Chapter 3

Chapter 3

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 3: Contract With An Outer God (1).

The Outer Gods from ‘SOG’ possess characteristics of the Constellations appearing in novels with the constellation trope. They form contracts with humans, granting them power in exchange for completing assigned quests. Rewards await those who fulfill these tasks. At first glance, they appear no different from Benevolent Gods or Constellations. However, the reality is far more sinister.

The contracts are the first sign of their true nature. These Outer Gods forcibly bind themselves to humans they favor. “Just like now,” I thought as the message appeared:

[‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ examines your cerebrum.]

Once the contract is sealed, the Outer God invades the contractor’s cerebral cortex, a process known as ‘encroachment’. Like a virus infecting its host, the human gradually descends into madness. When the encroachment is complete, the human becomes a cripple, transforms into a monster, or perishes.

Two methods exist to prevent this dire fate. The first involves wrapping both parties with ‘Ether’, the 5th force of the universe, acting as a vaccine. The second requires humans to possess a level of madness rivaling that of the Outer Gods. In the latter case, the Outer God perceives the human as already ‘consumed’ and seeks other prey.

Becoming mad to avoid a contract with an Outer God seemed as foolish as burning down the house to catch fleas. Thus, I resolved to enter the Academy and learn to wield Ether. But it was too late.

[“Interesting Human. You don’t go mad even after hearing my words.”]

The Outer God spoke, accessing my memories.

[‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ accesses your memories.]

The unpleasant laughter echoed through the air, gnawing at my cortex. The world seemed to crack as I gritted my teeth, refusing to lose my personality to this invasion.

“Uh? Wait….” I mumbled, confusion evident in the Outer God’s voice.

[‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ feels perplexed.]

[“Twice in graduate school? Isn’t this just insane!”]

The Outer God exclaimed, sending a wave of pain through my head. “Euk!” Every cell in my body screamed, threatening to burst. The mere sound of these Outer Gods’ voices inflicted harm on humans, driving them to madness. My vision turned red, but the headache was fleeting.

My spiking blood pressure normalized, and my mind, once on the verge of being torn asunder, returned to its rightful place. “…?” I wondered, perplexed by my resistance to insanity.

Taking deep breaths, I tried to understand what had transpired. The reason eluded me, but somehow, I had endured. I clenched and unclenched my hand, calming my racing heart.

[“Interesting, fascinating.”]

The Outer God remarked as a translucent window materialized before me with a soft ding.

[‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ requests a contract.]

The status window, a common tool used by Outer Gods to communicate with humans, was meant to reduce the maddening effects of their interactions. A small mercy on their part. No, not mercy. Consideration, my ass!

[You cannot refuse the contract request!]

[The contract has been established. From now on, ‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ will watch over you.]

A forced contract masquerading as consideration? They clearly sought to toy with me. Sighing, I scanned the windows, cold sweat trickling down my spine. Damn it. I had just showered.

“Young master, are you alright?” Sonia pressed a dry towel against my forehead, her concern seemingly feigned. With her support, I stood up.

“Where did that odd thing go?” I asked.

Sonia searched the box. “It must have disappeared…”

“Disappeared? Without any special device?” I questioned.

“… ha.”

“Just what did you buy?’”

Ordinary androids like Sonia were unaware of the classified existence of irregular polyhedrons.

“I didn’t order it,” I clarified.

“Then…”

“The delivery company must have made a mistake.” I explained, relieved that warp technology existed in this era. Otherwise, I would have struggled to find a plausible explanation.

I glanced at the status window, which provided real-time updates.

[‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ is a transcendent being who prioritizes knowledge and interest above all.]

[Her desire for knowledge is endless. She always roams in search of truth, and she likes strange and new things. Providing such things will earn you great reward, while failure to do so will bring destruction.]

Cartesia, the Outer God of Wisdom, brimmed with curiosity. Unlike other Outer Gods who viewed humans as mere insects, Cartesia observed people with interest, allowing them to struggle. If pleased with what she saw, she would even offer assistance.

The reason behind Cartesia’s friendliness towards humans remained a mystery, even at the story’s conclusion. Perhaps it was a form of entertainment. However, like other Outer Gods, failure to satisfy her would result in a merciless transformation into a cripple.

“Haa…” I sighed, prepared for this eventuality, but not for its swiftness. The forced contract from the start painted a bleak future.

[‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ is hoping you will be a human capable of satisfying it.]

The status window displayed. My plan to research the graviton bullet had likely been exposed.

Uncertainty gripped me until another message appeared:

[‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ is interested in your plan to oppose the Outer Gods.]

“…?” I pondered the implications. Would an Outer God truly protect a human hostile to their kind? Was this a challenge to test my capabilities?

