Chapter 175

Chapter 175

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 175: Zelnya’s Melancholy (4).

I spent a pleasant time with Chairman Stranov, securing a promise for ‘personal support’ regarding crystal research.

The result? A substantial amount of funding.

“What exactly did you discuss?”

“That’s confidential.”

“Did you receive personal research funds?”

Ceti’s observation was keen, as expected of my sibling. However, given the embargo, I couldn’t disclose anything carelessly.

In situations like this, changing the subject is the best strategy.

“Sibling, is everything wrapped up now?”

“…Not yet. We still need to meet with more companies and determine stake distribution. If things go well, we might even consider going public. Ah, there’s so much to think about.”

Ceti released an adorable sigh.

“By the way, thank you.”

“For what?”

“For arranging the meeting with Stronium’s head. It’s not easy to get an audience with Megacorp’s CEO.”

Ceti scratched her cheek sheepishly.

I was moved.

It felt like only yesterday when she was berating her brother, but now she’s mature enough to express gratitude.

However…

“Sister.”

“Yes?”

“If you’re grateful, you know what to do, right?”

I gave her a meaningful look. Ceti shook her head, seemingly anticipating this.

“So, where’s your lab?”

It would be impolite to refuse such a request. Upon returning to the college, I immediately escorted the shareholder to the laboratory.

There, Rustila, Ire, and Merlin were busy assembling crystals. Upon witnessing this, Ceti cursed and fled.

“This guy is completely insane! Does he think he’s actually a professor?”

Her sharp words echoed in my mind.

A few days later, I made my way to the first student council meeting of the new semester.

When I opened the door, I found Zelnya already inside, poring over documents with exhausted eyes. Sipping coffee, she painted the perfect picture of a burned-out professional. Her expression was drawn, with dark circles prominently displayed beneath her eyes.

“President, is everything alright?”

I asked, doubling my question as a morning greeting.

Her vacant purple eyes slowly shifted toward me.

“… It’s nothing.”

Zelnya responded with a smile as delicate as melting snowflakes, though it seemed forced.

I could make an educated guess about what was troubling her. Juggling three demanding roles simultaneously – medical student, student council president, and future head of the Adelwein family – must be incredibly demanding.

I reached for some of the documents she was reviewing.

“Let me help you with those.”

“Ah… thank you.”

Zelnya replied readily. It reminded me of Ceti’s gratitude from yesterday. Such expressions of thanks were once unthinkable from her, and even now, they didn’t come easily. Suddenly, she spoke up.

“Hey, you know…”

“Yes? What is it?”

“I was wondering how your school life is going these days, Vice President.”

School life, huh? Apart from having to maintain distance from Rustila, things were going well. My research was progressing smoothly, investments were falling into place, and my path forward felt as clear as if guided by a compass.

“It’s interesting. How about yours?”

“It’s just… overwhelming.”

Her response was exactly as I’d expected.

“As I mentioned before, my succession ceremony will be held either this month or next. I’ll become the head of the family right around midterm exams… There’s so much to do, I can barely sleep.”

“You should at least get some rest.”

I was concerned. Zelnya weakly waved her hand in dismissal.

“No, there’s no time for sleep.”

“Come on, get some rest.”

“No.”

“Don’t compromise your health by overdoing it. There’s still time before the meeting – lie down. I’ll handle the remaining approvals.”

“…I said no.”

She was stubborn – admirable in terms of responsibility but frustrating in its obstinacy. Actually, being overwhelmingly responsible was fundamental to Zelnya’s nature. If she had been lazy, she would never have developed her former arrogance. The problem was that her pride had always overshadowed this sense of responsibility, preventing others from noticing it.

We continued working on the documents together for about ten minutes. Zelnya kept stealing glances at me until. Finally, she pushed aside the papers and slumped over.

“…Just a quick nap.”

She should have done this earlier. I quietly nodded in agreement.

Thirty minutes after Zelnya dozed off, other student council members began arriving. They froze like statues upon seeing their sleeping president.

