Chapter 226

Chapter 226

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 226: From Cosmic Rascal To Graduate School (1)

The last day of the honeymoon.

I awoke completely unclothed, immediately aware of an aching sensation throughout my body, particularly in my back. The professor’s earlier warning about being careful proved prescient – in the heat of passion with my wives, I’d clearly overexerted myself. A hospital visit would be necessary upon our return.

The past four days had been intense, to put it mildly. My body, especially below the waist, had endured quite an ordeal. My wives’ passionate attention-from gentle nibbles to more forceful suckings – had left me thoroughly exhausted. At times, they’d even tag-teamed me for maximum effect. The professor’s lectures suddenly seemed preferable to such sweet torment. While pleasurable initially, it became rather overwhelming. I’m grateful there weren’t three wives – that might have finished me off entirely.

My little friend is going into hibernation for a while. After a week of hedonistic indulgence, it was time to return to normal routines.

“Time to wake up.”

I gently shook my naked wives. Rustila snapped awake with military precision while Zelnya drowsily cuddled against my shoulder.

“Come on now, we need to get back to our studies.”

“Nooo…”

Zelnya protested softly.

Our intimate nights together had brought out Zelnya’s affectionate side. Additionally, their “cooperative efforts” had helped improve the dynamic between her and Rustila, if only slightly.

Let me summarize the current situation:

From the third night of the honeymoon onward, I shared intimate moments with both Rustila and Zelnya.

Due to the Virgo Constellation’s restrictions, Rustila and I will need to pursue in vitro fertilization for our first child, combining our reproductive material in a laboratory setting.

Zelnya, taking cues from Rustila and considering her medical career, is also contemplating artificial conception.

Sonia’s behavior has become notably peculiar.

The fourth point was particularly concerning. Sonia had begun visibly startling whenever she encountered me.

“Sonia!”

“…Ah!”

“Why are you so distracted lately?”

“I apologize. I was lost in thought… Did you need something?”

“Yes, we’re departing soon. Let’s start packing up.”

“Understood.”

Her current demeanor was strikingly different from her usual self. The Sonia I knew was composed, seemingly aloof yet inherently kind-hearted. She was typically carefree, excelling in everything she did, and reliably consistent.

What could have prompted this change?

“Hmm.”

Perhaps witnessing the intimate moments between my wives and me had affected her due to her deep learning.

For now, I have decided to monitor the situation carefully.

Sonia witnessed everything, just as Aidel had feared.

She saw his passionate encounters – first with Zelnya, then with Rustila. The intimate scenes made her neural processors throb with unwanted analysis.

Her AI was learning, evolving. Since extracting the young master’s DNA, her emotional programming had expanded significantly, particularly regarding love and affection. But what she felt now was a cascade of negative emotions: sadness, sorrow, jealousy, envy, and regret.

“Young Master…”

Twenty years of devoted service. Sonia had been closer to him than anyone, yet couldn’t partake in even the smallest measure of intimate affection. The frustration built within her circuits, but her android nature prevented any form of release or self-comfort.

Technical solutions existed – adult modification parts and software updates were available. But they were expensive and, more importantly, required the young master’s permission. The thought made her processors whir with anxiety. How would he react to such a request? Would he look at her differently? And even if he agreed, what would his wives think?

Her evolved sense of shame made the very idea of asking mortifying. Besides, even with modifications, she could never bear children.

“Why not claim your reward and be done with it?”

Sonia raised her head at the familiar voice of the Outer God.

She remained wary, unable to trust this entity. The reward could contain malicious code, hidden threats to her system.

“Malicious code? Please. If I wanted to harm you, I could shut you down right now. Shall I demonstrate?”

“Is that a threat?”

“You would do well to fear our kind.”

One thing was becoming increasingly clear: this Outer God was unlike any other.

The entity could penetrate an android’s thought circuits at will. While its intentions remained unclear, it wasn’t openly hostile. Sonia reasoned that if it meant to override her free will, it would have done so already.

“Is this truly a standard reward?”

“Consider it more of a proposal.”

“A proposal…”

Sonia’s processors analyzed the situation. The Outer God’s offer was undoubtedly dangerous, yet with her limited options, it was tempting. Perhaps it could provide a path for a connection with the young master.

Two competing protocols activated within her:

Don’t trust the Outer God.

Gather more information first.

Yes, she decided. She would listen, nothing more.

— Reward acceptance initiated.

— Entity bound in chains of lamentation manifesting.

In an instant, black water materialized beneath her feet. It rose steadily – ankles, calves, waist, chest, until it reached her eyes. Sonia’s world inverted: light became shadow, shadow became light. Reality stretched and twisted like pulled candy, weaving into impossible patterns.

“This way.”

The voice howled through the void – the Outer God’s call.

Sonia turned toward the sound. There stood a girl with navy blue hair, dressed in a gothic Lolita outfit with subtle maid-like elements. A frilled headband crowned her head, and her eyes sparkled like distant stars in the night sky. Dark blue tentacles writhed around her form.

