Chapter 232

Chapter 232

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 232: Graduate School (4)

As you open the cafeteria door, you encounter an unfamiliar side of Ire Hazlen.

“Is that really true?”

“I told you it is.”

There she sits – Ire, who has become like an older sister figure to Rustila and Zelnya. She’s sharing a smile I’ve never seen before, blowing on her drip coffee – not the cheap canned instant coffee she usually drinks – while engaged in casual conversation with the others.

It’s a version of her I don’t recognize. She’s gradually transforming into someone different from the person I knew.

Intimacy has reached a certain level.

You have acquired ‘The Great Triangle (Lv. 02)’.

The pattern continues today. Ire returned late again, absorbed in developing the Great Triangle, neglecting the carefully selected research topic I had assigned her.

Three people have had a meaningful conversation on a common interest.

You have acquired ‘The Great Triangle (Lv. 03)’.

I feel frustrated – frustrated with my wives for consuming my graduate student’s time. If only Professor Feynman and I had claimed the Weaver Star and the Cowherd Star, we could have reached level 100. I resented the Constellations.

“Young Master.”

“…What is it?”

“Please pull yourself together.”

Even Sonia’s headbutt doesn’t affect me. My heart feels like stone.

Sonia sighs before patting me, saying,

“You’re not even experiencing real heartbreak, so why are you acting like this?”

“This is heartbreak.”

“…Could it be that you had feelings for Ire?”

“I’ve lost a research colleague. If that’s not heartbreak, what is?”

Sonia regards me silently.

Right, you don’t understand either.

Well, who would truly comprehend the frustration of watching a research project teeter on the edge of failure?

‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ sympathizes with you.

Great, even an Outer God feels sorry for me…

Overwhelmed with emotions, I reached out to my senior colleagues. I vented while drinking water instead of alcohol – water-drunk, physics-drunk. Physics is like alcohol: the more you immerse yourself, the more intoxicated you become.

“…Phew.”

After hanging up, I felt somewhat relieved. Conversations with my PhD friends always spark new insights.

I wished I could have such discussions with Ire again soon.

As if on cue, the lab accommodation door opened.

“Reinhardt, I’m back.”

Speak of the devil.

“You finished earlier than expected today?”

“Reaching level 4 was quicker than anticipated.”

Level 4 of the Great Triangle – the stage where three people can finally call each other ‘friends’. It enables light-hearted jokes and comfortable interactions.

The additional effects include a 20% increase in basic stats: stamina, strength, and agility.

And…

“…Increased resistance to Pron?”

“It’s essential when fighting Outer Gods. Also helps with stress management.”

So, Ire’s mental fortitude had grown stronger.

“This level of preparation is sufficient for the major invasion.”

“Then we can work longer on the paper.”

“Huh, what?”

“We should make up for lost time. Remember why we do research? You said level 4 of the Great Triangle is enough, right? So we can write our paper now, correct?”

“Well, yes, but…”

Ire hesitated, stepping backward.

Sorry, but it’s too late.

The moment the door closes, the lock engages.

Click.

“Why won’t this open?”

“Because it’s locked from the inside.”

“This isn’t Professor Feynman’s lab! It’s the remote visiting lab…!”

“I remodeled it two days ago.”

“You did? I-I didn’t notice anything!”

“That’s what happens when you don’t come to the lab daily.”

With help from other researchers, I replaced the old door lock. The security here is stricter than the main lab, requiring a 30-digit random number.

Moreover, there’s only a 15-second window to enter it.

In other words, Ire can’t leave unless I provide the password.

“Welcome to the room where you can’t exit until you write a paper.”

“That’s extreme!”

“It’s not so bad, is it? You still have the dataset, right? Just organize that one thing. I’ll help you.”

“O-okay…”

That night, I didn’t let Ire sleep.

It was only fair to work overtime since she’d spent so much time playing.

“So she couldn’t make it today because she collapsed after writing a paper non-stop for two days?”

“Yeah.”

“Ah, figures…”

It was the end of the week. Rustila had finished her training, and Zelnya had wrapped up her volunteer work by evening.

Both wives seemed surprised to see me instead of Ire.

“What, tired of me already?”

“Of course not! It’s just…”

“Talking with Ire sis is quite enjoyable.”

Zelnya set down her teacup with a gentle tap, sighing as she spoke.

I was taken aback. Never did I expect to hear Zelnya refer to Ire as ‘sis.’

“How did you three become so close so quickly?”

