Chapter 95

Chapter 95

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 95: Chasing After You (5).

Ten experts in particle physics and cosmology from the Stellarium physics faculty arrived to visit Aidel. Upon seeing the bedridden young scholar, they were visibly moved to tears.

Zelnya, puzzled, asked, “Why are they here?”

“The field Aidel and I specialize in is both deep and narrow. We’re all connected in some way as research colleagues. How could they not come when a promising future professor is ill?” Professor Feynman explained, his voice calm but his concern apparent. “Moreover, each of them has applied to be my co-advisors because they all want to work with Aidel.”

Zelnya, still struggling to comprehend Aidel’s significance, fixated on the notion of a professor. To her, a professor was the ultimate authority in academia, a revered figure among students. The idea that such esteemed individuals had rushed to visit a single student perplexed and somewhat annoyed her.

“Aren’t professors usually too busy? I don’t see why they would come visit him,” Zelnya remarked bluntly. Professor Feynman responded gently, without a hint of irritation.

“In academia, humility is as crucial as it is in nature. No matter how high your position, it’s important to respect those at all levels.”

“But—”

“True, not all professors adhere to this. You might not be aware, but those who don’t are not well-regarded in our community. What’s the value of achievements if one lacks character? That’s how everyone sees them and why they are generally avoided.”

Zelnya found this hard to understand. “Isn’t having notable achievements enough?” The Adelwein family, to which she belonged, certainly thought so. They had climbed to the top by outmaneuvering others, securing immense wealth and influence in the process. Their authority in the northern federation was unchallenged, their dealings with other families marked by a cold indifference. This approach had never led to their downfall; they were always a step ahead, leaving no room for grievances to fester. This was the reality Zelnya had always known.

Yet, Feynman shook his head. “Have you ever heard of ‘retrospective evaluation’?”

“It means one’s true worth isn’t known until after their death. Why do you ask?”

“Think about what that implies.”

With a soft smile, Feynman clapped his hands. “Alright, everyone! It seems Aidel is struggling today, so let’s give him our gift and let him rest.”

“Student, please remember me.”

“Once again, my office is located at…”

The professors had flowed into the room like a tide, and now they receded just as quickly. Zelnya lingered, mulling over Professor Feynman’s parting words. The surface meaning was clear, but she sensed there was more. What did achieving good results have to do with any of it?

“Um…” Zelnya almost called out to Aidel reflexively, then stopped herself. She nearly asked him for the answer. But this was a puzzle she needed to solve alone. That was her way.

Just as Zelnya decided it was time to leave as well, Sonia spoke up.

“If you have no more business here, miss, please go. The young master seems very tired, and he should rest in a quiet environment,” Sonia said, her lips curling slightly into a smile.

“Is that so?” Zelnya suddenly found herself reluctant to leave.

Whenever Zelnya was near Aidel, her heart behaved erratically. Under normal circumstances, it was merely a flutter, but proximity or deep conversations amplified it into a loud thump. At times, it would even skip a beat, especially when she felt embarrassed or inadequate. And when Aidel did something that stirred her conscience, her heart ached. It was this painful sensation that kept her anchored in the hospital room.

“What are you doing here?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Zelnya retorted, unfazed by Sonia’s stern gaze. She held up the tray with a defiant smirk. “I’ve brought food.”

On the tray was a mushroom beef stew crafted from the finest beef and top-grade mushrooms sourced from the Adelwein farm. Zelnya handled everything from sourcing the ingredients locally to preparing and cooking the dish herself.

“What on earth is this…?”

“It’s my choice.”

“The young master has already eaten.”

“He can eat this as well.” Zelnya brushed past Sonia without waiting for a reply.

Aidel was reclined, engrossed in reading a thesis on a tablet mounted on a stand, flipping through a journal with keen interest.

“Wow.” Isn’t this guy really something?

“Cough, what?”

“Eat up,” she said, setting the table with a steaming bowl of the freshly made stew. Beside it, she placed a cup of sharp, spicy ginger tea from Adelwein Mountain—a little act of playful revenge to mirror the care Aidel had shown her when she was sick. Carefully, Zelnya helped Aidel to his seat.

“I’m not hungry,” Aidel muttered.

“But you enjoy reading papers?”

“That… cough! I can’t resist.”

