Chapter 115
by Afuhfuihgs
Chapter 115
From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.
Episode 115: Your Student Is Awesome (7).
The creation of something that should never have existed was now a reality.
Constellation Confinement Phenomenon Using Quantum Gravity Resonator
The title alone was daunting.
The content was even more alarming, detailing the process of subduing a Constellation from start to finish. If released, it would likely provoke outrage from the religious community and be banned before it could even be approved for publication.
I stopped proofreading, crumpled the paper, and tossed it into the trash can—score.
“Let’s not turn this into a paper.”
“Why not?”
“I think the folks at Holy Spirit Hospital might stab me.”
Holy Spirit Hospital was a religious group that revered Constellations as divine beings. Revealing that we had kidnapped, confined, and tortured a Constellation would make us immediate targets.
Dealing with Outer Gods was already overwhelming; I didn’t want to risk being erased by extreme religious fanatics.
I stood up abruptly and paused in front of the resonator. Beyond the wall, faint but distinct cries echoed.
“It’s too dark here. Save me. Please get me out.”
The sounds were pitiful, reminiscent of a child trapped in an elevator.
“Just get it out quickly, before things get worse.”
I nodded and turned to the professor.
“Professor.”
“I understand.”
I activated the decompression device, steeling myself for what was to come. With a hiss, the structure split open, releasing soft plasma that leaked out, accompanied by sparks shooting out in intense trajectories. The wave transformed into particles, merging into a shimmering constellation.
Clank. Thunk.
Virgo slowly emerged, gripping the entrance. Her eyes were hollow, and her complexion was as blue as someone afflicted with cholera. Understandably, she was furious.
“Ugh, repaying grace with enmity. I can’t forgive this.”
We were thoroughly scolded.
Professor Stranov, the project lead, banged her head in frustration while the individual who had suggested confining the Constellation received an electric shock therapy session that, surprisingly, was more bearable than expected.
“This place is really filthy. I can’t stay here. Just give me a piece of crystal. I’ll leave once I finish absorbing it. How about it? Is that good enough?”
I broke off a fragment of the remaining crystal and handed it over. Virgo grumbled about the cramped conditions before retreating inside the piece of crystal, leaving the rest finally free of impurities.
As soon as she completed the absorption, the crystal vanished with a soft pop.
“What a shame. I could have conducted more research with that.”
“She left because of that! What on earth were you thinking?”
I scratched my head.
With the problem resolved, we could now focus on serious research, which meant many sleepless nights lay ahead.
The resonator designed to trap Outer Gods was surprisingly easy to construct, largely due to our prior experience confining a Constellation. After the initial attempt, everyone quickly became adept at the process.
During a miscalculation in the theory, Aidel became glued to the computer, working tirelessly day and night. After two weeks of observing his relentless dedication, Zelnya began to feel something—was it defeat? Humiliation? No, it was something similar yet distinctly different. She found herself stuck in an ambiguous role, neither a graduate student nor an intern, while Aidel was actively generating ideas and implementing them.
Was it even possible for other labs to achieve this? Setting aside the fact that Aidel was a genius, she couldn’t help but wonder.
That face. Aidel worked with a joyful expression, creating and modifying with intense focus, asking nothing in return. As Zelnya watched him, an emotion began to stir within her.
At some point, now acting as a drinks runner, Zelnya handed Aidel a black coffee and asked, “Why are you working so hard? Is it a matter of life and death?”
“Yeah.”
Zelnya flinched, her body trembling reflexively.
“If I don’t do this, I’m as good as dead.”
“You’re saying the strangest things. How can someone live doing just this? I couldn’t, even if I died.”
Zelnya knew Aidel had published a paper in the
Ghostwriting was a common malpractice, and Zelnya had once exploited her connections to sneak her name onto a college paper in middle school—a clear case of research misconduct. At the time, she had suspected Aidel of similar deceit.
She stepped back, trembling with a bitter shiver, her heart pounding as if a dinosaur were rampaging inside her. These feelings had become all too frequent.
She questioned her presence there, pondering why she wasn’t studying for the next semester, engaging in practical training, or strengthening her academic ties with Professor Reinhardt for her medical career. Instead, she found herself inexplicably drawn to Aidel’s research, almost enjoying the sight of him struggling as she provoked him.
Time seemed to blur.
“Mr. Reinhardt, let’s take a short break,” suggested Professor Stranov, placing a plate of chocolate chip cookies on the desk. The rich aroma wafted through the air, inviting and warm.
“Thank you, Professor.”
“How do you feel about continuing your research here? Do you like this lab?”
“Yes, I like it very much.” Aidel turned his head to survey the equipment around him. “Huff, puff, huff.”
“There he goes again.” Stranov chuckled softly.
