Chapter 7

Chapter 7

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 7: Rustila (2).

I began my studies after enjoying breakfast prepared by Sonia. I quickly worked through the workbook and then took a 10-minute break. Normally, I would immediately open the next book, but today, I needed some time to gather my thoughts.

During my break, Sonia approached me. “Young master, regarding the lady from the Kersil family.”

“Uh? You mean Rustila?”

“Yes. Wasn’t she exceptionally beautiful?” It was unusual for Sonia to praise someone’s looks. Clearly, she was seeking my reaction.

“Yes, she was quite attractive.”

“I was genuinely worried you might cast a flirtatious glance her way, young master.”

“Why would I?”

“Just don’t.” Sonia replied with a look of disdain.

I nodded. There was neither the time nor the inclination for such actions. My concern should not be her appearance but her underlying intentions. The Constellation Rustila is contracted with can read others’ malice. It even discerns the nature of the Constellation someone is contracted with. Since she made eye contact with me, she must have certainly felt the presence of Cartesia.

… I hope she’s alright.

“It’s quite remarkable, young master, that you wouldn’t even spare a glance for such a beautiful girl,” Sonia remarked, almost in wonder. Aidel was also well-known for his fondness for women.

So I said, “It’s not that I’m uninterested.”

“Is that so?”

Sonia blinked rapidly, clearly intrigued. Then, she raised her hand to her head. I recognize that gesture. It’s one that clearly shows she’s indifferent to the principles of robots.

“If you’re going to start another commotion, then please refrain.”

“Ah, wait! I didn’t mean she’s interesting as a woman!”

“…?”

[‘The God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ tilts their head, puzzled by your statement.]

Sonia lowered the fist she had raised. There’s something off in the way that was phrased.

“What I mean is, she’s interesting from a motivational standpoint.”

“…Motivational, you say?”

I nodded. “Yes, motive. In other words, a friend. I have a bit of an eye for these things, you know? That child will definitely be admitted into Stellarium next year. And the same goes for me.”

I shrugged my shoulders and continued, “I’ve said it before. Admission to the academy might become the cornerstone for leading the Reinhardt family in the future. So, it wouldn’t hurt to get along with someone from the Kersil family. There’s also a saying about connections made through school, right?”

Indeed, Rustila passes the Stellarium and later becomes the military commander guarding the forefront of the Federation. She wields the plasma sword as if it were her own body, receiving the anachronistic title of Sword Saint.

Having her as my colleague would make things easier for me. There is no one better than her at holding off the monsters’ slaughter. It would reduce one distraction in the development of Graviton Bullets if she could buy us time.

I stroked my chin, thinking. “I was originally planning to just study quietly here…”

The plan has changed. Even if it means making a bold move, I have to be more proactive.

I opened my mouth. “Sonia.”

“…Speak.”

“Let’s do a play, just you and me.”

“A play? What kind of play are you talking about?”

“Lend me your ear.” I whispered.

Sonia hastily pulled her head back upon hearing the story. She furrowed her brows so much that her eyelashes almost crinkled. “Young master, have you finally lost it?”

“I am drawing a big picture, right now. Just cooperate with me this once.”

I begged Sonia earnestly. Sonia sighed and then nodded her head reluctantly. “Understood. I will follow you, trusting the actions you have shown over the past 3 weeks.”

We briefly discussed the plan.

Rustila was shivering. ‘That… was not human.’

Darkness, death, and ruler of chaos. Rustila saw true madness in the boy with black hair and golden eyes she came across at the dock.

“Sis, what is it? Are you sick?” Ceti asked worriedly. Rustila shook her head.

“Ugh…” She felt nauseous.

“… are you really alright?”

“I am fine. I am fine…” Rustila caught her breath and organized her thoughts. Then, she retraced what she had seen.

Her head throbbed. The boy she encountered through the Constellation had a mind full of tentacles. These were white tentacles, definitely glowing. Moving wildly in the dim space, they had offended Rustila’s eyes and sensitivity. It felt like she saw something she shouldn’t have.

