Ch.84Contact Reversal ~ Becoming the Prospective Graduate Student That Professors Obsess Over ~ (1)

“I won’t be leaving here for a while.”

“Why not?”

Rustila’s expression became unexpectedly serious.

There’s a patriot who’s lost her country.

She grabbed my hand and stammered.

“S-soon it’ll be the start of the semester. Don’t you need to return to the academy?”

Why does she look so frightened? It’s not like we’ll never see each other again.

Thinking about it, I soon realized the reason.

It’s because of Seti.

I hadn’t told Rustila that Seti had awakened because I wanted to write the paper with her. Rustila liked Seti as much as I did, and if she heard the news that Seti had awakened, she would immediately run off.

“Let’s discharge now, okay? The director gave permission.”

Rustila trembled like a child who had done something wrong. She tugged at my sleeve.

She looked so pitiful, like an abandoned puppy, that I almost nodded.

“My sister woke up.”

I told her the truth.

“What, really…?”

“You look like you don’t believe me.”

“No, I believe you. It’s what Eidel said.”

I was about to show her the email as proof, but it seemed unnecessary.

At least the worst-case scenario of revealing my sister’s ugly side was avoided.

I am a true brother.

As expected, Rustila was preparing to dash out the door. Her whole body expressed her desire to run straight to the Southern Sanctuary where Seti was. Now this is performance art.

But then.

“Ah.”

Rustila, who was about to leave, put her bag back down.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Why are you unpacking? You were acting like you were about to leave.”

Rustila sat back down on the cot.

With a thud, she lay on her side and glared at me.

I could feel a profound aura from her deep blue eyes.

“I was thinking it might be better to stay here.”

She giggled and twisted her hair.

“If you’re not going, I’ll stay here too.”

“…”

“You’ll need me for the next paper anyway, right?”

Rustila pulled something out from her waist.

It was a note.

“Remember the first bet you made with Berdia?”

“Bet?”

“You agreed that if you completed the paper within three months, she’d grant you one wish.”

“That’s right.”

I recalled what I had written then.

Rustila unfolded the note and showed it to me.

[Get Rustila’s help for the next paper publication]

“How mischievous.”

The corners of her mouth turned up in a smile.

“Anyway, I’ll be staying here until the end of the break. I got my mother’s permission.”

It was essentially a declaration of cohabitation.

Cohabitation in prison.

With Berdia around, nothing should happen, and I’m not without self-control, so nothing major should occur.

“Your parents gave permission?”

“Yes.”

I got goosebumps.

What wind of change had blown through Rustila’s notoriously strict parents?

My contemplation didn’t last long. It wasn’t a problem that could be solved by thinking anyway.

At least we were walking a path completely different from the novel’s content, which was positive. It was evidence that a future without destruction awaited us.

“Ahem.”

Sonia, who was nearby, cleared her throat and joined the conversation.

“By the way, miss, what did you write on your note?”

“Oh. Mine?”

She laughed softly.

“It’s a secret.”

“…”

“It’s in the past anyway, right? Let’s just forget about it.”

“Sonia, it’s rude to ask a lady such things.”

“Y-young master, please be quiet.”

Anyway.

Looking at Rustila’s beaming smile, I could feel our relationship had grown stronger.

If things continue this way, Rustila would become the youngest Great Omega-grade swordsman. It seemed she had learned to handle Aether more precisely while researching with me.

A good sign.

“Well, shall we go get lunch?”

“Eating out?”

“We can freely come and go. We’re not inmates after all.”

“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”

When was the last time I went outside? It’s becoming hazy now.

“Come on, I know a good restaurant.”

Rustila took my hand and started leading me. Berdia, looking dazed, and Sonia, as stoic as ever, slowly followed behind us.

To go outside, we had to pass through the central hall where the inmates were confined. The usual cauldron of madness awaited us.

Clang!

The iron bars rattled loudly not far away. Rustila and I reflexively turned our heads.

[Prisoner #888887]

Black hair, black eyes.

A common-looking girl who could be found anywhere was gripping the bars, her shoulders shaking violently with emotion.

“Y-y-you, why are you here…”

I took out my notebook and wrote down the prisoner’s number and type of madness.

Her stuttering seems worse than before.

“…why are you here, no, rather, this, this shouldn’t be happening.”

Rustila whispered with a worried face.

“…Eidel, do you know her?”

“No. Do you?”

“I’m seeing her for the first time too.”

Then there’s only one possibility.

She’s been struck with madness.

The more I look at it, the more unpleasant it becomes. I need to continue my next research as soon as possible.

I kept thinking about it even while eating and walking with Rustila.

Let’s see. What should the next research be? It’s about time to start the first phase of the development plan Cartesia gave me, but the problem is that it requires an unimaginably large research budget…

“Ah!”

Startled, I turned to see Rustila had fallen.

“Ow ow ow…”

“Are you okay?”

“I think I twisted my ankle.”

Rustila’s shoulders jerked like a broken wooden puppet.

She seemed more like a fragile girl than a Sword Master.

I sighed lightly and extended my hand.

“I’ll help you up.”

“Don’t just help me up, carry me.”

“Does it hurt that much?”

“Yes.”

That’s when Sonia intervened.

“Miss Rustila, let me or Berdia carry you.”

“No. You don’t need to…”

“Robotics principle, ‘Help those who are injured.’ Isn’t it natural for androids to serve humans? Come, miss. Don’t hesitate, get on my back.”

“Oh. Come to think of it, I think I can walk now?”

“My, there’s no need to be shy.”

Rustila staggered a bit but soon returned to a normal gait. Now that I think about it, minor injuries heal quickly with the blessing of the stars.

[“You know nothing about women’s hearts. This is why you’ll never win… ARGH!”]