Edward and Senior Sinclair, both council members, approached and whispered:

“Is it normal for the president to fall asleep like this?”

“Well, she’s a medical student. Unlike our spring and fall semester schedules, medical school runs almost year-round. Understandably, she’s struggling in her second year.”

“She seems to be sleeping deeply.”

A soft wheezing sound could be heard as her shoulders and body, covered in white hair, rose and fell rhythmically with each breath. She looked like a baby seal sleeping in the snow.

“Since it’s just the first meeting of the semester, why don’t we all take a break?”

“Yes, that sounds reasonable.”

Many still viewed Zelnya as a stern president, which created a certain distance between her and the other members.

“Vice President, are there any pressing matters we need to discuss?”

“No, nothing urgent.”

I agreed it was fine to skip this meeting. Everyone had their own responsibilities outside the student council, and with the semester having just begun, there weren’t many issues requiring immediate attention.

“We can start the necessary discussions next week,”

I ushered the gathered executives out of the conference room.

I stayed behind to organize the documents Zelnya had been working on. Thanks to my experience with paperwork and Cartesia’s computational assistance, processing these documents was straightforward.

Just as I was finishing up, Zelnya suddenly jolted awake. She quickly wiped away some drool and checked the clock with wide eyes.

“Where… where are the executives?”

She asked, darting her eyes around like a startled rabbit.

“The meeting’s over.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Since the president wasn’t feeling well today, I sent everyone home. I handled today’s matters at my discretion.”

“How could you make that decision on your own…”

“Because I’m the vice president.”

Zelnya fell silent at my interruption. I repeated myself, emphasizing each word:

“Because I’m your vice president.”

She stared at me with a blank expression.

I realized then that I’d been spending less time with Zelnya lately. In my pursuit of reclaiming youth with Rustila, I might have overlooked this fragile girl.

Rationally speaking, Zelnya was crucial at this point. The Adelwein family’s future – everything ahead – depended on her.

Knowing we wouldn’t have many opportunities to meet in the future, I thought I should at least build a stronger rapport during our time together in the student council room.

“When I see the president struggling, I believe I should step in and handle the work. Isn’t that what a vice president is for?”

“…Yes, you’re right.”

Zelnya nodded slightly.

“The vice president should support the president during difficult times. It’s natural. It’s the right thing to do. Yes… probably.”

I opened the window to let in some fresh air. A warm, gentle spring breeze drifted in, its soothing nature making me feel drowsy. Zelnya let out a soft yawn.

“Did you sleep for about an hour? If you need more rest, you can use the bed in the lounge.”

“…I think I will.”

Zelnya picked up her bag and rose from her seat, making her way slowly to the makeshift bed in the lounge.

“Vice president, could you turn off the lights?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you. You can go now.”

“As you wish.”

Soon, Zelnya closed her eyes, looking like a child peacefully nestled in their mother’s arms. I remained there until her breathing became soft and regular, then quietly got up from my seat.

A Dream

It was a terrifying dream.

Zelnya stood at the center of the courtroom, surrounded by white-haired judges – all familiar faces, all her relatives from the Adelwein family.

Why did you betray our family?

The chief judge demanded sternly but Zelnya remained silent, her breath caught in her throat, unable to form words.

Why did you sell out the Adelwein, you traitor!

No.

I didn’t betray anyone.

I’m only trying to make things right.

Unable to bear their accusations, she fled the courtroom. Beyond its doors, she encountered darkness deeper than the pitch itself. As she walked through this oppressive blackness, a faint light flickered in the distance, drawing her forward.

The light emanated from a computer – the same main terminal found in the Adelwein residence.

Enter password:_

Using her status as a direct descendant of the Adelwein family, Zelnya accessed the entire family database. There, she uncovered countless original sins: evidence of rampant corruption and traces of unethical dealings.

Biological experiments.

Money laundering.

Contract killings.

