A week before the start of the second semester.

The biggest change from the first semester is undoubtedly the attention I'm getting.

I ranked 72nd.

I owe this impressive score to tagging along with Merdi and scoring high in Alien Military Studies. It's definitely a much higher rank than I deserve based on my actual skills.

“Is that Leonard Monarch?”

“He looks ordinary.”

Because of this, I often notice people openly envying me. Previously, those who didn’t even acknowledge me now approach first, and some even bring up topics about the Salmon Research Institute, as if they know about it.

“That was really surprising.”

It made me realize that these people cannot be simply regarded as cadets.

“Leonard Monarch. I challenge you to a duel.”

“I refuse.”

“What? Without even a moment of hesitation...”

“I’m really, really sorry, but I don’t have time.”

The problem is that the rumors don’t just end with gossip.

And this leads to the matter of which subject I should choose and be careful about. This academy is filled with monsters who could easily crush me, even if they’re not from the generation of miracles.

“Yeah, something like this.”

RTA (Real-Time Alien) Strategy.

This subject involves predicting the movements of aliens and crafting tailored strategies accordingly. The course uses current battlefield situations for lessons, allowing cadets to see how their decisions affect the evolving situation over time.

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“Though the course is meant to give a sense of the battlefield’s realism...”

This might be what I’m best suited for right now.

Why?

Because of my background knowledge of this world. And my deep understanding of aliens gained through my abilities.

“The first class is next week.”

I checked the course registration page. Contrary to my expectations, RTA Strategy was already a mandatory course. All I had to do was choose a convenient time for the class.

Looking through last semester’s evaluations, the comments were outrageous.

↳ PandaHeart: People die like ants. It’s horrible.

↳ PandaHeart: I don’t want to take this class again.

↳ Little Mirage: That’s too bad. I heard it’s becoming a mandatory course next semester.

↳ I’m Handsome: Are the alien movements for real? How can they get everything wrong?

↳ I’m Handsome: If my strategy was chosen, all the citizens would have been wiped out.

All the evaluations are full of self-deprecation and disappointment. There are a few cadets who scored well, but they are very few.

“Was the course really that difficult?”

It’s hard to understand. Is it different from what I imagined? Maybe I’ll end up with bitter defeat from overconfidence. But there’s no choice. It’s a mandatory course for the two semesters, a whole year.

“Let’s just give it a try.”

I closed the panel and buried my face back into the papers. There was too much to do to focus on just one concern.

*

The second semester has officially begun.

The courses were more practical and realistic compared to the first semester, which seemed like an introduction, and the cadets were forced to adapt to these changes.

The first class set a strict tone.

“This is a scene from an actual battle on the planet Froonschaya, which took place just yesterday.”

The instructor showed a screen with vivid images of the battlefield. Destroyed buildings and shattered bridges. Personal shuttles were scattered across the roads, and wounded soldiers covered in blood were receiving treatment.

The screen changed. Bodies lay everywhere, and people were crying over the corpses. Even more horrifying scenes continued to unfold.

“Ugh...”

“This is too much... sob!”

“It’s making me sick.”

The atmosphere plummeted as soon as the lecture started. Most were grimacing at the screen, and some couldn’t bear to watch, covering their eyes. One even tried to leave the classroom.

“...Damn! Why is the door locked? Hey! Open this!”

“No one leaves until the class is over.”

“You’ve got to be kidding! I just needed a moment!”

“Do not look away. Such scenes are a daily occurrence on the front lines.”

It was devastating. I never thought it would be this intense. I finally understood why the course evaluations were so harsh.

“This is stressful.”

I wasn’t any different. I barely managed to suppress the nausea welling up inside by controlling my body. It was the first time I felt grateful for learning martial arts. Now, I know what I had written… realizing it hit me hard.