As Barton predicted, my body recovered in just one day.
All it took was a few medical treatments and sufficient rest.
My previously confused mind also feels somewhat organized now, and I've been able to establish some basic guidelines for how to act going forward.
Today is my third day as Lemon.
It's a day to participate in education.
'Where am I?'
The COH Academy boasts an incredibly massive scale.
There are about 1,000 cadets per class year, with a total of 3,000 cadets across three years.
Typically, third-year students are deployed to less intense battlefields under the pretext of practical training, so the actual capacity is effectively 2,000.
Add to that the senior superhumans who serve as teachers, instructors, and other support staff, and the total reaches about 10,000 people.
But this number alone doesn't convey how massive the scale is.
The real deal is the facilities.
Each superhuman is comparable to a tactical weapon.
Those at the top of each superhuman corps could rightfully be called strategic weapons.
Could such individuals showcase their talents just anywhere?
That's why the COH Academy occupies the entire second satellite of the strategic stronghold "Terra," which is considered the center of the Human Alliance's second defense line.
Initially, this satellite had a different name, but now it's simply called COH, and every year, astronomical amounts of financial support and various other resources are poured into cadet training.
So what I'm trying to say is...
'I could easily get lost with one wrong turn.'
The distance I need to travel according to my assigned schedule is quite far.
If it weren't for the guide bot floating beside me, I would certainly have lost my way.
Lemon's memories, which I absorbed on the first day, aren't complete enough for me to find my way on my own.
It's like reading meticulously recorded information.
The content is so vast that it's difficult to immediately find what I need.
Fortunately, this is a theory class, so the classroom is relatively close, and Lemon's brain is significantly superior to my original one.
His overall intelligence, including memory, is at a genius level.
It's probably a result of genetic modification and enhancement carried out by the 'Monarch' family.
Yet even this brain is considered merely average at the academy.
The more I learn, the deeper my sense of doom becomes.
"What's the first class?"
[Understanding and Mastery of BB000 Series Weapon Systems, sir.]
"Today is just theory, right?"
[That's correct, Master.]
That's a relief.
I still don't have confidence in using my body.
There were no problems on the first day when my body was sore, but on the second day, I made many mistakes I couldn't tell others about.
I couldn't adjust.
It was probably the first time I felt like a monster.
No wonder ordinary people dislike superhumans.
Now I've adapted somewhat, so I shouldn't make mistakes in daily life, but I'm still uneasy about intense physical activity.
Soon, I arrived at the classroom.
In an exceptionally spacious area, circular tables designed for three people were sparsely placed.
About 100 cadets had gathered for the class.
Seeing that there are almost no empty seats, I must be among the last to arrive.
I pulled out a chair at a table with a vacant seat and sat down.
The other two at the same table glanced at me with cynical eyes before turning away, showing little interest.
That's fine with me; I prefer it that way.
Instead, I turned my head to look at the most noticeable group of people sitting a table away.
Rose and Barton.
Rose was resting her chin on her hand, looking bored out of her mind, while Barton, whose intelligence would make anyone else envious, sat with perfect posture, intently studying the textbook he had undoubtedly already memorized.
Next to them, a woman with striking short silver hair—as eye-catching as Rose's red hair—was braiding Rose's long hair into an artistic creation while Rose dozed off.
A woman who attracts attention in a different way from Rose.
Despite wearing a flashy two-tone dress with cut-out shoulders and numerous accessories, she didn't look vulgar. Her languid gaze and straight nose bridge possessed a charm that would captivate anyone.
I would have been captivated too if I hadn't known her identity.
'Light-year Merdi'
I hoped not to see her if possible.
Rose with her inability to control her strength is problematic, but Merdi is an even more serious danger.
She's less of an issue during normal times.
But when she enters 'Light-year' mode, she uses her abilities indiscriminately, unable to distinguish between friend and foe.
Her latent ability is so powerful that, even though she can't control it perfectly and merely releases it, few superhumans can effectively counter it.
In terms of firepower alone, she ranks first among the five members of the Miracle Generation.
As a result, when Merdi is scheduled for sparring, medical support personnel are placed on high alert.
If this were 100 years ago, before the Human Alliance was established and superhumans were considered countermeasures to aliens, she might well have been considered humanity's primary enemy.
Still, the frequency of her entering Light-year mode is relatively low for now.
After experiencing several episodes, her condition worsens and eventually becomes the trigger for 'that issue,' but that's still far in the future.
Just then, perhaps sensing my gaze, Merdi's eyes met mine.
With a mischievous expression, she grinned and playfully winked.
'I made a mistake.'
I found myself turning my head away without thinking.
I hear giggling.
Maybe I turned my head too abruptly?
I truly, 100% sincerely, don't want to attract her attention.
If possible, I'd like to spend my entire life pretending not to know her and living as strangers.
In this already bleak world, why would I shorten my lifespan with my own hands?
Fortunately for me, her attention naturally shifted elsewhere soon after.
"Attention."
The teacher entered.
Wearing a military uniform, the teacher is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Human Alliance military.
He's also an elite who, after serving on the front lines until early this year, chose to contribute to humanity as an academy instructor during his standby period instead of resting.
Therefore, instead of calling him "teacher," we address him by his actual rank, "Lieutenant Colonel."
"The subject matter is the BB000 weapon system, but I believe no cadet here is unfamiliar with it."
"Lieutenant Colonel, this one doesn't know," said Merdi, poking the still-dozing Rose with her finger.
The Lieutenant Colonel ignored her with practiced ease, not even turning his eyes.
Hmm, he's adapted quickly for someone only three months into teaching.
