Ch.104Smart College Life (4)

There’s something called a cross-recognition course.

It’s a course that both undergraduate and graduate students take.

I wonder who first came up with this idea. I’d really like to give them an award.

Also, at Stellarium, there’s a system where if you take these courses during your undergraduate years, only the completion status appears on your undergraduate record, but the credits count toward your graduate program. This is absolutely golden.

If you play your cards right, you can finish the required coursework during your undergraduate years and focus solely on research in graduate school.

[Cross-Recognition Course (Credits counted toward graduate completion)]

When I asked senior students in the community, “Is this a good idea?” about ten people replied with “Yes.” That’s how much of a sweet deal it is.

[Quantum Gravity Phenomena and Current Research Trends (1 credit / Major Elective / Cross-Recognition / Guest Lecturer)]

Hehe, this should be fun.

I looked for other options, but nothing fit my schedule. Half by choice and half by necessity, I registered for this course.

So far, so good, but…

[Lecturer: Kallis Stranov]

Why are YOU teaching here?

***

“…Some of you may have done some preliminary work and might find this textbook trivial. But let me ask you this: can any of you clearly explain what mass, charge, force, and motion—all the things you learned in academia—actually are?”

First day of the semester.

Starting with a lecture like Professor Feynman’s—how lucky.

His philosophy as a physicist is truly exceptional. Just listening to him explain the fundamentals makes my ears happy.

If someone made an ASMR recording of the professor’s voice and distributed it, it would be a huge hit. It would become the bedtime companion for physics students across the universe.

Heh.

“So when are we getting to the actual content?”

Zernya grumbled.

Gah!

How dare she want to learn mere techniques before understanding the essence of the discipline!

“What a heretic.”

“What are you talking about?”

Like this, Zernya would stick by my side and whisper a word or two. She did this in almost every lecture I attended.

Especially when coding, she would implement complex simulations first and then smugly say, “Feel free to cheat off me.” It made me want to hit her.

After rushing through three classes in the morning, I received a text message.

[Rustila: Eidel]

[Are you free now?]

[I need to ask you something]

[Me: Yeah]

[Rustila: Have you seen Zernya?]

I slowly raised my head.

I was currently in the student cafeteria.

And right in front of me, Miss Zernya was munching on a steak.

“What is it? A text?”

“No, just an ad.”

“Hmm.”

After hesitating for a moment, I sent another message.

[Me: No]

A few minutes passed after sending that message.

When no reply came, I felt a chill down my spine.

But wait, why should I feel nervous? It’s not like Rustila and I are dating. Though I do have feelings for her—

[Rustila: Zernya has disappeared]

[Is it for the early graduation review?]

[I just asked Professor Karlen who was in charge of that]

[He said she went up to the college]

[Have you run into her at all?]

Rustila’s measured tone plays in my head.

Suddenly, I have a headache.

It’s not that I feel guilty, but rather that I’ve never been in this situation before. I’m not sure how to respond in a way that will smooth things over.

I took a deep breath.

And I thought to myself.

I, Lee Jinsoo, a man, might be pushed around by professors, but I won’t be swayed by women’s issues.

[Me: Yes, I’ve seen her]

[We attended the first class together earlier]

[There’s an overlapping basic course between medical school and physics]

After sending the message, I took a bite of my pork cutlet while waiting for a reply.

The crispy coating and juicy meat, combined with the flavors of the salad, spread throughout my mouth. Add to that the well-grilled bell peppers and onions— Wait, bell peppers and onions?

“You’re enjoying that. Have some of this too.”

Zernya slid several pieces of roasted carrots onto my plate.

“What are you doing?”

“The sides here aren’t great except for the meat. I’m not eating them, so you can have them instead.”

So she’s using me as a garbage disposal, is that it?

Despite my frown, Zernya dumped the remaining onions onto my plate. My precious pork cutlet suddenly became the onion edition.

Since I don’t actually dislike onions, I reluctantly ate them. Food becomes trash if you throw it away, so… Wait, why am I eating someone else’s leftovers?

Zernya took out a multivitamin.

“Since we’re college classmates now, I’ll give you one. Take it. It’s blueberry flavored.”

The bottle said “Rich in Vitamin B!” I don’t know what’s gotten into her, but I guess it’s fine since she’s not being villainous yet— Wait, no. In this world, one must be constantly suspicious.

I opened my status window.

[Blueberry Flavored Supplement]

[Delicious. Has blueberry scent and flavor. Grape flavor partially added. Rich in vitamins B1 and C.]

Seems like it’s not some strange pill after all.

At this point, I decided to accept her kindness gratefully. When I actually rolled it in my mouth, it had a sweet taste. Just like rolling a real blueberry.

“Hey, is it good?”

“Yeah, it’s nice. What’s gotten into you? Giving me things like this.”

“Payment for being my trash can.”

“Ah.”

I was completely played.

After finishing lunch and afternoon classes, the sunset was beginning to fade. I quickly returned to the dormitory before Zernya could follow me.

Evenings without Sonia were quite lonely.

I half-expected her to pop out from somewhere saying, “Young master, do you want a beating?” if I just sprawled out like this.

