Ch.330I’ll Become a Professor (8)

Following the long corridor, I arrived at the president’s office.

“Well, Dr. Rheinland? Shall we go in?”

Five professors surrounded me like an iron crown. There was nowhere to escape. It was essentially an unspoken threat—if I wanted to leave this academy, I’d first need an audience with His Excellency the President.

Honestly, their level of obsession was frightening.

Ring ring.

“President, excuse us.”

After the voice went through the intercom, the door unlocked automatically with a click and slid open. The next moment, a middle-aged man jumped out like an impudent high school girl and snatched my hand.

“Oh, Dr. Rheinland!”

He was squeezing between my fingers, so I hastily pulled my hand back.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Dr. Rheinland. I am Randolph Iryuel, President of Iryuel Academy.”

“Yes, but why am I here…?”

“I wanted to have a little chat with you, so I invited you. Now, please come in.”

Click.

The door closed.

The president made a fuss serving tea and refreshments, and only got to the point after about 10 minutes.

“About the graviton bomb research.”

“Yes.”

“As I happen to be a government science and technology advisor, I saw your blueprints. A masterpiece. I thought it was the optimal and best invention to save the collapsing federal economy by defeating foreign powers.”

“I’m grateful you see it that way.”

“Therefore, our academy wants to invest in and support that research without reservation.”

“Pardon?”

“No need to be surprised. The physics and astronomy professors, as well as professors from other departments, have already coordinated their opinions to cooperate on your project.”

I was a little—no, very surprised.

This meant that if I became a professor here, I could immediately begin research on the graviton bomb.

Slurp.

The president took a sip of tea and put down his cup. His eyes flashed like lightning.

“You have a history of frequently visiting our academy since your undergraduate days and publishing papers with various professors. I’m well aware of your excellent research abilities.”

What he really meant was:

“Due to school regulations, I can’t officially tell you that you’re accepted, but I thought you’d like to know in advance. So don’t think about going to another school. Understand?”

The president tilted his teacup and said, “This tea was brewed with leaves grown by our school’s botany graduate students. How is it?”

“It’s fine. Delicious.”

Why on earth would graduate students be growing tea leaves?

“Excuse me—”

“Oh, look at the time. I hope to see you again soon.”

“Then I’ll be going now.”

On my way back, Professor Stranov escorted me. She gently rubbed her slightly swollen belly as she walked slowly. I naturally had to slow my pace.

“You don’t have to come all the way to the gate. You’re pregnant.”

“It’s fine. Rheinland is my husband’s student. I should show this much consideration.”

Stranov smiled bitterly.

“Of course, you’re my student too.”

“…”

“I’ll tell you something that should be kept secret. The reason the president brought up the graviton bomb today is because I suggested he do so.”

“…You did, Professor?”

“Yes. You know what kind of person my father is, don’t you?”

Indeed I do.

Bell Stranov. The head of “Stronium,” a megacorp.

With his support, things could certainly progress smoothly.

“You mean the chairman himself?”

“Yes. If you could start your professorship here, there would be many merits. The corporate sector is nearby, the school provides support—it wouldn’t even compare to Callisto or Stellarium.”

“Have I been accepted?”

“Well, that’s still unknown.”

Professor Stranov gave a subtle smile.

On my way back, I pondered deeply.

This Iryuel Academy might not be so bad after all.

***

Bilrode was waiting on campus and began following Eidel the moment he came out.

Eidel was talking with Professor Stranov.

Bilrode couldn’t help but be surprised.

That Callis Stranov was smiling like an angel at Eidel.

It was the complete opposite of when she had been irritably dismissive during the interview.

[— Due to the ‘Great Triangle’ effect, Active Skills cannot be used.]

Active Skills are techniques that directly affect the mind of the target.

Great Triangle.

What on earth was this Great Triangle?

After a series of deductions, Bilrode predicted it had something to do with Eidel and decided to follow him to the end.

Right after parting with Professor Stranov.

Eidel walked along the main road and entered a hotel.

[— Using <Search>.]

[— The aura of the ‘Great Triangle’ constellations is getting closer.]

‘This is it.’

Bilrode sat down near the hotel entrance and waited. After about 30 minutes, Eidel came out with three women. All three were exceptionally beautiful.

Bilrode’s eyes bulged.

That enviable bastard!

‘No, no. That’s not it.’

His prediction was correct. The three constellations forming the Great Triangle were possessed by those women beside Eidel.

He quickly read their information using the foreign god’s power.

[— Rustila von Rheinland: ‘God of Purity and Resolve’ Vega]

[— Zernya von Rheinland: ‘God of Humility and Healing’ Deneb]

[— Ireh Hazlen: ‘God of Patience and Integrity’ Altair]

He memorized it clearly. Those three.

