Chapter 176

Chapter 176

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 176: Zelnya’s Melancholy (5).

Come to think of it, Aidel had been quite busy lately.

Between attending classes and conducting research, Zelnya had heard he was living almost like a graduate student. However, she hadn’t witnessed his routine firsthand.

“Ahh…”

Zelnya stretched her arms above her head. She wondered if these stretches would help her grow even a little taller. After two years without gaining any height, she was becoming increasingly anxious about her stature.

At least she felt more refreshed now than before her nap.

“Oh!”

Though she was certain she had set an alarm before dozing off, more time had passed than intended. Her groggy consciousness suddenly cleared as if struck by a hammer.

At this rate, she would be late for her next lecture.

There was no time to see Aidel’s face. Zelnya hurriedly dashed toward the medical college lecture hall.

After the lengthy lecture finally ended, an exhausted Zelnya trudged through the campus grounds. She needed to head to the library, but her feet felt heavy, refusing to move from where she stood.

Looking up, she found herself in front of the Natural Sciences College building – a dungeon with a 99.9% chance of encountering the ‘God of Physics and Graduate School.’

While she could reach the library through this building, she also had family matters to discuss with Aidel. These two excuses were enough to justify her decision to enter.

The Stellarium Natural Sciences building was designed in a regular pentagon shape. Each sector arranged counter-clockwise from the central core, housed different departments: Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, and Geology.

To find Aidel, she needed to locate the Physics Department sector and make her way up from the ground floor. It wasn’t difficult – she spotted him on the third floor, but he wasn’t alone. Three women accompanied him.

“Oh?”

She recognized Rustila and Merlin, along with a black-haired girl she’d seen before – Ire Hazlen, if she remembered correctly.

The group appeared deeply engaged in conversation, leaving no room for newcomers. Instinctively, Zelnya concealed herself behind a wall, holding her breath as she listened to their discussion.

“…So, you think you can write a paper soon?”

“Why would you assume that?”

“You need to write quickly. That’s the only way Merlin will become as famous as me, right?”

“Ah, this is frustrating!”

Zelnya smiled softly, feeling somewhat relieved. Rather than some exciting social gathering, it was just another academic discussion – exactly what she’d expect from Aidel.

Her sense of relief evaporated instantly at Rustila’s next words.

“You know, I think writing a paper is similar to a couple having a child.”

Zelnya stood dumbfounded. Had Rustila lost her mind? How could she say something so inappropriate in front of a man?

Merlin and Ire seemed equally shocked – Merlin’s jaw dropped while Ire’s face turned as red as a boiled shrimp.

“No, but think about it. It takes a long time, requires tremendous effort, and is impossible without love and dedication. And then… once it’s complete, there’s this sense of reward and fulfillment…”

At first glance, it might have seemed like a harmless, if risqué, joke – the kind of banter most men would dismiss or even find uncomfortable. But there was one exception.

“Wow, Rustila. Your analogy is spot on.”

Aidel chuckled, absently scratching the bridge of his nose. His pleased reaction, rather than discomfort, was far from normal.

At that moment, Zelnya realized just how dangerous it was for someone to use academic research as a flirtation tactic with Aidel.

“Ah, no.”

This couldn’t continue. She was going to lose him.

Though Zelnya felt remorse for her past treatment of Rustila, this was different. When it comes to matters between women, certain boundaries should never be crossed.

“Aidel!”

Zelnya burst into the conversation, causing Rustila’s expression to darken immediately. The tension between the two women was palpable.

“Merlin, go into the lab with Ire.”

“Huh? Uh, okay.”

Rustila ushered Merlin into the lab and closed the door, leaving just the three of them in the hallway.

“What brings you here so suddenly?”

“I have something to discuss with the vice president.”

The atmosphere turned frigid. Aidel remained silent, seemingly content to observe their exchange.

“Discuss? What could you possibly need to discuss with Aidel?”

“It’s a personal matter.”

“Personal… Aren’t you supposed to be busy with medical school?”

The implication behind her question was clear. Zelnya shrugged dismissively.

“I have some free time. Though, Rustila, isn’t the military department supposed to enforce strict dorm regulations? Should you even be here right now?”

“I also have free time – with permission, of course. Aidel requested my help with his new research.”

Rustila stood with her hands on her hips, leaning forward confidently, though there was a hint of uncertainty in her stance. Zelnya frowned.

“… research? What kind of research?”

“Research on the application of Darwin Legion Crystal. The process requires my Constellation’s power. Aidel personally came to the military science building to recruit me.”

There was an unmistakable note of pride in Rustila’s voice.

“Vice President, is this true?”

“It is.”

Zelnya’s jaw dropped in disbelief.

Unbelievable.

Aidel quickly explained.

“Rustila, Merlin, and Ire – I requested their help because they’re all essential for my research. They all agreed readily. I’ve set up a lab with the professor’s permission, and work is already underway.”

This was absurd on two counts. First, how could a college student set up a lab as if he were a professor? Second, why had he invited women like Rustila and Merlin but never proposed working with her?

