Rebirth in the Dragon Kingdom: The Strongest Blade

At five o'clock in the morning, the sharp reveille broke the tranquility of the National University of Defense Technology. Lin Zhe sprang out of bed almost instantly, finished washing up and changing into his training uniform within three minutes, while his three roommates were still frantically tying their shoelaces.

"Lin Zhe, how did you get here so fast!" Zhao Kai wailed as he put on his clothes.

"It's a habit you've developed." Lin Zhe straightened Zhang Le's crooked collar. "Quick, two more minutes."

Five minutes later, when the four students from dormitory 402 rushed downstairs, the playground was already filled with freshmen dressed in the same training uniforms. The instructors in charge of military training stood in front of the ranks, looking at their watches with serious expressions.

Chief Instructor Li Guo, a dark-skinned, lean-built lieutenant colonel, stood on the platform holding a megaphone: "First day of assembly, twelve people are late! Everyone, attend to your duties. Five laps around the drill field, double the number for latecomers!"

One lap around the track is 800 meters, so five laps is four kilometers. The freshmen let out a chorus of groans, but the instructors were already glaring at them, so they had no choice but to start running laps.

Lin Zhe adjusted his breathing and pace, maintaining a steady speed. After the intensive training during the summer vacation, this level of running was nothing to him. After running two laps, many freshmen were already panting, but Lin Zhe's breathing remained steady.

"Is that Lin Zhe?" Li Guo asked the assistant instructor beside him, pointing to a tall, steady figure in the formation.

"Yes, Lieutenant Colonel. National top science student."

Li Guo squinted: "Interesting. Judging from his running rhythm and breathing, he doesn't seem like an untrained freshman."

After running four kilometers, most of the freshmen collapsed to the ground, with only a few still able to stand. Lin Zhe not only stood, but he barely broke a sweat. Of his three roommates, Zhao Kai could barely keep going, while Wang Gang and Zhang Le were already panting heavily, supporting their knees.

"Everyone assemble!" Li Guo's voice rang out again.

The next training exercise was standing at attention. In early September, the autumn heat was still fierce at Jinghua University, and the sun relentlessly baked the playground. In less than half an hour, several freshmen with weaker constitutions fainted and had to be carried away by the school doctor.

Lin Zhe stood motionless, his eyes fixed straight ahead, sweat streaming down his face, but he didn't even blink. His perfect military posture, upright as a pine tree, drew frequent glances from the instructors.

"How long has Lin Zhe been standing there?" an instructor asked in a low voice.

"Forty-five minutes, without moving at all."

"Six people have already collapsed in the class I'm in charge of."

After an hour of military posture training, it was finally breakfast time. The freshmen, as if granted a pardon, rushed to the canteen.

"Lin Zhe, aren't you tired?" Wang Gang rubbed his aching shoulders. "I feel like my whole body is falling apart."

"It's alright, I'm used to it." Lin Zhe took the tray, which contained a standard military academy breakfast: steamed buns, porridge, pickled vegetables, and boiled eggs.

In the cafeteria, many freshmen were secretly observing Lin Zhe, and whispers could be heard everywhere.

"It was him, standing there for an hour without moving an inch..."

"I heard he ran four kilometers and wasn't even out of breath..."

Are all top science students this abnormal?

On the second day of military training, drill training was added to the curriculum. While most freshmen were still struggling with "turning left and right" and "marching in step," Lin Zhe was already able to complete all the movements like a veteran, and could even act as a junior instructor to guide his classmates.

"Lin Zhe, step forward!" the instructor suddenly called out.

"Here!" Lin Zhe stepped forward.

"Let me demonstrate the steps of marching in step."

"yes!"

Lin Zhe's movements were astonishingly precise—his legs lifted to the same height, his arms swung powerfully, and his landings were perfectly synchronized. After a set of movements, even the instructor couldn't help but nod in approval.

"See that? This is the standard! Everyone, practice according to Lin Zhe's movements, breaking them down!"

On the third day, it was time for the basic theory class on live-fire shooting. As the instructor drew a diagram of the ballistic parabola on the blackboard, Lin Zhe subconsciously added a few correction parameters in a low voice.

"Hey student, what did you just say?" The instructor heard it clearly.

Lin Zhe stood up: "Reporting to the instructor, I have added the calculation formulas for wind deflection correction and elevation angle correction."

The instructor paused, then carefully examined the formulas Lin Zhe had written on the draft paper: "Where...did you learn these?"

