Ch.59First Research Paper (4)

Publishing a paper has one problem.

Time.

Considering the paper review period, I needed to finish everything before summer vacation started this year at the latest.

Unfortunately, final exams are just about two weeks away.

I decided to use my last resort.

“Little sister.”

“What?”

“Lend me 10 million credits.”

Seti, who was trading stocks on her phone, asked back with a dumbfounded expression.

“10 million credits?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you think 10 million credits is pocket change?”

Fortunately in this unfortunate situation, Seti didn’t immediately kick me out. Her eyes said she wanted to hear me out first.

I guess building a positive relationship with her has paid off.

“I’m going to publish.”

“Publish? What?”

“Something.”

I hadn’t told anyone specifically what paper I was writing. There were three main reasons:

1. In case it gets rejected. That would be embarrassing.

2. Confidentiality. Minimizing the possibility of foreign media finding out.

3. Surprise.

Therefore, I had no choice but to persuade her somewhat emotionally.

“You’re a Stellarium student. If you really need money, you could do short-term tutoring like Mr. Meyer.”

“Mr. Meyer?”

“Don’t tell me you forgot? The senior who tutored math.”

Ah, right. My future graduate school colleague.

If I graduate early this year, will we enter college as the same year next year?

Anyway, that’s beside the point. What matters now is money.

I begged Seti.

“Sorry, but I don’t even have time for part-time work. I’ll pay you back all at once when everything’s settled. Can’t you just close your eyes and lend it to me?”

“Later, all at once…? Don’t tell me you’re borrowing this and planning to borrow more later?”

“Yep.”

“You must be crazy.”

Borrowing money was like triggering Seti’s trauma. Especially if it was Eidel doing the borrowing.

So I decided to take drastic measures.

“Write up a loan agreement.”

I agreed to become a eunuch if I didn’t pay it back.

***

[+10,000,000 credits have been deposited.]

Somehow I managed to get it interest-free.

The power of a contract is this strong.

Who would refuse when I left a document saying you can punish me if I don’t pay back by a certain date?

Of course, writing a loan agreement for borrowing money between family members wasn’t exactly normal.

“Young master, you’ve incurred debt again.”

Sonia sighed as she looked at my now-plump account.

“I feel so sorry for causing trouble to Miss Seti.”

“I’ll use it wisely.”

“You’re shameless.”

“Sorry for being shameless.”

Sonia glanced at me sideways. Her face was expressionless, but that’s why I could predict what she would say next.

“Is it for gambling?”

“Absolutely not.”

“What on earth are you planning to use it for?”

I waved my hands, indicating that I wouldn’t tell her.

Even though Sonia kept following me around asking, I didn’t say a word.

“I am your exclusive attendant. But I don’t know what you’ve been doing lately, and it’s frustrating.”

“…”

“Just tell me. I promise not to report this matter to the head of the family.”

“…Really?”

“Really.”

“No. I don’t want to tell you. Go away.”

Sonia puffed her cheeks slightly and made a sulky face.

“You’re such a rascal.”

“Think whatever you want.”

The sun was already setting. While I was thinking about how to allocate the 10 million credits, Sonia approached and said:

“I’ll prepare dinner for you.”

“No, it’s fine. I’m going out to eat.”

“You borrowed money, and you still have the luxury to eat out?”

“I do.”

If I don’t spend a single credit on dining out.

“Young master, I’ve heated your bath water… Where are you going!”

I barely managed to shake off Sonia, who had become overly protective lately, and escaped from the dormitory. I boarded a shuttle heading to the college planet.

<Anti-gravity-Aether Theory Research Lab>

Knock knock.

After straightening the creaking laboratory sign, I knocked on the door.

When I entered, there was a young researcher staring intently at a monitor.

“Professor, I’m here.”

“Welcome.”

We exchanged brief eye greetings. There was no time to ask about each other’s well-being.

“The draft paper is better than expected. It has good completion for something written by an Academia student.”

For something written by an Academia student… huh.

In other words, it’s a mess.

I expected as much.

The journal must have required formats that I didn’t follow at all.

Of course, if given enough time, I could do it properly. But then preparing for final exams would become difficult.

That’s why I borrowed 10 million credits.

“Professor.”

I fiddled with my phone containing the funds and said:

“Let’s hire an editor.”

“Pardon?”

“Let’s hire an editor. Someone to proofread and edit.”

***

After afternoon classes, Academia students scatter to do their own things.

