In the conference room of Qilin Military Academy, four people were focused on the data displayed on the virtual screen.
Yi Shao reported the test results of the sandworms in a deep, serious voice.
"After testing, two of the sandworms are genetically related to the final three-headed sandworm."
Fu Manli looked grim.
"We only released those three sandworms into the desert two weeks before the competition started. Plus, the students spent five or six days on the other side of Mount Juji in the early stages..."
"Which means the reproduction and growth rates of these sandworms have accelerated... A newborn sandworm can even grow to over ten meters long in less than twenty-one days."
Principal Gui Sizhe was already seventy years old. He didn't have a single hair on his head, but he sported a very thick, bushy white beard!
Sitting in the center seat, one could vaguely tell from his features that he had been quite a handsome man in his youth.
Chao Hao finished the thought.
"And they've also mutated..."
A heavy silence fell over the conference room. Yi Shao, being an active-duty military officer, was the first to stand up.
"I understand the situation now. I will report this to the Commander when he returns.
It might just be an extreme, isolated case. After all, we haven't found similar situations among other star beasts, so there's no need for everyone to worry too much..."
The principal nodded.
"Yes, you handle the military's side of things, Yi Shao. If you need anything, Qilin will cooperate at any time."
"Yes, Professor."
"Chao Hao, Manli, do not leak this matter to the outside for now."
"...Understood."
"Okay."
The two teachers replied one after the other.
"No matter how the star beasts evolve, the Federation's military spirit will not die out... All we can do now is nurture those children well and teach them more.
I also watched the live broadcast of this year's freshman training, and there are quite a few promising talents.
Yi Shao, your Commander asked the school for the broadcast permissions. Have you watched it?"
The principal asked amiably.
Yi Shao smiled.
"I've watched it, Professor.
Qilin's freshmen this year have a lot of personality. Although they all have some minor flaws being newly enrolled, a few of them really stand out.
Jian Jingyu from the Jian family is a double-S grade, right? You can tell his foundation is very solid.
Zhang Lyra from Class A is also very good. The physical stamina of a demi-human is indeed formidable!
Huang Yan and Wu Xinshui from the Command Department performed very well. We might just produce a few tactical masters this year!
And that Wang Tianwei from Class S is actually a mecha master? Mr. Chao, her physical stamina should be higher than a B grade, right?"
Yi Shao asked curiously.
At the mention of this, Chao Hao rubbed his forehead, nursing a headache.
"Yes... That kid's mental strength and physical stamina don't quite match up.
It seems she forcibly pushed her physical stamina up by herself... It hasn't been long, and now I'm worried her mental strength won't be able to keep up later..."
It had been a long time since Yi Shao had heard this kind of fatherly complaining in the military district, and he found it incredibly endearing.
"Compared to other branches, a mecha master's mental strength improves relatively quickly."
The principal spoke slowly.
"Yes, I remember that little girl. A lot of the time, she acts more like an old fossil than I do... but she's very good at adapting to changing circumstances.
Chao Hao, keep a close eye on her. Try your best to pull her mental strength up to an A within a year, otherwise it will be very dangerous later on."
"...I'll try."
"And Huang Yan. I observed that the child's perception is very close to Jian Jingyu's. If I'm not mistaken, his physical stamina can't keep up. You should figure out a way for him too."
"...Sigh."
Speaking of Huang Yan, Chao Hao became even more distressed!
These young masters and ladies from the Capital Star had such severe imbalances in their skills... How many had he met over the years with such a massive gap between their physical stamina and mental strength?
And there were two of them right in Class S! Did they have a death wish?
The principal chuckled.
"What's wrong, Chao Hao? Weren't you the one who specifically applied to me to be the homeroom teacher for Class S?
I heard you even targeted those three students before the freshman training started?
Now that the training is over, act like a proper teacher and teach those kids well!"
Chao Hao could only smile bitterly, but the old man wasn't done stabbing him in the heart yet.
"Oh, I see those three kids have quite a lot of credits. They should be able to smoothly advance to their junior year without even taking the exams, right?
Hehehe... It'd be quite amusing if they end up disliking you and skip your classes in the future!"
Fu Manli crossed her arms over her chest and leaned comfortably against the back of her chair. As expected, only the principal could put him in his place!
"Those old fogeys on the board of directors said they want to hear your report tomorrow, so I won't be going!
Remember to prepare in advance. Don't say I didn't warn you."
Yi Shao looked at his senior with considerable sympathy. It seemed that anyone, in front of their teacher, could only obediently take a scolding.
Chao Hao hadn't given up hope yet.
"Principal, could I perhaps..."
Gui Sizhe was already standing up from his seat, leaning on his knees and taking hold of his walking stick.
"Oh my, how many years has it been since Qilin added new teaching equipment? We even built two new buildings! They'll be ready for use tomorrow.
Yi Shao, let me take you to have a look!
The children's horizons will broaden if they have more contact with the latest things.
You teachers should guide them well. Let those kids participate in a few more competitions next year... Actual combat is the fastest way to grow, you know that, Chao Hao!
Yi Shao, let's go. How have things been in the Ninth Military District lately..."
"Coming, Professor."
The old man left, his walking stick making a steady thumping sound on the floor. Speechless, Chao Hao looked at Fu Manli beside him.
Fu Manli stood up and straightened her jacket.
"Why are you looking at me? I've never written a self-reflection essay before."
She patted Chao Hao's shoulder as she spoke.
"Don't panic. Like you said, it's not like they can do anything to you!"
Then, she walked out of the conference room feeling completely refreshed.
There was no immediate solution to the star beast issue, so it was best to go back and get some rest. Hmm... she needed to take a shower before resting!
Chao Hao looked at Fu Manli's carefree retreating figure with a hint of envy.
That bunch of school directors really couldn't do anything to him... but it was so annoying!
If he went to that meeting, with five directors, each one would talk for at least an hour! His plans for tomorrow were completely ruined!
The principal clearly could have helped...
**********
"Sigh!"
Lei Deming, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ninth Military District, had been preoccupied ever since he returned from the Tianshu Star.
After listening to Yi Shao's report on the sandworm mutation, he let out a deep sigh.
"The reason the Federation called us back this time was to discuss this very matter... It's not an individual mutation. The reproduction and aggressiveness of the star beasts have indeed changed. They are also trying to figure out a solution over there right now..."
"How... could this be!? It's only been such a short time?"
Yi Shao simply couldn't believe it.
"The change happened suddenly, and no one knows the specific reason.
The Federation hasn't found any measures to solve it fundamentally yet... They can only ask us to intensify our search and extermination efforts.
Yi Shao, discuss this with Chief of Staff Fan. Increase the number of personnel and the frequency of interstellar patrols, and reschedule the leaves.
The star beast mutation hasn't caused any serious consequences yet, but the people in our military district need to be on high alert..."
"...Yes, Commander."