"I learned it myself by reading books," Lin Zhe replied.

The instructor gave him a deep look: "Stay after class."

After class, the instructor spoke with Lin Zhe privately: "Your knowledge is beyond the scope of a freshman. Have you had any experience with shooting before?"

"I learned some things from my elders at home," Lin Zhe replied vaguely. In fact, most of this knowledge came from his previous life. As a weapons designer, his understanding of ballistics far surpassed that of ordinary soldiers.

A week later, the military training entered the physical fitness enhancement phase. During the pull-up test, while most freshmen were still struggling to complete five standard pull-ups, Lin Zhe easily did thirty without even breaking a sweat.

"Thirty-one, thirty-two... forty! A record broken!" the instructor in charge of counting exclaimed.

A crowd gathered around the horizontal bar, the students watching Lin Zhe's smooth and powerful movements with admiration and envy. In particular, the definition of his back muscles when he pulled up inspired many boys to secretly resolve to develop the same physique.

"Forty-five! A new freshman record!" the instructor announced loudly.

Lin Zhe released his grip and landed steadily, though his breathing quickened slightly.

"Lin Zhe, you're amazing!" Zhao Kai rushed over. "Teach me, how did you train?"

"Keep it up every day, and progress step by step." Lin Zhe wiped the sweat from his forehead. "I'll lead you in practice tonight."

From then on, every evening after training, the four students in dormitory 402 would practice extra on the playground. Lin Zhe would create training plans based on each person's physical condition and patiently guide them on the key points of the movements. Soon, students from other dormitories joined in, gradually forming a "practice group" of more than twenty people.

The girls' attention towards Lin Zhe was more subtle. During training breaks, some girls would secretly glance at him and whisper among themselves. During a field training exercise, Lin Zhe took the initiative to help a female classmate who was exhausted carry her equipment, which won him even more favor.

"Lin Zhe is not only handsome, academically excellent, and physically strong, but also so gentle..." a girl said to her companion, blushing.

"Don't even think about it. I heard he's the mayor's son, so he must have high standards." His companion said this, but his eyes couldn't help but glance in Lin Zhe's direction.

During the second week of military training, two things happened that made Lin Zhe a freshman idol.

The first incident occurred during a 10-kilometer armed cross-country run. The weather suddenly changed, with torrential rain turning the mountain path into a muddy mess. While traversing a steep slope, one student slipped and twisted his ankle. Without hesitation, Lin Zhe carried the injured student on his back, while also holding both of their gear in one hand, and completed the remaining five kilometers under these adverse conditions.

When they reached the finish line, everyone was soaked and exhausted, but Lin Zhe, despite being covered in mud, was still breathing steadily. The military doctor confirmed that if Lin Zhe hadn't provided timely assistance, the other student's injuries might have been much more serious.

The second incident occurred during a tactical training session. The training involved small-team combat, with Lin Zhe's squad facing off against the "Blue Team," personally commanded by the instructor. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Lin Zhe devised a bold flanking and splitting tactic, leading his squad to successfully "eliminate" all members of the "Blue Team," including the instructor.

"How did you come up with this tactic?" the instructor couldn't help but ask after the training session.

Lin Zhe replied, "Based on the terrain and the balance of power between the enemy and ourselves, we would be doomed to defeat in a traditional frontal attack and defense; we can only win by surprise."

The instructor stared at him for a long time: "Your tactical thinking is not like that of a freshman, but more like that of an experienced commander."

These two events quickly spread among the freshmen, and Lin Zhe became a recognized "all-around genius." The boys admired his abilities, the girls were captivated by his charm, and even the upperclassmen began to pay attention to this freshman who had broken multiple records.

However, Lin Zhe himself was unusually low-key. During training breaks, while other students rested and chatted under the shade of trees, he was either doing extra physical training or studying military theory books.

"Lin Zhe, take a break," Zhao Kai couldn't help but say during a lunch break. "You're already strong enough."

Lin Zhe put down his copy of "An Introduction to Modern Warfare": "That's not enough. The real battlefield is a hundred times more brutal than training."

What surprised his classmates even more was that Lin Zhe went to the library almost every night. The National University of Defense Technology's library has a large collection of military books and internal documents. Although freshmen have limited access, it was enough for him to understand the current state of military affairs in this world.

The more Lin Zhe learned, the heavier his heart became.

