Chapter 8

Chapter 8

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 8: Rustila (3).

Puak. Puak. Puak. Sonia relentlessly beat Aidel.

“Euk, euk!”

Merciless pinpoint attacks. She didn’t give him a moment to rest. Aidel was literally knocked out by Sonia’s dazzling hand and foot movements.

“Ughh…” Like a fish flopping, Aidel collapsed. His complexion had turned as pale as a fileted flatfish. Foam dribbled from his mouth as if he had lost consciousness.

Sonia sighed and opened her mouth. “With injuries like these, it will take three days at most. I, Sonia, am satisfied with the control of strength.”

She looked around Aidel. Zermel, who had been blankly observing the situation, asked, “Then, you?”

“Ah, right. I haven’t introduced myself yet.”

With a thud! Sonia threw Aidel aside and slightly lifted her skirt with both hands. “I am Sonia, the exclusive attendant of Master Aidel von Reinhardt present here.”

“Sonia… that’s a beautiful name. I am Zermel.”

Sonia picked up Aidel again and said, “I apologize for the disturbance caused by our master. You must be confused. I will handle this situation. Please go to the room at the far end and wait for a moment.”

Zermel shook his head indifferently. “We have a duty to protect Miss Rustila.”

“I can handle that duty for a while.” Sonia flaunted, shaking the unconscious Aidel.

Zermel sighed at that. ‘When the boy in front of us caused trouble, we couldn’t do anything.’ The dilemma created by ‘must protect humans’ and ‘must not hit humans’ had clashed.

Faced with such a dilemma, it’s natural for even humans to hesitate. How much more so for a robot made of code? Having completed feedback through its artificial neural network, Zermel bowed his head deeply.

“… Excuse me, but would it be alright to exchange information?”

“Anytime.” Sonia nodded in agreement.

A mutual agreement was reached. Zermel read information about Sonia’s central chip. ‘This Sonia, upon checking her serial number, is equipped with a 5th generation.’

Zermel is a 4th generation android, while Sonia is a 5th generation android. “Compared to us 4th generations, it’s fair to consider the 5th generation as human. At least, she would protect the lady better than we would. The use of violence against humans was because of the disciplinary access key.”

A massive amount of data was exchanged. Zermel, having understood Sonia’s intention, nodded. Unlike human robots, robots could persuade each other without much need for words.

“Then, please take good care of Miss Rustila,” Zermel said.

“I will ensure her safety at all costs.” As if it never happened, the androids disbanded their encirclement of Rustila and entered a designated room.

‘…What is this?’ Rustila saw the scene. They were gone. The annoying androids that had been monitoring her were nowhere to be seen.

“…Ah.” Freedom. Rustila had regained her freedom for the first time in a while.

“Whoa, that crazy bastard Aidel! He has been quiet for a while. I knew he would cause some trouble again!” Ceti grumbled, clutching the back of her neck. She sighed, looking around.

“Sis, I am really sorry. Because of that crazy guy, you lost your focus, right? I apologize, really…”

Rustila shook her head. That isn’t what is important right now. Thump, thump, her heart was pounding.

“Ceti.”

“What is it?”

“Can I do this…?”

Returning to the room, Rustila took out a wooden sword. It was something she had taken without her parents knowing. Ceti tilted her head in confusion.

“You want to practice swordsmanship? In here?”

Ceti’s room is spacious, but it’s only about 1000 square feet at best. Considering the bed and the other furniture, the actual space is even less. It was far too cramped to be used as a place for swordsmanship.

“It is fine. This much width is enough to practice.”

“Practice…” Ceti’s lips curled into a bitter smile.

Ceti knew that Rustila had a fondness for the sword; it was a well-known story. She had also heard at the social gathering that Rustila’s parents had forbidden her from practicing swordsmanship, a clear case of overprotection.

“Uh, um… right, go ahead. Homework can wait.”

She couldn’t refuse when she saw Rustila’s desperate expression. Ceti had no choice but to nod in agreement.

“Really? Thanks!”

Rustila’s excitement was palpable as she jumped around like a child, her eyes sparkling with life. She shed her cardigan and grabbed a sword, now in a sleeveless top and shorts.

‘Ah… this familiar sensation. How long has it been?’ She gripped the wooden sword and focused, adopting the stance. The corners of her lips twitched slightly.

Woong! With a light swing, her spine tingled. It felt exhilarating, far more enjoyable than the mindless studying with a pen in hand. Moving her body was what truly suited her.

This wasn’t just a whim. Rustila harbored a dream she couldn’t abandon. ‘I will become a soldier.’

