Ch.58First Research Paper (3)

The greeting with my classmates after a month was special.

“Hey, I heard you were really sick? That’s unusual for you.”

Welton asked with a mischievous smile.

“I heard you were questioned by the police too?”

“Yeah, I was.”

“What did the police say?”

“Nothing much, really?”

I gave a vague answer. It seemed better not to mention that Pron was detected in the virtual reality device.

Police, investigation. At those few words, Kristin quickly latched on.

“You were called in by the police? Don’t tell me you were investigated for admission fraud!”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Explain yourself!”

Even Kristin’s constant demands for explanations felt endearing now.

Three months.

That’s how much time had passed since I was accepted to Stellarium Academia.

Finals were coming up soon. I’d missed about a month of school after the midterms, and that much time had already flown by.

I smiled slightly as I took in each of my classmates’ faces.

None of them had changed.

How long could this peaceful scene last?

Tap tap.

I turned around at the feeling of someone touching my shoulder.

A fresh floral scent. Rustila was standing there.

“Hello, Eidel.”

She greeted me with a bright smile.

“How have you been?”

“So-so. You?”

“I’m good, thanks to you. I’ve been practicing my swordsmanship a lot. I want to show you when military training class comes up.”

I nodded with satisfaction. Rustila had been growing steadily even without me around.

I turned on my laptop and started working again.

Researching early graduation requirements. Writing a paper. I had a mountain of tasks. I didn’t even have time to attend Academia classes.

When I came to my senses, I noticed a hard candy placed on my desk.

“What’s this…?”

“You look very tired. It’s from me. Take it.”

Rustila smiled brightly and held out her hand. It was a gesture urging me to eat it.

[Behavioral trait: Rustila has a characteristic of frequently giving small gifts to people she likes.]

“…Ah, thank you.”

It seemed awkward to put it in my pocket, so I popped it into my mouth right away.

A refreshing peppermint flavor enveloped my palate.

This would taste better paired with chocolate cake.

Anyway, my gratitude toward Rustila wasn’t just for the candy.

[Rustila Kersil: 80/1500]

[Psychological state: She’s curious about your activities over the past month but has resolved not to ask. She knows you’ve been going through a difficult time and doesn’t want to disturb you.]

When I checked, I found that Seti had similar thoughts.

That’s considerate of them.

Imagine how embarrassing it would be if I announced I was publishing a paper and then got rejected.

These things are always more impressive when revealed as a surprise.

Anyway, checking the early graduation requirements was important now.

As the bell rang for first period, I began exploring the school website in earnest.

“Alright, everyone. Class is starting. Today we’re studying the history of Outsider appearances, right?”

Today’s first class was History, taught by Ms. Karlen Hubbleway, an extra character who didn’t even have a name in the original work.

Lucky me.

She’s a hands-off educator who barely cares what students do on their laptops.

“As you know, there are four main types of Outsiders.”

Click. I accessed the webpage.

“Laplace, Maxwell, Descartes, and Darwin… Oh, Miss Adelbein? Why are you going to the back?”

“…I’m sleepy. Just going to wake myself up a bit.”

“Hmm, alright. You might be tired.”

Using parallel thinking, I split my screen while listening to Karlen’s explanation.

Right side, webpage.

Left side, empty space.

Using parallel thinking again, I create a space for writing my paper on the left window.

“The first Outsiders we encountered were from the Maxwell category.”

Click. I run a program in the left window.

[RATEX: Paper Writing Program for You]

With this, all setup was complete.

“Maxwell-type Outsiders have two main characteristics. First, they’re mechanical monsters, and second, they use time reversal.”

First, I listen to the lecture.

Then I check the early graduation requirements.

After that, I write my paper.

“Maxwell types are quite violent. Almost as bad as Darwin types. And there are many anomalous ones among them.”

I listen to the lecture.

Check early graduation requirements.

Back to writing the paper.

“The ones that attacked you guys last time were likely Maxwell types. They probably invaded as soon as a hole appeared in the Aether Belt.”

Thought 1: She’s telling the students about it. I thought they were trying to keep it confidential.

Thought 2: Early graduation requirements. Pass the early graduation exam or get permission from the Minister of Education and educators from higher institutions.

Thought 3: What should I title my paper?

“Darwin types are the most numerous. And all the monsters are organic matter. They’re close to complete organisms, so they don’t die by ordinary means. Are they truly monsters in the real sense?”

1. One of Darwin’s Legion will begin its offensive from the first year of college. No problem if Rustila is dispatched.

2. The early graduation exam is troublesome. There’s a lot to cover. I’d have to retake practical exams too.

3. What should I title my paper?

“Laplace types have only one legion. That’s why they invade less frequently, but they destroy more at once. In a way, they’re the most frightening. They twist causality.”

