Ch.195Succession War for the Family Headship (10)

    I looked around me.

    Professor Raiden Apron. Professor Joshua Bishuhald. And even the faculty and researchers of the Callisto Physics Department whom I’d seen around campus.

    All familiar faces.

    At this rate, this isn’t a family head selection ceremony but a talent show.

    “I’m Eidel. I’ll be presenting posters based on the papers I uploaded to the archive.”

    Since most of the Council of Elders aren’t specialists, I need to explain things as simply as possible.

    “Here’s my first paper.”

    [Crystal-Based Plasma Sword Enhancement Technology]

    “As I mentioned two months ago, there are ten steps to suppressing external gods. One of them is improving the Plasma Sword. That’s why I’ve been focusing on enhancing the sword’s output.”

    I added that I used methods to increase Aether density and hardness.

    “As a result, I achieved approximately 30% enhancement compared to existing models.”

    “Oh ho.”

    Some of the elders nodded. They seemed satisfied, smiling. On the other hand, some adults didn’t look pleased.

    “Is sword improvement really that important?”

    “Yes, it is. Until now, Plasma Sword performance has heavily depended on the user’s capabilities. Many swordsmen have lost their lives due to insufficient Aether output.”

    “It doesn’t seem related to medicine.”

    “It is related. It can increase swordsmen’s survival rates. Ultimately, it’s research connected to preserving life, which aligns with the Rheinland family head position.”

    Next, the professors asked questions.

    “Enhancing output with crystals is good, but the method isn’t very efficient. What if you removed the plasma valve there and replaced it with a platinum ring?”

    “That would increase output but reduce stability. If something goes wrong, the sword could fail in the middle of combat. Please refer to the DOI at the bottom for relevant previous research.”

    “Why use a triple-layer structure there? Wouldn’t a double-layer be sufficient?”

    “The top layer is used to adjust the phase. It’s a kind of switch, a consideration for swordsmen with insufficient constellation energy.”

    “Production costs seem high. Is mass production possible with this design?”

    “I’m confident that with continued follow-up research, we can lower the unit cost.”

    Since they’re all experts, their questions are sharp. Unlike with the Council of Elders, there’s a certain satisfaction in defending my work.

    “Didn’t you upload tomography figures of the crystals used in your research?”

    “I plan to show those in my next paper presentation.”

    “What?”

    The Council began to stir.

    “You didn’t just bring one paper?”

    “No. I have more.”

    I closed the slide and switched to the next one.

    [Theoretical Study of Reverse Light Storm Technology]

    “When an external god dies, a Pron storm follows in its wake. This phenomenon is called a ‘light storm.’ It’s known to be a physical phenomenon caused by Aether-Pron pair annihilation.”

    I showed related cases on the slide. It was about when Ireh was suffering.

    Those are all memories now.

    Of course, it should never happen again.

    “Anyway, light storms erase Aether. This means they can neutralize the Aether Belt.”

    After showing crystal photos, I began discussing Darwin-type external gods.

    Darwin-type external gods are ferocious. They’re so savage they even devour their own kind. Given that, it’s impossible they wouldn’t kill their own kind to create light storms, I explained.

    “External gods have a more leisurely sense of time than humans. Still, they won’t just wait around now that their channel to toy with humanity is blocked. A light storm will blow soon.”

    “Do you have evidence?”

    “Yes. Please look at this data.”

    It was research showing that a massive quasar had recently exploded.

    I cut out all the technical talk and focused on the essentials.

    “Spectrum analysis confirms it’s from the Darwin system. The direction of the proto-star explosion is south from here. If my prediction is correct, a Darwin system invasion will begin soon.”

    The audience stirred.

    “Eidel! You shouldn’t bring unconfirmed rumors to incite people!”

    “I anticipated that response, so I brought more data.”

    I included links and information spanning eight pages. All results came from reputable journals like <Universe> or <Stella Science>. They were even recent.

    “These papers were published less than a month ago. The fact that they all report the same findings indicates high credibility.”

    It’s now mid-year 1. Timing-wise, this is when Zernya would burn down the academy. With that event gone, the next event occurring is inevitable according to ‘causality.’

    That’s why I conducted this research.

    “As many of you know, crystals have applications as diverse as silicon. Naturally, they can be used to rebuild the Aether Belt. I call this result ‘reverse light storm technology.’ Simply put… it creates an ‘Aether storm.'”

    “An Aether storm… What’s the principle?”

    “Crystals have the property of containing Aether. We use this to store quality Aether and release it when needed. To use an analogy, it’s like blood donation and transfusion.”

    For this, you only need to trigger one release. Aether, like light, creates an induction effect. This is predictable from the FR model.

    In this respect, the FR model is quite convenient. You can get predicted results just by plugging values into the equation. I’m glad I researched it first.

    “Now for my third paper.”

    “There’s, there’s more…?”

    “This can’t be.”

    Actually, I have four papers to present. But I’m debating whether to present the last one. I moved to the next slide.