Speaking of “Ireh Hazlen.”

It was a name he had learned while peeking into Eidel’s mind back in Callisto. She must be the junior he had mentioned teaching for 3-4 years.

According to his investigation, Eidel had two wives. So those two with the Rheinland surname must certainly be his spouses. Then…

What exactly was this Ireh Hazlen woman?

Why was she coming out of the hotel with them? It seemed strange for just a junior he had taught for a long time.

Perhaps a mistress?

No, his wives wouldn’t allow him to go around with a mistress. It didn’t make sense.

In the end.

Bilrode’s thought process crashed with an error.

But that wasn’t the end.

“Young master!”

A woman with navy blue bobbed hair in a maid outfit came out carrying a bag and immediately attached herself to Eidel’s group.

[— Sonia von Rheinland: ‘■■■ ■■■■ ■’ ■■■■■]

‘And who is she?’

Bilrode shook his head.

By this point, his mind was becoming numb. Two wives—no, three. Plus a junior who might be a mistress. And they didn’t even seem to be on bad terms.

He could take a picture of this scene and report it to a tabloid to damage Eidel’s social reputation… but since he was openly going around like this, there didn’t seem to be much point in exposing him.

Let’s not worry about it. Bilrode steeled his resolve.

‘First, I need to separate those three. Especially that blonde.’

Rustila. He had frequently seen her name in the news. A federal hero who led the Southern Great War to victory and one of the owners of the 12 Zodiac Houses.

Bilrode’s meager strength was no match for that woman.

Then he needed to divert her attention elsewhere.

Her position was that of a soldier, and a soldier’s duty is to protect the country. So if there were problems with national security, she might move.

But how?

She wasn’t the only soldier. If he caused trouble and other Zodiac Houses moved instead, that would be problematic in its own way.

However, he couldn’t think of any better ideas. While Bilrode was deeply contemplating this…

[“I can help thee.”]

“Ugh!”

Another voice echoing in his head. At least it wasn’t Renatus.

[“Separating those impudent wenches is nothing. Watch carefully. I shall soon undertake a great task, and thou shalt seize that opportunity to kill Eidel von Rheinland.”]

“Before that, who are you…?”

[“Do not be curious, inferior species. This is an order.”]

“O-order.”

His mind was completely colored.

Bilrode wiped away the foam-mixed saliva and twisted his expression.

“…As the Queen commands.”

***

A brief moment of leisure in the midst of busy days. I wanted to spend this intimate time with my wives, but coincidentally, my son wasn’t responding.

“Cartesia!”

“I’ll kill that damn foreign god!”

My two wives were furious. Sonia just watched carefully.

For reference, I hadn’t yet consummated my marriage with Sonia. Knowing how busy I was, she intended to postpone it.

I’m grateful for this. If Sonia joined in too, I might actually die.

“He said he’s your companion so we shouldn’t come here and do useless things? What kind of jerk is he?”

“He said not to do anything that would interfere with research. He said we should use this stamina to write papers together.”

“That crazy bitch.”

Zernya’s wording is fierce. A wife wanting a second child can be scary.

Anyway, for these reasons, we couldn’t enjoy any entertainment other than shopping. Even after returning to our lodgings, my wives could only suck their fingers. It was pitiful.

“Del’s little brother.”

The one who seized that gap was none other than Ireh.

“Do you think you can go to Iryuel Academy?”

“It seems likely. The president spoke as if the professors had already agreed. Since this school doesn’t require a presidential interview, the possibility is even higher.”

“I also applied to Iryuel’s graduate school. If you become a professor there, I want to follow you.”

I felt like my heart dropped.

Even if an ordinary undergraduate student said this, it would sound seductive, but when a beauty like Ireh says it with cat-like eyes in a whisper, it’s bewitching.

At the same time, I feel self-loathing.

Why am I harboring such emotions with my wives right beside me?

“Hey, little brother.”

“Yes? Yes, big sister.”

“If you become a professor next year, how many graduate students will you accept?”

“Just one.”

“Only one?”

“Yes, since it’s a theoretical research lab, there’s no need to accept multiple students at once. I’ll collaborate with other labs for experiments or equipment manufacturing. After all, one person can’t make a graviton bomb alone.”

“I see, that makes sense.”

Ireh scratched her cheek.

“Then I’ll be your first?”

I couldn’t get up from my crouched position. If I stood up now, I might show Ireh something unseemly. I’d rather die than let that happen.

Boom boom boom.

That’s when the building started shaking.

“What’s happening?”

My wives, who had been rolling around on the bed, jumped up in surprise. I pulled out the key card and flung open the door to find the corridor in chaos.

“Air raid alert! Air raid alert!”

“It’s an attack by the cultists!”

Ah.

That cult causes trouble whenever you start to forget about them.