Chapter 10

Chapter 10

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 10: Private Tutoring (1).

The Outer God handed me a caliper barely two characters long, a measuring tool considered outdated by the standards of this era. To the people here, it would seem as archaic as a medieval crescent-shaped flint knife.

I adjusted the caliper’s jaws and examined its exterior. It was neither steel nor aluminum. I couldn’t figure out what material it was made of. By its color, it seemed to be lead, but the faint reddish glow it emitted suggested it was something foreign.

[Calipers of Wisdom]

C-grade

[Attributes]

– Destruction

– Measurement

– Binding

A C-grade artifact is the lowest grade to exist, endowed with attributes such as destruction and measurement. It likely has a structure where its rank increases upon meeting certain conditions. It seemed to have potential.

But… “What exactly is this used for?”

I couldn’t figure out its purpose. It couldn’t just be for measuring lengths. There had to be some hidden intent.

[Information: Can be used for regular measurement.]

[Information: With the current grade, it can measure up to 10^-9m.]

Reading the information window, I doubted my eyes. Could a mere caliper be precise enough to calculate the linewidth of semiconductor circuits?

The surprises didn’t end there.

[Information: Apart from its original purpose, it can also be used in combat.]

I was dumbfounded. Combat? It was absurd to think of someone like me fighting monsters, let alone with a caliper. In a world where railgun beams zip around and plasma swords are wielded?

It was as good as telling me to die. It seemed this could not be used for anything beyond measuring purposes.

Of course, this much was enough. If I upgraded it, the performance would improve to the point where I could measure gaps between particles. Then, discovering Graviton shouldn’t be a problem.

When I placed the calipers on the desk, they vanished into thin air. It seems they are reclaimed when not in use. I was getting the hang of summoning and dismissing them repeatedly, accompanied by a dong-dong sound, when the status window updated.

‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ has begun to show a genuine interest in you.

She is hostile towards the legions of other Outer Gods beyond her own legion.

Serve as her apostle and confront the monsters from other dimensions.

Now is the time to lay the groundwork. Pass the entrance test of Stellarium Academy.

Upon Success: Unlock SAN parameter.

Upon Failure: Pregnancy with a child of Cartesia XD

My mouth dropped open at the sight of the failure conditions.

“Damn it, fuck-!!”

The entrance test for Stellarium is divided into three stages: written test, practical test, and interview.

Among these, the most challenging isn’t the written or the interview, but the practical one.

“The test theme changes every year. And it’s announced a month in advance. You need to find out as soon as the announcement is made.”

I nodded at Sonia’s advice. Despite having read the novel to its conclusion, I have no idea what the practical test will involve because the protagonist doesn’t enter at this time.

Of course, I would know, having only seen everything from the protagonist’s perspective. In other words, I need to uncover the hidden backstory.

“If there’s a hint, it’s that, being a practical test, it involves physical activity.”

That makes sense. It’s similar to the physical fitness tests found in college entrance tests. It means that students who will eventually be drafted into the reserves should at least possess a basic level of physical coordination since the nation is under threat.

Someone like Rustila would likely score perfectly without any issue. The problem is, I am not such a person.

“Honestly speaking, your physical condition is a bit…”

“A bit what?”

“… lacking, right?”

Sonia’s sudden honesty left me speechless. Since her statement was sound, I couldn’t muster a response. Instead, I gave her a thumbs up.

“It seems I will have to take practical lessons.”

“Not just practical lessons, but if you need tutoring for the written test or interviews, I recommend you take them.”

“Why would you say something like that?”

“Because I see potential. In Sonia’s view, your chances of passing into Stellarium are quite high.”

“How high?”

“Approximately 0.142857%.”

“Thank you.”

The average competition rate for Stellarium is 700 to 1.

“Building core muscles in 4 months is too short a time. Wouldn’t it be better to focus on showing strength in the written test and interview? That would be enough to aim for.”

“I was planning to do that, but I still need to pass the minimum score.”

