Chapter 13

Chapter 13

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 13: Mock Test (1).

I received interview coaching from Edward for two weeks. During that time, we became surprisingly close.

Using informal speech was just the beginning, and Edward no longer cared about things Aidel had done in the past. It was natural, after all; people are only truly engaged with their own personal experiences. Why would he dislike me if he hasn’t suffered because of me? It is also rude to casually look into someone’s past. Edward wasn’t foolish enough not to know that.

Our ties continued smoothly. We mostly shared academic talks. It started with entrance tests but progressed over time. Edward and I were of the same kind.

“Thank you, Aidel. Thanks to you, I now know what I should do.”

Right after the interview coaching ended, the conversation flowed towards future career paths. As the atmosphere reached its peak, Edward awkwardly expressed his gratitude.

“Have you decided?” I asked cautiously.

“Yes, actually. I was going to graduate from the academy and get a job in finance, but after hearing what you said, I am thinking about changing my mind. I am going to graduate from the best college.”

[“Madman, insane man…”]

[‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ is appalled by your malicious actions over the past two weeks.]

I smiled happily. “You made the right decision.”

Edward is a character who appears in the latter half of ‘SFG’. He entered the path of a mathematician late and researched the ‘Ether Unification Field Theory.’ He succeeded in revealing that Ether and gravity can be unified.

This is an incredibly important discovery. This theory is essential to beat the Outer Gods. However, it wasn’t long before Edward caught the attention of an Outer God. As a result, he met his end, torn apart by monsters. It was a regrettable thing.

If Edward hadn’t faced financial difficulties, he might have entered any high college he wanted. Then, the unification field theory would have been completed sooner, and the schedule for the development of Graviton bullets would have been advanced.

Therefore, hiring this person as a private tutor was a necessary action, as it would enable Edward to afford the tuition for the next semester. Of course, it wasn’t just a handout. I also received valuable information about the entrance tests. Just as he said, the interview would be a free pass.

Regardless, Edward was someone who needed to leave an impression at least once. Meeting him for 50 million credits was a steal.

“Aidel, with your level, there is no way you will fail the interview. Just polish your pronunciation a bit and focus on practical and written tests.”

“Thank you.”

“Ah, and you know…”

Edward took out a paper from his pocket. ‘Ergos Comprehensive Academy’ is the first phrase that caught my eye.

“What is this?”

“It is a notice from the academy where I am the assistant. They are having a final mock test this week. You can take it without registering there, just pay the fee. Give it a try.”

The paper was filled with details about the mock test, the registration process, and the date. This was information I would normally not remember.

“Thank you, senior.”

“Save that thanks till you pass. Well, I am off.”

Edward waved his hand and boarded the spaceship.

Hmm. I should save up and get him a better spaceship later.

I waved goodbye to Edward and turned around. Just then, Ceti came running, fuming.

“Yah, you crazy bastard-!!”

She has come. I had just transferred the tutoring fee through the joint account a little while ago, and it seems Ceti had noticed it.

This time, what I have done cannot be easily overlooked, so I clenched my jaw and steeled my heart.

She stopped in front of me. “The 50 million credits that were in the family account. Where did they go?”

“Ah, that…”

“I am asking where you spent them!”

So I told her the truth. “I used it to prepare for the interview.”

“In-interview preparation…?” Ceti’s pupils trembled. Her expression twisted into one of horror, even showing signs that she might cry.

“Th-that was money I had earned for over a month of working in the business….”

Ceti walked ahead and grabbed me by the collar. Due to the difference in our builds, she couldn’t grab me strongly, but her expression looked gloomy.

“Interview or whatever! Why are you spending money from the family account? Are you part of the family? Do you wish to die!?”

“…”

“It is hilarious enough that the money of the family gets thrown into gambling, but now even that which I earn is being wasted!”

Ceti gasped for air and raised her voice. “Are you even listening? It isn’t just a penny or two of interest accumulated in the bank, but the money I barely saved up by even cutting down my sleep has vanished with just one click of yours. You, fucking moron! You have always been the bad thing in our family. Do you think that having the same surname as us makes you one of us? Sonia, Soniaa-!!”

“You called?”

“I clearly told you to make sure this moron doesn’t spend any more money! Why didn’t you stop him, why-!!”

“Yes, it was allowed by the family head to use the money from the family account for the sake of test purposes.”

“This jerk used the money I earned!!”

Ceti gritted her teeth and yanked the collar she was holding. Those golden eyes. Just looking at them made me feel like I would faint.

“Is my 50 million credits a joke to you?”

I took a deep breath and organized my thoughts. 50 million credits, a month from business. Certainly, it isn’t money just anyone can earn. It was possible because of her own capabilities.

And amidst that, she was even studying for the entrance test. She is living diligently. Compared to her, I haven’t done a single thing to help the family and only studied for my own benefit. Maybe I acted this way because of the thought that I would get kicked out of the family if I didn’t pass the Stellarium tests.

Regardless, it’s evident that I’ve hurt Ceti. This is not Aidel’s mistake but my own. Reflecting on it, it seems that even when I was on Earth, I stubbornly focused only on my studies. I was selfish, after all.

I said nothing. I couldn’t say anything.

“You,” Ceti pointed at me and said, “do you think you are so good at studying? That you could get into Stellarium? No, have you even lived diligently enough to make it through the interview stage?”