“I baked those cookies myself. Would you like to try one?”
Aidel took a bite, the cookie’s crispy texture crunching in his mouth. His eyes widened in surprise. “This is…”
“It’s a fortune cookie. Would you like to see what’s inside?”
Aidel carefully unrolled the paper hidden within the cookie while Zelnya stood on tiptoe behind him, peering over his shoulder. Incomprehensible characters sprawled across the slip of paper.
“It’s a DOI. Professor, could this be…?”
“It’s your next research topic.”
“Can I look it up?”
“Of course!”
Without hesitation, Aidel quickly searched the DOI on a scholarly site. Moments later, a title appeared on the screen:
Article: Beyond the Horizon of Graviton Discovery
“Wow.”
“After this, I plan to discover gravitons. It’s a challenging endeavor, but it’s a study I’ve always wanted to pursue, even if it takes a long time.”
Zelnya felt a chill run down her spine as she observed the intense enthusiasm in both Aidel’s and Professor Stranov’s eyes.
“Reinhardt!”
“Yes, yes, Professor.”
“Will you stay with me from now on?”
The words were sweet, cotton-soft—like a devil’s whisper—and Zelnya understood their weight. Aidel’s cheeks flushed as if they might burst from the pressure.
He had already fallen. Yet Stranov pressed on.
“Stay in my lab. I’ll make sure you earn your master’s degree, even a doctorate, quickly. You deserve recognition as an independent researcher. And as for salary or research funds, just tell me what you need. I can scale it up.”
“Professor…”
“So, Aidel.” Stranov continued, leaning over the desk, her hand firm against the surface, prompting Aidel to shrink back slightly.
A moment of silence hung in the air until their eyes locked.
“I’ll do it. I’ll join your research lab.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I promise!”
“Wait a moment! Please, just a moment!”
Stranov darted out like a fluttering butterfly, returning with a thick stack of documents. They sealed their agreement with a pinky promise and signed the paperwork titled ‘Employment Contract.’
“Let’s shoot a vlog and throw a pre-welcome party for Aidel in the lab! Sound good? Alright…!” Stranov exclaimed, igniting a lively celebration.
They recorded videos, snapped photos, and mingled with colleagues. Amidst the festivities, Zelnya felt out of place. Stranov approached her with a sly smile.
“What do you think, Miss Adelwein? Doesn’t Reinhardt seem truly happy?”
Zelnya remained silent.
Aidel continued his research, undeterred by the party, the pace of the resonator’s production quickening as the celebration stretched into the night.
Aidel Student
Is it very difficult to come this week as well?
It’s been a while; I’d like to see your face again.
Staring at the unanswered DM, Professor Feynman sighed. He pushed the messenger aside and turned his attention back to his paper.
The research on the discovery of gravitons was not progressing well. In a theoretical research lab, obtaining experimental data was, of course, impossible.
“Aidel, student…”
As summer vacation approached, Aidel had promised he would have time to meet, but now, two weeks had passed without a word. Research was stagnating, and the budget was dwindling. The only solid ground Feynman had to stand on was the FR model, which had been completed under Aidel’s guidance.
If only Aidel had been by my side during these tough times, we could have supported each other while drafting proposals for funding.
It was summer, yet the chill in the air was palpable. Feynman pulled on a coat.
“Who set the air conditioner to 18 degrees?”
Just as the heat began to creep back in, a young woman burst into the lab, causing a stir. It was Sophia, a reporter from the Interstellar Daily.
“Extra! Extra!” she shouted, sliding in as if skating on ice.
“I get it. Did you find out anything?”
“Of course!” Sophia smirked. “I’ve been secretly following Mr. Reinhardt for a while now! I even used the
“Alright, alright, I get it…”
“Here, take a look!” She spread a collection of photos across the long group desk. The images featured Aidel and…
“Isn’t this Professor Stranov?”
Feynman, who had been idly reading, stood up and moved closer, his expression hardening as he scanned the photos.
“This, this is…”
Aidel boarding a shuttle. Aidel heading to Eruyel Academy. Aidel meeting with Professor Stranov. Aidel conducting research with her. Aidel sharing meals with her. And…
The graduate student who had been taken away.
“Mr. Reinhardt was interning at the Professor’s lab at Eruyel Academy. From then until now, continuously. Professor Feynman’s hypothesis was correct!”
“Th-that’s right.”
“He seemed to be leading the research quite proactively, you know? He was working on something round, but I couldn’t quite grasp what it was. It was complex. But it was clear he was playing an important role… Professor? Professor!”
Feynman collapsed on the spot.
Yes, this is a dream. A dream.
A very bad day, such a…
“Professor, there’s an email from… Professor Stranov?”
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