Inside the spacious room, which was covered with dark red metal, nearly a hundred second-year students from various departments of the Holy Sword Academy stood in neat rows.
Beside them each sat a tactical backpack, and they wore identical micro-molecular combat suits. Their eyes held a mixture of excitement, anticipation, and trepidation, but their spirits were undeniably high.
For these second-grade students, the Planet Golden Bridge Operation was also a first for them.
The various missions they had previously carried out were mostly confined to within the Alliance.
The enemies they faced were, at most, some ordinary Transcendent thugs.
It's not that these students don't want to take on more difficult missions, but rather that the academy won't allow it; the mission department simply won't assign them any.
The rules of the Holy Sword Academy state that students are only qualified to undertake high-difficulty missions after their third year.
Ultimately, it's about protecting geniuses.
Performing highly difficult and dangerous tasks cannot be accomplished overnight; it requires a gradual transition, slowly increasing the intensity.
Otherwise, if they rashly face vicious enemies before they have grown to a certain level, they will only waste the essence of these Alliance.
The students certainly understand that this system is for their own good, but people always have a strange psychology: what they can't have always stirs up their desires.
Especially young people.
This age group is full of Blood Qi, high spirits, and fearlessness. They value honor highly and are eager to prove themselves in exhilarating combat.
So when the academy notified these elite second-year students to participate in Planet Golden Bridge Operation, there was an immediate burst of cheers and no one refused.
With a creak, the door opened, and all the students turned to look at it, where two figures came into view.
Director Steel Tiger strode ahead, followed closely by Lancelot, who carried a bulging tactical backpack.
All eyes were fixed on Lancelot, not with surprise, but with curiosity and scrutiny, clearly indicating that the academy's higher-ups had given prior notice.
Standing at the front of the line, Director Steel Tiger's fierce eyes swept over the students, and they all subconsciously straightened their chests, like soldiers being inspected.
"I believe you have all received the academy's notification that first-year student Lancelot will also be participating in this operation, and, according to discussions among the academy's higher-ups, it has been decided that he will serve as your operation leader."
As soon as Steel Tiger finished speaking, a commotion broke out in the room. The students had never expected that a first-year student would lead them.
However, considering Lancelot's combat prowess, these second-year elites were speechless.
In the realm of the Transcendent, the strong are respected. A Tier Seven combatant is more than qualified to lead them. The only minor issue is his seniority, but it's just a minor one. The Crimson Alliance isn't like Planet Saila; they don't follow the seniority system.
Moreover, since the academy's higher-ups had no objections, and Vermila, the strongest second-year student, remained silent, naturally no one would dare to be the first to speak out.
"It seems no one has any objections. Very good, then it's settled. Lancelot will be the action team leader, and Vermila will be the vice-leader."
"Yes!"
The students responded in unison.
Lancelot's gaze swept across the crowd and landed on a young girl standing at the very front of the line.
She is about 1.7 meters tall, with fair skin, a head of short, golden hair that reaches her ears, earrings, black eyeshadow, and a voluptuous, exaggerated figure.
At first glance, apart from differences in skin and hair color, this is almost a miniature version of Zyra, and even their temperaments are remarkably similar.
However, Lancelot, who often spent time with Zyra, could sense a distinct difference.
Unlike the former, who naturally exuded Haki and arrogant aura, this girl's temperament clearly carried a hint of being outwardly strong but inwardly weak.
Simply put, it's an attempt to imitate Zyra, but only the appearance was copied, without capturing the essence.
"Could it be that she's a big fan of Zyra?" Lancelot wondered to himself.
He recognized the girl immediately; she was none other than Vermila, the strongest second-year student, a martial artist, and ranked 399th on the Holy Sword Stairway.
It can be said that she has reached the limit of advancement in the Tier Six combat power realm.
If Lancelot hadn't interfered, Vermila would definitely have been the undisputed leader of the operation.
As Lancelot observed Vermila, the girl, seemingly sensing something, also looked over.
Their eyes met, Lancelot could clearly sense that the other was a little unconvinced.
This is quite normal. Even if a junior has proven his strength, the psychological resentment of having the captain's position taken away for no reason cannot be completely eliminated overnight.
"There's still some time before the official departure, so you can get to know each other first." After saying this, Steel Tiger patted Lancelot on the shoulder and left the room.
A group of students stared at each other, their gazes all fixed on Lancelot.
The latter coughed and said, "Greetings, seniors. I am Lancelot. I don't have many requirements for you all for this operation. The most important thing is that you must follow orders and execute them thoroughly once they are given."
If you have any complaints, you can reserve your opinions and report them to your superiors when you return.
"If anyone dares to disobey military orders on the battlefield, the academy has authorized me to enforce battlefield discipline."
When he spoke his last words, Lancelot's expression turned solemn, and a terrifying aura instantly filled the entire room.
Everyone felt a sudden weight on their shoulders, as if a mountain was pressing down on them, while thunderous sounds boomed in their ears and lightning crackled in their minds. This instantly made the previously indifferent crowd below tense up.
At the same time, a sense of dread washed over me; this junior's aura was terrifying!
His imposing manner softened immediately. After the warning signs were erected in advance, Lancelot's tone became gentler. He smiled slightly and said, "Of course, I'm not a dictator who won't listen to advice. If I've done anything wrong or overlooked anything, please correct me promptly, seniors..."
The brief speech ended quickly, Lancelot scanned the crowd below. "Now, the person I've called, please step forward, Rabo Statham!"
"Here!" A burly man, easily two and a half meters tall, stepped forward.
You will be the captain of the first squad.
"Yes!"
"Sakoy Giko!"
"Arrive!"
"You will be the captain of the second squad."