Chapter 177

Chapter 177

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 177: Zelnya’s Melancholy (6).

After finishing my evening activities, I opened my contacts and immediately messaged Zelnya.

Are you awake?

Yes.

There’s something I think we left unfinished in our earlier conversation. Could we discuss it in person? Are you free now?

Come to the student council room.

The student council room at this hour? I wondered if she was studying.

I stopped by a nearby café and convenience store to pick up some supplies that might help with late-night studying, including coffee. I also had Sonia prepare some sandwiches for snacks.

When I arrived and unlocked the door, bright white light spilled through the crack. My intuition had been correct.

At one end of the rectangular conference table, medical books were spread out on a reading stand. Zelnya was indeed studying there.

“…Welcome, Vice President.”

“Why study here instead of the library?”

“The library… I find it difficult to concentrate there.”

She blinked her sleepy eyes, occasionally letting out a yawn. There was an air of exhaustion about her – the typical appearance of a medical student.

“Good thing I brought these.”

“Brought what?”

“This.”

I set down the coffee and food. Zelnya’s eyes widened as if startled, darting between me and the coffee.

“Would you like some?”

“Are you sure?”

“I brought it specifically for you. Here – your favorite.”

Zelnya had always preferred Einspänner coffee. I suspected it was because she enjoyed the combination of sweet whipped cream while getting her caffeine fix.

She brought the cup to her lips and took a delicate sip, reminiscent of a baby bird being fed.

How cute. Perhaps I should tease her a little?

“Your late-night studying and coffee addiction is why you’re not growing taller.”

“What are you talking about?”

“President, think about it from a medical perspective. They say your potential height can vary depending on your sleep schedule.”

“I lived a regular lifestyle when I was young and still didn’t grow. This is purely genetic. Genetics.”

Zelnya’s eyelids were twitching – perhaps she needed to buy magnesium supplements. Even her complaints were cute.

“It’s fine. You’re 154 centimeters.”

“Stop spreading misinformation! I’m 155!”

“Oh? Did you grow recently?”

“You!”

Zelnya trembled, looking ready to sulk if I teased her any further.

“I’m just kidding. Actually, being petite is quite charming.”

“…Really? You’re not just saying that?”

“Of course not. Honestly, hardly any men judge a woman’s beauty solely by her height.”

I picked up a neatly sliced piece of sandwich with a fork and offered it to Zelnya.

“Here you go.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

I had meant to hand her the fork, but Zelnya interpreted my gesture differently. She tucked her hair behind her ear and parted her lips slightly.

In the next moment, she took the sandwich into her mouth.

The combination of ham, egg, cheese, tomato, and lettuce created a perfect harmony of flavors. The soft bread melted gently on the tongue. Paired with a warm cup of coffee, it was a soul-warming experience.

As I watched Zelnya savoring the sandwich with closed eyes, I recalled my own earlier taste of it.

“It’s delicious.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Give me another.”

“Of course, whatever you say.”

Zelnya wore the happiest expression I’d ever seen. The sight of her upturned lips suggested she had regained her energy. When she’d first arrived, she had looked completely exhausted, which had worried me.

“I should definitely marry a tall man, no matter how I think about it.”

“Where did that come from?”

“It’s the only way to change these cursed genes, right? Vice President, can I have another one?”

Despite her petite frame, Zelnya eagerly reached for another sandwich and devoured it. I watched in amazement, still finding it surreal that I was sharing a late-night snack with the mastermind of the University Chapter.

But enough distractions. It was time to address the real issue.

“Earlier, you mentioned wanting to discuss something with me, but you left suddenly. Why?”

“About that…”

Zelnya’s expression darkened. After a brief pause, she continued.

“I know what I need to do is ethically right, but I’m terrified of the consequences. How will people see me? Can I maintain my position?”

Her concerns were deeply philosophical.

“Even if this all resolves, will I still deserve to be here?”

“I don’t know.”

I answered honestly.

“Zelnya, you haven’t committed any crime – you’re the victim. But not everyone will understand that. No matter how well you handle this, life will leave its marks.”

“Then what should I do?”

“If it were me… I would report it.”

“Why?”

“Simply because that’s who I am.”

I elaborated.

“Imagine if I accidentally committed murder with no witnesses and no CCTV cameras – the perfect crime. Even then, I believe I would turn myself into the police.”

“I…”

“You can choose differently. You could either hide the body or confess, as I suggested. The former might seem easier but isn’t right, while the latter is honorable but difficult. One path offers convenience but brings anxiety, and the other challenges but brings peace. They’re fundamentally different.”

“Vice President, I have a Constellation.”

