Chapter 99

Chapter 99

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 99: Lab Tour (2).

I awoke from a dream where I was trapped by tentacles, only to discover Sonia wrapped around me.

This was our first time sharing a bed, and her embrace caught me off guard. Do androids develop sleeping habits?

“Sonia? Are you awake?”

“I am awake.”

She groggily groped around as she rose, her movements sluggish as if she were booting up. Leaning heavily on me, it felt as though she might crush me under her weight. Sonia straightened up and dismissed the incident with a simple “I apologize,” as if the near-crushing were a minor inconvenience.

“You seem to have overslept.”

“You woke up early, young master.”

Glancing at the clock, I realized it was my usual waking hour. With no school to attend, my day stretched out emptily before me. In a world where every moment counts, indulging in laziness felt close to a death wish.

After a quick face wash, I checked my email while munching on the toast Sonia had prepared.

Schedule for October to December

College was five months away, yet there were preparations to make.

In November, there will be an open lab orientation for graduate students. Student Aidel is encouraged to visit and tour various laboratories.

The email outlined plans for me to join other new students in exploring these labs. Though not yet a graduate, I would be treated as one, an opportunity to start building the connections I sorely needed. Networking with potential colleagues and professors was crucial, given the limitations of managing multiple research projects on my own.

I revisited an email from Professor Stranov that I had received the day before. Sonia leaned over, resting her chin on my shoulder.

“They sure know how to phrase ‘Please come visit our lab,’ don’t they? Do you intend to go, sir?”

“I’m considering it.”

“You should at least reply.”

“I plan to.”

My response was timed to coincide with the Stellarium lab presentation, effectively declining the invitation without explicitly saying so. Within minutes of sending my reply, I received a response.

Then I will be there.

At the university, a colloquium was not just an academic gathering but a promotional event where researchers presented their work, engaged in Q&A sessions, and expanded collective knowledge. It also served as a magnet for prospective graduate students. The event was both prestigious and elegant.

The main speaker at this colloquium was Professor Kallis Stranov, whom I had recently impressed via email. Honestly, I felt a twinge of guilt. If someone else had published my research first, I would have been devastated. But such is the nature of academia; it’s fiercely competitive.

“Student Aidel! Over here, over here.”

As I entered the physics building to attend Professor Stranov’s lecture, I was greeted by Professor Feynman.

“What brings you here, Professor?”

“I have something to tell you in advance, Aidel.” Professor Feynman led me to a secluded spot, glancing around cautiously like a wary wolf before speaking.

“Are you going to attend Professor Stranov’s lecture?”

“Yes.”

An awkward silence followed.

“It is a student’s right to have diverse experiences, so I won’t stop you. But be extremely cautious when choosing a lab. Understood?”

His roundabout way of speaking made his true intentions clear: Feynman was concerned. I nodded, offering him a reassuring smile.

“I understand.”

“Good. Then.”

“Aren’t you coming to the colloquium, Professor?”

“Yes, but I have something else to attend to first.” With that, Professor Feynman left in a hurry.

As I rounded the corner onto the adjacent street, the click-clack of heels halted me in my tracks. Moments later, a sharp scent of perfume wafted through the air.

“Oh my, Mr. Reinhardt.”

“Do you know me?”

The woman nodded with a gentle smile. “Mr. Reinhardt is quite well-known, and your distinctive eye color is a dead giveaway. Plus, a quick online search of your name inevitably brings up your photo, often alongside that damn… I mean, Professor Feynman.”

I remained silent, unsure how to respond.

“Oh, how rude of me—I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Kallis Stranov. It’s our first face-to-face meeting, isn’t it? Nice to meet you.” She extended her hand, her smile widening slightly.

Keep your composure, Jinsu. I quickly smoothed my expression and shook her hand.

“Shall we head to the seminar room?” Professor Stranov gestured ahead, her movements combining grace and precision. This unexpected role reversal left me somewhat disoriented, especially since Sonia wasn’t here to offer her usual support.

Additionally, her choice of attire was striking—a burgundy blouse that revealed a hint of cleavage, topped with a lab coat. It was an ensemble that seemed calculated to captivate men.

“Have you chosen a thesis advisor yet?”

“Not yet. I was admitted through the college’s program.”

“Is that so? Phew…”

Why did she sigh? It felt rather intimidating.

When we reached the seminar room, I headed straight to the refreshment table for some coffee and chose a seat. Oh, damned raisins. They’re not as good as the ones Sonia made.