Woong. The sword sliced sharply through the air, Rustila’s gaze intensifying with focus. That look of someone wholly absorbed in their swordplay. With that intensity, she visualized an enemy and struck at their vital points.

In that moment, she made a vow. ‘No matter what my parents say.’ Swish, tak! ‘I will follow this path.’

[‘The God of Purity and Persistence’ sends praise for your perseverance.]

[You have received 100 coins!]

With just a few swings, Rustila entered a state of deep immersion, achieving sword-body unity. She became one with the wooden sword, the outside world fading away as she isolated herself from it. Everything began to appear intermittently and more vividly.

As a result, Rustila was able to converse with her inner self. She questioned the sword, ‘… who was that boy?’

Aidel von Reinhardt. That name was renowned, known throughout the universe. Wasn’t he dubbed the troublemaker of Reinhardt?

Rustila didn’t believe that story, nor did she harbor any prejudice. Her belief was rooted in the idea that one shouldn’t judge someone they haven’t met based solely on rumors.

Of course, to the eye, the boy, Aidel, seemed to behave poorly. The rumors appeared to be accurate.

‘But,’ Woong! One shouldn’t judge a person solely by their outward appearance.

Depending on the situation and context, one must carefully consider why that person acted in such a way. At least, that’s what Rustila’s sword seemed to be screaming.

‘There must have been some intention.’ Using the skill ‘Heart’s Eye’ to uncover the essence, Aidel was essentially a good person.

Then why did he display such reckless behavior? It wasn’t hard to guess the answer. ‘Probably because of the Outer God.’

The fear faced ‘internally.’ The fleeting glimpse of white tentacles revealed that Aidel’s backing was an evil god from the outside world.

‘He has already… been insane for a while. Tormented by the Outer God, there was hardly a moment of him being sane.’ Rustila sighed.

‘How tough it must have been…?’ A life seized by an evil god. Looking at that life, others would only point fingers, calling him a ‘madman.’ It was like pouring salt on a wound.

‘I too… from now on, even if it is just me, I need to treat him better.’ Rustila emerged from those thoughts.

Even though she stopped her hands, even though she unknowingly closed her eyes, she could still see the sword movement. Her talent had already reached the state of a warrior. If she continued like this, she would achieve great success.

But she wasn’t interested in the realm she had achieved after so long.

“Ceti.”

“Woah, it is delicious… uh? Yes. What?”

“Can I meet your brother once?”

“pfft_!” Ceti spat out the juice she was drinking onto the desk.

How many hours had I been lying down? I opened my eyes with a throbbing pain.

As my blurry vision slowly cleared, my senses became vivid too. My entire body hurt. It hurt as if I had been beaten up.

“Ouch,” the groan came out in cracks.

“You’re awake?” A frilly apron came into view. Unable to lift my head, I just rolled my eyes to see. Blue hair, white eyes—Sonia was looking down at me with an indifferent look.

“…Where am I?”

“Recovery room, please rest.”

“Ah…” I remembered what happened. I was beaten so badly that I almost forgot.

“Are you alright?”

“Not to the point of dying.”

“Then it is good. Since it was the order of the young master, I will not be offering an apology.”

“Ah, right… But what are those androids doing now?”

“I have properly placed them in the guest room.”

“You did well.”

It was somewhat of a gamble, but I’m relieved that things turned out well. Even by strict standards, it can be considered a success in the first stage.

After this, I received more detailed information from Sonia.

“They cannot attack humans, but I can. Probably when the same threat appears, they will rely on me. It is the limit of the 4th gen. At least for today, the control over Miss Rustila’s safety has shifted to me.”

I silently applauded inside. Competent Sonia.

Although I did get beaten, if the dark clouds over Rustila have been cleared to an extent, and if that has lowered the possibility of the universe’s destruction even by a little… Right. That is enough.

“Sonia.”

“Yes.”

“Do you have the workbook I was solving? Bring it to me.”

“How about taking the day off? I tried to be gentle, but you are still hurt.”

“Which is why I am saying I will do it.”

“…?”

“Studying is my way of resting.”

[‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ is pleased with your zeal for learning.]

[You have received 100 prons!]

“I can never understand how you think, young master. I have been assisting you for over 10 years now, and yet you…”

“Ah, Sonia!”

“Yet, I understand.”

As I acted restless, Sonia brought me the workbook. She only brought two, but what does it matter? This was enough to kill time.

“Ugh! My shoulders hurt.”

“Do you have stuck shoulders or something?”

