Chapter 9: I Just Want To Slack

Words : 2507 Updated : Sep 24th, 2025

Everyone in First Squad kept folding their blankets. Zeke didn't leave. He added, "Hold up a second. Besides bringing you that, I need to give special recognition to your squadmate, Daniel." Daniel's heart sank. Great, just what he didn't need. "In the first week of recruit training, his scores ranked among the best in the entire recruit company. I hope you all model yourselves after him." Pablo grinned from ear to ear. Praising Daniel was praising First Squad. It was his honor, too. This kid really made him proud. "Bro, you're the man!" Vincent blurted, vibrating with excitement. "You're my idol. From now on, I'm just going to follow your lead!" The others clapped and looked on with envy. Only Adriel's face clouded. He fumed inside. "Why did that self-important guy deserve the praise? If he could do it, I could too." Daniel silently groaned. "Instructor, stop praising me. I just wanted to lie low and slack off. You're putting a target on my back. No, I have to change the plan, or how am I supposed to get through this?" He made up his mind. Starting tomorrow, he would have to change everything. After dinner, Pablo was called to Oscar's office. "Sir, you wanted me?" Oscar smiled. "Not bad, Pablo. I heard you've already brought back the rotating flag in the first week." Pablo chuckled. "It's mainly those boys. They stepped up." "Cut it out. They're green as grass. If you didn't teach them well, what would they know?" Oscar took a sip of tea. "Looks like moving you to train recruits was a good call. Even the regimental commander praised you-said you're real officer material. It'd be a waste to let you leave the army." Pablo was over the moon. Hearing that from Christopher was a real confidence boost. Seemed like the officer track was as good as done. Oscar went on, "The first month's Military Competition Assessment for the recruits is coming soon. Consider this a heads-up. Show me something in that assessment." "As long as your performance is outstanding, I can submit that report for you ahead of schedule." Pablo's eyebrows nearly flew off his face. "Thank you, sir. First Squad will always fight for first place. We won't let you down." He'd never imagined his officer plan would get fast-tracked. He thought he'd at least have to wait until the recruit company finished, but clearly, there was no need. Daniel, that kid, was really pulling his weight. A lucky star. Oscar hesitated, then said, "One more thing, about that soldier I told you about earlier…" "You mean Daniel Lyson?" "Yeah, that one." Oscar's tone turned grave. "I first figured the kid was hopeless deadweight. Didn't expect I'd misjudge him." "If you want First Squad to shine and rack up results, make him your priority. He's got great potential." Over the past few days of watching, he had seen it. Daniel might have gotten in through connections, and he's a city kid, but he doesn't have any of the pampered bad habits city kids are known for. He not only united the recruits in the squad, but he also set a strong example and led from the front. Because of him, First Squad had pulled ahead across the board in just a few days. That was a very good sign. If they could keep that momentum, First Squad would be earning merits and commendations in no time. "If every 'connected' recruit were like him, I'd take a dozen," he mused. Pablo nodded earnestly. "Rest assured, sir. I've noticed him too. He's a real talent. I'll find a way to have him lead the whole squad. We'll bring back first place for the recruit company." "Good. I'll wait for your good news." Pablo left the office in high spirits. On his way back, he was already planning how to make the most of Daniel, how to let him pull the entire squad along. At 7:30 p.m., after the news broadcast, Pablo gathered everyone. "Squad meeting." Daniel noticed the man grinning at him, eyes creasing with mischief. His gut tightened. Something's off. Normally, Pablo wore a face like someone owed him a hundred grand. For him to smile this brightly, something had to be brewing. "Daniel." "Here!" Daniel sprang to his feet. Pablo pointed at the others, voice stern. "Take a good look. You all joined together. Why is the gap so big?" "Forget everything else. Just look at blanket folding. Adriel, what do you even call that thing you folded?" "It's all puffy, like a giant loaf of bread. Now look at Daniel. Aren't you embarrassed? If I were you, I wouldn't be able to sleep." Damn. Adriel's face soured. He knew his blanket wasn't great, but it wasn't that bad either. Compare him to anyone, and