Chapter 1628 - 101: Fox and Mouse Game (11)_2

Chapter 1628: Chapter 101: Fox and Mouse Game (11)_2

"Yes," Jeska paused, "there truly is no one."

The venue was as quiet as a deep pool.

Jeska continued, "Honestly speaking, our Paratu Army Academy is neither qualified to bear the name Paratu nor fit to be called an academy; it merely has a slight connection with the army.

"The Military Resolution Committee only gave us a signboard of the Paratu Army Academy, very little money, no teaching materials, the venue was just this piece of forest, and the teachers are all disabled like me.

"With such conditions, what kind of talent can be cultivated?

"Failing to secure more resources is a dereliction of my duty as principal; I am ashamed before you."

Saying this, Jeska released the podium, pushed away the helping hand of the service soldier, and took a shaky step forward, bowing towards the audience.

The venue was even quieter than before, the sound of breathing almost disappeared, leaving only the rustling of leaves.

John Jeska was silent for a long time, and when he spoke again, surprisingly, he praised:

"You are the best cadets I’ve ever seen; each of you has gone through trials of life and death, forged in the fires of war. Even before becoming cadets, you’re already qualified soldiers. In this regard, you surpass me back then, surpass Gessa Adonis and Skur Meklen back then, and surpass every graduate of the Alliance Army Academy back then."

But then, John Jeska mercilessly continued, "However, a qualified soldier is not necessarily a qualified officer; becoming an officer means being responsible not only to yourself and your superiors but also to your subordinates.

"Your decisions will determine the life and death of many; it’s an incredibly heavy responsibility.

"Unfortunately, according to the standards of the Alliance Army Academy, none of you are qualified.

"There are many knowledge you still need to master, many skills you’re not yet proficient in, but time has run out, and conditions are lacking.

"What this so-called military academy can offer you might only be a paper diploma and the status of an officer.

"The rest is up to you to learn in practice.

"Even so, I still hope that before you step out of the school and start to decide others’ life and death, I can help you learn as much as possible.

"Count Harlan is the man who defeated the terror of the world, one of the world’s finest military artists; though he’s our enemy, it doesn’t prevent you from learning his skills.

"Or rather, you ought to learn how to learn from the enemy.

"Today may be the only chance in your life to hear the teachings of a famous general of the current age. No matter what the count might say, listen seriously; perhaps it will benefit you for life."

The opening speech was over.

Siegfried watched the old blind man being led away by the service soldier.

It was his turn to take the stage.

He walked onto the creaking podium, gazing at the cadets below.

The cadets returned curious, inquisitive, and slightly hostile looks.

After a long silent confrontation, Siegfried finally spoke.

"I am Siegfried de Harlan," he said, "I have nothing to say today."

After saying this, he turned and stepped down from the stage.

To Siegfried’s surprise, the command that echoed behind him was...

"Applause!"

Thunderous applause erupted behind Siegfried.

What surprised Siegfried even more was the old blind man’s reaction to his "breach of contract," which seemed neither unexpected nor unsympathetic, but rather understanding and sympathetic.

"When you’re ready," the old blind man said, "let me know."

"Give me your textbooks," Siegfried responded.

-----------------

Inside the cell, Siegfried flipped through the textbooks of Maplestone City Army Academy.

"The textbooks are a bit too old, like they were written twenty years ago. How are they still teaching legion and Big Square Formation?" Siegfried asked disdainfully, "Have you never changed your textbooks?"

"These are textbooks we transcribed from the Alliance Army Academy," Jeska replied.

"Then the Alliance Army Academy isn’t great either; it’s a wonder the Emperor still considers you a major threat, might as well bury Ned Smith’s legacy," Siegfried scoffed, "Who still fights with ’legions’? A formation of five thousand people, don’t you think it’s a bit too small?"

"Judging by recent battles," Jeska admitted frankly, "the legion formation has become somewhat outdated."

"Not just somewhat outdated; it should’ve been phased out long ago," Siegfried continued flipping through the textbooks, "Where are your cadets in their learning progress?"

"Each one is at a different stage."

Hearing this, Siegfried raised an eyebrow, scoffing sarcastically, asking, "That guy who set me up with a fishing net, where is he at in his learning?"

"Houdel?" Jeska surprisingly sighed, "He’s still learning to read."

Siegfried was stunned for a moment, shaking the book in his hand, he asked, "Then teaching him this stuff, what’s he able to understand?!"

"Do you have any better ideas?" Jeska asked.

The old blind man’s words seemed like provocation, but after several days together, Siegfried had roughly figured out the old blind man’s temperament - he was genuinely asking for advice.

"First, let him learn to read," Siegfried replied coldly.

"That’s what I thought too," the old blind man nodded.

"What’s this then?" Siegfried picked out a booklet from the pile of textbooks, frowning as he read aloud the title, "’Far East Geography’?"

"This textbook we compiled ourselves," Jeska said proudly, "from Matteo Konar’s accounts of the Far East sent by Winters, and my own memoirs."