Then let the witch offer her loyalty

Chapter 61 Superior and Inferior Horses

After hearing Chen Moxin's words, Alexander and Lei Lie both realized what was going on.

From the first day they entered the training camp, the instructors kept emphasizing the concept of teamwork.

The greatest advantage of a group is that it learns from each other's strengths and makes up for each other's weaknesses, helping one another.

The same applies to this test.

Li Lei explained the test rules in great detail, even taking into account the possibility of teams tripping each other up, which was directly prohibited in the rules.

However, the rules did not mention such an obvious "loophole" as transferring the load; they only said that the load could not be discarded midway and had to be carried to the finish line.

The subtext is that the load capacity can be freely allocated among the squads.

In this respect, the seemingly unlucky 7th squad, which appears to be full of recruited students, actually has an SSR card.

Alexander asked tentatively, "You mean, we two should give all the loads to Lei Lie?"

Chen Moxin quickly shook her head: "Giving all the burden to Lei Lie is definitely not an option. If we put all the weight on him, his grades will be dragged down."

"Other teams will definitely figure out the 'loopholes' in the rules and will adjust their load distribution internally. There's no guarantee that someone who is already very strong but has a light load will come up to compete for the rankings."

“Lei Lie has excellent athletic talent, and he wants to try his best to win first place. If it weren’t for the fact that the two of us are so bad, I would love to help him share some of the burden.”

"My idea is for Lei Lie to carry the load normally, aim for first place, and get 10 points."

"Zhongguo, give me all your weights. Run the whole race with zero weights and try to finish in the top 20 to get 3 points."

"This way, no matter what happens to the other teams, our team's total points will at least put us in the top three."

Alexander quickly interrupted him: "Wait, wait, wait, didn't you forget a premise? If even one person in the team fails, the whole team is eliminated."

"If I give you the weight, you'll have 60 kilograms on you. How could you possibly run that far?"

Chen Moxin grinned mischievously: "So, I've prepared a second trick."

...

At 11 o'clock sharp, everyone gathered on time.

With Li Lei's command, the ultra-long-distance cross-country test with load began.

After the main force departed, Li Lei returned to the command center of the administrative district.

Several technicians were sitting here, and a large screen was divided into cells, which were connected in real time to small drones that were carrying out reconnaissance missions in the field.

These drones will follow the trainees throughout the entire process, monitoring them for any violations during the test and ensuring their safety.

The intensity of this weighted cross-country run was extremely high. Although the trainees had undergone rigorous training beforehand, there was no guarantee that their bodies wouldn't suffer any unexpected injuries.

If anyone collapses and loses consciousness during the journey, the medical airship will provide immediate medical assistance.

Of course, that also means that he and his teammates will all be eliminated.

At this moment, the footage transmitted back from the drone showed that the trainees had split into three teams as soon as they set off.

The first group consists of about ten people who run at a very high pace. They are either not carrying any weight or have very little weight.

Clearly, all teams discovered that the rules implicitly allowed for the transfer of loads within the team and implemented corresponding countermeasures.

This first group consists of the most physically outstanding people in each team. They share the load with their teammates while striving for a good ranking and trying their best to get high scores for their team.

Among these people, Lei Lie was undoubtedly the most eye-catching. He carried the heaviest load, a standard 30 kilograms. With his large backpack and imposing physique, he ran like a gorilla.

He was running in the lead, sprinting forward with his head down, unleashing his powerful stamina without reservation.

Li Lei and the others had all witnessed Lei Lie's physical abilities.

During the previous physical training, many outstanding trainees were exhausted, but he only needed to drink some water, wipe his sweat, and catch his breath before he could continue.

Even his way of resting is different from others.

During breaks in training, others either sit or lie down.

Lei Lie always rests standing up.

Don't ask, the answer is I'm not tired.

The 7th team, composed entirely of externally recruited trainees, is undoubtedly fortunate to have such a person in charge.

However, Li Lei also had some doubts at this moment.

According to his original deduction, Chen Moxin and Alexander, who both had congenital physical weaknesses, should share some of their load with Lei Lie.

This might drag Lei Lie down, after all, no matter how strong he is, he is still human and his body has its limits.

But at least, it guarantees that I'll pass and prevent the team from being eliminated due to individual failures.

But now it seems that the 7th squad didn't add any weight to Lei Lie, but instead released him directly to compete for rankings.

"Heh, I underestimated them. They've got guts." Li Lei muttered to himself. "I just don't know if you guys have the ability to match their guts."

Footage from several other drones shows the second and third echelons further back.

The second tier consists of about twenty people, mainly carrying medium to light loads. These people are mostly those with relatively outstanding physical abilities, but not the top ones. Their goal is to help the team achieve a middle ranking and get as many points as possible.

The remaining third group consists mainly of medium and high loads. They have been strategically abandoned, and their only goal is to ensure that they pass while taking on as much load as possible for their teammates.

To put it bluntly, these are "inferior horses".

The situation of the three teams was similar to that of previous years, with nothing new or surprising. Li Lei felt there was nothing interesting to see, so he prepared to sit down and take a nap.

At that moment, one of the technicians seemed to notice something: "Hmm? Why is there a little tail at the very end?"

Li Lei looked up when he heard the sound.

Then, the camera of a drone began to focus, landing on a position some distance behind the third group.

