The base for Blade’s training this time was located in the southern suburbs of Niarak, in a remote mountainous area.
As the most elite force in the Shipmeda State military district, Blade, though consisting of less than a hundred members, had a full complement of training, operational, and logistical units, totaling over a thousand personnel.
Therefore, this base was no small establishment.
Inside, there were tanks, artillery, armored vehicles, and even two relatively advanced fighter jets for simulating harsh environments, parachuting, jungle warfare, and other exercises.
At this moment, on the parade ground, members of the Blade Special Forces were gathered, awaiting the arrival of the new instructor.
“Hey! We’ve been here in Niarak for three days, and the new instructor just decided to show up, talking about making an entrance!” called out a bald, military-green-clad man.
Since they were selected from among tens of thousands of soldiers, they naturally had their own sense of pride, making them difficult to discipline. They were bold enough to speak their minds.
“I heard Brandon invited the new instructor several times before he agreed to teach us.”
“I saw the information in Colonel Ethan’s hands. The new instructor seems to be less than thirty years old, has never served as a soldier, and has a blank resume, with only his name, age, and gender,” said a cold-faced young man next to him.
“What? Less than thirty years old?”
The members of the Blade Special Forces were amazed when they heard this, their faces incredulous.
“Our past instructors in recent years have been at least in their forties. They were either core members of the former special reconnaissance team, with a record of bravery and combat achievements, or they were renowned martial arts masters.”
“A young man in his twenties, with no experience, how is he qualified to be our instructor?” the bald man was extremely dissatisfied, almost angry.
“Yeah, he’s never served as a soldier, with no achievements to his name. I’m guessing he’s never even handled a gun. Did some rich kid from a major family come here to gain some experience, just for show?”
Everyone was feeling annoyed.
These people were all elite warriors who had emerged from countless trials and tribulations to join the Blade Special Forces.
If they were to have an instructor with no military background, they would definitely be outraged.
“Who the instructor is comes down to the higher-ups’ decision. We must follow orders!” said Clayton, standing at the forefront, his voice firm.
While other members of the special forces were slouching and lounging around, he stood tall without the slightest movement, as if he were a flagpole that had stood that way since the early morning.
“Yes, Mr. Clayton!”
Upon hearing this, everyone stood with solemn respect, gazing at Clayton with reverent eyes.
This man was the captain of the Dragon Cavalry Special Forces team.
Having achieved the rank of captain, he had clinched third place in the individual category of the ten major military district challenges last year.
The Shipmeda State military district negotiated with the Haralu military district and transferred him here, hoping that he would set an example for the Blade Special Forces members.
Since Clayton arrived at Blade, his rank had been promoted to colonel, just like Ethan, who also became a squadron leader.
Ethan was the leader of the first squadron, while Clayton was the leader of the second squadron.
Privately, many thought that the district intended to have Clayton take over Brandon’s position as the overall leader of the Blade. After all, during Brandon’s tenure as the overall leader, Blade had ranked last for three consecutive years, and the senior officials of the Shipmeda State military district could no longer tolerate it.
If Blade did not show improvement this time, Brandon would likely be forced to retire.
Clayton was well aware of this. In order to set an example and showcase the Dragon Cavalry special forces team’s prowess, he remained motionless for three hours.
In an army where the strong ruled, although Clayton was a transferred officer, his prestigious credentials made him highly respected among many of the members of the Blade.
However, soon after these members gave their respectful retort, they resumed their lazy and lackadaisical attitude.
It wasn’t long before they started discussing again, but this time in hushed tones.
“Do you think we should give the new instructor a hard time when he arrives?” the bald, military-green-clad man asked with a malicious grin.
Upon hearing this, Clayton furrowed his brow.
It was no wonder why Blade’s performance was so poor. These people had absolutely no self-discipline. In Clayton’s own Dragon Cavalry special forces team, the members were not even permitted to shift their gaze once they formed up in line.
Yet, the Blade Special Forces members were lazy, loquacious, and lacked capability, yet they were filled with pride.
It would be strange if such a force was outstanding!
“Joziah, didn’t you hear what Mr. Clayton just said? We’re soldiers, and obeying orders is our duty! Shut your mouth and wait for the total instructor to arrive!” reprimanded the stern man next to him, with a frown.
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t obey! If he’s here to be the total instructor, I will obey. But if he’s our instructor, he’ll have to demonstrate some skills in order to gain our respect, won’t he?” Joziah replied.
“When he’s teaching us, he’ll have to demonstrate some skills. Unless he’s only going to teach with his mouth,” the bald man added.
“If the new instructor is capable, we’ll learn from him.”
“If he’s not, then we can look at our strengths and weaknesses ourselves and practice on our own!”
The bald man chuckled, with a sense of amusement.
The others nodded in agreement, expressing their support. “Joziah makes a good point. If the outsider can’t teach us, we might as well train on our own.”
“How should we test his abilities? With marksmanship or combat?”” a soldier asked, curious.
“Since he’s never been a soldier, let’s not bully him with marksmanship. Let’s engage in hand-to-hand combat. Let’s challenge him directly!” the bald man suggested.
“If even we can’t beat him, he’ll have to go home and find his woman instead,” he added with a grin.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
At the same time, a Hummer navigated through the bumpy terrain and slowly entered the base.
“Clark, we’re here. This is the training base for our Blade in Niarak,” Faith introduced.
Flynn stretched and got out of the QuickSound.
“Clark, I have to warn you…” Faith hesitated for a moment before speaking. “The members of the Blade Special Forces are quite proud. After your arrival, they may challenge you.”
“Of course, you can choose to ignore them and teach in your own way, but it may affect the effectiveness of the training afterwards, as they might be resistant,” she continued.
“Proud?” Flynn sneered indifferently. “After coming in last for three consecutive years, what’s there to be proud of?”
Ethan, upon hearing this, clenched the steering wheel fiercely.
Flynn’s words were like needles, hitting a nerve directly, although Ethan couldn’t find a reason to refute them.
The members of the Blade Special Forces might be inferior, but they were still the elite of the military. They were not the run-of-the-mill fighters that Flynn was used to teach.
“Look, Commander Solis and the adviser are here! The new instructor must be inside too!”
“Joziah, be careful not to hurt him too much. These rich, aristocratic types have delicate skin. Don’t want to leave him disfigured!” the members of the Blade Special Forces joked on the parade ground.
Joziah raised an eyebrow, smirked, and laughed twice.
He certainly wouldn’t go overboard, but the new instructor had to be made to sweat!
Clayton remained standing tall.
For him, standing like that wasn’t for the sake of that useless instructor, but to set an example and earn everyone’s respect.
Flynn, you just wait. One day, I will become Brandon, or even a mighty warrior like the God of War.
And when that day comes, I will return to Niarak, stand before you, and show you what true pride is!