Chapter 229

Chapter 229

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 229: Graduate School (1)

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“Student, please reconsider this.”

“It’s fine.”

“With the seasonal block, that’s 27 credits. You’ll kill yourself at this rate.”

“I’ll be fine. I won’t die.”

The graduate school director held his head in his hands, exasperated.

Why is this student so stubborn?

Medical students manage 30 credits, so surely 27 is feasible? Besides, 9 credits are already covered in the pre-season.

Thanks to online classes and automated grading, course management is straightforward. Unlike traditional graduate programs in my world, the schedule offers much more flexibility here.

“I’m concerned about your health. While I won’t force you to change your mind, please reconsider.”

The director implored, a bead of sweat glistening on his forehead.

As head of academic affairs, the director’s role includes monitoring students’ health and well-being, explaining his concern.

“I appreciate your worry, but my decision stands.”

One frustration from my previous graduate school experience was the 12-credit limit for full-time students. Some schools allowed up to 18 credits, but that was typically a desperate measure for students rushing to graduate, padding their schedule with research credits that didn’t require attendance.

“Student, you understand your situation is unusual, right?”

“Yes.”

Indeed. If I can’t handle this workload, the universe is doomed.

“I’ll take 18 credits.”

“…Very well.”

Finally, the graduate program director conceded defeat.

“Reinhardt, you’re truly exceptional. Normally, we don’t approve this many research credits. However, given the number of professors eager to award you a doctorate… we have little choice but to make an exception.”

“Thank you, professor. I deeply appreciate it.”

I bowed and exited the office.

“All done?”

Ire was waiting outside, arms crossed as she approached.

“Yes, everything’s arranged.”

“Walk me through your plan.”

“I’ll complete the first semester, then earn my doctorate in the second.”

Ire’s jaw dropped.

“Is that even possible?”

“Once I complete the coursework, it’s up to my advisor’s discretion.”

Standards vary by lab, but Professor Feynman’s criteria are straightforward: first authorship on a flagship paper of level guarantees graduation.

And I already had five.

“The professors want me to graduate. As long as I meet institutional requirements, the doctorate is mine.”

“That’s incredible.”

Impossible in the original world.

But here, in this universe, it’s achievable.

“Let’s see… You entered Academia at seventeen, started college at eighteen. You were nineteen last year, so you could have your doctorate by twenty-one.”

In my previous life, I earned my doctorate at twenty-two. This puts me a year ahead.

Becoming a postdoc and then a professor around twenty-two or twenty-three would be ideal, though circumstances may vary.

“Won’t this take a toll on your health?”

“Even if it does, I’ll manage.”

Zelnya will heal me.

“It’s better than collective extinction.”

Ire sighed deeply, her head swaying like a leaf.

“I’m joining the internship too.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m interning at Professor Feynman’s lab.”

“……”

“What?”

“Weren’t you preparing separately for the Great Invasion? You haven’t collected half the holy relics, and the Holy Spirit Bullets need strengthening. Weren’t you traveling to find opportunities?”

“What opportunities?”

She laughed with a sweet smile.

“Meeting you was the greatest opportunity.”

Ire extended her fist.

“This level of strengthening suffices. Because you’re here. I’ll dedicate the remaining time to physics. You know, it becomes fascinating once you dive in.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely. I think I caught your enthusiasm.”

She held her fist out further – our customary greeting.

Still stunned, I reflexively returned the fist bump. A small laugh escaped.

Opportunity, indeed.

“Yes, it’s an opportunity for me too.”

At least I’ve found one graduate student.

“Professor, I’m here.”

“Student!”

Professor Feynman and I embraced upon meeting. Though we saw each other regularly, this encounter felt different now that I was officially his graduate student.

After we settled, Professor Feynman began reminiscing.

“When this student first came to me four years ago, I sensed something extraordinary. I knew then that I had to take him as my disciple. Such an opportunity couldn’t be allowed to slip away.”

“And I’ve been your disciple ever since, Professor.”

“Aidel…”

“Professor…”

Our moment was interrupted by a deliberate cough. Turning, I saw Ire and Sonia standing there, wearing expressions of mild disapproval.

“Ahem, perhaps we should focus on discussing the research schedule. Have you had a productive conversation with the department head?”

“Yes, I should be able to complete all requirements this semester.”

Professor Feynman’s face brightened with a warm smile.

“Excellent news. Actually, I believe Aidel is already capable of earning a doctorate. The other professors concur. We could award the degree immediately if not for institutional procedures… You understand, of course?”

“Yes, Professor. Your confidence in me means a great deal.”

“Now then, we’ll begin our graviton research by summer at the latest. Before that, as you mentioned, we might join the Darwin Legion research on the Tempest in the southern region. While it’s not our primary field, the collaboration would be valuable.”

“Understood.”

The project would involve crystal research. It had been a long time coming, but we should conclude it within a month.

