Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Practical Test
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In the future—that is, the 28th century—scientific technology had advanced to a level incomparable to the past.
Among these advancements, military weaponry, spurred by the desperate need for military capabilities after humanity's first encounter with the aliens a century ago, held a particularly special place.
It was one of the top contributors to protecting humanity alongside the existence of superhumans.
This was precisely why research on aliens was so crucial.
Military weapons were extraordinarily precise.
And this precision shone brightest when the information on the target was accurate.
Thus, the most important factor was precise information and analysis on the target.
The more accurate the intel, the more assured the victory.
Sahim was the one person in this room who understood that fact better than anyone.
"To think a talent like this is only now realizing their potential."
"Haha."
I just laughed.
"If there weren't tests tomorrow, I'd want to stay up all night talking."
"Really?"
"I'm serious. This bet is unquestionably my loss. If there's anything you want, name it. I stake the will of the white icy planet that shines over my homeland, Santinau."
"Nothing comes to mind right now. Can I think about it later?"
"Whenever you feel like it."
Sahim nodded.
Then he added,
"...And I'm not trying to pressure you, but if you decide to share your knowledge with the world, I'd appreciate it if you came to me first. Please!"
"I'll think about it."
"Hmm, then this is a token of our promise. Please accept it."
"This is... wow."
What Sahim handed me was breathtakingly beautiful.
A white energy crystal, known as the jewel of jewels and the heart of Santinau.
It was also a symbol representing the Mohaim royal family.
Especially one of this size and top quality—it was impossible to even see on the market, truly a priceless treasure.
'Even after paying off my debt, there'd be plenty left.'
Come to think of it, isn't this bribery?
Well, bribery on this level is worth accepting.
"I won't refuse it. And if I were to use this..."
"It's already yours. What you do with it is none of my business."
I nodded slightly.
I had planned to go through Sahim anyway, so accepting this posed no issue.
A new worry cropped up instead.
'A blind man can't appreciate treasure right in front of him?'
To use what's in my head, I need to get it out first, but it's all manual labor.
Talking with him revealed that my knowledge was far more lacking and narrow than I'd imagined.
The alien knowledge in my head was beyond my current level to utilize on my own.
'I don't even know what's important, so I can't pick and choose freely. A clear path to hardship has opened up.'
Even just one Claw—how long would that take? I couldn't calculate it now.
A month? Two?
My already scarce personal time felt like it would shrink even more, giving me a headache.
But I couldn't not do it.
"...More than that, I have some advice. I suspect the source of your information is a psychic ability... right?"
"Yeah."
He asked cautiously.
I nodded in affirmation, and he hit my exact worry on the nose.
"The greater the value of the information, the greater the capacity needed to handle it. Of course, you don't have to do everything alone. But there's a certain baseline required."
"Uh... so?"
"Study. Leonard Monarch. Letting a mind like yours go to waste is the height of extravagance."
Sahim spoke with unyielding firmness.
His frustration at not being able to stand by and watch was vividly transmitted.
As I faltered under his intensity, he tapped his wrist panel and sent me a massive data transfer.
"This, this, and this too. Professor Endoll's multivariate verification on seventh-dimensional charts is also worth a look."
"What's all this...?"
"What you need to learn. Don't worry—if you need a teacher, I'll help. From midnight, four hours anytime."
From midnight, four hours?
When does he sleep?
Thanks to tech advancements, sleep capsules in the dorms handled all fatigue in just two hours, but hardly anyone used them for exactly that.
Most did at least four hours.
And rolled around for another hour after waking.
"Lemon's got it good. I've never seen Sahim care this much about anyone."
Roze spoke innocently, oblivious to my turmoil.
I couldn't refuse Sahim's offer and nodded reflexively.
That day, a new path to hardship opened.
***
The next day.
The day of the practical test.
It was also the time when the academy drew the most attention and crowds.
We moved to the opposite side of the satellite for the practical test.
The area featured various simulated environments for testing.
From jungles and deserts to urban zones packed with skyscrapers, alien-contaminated terrain, and space combat facilities.
The practical test site could recreate 99% of commonly encountered situations.
"Nice to see you, cadets."
Greeted upon disembarking the shuttle were a two-star general and about 10,000 soldiers.
"Looks like there's a live combat command test today."
"Could be a large-scale rotation too."
"Ugh... I hate having soldiers underfoot."
Roze groaned.
Merdi next to her didn't say it, but her displeasure was obvious.
