Ch.118Love and Thesis (2)

Flans was a senior student from a financially struggling family.

Despite his economic hardships, he entered the physics department driven solely by his determination to explore nature, and had been living on a meager salary in the theoretical research lab.

“Y-you’re giving me this much?”

Now he wouldn’t have to live that way anymore.

***

“Flans, we made a promise.”

“Though we didn’t enter on the same day, we said we’d graduate together.”

I persuaded two more people the same way.

Senior Ian, who came from a relatively wealthy family, resisted fiercely, but eventually surrendered when a wad of cash worth three times his family’s entire fortune was stuffed into his rear end.

“Eidel.”

It’s understandable that Stranov looked surprised.

After all, I had acted somewhat unilaterally.

“You always exceed my expectations. How did you come up with the idea to poach all of Feynman’s students?”

“I thought that’s what you wanted, Professor. Was I wrong?”

“Why did you think that?”

This isn’t a reprimand. It’s the professors’ unique way of speaking. I just need to answer honestly, but pleasantly.

“Because Professor Feynman is such a perfect match for you.”

“Oh my.”

“You’re truly meant for each other.”

Your research labs, that is.

Stranov started humming contentedly. Her mood seems much better than yesterday.

Even though she sent messages badmouthing Feynman, her true feelings are different. Well, it has been an unrequited love for over 10 years.

The reason she brought me in was apparently to provoke him. Something about making Feynman understand the pain of unrequited love.

It’s already too late for marriage, and she believes a physicist’s prime begins in their 30s. To change that professor’s mind, this much effort is necessary.

“Ah, the professor is calling.”

“What should we do? Answer it?”

“Don’t answer.”

Stranov took Mercury senior’s phone and put it down.

“Everyone, aren’t your communication devices quite outdated?”

“It is about time to replace them.”

“Then give me just the bodies without the chips. I’ll replace them with new ones.”

She was using the phone replacement as an excuse to alleviate any guilt about ignoring the call.

“Shall we start preparing then?”

“Professor, I hope you succeed this time.”

“I…”

There was no need to say or hear the rest. She is prepared.

But her expression revealed a hint of fear.

“This will be my fifth attempt. Honestly, I don’t think I can handle any more after this.”

“You can do it, Professor. They say if you strike a tree ten times, it will fall.”

“So I need to strike six more times?”

“Professor Feynman might be a tree that falls after just five strikes.”

“That’s right. We’ll be your sharp axes.”

The seniors quickly chimed in.

I had prepared excuses. But I couldn’t gauge how the seniors would be treated in academic circles if things didn’t go well.

So.

We must succeed.

“What am I watching here?”

Zernya was still opening her popcorn.

***

The Quantum Gravity Theory lab was disbanded.

Professor Feynman paced at the entrance with a dazed expression, occasionally touching his phone and letting out deep sighs.

Stranov’s graduate students would sometimes offer him tributes like corn or coffee as they watched him. But he barely touched even those.

Honestly, it’s pitiful.

I feel sorry too.

But this was the path for everyone’s benefit.

For graviton bomb research, to prevent the world’s destruction.

I had to use myself as bait to matchmake these two people.

On the day of the decisive battle.

Professor Stranov took the lead, while my fellow graduate students and I became the bullets loaded in her gun.

All preparations were complete.

Now only one thing remained.

For the professor to pull the trigger.

“Richard, you’re still here?”

Feynman, who had been staring blankly at the ceiling, lowered his head.

Stranov set down two cups of black tea.

For reference, in the southern regions, black tea symbolizes reconciliation and reunion.

“Professor Stranov, have you seen my graduate students?”

“Oh, them?”

Feynman’s face hardened as if he’d caught on to something.

Stranov took a sip of tea and gestured.

It was time to leave. I pushed the backs of the three seniors.

“Professor.”

“Are you talking about these kids?”

“…!”

[— The God of Wisdom and Curiosity holds his forehead and laughs.]

The beginning of a wild party.

“Why are my lab students coming out from there?”

“Actually, Professor Stranov called us to discuss methods for discovering gravitons.”

“We got so caught up in discussion with the professor that we completely forgot how late it had gotten.”

“We’re truly sorry, Professor.”

It’s not uncommon for graduate students to have discussions with professors other than their advisors. In fact, it’s common and encouraged.

But how would it look in Feynman’s eyes right now?

I could see his expression gradually crumbling.

“Why did you take my students without saying anything?”

The kind professor confronted Stranov instead of scolding his students. Stranov responded with a tone half apologetic, half annoyed.

“I like these students too.”

“What!”

“If they want, I’ll let them transfer to my lab. With their doctoral qualifications intact. I’ll even consider their years and shorten their graduation timeline.”

“Kalis!”

Feynman shouted, pointing at the ceiling.

“Aren’t you afraid of the academic community?!”

“I don’t care. I can just give them more incentives.”

Changing graduate programs isn’t an ethical issue if you justify it well. The problem is that Feynman is known to be too nice a professor.

Plus, he’s had his students poached four times already.

I can almost hear his mental state crumbling.

[— The God of Wisdom and Curiosity questions your humanity.]

I didn’t intend to be this harsh.

The stick has been used enough. Now it’s time for the carrot.

“Professor.”

The most delicious and powerful carrot stepped forward.

