Ch.341How Did It Come to This (3)

I urged Cartesia.

“You must never be seen by outsiders. If a stranger tries to come in here, hide under the desk. Understand?”

“Hmm.”

Cartesia smirked.

“You’re probably the only human in this world who speaks to celestials in such a commanding tone, kid.”

***

Before I knew it, all the moving was done. One advantage of a theoretical research lab was that we didn’t have to struggle with bringing in experimental equipment.

In this modest office, a professor and a graduate student, plus one celestial. The days of discussions among the three of us had begun.

In other words, it meant the lab would never have a quiet day.

“It would be better if we did it this way.”

“How stupid. Your calculation is wrong. Don’t you know how to integrate?”

“What? Are you done talking?”

Here we go again.

“No, I have one more thing to say. Because of the factor attached here, this value is 0 without even calculating it. Higher than your IQ.”

“Shut up. I was trying to develop the intermediate steps to create an identity. I was trying to derive a formula to use conveniently in another equation, but I guess you can see one thing but not two?”

“Another equation? Which one?”

“This one!”

“That can be done mentally too. This is tedious. I’m not teaching a child here, it’s embarrassing to be researching with a woman like you.”

The atmosphere was building toward a major fight if I didn’t intervene soon. I sighed and opened my mouth.

“Noona, please stop.”

“But, little brother! She started it first…!”

“You’re not a child, Noona. Don’t react to everything.”

I gave Cartesia a warning too.

“And you, stop picking fights.”

“I’m not picking fights, I’m just stating facts.”

“Whether it’s fact or not, try not to say things that others might find offensive.”

“Tsk.”

Cartesia clicked her tongue and sat on my lap. She quickly scanned the equations Ireh was developing and snorted.

“Just because I don’t want to waste time.”

Cartesia snatched the pen I was holding. Then she began writing new equations above Ireh’s work. There wasn’t a moment’s hesitation in her complex calculations. If anything, her handwriting was flying because her hand couldn’t keep up with her mental calculation speed.

Tap.

Cartesia put down the pen, pulled her shoulders back, and caressed my cheek.

“This way would take less than three minutes.”

“Yeah, you’re amazing.”

Ireh folded her arms and turned her head away.

“Noona. Please be understanding, generous Noona. She’s a celestial after all.”

“Half constellation.”

“Half celestial.”

“…This kid never backs down.”

I lightly hit Cartesia’s head with a textbook and made her get off my lap. It was just a gentle tap, but I’m probably the only person in this universe who can discipline a celestial and keep all limbs intact.

Anyway, things had been like this since Cartesia moved into my lab. They would fight while researching, I would intervene. Even after calming them down, they would start fighting again soon after.

However, moving Cartesia here wasn’t entirely a bad choice.

In reality, despite their bickering, they complemented each other’s weaknesses. Although Cartesia was faster at calculations, Ireh sometimes took the lead when it came to suggesting novel ideas.

“When dropping the bomb, I don’t think using just Stellarine will be enough. Let’s use existing warp drive technology. Install gates in each planetary system so we can attack immediately wherever the celestial’s black hole is.”

“That’s a good idea, Noona.”

“…Tsk.”

Cartesia showed signs of discomfort. Ireh glanced at both Cartesia and me, then spread her arms toward me.

“Hug me.”

“Noona?”

“I’ve been discussing hard all morning. I’m drained. Just hug me once.”

Last week, after Zernya agreed to turn a blind eye to my relationship with Ireh, there was a change in her attitude. She became bolder, and like now, she would ask for hugs whenever we took breaks.

I wanted to refuse until we finished the graviton bomb because I felt guilty toward my existing wives, but…

“Professor, please hug me.”

When I hear that, how can I resist?

“Student, you seduced me first.”

I ended up hugging Ireh. A soft sensation traveled from my shoulders to my stomach. Though she was the one who asked, Ireh trembled when I actually hugged her.

When I rubbed her back to reassure her, she flinched even more. Then she finally relaxed into my embrace.

Ireh placed her cheek against my shoulder and gently nuzzled it.

