[Practical Test]

In the 28th century, science and technology have advanced to an incomparable degree. Among these advancements, military technology, spurred by the extreme demand following the first encounter with aliens 100 years ago, is particularly notable.

The heavy military weapons become one of the top contributors to protecting humanity, alongside the existence of superhumans.

The importance of researching aliens lies here. Military weapons are extremely precise, and this precision becomes more powerful with accurate information about the target.

Therefore, accurate information and analysis of the target are paramount. The more accurate the information, the easier it is to seize victory.

Sahil knows this fact better than anyone here.

"It's a shame that such a talent like you has only now realized their potential now," he says.

"Haha," I just laugh. Wondering whether he is complementing me or is cursing me for slacking off till now.

"If it weren't for the test tomorrow, I'd love to stay up all night talking."

"Really?"

"Seriously. There's no doubt I've lost this bet. If you want anything, just say it. I swear on the will of the white planet that illuminates my homeland, I will do my best to fullfill what you want."

"I can't think of anything right now. Can I tell you later?"

"Whenever you feel like it," Sahil nods.

Then he adds, "And I'm not forcing you, but if you ever reveal more of your thesis or solutions to the world, I'd appreciate it if you could do it through me first. Please!"

"I'll think about it."

"Hmm, this is a token of my promise. Please accept it."

"This is... Wow."

What Sahil hands over is extraordinarily beautiful: a white energy crystal, known as the heart of Santinau, the jewel of jewels. By the Santinau is the homeland of Sahil.

It is also a symbolic item representing the Moheim royal family. Especially, a top-quality item of this size is practically impossible to find on the market, a treasure that is literally priceless.

'I could pay off my debts and still have plenty left.'

Come to think of it, isn't this a bribe? No, this level of a bribe is worth accepting.

"I won't refuse. And..."

"It is already yours. How you use it is none of my concern," he interrupts.

I nod slightly. Since I planned to go through Sahil anyway, accepting this shouldn't be a problem. More than that, a new concern arises.

'Isn't it said that a blind person can't see the treasure right in front of them?'

To use what's in my head, I need to take it out first, and it's all manual work. However, during the conversation with Sahil, I realize that my knowledge is far more lacking and extremely narrow. In other words, my level is too low to use the knowledge about aliens in my head effectively.

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'I don't know what's important, so I can't just take things out and put them in at will. I see a lot of hard work ahead.'

Just one alien claw alone—how long will it take? I can't calculate right now. A month? Two months? I get a headache at the thought of my already scarce personal time decreasing significantly. But I can't avoid it.

"More than that, I have a point I'd like to advise. I think the source of your information is a special ability… Is that correct?" Sahil asks cautiously.

When I nod in affirmation, he hits the exact point I was worried about.

"The greater the value of the information, the higher the need to handle it effectively. Of course, you don't have to do everything by yourself. But there is a certain level you need to reach."

"Uh… so?"

"Let's study, Leonard Monarch. Leaving your brain idle like this is an extreme waste," Sahil speaks with a very firm attitude.

It is clear that he is too frustrated to just stand by and watch. As I hesitate, overwhelmed by his intensity, he immediately touches the panel on his wrist and sends me a vast amount of data.

"This, and this, and you'll need this too. The multivariable verification on the 7th dimension by Professor Endol is also worth referencing."

"What is all this…?"

"These are the things you need to learn. Don't worry. If you need a teacher, I'll help you. I can give you four hours from midnight."

Four hours from midnight? When does he sleep? Even though there are sleep capsules in the dorms that can alleviate all fatigue with just two hours of use thanks to technological advancements, very few people actually use them for only two hours.

Most people use them for at least four hours. And then they roll around for another hour after waking up.

"You're lucky, Lemon. I've never seen Sahil care so much about anyone," Rose says in an innocent voice, seemingly unaware of my inner turmoil.

I can't refuse Sahil's offer, so I nod reflexively. On that day, a new set of hardships begins for me.

