Chapter 64 - 65: Wherever People Gather, Factions Form!

Chapter 64: Chapter 65: Wherever People Gather, Factions Form!

Instructor Garrick Dain watched the scene unfold, a hint of surprise flashing through his eyes.

He had seen plenty of arrogant people.

The High Command Training Camp never lacked geniuses.

Every newcomer sent here had been a leading figure in their former academy, city, or family.

It was perfectly normal for them to carry some pride when they first entered the Training Camp.

But a high school student who hadn’t even graduated dared to bet against dozens of geniuses from the Five Top Academies, all of whom had received years of systematic training.

He had even offered to pay the wager if he lost.

This was more than ordinary confidence.

Instructor Garrick Dain couldn’t help looking at Instructor Malcolm Rook.

However, Malcolm remained expressionless.

It was as if everything had gone exactly as he expected.

Garrick’s interest grew.

This newcomer was becoming more interesting by the minute.

Instructor Garrick Dain raised his hand and pressed it downward.

"Alright."

"All of you, follow me."

With that, he turned and walked ahead.

The crowd quickly followed.

The interior of the Training Camp was far larger than it had appeared from the outside.

Instructor Garrick Dain led everyone along a wide metal avenue.

Strange buildings stood on both sides of the road.

Some resembled enormous discs embedded in the ground, their surfaces flashing with spatial runes.

Others were towering black spires that reached toward the sky, with energy cores floating around their upper sections.

Several areas were sealed behind thick barriers. Dull explosions and monster roars could be heard from within.

As they walked, Instructor Garrick Dain casually introduced the facilities.

"The area on the left is the regular training zone."

"It’s mainly used for physical conditioning, reaction training, combat techniques, and skill mastery."

"The area on the right is the simulated battlefield zone."

"It can recreate low-tier Rift environments and simulate small-scale monster tides."

"Those towers ahead are the mental pressure chambers and elemental adaptation rooms."

"Farther inside are the dungeon entrance zone, mission hall, and point exchange center."

Many newcomers listened with growing interest.

Even though they came from the Five Top Academies, they had to admit that the facilities here were on another level.

Some of the equipment could only be used by the most elite students at their own academies.

Yet here, such facilities seemed to be basic training equipment.

Along the way, they passed people from various areas.

Most of them looked quite young.

When they noticed the newcomers from the Five Top Academies, several took the initiative to greet them.

"Calder Academy’s newcomers have arrived?"

"Westbridge only sent this many students this year?"

"Junior students from Meridian Academy, good luck with the test."

The newcomers from the Five Top Academies responded in turn.

Clearly, many of them already knew one another.

Some were seniors from their own academies.

Others were acquaintances they had met during previous competitions.

Gareth Quinn moved closer to Nathaniel and lowered his voice.

"Those are veterans from previous batches."

"The Training Camp has a rule. Once all the newcomers arrive, they go through a three-month introductory training period."

"During those three months, the camp arranges courses, training sessions, tests, and missions."

"After that, we can move around with much more freedom."

"Most people also choose to join one of the factions inside the Training Camp after those three months."

A hint of surprise appeared in Nathaniel’s eyes.

"There are factions inside the Training Camp?"

Gareth laughed.

"Of course."

"Wherever people gather, factions form."

"When a group of geniuses compete for limited resources, how could there not be factions?"

Nathaniel looked thoughtful.

Gareth continued.

"First, the rewards from many secret realms and dungeons are not always highest for solo participants."

"Teams can clear them more efficiently and have a better chance of surviving."

"Second, joining a faction gives you more influence when competing for resources."

"For example, training room schedules, places in public lectures given by high-tier mentors, and priority access to certain team missions."

"One person alone will sometimes struggle to compete against an entire group."

As he spoke, Gareth nodded toward the students from the Five Top Academies.

"The five largest factions in the Training Camp were naturally founded by seniors from the Five Top Academies."

"The Calder Society, Westbridge Alliance, Meridian Society, Northgate Circle, and St. Orlan Society."

"At their core, they’re groups of students who support their own academy’s people."

Gareth continued,

"Of course, there are also lone wolves."

"Those people generally fall into two categories."

"Either they’re outsiders whom nobody wants to recruit."

"Or they’re genuine powerhouses."

He patted his chest.

"Someone as strong as me is naturally suited to walking alone."

Nathaniel glanced at him.

"Didn’t you just ask me to form an alliance?"

Gareth’s expression stiffened.

He coughed softly.

"That’s different."

"When strong people form an alliance, it isn’t ordinary group cooperation."

"It’s a powerful alliance between equals."

Nathaniel said nothing.

Gareth didn’t mind. He quickly returned to the earlier bet.

"But seriously."

"You were quite bold back there."

Nathaniel replied,

"Didn’t you place a bet too?"

Gareth waved his hand.

"My situation is different from yours."

"I’m already a second-year student."

"I’ve also competed in the Hundred-Academy Tournament, so I know exactly how strong those students from the Five Top Academies are."

"I dared to make that bet because I’ve fought them before."

"You’re different."

Gareth looked at Nathaniel. For once, his tone became serious.

"I respect your courage."

"Really."

"You’re still in high school, yet you faced those students from the Five Top Academies without changing your expression. That’s rare."

"But you were reckless just now."

Nathaniel turned toward him.

Gareth continued,

"Your talent must be outstanding."

"Being selected by the High Command before graduating from high school already proves that."

"But what’s the most important thing during university?"

"It’s not just about raising your level."

"It’s about training."

"It’s about developing your professional abilities."

"It’s about systematically improving your skills, attributes, combat rhythm, methods of applying force, and battlefield judgment."

Nathaniel’s gaze shifted slightly.

Seeing that Nathaniel might not fully understand, Gareth gave him an example.

"Take two people."

"Both have 200 Strength."

"One doesn’t understand how to apply force. When he throws a punch, releasing 200 points of Strength is already his limit."

"Sometimes, because his movements are flawed, he can only release 150 or 160 points."

"But what about the other person?"

"He understands muscle coordination, shifting his center of gravity, linking skills together, short bursts of power, and other techniques."

"With the same 200 Strength, he can produce the effect of 300 or even 400."

"That’s the difference."

Gareth raised his hand and gestured as he spoke.

"Take skills, for example."

"Consider two people using the exact same ranged skill."

"Some have impressive damage values on their status panels, but what’s the point if they can’t hit their targets?"

"Enemies aren’t wooden posts. They won’t stand still and let you attack."

"During battle, enemies dodge, counterattack, use terrain, and bait you into wasting skills."

"Some people miss seven out of ten attacks in a fight."

"Others hit almost every shot and can even predict their opponents’ next moves."

"That’s the kind of ability you develop through training."