But that wouldn’t happen. Sonia is busy keeping tabs on Ireh right now.

Still, it’s the first day of school, and not a single person has checked in on me. I’m really feeling my loner status.

[Seti: How was today?]

I take back what I just said.

[Me: Save me]

[Seti: Lol]

[Want to get chicken to celebrate the new semester?]

[Me: College is crazy busy]

[Attending classes, doing assignments, writing papers]

[No time for chicken]

[Seti: You crazy bastard lolololololol]

[It’s the same except for writing papers lolololol]

[Hey]

[I’m feeling totally HIGH today]

[Want to know why???]

[Me: What is it]

[Seti: (Graph showing 28 stocks hitting their ceiling)]

[Made over 50 billion in one day lolololololololol]

[Hahahahahahahahahahaha]

[Me: WTF]

[How is that possible with stocks]

[Are you moonlighting as a fund manager or something]

[Seti: Yeah]

[Me: ?]

[Seti: ?]

[There’s a backstory to this]

[Every stock I pick lately goes up]

[But as you know, I got a constellation and was able to leave the Spirit Sanctuary]

[When I got that constellation, someone named Stranov helped me a lot. He told me about common characteristics of constellations and stuff]

Wait a minute.

Stranov?

Seti met Professor Stranov? When?

[Seti: So I followed his advice and found out what my constellation’s trait was]

[It’s just stocks lol]

[I invested some coins in your constellation and your constellation gave me something awesome]

[It happened to be an app that reads the market’s mind, wow]

[Your constellation is amazing]

Constellation?

This is the first I’m hearing about Cartesia being a constellation.

She must be mistaken. How could that guy be a constellation?

Questions arose, but I quickly dismissed them. The most important thing right now was to confirm whether the Stranov I knew and the Stranov Seti met were the same person.

And they were indeed the same person.

“Wow.”

I was originally planning to help with his research, but since he’d been acting a bit strange, I was thinking of keeping some distance for a while.

But now it turns out he’s my sister’s benefactor.

I should probably have a serious conversation with him tomorrow.

***

Orientation for the quantum gravity whatever external lecturer course.

When I opened the classroom door, there were a few people who looked like graduate students.

I sat in the very front. I don’t understand why everyone avoids this prime seat where you can appreciate the professor’s face up close.

[“I’m tired of this now.”]

Shortly after, the rest of the students came in, and Professor Stranov entered as well.

About 10 people in total?

That’s quite a lot for an undergraduate-graduate linked course.

Professor Stranov’s face brightened as soon as he saw me.

“I’ll take attendance.”

His voice was cheerful too.

After the general orientation and the first week’s progress were completed, the class ended. Since it was only a 1-credit course, the lecture hours weren’t that many.

The graduate students scattered somewhere, clutching their books and cigarettes. Eventually, only me, the beam projector, and the professor remained in the classroom.

“Mr. Rheinland, about that time…”

“No, Professor! I’m fine! Actually, my memory of it is already getting fuzzy.”

The image of the professor drunkenly ranting at me flashed in my mind, but I deliberately ignored it. One shouldn’t hold onto others’ shortcomings for too long.

“I’m sorry. I was being silly.”

“Not at all. Thanks to you, I had a great tour of the lab.”

I shifted the topic to research to break the awkward atmosphere. Good, that was natural.

“Actually, the reason I came all the way from Iryuel to here as an external lecturer was to see you, Mr. Rheinland. I thought that if you were okay with it, you might register for my class… That’s why.”

“Of course. I’m interested in your current research topic.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Her expression bloomed with joy.

“I heard you helped my younger sister?”

“Your sister?”

“Seti von Rheinland was at the Southern Spirit Sanctuary, and you told her how to be easily chosen by a constellation—”

At that, Stranov let out an “Ah!” and nodded.

While I pretended to be surprised, I strongly felt that even helping Seti had been part of some calculated plan.

But what can I do? She helped my sister. It would be problematic not to repay that kindness.

“Then, could you come work at my lab?”

“Weekdays would be difficult, but weekends should be fine.”

“Of course. It’s quite far from Iryuel to Stellarium.”

Professor Stranov nodded.

“Alright. I need to set up the lab, so please come starting two Saturdays from now. Any time is fine, just let me know by email when you decide.”

I agreed.

It’s about time for Ireh Hazlen to wake up. If I can just deal with her somehow and enter the lab as an intern, it would be perfect.

“You must come. Understood?”

“Understood.”

Professor Stranov left the classroom first, waving her arms like an excited child.

I then sent a text message to Professor Feynman.

[I’m planning to take a break from research this semester.]

One semester? Two semesters? I don’t know how long Professor Stranov’s research will take, but I’ll help her focus and finish it quickly.

[— The ‘God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ reflexively flinches.]

That would be the best way to repay the kindness I’ve received.

I returned to the dormitory and opened the door.

“Sonia. Sonia?”

Ah, right. Sonia isn’t here today either.

She was like this yesterday too. I’ve completely lost it—I’ve become someone who can’t live without Sonia—

“Sigh.”

I satisfied my hunger with something like cup noodles and went to bed.

That night, I dreamed of being pounced on by Cartesia.