“When I was a first-year at the Academy, you gave me the opportunity to be first author on a journal paper. I haven’t forgotten that kindness.”

That was me.

“The memories of writing papers together. The days of exchanging discussions. I remember it all. I cherish it.”

I set the mood by evoking memories.

After immersing him in nostalgia, I bring up the main topic.

“However, meeting Professor Stranov has allowed me to learn even more. So I’ve come to respect both of you professors simultaneously.”

I guide Feynman to view Stranov favorably.

“I want to be mentored by both of you.”

A joint advisory professor application, in other words, playing both sides.

Feynman moistened his cracked lips with his tongue and lowered his head. Breaking the brief silence, he spoke.

“Stellarium and Iryuel are different schools. In such cases, Stellarium doesn’t allow joint advisory permission applications.”

“Professor.”

I took Feynman’s hand. Sensing the situation, the other three seniors also grabbed his hands, helping to heighten the emotions.

“There are plenty of solutions.”

“What would that be?”

“Richard, look at me.”

Professor Stranov answered instead of us.

She pulled up a chair and sat across from him in a slightly crooked posture. Her smooth bare legs were visible beneath the dress she wore to stimulate male interest.

“Don’t you think of a good solution when you look at me?”

“Kalis, I…”

“We’ve known each other for almost 15 years. We should understand each other without words by now. Surely you’re not that stupid.”

He probably has three options here.

First, run away now.

Second, skillfully reclaim his graduate students and leave.

And third…

“Marry me.”

“…I just want to do my research freely and then go. I have no thoughts of marriage, or rather, I did think about it, but it’s already too late.”

“It’s not too late yet.”

Both were still in their early thirties.

Isn’t that just right? Though in this world where thousands die per second, early twenties was the average marriage age.

But whatever.

As long as you have love and papers, age doesn’t really matter, right?

“Marry me.”

“Kalis.”

“If you marry me, I’ll give you research funds, lab space, everything. And I’ll never do something this dirty again.”

“…”

“But if you reject me this time, it’s completely over between us. I’ll take responsibility for all these kids here, so keep that in mind.”

She’s gone all in. Professor Stranov knows this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I winked at Professor Stranov. She nodded and delivered the pre-prepared confession line.

“I’ll make sure your name appears on every paper I write from now on.”

Wow.

Absolutely perfect.

“…Give me a moment to think.”

***

“Eidel, can you really come back to my lab?”

“I was in Professor Stranov’s lab, shamefully, because of research funding. I’m truly sorry for deceiving you.”

“No, that’s fine. It was all because of my shortcomings.”

An angel. An angel has appeared.

“So, this problem will be resolved if I just agree to marry her?”

“I have nothing to say.”

I bowed my head in apology.

“But if you two at least improve your relationship and conduct joint research, couldn’t you save more people? Like when you created the theory to restore the Aether barrier.”

“…”

Feynman swallowed.

He’s someone who prefers a free and pastoral atmosphere, not really compatible with Stranov. Stranov is known for being quite possessive.

But still.

Pretty face, nice figure. Lots of money, great lab equipment.

“You absolutely must collaborate with labs like this.”

So if he marries her, this would be true love.

What I call paper romance.

Feynman sighed and stood up.

“Marriage isn’t something to decide as easily as dating. I’m not from a promising family like the Stranovs, and my income isn’t great. I’m not sure if I can maintain a stable household.”

“You’re thinking about her.”

“Yes. She deserves a better match.”

“Even though she’s waited 15 years?”

“…”

Feynman hesitated before speaking.

“But we fought every time we met at conferences…”

“Marital spats.”

“…”

“Ah, I finished the popcorn.”

Zernya folded the bag, tossed it aside, and sat next to me. She offered advice.

“Let me tell you one thing. Women don’t stay near men they dislike. They don’t even exchange words.”

“…Is that so?”

“You’re completely clueless. All my friends have attested to this.”

“Zernya, you don’t have friends.”

“Shut up. I have more than you.”

Professor Feynman nodded. He looked at Professor Stranov, who was waiting for an answer.

“What do you all think?”

“If you’re okay with it, Professor…”

“We’d like to work with Professor Stranov too.”

Ah.

Feynman sighed softly.

I’ve been trapped, he must be thinking. I’ve become someone who can’t research without Stranov.

Unable to withstand all the scheming, Feynman finally surrendered.

“Alright, let’s do it.”

“W-what…?”

“I said let’s do it, get married.”

Professor Stranov blinked blankly for a moment.

“Darling!”

Then she rushed to Feynman and gave him an intense deep kiss.

Wow, geez, wow.

So now we can use both labs?

***

“So neither of them could come in today?”

“That’s right.”

Strange. They were supposed to register their marriage after finishing the resonator research.

“They both said they injured their backs.”

“W-what?”

I sat down, holding my forehead. Zernya looked at me with contemptuous eyes.

“Anyway, the resonator research is suspended this week. It’s a rare vacation, so why don’t you take some time off too, Rheinland?”

“Ah, no. My vacation…”

“?”

I can’t just sit around like this.

I need to use this spare time to take care of things I couldn’t do before.

I decided where to go.

“Hey, where are you going?”

“The Spirit Chamber.”

It was time to check on Ireh Hazlen’s condition.