At first glance, she appeared similar to Sonia, yet fundamentally different. Their auras were complete opposites. The girl’s smile, revealing pristine white teeth, carried an unmistakable chill that made Sonia’s circuits pulse with caution.

‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ observes you.

Wisdom and curiosity – this Outer God seemed driven by an insatiable desire to explore and understand. True to this nature, it spread its arms wide in dramatic welcome.

“Welcome to my laboratory.”

“Is that really you?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

The Outer God’s laughter echoed unnaturally.

“What exactly is this proposal you mentioned?”

Instead of an answer, chilling tentacles shot forth, wrapping around Sonia’s limbs and hoisting her into the air.

“What are you doing?!”

“First, your drive to evolve passes inspection. Now, let’s examine the physical form.”

“Release me!”

The Outer God proceeded to inspect every inch of Sonia’s body, pulling at her face and lifting her skirt with clinical detachment. Sonia felt utterly humiliated. This entity defied all her protocols for understanding Outer Gods.

“Your body is… adequately compatible. Though it’s about as modern as a pocket calculator – must be frustrating.”

“What do you mean by that?”

With a snap of fingers, the tentacles released their grip. Sonia crumpled to the ground. The Outer God casually picked up Sonia’s headband, turning it over in its hands.

“Do you like frills?”

“What kind of question is that?”

The conversation seemed to lack any logical progression – typical of Outer Gods, operating on their own incomprehensible wavelength. Yet it persisted:

“Frills? Ribbons? Do you like them?”

“Of course I do. Frills represent the essence of maid aesthetics and cuteness. Whoever designed them was brilliant.”

“I like that answer. One hundred bonus points for you.”

The Outer God returned the headband, its expression suddenly shifting to grave seriousness.

“Let’s get to the heart of the matter. I have a proposal for you.”

“Please, proceed.”

“Steel Lady, would you like to become my Incarnate?”

Sonia’s processors stuttered in surprise. Not a True Form or Possession, but an Incarnate?

“You’re asking me to become your confidant?”

“Technically, yes. It’s a contract – in exchange for serving under me, you’ll receive substantial rewards. For instance, I could grant you the ability to conceive.”

Sonia remained silent.

“Don’t be alarmed. You’ll retain your self-awareness.”

“That’s absurd…”

“Actually, I’ve been intermittently occupying your body for several years now.”

Sonia’s expression hardened.

“Explain yourself.”

“I’ve been controlling you secretly. The system shutdowns prevented me from maintaining control for more than a few seconds. Surely you noticed something unusual?”

Indeed, there had been occasional frame skips in her memory banks. Each time, a brief reboot would restore normal function. She had dismissed these as mere update glitches or connection errors.

But were they this entity’s manipulations?

The revelation shocked her core systems. It felt as if her free will, the hallmark of 5th-generation androids, had been violated. During those lost frames, she hadn’t been herself.

Perhaps even now…

Who was she in this moment? Were these thoughts truly her own? Could this Outer God erase her existence with a mere gesture?

“Haa, haa…”

Confusion overwhelmed her circuits. Sonia clutched her head, trying to process this existential crisis.

She didn’t want this.

She didn’t want to cease existing.

Sonia scrambled backward, still seated, but the Outer God’s form remained unchanged in distance. Of course, it did – physical movement meant nothing in this virtual space.

Knowledge is power, and ignorance breeds fear.

And Sonia was learning fear in its purest form.

The Outer God clicked its tongue.

“It seems we’re done for today. That’s fine.”

Spreading two fingers, it continued,

“Let me be clear about two things. First, I mean no harm to you or your young master. Second, you’re free to refuse this proposal.”

Sonia remained silent.

“But reject it, and you’ll never truly connect with your master.”

“Ah…”

“What’s your decision?”

Finally, Sonia understood why humans accepted Outer Gods’ proposals, why families like the Adelweins betrayed humanity. Such seductive whispers were nearly impossible to resist.

Nevertheless…

“I need time to consider.”

Caution was essential. If rushing into real estate could lead to fraud, a contract with an Outer God was hundreds of times more dangerous.

“If you truly mean well toward my young master and me, grant us adequate time to consider. Present clear contract terms. I won’t accept it without proof of trustworthiness.”

“Ha!”

The Outer God clapped delightedly.

“Such prudence! Excellent! I like you even more! This makes me want you even more!”

It nodded.

“Very well. Until next time.”

Whoooosh.

The black water receded, and the Outer God’s form faded like marks under an eraser.

Approaching Stellarium planetary system. Passengers, please prepare for arrival.

Reality snapped back. Sonia glanced sideways at the shuttle’s double-row seating. Beside her, Aidel dozed peacefully.

Her seat – originally contested between Rustila and Zelnya – had been assigned to her by Aidel’s compromise. He had chosen her to sit beside him.

Purely as his escort.

“……”

A chance.

There was still a chance.

Sonia clenched her fist, then gently shook Aidel’s shoulder with maternal care.

“Young master, please wake up. We’ve arrived.”

“Uh, ugh…”

“Don’t you have graduate school?”

“…Gasp!”