But, at the same time, those tentacles couldn’t easily flail about. Each sucker was locked with a padlock. Those locks were then tied with chains, and at the end of those chains was a book.

‘Very huge…’ Rustila possessed the ability to interpret the mental images of others.

‘But that… I couldn’t interpret it.’

The tentacles symbolize the Outer God, and the white color signifies benevolence. A contract with an Outer God, and a benevolent one at that?

‘Is that even possible?’ Humans who contract with Outer Gods go mad.

Yet, this boy was walking around normally. From the start, it was tough to judge whether he was good or evil. Because no one had seen the boy’s true nature.

‘I don’t know.’ Rustila shook her head.

Whether to report the boy to the Federation or not, she wasn’t sure. If she reported him by mistake, she would be the one to blame.

‘Let’s not overthink this.’ Rustila shook her head. Her ponytail tied to the back swung like a pendulum.

“Woah! You scared me!” Ceti complained after being unintentionally hit by her hair.

“So-sorry!”

“No, it is fine.” Ceti smiled broadly.

“Are you really alright, sis?”

“Yes, I am fine.” She had only confronted that true nature for a brief moment. She didn’t feel her mind become hazy.

Rustila lowered her head. The physics workbook she was supposed to solve with Ceti was lying there.

Then she lifted her head. The window was translucent. Beyond it, several robots, including the head butler Zermel, were waiting. Their eyes were cold, fixed on Rustila.

It was scarier than the Outer Gods. Rustila sighed because she hated this.

She fiddled with the luggage she had brought. Among the bundles filled with workbooks, she could feel something hard made of wood. It was a wooden sword.

‘I cannot even train in here…’ She wanted to relieve the stress that had built up. She wanted to continue practicing for her dream of becoming a soldier.

However, the given environment did not permit it. Rustila’s face turned ashen.

Knock. Knock.

-Miss Ceti, it’s Sonia, excuse me.

“Sonia? Enter.”

Wheeing. A female android with navy blue hair entered. She had a haughty expression, an upright form, from the frilly headband that stood out to the white ribbon attached to her back. She was the maid who had been with that boy earlier.

“I have brought snacks for the two young ladies.”

“Snacks? You did?”

“Miss Ceti, I, Sonia, prepared them in advance so that you wouldn’t be inconvenienced while studying.”

Sonia carefully placed cookies and juice in the middle of the desk.

“Woah.” Ceti and Rustila’s eyes widened. Everything looked so nice.

“I hope you have a good study session then.” Sonia, having bowed her head, immediately left.

She returned to Aidel’s room.

“How was it?” Aidel asked.

“The two young ladies were holed up in their room, just studying. Outside, there were 5 androids of the Kersil family. It seemed like they were all watching over Miss Rustila,” Sonia replied.

“Really?”

The situation was favorable. Aidel mumbled to himself as he got up.

“Are you really going to do it?”

“I need to.”

“If things go wrong, it could leave a bad impression not only on Miss Rustila but also on Miss Ceti.”

“Ceti might not know, but Rustila will.” Aidel led the way, and Sonia followed him, keeping her distance.

“Phew.” Aidel took a deep breath in front of Ceti’s room.

He then opened his mouth towards the robots standing silently. “Yeah, you motherfuckers.”

It was the entrance of the troublemaker, Aidel.

Zermel was a semi-automatic android tasked with protecting Rustila’s personal safety. He was equipped with a 4th generation artificial intelligence core, capable of detecting threats and emotional changes in the person he was protecting.

“What gives you the right to block the hallway like this? Huh?”

It was clearly a situation of imminent danger.

“You are…?” Zermel inquired.

“You don’t know who I am? Huh?” The boy with black hair and golden eyes approached, gritting his teeth. Zermel’s gaze sharpened.

There was a cheeky air about the boy’s eyes.

“If you don’t know, listen and remember this, you tin cans. I am Aidel von Reinhardt, the third son of the great Reinhardt family!”

