Chapter 146

Chapter 146

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 146: Apology (1).

A strange energy envelops the surroundings.

It’s about time.

For today’s operation, I need someone specific – a woman capable of quick decision-making, who follows instructions well, and isn’t afraid of close physical contact.

Ire is tied up managing the Whiritia division, and Rustila is busy with exams, so they’re both out of the question.

Which leaves only one choice.

“Are you ready, Sonia?”

“Awaiting your command, young master.”

The world’s most reliable maid android stands beside me as today’s partner.

“My CNN-integrated neural network is telling me something. Right now, the young master’s gaze speaks of absolute conviction.”

I nodded with satisfaction.

“When I give the signal, we rush in.”

“Breaking and entering? How thrilling.”

“As a man, I can’t just barge into a girl’s room directly.”

“Perhaps you should consider gender reassignment surgery? It might make you gentler than you are now.”

“……”

“That was merely a joke. Please don’t look so grim. I’m quite pleased that you’re a man, young master. Indeed.”

The atmosphere turns frigid. Sonia hesitates before tapping my shoulder.

“Shall we enter now?”

“Not yet.”

“Sonia is growing bored.”

Just then…

A contract is about to be made somewhere…

I gave the signal to Sonia. She descended the rope and kicked in the apartment window to enter.

“Young master!”

“What?”

“We’re screwed!”

“I know!”

Crash!

Something sailed through the other window – an irregular polyhedron. Given the circumstances, Zelnya must have thrown it.

This confirmed it: an Outer God had appeared.

But how was she able to throw it? When I encountered Cartesia, I couldn’t release my grip and was forcibly absorbed.

The irregular polyhedron glided through the air in a perfect parabola before burning up like a shooting star. I stared blankly at the empty space, then looked down.

Sonia quickly provided a foothold.

“Damn it.”

I hesitated before descending. Below us lay what was essentially a cliff, given that we were fifteen stories up.

There wasn’t a moment to waste. I carefully landed on the balcony.

Zelnya came into view, covered in blood. The bleeding was so severe that it had formed a puddle at her feet.

The status window flashed a red alert. Zelnya’s eyes were unfocused – her mental strength had reached its limit.

“The irregular polyhedron is gone.”

“It flew outside and disappeared.”

I took two pre-prepared star candies and immediately placed them in Zelnya’s mouth.

Maximum allowable Pron value increased by 1000.

Zelnya von Adelwein: 890/2000

I’d used up all the consumable items from the Celestine Incident. Thank goodness I’d saved them until now.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“Ha… ha…”

Her violet eyes trembled faintly. She couldn’t even speak.

“Sonia, diagnose her.”

“Yes. Hmm, low blood pressure but elevated pulse. Severe bleeding. Without immediate treatment, she won’t survive.”

She was on death’s doorstep.

“Carry her!”

“But young master, my frills will get dirty.”

“I’ll buy you better ones!”

“Thank you. Three sets, please.”

Zelnya, Sonia, and I rushed to the Southern Holy Spirit Hospital. Upon arrival, we immediately gathered the priests to begin emergency treatment and prepared for an urgent blood transfusion.

The hospital had flourished since coming under the Reinhardt family’s management, transforming into a comprehensive medical facility. Each day, hundreds of patients passed through its doors, with priests serving dual roles as doctors performing various surgical procedures.

Following my father’s directive to keep costs low and services accessible, the hospital attracted a substantial number of patients from the transient population. This high volume often led to resource shortages.

“We’re dangerously low on artificial blood with all these patients!”

“Is there anyone nearby with a matching blood type? This is critical!”

Without hesitation, I rolled up my sleeves and stepped forward.

“My blood type matches.”

Her heart felt ready to burst, breathing was ragged and uneven. Consciousness wavered as her limbs refused to move.

Zelnya experienced an overwhelming sense of detachment from both herself and reality. The terror she felt was indescribable – perhaps even more intense than when she had faced defeat by the Incarnate.

‘I’m dying.’

At the crossroads between life and death, certain things become visible. The revolving lantern is one such vision, bringing forth memories of the past – actions taken, paths chosen, and reasons for living.

Her life had been one of relentless effort, yet somehow passive. For fifteen years, she had existed without a true sense of self.

Then he appeared, painting vibrant colors across her monochrome existence.

For the first time, she experienced being second-best instead of first. The world’s vastness became apparent, along with her own limitations.

Though she pushed forward with a competitive spirit, each step brought more misery. Childish emotions hardened into mere stubbornness.

Born into wealth, she had lived in emotional poverty.

Now, none of it seemed to matter. What difference did first or second place make? Many found happiness without being at the top.

The name Adelwein felt like chains for the first time. Perhaps letting go of everything would bring relief.

“……”

Her floating consciousness slowly began to surface.

