Special Forces: From the very beginning, I can upgrade the entry

Chapter Fourteen: Unprecedented Praise—The Awakening of a True Dragon

The crisp night air carried the last echoes of the day’s rigorous training. The shooting range had long emptied, but its events still echoed in the minds of the recruits.

In the dimly lit barracks, the atmosphere was charged.

“Today’s Results Are Not to Be Discussed”@@novelbin@@

New Recruit Company Commander, a stern-looking officer with a square jaw and an unyielding gaze, faced the assembled recruits.

“Today’s shooting exercise was commendable. No unnecessary words need to be said.”

His voice was low but authoritative, carrying weight beyond its volume.

Then, his expression hardened further.

“From this moment on—today’s events are not to be discussed. Not among yourselves. Not with soldiers from other units. And absolutely no gossiping about your squad leader.”

The emphasis on the last line sent a ripple through the group.

Zheng Sanpao, the hard-edged sergeant who had upheld his promise with two hundred push-ups, was not someone to be mocked.

“Dismissed!”

The recruits scattered, some making their way toward the mess hall, others toward their bunks.

But one recruit did not move. Zhuang Yan.

He stood rooted, his gaze locked onto Zheng Sanpao, the man who had drilled him relentlessly since day one. Perhaps sensing the eyes on him, Zheng Sanpao turned slightly, his sharp eyes briefly meeting Zhuang Yan’s. There was no hostility in that glance. No anger.

Only acknowledgement.

Before Zhuang Yan could fully process it, a hand landed heavily on his shoulder.

“Come on, Zhuang, food’s waiting.”

Chen Xiwa’s grin was as simple as ever, his enthusiasm unwavering.

But just as Zhuang Yan turned to follow, a voice cut through the air.

“Violation of Equipment Regulations—A Reminder”

Lin Yi.

“According to military regulations,” Lin Yi’s voice was calm yet unwavering, “the improper handling of military equipment—including throwing one’s weapon—can result in disciplinary action. Minor infractions lead to warnings, serious violations can warrant demerits, and in extreme cases, demotions or even dismissal.”

His words landed like a slap. Zhuang Yan whirled around, his pride stung, eyes blazing.

“You—”

But Lin Yi’s expression remained unreadable.

“Zheng Sanpao is an eight-year veteran reconnaissance soldier,” he continued.

His tone was measured, but there was a depth of meaning beneath his words.

“Recon soldiers don’t just shoot targets. Their training includes mountain endurance marches, jungle ambushes, drone reconnaissance, river crossings, cliff scaling, forced marches, hand-to-hand combat, camouflage infiltration, and survival training. What you saw today was nothing but a warm-up for them.”

Zhuang Yan’s fists clenched involuntarily.

Lin Yi took a step closer.

“You think you won?” His voice dropped slightly. “That wasn’t a real match. A real match would’ve left you in the dirt before you even knew what happened.”

A tense silence stretched between them.

Then—

Lin Yi turned, his boots hitting the ground with quiet finality, leaving behind a lingering sentence:

“Pride clouds judgment. Keep your ego in check, or it will break you before the battlefield does.”

And with that Lin Yi disappeared into the barracks, the door swinging shut behind him. Zhuang Yan stood there, jaw tight, emotions warring in his chest.

“…What did he mean?”

Beside him, Chen Xiwa looked equally confused.

“Dunno… But whatever it was, he sure meant it.”

Zhuang Yan exhaled. A slow, deep breath. When he looked up again, his usual arrogance was tempered—just slightly—with something else.

Understanding.

“Let’s go eat,” he muttered.

And with that, the day’s trials came to an end.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

A few nights later—

Inside the officer’s quarters, a group of seasoned drill instructors gathered in a dimly lit conference room. At the head of the table sat Company Commander Miao, his sharp eyes sweeping over the assembled squad leaders.

“So?”

He leaned forward, hands clasped.

“Any of them stand out?”

The squad leaders exchanged glances. Then, one of them spoke.

“There’s one in my group. He’s trained in martial arts. Shows promise.”

Another instructor sighed. “Not much from my unit. They follow orders well, but none have the edge needed for reconnaissance work.”

Miao’s expression darkened.

“Then you’re not pushing them hard enough.”

The instructor flinched but said nothing.

Miao’s eyes settled on one man.

Zheng Sanpao.

“And you?”

Zheng Sanpao snapped to attention.

“Sir. You already know the two from my unit.”

Miao’s grin widened.

“Yes. That’s why I saved you for last.”

The room fell silent. Because everyone knew who he meant.

Lin Yi.

And—

Zhuang Yan.

Miao leaned back, tapping a finger against the table.

“Lin Yi, I’m not worried about.”

A pause.

Then—

A statement that sent a shockwave through the room.

“He is a dragon.”

“Not a soldier. Not a mere officer. A dragon.”

Every squad leader froze. The weight of those words was immense.

Miao continued, his voice measured but certain.

“High intelligence. Academic excellence. Strategic execution. Adaptability. And above all—unyielding ambition.”

He glanced around, ensuring they all understood.

“Lin Yi will not stay in reconnaissance. That’s not his final destination. The Night Tigers will be a mere stepping stone in his journey.”

Zheng Sanpao exhaled sharply.

The other squad leaders exchanged uneasy glances.

Because for an officer to speak like this about a mere recruit was unprecedented.

“And Zhuang Yan?” Miao continued.

His lips curled slightly.

“That one—I want.”

Zheng Sanpao’s brows furrowed.

“But, sir—he’s still raw.”

Miao waved a hand dismissively.

“Of course he is. But he’s got something that can’t be trained.”

His eyes glinted with determination.

“Unbreakable spirit.”

Then, his expression shifted into something unreadable.

“The problem is—other units have started noticing him too.”

He gave Zheng Sanpao a pointed look.

“Find a way to keep him in Night Tigers. I don’t care how. Just don’t break his spirit.”

Zheng Sanpao straightened.

“Understood.”

Miao smirked.

“Good. Because if anyone can handle him—it’s you.”

With that, the meeting concluded. And as they left the room, one thought echoed in their minds:

Lin Yi was a dragon set to soar.

But Zhuang Yan?

He was the kind of soldier that legends were made of.