Chapter 132
by Afuhfuihgs
Chapter 132
From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.
Episode 132: Elections (1).
Aidel spoke.
Know thyself and know thy enemy, and you will never be endangered in a hundred battles.
“The Outer Gods live inside black holes. What should we do to win against such beings?”
Ire wetted her lips, reflecting on her past deeds. She had often captured monsters and isolated those who had gone mad. She had defeated Incarnates countless times and obliterated dark organizations like Adelwein on several occasions. Yet, nothing seemed effective; no matter what she did, it felt futile. Aidel’s words hinted at something deeper.
Ire was quick-witted.
“We must understand black holes.”
“Correct.”
Aidel’s lips stretched into a smile, and Ire felt a rush of surprise at her own insight. Although she knew the Outer Gods resided in black holes, vocalizing that understanding shifted her perspective.
“Scientists view the world differently. Before confronting the Outer Gods, they strive to understand them. By posing the right questions, they discovered that these beings inhabit black holes.”
“Then, if we find a way to blow up the black hole…”
“Yes. We win.”
The decision was solidifying in Ire’s mind, though she hardly realized it. If she could fight alongside Aidel, save the world, and repay the favor, she would do anything.
However, enrolling in the physics department to combat the Outer Gods was no small feat. She had to consider the sunk costs, and talent in science was essential. While Ire was quick-witted, she had rarely held a pen. Whether she had the aptitude for it remained uncertain.
“Study is done with the butt.”
Aidel replied as if reading her thoughts.
“You have the skills to enter Stellarium, don’t you?”
“Th-that’s right.”
“That’s enough.”
Who cares if talent is everything? Even with just this resonator project, over 40,000 scientists participated. By adding her strength to theirs, humanity could stand a chance against the Outer Gods.
“Then I’ll do it. No, I will.”*
“Really?”
“Uh, yeah. I mean, we’re now senior and junior, right? We’ve known each other for a few months at least. So, can’t we drop the formalities?”
“You are my junior, though.”
“Oh…”
The hierarchy had become tangled.
Mutual respect is the principle that governs the relationship between seniors and juniors. Still, Ire and I reached a compromise at some point. We decided to speak comfortably with each other.
“What are you trying to do?”
“I’m giving you a book.”
Ire isn’t impolite; that title belongs to Zelnya. In fact, Ire is genuinely trying her best to build a friendly relationship with me.
“You can speak informally too…”
“It’s okay. I’m comfortable like this.”
For reference, I instinctively use honorifics with people older than me. It just feels more comfortable that way. Damn Confucian mindset.
Anyway, I brightly smiled as I rummaged through the bookshelf, passing each book I picked up over to the desk.
“This is University Physics. It covers the four major subjects of the Physics Department: Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Quantum Mechanics, and Statistical Mechanics. Then there’s Mathematical Physics, General Relativity, Field Theory, and Plasma Physics…”
“Huh?”
“You need to finish all this in one year.”
“W-wait a minute. Finish all of this in one year?”
“Yes.”
“All of it?”
“Actually, not all of it.”
“Phew, phew.”
“We’re excluding general relativity and field theory. To understand those in detail, you’d need to take additional mathematics courses as well.”
It’s just a taste, just a taste.
I had already found a colleague who majored in mathematics two years ago. By now, they must be diligently preparing for graduate school.
Mathematics is their specialty, while physics is mine. When experiments or Blessed Bullets are needed, Ire assists. This collaboration allows us to enjoy our research to the fullest.
Of course, one must have a basic understanding to contribute effectively.
“…?”
What’s with this person’s expression?
“No matter how you look at it, finishing this much in a year is too much.”
“If you focus, you can complete it quickly.”
“Sigh!”
Even with those deep sighs, I know she will get it done. There’s a reason her Sponsor’s code name is ‘Perseverance and Integrity’.
“Fine, just the undergraduate level. Let’s aim to finish that.”
Ire muttered as she was buried under a mountain of textbooks, but soon enough, different words would slip from her lips.
Sure, just the master’s. No, why not go for the doctorate while we’re at it? And so on.
Of course, it’s not yet time to push for a master’s or doctorate. The frog must be boiled slowly to prevent it from jumping out.
So, I spent the remainder of my vacation with Ire.
After about two months of seeing each other, Ire’s condition improved to the point where they would occasionally make eye contact. The distance that once felt like five steps had narrowed to four.
Meanwhile, a lot transpired in that brief period. First, I officially published two papers. Both were uploaded to
“Huh? What’s this?”
I had expected to share the credit, especially since the number of contributors had suddenly increased. So why was I sitting in first class?
“I told you, Aidel. I would make sure to make you the first author.”