Zelnya opened her eyes gradually.

She found herself in a windowless recovery room, dressed in hospital clothes with an IV in her arm.

A familiar scene.

The Southern Holy Spirit Hospital. She had fallen victim to an Outer God, after all.

As logic returned, shame flooded in.

“Ah, haha.”

Zelnya laughed weakly.

The voice of the Constellation – no, the Outer God – was silent now.

Though her body felt heavy, it wasn’t severe enough to keep her from school. Zelnya carefully rose and took a tentative step.

Muffled voices drifted in from outside.

She pressed her ear against the iron door, which felt as solid as a wall.

“…The artificial Constellation played an unexpected role. Without it, she would have died on the spot.”

It was Professor Arnold Reinhardt speaking.

“You acted swiftly, Aidel. You saved Adelwein’s direct descendant. Had anything gone wrong, both families would have faced catastrophe. I’m proud of you this time.”

“When have I ever not been worthy of praise?”

Arnold cleared his throat and changed the subject.

“It was fortunate that you and that girl shared the same blood type. You made the right decision, son.”

These words nearly took Zelnya’s breath away.

She recalled coughing up blood – it had definitely been severe hemorrhaging. A blood transfusion had been essential.

But they hadn’t used artificial blood; they had used human blood – Aidel’s blood directly.

This was an era where artificial blood had become commonplace. Unlike human blood, artificial blood wasn’t restricted by type. There had been no need to use human blood, which made this choice deeply significant in religious terms.

‘I’d give my life for you.’

That’s what it meant.

Her heart began pounding violently.

The realization that her heart was now beating thanks to Aidel’s blood caused the pulse monitor to beep frantically.

“Furthermore, it appears that the fake Constellation has perished. The tattoo mark you mentioned has also vanished, Aidel.”

“…!”

Zelnya’s hand flew to her neck.

Though she couldn’t see it, she could sense it through the flow of Ether.

The barcode mark that had been her complex was gone.

“W-What in the world…?”

To summarize:

She narrowly escaped death after making a contract with an Outer God.

While she did resist the irregular polyhedron at the last moment, her survival was due to the physical intervention of the fake Constellation rather than her own abilities.

“We’ll discuss the Adelwein family matter later.”

With those words, the conversation between father and son concluded. As Aidel approached, Zelnya quickly slipped into bed, pulled up the blanket, and feigned sleep.

Clack.

Aidel and Sonia entered the room. Sonia spoke first.

“It’s disturbing how an Outer God could mimic a Constellation’s voice. Should we investigate the other Constellations, too?”

“That won’t be necessary – it becomes apparent at the moment of contract formation. I’m more concerned about the Adelwein family…”

“The Reinhardt family must proceed carefully. The young master could be at risk, too. Remember how twenty-one people connected to the irregular polyhedron vanished without a trace?”

“Precisely why we need to take the initiative.”

Listening to their exchange, Zelnya experienced a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She couldn’t deny that her family had instigated this situation and stubbornly pursued it to this point.

“Miss Adelwein hasn’t regained consciousness yet. Though her vitals are stable – normal blood pressure, pulse, ECG, and EEG.”

“Well, she is a medical student – they’re chronically sleep-deprived.”

As their voices drew nearer, Zelnya’s heartbeat accelerated. She recognized that shame underlaid her anxiety.

“She looks almost angelic while sleeping.”

Beep, beep.

“The girl does look peaceful.”

Beep, beep, beep, beep.

“…Young Master, should we be concerned about her suddenly elevated pulse?”

“Get Father, immediately!”

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.

It took some time before the situation finally stabilized.

Zelnya kept her head bowed in shame, unable to look up. Her silence only encouraged Sonia’s mockery.

“You made a promise to the Young Master back then, didn’t you? That if the Constellation turned out to be an Outer God, you’d willingly forfeit your life.”

“No, I said I’d die by the Outer God…”

“Is the loser daring to talk back?”

“……”

“Then she should die.”

At that moment, Zelnya truly wished she could.

“That’s enough, Sonia.”

Aidel’s firm voice cut through the tension. He pulled up a chair beside Zelnya and calmly explained the situation. An Outer God had been tracking her, which meant she would need to remain at the Holy Spirit Hospital for the time being. Though physically fine, she required rest and observation.

“We can handle the student council work through video calls. I’ll go get my laptop.”

“Wait…”

Zelnya’s voice stopped him before he could rise.

“Why?”

“I…”

The words came from pure instinct before she could even process her thoughts. She knew, with absolute certainty, that this was her moment to speak. If she didn’t say what needed to be said now, everything would truly be over. She would lose not only her last ally but also her path forward. Driven by this anxiety, Zelnya finally found her voice.

“I’m sorry.”

“What did you say?”

“I’m sorry…”