment, Vic heard this sound.