Even transactions involving mysterious, unidentified ‘stars.’

As she gathered more and more evidence, one truth became clear – the entire Adelwein family tree was marked by a single, enormous, persistent sin.

Zelnya shuddered. The reality was beyond absurd.

Every sign pointed to one undeniable truth.

You are of the lineage of trash.

No.

Why uncover what should remain buried?

No.

Can’t you overlook this, being an Adelwein yourself? Don’t destroy the family’s foundation with your misplaced righteousness!

I cannot do that.

I am not a villain.

I’m different from you all. I’ve changed. I will continue to change. I’ve chosen to become an honorable doctor. More than that, I’ve decided to become a parent who my descendants can be proud of.

So what does that mean?

“Ugh…!”

Zelnya shuddered.

Even the medication for her sleepwalking couldn’t suppress these nightmares. They had evolved into something far more sinister than before.

This is your final warning. Silence your conscience, and everything can be yours.

The power of the universe’s greatest family was tempting – how could it not be? Such wealth, power, and prestige… If she could claim it all… But then…

Zelnya.

Would Aidel still speak her name with the same kindness as before?

It was impossible. Though she had maintained a precarious balance until now, ignoring genuine crimes would shatter everything irreparably. That was what truly terrified her.

In fact, observing how her own blood relatives had treated her all this time made the right path clear. No, she wasn’t afraid of their accusations.

What Zelnya truly feared was…

“A parricide who destroys her family with her own hands!”

Being condemned for doing what was right solely because she was an Adelwein.

That was the root of her nightmare.

Having lived so ruthlessly until now, Zelnya doubted many would come to her aid. Worry consumed her first. Being human, she hesitated. If she failed here, there might truly be no way back.

“Child, there’s no need for such worry.”

The Constellation provided some relief from these internal conflicts.

“Correcting a wrong is indeed challenging. But I commend your resolve to overcome blood ties. You’re on the right path.”

The God of Modesty and Healing, Deneb.

Just as the Milky Way bridge connected the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, the Milky Way Pavilion bridged Zelnya’s anxiety with the courage to press forward.

Yet, it was all too theoretical. The Constellation, not being human, couldn’t fully comprehend human nature. They viewed mortal conflicts from an outsider’s perspective.

“That might be true.”

Dream-Deneb approached Zelnya.

“Humans and we are entirely different beings. Perfect understanding between us may be impossible. Still, I can at least listen to what troubles you.”

A warm touch followed these words.

Though aware this was a dream – merely chemical reactions in her brain – still…

“…Aidel, do you care deeply for that boy?”

The question came unexpectedly.

In the real world, Zelnya tossed restlessly.

She wanted to question this sudden inquiry, but no words came. Was it exhaustion? The dream state? No, neither explained it.

In truth, no verbal response was needed.

A simple nod sufficed.

“Have you considered why you care for him?”

Tall, handsome, kind – such surface qualities couldn’t explain her racing heart.

Because…

He possessed what she lacked.

“People form bonds to complement their deficiencies. They’re drawn to those who fill their gaps, sometimes trying to emulate them.”

Why did he, despite his capabilities, always maintain such humility?

How could he respond to harsh words with just an awkward smile and move forward?

Why did he view life as a journey rather than a competition?

To the old Zelnya, with her competitive and self-centered mindset, these qualities were incomprehensible. In trying to understand, she had stumbled and fallen…

“That boy mentioned it earlier, didn’t he? He said he’s the vice president.”

That’s right.

The vice president exists to support the president.

And by that same token, the president must rely somewhat on their vice president.

“If these matters trouble you now, why not consult with that boy again?”

Zelnya opened her eyes.

The familiar ceiling of the student council’s lounge came into view.

She clearly remembered asking to be left alone before drifting off. Yet Aidel’s presence had remained until sleep overtook her.

Surely, he would still be by her side…

“…Aidel?”

But he wasn’t there.

The student council room was empty – Aidel was nowhere to be found.