Chapter 71

Looking around, he didn't see them, but soon his tray was filled with several dozen kilograms of well-done eggs and a juicy steak that slightly resembled salmon.

"We'll bring the biscuits soon, darling."

The person who said this was the first drag queen Bill had seen in this world. He hadn't spoken in detail with this cook, only because the cook apparently had a fluctuating schedule.

Nonetheless, he thanked the bearded lady and headed for the nearest table.

Sitting down, he picked up a fork and started with the eggs. In an emergency, Bill could eat like a beast—able to eat and breathe simultaneously—but in such a setting, he wouldn't allow himself anything improper.

As he ate the eggs, his appearance began to improve. From the outside, it seemed he was eating at a moderately fast pace, but inside, he directed his stomach toward quicker digestion and his immune system toward repairing numerous microfractures in his bones.

When he moved on to the steaks, his bruises started to fade, and at some point, the bearded lady brought a large woven basket of biscuits.

After he finished the steak, he began eating the biscuits, until he heard three cadets heading straight for him.

Before they approached, he turned his head and saw two guys and a girl with glasses, all of whom seemed to be around sixteen years old and all wearing lab coats.

"Yes?" he said, sitting and chewing on a biscuit.

Perhaps they didn't expect him to speak first, but as soon as he did, the two guys flinched slightly and the girl cringed, yet she spoke anyway.

"We just hadn't seen you before, didn't know new cadets could be accepted mid-semester."

Nodding, Bill gestured for them to sit down at the table, which they did cautiously.

"Dr. Vegapunk has known me since I was a baby, I think he made an exception.Receiving an "oh" and "lucky" from the two guys, the girl adjusted her glasses and asked, "Which areas of study have you chosen? I haven't seen you in any classes..."

Nodding again, Bill swallowed the last biscuit.

"I'm planning to focus on metallurgy and engineering... perhaps in the future, I'll move into biomaterials and neurofabrication. For now, I've joined MSU as a lieutenant... and I hope to soon achieve the rank of supply captain. What about you guys?"

With that, he took another bite.

He barely finished speaking when one of the guys exclaimed, "You're taking courses in multiple fields?!"

Before Bill could reply, the other guy said, "You're already a lieutenant in the Scientific Division?!"

The girl told the two guys to calm down. Bill, still chewing, felt better but was too exhausted from the grueling day to react.

Clearly articulating her words, the girl said, "It's amazing that you've already joined the Scientific Division. You know, most people here aren't interested in that; they usually bring in Marines from outside for protection.

What confuses me is that you chose three different fields? Didn't you know that each additional field doubles the number of credits needed to graduate?"

Hearing this, Bill nearly choked. After thumping his chest and taking a sip of water, he looked at her and said, "No, Bonaduce didn't mention that. But I don't think it's that important. I'll just try to achieve the rank of captain in the next six months before the new school year starts. Then I'll focus on it; I really want to learn how seastone and cybernetics work. What fields are you all in?"

As he said this, the girl explained to Bill that they were all studying biology, and the reason why studying multiple fields seemed strange was that everyone here wants to become the head of their own research lab.

Obviously, only the best of the best would get that right immediately after graduation. The others would be assigned to assistant positions in research. Competition was fierce, and thus studying multiple fields almost guaranteed a career as a "lackey."

After she finished, Bill asked the obvious question.

"Wait, what about the captains in the Scientific Division of the Marines?"

When he said this, the three laughed, but noticing Bill's tired face, one of the guys added:

"It's impossible to defeat Sentomaru unless you're a Marine Vice Admiral or someone of that sort"

Then the girl spoke again, "What Tom meant to say is that the Scientific Division only has one captain, and he's the captain of the bodyguards.

That's because Dr. Vegapunk gave him the authority to choose other captains, and no one here can even move that man, let alone defeat him in a fight!"

Hearing this, Bill smirked. He knew Sentomaru was strong and didn't underestimate him.

But Bill also knew his own capabilities, so raising two fingers, he said, "I moved him today, and in a year I'll defeat him on our terms, and in two years, I'll beat him fair and square!"

After that, the three laughed again, and they discussed their research interests for another hour.

As they were about to leave, Bill introduced himself, extending his large hand for a handshake.

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