    [Theoretical Research on Crystal-Based Containment Devices for Darwin-Type External Gods]

    The highlight of this presentation.

    Commonly known as the ‘trap’ research.

    “A device to contain Darwin-type external gods.”

    “…”

    Hmm, the reaction is more subdued than I expected.

    “This is similar to a quantum gravity resonator…”

    “Ah, resonator. Yes, resonator.”

    The Council elders are all acting strangely. Suddenly they’re groaning as if they’ve caught a cold.

    “Recently, Virgo was found in fragments, trapped in crystal. That inspired me. Could external gods also be contained in crystals? Based on that idea…”

    I continued presenting flatly for the next 10 minutes. With almost no reaction, there wasn’t much joy in talking.

    After explaining the third paper, I shuffled my documents. Only the final paper remained.

    [Research on Manipulating Constellation Neural Networks Using Crystal Electrodes]

    Now.

    Should I present this or not?

    There were two main reasons for my hesitation.

    First, it hasn’t been verified yet. I uploaded it to the archive, but with no experimental results, it hasn’t gained attention.

    Second, there are demerits to presenting it. This involves experimenting on constellations. If I present it, I should be prepared to face backlash from the Holy Spirit Order that worships stars as gods.

    I scanned the adults’ expressions.

    While the professors smiled politely as if they were posing, half the Council elders had frozen expressions like plaster sculptures carved by drunk art students.

    Right, there’s no need to present this too. Some Council members probably believe in the Holy Spirit religion. No need to turn them into enemies unnecessarily.

    “This concludes my presentation.”

    This should be enough.

    ***

    It seems I’m fucked.

    That was the conclusion Cartrik reached after careful consideration.

    Fucked.

    “Three papers in two months? Is that even possible?”

    “If we assume he’s been preparing for a while, it’s certainly possible. They’re not published in famous journals, so let’s not get too excited.”

    “Even so, his abilities are far superior to the other children. Did you see how he conversed with professors without being intimidated?”

    “Well, his skills were certainly real.”

    Cartrik walked dejectedly, like someone who had lost his mind. That’s when the shadows of two people fell before him.

    They were the two professors he had paid to bring.

    “Thank you for the interesting show, young master.”

    “Well, his defense is so solid that it’s impossible to attack… That Feynman fellow certainly found a capable disciple, haha!”

    He never dreamed Eidel would be acquainted with Callisto’s professors.

    Yes, this is definitely…

    A conspiracy.

    “After a short break, the Council of Elders will make their final evaluation.”

    He could hear the elders talking. Discussions about Brian and Eidel were most frequent. Seti was mentioned occasionally. Cartrik wasn’t mentioned at all.

    Cartrik ran to the rooftop, grinding his teeth. Stars twinkled in the night sky. They seemed to be blessing someone’s future.

    But not his.

    So.

    “AAAAARGH!”

    Cartrik screamed.

    He shouted so loudly his shoulders shook. Even to himself, he seemed like a madman. But this was the only way he could endure.

    “Eidel! EIDEL!”

    In truth, he had realized it long ago.

    Eidel hadn’t bribed anyone. He had never lied.

    Everything was due to his skill.

    He had heard from Professors Apron and Bishuhald. They had written papers together. They had given advice. Many professors considered Eidel a supernova.

    Was his investigation insufficient?

    No. He had deliberately avoided investigating after making assumptions. He wanted to deny reality somehow.

    “…Damn it.”

    Cartrik sighed quietly after expelling every last bit of air from his lungs.

    They all had talent. His older brother in medicine, his younger brother in academics, his half-sister in business.

    Only he was ordinary.

    He recalled Eidel’s rascal-like behavior from childhood. Just four years ago, he couldn’t even find common denominators, but now he had become so proficient in mathematics.

    What had he himself done during that time?

    Self-loathing washed over him.

    ***

    The Council of Elders had become chaotic.

    Divided into three factions, they were debating fiercely to make the final decision on the family head.

    “We should choose the eldest. The second son’s talent doesn’t match the first’s.”

    “The third child is really intelligent. If he becomes family head, the Rheinland family’s honor will rise to unprecedented heights.”

    “If Seti takes the position, at least the finances won’t be ruined.”

    At that moment, the Council chairman clapped his hands to focus attention.

    “Alright, enough! Let’s make the final decision!”

    The voting began.

    Cartrik, Brian, and Seti gathered together, waiting for the adults’ decision. Combining document evaluation and task assessment, the one with clear vision and sincerity would inherit everything from the Rheinland family.

    Gulp. Rezein swallowed dryly.

    It wasn’t impossible. If Seti became family head, she could take revenge on the Adelbein family. She didn’t need the Rheinland family’s capital. Power and influence on her side would be enough.

    On the other hand, if another child was chosen, she would be expelled. Brian, Cartrik, Eidel—she wasn’t the birth mother of any of them.

    As she was burning with anxiety…

    “Will the child who wrote three papers please come forward.”

    The results were in.


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