There is a failing mark in the Stellarium entrance test. It means if I fail one component, even if I excel in everything else, I won’t be selected.

“Sonia, help me.”

“Please tell me.”

“You will take care of my practical tutoring.”

Sonia pointed at herself with her finger and tilted her head in confusion.

“..are you talking to me?”

“You are the multipurpose android. You can be used for education, right? Take on being my exercise coach.”

“Understood.”

Unexpectedly, Sonia quickly agreed. She told me to wait for a moment and then left. When she returned, she was holding two wooden swords. She tossed one to me and said,

“Based on the analysis of big data, there is a high likelihood of mock battles this year. I will teach you the basics of swordsmanship needed for handling the plasma sword, so please follow me.”

Sonia then gripped her wooden sword tighter. Swish! It sounded as if the air was being slashed.

Wait. I have a bad feeling about this.

In the past month, there hasn’t been a peaceful day at the Reinhardt household. The cause was Aidel.

After being roughed up and dragged back from Harkus casino, he became even more peculiar. Ceti sensed the change deeply. Whether it was dedicating more time to studying, cursing less, or avoiding gambling, he even went as far as encouraging her to hit the books hard.

It was quite amusing. Yet, at times, his true colors would show through. Like when he attacked the Kersil family’s androids not too long ago. It was somewhat comforting because it seemed more like his usual behavior.

“So,” Ceti frowned and asked, “What’s up with him now?”

She gestured towards the playground. A modest playground, about 300 meters in size, owned by the Reinhardt family, was also part of the estate. In such a playground, Aidel was facing off against Sonia with a wooden sword.

“Training.”

“Training?”

Donna, Ceti’s personal android, nodded.

“Yes, he claims he’s training with Sonia like that to get ready for the practical test.”

“…”

“I heard that if the young master manages to knock Sonia’s sword away even once, he’ll treat himself to chicken or something…”

“Ha, that’s amusing.”

Aidel was being overwhelmingly defeated by Sonia. The thrashing was so severe that it was hard to tell if it was training or punishment. The sound of their skirmish resonated loudly throughout the dome, akin to the noise of livestock being slaughtered.

Watching him get beaten up brought a perverse sense of satisfaction.

“Pick up the sword again. You’re far from finished.”

Sonia forcefully helped Aidel to his feet. His legs were shaking.

“Bringing such a weakling, what’s he trying to prove?”

Aidel was physically frail; he hadn’t exercised in years. He wasn’t overweight, but his body was lean and ill-suited for wielding something as hefty as a plasma sword.

“No matter how well he does on the written test, it’s futile. His athletic ability is dreadful.”

Ceti chuckled and brushed herself off as she stood up. It was her turn to head to the academy. Until she returned, Aidel continued to be bested by Sonia.

And the same scenario unfolded the next day.

“Acck! Ack!”

“Straighten your spine. For stability, place both legs diagonally. Can’t someone who can calculate the center of mass consider their own weight balance?”

“Wait, you hit my bone!”

“If the opponent strikes down like this, don’t hesitate to push up. You should always look at the opponent’s hand, not the blade. That is how you will gain confidence in blocking.”

“Argh.”

A maid beating up her master. Such an absurd scene was repeated constantly every morning.

How long has it been? For three calendar flips, Ceti had watched this spectacle of Aidel getting beaten.

Initially, she thought to only watch a bit and then stop, but there was a strangely compelling taste to it. Today was no different. Munching on the bacon toast for breakfast, Ceti ended up snickering.

“Will he not die doing that?”

“Miss, you should be careful with your words. After all, he’s of the Reinhardt lineage. What if something happens to him?”

“That’s just bad luck then. No, wait. Does that only make Sonia pitiable?”

Ceti chuckled softly. In a way, it was quite admirable. Not for anything else, but for Aidel’s perseverance.

He came out to the training field every single day. Jogging, eating breakfast, sparring with Sonia, and spilling the morning meal. He pushed his body to the entrance tests to an almost cruel extent.