Sure enough, there was a "little tail" there.

A lone figure, burdened with weights that appeared to be for two people.

It was none other than Chen Moxin.

He was left far behind from the start, carrying a 60-kilogram load for two people, and was jogging at a very slow, steady pace.

One instructor said in bewilderment, "What's wrong with number 9? He was already among the worst in terms of physical fitness, and he was carrying weights for others. He's definitely going to fail."

The technician asked, "Did you not hear the rules clearly?"

Li Lei thought this was impossible.

Because Chen Moxin had specifically asked him at the time whether things that weren't explicitly forbidden in the rules were all allowed by default.

This means that Chen Moxin not only listened attentively, but was also pondering whether there were any loopholes in the rules that could be exploited.

His decision to help others carry heavy loads now must be the result of careful consideration.

The problem is, given Chen Moxin's physical abilities, it's impossible for her to pass by doing it this way.

If he fails to meet the requirements, regardless of the rankings of his two teammates, they will all be eliminated.

For a moment, Li Lei was also confused.

"What's this kid thinking?"

Chapter 62 I am an Imperial citizen!

Time passed slowly, and the evening sun slanted down from the west, bathing the entire valley in a golden glow. The mountain outlines gradually blurred on the horizon, and the temperature grew colder with the sunset.

In the cold winter wind, the 72 trainees of the 53rd Twin City Hunter Training Camp are running with great enthusiasm.

Six hours have passed since 11 a.m. The rugged mountain road has made the trainees' feet ache, and their steps have become heavy due to the exhaustion. Sweat has soaked their bodies and keeps falling off as they run.

Currently, the gap between the various teams is widening.

Even within the same tier, the distance between individuals is increasing.

If viewed from a high enough vantage point, the trainees traversing the mountain paths resembled rows of ants, each striving forward.

At the finish line, several staff members were sitting together chatting.

Just then, a rustling sound came from the bushes, growing louder and louder as it approached.

Wild animals often roam the deep mountains and forests, but these staff members are all professional soldiers with extensive experience. They showed no panic, their hands resting on the guns they use for self-defense at their waists, their eyes fixed on the bushes.

The sound grew clearer and clearer, and soon it came close.

With a "whoosh," a dark figure burst through the bushes and landed steadily on the ground.

The staff took a closer look and were immediately dumbfounded.

"Wow, someone's already here?"

Their astonishment was not without reason.

It's only been 6 hours!

Run over 80 kilometers in 6 hours!

And they were carrying a standard 30-kilogram load!

This level of physical fitness is almost frightening...

"...Is this the end?" Lei Lie asked, letting out a long breath.

"It's over. This is the finish line. Congratulations on winning first place." A staff member handed him a bottle of water and looked at him with admiration. "You must be exhausted. Take a rest. There's some food over there, help yourself."

Lei Lie put down his load, took the water bottle, drank it down in big gulps, and then quickly ran to the supply area, grabbed some energy gels and salt tablets, and started munching on them.

He ate very quickly, slurping down five or six packets of energy gels in one go, and also ate several salt tablets.

Seeing this, the staff smiled and advised, "Hey, hey, don't eat so much. Just take a little of these supplements."

To everyone's surprise, after Lei Lie finished eating, he wiped his mouth, grabbed a handful of supplements and a few bottles of water, stuffed them into his pocket, and then ran back the way he came without saying a word.

The staff were immediately stunned.

"Hey, number 5, where are you going?"

"I'll run back."

"Run back? No, why are you running back?"

"There's no rule against turning back, is there?"

"Uh..."

The staff were momentarily stunned.

Because there is indeed no such rule.

Before they could say anything, Lei Lie had already disappeared into the bushes.

...

Time passed by, night fell, the light in the mountains gradually dimmed, and the distant ridgeline was outlined in black by the setting sun.

Following Lei Lie's victory, the trainees in the first group have successively arrived at the finish line.

Then came the competition between the second tier.

Alexander is a member of the second tier, and Chen Moxin's goal for him is to finish in the top 20 and score 3 points for the team.

Although his load had been reduced to zero and he was feeling light, the difference between externally recruited trainees and specially trained trainees was very evident in the test.

For the first half of the journey, Alexander was able to maintain his advantage and could even catch a glimpse of the tail of the leading group.

However, in the latter half, his physical strength obviously declined, and he fell back to the second group, with people constantly passing him.

His legs felt as heavy as lead, and he was panting heavily. Each breath required immense effort, and beads of sweat dripped from his forehead like raindrops.

He was currently ranked 20th. If he could maintain this position until the finish line, he would have achieved his goal.

However, there was bad news: three people were chasing him closely.

The three trainees belonged to the 19th squad. Each of them carried their own 30-kilogram pack. There was no allocation of loads, but they adopted a very scientific formation strategy.

The three of them took turns leading the race and "breaking the wind" for their teammates behind them to reduce wind resistance and improve overall efficiency.

If Alexander is caught up by the team behind him, even if it's just one person, he won't get the planned 3 points, and will only get the guaranteed 1 point.

Alexander was exhausted and had reached his physical limit. He was in great pain as he ran, and every step he took caused a sharp pain in his knees.

The wind generated by his running felt like a wall, threatening to crush him. His legs were numb to the point of almost no feeling, and the burning sensation in his chest made him feel like he was suffocating.