“Ah, ah. Everyone. Thank you so much for attending this event.” Professor Stranov scanned the crowd, her gaze lingering as if searching for someone. With a hint of disappointment, she sighed softly and took hold of the microphone.

“Today, I am excited to introduce a new research project that we have embarked upon.” The mention of a new research field piqued my interest. Given that Professor Stranov’s areas of study often intersected with mine, it was imperative to stay informed. That was the main reason I attended the colloquium.

“I have started this kind of research.”

Development of Mode Synchronization Techniques for Outer Gods and Incarnates using Quantum Gravity Resonators in the Maxwell & Descartes System

“Wow.” The words slipped out in my astonishment. The concept was both groundbreaking and bewildering.

“There are some unfamiliar terms here, such as ‘quantum gravity’ and ‘resonator.’” A resonator is essentially a device used to achieve resonance, commonly in technologies like lasers.

“In field theory, we can describe gravity. The Outer Gods, in this context, are entities that manifest in our world through gravitational forces.”

The God of ‘Wisdom and Curiosity’ furrows her brows.

“By utilizing the wave-dominant characteristics of the Outer Gods from the Maxwell and Descartes lineage, we can neutralize them without destruction using a gravitational resonator, similar to how we incapacitate the undying Darwin Legion monsters by severing their limbs.”

The God of ‘Wisdom and Curiosity’ slightly bites her lips.

“Our initial goal is to construct a quantum gravity resonator robust enough to contain an Outer God.” Clearly, Professor Stranov’s credentials and innovative thinking were well recognized, having earned her tenure at one of the universe’s top academies.

“Since submitting the proposal, we have secured funding worth hundreds of billions of credits from the government.” “Oh.” “That concludes my presentation.”

As Professor Stranov finished, hands shot up around the room, signaling the start of the question period.

“How do you plan to procure the materials for the resonator?”

“We intend to use a counterintuitive approach by utilizing ‘crystals’ harvested from defeated Darwinian Incarnates.”

“Will implementing the device in a 4-dimensional compact space suffice? It seems like there could be considerable trial and error.”

“That’s precisely why simulations are crucial at this stage. We will also explore additional techniques to manipulate the Keller manifold. The FR model promises to be instrumental in this effort.”

“How long do you anticipate the research will take to reach fruition?”

“It’s difficult to predict exactly, but with steady support, we could achieve significant results in ten years. With a strong team and innovative ideas, we might even shorten that timeline to two years.”

As the flurry of questions subsided, Professor Stranov’s gaze settled on me, her look both intense and enigmatic.

“Any questions from the students?” Her voice had an edge, as if she was challenging me directly. The more difficult queries had already been tackled by the professors and graduate students, leaving the undergraduates in a hesitant silence. The professor’s penetrating gaze finally nudged me to raise my hand.

“If you completely trap an Outer God in a sealed resonator, the energy of a specific mode can accumulate and cause an explosion. However, if the resonator material allows some waves to pass through, it doesn’t truly trap the Outer God. How do you plan to address this paradox?”

“That,” Professor Stranov replied with a wink, “is where you might need the insight of a theorist.” A chill ran down my spine.

“Kid, do not assist her with her research. Just focus on developing the graviton bomb. That should suffice.”

Yet, the idea intrigued me.

“It’s not about interest. I don’t like her and her research.”

“……”

“This is an order. Do not defy me.”

The voice in my head trembled with urgency.

Cartesia, an Outer God from the Descartes legion, was not to be killed or exiled but confined eternally, a bizarre idea. After weighing the pros and cons, the decision was clear: it had to be done.

“No.”

The God of ‘Wisdom and Curiosity’ from the Descartes Legion donates 1000 Pron.

“No.”

The God of ‘Wisdom and Curiosity’ sponsors you with 5000 Pron.

“I said no.”

The God of ‘Wisdom and Curiosity’ sponsors you with 10000 Pron.

Desperate, Cartesia flooded me with Pron, not because of any quest completion or specific event.

The God of ‘Wisdom and Curiosity’ is growing anxious.

Nevertheless, it must be done.

The Outer God of the Maxwell Legion, ‘Steel Flowing Like Earth,’ is devising a plan to kill you.

Descartes Legion Outer God, ‘Heaven of Comfort,’ is looking for an opportunity to parasitize your family’s brains.

Descartes series Outer God, ‘???’ is crafting a customized genitalia to violate you.

The world was overrun with too many damned Outer Gods.