It's wise not to fixate on Rose, the model failing student.
"The BB000 series refers to the latest close-combat personal weapon system designed specifically for aliens. While it's certainly different from the superhuman-specific weapons you'll eventually use, the fundamental framework isn't dissimilar. In fact, since superhuman-exclusive weapons aren't issued until the third year, you might be more familiar with these."
One of the settings I put the most thought into when writing my story was the weapon system.
The world-building was so extensive and complex that new elements would pop up as the story progressed, but I remember the basic weapon systems like BB000 quite accurately because I designed them meticulously.
Fortunately, checking the textbook confirms that most of it is correct.
What I don't know are the details, such as specifications, materials, and performance of individual components, but cadets don't really need to know all that.
"Moreover, most of you will eventually command a certain number of soldiers. If you don't treat their lives as insignificant, you must accurately understand the effectiveness and limitations of their weapons."
Every word rings true.
Even though soldiers die like flies in the blink of an eye, they are the cornerstone of warfare.
Even if superhuman forces doubled or tripled right now, they couldn't exert their power without soldiers.
To sustain a war, soldier casualties must be minimized, which requires a deep understanding of their role.
That's also the way to protect dreams and hope.
So I listened attentively to the class.
After thinking hard for the past three days, I've concluded that becoming a 'physical powerhouse' is out of the question.
As for abilities, I've only seen the potential as a joker card, but nothing is certain, so I need to explore all options for now.
Still, I can clearly feel how my intelligence has improved.
Everything I read sticks in my brain precisely, making studying enjoyable.
Plus, this is basically my own world-building expanded with realistic details.
I can't help but be amazed at how brilliantly everything connects as I read more.
"...Huh?"
I finished reading the entire textbook before even half of the three-hour class had passed.
I was about to open the book again, but the content from the first page came to mind so vividly that I closed it again.
What is this?
My memory is even more terrifying than I thought.
With a brain like this, how did he only achieve average grades in theory?
With such intelligence, how little must Lemon have studied?
'Hmm...'
The overflowing self-confidence I felt disappeared with just one look around the room.
Right, within this group, it makes sense.
Nodding to myself, I focused on the Lieutenant Colonel's lecture.
The reason his lectures are effective with this inhumanly genius group is because they're based on vivid and realistic 'experiences.'
In particular, having led superhuman support units, he clearly differentiated between the roles of superhumans and soldiers.
The remaining time was extremely informative.
"That concludes our lesson. As my standby period at headquarters has ended, this course will be discontinued after today. Before I depart, let me leave you with one final thought. The role of superhumans in the war against aliens is critically important. I would sacrifice 10 soldiers, even 100 or 1,000 soldiers, to save a single superhuman, and the soldiers would willingly volunteer for it."
"Really?"
About half of the cadets present reacted skeptically.
No matter how important superhuman resources are, the choice to die 'in place of' someone else isn't easy.
But that statement is absolutely true.
There are quite a few actual cases, and it's even included in soldier and commander manuals.
It might not be in the superhuman curriculum, but that's how it is.
However, the Lieutenant Colonel's statement seems to have provoked Merdi.
"Come on, that's a lie. How could that be possible?"
"It is."
"Even if the superhuman is garbage?"
"A superhuman's personality, thoughts, or beliefs are irrelevant."
"What if that superhuman only causes problems? Would you still sacrifice for them?"
"There are no 'what ifs.' We save them, and the superhumans who survive continue to protect humanity from aliens."
Merdi fell silent at the Lieutenant Colonel's unwavering response.
"We believe in our value and fulfill our respective roles. Humanity currently doesn't have the luxury to think otherwise. Any questions?"
"...Boring."
Wow. Even Merdi was at a loss.
To make Merdi shut up—Lieutenant Colonel, I will respect you for life.
I looked at the Lieutenant Colonel with all the respect I could muster.
It seems it wasn't enough.
He didn't look at me at all.
Instead, I felt a chill on the left side of my face.
When I turned my head, Merdi was staring at me with narrowed eyes.
Not again! Why?!
"I hope to see you on the battlefield. Dismissed."
I packed my things without even having time to savor the powerful impression left by the Lieutenant Colonel.
I need to get out of here.
Anywhere Merdi's gaze doesn't reach.
If we keep making eye contact, I'm sure I won't live out my natural lifespan.
But my hopes were shattered within three seconds.
"Lemon!"
Rose's bright voice, which had been dozing until just a moment ago, called out to me.
Half of her face that had been resting on her hand is still red.
Seriously, I created her character, but why is this girl so rough and tumble?
"You seem better! No lingering issues?"
"I'm fine. Thanks for your concern. I should get going..."
"That's great! Then let's go spar!"
"...Spar?"
What is this all of a sudden?
Beautiful Blood Rose, would it be possible for you to ignore a mere extra like me?
I begged inwardly, but of course it wouldn't work.
"Yes. I feel so bad about what happened the day before yesterday. And this time, I'm confident I can control my strength well!"
"Confidence is not something to be claimed so carelessly."
Barton chides her.
Behind him stands Merdi, smiling broadly.
"What are you saying? It's true. I've been training hard these past three days."
"Um, I'm fine..."
"If it's because you feel sorry, there's no need to decline. Remember, you requested guidance sparring then. I didn't expect a fellow student to go that far. I really respect you! I'll do my best to help."
What?
Damn that Lemon. How much did you want to torture me?
He must have had a death wish when he did that.
Not all sparring is the same—didn't he know how many more qualified people there are here for guidance sparring?
I could feel cold sweat soaking the back of my uniform.