“The Constellation’s presence shouldn’t influence your decision.”

I quietly moved my chair closer to Zelnya, who flinched as our shoulders touched.

“There’s no choice in the world worth regretting.”

“What do you mean?”

“People may regret, but no situation itself is worth regretting.”

I recalled when someone had warned me.

“You’ll definitely regret going into theoretical physics.”

They said it wasn’t a field where mediocre talent could secure a livelihood.

I ignored all the warnings. In the end, I succeeded, though I could have failed just as they predicted. Even if I had failed, I would have been content.

“We’re adults now. As adults, we must take responsibility for our actions, not just regret them. When we fail, we must work even harder to make up for lost time.”

“Even harder than the time lost…”

“Zelnya, I believe as long as you’re alive, Adelwein will remain strong. No, it will probably grow stronger.”

I glanced at the major textbook before us.

“Look at you, studying diligently in the middle of the night. Whatever you pursue, you’ll succeed. While failure is inevitable sometimes, won’t you be the one who triumphs in the long run?”

“…Yes, you’re right.”

“The way you live with responsibility is admirable. That alone deserves recognition.”

I felt awkward after saying those words. Since when did encouraging a young girl make me feel so self-conscious?

Then Zelnya asked an unexpected question.

“What about the right to be loved?”

My thoughts froze, not because of the question itself but because of the scent that suddenly filled the air, making it impossible to think clearly.

My eyes moved mechanically as I felt a gentle touch on my cheek.

“Not just recognition, but having the right to be loved would be nice too. That’s what I think.”

“President.”

“Shh.”

Zelnya gazed up at me intently, her microfiber-soft hand caressing my cheek. She whispered:

“Don’t say anything.”

“…Zelnya.”

“Just pretend you didn’t hear what I said. Cancel it, cancel. Yes. Cancel.”

Zelnya quickly withdrew her hand, mumbling. A subtle blush crept across her cheeks as her eyes, which had been fixed on me, now darted nervously around the room.

Only then did I understand her intention, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Yes, President. I didn’t hear anything.”

“Good, good. That’s the end of it. Thanks for the consultation. Thanks to you, nineteen years’ worth of burden has been lifted.”

Zelnya closed her book, repacked her bag, and kept glancing at me as she headed to the door, her words tumbling out nervously.

“Ah, I’m so sleepy! I have an early lecture tomorrow, so I’m going to bed. You should turn off the lights and rest, too!”

Thud!

The door closed behind her.

I finished the remaining sandwiches and returned to the dormitory.

After washing up, I could still feel the lingering warmth on my cheeks as I lay in bed.

“Why is the room so hot?”

“Young master, is something wrong?”

Sonia, who was sorting laundry, approached and sniffed the air. Her nose wrinkled sharply.

“…Tint smell?”

“…?”

For some inexplicable reason, that night, I had to share my bed with Sonia.

Back in her dormitory, Zelnya tossed her backpack onto the bed before diving in herself. She began thrashing about, pummeling her blanket with her limbs.

“Ahhhhh!”

Embarrassing.

Embarrassing!

It’s so embarrassing!

“Why did I do that?”

Sometimes, people lose their composure and act more boldly than usual. Surely, what she did wasn’t her true intention.

Zelnya fidgeted with the plastic cup Aidel had given her.

“…….”

Though the coffee was long gone, its warmth seemed to linger. Otherwise, how could it still feel so warm?

As she held the empty cup, their conversation replayed in her mind.

It’s not the situation one regrets but the person.

So, follow your conviction.

“……That was cool.”

Aidel’s answer was clear and precise – that’s what made it cool. Perhaps that’s what had thrown her off balance.

In retrospect, Zelnya had become excessively humble since that day. The fear of her near-death experience still coursed through her body, leaving her feeling helpless and insignificant.

But she reminded herself: she was Zelnya von Adelwein.

The top student at Stellarium Medical School, owner of Deneb, a constellation star, and the future head of the prestigious Adelwein family.

Yes.

She could afford to be more confident.

What did others’ opinions matter? She was her own person. Let them try to match her achievements. Let them try to acknowledge their own groups’ shortcomings as she had.

“I can do it. I’m not afraid.”

She whispered these words like a mantra while lying in bed. Though anxiety lingered, she chose to push forward regardless.

The next day, Zelnya approached the school with a lighter heart. She cleared her mind of distractions and focused on her tasks. Her thoughts became clearer.

After diligently completing the first month of the semester, Zelnya ascended to the head of the Adelwein family and received a directive from her parents:

Bring in the third son of the Reinhardt family, Aidel von Reinhardt, as a son-in-law to contribute to the family’s honor.