A month had passed, and my wounds from Planet 65 had fully healed. A few days ago, the school received the Skyward Herb extract sent from Planet 5. Ryan had kept his promise, and we each received half.
Overnight, the school became famous. Word spread that wealthy planets were willing to pay astronomical prices for the extract. Yet the principal refused every offer, insisting that the person who had found it, me, would have full control. In the end, I chose to seal the extract. Something deep in my instincts told me that now was not the time to use it.
But the events on Planet 65 still lingered in my mind. Back on Planet 173, I could not shake the unease. Ryan's words before leaving, the sudden surge of mental energy he had forced into me, it all far exceeded the limit of an A-rank. I had no choice but to reconsider everything I thought I knew about myself.
During my recovery, the medical report showed that my body had been under long-term overexertion. I was malnourished, dizzy at times, and occasionally suffered nosebleeds despite eating plenty. When Instructor Song Ran learned of this, he insisted that I come to his home for dinner every day after school.
The first time I went to his house, an unfamiliar face opened the door.
"Hello, is this Instructor Song's home?" I asked nervously.
The woman smiled gently and nodded. "Yes, you must be Aurora. Song Ran mentioned that you would come every day. My name is Yanyan. I'm his wife."
"Hello, Yanyan," I said, bowing slightly.
She led me into the kitchen while Song Ran sat at the table, which was covered with nourishing dishes. At that moment, a bittersweet feeling swelled in my chest. They cared for me as if I were their own child. I had never truly felt family warmth before, and that unfamiliar, comforting feeling almost broke through my defenses. My pride would not allow tears, so I silently thanked them in my heart. From that day on, every dinner carried that long-missed sense of warmth.
One evening, during dinner, I asked, "Sir, is 3S the highest talent a human can have?"
Song Ran looked at me patiently. "Historically, human talent capped at S-level. After 1039, the first 2S appeared. Humans continued to push their limits, and only recently was a 3S born. S-level is already exceptional, and 3S is one in million."
I took the opportunity to mention my experience on Planet 65 with a 3S student from the Leadership Division, especially the moment he forcibly linked his mental energy to mine.
Song Ran nodded and continued, "Leadership Division students are, by nature, leaders and strategists. They coordinate troops, plan routes, and make tactical decisions in dangerous environments. Mental linking is just one way they issue orders and share information. For team members, this 'intrusive' perception is not unusual."
I frowned. "But I really hated that feeling."
Teacher Song's expression turned serious. "The person you met comes from the famous Morgan family on Planet 5. The head of the family is Charles Morgan, commander of the Interstellar Strategic Council, the only person in the universe with the title 'Supreme Strategic Commander.' He is a rare 2S. The one you met, Ryan Morgan, is his son. Ryan has been confirmed as the only known 3S with the highest mental talent."
He picked up his bowl, his tone calm but steady. "Regarding the Leadership Division's mental linking, you need to understand a few rules. First, a link cannot be controlled at will; it depends on the leader's mental energy and the target's receptiveness. If the energy is too weak or the target's will too strong, the link may fail or even backfire. Second, battlefield links have limited range and precision. Overextending risks exhaustion, so contacts and information must be carefully chosen."
He paused, looking at me. "Family background also plays a crucial role in enhancing talent. Someone like Ryan Morgan received strict training from a young age and was supported with specialized drugs and instruments. His talent is not purely inherited, it is the combination of ability, training, and resources. Every use of mental energy is closely tied to the family's structured cultivation."
Song Ran set down his chopsticks, his tone firm. "S-level talent is already rare. 2S is one in ten thousand. And 3S is currently unique. The appearance of a 3S affects battlefield strategy and society's approach to gifted individuals. Each 3S is a strategic asset, around whom families, military forces, and the Interstellar Council plan carefully."
He sighed faintly. "When you felt Ryan's mental link on the battlefield, it was not only a display of personal talent but also a reflection of family influence, social expectation, and historical weight. For you, it was both pressure and a trigger for potential."
He paused, his gaze meaningful. "Ryan is your age, just nine, but he can command a battlefield through mental linking. That is true 3S. It is not only talent but also the aura of family training."
Then his voice softened, as if recalling something. "However, there are many rumors. Ryan, despite being a rare 3S, had unstable mental energy as a child and could easily lose control. Many call him a 'medicine child,' having grown up mostly in hospitals under strict observation."
I froze, my mind flashing back to the rainforest. His cold eyes. The forced mental link. The surge of power from deep within me that exceeded all my limits. And yet, in reality, he had grown up fragile, surrounded by drugs and instruments.
If his mental energy could ripple out of control, perhaps the strength I experienced was not spontaneous, it was triggered by my entanglement with him.
Song Ran paused, put down his chopsticks, and looked at me. His voice lowered. "Ever since you achieved full synchronization with an A-rank mecha, I suspected your mental talent might not be limited to A-level."
My heart skipped a beat.
He continued, "Talent is innate, but not fixed. Most people's mental level stabilizes before adulthood, but some can exceed it through effort, training, or extreme stimuli. Rising from A to A+, or even higher, is possible, though extremely rare and costly."
He mentioned the Planet 65 incident again. "You were saved by Ryan. At the critical moment, his overflowing mental energy covered you and saved your life."
I pressed my lips together, saying nothing.
"Ryan is 3S, so this is not unusual. But remember, talent may be innate yet sometimes only emerges under extreme conditions. A person's potential is not always fully visible to others."
He then shifted the conversation to ease the tension at the table.
In a quiet voice, I asked myself: Could I really be more than a simple A-rank? Could I perhaps be S-rank, 2S, or even… 3S?