As this realization hit, Zelnya felt an emotion settle over her like murky water – jealousy.

“Vice President…”

Zelnya murmured, stepping closer to Aidel.

“Is there an open spot?”

“What do you mean, Zelnya?”

“I’m asking if there’s room in the lab.”

She was surprised to hear her old sullen tone resurface. Knowing Aidel would dislike such an attitude, she quickly continued her plea.

“What about me? I could definitely be helpful.”

Her words came out sounding both demanding and pleading.

On the surface, it was just about writing a thesis. But her desperate desire to join the lab stemmed from something simpler – whenever Aidel was with another woman, her heart ached unbearably. If this wasn’t jealousy, what was?

Yet, with her family matters still unresolved, she couldn’t express her feelings openly. Even if it was cowardly, this indirect approach was all she had. She couldn’t bear to lose him.

Zelnya continued, barely concealing her desperation.

“I have a Constellation too. If you need Ether experiments, I can handle them. Plus, my medical training means I’m good with precise work.”

She listed her qualifications, though they weren’t as impressive as she’d hoped. After all, she’d never planned on pursuing graduate school or research.

Aidel smiled sympathetically.

“Thanks for offering, Zelnya. But I’ll just take your sentiment.”

“What?”

For a moment, she thought she’d misheard. It took several seconds for her sharp mind to process the reality – she’d just been rejected.

She had been certain he would accept her.

“President, you’ve been dozing off all morning. I know you’re juggling academics, student council work, and family matters. It must be overwhelming, so please don’t feel obligated to help with my research.”

“No, it’s fine, Vice President. I’m really okay…”

“Zelnya, I can see how exhausted you are.”

Though his words were warm and considerate, this excessive concern felt cruel to her.

“There’s something else I need to be honest about. Zelnya, you’re majoring in medicine, which has little relevance to crystal research. Participating in this might actually hinder your development as a medical professional.”

Zelnya’s expression crumbled.

“Why? If Merlin and Rustila can do it, why can’t I?”

“Well, this is crystal research we’re talking about.”

Aidel began explaining patiently.

“As you heard earlier, Rustila’s Constellation plays a crucial role in crystal transformation. Each Constellation has unique characteristics, you see.”

“But what about Merlin…”

“Merlin is in the biology department. Their curriculum includes studying Darwin Legion crystals’ physical properties and using crystal analysis to understand monster ecology.”

Every point he made was valid, leaving Zelnya speechless. A profound sense of helplessness settled over her.

“What about my Constellation? I’m different. You know that, Vice President. Surely that would be valuable…”

“Zelnya.”

Aidel gently placed his hand on her trembling shoulder and delivered the crushing truth softly.

“Your Constellation is meant for medicine.”

He continued…

“Deneb is a first-class star in the medical field. Everyone – your peers, doctors nationwide, even the Reinhardt family – covets that star.”

“Vice President…”

“As a doctor, your potential is boundless. Focus on your medical studies. By graduation, you’ll be such a renowned physician that you can look down on our family.”

Though diplomatically worded, the message was clear: We cannot accept you into our lab.

“Ah.”

The realization hit her.

No amount of pleading would change this outcome.

“I understand. I’ll do as you say, Vice President.”

Zelnya pulled a thick textbook from her bag, tucking it under her slim arm. After exchanging glances with Aidel and Rustila, she headed toward the library.

Her original reason for confiding in Aidel seemed pointless now.

Her hand trembled as she clutched the thousand-page medical text.

It was probably just fatigue.

Ire pressed her ear against the iron door, which felt as solid as a wall, and listened intently to the entire conversation. Once Zelnya’s presence had faded, she quietly stepped out.

She found Aidel worrying about Zelnya, while Rustila appeared visibly relieved.

“Shouldn’t we go after her?”

Ire whispered to Aidel, keeping her voice low enough that Rustila wouldn’t hear. The underlying message was clear – they couldn’t afford to treat someone who held the Adelwein family’s fate so carelessly. Aidel nodded in agreement.

“I’ll calm her down later.”

Later, separately – words clearly meant to reassure Rustila.

His concern for Rustila was understandable. She stood rigid, her head held high, staring in the direction Zelnya had departed, clearly wary of the other woman.

“Don’t even think about it.”

Rustila muttered with a deep exhale.

Ire understood why Rustila reacted this way. Though she harbored feelings for Aidel, her contract with the Maiden Star prevented her from expressing her love directly. Aidel knew how to resolve this situation, thanks to their previous conversation at the café, but until then, Rustila would remain on edge.

The ideal solution would be for Rustila and Zelnya to find common ground, but that path wouldn’t be easy.

After Rustila retreated into the lab, Ire took the opportunity to speak softly to Aidel, who was nervously licking his lips.

“If you need a mediator, call me. Whatever the problem, we can solve it together if we put our minds to it.”

“That’s true.”

Aidel replied with an amiable smile.

The two discretely bumped fists – a simple gesture of solidarity between colleagues.