Chapter 135

Chapter 135

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 135: Elections (4).

There’s no guarantee that an Outer God won’t appear before the election.

Since we’ve sealed off the Ether Belt, they might not show up at all. But conversely, they could move sooner than expected.

We needed to consider every possibility before making a decision.

So I should tell Zelnya about this.

“If any Constellation tries to make a contract with you, don’t even talk to them.”

“What?”

Zelnya looked puzzled.

Oops, did I get too close to her face?

Just as I was hurriedly trying to pull back, she frowned and moved closer.

“Are you mocking me right now?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re making fun of me, saying no Constellation would ever approach someone with a nasty personality like mine. Did you think I wouldn’t catch on if you beat around the bush? Do I look that stupid to you?”

No, that wasn’t my intention.

“I’m telling you this because I’m genuinely worried. That Constellation might actually be an Outer God.”

“An Outer God? Don’t be ridiculous. Just hearing an Outer God’s voice is dangerous. They’re fundamentally different from Constellations.”

Their essence is similar, though. The final stage of star evolution—some bigger stars can become black holes. But that’s not the point right now.

“Hey, if you’re going to deceive someone, at least pick your targets.”

“I’m not lying.”

There was no time to explain in depth. Even if I told her the truth, it’s impossible to prove at this point.

There’s a good method to use at times like this.

“I overheard some professors saying that there might be Outer Gods who mimic the voices of Constellations.”

Appealing to expert opinion.

“At least be aware.”

“Why are you suddenly telling me this?”

“Because we’re friends.”

“Huh?”

“Friends share information like this in passing. Don’t you think?”

I casually probed her. I could see Zelnya’s earlobes slowly turning red.

“Fr-friends? Who’s friends with whom? Don’t make me laugh! Just because we’ve seen each other’s faces a few times, you think we’re close enough to be friends?” she stammered.

“Isn’t that the case?”

“Th-that is…”

So dishonest.

“During summer break, we shared coffee and toured the lab together. I told you several times that you could stop coming, but you didn’t leave until the semester started. I thought we were friends by now.”

“…”

“That’s really a shame. If we’re not, then it can’t be helped. Sorry, I misunderstood.”

“Hey!”

“What? Why?”

Zelnya’s voice trembled as she touched her earlobe and moistened her lower lip. Her shoulders quivered slightly.

But perhaps because she’s of the Adelwein bloodline, she quickly returned to her poker face.

“Of course we’re friends. Who said otherwise?”

“You just said we weren’t.”

Zelnya, who had been huffing, quickly put on a shameless face.

“I just admitted it now, so yes.”

“There’s no accepting or rejecting when it comes to making friends. It just naturally happens when you feel compatible,” I said gently.

“N-nonsense.”

Wow, her expression crumbled like a child who didn’t get a present on Christmas.

Good grief, the Adelwein family. How on earth do you educate your children? I didn’t know the aftermath since she died during the college arc, but at this rate, they’re more of a mess than the Rustila family.

Actually, this is good. I can lay the groundwork now.

“Zelnya.”

“What?”

“Even if one of us loses in this election, we’ll still be friends, right?”

“Uh, that is…”

“So let’s have a fair competition. You’re talented. Don’t resort to dirty tricks to become president and end up being criticized.”

“Dirty tricks, huh.”

Zelnya let out a slight laugh as she stared blankly at the spot where Aidel had left.

There was a family motto she had recited since childhood: Excellence.

The direct bloodline of Adelwein must always be number one, based on outstanding appearance and noble talents—a compulsive belief.

You must be the best. It doesn’t matter if you use dirty methods in the process. What’s important is the result. Winning is all that matters.

So, this time, she decided to use underhanded tactics.

She went up to the third floor of the Business Administration building.

Following the white stairs upward, she reached a corridor that turned twice. Guided by the signs to the lounge, she found a second-year student sipping instant coffee.

“Ugh…”

A girl with a gloomy expression.

She knew who she was; she had already completed all the preliminary research.

“Hello?”

“Wh-who are you…?”

“I’m Zelnya Adelwein, running in the upcoming student council election. You’re also a candidate this time, right? I wanted to meet you.”

“Well, that’s…”

The senior shook her head with a tearful face. The following conversation was within expectations.

“So you’ve agreed to unify the candidates?”

“…Yes,”

The senior was completely deflated. She didn’t seem entirely without ambition, but perhaps because she was in front of Adelwein’s direct lineage, she couldn’t straighten her back.

I should say it here.

‘Senior, you shouldn’t withdraw.’

‘We all agreed to be evaluated fairly.’

‘Aren’t you ashamed in front of the students who supported you?’

If Zelnya persuaded her like this, the senior would probably jump up from her seat. She might tear up her resignation letter on the spot.

Repeat this about four times.

Then the second-year students would be divided, and with that alone, Zelnya could easily obtain the vice president position.

“…I see.”

But in the end, she abandoned the plan.

Sowing discord? That’s something she shouldn’t do.

If it backfired, it’d only harm her.

Of course, even then, she could use the Adelwein family’s power to make them keep quiet. But she decided it wasn’t the right thing to do.

The same went for Aidel.

If she dug up his weaknesses, winning would be guaranteed. She’d become president and could rise to an even higher position.