“Stop talking and eat, okay? I made this myself.” Aidel raised his hand feebly, then let it drop.

“I don’t have the strength to hold a spoon.” Zelnya’s forehead creased with irritation. So that’s the game he was playing?

Sonia’s eyebrows twitched. “Young master, then let me—”

“Sonia,” Aidel interrupted, waving a dismissive hand. “Zelnya made this food. It wouldn’t be right for you to serve it.”

“…I understand. I was thoughtless.” Zelnya heard the grinding of Sonia’s teeth and felt a surge of vindication. Proudly, she dipped her spoon into the stew, releasing a savory aroma that tantalized her senses. Despite having made it herself, the dish looked irresistibly delicious. She gulped and then blew on the stew.

“Eat,” she urged.

“Yes.”

“How is it?” she asked, her voice tinged with nervous anticipation. It was her first time cooking for someone else, and the stakes felt unexpectedly high.

“Well… It’s as good as the citation count on my paper.”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s delicious.”

Her heart skipped a beat. For a fleeting moment, Zelnya wondered if perhaps she had missed her calling as a chef.

“Here, have another spoonful.”

“Actually, I’m suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed.”

“Really?” Aidel struggled to pick up the spoon for himself, prompting a broad smile from Zelnya. A playful idea then struck her.

“Here, you eat too. And I will…”

Then, Zelnya, using the same spoon Aidel had just used, she took a generous bite of the stew. The tender beef and the comforting aroma of mushrooms delighted her taste buds. “Here, again…”

It was at that precise moment.

Aidel’s gaze shifted mechanically toward the door leading to the infirmary. With her back to the door, Zelnya sensed the change in atmosphere and turned around just in time.

Thud—the sound of a lunch basket hitting the floor.

“You, you. What are you doing?” Rustila stood in the doorway, eyes wide with disbelief.

When Rustila heard that Aidel had caught the flu, her first instinct was to rush to his side. Yet, she had a promise to keep—a promise to herself to follow in the footsteps of Instructor Naier and become a Great Omega-class Inspector. This wasn’t just about her career; it was about being strong enough to always be there for Aidel, even though he was unaware of her resolve.

Try to connect with that young man. If things go well with the Reinhardt family, we plan to marry you off to Aidel.

Rustila’s parents had told her. She wasn’t sure how everything had come to this, but perhaps it was for the best.

Every day, as Rustila trained with her sword, her cheeks would flush with the thought. Marriage? With Aidel? It seemed premature to even consider, yet the idea was undeniably appealing. She remembered what she had written when Verdia made a bet with Aidel last time. Piggyback rides and walks. If they became a couple, they could do it every day!

“Hehehe.” Rustila’s laughter softly echoed as she imagined defeating the Outer God and living peacefully with Aidel and about a dozen family members. Energized by the thought, her sword strikes became two or three times faster than usual. Observing the unique patterns she carved through the air, her master, Naier, thought: ‘Rustila, this war will end in your generation.’

During a training session, Naier approached her. “Disciple, I have to leave on a business trip soon, so today’s lesson will be canceled. Can you manage some solo practice?”

“Of course,” Rustila replied, her smile beaming.

As soon as Naier departed for another star system, Rustila quickly made a lunchbox and hurried to the academy’s infirmary. However, upon arrival, she was met with a disheartening scene.

“You, what are you doing?” Zelnya was there, sitting beside Aidel and feeding him soup from a shared spoon, which she then used to taste the stew herself. The casual slurping noises made it clear she enjoyed the stew immensely.

“What,” Zelnya replied with a raised chin and an arrogant tone upon noticing Rustila.

“……Adelwein. Why are you here?”

“Why don’t you go practice your sword instead of intruding here?”

“You just… with that spoon…” Rustila stammered, pointing out the shared utensil.

“Oh, this? I was hungry, and there was only one spoon.”

Creak, creak. The sound echoed twice in quick succession, unnerving Sonia and then Rustila. If you counted Aidel’s embarrassed expression, that made three victims of the unsettling noise. Observing the defeated looks on the faces of her classmates, Zelnya could tell they were experiencing a bitter defeat. Despite feeling her own ears burn red with embarrassment from causing such a disturbance, she pushed that aside. What mattered most to her was that she won. She wasn’t sure what, but she had won!