Some might study more, others might train more in swordsmanship.

They could play all they want or work part-time jobs. The choice was theirs.

James Hedelton, a first-year Elite Class student, chose to work part-time.

“James!”

“Coming!”

His senior editor mentor pointed at the monitor and said:

“We have a new proofreading job. Can you take this?”

“Sure.”

James was working as an apprentice at an editing company.

Thanks to his diligent personality and dedication to his tasks, he was getting along well with the company staff.

Being an excellent editor had been James’s long-time dream. He had loved reading since childhood.

“That student could become a regular employee later.”

The employees of “Mentee&Mentor Editing” had their eyes on James. After all, he had exceptional work skills for his young age of seventeen.

“I can’t believe it! Amazing! This is amazing!”

A senior editor was making a commotion, even spraying saliva. James’s attention naturally turned there.

“Miss Molly, what’s going on?”

“Look at this. We received a request to edit a paper, right? And the advance payment is 3 million, 3 million!”

“You mean 300,000 credits?”

“Boss, come on. Have you ever seen me lie?”

All the employees looked surprised.

“Wow, it’s true.”

“Isn’t this amount incredible for an advance payment?”

Mentee&Mentor Editing doesn’t just edit general publications.

With the emergence of proofreading androids, the traditional publishing editing market had declined. Editing companies had to paradoxically think of other business models to survive.

That’s how they discovered academic paper publishing.

Papers are publications where confidentiality and accuracy are most important.

It’s an area with limitations for androids. Having human hands involved was still the standard.

The employees marveled again at the amount of the advance payment.

“Paying this much means… they want absolute confidentiality, right?”

That’s not all.

“The larger the amount, the more they want priority processing. This should be our top priority.”

“…”

“What are you all doing? Hurry up and form a team!”

Soon, an editing team was formed for the request.

James was included in the team.

It was unexpected.

“Is it okay for me to edit a paper?”

“You’re smart, James, so you’ll be fine. You don’t need to look up technical terms, just handle the flow and formatting. Oh, and issue a plagiarism check report and editing certificate. Can you do that?”

“…Ah, yes! I understand!”

James unconsciously swallowed.

He still felt inadequate to edit difficult publications like academic papers.

Nevertheless, he had to do it.

Because it was his job.

It was his supervisors’ consideration to give him as much work as possible to gain experience. Touched, James clenched his fists.

He would return it to the client in the best possible condition.

With final exams a week away.

Studying during the day and focusing on editing at night, he completed the 3-million-credit project.

“I’m happy.”

Completing a job brings a sense of fulfillment. James opened the company door with his chest puffed out.

“Wow, amazing!”

Saliva sprayed right in front of his face.

“Th-they sent another 3 million!”

“What?”

“We received 6 million credits for one editing job?”

James was also surprised and ran to where his mentor was.

***

The paper that came back after a week was quite satisfactory.

“It follows the format properly… This shouldn’t get rejected, right?”

“Hmm. If the idea is good, it will be published right away.”

Feynman was confident. This research would definitely be successful.

Indeed, entrusting it to a good company saved time and reduced stress.

Money is the best after all.

You need money to do research!

I sent an additional 3 million to the editing company as a token of gratitude.

In total, I spent 6 million credits on writing a mere twenty-page paper.

“Are you sure this is okay? Pouring 6 million into one paper… and a theoretical one at that.”

“It’s worth it.”

I said confidently. Feynman still looked puzzled.

His expression suggested he wondered if the money could have been better spent on research.

I understand.

But I knew.

<Mentor&Mentee Editing>

There was a very capable colleague there.

Slightly slower than AI but guaranteed accuracy. He’s so meticulous that I can trust him without checking.

And that friend is in the same class as me now.

I don’t want anyone to know I wrote the paper right now, so I’m commissioning it this way, but I plan to recruit him later.

“Hehehe.”

I’m already salivating at the thought.

[“I’ve never seen such a deranged human in my life.”]

[— ‘God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ feels profundity from you.]

[— You have received a 3000 fron donation.]

I wiped the dripping saliva with my sleeve and came to my senses.

This is not the time for this.

I immediately submitted the paper with Professor Feynman.

And, just as final exams began, a major turning point came in my life.

[— Foreign deity ‘Orchestra of Mud and Flesh’ has begun to watch your actions.]

It was the moment when a real obstacle to the gravity bomb development plan appeared.