“We discussed many things. Ire sis is particularly good at listening to our stories. That was really nice.”

“Mind sharing some details?”

“No.”

Rustila and Zelnya brought their fingers to their lips, making a conspiratorial “shh” sound.

“It’s women’s talk.”

I felt dejected and excluded. Was this what all my marriage research had led to? The self-loathing was overwhelming.

Noticing my sullen expression, Rustila grabbed my hand worriedly. She whispered, pushing out her chest:

“If you’re feeling down… would you like to touch here?”

The weight of her suggestion hung in the air.

But I wasn’t in the mood today. I shook my head. Rustila, slightly flushed from my rejection, let out a long sigh.

“Ah…”

“Would Aidel usually accept? Here’s an idea – honey, could I help with your research instead?”

“No, it’s fine.”

I stood up, patting both wives on their heads. They stared up at me, mouths agape.

“…this is serious.”

“Wh-what should we do?”

“Honey, are you ill? Your mind’s okay, right? Please don’t go anywhere, just wait.”

“Are you angry with us? I-I’ll apologize if needed…”

Despite my reassurances that I was fine, they seemed convinced they were at fault. It took some time to clear up the misunderstanding.

Afterward, we each returned to our duties – Rustila to the military camp, and Zelnya to the medical volunteer headquarters.

Truth be told, I couldn’t shake this gloomy feeling.

I couldn’t blame my wives for my mood. Such complaints would be nothing more than a typical husband’s grumbling.

What truly concerned me was the outcome of my paper.

Today, I reviewed new data from the observatory:

U-991956 & DNT-8452 additional collapse confirmed. Total of 14 Southern Classical Black Holes destroyed. Twelve observed with massive bulges.

Three months had passed since then.

Yet despite all this time, the invasion hadn’t begun.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that the Outer God was orchestrating something far more sinister.

“Whew.”

As I sighed while studying the data results, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder. It was Sonia.

“Young master, I’ve returned.”

“Ah, yes. Did you enjoy your shopping?”

“Thanks to you.”

I had given Sonia her first paycheck today, combining it with a generous bonus for all her years of raising me.

She had transformed remarkably.

Her new maid outfit was more elegant and attractive. Her face showed subtle module modifications, appearing rounder and cuter. Yet Sonia’s characteristic lack of expression remained unchanged.

“You’ve changed quite a bit, haven’t you?”

“Have I?”

“Yes, you seem more… human, I suppose.”

“Is that meant as a compliment?”

“Not sure.”

“I’ll choose to take it as one.”

Sonia responded flatly, touching her slightly flushed cheek – surely another new module.

“People will do anything for money. Even selling modules.”

“…Hey, you shouldn’t say that.”

“I’m joking. Just trying to lift your spirits, young master.”

Sonia made V-signs with both hands, waving them playfully.

“Young master, there’s no need to fear the Outer God’s invasion. The Ministry of Defense has already stationed five Great Omega Inspectors here. With Miss Rustila, that makes six. Plus, we’ve installed traps and antennas throughout, and the elite troops’ Swords have been fully enhanced.”

“…Yes, you’re right.”

“All this is possible because of your achievements, sir. I believe we can triumph whenever we face them.”

I nodded.

My worry was unnecessary.

Though the prospect of the first large-scale invasion made me nervous, I felt reassured knowing it wasn’t an insurmountable challenge.

“Thank you, Sonia. It’s comforting having you as my personal assistant.”

“You’re welcome.”

I smiled while patting Sonia’s head.

Father had truly gifted me an exceptional android.

In a secluded alley cluttered with pipes, an old iron door creaked open, revealing a flickering incandescent light.

Even in this age of interstellar travel, vestiges of ancient civilizations stubbornly persisted. Such neglected areas remained undeveloped, their abandonment inevitably linked to an inexplicable madness. Yes, it had to be madness.

Empty beer cans rolled across the ground. Gray, tattered debris drifted in the stale air. An old television droned on in the corner.

The head of the Reinhardt family, Aidel von Reinhardt, has published three groundbreaking papers on Crystalline. These works now form the foundation for research into the Net, Backdraft Antenna, and enhanced Plasma Sword technology…

CRASH!

A crowbar smashed through the television screen, silencing the broadcast.

“That little rat dares to call himself a scientist?”

The man sneered, chewing his gum with the aggressive demeanor of a slum dweller as he spat his words into the emptiness.

“…Impossible.”

The thought consumed him. In his mind, there couldn’t possibly exist a scientist more brilliant than himself.