Watching him, she felt a shiver run down her spine.

What if, what if it happens, she wondered… ‘Eh, as if.’

Ceti brushed off the thought that bloomed like a cloud. Even amidst all this, Aidel was knocked down by Sonia’s sword. With a thud! And a sound that shouldn’t come from the human body.

“Whoa, that is a bit dangerous.”

Donna covered her mouth with both hands, showing a scared look. The sound just now startled Ceti too, but seeing Aidel get up again, she regained her composure.

“…what changes if you get hit like that every single day without fail?”

“It seems like he’s gained some muscle compared to before?”

“That must be a lump from getting hit so many times or maybe calluses.”

“Maybe it’s because his endurance has improved.”

“…no.”

Ceti shook her head.

“I know because I’ve tried swordsmanship practice myself. A sword strike like that, once you’re hit, you can’t just get up that easily.”

In a time where ancient sword techniques are being revisited for combat against monsters, Ceti recalled the time she first registered at the training hall and was thoroughly beaten.

“Sonia just hit the wrist, right? That’s where the ulna is. It’s a place where energy flows from when you train in Ether. Even a skilled person can’t properly hold a sword for a few minutes if they’re hit there.”

But Aidel was different. He got up despite what could have been a fracture, and he got up even after being hit directly in the skull.

In the past three months, there was only a single instance of him fainting.

“…Is he human?”

Ceti mumbled after a long time. It’s what she always said after fighting with Aidel.

But today, it wasn’t meant as an insult. Shock. Bewilderment. And fear.

No matter how many times he was stabbed and slashed, the monsters belonging to ‘Darwin’s Legion’ regenerated stubbornly. Similarly, Aidel got up time and again. His body seemed to transcend human durability.

Is that even possible with the body of a human? Could he possibly be an apostle of an Outer God?

If that’s the case, personal feelings aside, Aidel must be expelled without exception. If not, the family will face ruin.

Of course.

“KUAKKK!”

“Get up. We have to go again.”

Such an uncharismatic person couldn’t possibly be possessed by an Outer God. Even Outer Gods have high standards.

“Euk!”

“Again.”

“Euk!”

“Again.”

“Euk!”

“Again!”

Sonia raised her voice. There was no mercy in her hands. She avoided all vital spots but struck everywhere else relentlessly. Aidel had no time to regain his composure as she swung the sword.

Aidel gasped for breath, and Sonia gripped her sword tighter. Her pale eyes sparkled fiercely.

“Young master. How do you feel now?”

“Ah, so good. Hit me more.”

Ceti’s expression turned dumbfounded.

“… Is he insane or something?”

It seems she has been saying this a lot lately. Aidel’s madness isn’t new, but such a strange madness has only been felt in the last 3 months.

Tring!

“Woah, Miss. It looks like the practical test schedule is out. Shall I show it to you right away?”

As Ceti nodded, Donna handed over the tablet.

[Practical Evaluation: ‘Mock Battle with Golem’]

[Evaluation Details: All first-round passers will engage in a mock battle against a golem modeled after Class C monsters. All necessary equipment for the test, including plasma swords, will be equally provided by the school. Bringing personal equipment is prohibited.]

Beneath that, the evaluation criteria were detailed. Ceti broke into a cold sweat as she read the things.

“A mock battle… didn’t the academy say that this year would surely just involve a strength test and a long run?”

The information she got from her academy turned out to be rubbish.

‘It has already been a while since I last trained in swordsmanship.’

Ceti was inwardly appalled. Only one month left. She had to rearrange her curriculum now.

She had to hurry. Thinking of heading to the academy, Ceti shook her head and got up.

That moment.

Tak. Tak. Tak.

Thud–!!

Four times in a row, the sound of wooden swords clashing was heard, which made Ceti’s gaze follow the noise.

There, Aidel was laughing after having knocked Sonia’s sword away.

“… Tonight’s dinner is Gold Shrimp Chicken.”