Eighth Fleet Universe Port—— Chapters first released on NoveIＦire.net
Xia Zeming’s eyes brimmed with tears as he clasped Fu Xing’s hand tightly. "Fu Xing! You must bring back my grandson. Xia Huangyu is young and inexperienced, and with the betrayal he faced on Prison Star, he surely couldn’t bear it..."
He rambled on, and Fu Xing tried several times to shake off his hand but failed.
The people who came with Xia Zeming also frowned slightly, wanting to say something but not daring to speak.
As soon as Fu Xing heard the nickname "Xiao Xing," he immediately shook off Xia Zeming’s hand in disgust. "You are now an Imperial Marshal, please be mindful of your status and image. Do not tarnish the Marshal’s reputation."
After the Old Marshal’s suicide, from among the many leaders in the Military Department, Xia Zeming, as an Imperial Admiral, had emerged and was currently appointed as the Imperial Marshal.
The position of the headmaster at Elbert had been vacated, nominated by both the Military Department and the Cabinet. Ultimately, Hughes’s approval after his coronation was needed for the final appointment.
Do not underestimate the position of the Military Academy’s headmaster, as it is a very critical role that every faction hopes to fill with their own people.
Xia Zeming’s ascension to Imperial Marshal wasn’t just because of the outstanding performance of the entire team from Elbert during the recent freshman competition.
Especially on Helheim Star, where team leaders and captains’ excellent leadership skills and the exceptional execution abilities of ordinary students made everyone take notice. Those who survived were sought after by every well-known team within the Cosmic Fleet.
These talents had caught the eyes of many influential figures from their first year, especially Ivan and Marville from the Command Department. During Lin Fu’s most intense battles, their perfect coordination and command allowed more people to retreat orderly.
Even Nolan, who was always considered somewhat childish and pampered, undertook the crucial task of covering the rear, a responsibility no one expected him to manage.
Anyone who first saw the video recordings from Helheim Star secretly broke out in a sweat.
Some even privately criticized Lin Fu for not understanding her team members enough—how could she entrust such an important task to Nolan, a young master spoiled by his mother and brother?
Weren’t they afraid he’d flee and nobody would know?
But Nolan accomplished it, diligently fulfilling his duties, repeatedly covering for others and aiding scattered students from other military academies. Along the way, he resisted provocations from the prisoners intending to trigger his uncontrolled rage for them to track him.
Just when everyone thought Nolan couldn’t restrain himself, he did, time and again.
Faced with malicious provocations, he moved from initial anger, unable to restrain himself from chasing after others, to later becoming calm and composed, indifferent. His growth was incredibly apparent and proved that Lin Fu’s decision as the leader was correct.
Only when Nolan encountered a formidable enemy using a Divine-level Mecha in combat did everyone truly understand and appreciate Lin Fu’s plan.
Elbert had two Divine-level Mechas. Lin Fu led the charge at the front, and Nolan covered the rear, which was a logical setup.
Other people simply weren’t up to the task.
Moreover, another memorable figure was Xu Jinglan from the Flight Academy. Using her excellent flying skills, she repeatedly maneuvered through the battlefield, escaping bombardments countless times and covering for her comrades during retreats.
Elbert’s ability to organize a rescue operation owed immensely to Xu Jinglan—the most meritorious of all—who tirelessly searched without sleep, flying the farthest distances and even circling multiple times over the prisoners’ encampments.