1. The Laplace’s Forces are like the final boss of this novel. They have the strongest power. And they’re a single entity.

2. It’s better to write a paper and be recognized for its value than to take an exam. A high school student as first author on an SCI paper…

3. What should I title my paper?

“Finally, Descartes. They’re the safest yet most dangerous.”

1. [─ The God of Wisdom and Curiosity laughs incredulously.]

2. A recommendation letter from Professor Feynman should be enough. The paper needs to be published within this year. Let’s hurry.

3. What the hell should I title the paper?

“Descartes-type Outsiders completely toy with people. That’s because they manipulate the mind.”

1. [“Such an impudent girl. To think someone like that is pretending to be a teacher.”]

2. Chicken for dinner tonight.

3. Ah, I got an email from the professor.

[Direct Message]

[Professor: Eidel, thank you for your hard work this past month. Your abilities are improving rapidly. I plan to register you as the first author and myself as the corresponding author. I know you’re in class now, so take your time responding. Looking forward to your reply. Regards, Feynman. (9:27 AM)]

[Me: It’s fine, Professor. I have a free period. I’ve outlined the framework for the paper. However, I’m struggling to come up with an impactful title. Could I request your help with this?]

[Professor: Of course. First, please convert what you have so far into an appropriate file format and send it to my email. (9:28 AM)]

[Me: Understood. I’ll organize it a bit more and send it by noon.]

Tap, tap tap.

[Me: By the way, Professor, I wanted to discuss early graduation with you. Would it be possible to have a consultation? (9:30 AM)]

As I was sending the email, I felt a piercing gaze from behind.

“…You’re insane.”

What?

When I turned around, Zernya was staring at me with sharp eyes from right behind me.

***

“Let’s talk.”

After the first period ended, during the 20-minute break, I was summoned by Zernya to talk outside in the hallway.

“What are you thinking?”

“About what?”

“You’ve been looking at early graduation screens since homeroom. And you had some strange window open too.”

“…”

“Can’t you focus during class?”

I scratched my head.

Should I tell her about the early graduation or not?

Usually, I prefer not to mention it. I want to avoid the embarrassment of failure if I talk about it and then don’t succeed. I believe all achievements should be discussed after they’re accomplished.

But this time, it didn’t seem so simple.

Zernya stepped closer and asked:

“If you’re going to graduate early, just quit.”

“Why?”

“…I knew it.”

I realized it was a leading question. Zernya’s expression darkened further.

“At least leave after I take the top spot.”

“Why? Wouldn’t it be easier for you if I disappeared?”

“…Are you mocking me right now?”

Zernya gritted her teeth. I could almost see the veins popping on her forehead as vast as the Pacific Ocean. Zernya was angry.

“You’re not easily fooled. You know early graduation is incredibly difficult, right?”

“I suppose so.”

Of course it’s harder than regular graduation. She’s stating the obvious.

But difficult doesn’t mean impossible.

Not everyone becomes a professor, but even ordinary people can become professors with effort… that’s all it means.

“Zernya.”

I asked, wondering:

“Are you upset because you couldn’t get that black orb back then?”

“What?”

She frowned and shook her head. Her thin silver hair swayed from side to side.

“I’m not childish enough to be upset over a single jewel. Rather…”

Zernya clutched her snow-white scarf and said:

“Even with early graduation, you’re only going a year ahead. You’ll have to study for graduation while still doing first-year work. Your attention will inevitably be divided. Do you understand what I’m saying now?”

“No.”

“You’ll have to handle two tasks simultaneously. Naturally, your grades will drop. Why? Because you won’t be able to give your best effort.”

Zernya twisted her lips into a smile.

[Zernya von Adelbein: 140/1000]

[Psychological state: She firmly believes she can persuade you.]

“What happens when your focus is divided? Your grades drop, and your college admission goes out the window. You’ll spend the entire next semester defeated by me. And you’ll slide down without even being able to ruminate on that humiliation.”

[Psychological state: She believes there’s no value in defeating you if you’re not giving your all.]

“Studies need momentum, you know. You should think carefully about this.”

[Psychological state: She wants you to remain here.]

With those final words, Zernya turned and left. Only five minutes remained of the break.

Is she like this because she’s always second place, unlike in the original work?

Her personality has changed subtly.

As I was tilting my head in confusion, a DM notification sounded.

[Professor: For a student like Eidel, I plan to submit a recommendation to the Department of Education for college advancement simultaneously with the paper publication. (9:55 AM)]

I smiled broadly.

That was welcome news indeed.