Professor Feynman shifted his gaze past me, causing Ire to visibly flinch.

“Ire Hazlen, correct? You expressed interest in interning at our lab?”

“…Yes.”

“I’d like to see your CV, if you have one.”

With trembling hands, Ire activated her screen. Her resume materialized in the air, cast in a blue glow.

The credentials were sparse: Sophomore in the Department of Physics, co-author of three papers with me. Yet, it was sufficient. Professor Feynman’s face lit up with an approving smile.

“This aligns perfectly with our planned research direction. Excellent, student. Welcome to our lab.”

“T-thank you.”

Ire bowed mechanically at a perfect ninety-degree angle, prompting a snort from Sonia.

“You’re moving more robotically than I do. Are you first generation?”

“……”

It suddenly struck me that the physics department was overwhelmingly male-dominated. I couldn’t help but worry about how Ire would adjust.

Just then, I detected movement behind me. Turning swiftly, I found myself face-to-face with three disheveled men.

“Ah!”

“Eek!”

“Seniors!”

Plance, Ian, and Mercury – Professor Feynman’s graduate students. Their sudden appearance had startled everyone in the room.

“Seniors! It’s been a while! It’s me, Aidel!”

I enthusiastically grabbed their hands, but their lukewarm response made me pull back, tempering my excitement.

“Is something wrong?”

“N-no, not exactly…”

“It’s an honor to meet the Lord of the Reinhardt family!”

“Quiet, you fool…!”

Ah, right. My position as Lord of the Reinhardt family – one of the dominant medical dynasties in the southern federation – and yet here I was, pursuing physics. Professor Feynman’s disconnect from power dynamics had made me forget my status entirely.

This seemed to be the typical reaction from most people.

“Please, seniors, treat me as you always have. Regardless of my position, I’m still your junior here.”

“Junior? That’s absurd…”

All three seniors trembled visibly. Had they always been this sensitive to hierarchy, even before I became head of the family?

Curious, I decided to employ a cheat code.

600 Prons paid.

Common psychological state: They fear your future while lamenting their own situation.

My future?

Why would they fear what lies ahead for me?

I couldn’t make sense of it.

The ‘God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ chuckles at you.

I had an unsettling feeling that I was missing something significant.

My first day of graduate school marked the beginning of an intense work schedule.

I thought I was busy before, but this was another level entirely. The coursework and research demands were far more challenging. My reputation seemed to attract an endless stream of tasks and emails.

I attempted casual conversation with the seniors, but they maintained an uncomfortably formal distance. Though somewhat burdensome, I supposed it was preferable to being reprimanded.

“What’s on the agenda this month?”

“We need to complete the trap research, enhance the plasma sword with a strontium tangent, and monitor the reverse tempest antenna’s test run.”

“At least there’s sleep at the end of it all.”

I released an explosive yawn, evidence of two months’ worth of accumulated fatigue from classes and research.

Zelnya had scolded me about getting rest, but that wasn’t an option.

“Yawn”

“Here’s some citron tea. Drink it while it’s hot.”

“Thanks, Sonia.”

“Aidel, may I ask a question?”

“Just a moment, please.”

Since the honeymoon, I’d barely seen my wives. Instead, I’d been spending most of my time with Ire and Sonia. But there was no cause for guilt – Sonia was a dedicated android, and Ire actively avoided male contact.

I sipped my tea while addressing Ire’s question, simultaneously streaming lectures through online courseware. I skimmed familiar content, focusing only on new concepts.

“Fascinating – there’s even something called the singularity of singularities. A double singularity?”

Despite all my studies, there was still so much to learn. Knowledge truly seemed limitless.

“……Ah.”

A thought occurred to me.

To create an optimal learning environment, there was one cumbersome but crucial task I needed to handle first.

Without hesitation, I placed a call to the company.

Plance, Ian, and Mercury – the three graduate students felt shivers run down their spines when Aidel returned to Professor Feynman’s lab.

Who exactly was Aidel von Reinhardt?

Publicly, he was known as a physics prodigy, a supernova in the field. The one who ended the Southern war and caused half of Alcatraz’s wardens to lose their positions. The one in charge of the Outer Gods.

But that was merely his public persona.

Only a select few knew his true nature.

Aidel was, at his core, a monster with an obsessive professor’s mentality, even during his undergraduate years.

A true research fanatic. His love for research was all-consuming, and he expected others to share his passion. “You all have to research with me!” he’d declare. He was the type of graduate student who devoured papers instead of proper meals.

Such was his eccentricity that he established his own laboratory as an undergraduate – unheard of! Rumors circulated that he employed his friends there, paying them handsome salaries.

So naturally…

No one could predict what he might do here.

…And their fears were realized sooner than expected.

“Wh-who are you?”

“Hello. We’re from the door lock company.”

On just the third day of Aidel’s official tenure as a graduate student, Professor Feynman’s lab door was modified to include an interior lock.