“…”

“You will not. If you get accepted, it will mean the universe will collapse. There is nothing more unfair in the world. Know your fucking place!”

Even though I have been cursed before, today felt more intense. Yet, I didn’t get angry and just listened. I suppressed the anger that arose from her shouts.

Instead, I felt bad. It is true that I, having transmigrated, used Ceti’s earnings without even asking her. Currently, the only bank account I would withdraw from was limited to family accounts, and I knew that asking Ceti for her permission would bring a negative response.

So, there was no other way. … Even if I say that, it was just me being cowardly.

Here, it is best to ask for forgiveness. “I am sorry.”

“… You think saying sorry will settle all this?”

“I will pay you back in double later.”

“Don’t spew shit.” Her tone was turning cold.

Ceti wiped the corners of her eyes and boarded the spaceship. In her right hand, she held the bag to the academy.

“I-I don’t know. From now on, when I earn money, I won’t put it in the family account. I’ll make sure neither dad nor mom can use it, and I’ll keep it all to myself. You should know this is all happening because of you.”

Ceti left the home saying those words.

Sonia approached and said, “Do not worry too much. I heard from Donna that lately, the young lady has been going through a tough time in the academy.”

“What?” This wasn’t mentioned in the novel.

I was surprised and asked what it was. Sonia, adjusting her clothes, continued.

“I heard that there is this new student, and because of that student, she has been under a lot of stress.”

By the time Ceti arrived at the academy, her head had cooled down. As her anger subsided, her rationality began to return gradually. Ceti replayed the conversation she had with Aidel several times in her mind.

No, it was hardly a conversation, just one-sided insults from her to him.

‘But it was his fault!’ While busy with her studies, she had also worked hard to earn money, which she then deposited into the family account. It was meant as spending money for her parents, who were tirelessly treating patients in a field hospital.

‘That trash used up all of it, I cannot forgive him. I cannot.’ But. At that time. ‘… he said he was sorry.’

That was when Ceti had gone into shock. Until now, Aidel had never said sorry or apologized to anyone, even for the sake of the other person, where it tends to soothe their feelings.

Ceti shook her head. Aidel isn’t what mattered now. ‘What’s the point of not seeing his face? Especially when a crazy girl has just entered the academy…’ She sighed and attempted to dock with the large cylindrical spaceship.

Ergos Comprehensive Academy. The largest entrance test academy in the Southern region.

Until then, Ceti believed this academy was her only sanctuary. There was no Aidel to harass her, and being with Rustila, who was healing to look at, was her only reason.

Ceti reigned here in the names of Reinhardt and Adelwein. She was confident there was no student of higher social standing than her. Even among the tough gangsters, the perception that ‘Ceti shouldn’t be messed with’ was widespread. No one even tried to upset her. It was a comforting place.

But, everything changed a month back.

-I think I cannot attend the academy anymore.

It wasn’t long after studying together at home with Rustila, Rustila said those words and canceled her registration for the academy. Ceti felt as if the sky was falling. The pillar which had sustained her through the test preparations seemed to be vanishing.

-W-why?

-I am sorry. But it is a family situation.

At first glance, one would think they couldn’t afford the tuition fees, but that wasn’t the case. The Kersil family is a wealthy one. Moreover, Rustila’s expression on the last day of attendance was entirely haggard.

-Let us meet at Stellarium.

And so, Rustila left. Ergos Comprehensive Academy had a fixed number of students it could take. If a current student dropped out, other students on the waitlist would fill that spot.

And the child who filled Rustila’s spot was… ‘The most pathetic.’ Ceti sighed for what seemed like the umpteenth time as she sat down.

“Oh my, you came later than yesterday?”

A voice which seemed to softly scratch at people. ‘I don’t want to hear it.’

Ceti plugged in her earphones and buried her head. She gritted her teeth and focused solely on solving the workbook.

“You don’t know how much my neck hurt waiting for you.”

“…….”

“Hehe, I wonder if you cannot hear me.”

The girl chuckled and leaned in, bringing her head close to Ceti’s. Strands of her snow-white hair cascaded down like a waterfall. The two girls’ hair softly intertwined.

Ceti held back the curse in her mouth and pulled her hair back. “I cannot see the question. What are you doing?”

“What do you mean what am I doing? I am trying to build camaraderie. Among the prospective passers.”

Ceti turned her head. However, the girl moved in the direction to meet her gaze. Thus, Ceti’s golden eyes and the girl’s purple eyes met.

Ceti growled. “There are two weeks left until the entrance test.”

“I know.”

“The final mock test is just two days away.”

“Only fools bother with that kind of stuff.”

The girl sitting opposite combed her glossy, shimmering hair and smiled. It was a smile so unsettling.

“Don’t bother me, I need to study.”

“Bothering you, right.”

“… should I call the teacher?”

“It wouldn’t really matter if you did, right?”

The girl chuckled and nodded her head lightly.

‘This is really…’ Ceti barely managed to suppress the anger which was reaching the top of her head.

Humans are social animals. Even in anger, one must discern the appropriate time and place to express it. Raising one’s voice here would only lead to damaging one’s own reputation.

“Ah, Ceti. My pitiful friend. You know too well, don’t you? Being outstanding in every way means to be lonely. Trying to converse with others but always being rejected.”

“…….”

As expected, she was out of luck and wanted to punch her so hard, but she couldn’t do that.

“Let us get along since we are both from Adelwein.”

The status… The difference in social status was just too stark.