The boy, Aidel, stood tall and swung his fist. It was an unprovoked and sudden attack. But the movement was clumsy. Zermel turned his body and dodged.

“Oh? You’re moving out of the way?”

“I stepped aside.”

Hitting a human was impossible. That would violate federal law.

Zermel began to search the moment he heard the name Aidel. ‘Aidel von Reinhardt.’

A notorious troublemaker from the Reinhardt family, known for his foul nature. A womanizer, gambling addict, and scum of humanity.

‘He cannot approach Miss Rustila.’ Zermel and the fellow androids communicated through transmission. They were all robots assigned to protect Rustila. They staged a sit-in in front of Ceti’s room.

“If I was rude, I apologize. The corridor is clear, please go ahead.”

“No, I have changed my mind.”

Crack. Crack. Aidel cracked his fingers one after another and pulled something out.

‘…A wooden sword?’ Aidel suddenly brought out a wooden sword and struck it down.

Clang! The wall was scratched, making a clashing metallic noise.

“I am so pissed off because I got scolded by my father, and you people came at the right time. I guess I need to beat you up!”

Clang! Clang! Clang! Aidel swung the sword, pressing the androids back.

Zermel backed away, confused. ‘We are the private property of the Kersil family. We must not be harmed. But we also must not hit humans.’

The principle of robotics. They had no choice but to follow it. The robots had to stay far away from the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

The five androids were herded to the end of the hallway, like sheep being corralled by a shepherd boy.

Whoosh! Aidel’s mouth twisted as he swung the wooden sword.

“You tin cans!”

Wheeing! The continued noise prompted two girls to open the door and poke their heads out, gold and silver: Rustila and Ceti.

“What, what is all this noise!” Ceti exclaimed, alarmed by the situation.

“T-that insane bastard…!”

She thought he had come to his senses, even if just a bit!

Ceti gritted her teeth and burst out of the room. She had to stop Aidel. With that thought, she ran quickly.

It was then.

Swish! Azure blue hair shot past Ceti.

“… Sonia?!”

Right in front of Ceti, a headband fell. Sonia threw herself forward and planted a drop kick on Aidel’s back.

“Ugh!!” Aidel rolled two and a half times in front of Zermel. A snapping sound was also heard.

Saliva came out of Aidel’s mouth. “S-Sonia…! You bastard…!”

Fallen, Aidel struggled to get up. His evil golden eyes glared at Sonia.

“Young master, you have been quiet lately, and now you’re back to causing trouble.”

“Move when I am speaking nicely.”

“I, Sonia, serve under the command of Lord Reinhardt. I will not allow you to further tarnish the family’s honor.”

“Move aside when I am being nice!”

Sighing, Sonia took a fighting stance.

‘What is happening…?’ The repeated commotion brought Rustila out of the corridor as well. A maid in blue and a boy were facing off.

‘Isn’t he that guy?’ The child she thought to have made a contract with an Outer God. He definitely called himself Aidel. And Aidel was currently notorious for causing trouble in the Federation too.

How infamous must one be for their name to be recognized worldwide?

Rustila’s curiosity was piqued. ‘I need to confirm this.’

[‘God of Purity and Persistence’ bestows upon you the Heart’s Eye.]

This unique skill, Heart’s Eye, was different from the Quick Eye she had used earlier at the dock.

Color, smell, taste, sound, touch. The Heart’s Eye, through the sixth sense, provides a clearer understanding of a person’s emotions, regardless of any contracts with Outer Gods or the presence of Constellations.

“Please, take a hit.”

“Ack, Ack! Ackkk!”

Rustila used her Heart’s Eye to discern Aidel’s true feelings.

“Have some shame in front of our guests.”

“Ugh! Damn! Ugh!”

And as a result, Rustila couldn’t contain her astonishment. She simply couldn’t.

“It hurts! You wench! Kuaaak!!”

Despite his outward appearance, the boy’s heart was incredibly pure.