“Thank you, Professor.”

“Is that enough now?”

“Just one more minute.”

My gaze shifted to Cartesia. She was staring at me with eyes like dried fish. My heart felt constricted.

“Um, maybe we should…”

“If we stay like this a little longer, research efficiency will increase dramatically.”

“…Two minutes only.”

Knock knock.

– Professor Rheinland, someone from the Ministry of Science and Technology is here. Are you in?

Work calls.

I cleared my throat and detached Ireh. I signaled to Cartesia to get under the desk. Ireh reluctantly let go.

“Come in.”

“Excuse me.”

Last time two men came, but this time a woman appeared. I could immediately infer that she was from a different department.

Here we go.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Sullivan Cartman. As of today, I’ve been assigned as the government official in charge of the graviton bomb project, for which Professor Rheinland is the chief director.”

“Eidel von Rheinland. This is my graduate student, Ireh Hazlen.”

Ireh bowed her head slightly. Without me having to say anything, she offered Sullivan a chair.

“Thank you for making time in your busy schedule. I’ll get straight to the point. First…”

“Ugh!”

“…Professor?”

For a moment, I couldn’t think at all. This was because I felt something slick, moist, and indescribable from below.

That sensation started at my ankle, moved up my calf and thigh, and eventually…

“Hssss.”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, I just remembered something I forgot.”

I pretended to search through my drawer while glancing under the desk. Cartesia was kneeling demurely, silently laughing.

…This celestial, really.

I firmly stepped on Cartesia’s thigh and composed myself.

“It’s nothing. Please continue.”

“Yes, first I’d like to mention… Professor?”

“Yes?”

“You don’t look well.”

“No, I’m fine.”

I kicked Cartesia again. Despite this, the celestial’s mischief didn’t stop.

If anything, she was now acting as if things were just getting started.

The slippery sensation from earlier was none other than a tentacle. Cartesia had begun to fervently explore my lower body with her tentacles.

My mind was growing hazy.

Why give me this trial, and especially at a time like this?

“If you’re having any issues with your condition, please let me know. We have a dedicated medical team.”

“I-I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

This is important business. I can’t not listen. I decided to maintain my composure as much as possible while listening to the government official.

Though it wouldn’t be easy.

Sullivan raised her eyebrows.

“First, I’d like to discuss the research team composition. Currently, 892 research groups are registered, and there are also the medical team and military support team I mentioned earlier. These two teams in particular will do their best to provide services so that scientists and engineers can research in a safe environment.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

“Next is the research and development schedule for the graviton bomb. We plan to proceed according to the materials you sent us previously. We will install batteries in each cardinal direction, and as soon as the astronomy team identifies the location of the black hole, the information will be transmitted to the relevant sites.”

“Is that process… automated?”

“Of course. Although we’ll take precautions to prevent such situations, in the unlikely event that astronomical observatory researchers are exposed to danger due to black hole coordinate detection, androids are computerized to transport the data instead.”

“…That’s, fortunate. Celestials are, cunning, and will, target, the most, vulnerable, parts, ugh.”

“Professor?”

I pretended to cross my legs while pushing Cartesia away. But there was no sign of retreat. If anything, the more I resisted, the more my lower body felt like it was submerged in hot springs.

“I really, really must ask. Are you sure you’re alright? Your face looks… a bit flushed.”

“I think it’s menopause.”

“…But you’re only in your early twenties?”

Ah, right.

“I’m, joking. Actually, it’s too hot in here. Maybe some ventilation…”

“I’ll do it.”

Sullivan stood up and started coming toward me.

This is bad. When she opens the window and turns around, she’ll definitely discover Cartesia’s identity.

“No, please stay seated! I’ll do it…”

I quickly glanced at Ireh.

Until just now I hadn’t noticed, but Ireh was glaring at the area under the desk with a cold, sharp intensity like the tip of an icicle.

I’m truly sorry for showing such shameful behavior, but I had no other choice. I sent Ireh a silent distress signal.

Soon, Ireh approached me, nibbling her lips.