Chapter 138

Chapter 138

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 138: I Am The President And You Are… (1).

It seems we need to revise our plan.

“Why did you have to spout nonsense at the very end? Did you say getting into graduate school counts as employment? You’re quite the expert at tanking approval ratings. If I’d been there, I would’ve stormed out.”

Sonia scolded me.

“Please don’t become a politician when you grow up.”

“I won’t.”

I hadn’t anticipated that mentioning how megacorps would recruit us once we graduated with a PhD would be such a fatal blow.

“Ire, it’s my fault.”

“No, it’s clear that Adelwein pulled a dirty trick. Like rigging the votes or something.”

“I don’t think it went that far.”

There’s no evidence that Zelnya did anything illegal. Probably.

“Given the situation, I’ll take responsibility and handle Zelnya to the end. Since I’m the vice president, if the Outer Gods start making moves, I’ll be able to detect it right away.”

“…Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Just focus on studying hard.”

Ire reluctantly dove into her textbooks.

“Damn it, this is so boring.”

“It’ll get fun once you get into it.”

Professor Feynman once said that physics is like sex. For someone naive, it’s hard and exhausting at first, but later on, you start to enjoy it. And once you get a taste, it’s hard to quit. Or maybe not.

“Wait a minute!”

As I was heading back to school, Ire called out to me.

“Just in case an Outer God appears, let’s come up with code names for each other.”

“That’s a good idea.”

I approached Ire, and she flinched.

“Wh-why are you coming closer…?”

“Because even Sonia shouldn’t hear this.”

We needed to be thorough about this.

After all, only Ire and I knew each other’s true identities.

She nodded reluctantly and whispered.

“If you really know me well, from now on, when we discuss confidential matters, call me by my sponsor’s name. I’ve never told anyone that in my life.”

Altair.

From now on, that would be her code name.

“Then I’ll tell you my real name.”

Of course, if I revealed my actual Korean name, she’d probably respond with something like, “What kind of name is that?” So I decided to share my college nickname instead.

Binary.

And so, my code name became Binary.

“I won! I won!”

Zelnya shouted, jumping up and down as soon as she entered the foyer.

She had become the student council president. The sense of fulfillment and satisfaction coursing through her was incredible. More than that, she was thrilled to have finally met someone who could rival her, to have fought him with all her might, and even to have won.

Savoring the accomplishment rising from deep within her chest, Zelnya skipped her routine of washing her hands and dove onto her bed in a dramatic screw dive.

“Ahaha!”

Hugging a white teddy bear that matched her hair, she rolled around on her queen-sized bed. The cozy mattress and gentle microfiber fabric offered bliss as sweet as winning the election. Her body relaxed, and a gentle smile spread across her face.

At that moment, a voice echoed in her mind.

“You did it.”

“Defeating the Reinhardt boy, known as the hero of humanity—impressive. Miss, may your future be filled with blessings.”

“Hehe…”

She recalled Aidel’s advice about not engaging with Constellations trying to make a contract. Still, her mood was too buoyant to care.

“It was the obvious outcome. I’m amazing, after all.”

A little conversation should be fine.

“You’ll become even more famous. If the Reinhardt boy is the sunset, you’re like the dawn. Now that you’ve placed him below you, it’s practically your era from here on out.”

The nameless Constellation continued to praise her, but the more she heard, the more uncomfortable she felt.

“It’s an undeniable fact that you’re superior to the Reinhardt boy.”

He put down Aidel to elevate her. Did a Constellation really need to do this? Aidel was a rare genius who had achieved monumental feats.

“Well, saying he’s below me is a bit…”

“You even have humility! What a perfect lady. Ah, if only I could contract with someone like you! Out of all the stars, if I could be your first sponsor, I could give you infinite coins.”

Annoyed by the Constellation’s droning, Zelnya got up just as her father called.

“Yes, Father.”

“I heard you became the student council president, Zelnya. You achieved the expected result.”

“Yes, of course.”

‘Expected result.’ It felt hollow. Was there any first place for the Adelwein that wasn’t considered a given?

“Don’t forget that the Reinhardt family has always been our rival. You know what I’m saying, don’t you?”

“I understand. You want me to keep that guy who became vice president in check, right?”

“Not just in check. You must always surpass that boy. Achieve greater accomplishments. If you can do that, I’ll gladly hand over the position of head of the family.”

Click. The call ended without even a light greeting, leaving silence in its wake.

An inexplicable loneliness settled over her. Without any particular reason, Zelnya turned on her computer.

“Will you make a contract with me?”

“Give me some time to think.”

“Sure, take your time. I’m always ready whenever you are.”

Getting intoxicated by victory and making a contract with an unknown Constellation of uncertain capabilities was something only amateurs did. The Adelwein always handled everything thoroughly and without mistakes. So there was something she had to do first: contact Aidel.

“Why suddenly contact that boy?”

“I’m the student council president, and he’s the vice president. Isn’t it common courtesy for the president to reach out first?”

That was right. As the new president, Zelnya had a duty to contact Aidel first.