“Don’t you think it’s because of the blueberry-colored maid who beat me up?”

“Hmph.”

Sonia, who had been twirling her hair around her fingers, twisted her lips into a smile. It was a bit annoying.

“If you’re going to study, I’ll prepare a stand for you. Don’t strain yourself lying down.”

“Thanks, I appreciate the thought.”

Ding-dong.

“…one moment. It seems like someone has arrived.”

Sonia, who was inserting the workbook into the bookstand, stopped and turned around. She checked the intercom. Lying in bed, I frowned.

“Seems to be a visitor?”

Sonia said, looking at me. A visitor for the troublemaker Aidel, it was like the sun rising in the west.

Of course, I could guess who they were.

“Let them in.”

“You must not cause trouble.”

“Feels like my limbs are being torn apart, why would I?”

“People need to be careful not just with actions but with words too.”

Sonia pressed a button to open the door, and I took a short breath and barely turned my head.

The next moment, swish, the scent of flowers flooded in like a tide. It had a fresh scent, as if standing on a low hill covered with fields.

Following that scent, I moved my gaze. There stood a girl with a yellow ponytail and a smile. The girl bowed and then looked back and forth between me and Sonia.

“You are… Aidel?”

Her tone was quite polite. She seemed no older than a ninth grader, yet she appeared mature.

Well, you cannot speak informally to someone you are meeting for the first time. Thinking this, I responded respectfully.

“Yes, I am Aidel Reinhardt.”

“…”

“What brings you here?”

Rustila’s aquamarine eyes slowly gazed at me. Then, she seemed startled and shuddered.

“Ah, that…” Rustila hesitated before speaking.

“Are you alright from the wounds?”

“Yes, I am fine. I am sorry for causing trouble earlier.”

I bowed my head. Then Rustila’s eyes opened a bit wider.

“Why did you do that?”

Rustila asked. At that moment, when I was about to respond,

“Our young master sometimes has these fits. Whatever happens, I discipline him just as you saw. Once he faints and wakes up, he seems to be fine for a while,” Sonia interrupted.

“…ah, well.”

It isn’t wrong. After all, the reason I transmigrated was because Aidel got his head cracked open by a casino security guard.

Having no other excuses, I remained silent.

“Ah…” Rustila sighed like an old man who had lived through an entire life. A pitiful emotion clouded her once bright eyes.

Wait. Something is going a bit off from what I intended. So, I hastily added to Sonia’s words.

“I am sorry to say this on our first meeting, but I was aware of Miss Rustila’s family situation.”

Rustila no longer tried to hide her surprise. Her eyes and hands trembled slightly.

“M-my family situation?”

“It’s well-known. The fact that the Kersil family’s parents are terribly taking care of their only daughter.”

The Kersil is a fairly prestigious family. News of such noble families spreads through parties or news, just like a celebrity’s life’s exposure.

“I thought to myself when I saw all those androids in front of the door. Ah, this is a bit…” This is the crucial point.

I continued, “Suddenly, I got angry. So I did what I did. If it disturbed your studies, I am sorry.”

I bowed deeply to her. Crack! My entire body was screaming. Damn it, it hurts!

“Ah, as I thought. That is what it was. That is why it happened….” Rustila nodded lightly. The gloomy look on her face brightened a bit.

Did it work well? I did think it was a bit of a stretch.

“…” It seems Rustila used her ‘Heart’s Eye’, whether it was when I was causing the mess or now. Given she’s here to visit me, it is likely she used it back then.

“… You. You are a good person.” Rustila smiled bitterly.

“That book… were you studying it by any chance?”

“Yes. If I fail the Stellarium this year, I will be disowned by my family.”

“Ah…” Rustila’s face turned sad. She drooped her shoulders weakly.

Seeing her sad makes me sad too. No, if you’re going to be like that, it feels like the universe is ending…

For a while, silence fell. Rustila soon relaxed her expression and spoke, her face determined as if she had made a resolution.

“I am planning to apply to Stellarium too.”

“You’re smart, so you’ll definitely get in.”

I smiled, offering her encouraging words. Then, Rustila burst into laughter.

“Ah, my way of speaking is so weird. We’re the same age and not adults, so why are we even speaking this formally to each other?”

“…”

“Shall we speak informally to each other?”

After a moment of thought, I nodded. “If we can see each other after getting in.”

Things are going better than expected.

Editor Note:

The translation for Rustila’s currency is ‘Coin’, and for Aidel, it remains ‘Pron’. Could be that she has a Constellation and he an Outer God. Different Currencies!