Otherworld Advance Team-Chapter 26 - 23 Fusion
26: Chapter 23: Fusion
26 -23: Fusion
It had been more than a week since their last battlefield simulation, and the academy had not organized a large-scale battle drill, adjusting the casualty simulation system’s realism in light of the previous accident.
After some time adapting, the students began to grow accustomed to the recurring “deaths.” Some of the bolder students even took up Western dueling.
Since Luo’er and his team conducted a drill combining magic and weapons last time, the proposal to integrate magic with rifles was quickly put on the agenda.
After discussions between the academy, the Otherworld Research Center, and headquarters, it was unanimously decided that the upcoming Advance Team selection competition would be conducted in a virtual environment.
While ensuring the authenticity of the competition, magic also introduced more possibilities.
Consequently, the Virtual Machine Room suddenly became the hottest spot in the academy, crowded every weekend.
However, thanks to his relationship with Zhuyan Yu, Tangmo easily reserved a slot for his squad.
The five of them lay in the virtual machines, and after a brief connection, they were instantly transported to the grand hall of the virtual environment.
“Next, we’ll reassign the team roles more reasonably, based on each individual’s characteristics,” said Luo’er, the team leader, pulling up the menu in the air and teleporting them into a separate room.
“Moumou,” Luo’er called out.
“Luo’er!” Tangmo jumped out from the group.
“Remember to respond next time!” Luo’er said, somewhat helplessly.
“Oh.”
“You possess the strongest magic in the team, so you will serve as the core of magic and maximize your strength,” he paused, then continued, “Considering that most of the magic we’ve learned so far is supportive, your role in the team will be to support, protecting and assisting the team, and providing firepower when necessary.”
“What does magical support include?” Tangmo asked, tilting his head and blinking.
“Silence, shields, magic array, etc…”
“It sounds so useless!” Tangmo muttered, pouting.
“That’s not true at all; protecting teammates is also very important.
Besides, you’re the captain, ensuring your own safety is of great significance to the whole team,” Luo’er said earnestly.
“Oh, I almost forgot I’m the captain…” Tangmo exclaimed, suddenly realizing.
“Uh…” Luo’er sighed.
“Hu Daoke!” Luo’er continued.
“Just call me Little Ke,” Hu Daoke waved his hand, grinning, “You’re so much older than me, I should be calling you Uncle!”
“Uh, that’s an exaggeration…” Luo’er coughed awkwardly, then proceeded, “Your role will be as a support gunner, using high-capacity automatic weapons to provide firepower support for the team, any problem with that?”
“It’s a piece of cake, I love machine guns!” Hu Daoke agreed without hesitation.
“Also, considering previous combinations, when on missions that don’t require a support gunner, you’ll pair up with Baiyue to form a sniper team, acting as her spotter, any issues with that?”
“Uh, you should ask her about that…” Hu Daoke scratched his head, slightly embarrassed as he pointed towards Baiyue.
“Baiyue, I know both your combat and magic skills are excellent, but our team needs a sniper, so you will be the sniper of our team, any problems with that?”
Baiyue didn’t speak, expressionlessly nodding her head.
“Also, considering different tasks, you’ll need to form a sniper team with Little Ke, you have no objections, right?”
Baiyue gripped her sniper rifle tightly, then shook her head.
“Hey, so, uh,” Hu Daoke scratched his head, lowering his head to speak to her, “Sorry to put you in this position!”
Baiyue remained silent for a while, then suddenly, with an inscrutable intent, she elbowed Hu Daoke.
“As for you, Cheng Ziang,” Luo’er approached him, Cheng Ziang still bearing that cold expression, but perhaps it was an illusion, Luo’er felt the coldness in his eyes had thawed somewhat.
“I haven’t been able to give you a proper role for a long time, but after observing for some time, I think I’ve figured out your position in the team!”
Luo’er spoke, raising his hand to open the system’s menu, entering the weapon arsenal, and directly selecting the melee weapons section, then flicking the menu toward Cheng Ziang.
Cheng Ziang looked up, and Luo’er could see a glint in his eyes.
In the menu bar were rows of exquisitely retro swords and sabers radiating a cold light.
Although it was now the age of firearms, the charm they emanated still deeply fascinated enthusiasts.
“I’ve been considering that once we’re selected for the Advance Team, our combat environment will be in the Otherworld, so there’s no need to divide our roles strictly according to modern tactical requirements on Earth.
Thus, I think our team might need a close-combat assassin.
Can you handle it?” Luo’er asked, looking at the swords in the menu bar.
Cheng Ziang turned his head to look at him, stepped forward, and picked a straight sword from the menu.
He then drew it from its sheath, the blade making a crisp sound as it reflected the shimmering cold light.
He nodded in satisfaction, sheathed the sword, and stepping back, rejoined the team.