[— The outer god “Orchestra of Mud and Flesh” has made a regular tribute of 500 prons.]

Anyway, now that I’ve decided on the topic for the third paper.

It’s about time I leave this prison.

But I wanted to be fully prepared.

Because.

[— “Steel Flowing Like Earth” shows inexplicable hostility toward you.]

[— “King of Elegant Finale” is looking forward to your release from Alcatraz.]

[— “Sky of Comfort” wants to carve out your brain.]

[— “Rippling Rage” eagerly awaits the day to burn you alive.]

[— “The End” will always monitor your presence.]

I’ve been completely exposed to the Named ones.

***

There are ranks among outer gods. Just as Cartesia subdued Populus, any of the aforementioned outer gods could easily defeat Cartesia.

What if Cartesia were taken from me?

Just imagining it is terrifying.

[“Hooh.”]

[— “God of Wisdom and Curiosity” purses his lips in surprise.]

It would be like a science student losing their calculator. My research would crawl along like a worm, that’s for certain.

[— “God of Wisdom and Curiosity” frowns.]

[“I was a fool to expect anything.”]

Therefore, there were two additional conditions needed for me to leave Alcatraz prison.

[“What are they?”]

First, complete security for myself and those around me.

Second, obtaining qualifications to directly enter graduate school.

[“I can somehow manage the first one. This is my domain after all. But the second…”]

That’s right.

It’s greed.

Originally I aimed to enter the college program, but after writing two papers, even the time spent there seemed wasteful.

[■Graduate School Admission Inquiry]

[To: Stellarium Academy Graduate School Admissions Office]

[I would like to know if it’s possible to enter the graduate program without going through the college process after graduating from Academia.]

Just as a brave man wins a beautiful woman.

How a brave student obtains a degree.

I sent an email written with care, hoping for any possibility.

And the result was-

[(Reply) Hello, this is the Stellarium Graduate School Admissions Office. To apply for the graduate program, you need a college-level degree or an academic background legally recognized as equivalent.]

“Tsk.”

So there’s no way other than the orthodox path?

[“It would be better to properly enter college first, youngster.”]

Even Cartesia sighs.

But I can’t give up.

What is a doctoral degree?

It’s a degree given to someone who can solve problems.

Think, Eidel. It’s about completely flipping the problem’s horizon.

“Oh.”

A good idea came to mind.

If I can’t enter graduate school.

I just need to make others put me in graduate school.

***

One month and fifteen days after Eidel published his second paper.

Professor Josef Renkel, who succeeded in recovering the southeastern belt for the first time, received words of praise.

Soon, the “Rallos Award,” the highest honor in engineering, was bestowed upon him.

At the award ceremony, Professor Renkel clinked glasses with Professor Feynman.

Clink!

The two men who drank wine gazed at each other deeply.

“It’s been so long since I’ve seen you, sir.”

“Is this the time for such talk? I receive an award, yet you’re not even nominated for the Achaea Award?”

“Achaea Award? What’s that?”

“Don’t make such tasteless jokes at an occasion like this.”

Feynman cackled and stuffed a cookie into his mouth.

“I’m sorry. Still, I detest becoming famous.”

“You’re already famous.”

“I won’t deny that.”

Feynman tiredly rubbed his eyelids.

Professor Renkel thought.

‘Actually, it’s not that Feynman can’t receive the award. If they were to give it, they should give it as a set with Rheinland, the first author, to avoid controversy. The problem is that Rheinland is still an Academia student.’

The Achaea Award, which can only be won by scholars in basic science.

Its award conditions were as follows:

– Must possess at least a college-level degree.

Originally, the Achaea Award started with the purpose of supporting scholarships for pure science students. Because of this, there was an old tradition that about half of the total prize money had to be donated to one’s college or graduate school.

But what about the Academia program?

It’s just high school.

There’s no distinction between majors.

Therefore, no matter how good their research results, someone who only graduated from Academia couldn’t receive the award.

‘What an unnecessary restriction.’

The entire committee was essentially watching out for Rheinland—no, a mere high school student.

‘Though it’s stranger that someone with such achievements wouldn’t even enter college.’

Buzz.

“An email?”

“Yes, just a moment.”

Professor Feynman, checking his tablet, twitched his eyebrows.

“This is…”

[The director of Alcatraz Prison has informed me that it’s too early to release me. It seems I won’t be able to return to Academia this year.]

“T-this can’t be.”

Feynman’s complexion turned pale. Professor Renkel approached him with a worried look.

“What is it? T-this can’t be.”

And then he learned.

That a great calamity had befallen the student he was (supposedly) advising.

“Isn’t that Professor Feynman? It’s been a while. But what are you looking at… T-this can’t be.”

“What is it? Why is everyone gathering here… T-this can’t be.”

“Professor Renkel, I’ve wanted to meet you. Professor Feynman is here too. What’s the matter… T-this can’t be.”

By now, countless professors had surrounded Feynman.

Feynman, forgetting that his email was being exposed to others, scrolled down rapidly.

The key point visible in the carefully written email:

[It seems impossible for me to enter graduate school. I’m sorry.]

[Yours, Eidel von Rheinland]

His prison term has been extended, and perhaps he can’t return.

“T-this can’t be.”

This is absurd.

“My graduate student.”

Someone blurted out.

“…This is no time to be standing around.”

“He must be detained on some trivial pretext.”

“If he were held by an outer god, he couldn’t have written such papers in the first place.”

“Professor Roden is right. Keeping that student there is a loss for the entire universe!”

“Besides, we’ve now learned how to repair the Aether Belt, haven’t we?”

And so, the professors’ blank stares suddenly changed.

“For the honor of academia…”

“…let’s bring him back. With our own hands.”

The rising star of the physics world.

It was the beginning of the Eidel von Rheinland rescue operation.