Chapter 151

Chapter 151

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 151: Unexpected Cohabitation (3).

After the meal, Zelnya insisted on helping clear the dishes alongside the android.

“Miss Adelwein, please, you’re our guest. You should go rest.”

Sonia protested with an uncertain tone.

“I’ve been receiving nothing but hospitality since I arrived. The least I can do is help with this.”

“In this day and age? Please, let me take those plates. I’ll handle everything.”

Their gentle argument continued briefly, with Sonia eventually prevailing. She expertly stacked the mountain of dishes and finished washing them with remarkable efficiency.

Something struck me as odd, though. Why was she washing them by hand when there was a dishwasher available?

As if reading my thoughts, Sonia turned around with a wink.

“It’s a basic skill for a maid.”

“Aidel.”

Zelnya called my name and took a seat beside me. I noticed Sonia’s eyes narrow as she dried her hands.

“What should I do now?”

“For the time being, nothing in particular.”

I had already made arrangements with Zelnya. We wouldn’t expose the Adelwein family’s disgrace until next year. For now, maintaining the deception was crucial. Besides theoretical research, there wasn’t much else to do, leaving me with considerable free time—time I intended to spend entirely with Zelnya.

“Nothing? But what about the student council? Surely there are meetings or other responsibilities.”

“Well, yes, but there aren’t any major agenda items at the moment…”

Just then, Father spoke up.

“Adelwein… no, Miss Zelnya, I hope you’ll use this time to grow closer to Ceti. I’m asking this not as a professor but as a friend’s father.”

“In that case… I understand.”

Zelnya nodded and stood up. For just a fraction of a second, I caught what seemed to be a meaningful glance between them.

“Young master, young lady, please follow me. I, Sonia, will take responsibility for assigning Miss Adelwein a new room.”

Due to Sonia’s earlier mistake, she still had to arrange Zelnya’s accommodations.

As they walked through the corridors, Sonia pointed out several available chambers.

“This one is vacant, and that separate room over there is also available.”

“They’re all lovely. However, if possible, I have a specific location in mind.”

“Oh? Would you prefer a room next to Young Master Aidel?”

“Oh, no, that won’t be necessary…”

“I’m only teasing. The room adjacent to the young master’s is actually mine, and unfortunately, there aren’t any vacant rooms in that area.”

“Ah…”

“That’s perfectly fine – I have no right to be picky. Actually, I’d prefer a room close to Ceti.”

“Near Miss Ceti?”

Sonia’s eyes widened slightly, and she appeared to be processing this request like a computer running calculations.

“…There is an available room next to Miss Ceti’s. It’s somewhat small, but would that suit you?”

“That would be perfect. As long as there’s enough space to stretch my legs, I’m content.”

I noticed Zelnya watching for my reaction to her modest response, though there was no need for such humility.

“Very well, I’ll show you the way.”

As we approached the room, a familiar voice rang out:

“Why the hell are you coming here!”

Zelnya ended up moving into the room adjacent to Ceti’s.

Ceti’s assessment of the situation was straightforward.

“Ah, hello?”

“Hmph.”

Complete dismissal.

Ceti couldn’t leave the dormitory unattended, concerned about the safety of her belongings. She didn’t trust Zelnya at all, which meant she’d have to spend even more time in her room than usual.

This living arrangement was her only viable option.

“Sister, I need to tell you something…”

Zelnya trailed behind Ceti like a lost puppy.

Having someone she despised constantly hovering around her was Ceti’s worst nightmare come to life.

“Sister, are you mad at me?”

“……”

“I’m sorry about yesterday.”

“……”

“Can’t we try to get along?”

“……”

“Sister…”

“For fuck’s sake!!”

As someone who harbored deep animosity toward Zelnya, Ceti found several aspects of this situation incomprehensible:

First, could someone really undergo such a dramatic personality change after just one month at the Holy Spirit Hospital?

Second, Sonia wouldn’t have made a mistake with room assignments, would she?

Third, why would someone who initiated a fight suddenly come seeking forgiveness?

It seemed far more logical to conclude that Zelnya was wearing a mask rather than offering a genuine apology out of remorse.

“Don’t call me sister. Got it? This is a warning.”

“Ceti…”

“Don’t even use my name.”

“Then what should I call you?”

“Why not stick to what you’re used to? ‘Hey, you,’ ‘idiot,’ ‘fool’ – the words that roll off your tongue like breakfast.”

Zelnya’s face crumpled as if she’d been struck by Ceti’s sharp words.

“I won’t do that anymore.”

Ceti burst into laughter at this declaration.

“Listen, it took me months to recognize Aidel as the changed brother he is now. Do you think I’ll believe you just like that?”

“I know. That’s why I’m trying from now on.”

“Oh please, you say you’ll leave in a month. Do you think that’s enough time for me to understand? Huh?”

“…I don’t know about that.”

A chill ran through Ceti. Her plan to simply endure Zelnya’s presence for a month suddenly seemed uncertain.

“Yeah. I knew it would be like this.”

Got you, Ceti thought.

“If you had any decency, you’d just stay quietly for your month and leave. Isn’t that what a proper tenant would do? But here you are, staying as a guest in our house while ignoring the landlord’s wishes.”

“It’s not like that, I mean…”

“You’re so noisy.”

Ceti’s logic was impeccable. There was no way to counter it. Victory seemed certain until-

“The head of the family told me to get along well with you.”

Zelnya’s gaze was unwavering.

“I’ll keep apologizing until you accept me. I’m sorry for being harsh all this time.”

“…What are you talking about?”

It felt like déjà vu to Ceti. No, more than that – it was eerily similar to Aidel’s behavior.