This country, resembling China in the 1990s, was indeed less advanced in military technology than China at the same time in its previous era. Its information technology development was just beginning, most of its main combat equipment were either imitations or improved versions, and its military theory remained at the stage of traditional mechanized warfare.

"The gap is too big..." Lin Zhe closed a picture book about air force equipment, thinking to himself. The stealth drones, intelligent command systems, and individual soldier information equipment that he designed in his previous life were still just science fiction concepts in this world.

But at the same time, this also means a huge opportunity—he has the ability to drive military change in the world.

During the third week of military training, Lin Zhe took some time to go to the Academic Affairs Office to inquire about the policy for early graduation. He was received by the deputy director of the Academic Affairs Office, a civilian military officer wearing glasses.

"Lin Zhe, would you like to know the requirements for graduating early?" The deputy director flipped through the documents. "The school does have relevant policies, but the requirements are very strict."

"Please explain in detail, Director."

"First, you must complete all required courses and pass the exams within one year, with an average score of no less than 90. Second, you need to pass a comprehensive professional competence assessment, evaluated by an expert panel. Third, you need to complete a high-quality graduation thesis and pass the defense. Fourth..." The deputy director paused, "...requires a dual recommendation from your department and the training department."

"I understand, thank you, Director."

"However, Lin Zhe," the deputy director pushed up his glasses, "I suggest you don't rush things. The courses at the National University of Defense Technology are very difficult; even a normal four-year program is intensive, and completing it in one year... is almost impossible."

"I want to give it a try," Lin Zhe said calmly but firmly.

That evening, Lin Zhe devised a detailed "one-year plan" in his dormitory. Based on the course schedule and exam arrangements, he planned the key learning points for each stage; combined with his own knowledge reserves, he listed the courses he could apply for exemption from; and he also developed a plan for continuous improvement in physical fitness and military skills.

"You're going to graduate in a year?" Wang Gang's eyes widened when he saw Lin Zhe's schedule.

Zhao Kai chimed in, "Isn't that crazy? We've only just started school."

"Time waits for no one." Lin Zhe pointed to the schedule. "The pace of military transformation in the world is accelerating, and we must catch up. The sooner we graduate, the sooner we can contribute to the military."

Zhang Le asked softly, "Then what do we need to do?"

Lin Zhe looked at his three roommates: "If you're willing, we can work together. I can share my study methods and training experience, and we can improve together."

The three exchanged a glance and nodded simultaneously.

"Dry!"

Count me in!

"Me too!"

From then on, Dorm 402 became the most disciplined dormitory in the entire building. They were the first to get up and the last to turn off the lights every day; they trained the hardest and studied the most diligently. Their behavior gradually influenced the entire floor, and even the whole building, creating a positive and inspiring atmosphere.

During the final week of military training, a comprehensive assessment was conducted. Lin Zhe unsurprisingly won first place in all events, achieving the highest overall score ever recorded for a freshman at the National University of Defense Technology.

During the military parade, Lin Zhe, as a representative of the new students, led the formation past the reviewing stand. His steps were powerful and his movements were precise and perfect, winning unanimous praise from the generals on the viewing platform.

At the military training debriefing, Instructor Li Guo specifically mentioned Lin Zhe: "During this military training, one student stood out. Not only did he achieve excellent individual results, but he also proactively helped his classmates, leading everyone to progress together. He demonstrated the qualities that soldiers of the new era should possess—loyalty, courage, responsibility, and mutual assistance. That student is Lin Zhe!"

The audience erupted in applause. Lin Zhe stood up, saluted the stage, and then turned to salute his classmates.

At that moment, he truly became a benchmark and role model for freshmen.

On the night the military training ended, Lin Zhe wrote in his notebook:

"Military training has ended, and I've gained a lot. My physical fitness met expectations, my military foundation is solid, and I have good relationships with my classmates. Next step: officially start my one-year graduation plan. My goals for the first semester: complete one-third of the course credits, apply for exemptions from three courses, and continue to strengthen my military skills."

"This world is militarily backward, but that's precisely why change is possible. I will use the knowledge from my past life, combined with the efforts of this life, to advance the modernization of the Dragon Kingdom's military."

"The road ahead is long and arduous, but I will persevere in my pursuit of knowledge."

Lin Zhe put away his notebook and looked out at the starry sky. Memories of his past life and goals for this life intertwined in his mind, forming a clear blueprint.

Classroom learning will officially begin tomorrow.

The one-year graduation plan has officially begun.