But she didn’t want to.

Because they’re friends. Friends?

Yes. A rival and a friend. The only person who had been kind to her, who had been lonely all her life.

She admitted it, just a little. Zelnya didn’t want to lose that relationship.

“I respect your decision, senior. Well then, I’ll be going…”

Zelnya bought a coffee for the senior and left. Her heart felt tight as if being pricked. The fact that she had wiretapped didn’t change. Was she perhaps feeling pangs of conscience?

It’s all because of Aidel.

If she hadn’t met that guy, she wouldn’t have felt anything using others like pawns.

“A fair competition, huh. Ha.”

Zelnya let out a hollow laugh. Then, as a call came in, she rummaged through her clutch bag.

“…Father?”

Yes, Zelnya. I heard you proudly took first place again during the summer term. I’m proud of you.

“It’s only natural.”

The person who never contacts her suddenly called, but he’s like a ghost at times like this. Zelnya shrugged her shoulders and smirked.

Of course. And I heard you’re running in the student council president election this time.

“You knew?”

Of course. I expected it.

What could he have expected?

The student council president is a basic step to gaining connections and power. Whether you become a doctor later or start a business, the experience of standing above others will play an important role.

He continued with the same words as before. Be better than others, work harder, you must always be number one. Don’t be afraid to have someone beneath you.

Zelnya just kept repeating, “Yes, yes, I understand.”

Moreover, it’s a good opportunity to surpass the third son of Reinhardt.

“Yes. I’ll do my best.”

It’s not about doing your best; you must be the best. Use any means necessary. Conveniently, that boy has done bad things in the past. Dig into that, or threaten the professors researching resonators to bring him down.

“…”

Zelnya stood blankly, unable to close her mouth.

Threaten them?

That’s crossing the line.

“…Professor Stranov is an outsider. She’s also a member of the Top Ten Families.”

You’re too soft, my child. Didn’t I tell you? Use any means necessary to win.

Click.

The call ended.

Suddenly, she got goosebumps.

Digging up past wrongdoings is quite common in politics. Negative strategies—undermining the opponent to raise one’s approval rating—that’s somewhat acceptable.

But messing with Aidel’s professors?

That would be the end.

If caught, there would be backlash.

I’d cross an irreversible line with Aidel.

Zelnya shook her head vigorously.

No.

I can’t sink that low.

“Ugh…”

Suddenly, her waist throbbed.

She didn’t know why, but it felt like her lower body was being severed—a sensation like being eaten by a Darwin-class monster.

Is this foresight or something?

Zelnya, who didn’t usually trust her gut feelings, felt strongly this time that she shouldn’t cross the line.

“Ha, fine.”

She decided to think the opposite.

“Who does Father think he is?”

He’s beneath me anyway.

Once he hands over the family head position, he’ll just become an old man in the backroom, yet he talks too much.

Aidel is much greater than him. At least Aidel is willing to put me on equal footing with his future self.

She quenched her thirst and picked up her tablet. As she was jotting down something, a voice echoed in her mind.

“Hello, what are you doing?”

It was that Constellation.

“It looks like you’re revising your campaign pledges. How’s it going?”

“I thought I told you I’d handle it…”

‘If any Constellation tries to make a contract with you, don’t even talk to them.’

“…myself.”

This is dangerous.

The timing is too strange.

How did Aidel give her that information exactly today?

“It seems that boy is determined to come between us.”

“What do you mean?”

“You humans consider us sponsors as mere credentials, don’t you? Making a contract with me would even help you in the election. Yes, with my abilities, I can heal the sick without any special medical knowledge.”

It was bothersome that it could read her thoughts.

The Constellation continued chattering.

“You seem to have a conscience, so you’re not a bad kid. Actually, I like you. I hope you become president in the election. I’m cheering for you, so do your best.”

In other words, it was asking her to make a contract.

“No, thanks.”

Zelnya brushed away the Constellation’s attempt to flatter her.

“I don’t want a blessing from a Constellation whose name I don’t even know.”

“Well, it’s a blind test; that’s why. If you heard my Constellation name, anyone would want to make a contract.”

“I didn’t hear it, so I don’t want to make a contract.”

“Why are you so obedient to what that boy said? Do you think I’m an Outer God or something?”

‘Not to that extent. Actually, I don’t really know.’

Aidel was somewhat of an expert on Outer Gods.

There’s no way he’d joke about something like that.

“Please leave.”

“…Well, I can’t help it then.”

Again, the Constellation retreated obediently. This made it seem like a real Constellation.

Anyway, what’s important now is the election. Zelnya continued to revise her campaign pledges.

Her pledges were largely divided into two directions.

Medical-related pledges like strengthening discounts for current students at Stellarium General Hospital, providing simple nap areas for students studying all night during exam periods, and expanding on-campus health and fitness facilities.

And general pledges like improving the scholarship system, changing the GPA evaluation method in the job market to be on par with other academies, and revitalizing online used bookstores in the bamboo forest.

By doing this, she could create a broad support base while leveraging her strength as a medical student.

She revised and revised, preparing for the upcoming candidate debate.

And then.

“Hoo, hoohoo.”

Finally, it was done.

You just wait. I’ll trample you gracefully.