he could take it, just not Daniel. That guy only leaned on having family in the army and knowing a bit more. Start them on the same line, and he'd beat him. Daniel suddenly felt an icy stare boring into him, and a shiver ran down his back. He looked and saw Adriel shooting him a murderous glare. Steam was practically coming out of Daniel's ears. "Adriel, are you brainless? The squad leader said it, not me. Why glare at me? Glare at him. I didn't provoke you." A barely-there smile tugged at Pablo's mouth. He continued, "From today on, model yourselves after Daniel. Do what he does." "Yes, sir!" No one had any objections. Daniel really did know more. It had only been a week, and he had not only brought in the rotating flag but he'd also helped everyone dodge punishments. Listening to him made sense. Vincent beamed like a starstruck kid. "Bro, if I don't get something, teach me more, yeah? I'm slow at learning." Daniel kept a sunny smile. "Sure, no problem." Inside, he was dying. He finally understood what Pablo was up to. The man wanted to set him up as the model and use him to spur the others forward. He hadn't even rolled out his own strategy yet, and Pablo had already made his move. He felt miserable. Especially with Adriel looking at him like he wanted to eat him alive. Clearly, the guy was already keyed up. Pablo grew solemn. "Before long, it'll be the first month's Military Competition Assessment. For First Squad to earn a top result, here's my decision. Starting tomorrow, we cancel all breaks during drill periods. Only whoever comes in first each round gets a break." "The rest of you, when training ends, go do push-ups or run." Everyone's face fell, and complaints rippled through the room. "Come on, squad leader, that's inhuman." "Even a mule gets a break." Pablo's voice turned icy. "What are you yelling for? If you can't take hardship, why are you a soldier? You're in the army now. You follow orders." "If you don't put in the work, how are you going to defend the country?" "That's settled. Dismissed." He turned to leave. On his way out, he gave Daniel a look loaded with meaning. Daniel bristled. "Just so you can look good, you want to use me as a tool? If I let you get your way, how am I supposed to keep a low profile? His eyes flicked, and a plan clicked into place. He raised his voice and gathered the others. "Everyone, over here. I've got something important to say." "What is it?" They crowded close at once. Adriel stayed where he was, but his ears pricked up. "Let's see what trick you've got up your sleeve." Daniel said loudly, "Listen up. Tomorrow, we've got to stop standing out. We need to keep it low-key, as low-key as possible." Vincent scratched his head. "Why?" "Use your head." Daniel rolled his eyes. "Didn't you hear the squad leader? Only first place gets to rest. Everyone else keeps training. Who can stand that?" "So, if we all keep the same baseline and stick together, the squad leader won't have a way to single us out." "Oh, why didn't I think of that!" Vincent slapped his forehead and chuckled. "Trust you to think of that, bro. You're the brains here." The others nodded one after another. Daniel made sense. There were ten people in a squad. Only one rested. The other nine got punished no matter what. If they wanted to avoid punishment, they should move in lockstep. If there were no first place, then they were all tied for first. "You make sense. I'll follow your lead," Edison said. The others chimed in. "The squad leader told us to learn from you. Listening to you can't go wrong." Adriel let out a cold, dismissive chuckle, as if Daniel's words were nothing. "Hey, man." Daniel quickly pulled Adriel aside. "What the hell? Get lost." Adriel slapped his hand away, eyes chilly. "We're all buddies," Daniel said with an easy grin to this blockhead. "Adriel, remember what I said about training tomorrow. Keep a low profile. Don't stick your head up. Same as before. Do what I do. Keep pace with me." "Why should I? Who made you the boss? Are you the squad leader?" Adriel shot back. Daniel put on a straight face. "We're a team. Besides, you heard the squad leader tell you to take your cue from me. You're going to ignore the squad leader? Do you still want to win honor for the squad?" Adriel gave a mocking little laugh and said flatly, "Fine. We'll do it your way." "Good, that's all I needed to hear." Daniel nodded, though he couldn't shake the feeling that something in Adriel's eyes was off, like he was already planning to stir up trouble.

Chapter 9: I Just Want To Slack

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