Although he didn’t verbally respond, Luo’er understood his thoughts.
He breathed a sigh of relief, unsure whether his division of roles was appropriate.
“Then there’s me,” Luo’er pointed at himself and said, “I’ll be the rifleman, responsible for ensuring Moumou’s safety.”
“Protect me?” Tangmo pointed at herself, delightedly saying.
The thought of Luo’er protecting her made her inexplicably happy.
“Uh, that seems unnecessary,” Hu Daoke expressed his doubts straightforwardly.
“Since Sister Moumou is the magic core of our team, she should be fully capable of protecting herself, right?”
“Because Moumou is the Captain, she must be protected!” Luo’er explained.
“Uh…” Hu Daoke appeared hesitant, glancing at Tangmo but held back his words.
Instead, Tangmo spoke up, “Although I am the Captain, my role in the team isn’t that significant, so there’s no need to protect me specifically, right?”
“Hmm,” Luo’er coughed, hesitating before he said, “It’s not like that, it’s mainly to protect me…”
“Eh?”
Luo’er continued explaining, “Generally speaking, the team’s captain is also its tactical core.
By principle, if the captain falls, the team’s command system would be severely affected.
Since in practice, I am our team’s real commander, if the enemy knows our situation, they will undoubtedly target me first…”
“So you are protecting Sister Moumou to make the enemy believe that she is the command core of the team, thereby drawing fire towards her and ensuring your safety as the commander,” Hu Daoke said.
“That’s correct, but…
um…
Moumou’s magic can…” Luo’er became somewhat inarticulate as his ulterior motives were revealed.
“It’s okay, Luo’er!” Tangmo looked up at him and said earnestly, “I don’t know how to command anyway.
If you can protect everyone, sacrificing me wouldn’t matter.”
“Moumou…” Luo’er fell silent for a moment, then firmly added, “I won’t let you be sacrificed.
As long as I’m here, no one can hurt you!”
“Really?
So, does that mean you’ll always protect me?” Hearing Luo’er’s promise, Tangmo laughed happily, excitedly grabbing his clothes and asking.
“Yes!” Luo’er nodded resolutely.
“Luo’er…” Tangmo looked at him, her eyes filled with emotion, almost leaping to embrace him.
“Hmm!” Cheng Ziang, holding his sword, coughed as a reminder on behalf of everyone.
“Sorry!” Luo’er stepped back awkwardly, then continued, “Since the team roles are now assigned, let’s start our training for the final selection match!”
Subsequently, the five members commenced their role-specific training in the Virtual Machine Room.
After some training, the roles solidified into Luo’er and Tangmo as the command duo, Hu Daoke and Baiyue as the sniper duo, and Cheng Ziang as a roaming scout on his own.
Depending on the battlefield environment, Luo’er, Tangmo, and Hu Daoke formed an assault team, Baiyue acted as a lone precision shooter, and Cheng Ziang took on the role of the roaming scout.
With intensified role training, the coordination between Luo’er and Tangmo improved as they alternately covered each other.
As an observer, Hu Daoke gradually mastered the necessary skills, improving his relationship with Baiyue.
Cheng Ziang, exploring continually, summarized the responsibilities a scout should have in such battle environments, extending the team’s observational reach and providing advance reconnaissance information.
As time progressed, the Graduation Exam neared.
Everyone busied themselves; according to the academy, if they failed the exam, they would have to stay and retake it until they passed.
To ensure nothing went awry during the Graduation Exam, alongside regular training, Luo’er had to convene everyone to cram for their weaker subjects.
At this time, Baiyue became everyone’s hope, her outstanding grades and comprehensive study notes being a significant resource for everyone.
To ensure no disturbances, they chose Luo’er’s house as the study venue.
After school, they studied there until late evening before returning home.
As the host, Luo’er both studied and busied himself serving everyone, preparing tea and meals, which was one reason everyone chose to study at his house.
After dinner, Luo’er rubbed his sore shoulders and stretched lazily.
Since his grades were decent, he didn’t need special tutoring and thus spent time serving everyone, effectively acting as a housekeeper.
After washing up, Luo’er dried his hands and went to the living room.
The meal had tired everyone.
Tangmo had climbed into his bed and was snoring heavily, while Cheng Ziang and Hu Daoke were nestled together on the sofa, dozing off.
The table was covered in study materials and exam papers, with Baiyue asleep amidst them.
Quietly walking into the living room, Luo’er picked up a blanket and draped it over Baiyue.
As he drew close, he saw Baiyue’s peaceful sleeping face, her hat slightly displaced, revealing a glimpse of the fuzzy stuff on her head.
Her crystal-like mouth slightly open, Luo’er paused, as if he had just understood why Baiyue was always reluctant to open her mouth.