Ceti rubbed her eyes in confusion. While she was still processing this, Zelnya delivered her final blow.

“I’ll pray today, and I’ll pray tomorrow too. I’m sorry.”

She bowed at a perfect right angle – a posture unbefitting an Adelwein, especially a direct descendant. The sight hit Ceti like a hammer to the head.

“See you tomorrow.”

Zelnya smiled brightly before retreating to her room, knowing exactly when to strike and withdraw.

“Ha.”

Ceti grimaced as she closed her own door.

“Huuu.”

Once alone, Zelnya’s confident facade crumbled, and her legs gave way beneath her.

Apologizing isn’t easy. It never has been.

Each moment felt like another blow to her pride, and the fear of rejection was almost unbearable.

She couldn’t make excuses – her wrongdoings had been too significant.

For today, this much progress was enough. Zelnya would take her time and improve gradually.

The God of ‘Humility and Healing’ appreciates your actions.

You have received 2000 coins.

No.

She shook her head vigorously. This wasn’t about rewards.

“…I should catch up on the medical studies I missed.”

To distract herself from her troubled thoughts, Zelnya began reading a medical textbook. Before long, she drifted off to sleep, her consciousness slipping into a new world.

It was a world without Aidel.

She realized immediately – this was a dream. A lucid one, unusually vivid.

Zelnya attempted to look around but found she couldn’t move.

Though she experienced everything from her own perspective, her body acted independently of her will.

Unable to control her actions, she resigned herself to observing how events would unfold.

It’s all so simple.

In this dream, Zelnya effortlessly rose to the top of Academia and College.

Without Aidel, she had no rivals. Everyone admired and revered her.

The dream version of herself grew increasingly arrogant.

These fools praise me for such trivial achievements. Are all humans besides me this stupid?

No.

You’re the fool.

Countless people in the world surpass you.

Oh Outer God, take my soul and witness. No matter what you do, I will maintain my reason.

No.

Stop this.

Ah, wonderful. With this power, I could be considered an Outer God myself, couldn’t I?

Pure madness.

This will only cause Aidel more trouble.

How tedious it all is. Even my family members no longer look human to me. I shall escape this mundane world. Let’s see, what method should I choose… Oh? Sacrifice everyone at the school? Ahahaha! Perfect!

She was already lost, communing with an Outer God.

Who could have known?

Zelnya’s apparent mental stability was merely an illusion – the Outer God had been manipulating her Pron levels for its own convenience.

Once the Outer God achieved its purpose, Zelnya became nothing more than a hunting dog destined for slaughter.

Save me!

As fate would have it, she met her end on the day the college ran red with blood, becoming just another sacrifice.

Students transformed into monsters. Organic tentacles burst forth from every building, turning the entire Stellarium into a crimson sea.

No… I can’t die! Who am I? I’m the rightful heir of the noble and great Adelwein! Why me, of all people? I… I was deceived!

Zelnya fled in desperation.

She ran, then walked, then crawled.

Barely escaping the college, she sought refuge in the Academia.

“Ugh…”

A groan escapes. Though she knows it’s a nightmare, the pain feels unbearably real.

She desperately wants to wake up but can’t. Her body remains paralyzed, rigid.

Ah, w-what is this?

The Academia offered no sanctuary – it, too, had fallen. Darwin’s Legion’s true horror lay in its endlessly spreading organic matter, relentlessly pursuing its prey.

Finally, there was nowhere left to run.

No! I don’t want this!

Trapped in a sealed room, Zelnya pounds desperately on the door as organic matter surges around her. Behind her, tentacles twist together, forming a massive dog-like creature, its body covered in grape-like eyes.

The creature opens its massive maw.

Aah!

“Aah…!”

She was consumed.

Sensation vanished from her lower body.

Her consciousness began to fade.

Only then did the Zelnya in the dream realized:

I…

“I was wrong! Someone, help me…!”

…was too arrogant.

No matter how much she cried out, no help came. Everyone who could have helped had either been driven away or buried by her own hands. A wave of belated regret washed over her. Death, it seemed, was the price of learning humility.

Suddenly, bang! The door to the sealed room burst open.

A mysterious figure appeared – a man who rushed forward, driving an axe-like tool into the monster.

Kieeek!

As the monster’s jaws loosened their grip, the man extended his hand.

Zelnya grabbed it desperately, fighting for survival. Gradually, she regained control of her body. She clung to him as if sinking into a warm bath.

And then she felt it…

Warmth.

A deep, comforting warmth.

“Zelnya, are you okay? Zelnya!”

“Ugh, ugh……”

“Zelnya!”

“Ha, ha. Ah……!”

With a faint groan, she awoke from the dream.

Her hazy consciousness slowly cleared.

“Haa. Haa.”

The paralysis finally broke, leaving her hands and feet tingling.

Her back and shoulder blades ached. Sighing with regret, Zelnya slowly blinked her eyes.

“Why did you suddenly come in here? You scared me.”

“Huh……?”

Her vision focused on a pair of golden eyes. Aidel von Reinhardt. She realized she was in his arms.

This wasn’t her room – she was in Aidel’s chamber.

“Why am I here…?”

“That’s what I’d like to know.”

“I-I was definitely sleeping in my room…?”

“Did you have a nightmare? President, you’re just like a baby, aren’t you?”

Aidel teased as he straightened the disheveled blankets. Meanwhile, Zelnya tried to piece together what had happened.

The answer came quickly.

“Child, you were sleepwalking. What troubled you so deeply that you found your way to this boy’s bed in your sleep?”

Sleepwalking – that was the explanation.