Chapter Nineteen: Distrust—A Test for Mingchuan

"Andrew, calm down, calm down! You're not the only one planning to curse me—why not get to know the others first and slowly discuss how best to insult me?" Instructor Anthony soothed him.

"Oh, really?" Andrew slammed his beer bottle down onto the table with force.

"That shy-looking boy over there," he said, pointing at Mingchuan, "what kind of fighting power could he have?" Mingchuan said little, but walked straight to face Andrew. In a flash, a blade was pressed against Andrew’s throat.

"Oh, is that so?" Andrew appeared calm—remember, only appeared calm.

"Looks like I underestimated you. That speed rivals Allen’s. Guys who are faster than me are the ones I worry about—there’s no defense against you!"

"Enough, Mingchuan, put the knife away! I know you were just making a show of force." Anthony waved his hand.

"Very well, I understand," Mingchuan withdrew his blade and extended his right hand.

"Hello, Andrew. I am Leimingchuan, captain of the newly formed Thunder Squad."

"No need for formalities, brother. I’m the Fire Captain of the Greek Blaze Corps."

"When did it become a corps? Isn’t it just a six-man squad?" Anthony asked, puzzled.

"I like it that way. Stay put, I’ll deal with you later."

---

"Well... alright, you two chat, I’ll just..." Anthony glanced at the scene unfolding before him and thought to himself, "It’s already obvious, isn’t it? If I don’t run now, I’ll probably die!" He tried to slip away, but was intercepted by Andrew’s teammates at the door.

"Behave. Didn’t you hear? I haven’t even started cursing you and you’re already trying to run. Stand still."

"How is he even more authoritative than the instructor? You act like you’re the officer from the advanced command division!" Mingchuan found the scene bizarre.

"It’s nothing. I’ve partnered with him for so long—he always sees himself as one of Greece’s heroes, Caesar, Alexander, that sort of thing," Allen chimed in.

"I’m Allen, captain of the Shadows. Pleased to meet you."

"Pleased to meet you? Meet what?" Mingchuan’s expression showed his complete confusion, which Allen seemed delighted to witness.

"No worries. I just want to see if your reaction speed matches Andrew’s assessment." Though Allen spoke lightly, his hand stealthily moved to his waist.

Suddenly, Allen drew a close-combat laser sword from his "Eagle Eye" gear and pointed it at Mingchuan. Yet, the panic he expected did not appear on Mingchuan’s face.

Only when he heard something fall did Allen realize what had happened. He was the one staring down a weapon, and his own laser sword had already been knocked aside.

---

"Well, it seems you’ve passed my little test." Allen clutched his chest; even a warrior who hadn’t tasted defeat could be rattled by such a shock.

He quietly retrieved his weapon and returned to his seat.

"Alright, looks like you’re finished," Anthony suddenly interjected at that most inopportune moment.

"May I now share the orders from above?"

"Ah! Nearly forgot about you, you little scrap," Andrew slammed the table (literally), strode over to Anthony. Anthony tried to escape, but Andrew caught him by the collar and hurled him toward the screen like a discus.

"In that case, fine." Anthony feigned seriousness.

"The purpose of the higher-ups is..."

—A digression—

It was a Thursday, and I returned home to write the first draft after my trip.

This journey sparked a burst of inspiration, but writing three different types of manuscripts at once proved too difficult. It seems this creative idea will have to wait until after I graduate from high school to see the light of day again. Hmm, something seems off?