***

The next day, the practical test starts. It is also the time when the academy is the most crowded and receives the most attention. We move to the exact opposite side of the satellite for the practical test.

This place is equipped with various environments for the test, from jungles and deserts to urban areas filled with skyscrapers, and even terrains consumed by alien contamination and facilities for space warfare. The practical test site can simulate 99% of the situations one might encounter.

"Welcome, cadets," a two-star general greets us as we get off the shuttle, accompanied by about 10,000 soldiers.

"Looks like there's a live command test today," someone says.

"It's highly likely to be a large-scale maneuver," another adds.

"Ugh… I hate dealing with soldiers," Rose groans.

Merdiana, standing next to her, doesn't say anything, but her dislike is clearly visible.

"No need to worry too much. If you don't know something, just follow the sergeant's advice," I say.

"Really?"

"Yes. Even if they look like this, all the personnel drafted for the test are elites."

The soldiers in front of us only appear lightly armed, but they are all elite troops refined through real combat. Even if a cadet in the command role makes consecutive mistakes, these capable soldiers can prevent them from failing completely. Just don't get in their way.

"Then I'll just do what Lemon says!"

The test goes as expected. Each cadet is assigned the role of a platoon leader, leading a platoon composed of one sergeant and nine special forces soldiers. I also lead the assigned soldiers, heading to the starting point of the test, separated from my colleagues.

Alright, let's start with greetings. In these command courses, charisma or affinity with subordinates also has a significant impact on the score.

"Nice to meet you, Sergeant Smith?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Haha, please feel free to speak comfortably. After all, I'm just a cadet and not officially commissioned yet, so I'm practically a civilian."

"That won't do. Cadet Platoon Leader Leonard, for the duration of this test, you are our direct commanding officer."

"We haven't started the test yet. I'd like to get along with those of you who risk your lives fighting for humanity. How about we speak comfortably until the test begins?"

"I'm sorry. That would go against our duties."

Despite saying that, their demeanour is noticeably different from the highly formal attitude they had when we first met.

"Haha, I suppose it can't be helped. For now, could you provide me with the supply list for our platoon? Oh, and please introduce the platoon members too."

"Yes, sir!"

The basic equipment includes land combat armor, an energy stick beam rifle, and a BB series plasma lance with strong penetration power as the primary weapons.

Additionally, we have high-performance personal alien sensors, single-use safety barriers, and miscellaneous secondary equipment, along with three days' worth of rations.

"Hmm... it seems we are under-supplied. Could this mean our task is more focused on something other than combat?"

I subtly seek Sergeant Smith's opinion. He promptly responds as if he has been waiting for the question.

"It is highly likely, as you suggested, sir. Considering the supplies and the operational duration, we will need to efficiently identify combat targets until we reach our objective."

In other words, we can't just keep fighting non-stop. I continue chatting with the platoon sergeant and introduce myself to the platoon members. They are all competent soldiers with various special skills.

'This should be sufficient for now.'

Academy cadets are not ordinary people. Despite their young age, they possess great power and are future superhumans who will protect humanity as heroes.

Naturally, there are many abnormal ones among them. They all have sky-high self-esteem and peculiar personalities. Some seem like they would struggle to function in everyday life.

So, I have to be careful. Even those who act normal, like me, probably have the potential to suddenly snap.

"Hmm, the mission is…."

After arriving at the designated location filled with tall buildings, we disembark from the shuttle and receive our mission. The mission is not much different from what I expected. The main objectives are as follows:

- Primary objective: Survive for three days.

- Explore and gather information from as many target areas as possible.

- Supplies will be dropped randomly once a day.

- The assigned mission may suddenly change.

It's a survival mission with a time attack. Given the vastness of the operational area, the chances of running into other cadets are relatively low.

However, since the exploration target areas are far apart, we’ll have to move around actively to earn high points. At least it's not a jungle, so I suppose I should be grateful.