“Pr-Professor Stranov…!”
That day, I bowed deeply to Professor Stranov. In return, I faced the inevitable media frenzy. Selling my portrait rights to newspapers was the least of my worries. How many days had it been since I last watched the news?
In addition, the Southern Outer God Biological Research Institute was raided by the prosecution. Following the Outer God descent incident, the government attempted to impose reporting restrictions, but they couldn’t suppress the united front of journalists. The tabloids spiraled into nasty rumors, throwing the entire federation into chaos. Evidence of human experiments eventually surfaced, and the prosecutor’s photo line was inundated with reporters.
Then, at some point, the investigation concluded. All the first-round prize winners who survived the northern research lab committed suicide.
“Adelwein cut off the tail.”
Ire, who was studying next to me, growled in response to the news.
“As you know, the Herseth family isn’t afraid to investigate Adelwein. That’s why they acted like that. Nasty bastards. Acting all high and mighty just because they think they’re untouchable…!”
Ire ground her teeth and turned to me.
“…Right. Are you perhaps close with Zelnya Adelwein?”
“We don’t have a bad relationship.”
“I don’t know how it happened, but she ended up enrolling a year early.”
Indeed.
“The student council elections are in the second semester. If she gets elected this time, she’ll secure either the president or vice president position. Once she gets there, there’s no turning back. You understand what I’m saying, right?”
“Of course.”
This was yet another reason why the resonator research wrapped up early during the summer break. College, first year, second semester. This is when Zelnya awakens as a true villainess. If she isn’t reformed by the second year, the college will be in ruins, and if that happens, Professor Feynman’s lab will also be engulfed in flames.
No. No matter what, it must be stopped.
They say the Reinhardt family has developed a remarkable theory in resonator research. Isn’t the Reinhardt family famous for their medical prowess?
Yes, that’s right. But this time, Aidel von Reinhardt is an undergraduate in Stellarium Physics. I remember him because he was also known for the FR model last time.
Not everyone from medical families becomes a doctor, huh?
Of course, naturally. There is such a thing as freedom of career choice, isn’t there?
In my opinion, this is an incredible achievement beyond just being from a medical family. What do you think, Professor?
I think the same. This is a revolution. Humans can fight and win against Outer Gods. That is the most valuable thing.
So now, the Reinhardt family is a scientific family.
A physics family. Completely a physics family. He is a student to watch.
“Tsk.”
Zelnya turned off the TV and flopped onto the sofa. The summer semester practicum had ended today, and after a brief rest, she needed to register for fall classes. The life of a medical student was arduous. The anticipated future earnings were certain, but so was the level of suffering. On top of that, she had to juggle various extracurricular activities.
Student Council President. That was the position she was aiming for.
“Aidel…”
She gritted her teeth. Why do you rise so high while I remain here? She wanted to chastise herself. But the Adelwein family must always be great—words ingrained in her mind since childhood, like brainwashing, the family motto.
She had lived as if drawn by that motto. But Aidel always unsettled her during those moments. Her heart raced. It was a subtle, tangy, sweet, yet electrifying sensation. She learned it wasn’t due to arrhythmia.
So, this is that emotion: competitiveness, ambition, jealousy.
‘Just once, I want to beat you.’
Grades alone wouldn’t suffice. That was a childish thought. Trapping 300 Outer Gods that alone would leave a mark in the history books. So, the girl made up her mind: to surpass Reinhardt and become the best doctor in the universe.
After washing up and changing into pajamas, Zelnya threw herself onto the bed. With a tablet in one hand and a white teddy bear in the other, she began to devise her plan.
Step 1: Find a way to heal those suffering from Outer Gods.
Step 2: Consistently raise the reputation of “Zelnya,” not “Adelwein.”
Step 1 was a bit daunting. At the very least, she needed to get through graduate school. Zelnya wrote “graduate school” under step 1.
“Ha, hahaha, ahahahaha!”
Even the thought of it seemed crazy. If she wanted to live a simple life as a doctor, passing the Federation Medical Exam would be enough. But if she truly wanted to become a renowned physician, a Ph.D. was essential!
“Yeah, even that guy is going for a Ph.D.”
Zelnya laughed and moved on to the next topic. She realized that the moment she acknowledged him as a rival, it became an inevitable choice.
And number two: Raise the reputation of ‘Zelnya’ herself.
This was something she could achieve by the next semester. College Student Council President. Zelnya decided to seize the supreme power of Stellarium.
*The original sentence in Korean demonstrates a transition from a polite form to a more casual form of speech. The initial agreement is polite, while the subsequent statement is more casual, reflecting a change in the speaker’s tone or perhaps their resolve.
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