“Do you have his phone number?”

“No.”

As a noble Adelwein, she had never been inclined to share her phone number. So, aside from family or her homeroom teacher, her contacts were very limited.

Not anymore. As student council president, she would have to exchange phone numbers with many people.

“Without his number, how will you contact him? Don’t tell me you’re planning to meet that boy at this hour?”

“I got his email address when we attended the Academia.”

Zelnya opened her email. Excluding spam, at the very top was the email she had sent to Aidel, conveying first-semester grades and correspondence on behalf of the teacher. That was already a year ago.

“Time sure flies.”

They first met at Ergos Comprehensive Academy. Back then, she thought he was just an extra passing by. He surpassed her in mock exams, took the top spot in the Academia entrance exam, and utterly defeated her in the first semester. Maybe that’s when she slowly began to acknowledge him. Her only rival.

With a gentle smile like a cat sensing the scent of flowers, Zelnya carefully typed out an email. She casually asked how he was, informed him about their plans going forward, and inquired when they could meet to arrange the handover from the current student council president. Lastly, she hesitated.

“M-my phone number is…”

She forgot. After fumbling with her phone, she finally found it. Carefully, making sure not to make a mistake, she typed it in. After clicking the send button, a wave of lethargy washed over her, as if she had just completed an Ironman triathlon.

“Sigh.”

Tired. Lonely. The day ended, and she had no family or friends to exchange greetings with—not even someone she loved.

Bzzz.

You’ve got mail!

She was sprawled on the bed like a dried squid when she heard the notification and quickly got up.

Sender: Aidel von Reinhardt

To my friend Zelnya

Congratulations on becoming the student council president. I admit defeat. It looks like you prepared and worked hard this time; it was impressive.

Let me know the time you prefer for the appointment. I’m free for now, so it doesn’t matter to me. If there’s anything specific you want to discuss, feel free to call me now.

Below that was Aidel’s phone number.

With trembling hands, Zelnya picked up her phone.

Click.

As she captured the number, it automatically dialed. After a couple of rings, there was a clicking sound.

“Hello? Is that you?”

Yeah, it’s me—the president’s lackey.

Zelnya’s lips quivered. President’s lackey? She almost burst into laughter.

Congratulations, Zelnya. You beat me. I wanted to snag the president’s seat, but I ended up becoming vice president. Still, losing to you doesn’t feel too bad.

At his continued words, the corners of her mouth curled up.

“Ahem, ahem. Isn’t it the obvious result?”

It’s not obvious. If it were, would you have put in so much effort? Would I have tried so hard?

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

Hearing Aidel’s words, she realized that being first all this time and securing the president’s position in this election—all of it wasn’t a given. She wouldn’t have achieved any of it without effort.

Alright then, let’s meet up later. Get some good rest.

Unlike her family, he ended the call with a proper farewell.

“Sigh…”

She felt a warmth in her heart. She didn’t yet understand why.

Meanwhile, at the same time…

In the small training ground of the Academia, a girl swung her sword with fervor, preparing for the college entrance exams.

Her sandy hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her jade-colored eyes were locked onto her target as she delivered each strike.

With every powerful swing, droplets of sweat flew from her forehead.

She wasn’t alone.

Opposite her stood a woman with platinum hair, effortlessly deflecting the girl’s attacks.

“Too slow, still too slow. With swordsmanship like that, how do you expect to protect your boyfriend in the future?”

“…!”

Reacting to those taunts, the girl unleashed a swift counterattack.

“Yes, that’s more like it.”

The woman smirked, twisting her waist to evade the blow.

Her name was Naier Clark, one of the Zodiac’s Twelve under the sponsorship of Aquarius, and a top-tier Great Omega-ranked swordswoman.

The student she was personally tutoring was Rustila Kersil, a prodigy who had awakened her ‘physical form’ at the age of seventeen.

“Whew, alright. Let’s stop here for today.”

“Huff, huff… Thank you… huff… for your guidance…”

Having pushed herself to her limit, Rustila collapsed once again.

Her training had pushed her stamina to the extreme.

To be honest, even Naier was starting to feel fatigued.

“At this level, you could easily be the top entrant and graduate of the military academy.”

“R-really?”

“Absolutely. Your skills now surpass mine when I graduated from college. Soon enough, a Constellation from the Zodiac Twelve will come seeking you; your technique is that polished and refined.”

“Thank you!”

After quenching her thirst with an energy drink, Rustila began to envision her future.

Contracting with a Constellation and becoming a Great Omega.

Defending people against the Outer Gods.

And then, if Aidel were ever to face grave danger from an Outer God, she would be there to protect him flawlessly.

Just the thought sent chills down her spine.

“Breaking news, breaking news!”

At that moment, Ceti came running in an adorable way after finishing her evening class. She landed softly in front of the two.

“What’s up?”

“Sis, something crazy happened.”

“What is it?”

“Aidel has become the vice president of the college student council.”

“Really? That’s amazing! Isn’t that great?”

“That bitch Zelnya is the president.”

Splash.

Rustila spilled her drink all over her chest.