Attempting to understand an Outer God was a path to madness. Acceptance was key to maintaining my sanity and focus.

“Phew.” A glimmer of hope emerged. This crisis could be an opportunity. With Cartesia’s high rank among the Outer Gods, her favor might shield me from the interference of others. A problem for my future self to tackle.

Clank! A quest materialized with a metallic sound.

‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ wishes to test your abilities.

Solve all the workbooks in the room starting now.

Time limit: 800 hours 00 minutes 000 seconds.

Upon Success: A special gift for the foolish human 🙂

Upon Failure: Type 1 diabetes (Incurable)

“Ah, fuck,” I cursed.

“What is it again?” Sonia asked.

“No, nothing…” I clenched my teeth. The trials had begun.

From this moment, sudden questions would bombard me. Failure to overcome them would spell my downfall. The original Aidel succumbed to madness and death without completing a single quest. But I refused to share his fate.

I vowed to save myself, the world, and this universe. Whether I returned to my original world or thrived here, I would seize a happy ending. With that goal set, I steeled my resolve.

[Time Limit: 799 hours 59 minutes 56 seconds.]

Without delay, I opened the first workbook within reach. Math. My forte.

“Can you solve it without proper learning?” Sonia asked.

“Uh.”

“Weren’t you the worst at math, young master?”

“What are you saying…” I sighed. “… I am sorry, but leave now Sonia.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have to concentrate.”

Sonia shook her head. “Watching over the young master is a mission the family head has given me. I cannot leave you even for a moment.”

Given Aidel’s past behavior, her stance was reasonable. My father likely feared the trouble I would get into without Sonia’s supervision. The unfairness of being bound by Aidel’s actions gnawed at me. I needed solitude to study effectively…

“If you are really going to study, I won’t disturb you and will just stay quiet.” Sonia spoke softly, retreating to the android charging station in the corner.

“Haah….” She sat down, sighing with relief as she closed her eyes, remaining motionless.

I resigned myself to the situation, likening it to studying in a room with ambient noise. With that thought, I flipped to the first page of the workbook.

The opening question spanned over ten lines, resembling an essay or Japan’s honkosa test rather than a college scholastic ability test. An essay-type question, no less. “Tsk.” This would be challenging.

I spent a grueling 30 minutes on the first page alone. The concepts, though middle-school level, proved formidable. Befitting the universe’s most prestigious academy, Stellarium. Several mistakes marked my path to the solution, demanding intense concentration. But as I progressed beyond the first page, my speed increased, and I found my rhythm.

Time seemed to blur.

[Time Limit: 796 hours 22 minutes 55 seconds.]

“Phew…” I finally completed one book, closing it after solving the 150th problem. “Such a tough battle.”

“…” I turned to find Sonia staring at me, her gaze fixed on the finished workbook.

“Did you solve all of that…?” Surprise colored her tone. She approached, eyes narrowed. “Shall I take a look?” Genuine interest sparkled in her eyes.

“Go ahead.” I handed her the book, and at that moment, a message appeared:

[‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ reviews the math workbook you solved.]

[‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ shows slight interest in your problem-solving speed and concentration.]

Cartesia, renowned for her love of mathematics and science, had observed my solutions and verified their correctness. It was to be expected.

“Let’s see… it seems like you got them all right.” Sonia raised her head, confusion evident on her face. “How… how did you solve the difficult problems?”

“What?” She glanced around me.

“Do you know the answer to 40-32/2?” she asked.

“4.”

“As expected….” Sonia muttered.

“Factorial.” I added.

Sonia’s eyes widened further, as if witnessing the unbelievable, the unprecedented.

“Did you truly believe I was incapable of even basic math?” I questioned.

“You clearly did.”

“Even at the age of 16?”

“You did.”

I slapped my forehead. “Really?” The possibility that Aidel’s negligence in studies surpassed the novel’s portrayal sent a shiver down my spine.

Sighing, I met Sonia’s gaze. A subtle shift had occurred. The once-vivid scorn in her eyes had given way to a glimmer of respect and astonishment.

“… amazing. I never knew a human could change so much just from a head injury,” she remarked.

Sonia attributed my transformation to the casino security guard’s blow to my head. Her conclusion brought relief, for this was the life I had chosen.

There was no time to waste. I hurriedly opened the next workbook, only to be interrupted by an unfamiliar yet familiar voice. “Yah, what are you doing?”

I turned to the source, finding a girl with golden eyes, just like mine, standing there.

“Did you really waste 200 trillion credits of the family’s fortune? You gambling addict!” The girl hurled abuses at me. I knew exactly who she was.

“…Ceti.” Ceti von Reinhardt. My half-sister had appeared.