System Activated: Soldier's Returned

Chapter 6: Strategists

Bruce turned his head and looked at Martha, seeing his teacher's expression growing angry.

Trying to contain her anger, Martha said, "You are fortunate to have mastered the concept of strategy according to General Nathan correctly. Now, try to explain the process of war strategy."

Bruce started talking, "Determining national security objectives as the basis of the strategy process. Formulate a grand strategy, better known as a policy. Develop a military strategy. Devise an operations strategy. Formulate battlefield strategy, better known as tactics."

A moment later, Bruce finished his explanation. But still, Martha refused to give up. "Types of strategies?"

Bruce spoke, "Military strategy, operations strategy, and battlefield strategy."

"Who are the theorists of war?"

"Carl von Clausewitz (1780 - 1831), Antoine-Henri, baron Jomini (1779 - 1869), Sun Tzu (544 - 496 BC), Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840 - 1914), Giulio Douhet (1869 - 1930)."

Every time Martha asked a question, Bruce answered it without missing a word. Martha had to open her textbook. Gradually, she turned pale, not because she was sick but because she was angry.

Even Donna, sitting next to Bruce, started reading her book. As Bruce answered each question, Donna matched each word, and she could confirm that Bruce had responded to each question correctly.

Furious, Martha finally slammed her book on the table and rushed out of the classroom. The military teacher felt very embarrassed by Bruce's behaviour.

System: "You have completed your mission to prove Martha Tilaar wrong by utilising your knowledge. Therefore, you are entitled to receive one Expertise Point."

Bruce looked at the row of numbers that showed the success of the second mission.

[Admiration Level: 8,576/10,000]

He thought, "Damn! That was close. But half an hour of the lesson had passed, and Martha had left the classroom. How can I impress them now? I can't waste those three Expertise Points!"

"Geez, Bruce is making Mrs Tilaar upset. What should we do now?"

"I have an idea. We can study by ourselves."

"But this semester's test will be held in a few days."

A glimmer of hope appeared in Bruce's eyes, and he flashed a smile. He suddenly got up and walked to the front of the classroom.

"I'm sorry. Since I made Mrs Tilaar angry, I'll teach you all for the rest of the class," Bruce said.

"Wow!" The other students were confused when Bruce could recite every poem fluently earlier, but they thought he had a sharp memory.

Bruce said he wanted to replace Mrs Tilaar's teaching, so they were all surprised.

"Hey, Bruce. Don't be so arrogant. You may have mastered all the material in the strategy class, but the university entrance exam doesn't just rely on memorising from memory."

"Right! Go back to your seat!"

All the other students sneered. It was evident that they didn't believe Bruce.

"How arrogant!" Donna's sweet voice rang out among the protests of the other students. She looked at Bruce intently.

Bruce hit the table. "All right then. I'll be your teacher now, and you can ask me anything you don't know, as long as it's related to war strategy. If I fail to answer even one question or give the wrong answer, I'll treat you all at Mr Burger near the school this afternoon."

Those words ignited the enthusiasm of all the students in the class. Earlier, Bruce was engaged in a battle against Martha. Now, he was engaged in a struggle with his classmates.

"I have a question, Bruce. Mrs Tilaar said there are some important points in the concept of war strategy that will be covered in the exam. Please explain!" a chubby boy shouted while raising his hand.

Bruce barely looked at his book. He picked up the chalk and started writing on the blackboard. At the same time, he explained, "In General Nathan's view, there is a part..."

At first, the other students thought Bruce was playing around, so they didn't believe him. After a while, his explanation made them interested. In their opinion, Bruce's explanation was easier to understand.

"Bruce, I have a question about the beginning of the world war."

"Bruce, I want to know about the person who caused the second world war."

More and more students bombarded Bruce with a series of questions. However, he answered all the questions with precision and perfection. None of the students asked any more questions after he finished answering.

Donna also asked a question, and Bruce answered it immediately. The girl began to look at her neighbour differently as if she could feel a change in him. Now, Bruce was a mysterious figure who always smiled confidently.

A moment later, a feeling brightened in Donna's eyes. It was curiosity.

"Mr Waylen..."

Gradually, the other students began to address Bruce as "Mr Waylen." They were doing it as a joke. Finally, the System reminded him that his mission was complete.

[Admiration Level: 10,000/10,000]

Nevertheless, Bruce continued to teach the class until his voice became hoarse and his lips dry. Since he was hospitalised the day before, he had not drunk a sip of water.

One of the students noticed Bruce's voice was getting hoarse. Unexpectedly, the student stood up and delivered a blue bottle to him.

Concentrating too much on the lesson, Bruce took a sip of water without thinking. As he felt the water flowing down his throat, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Hmm, it tastes good. A little sweet too." He wasn't sure what the water contained, as it tasted sweet.

When Bruce put down the bottle, he noticed that his classmates looked at him strangely. He instantly looked towards where he was sitting.

He saw a female student muttering, "That looks like Donna's bottle. "

"Wow! That means Bruce and Donna kissed indirectly!"

Bruce's expression changed. He glanced at the bottle in his hand and realised it belonged to his seatmate, Donna.

Donna lowered her head and cursed Bruce inwardly. She had noticed how thirsty Bruce was, so she gave him her water bottle. Donna's bottle had a cup-shaped lid; most people would pour water into it before drinking it. She thought Bruce would do the same. Instead, he drank straight from the bottle.

Even worse, the whole class knew that Donna was drinking straight from the bottle.

"We'll continue class now," Bruce cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject.

A moment later, everyone's attention was back on the class. Because of this, no one knew the bell ringing outside the classroom or the few people discussing outside.

"Mr Sebastian, you have to defend me! I already can't control Bruce Waylen from the Defence Administration Class. He's late for class but dares to argue with me!" Martha complained to the middle-aged man beside her in annoyance.

That man was Bradford Sebastian, the vice principal at Officer Military School Carthage.

"It seems that Bruce is indeed misbehaving. This morning, I heard that a student named Bruce Waylen had assaulted someone in front of the School entrance. The victim is still hospitalised. Students like Bruce should be severely punished!" Bradford said firmly.

"He even attacked someone? You should reprimand Mr Sebastian for tarnishing the school's name." Martha said to add oil to the fire of this matter.