"No need to worry too much. If you don't know, just follow the sergeant's lead."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Even at a glance, everyone pulled for tests is elite."
The soldiers before us looked lightly armed, but they were all battle-hardened elites.
The kind who could prevent a failing grade even if the cadet commander made repeated mistakes.
As long as they didn't get in the way.
"Then I'll do as Lemon says!"
The test went as expected.
Each cadet led a squad: one sergeant and nine special forces veterans, taking the role of squad leader.
I was assigned my soldiers and headed to the test start point, separated from my peers.
Alright, first things first: greetings.
Command subjects like this scored highly on charisma and likability for capturing subordinates.
"Nice to meet you. Sergeant... Smith?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Haha, treat me casually. Cadets are basically civilians until commissioned."
"We can't do that. For this test, Squad Leader Leonard holds direct command authority over us."
"The test hasn't started yet. I want to get friendly with you all, who risk your lives for humanity. How about casual talk until it begins?"
"Apologies. It goes against our duty."
Even as he said that, his attitude had softened considerably from the initial stiff gaze.
"Haha, can't be helped. First, could you list our squad's supplies? And introduce the squad members too."
"Yes, sir!"
Standard ground combat armor, one beam rifle using energy sticks, and a plasma spear from the BB series with strong penetration as main weapons.
Plus personal high-performance alien sensors, disposable safety barriers, miscellaneous sub-weapons, and three days' rations.
"Hmm... supplies are a bit light. More focus on non-combat objectives?"
I subtly asked Sergeant Smith's opinion.
He replied as if waiting.
"As Squad Leader predicts. Considering supplies and op sustainability, we must efficiently designate combat targets until reaching objectives."
In other words, can't just fight nonstop.
I chatted with the squad leader and introduced myself to the squad members.
All competent soldiers with diverse specialties.
'This should be enough for now.'
Academy cadets weren't ordinary.
Young yet powerful, future superhumans and heroes safeguarding humanity.
Naturally, many were abnormal.
Sky-high self-esteem, quirky personalities.
Some seemed incapable of normal daily life.
So caution was key.
They likely viewed even me—acting normal—as potentially snapping suddenly.
"Hmm, mission..."
Upon arriving at the designated skyscraper-packed zone and exiting the shuttle, the mission downloaded.
As expected.
Main objectives:
-Priority: Survive three days.
-Explore and gather intel from as many target zones as possible.
-Supply drops once daily at random locations.
-Missions subject to sudden changes.
A timed survival challenge.
Given the massive op area, cadet clashes were unlikely.
But distant target zones meant hustling for high scores.
At least not a jungle—small mercy.
"Let's head to the nearest one first."
"Yes, sir!"
Targeted the closest recon point.
Low points, but good appetizer.
Smith ordered vigilance.
Skyscrapers limited visibility severely.
Portable sensors performed poorly here; enemies could pop out anytime.
About ten minutes into cautious movement, we spotted the first enemy.
"Autonomic neural combat weapon: Armor Spider. Early model."
" Looks infected by a neural parasite, huh?"
"Yes."
Three Armor Spiders visible.
Armor Spiders: one-meter, six-legged small combat units.
Ranged weapons broken or missing, but energy condenser cutters on mechanical arms were threatening.
One oddity.
Originally, Armor Spiders were human-allied, born to fight aliens.
But these three had grotesque slime coating their outer armor.
High chance of neural parasites infecting and controlling the autonomic robots.
Which meant...
"Infection tunnels nearby. Direction suggests the recon point."
"Engage?"
"I'll handle it solo. Conserve ammo."
"Support if needed."
Had checks to make, so I stepped out.
If they reacted like rallying allies, pulling back would be wise.
[Static...! Protect target... Static! Hostile detected... Static!]
As the Armor Spider rounded the building and approached, it reacted immediately.
Classic look of a parasite-infected combat unit.
[Eliminate... Zzt!]
Closed distance with six legs, striding forward.
Speed that'd shock a 100m sprinter.
Despite disrupted circuits from infection, incredibly agile.
A civilian wouldn't even scream before dying.
"Hup!"
But to me, sparring regularly with 'Blood Roze,' it was laughably slow.
The lead Armor Spider thrust its energy cutter.
I twisted my waist to dodge, then smashed a short punch into its front sensors, shattering them.
Considering no-barrier Armor Spider plating, internals wrecked in one hit.
My follow-up kick struck the next one's head, tangling it with the last and toppling them.
Stepped on the one at my feet to finish.
"Whew."
Three Armor Spiders cleared in one breath.