Chapter 82

Chapter 82

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 82: Ideal Groom (1).

“Rustila, what are you talking about?”

“I’m staying here until the end of the vacation. I promised Aidel. So, I can’t leave.”

The Kersil couple were rendered speechless by their daughter’s unexpected defiance. Further conversation seemed futile; threats had only backfired, and gentle persuasion had proven ineffective.

“This place is too dangerous!”

“And where in the world is it completely safe?”

“This area is teeming with people influenced by the Outer Gods and criminals!”

Rustila was ready with her rebuttal. “Actually, there’s a study from Irwell College that shows the crime rate in the Alcatraz star system is 11% lower than the average for other star systems.”

Lloyd and his wife exchanged a frustrated glance. They both knew this change in their daughter—her sudden boldness and her reliance on academic evidence in arguments—was influenced by that boy, Aidel. Rustila, once so shy and reserved, now spoke with a conviction like she received a buff whenever around him.

“Honey, I have an idea,” Lloyd spoke.

“What is it?” she asked, her tone weary.

“If Rustila refuses to leave, perhaps we should consider staying here with her.”

“Dad!” Rustila’s voice pierced the air, her expression a mix of frustration and embarrassment. It was the kind of shame one might feel if their parents showed up at their workplace with a homemade lunch, unannounced and unwelcome.

“Don’t do anything weird! You’re both busy!” she exclaimed.

“No, we need to intervene. Who knows what that boy might do!” Aida Kersil retorted.

“Aidel isn’t like that!” Rustila shot back.

“Are you suggesting you want to make the first move then?”

“Ugh… No, that’s not what I meant!”

“I can’t trust you.”

The argument between mother and daughter escalated quickly. Meanwhile, Aidel and Lloyd Kersil, having retreated from the commotion, exchanged wary glances. Aidel broke the silence.

“I understand your concerns, Father. It’s wise to be cautious about cohabitation.”

“You do understand. You haven’t been up to anything underhanded, have you?”

“I haven’t.”

Lloyd, however, wasn’t entirely convinced, just as Aidel hadn’t expected him to take his word at face value. They needed a middle ground.

Trying to steer the conversation towards a compromise, Lloyd suggested subtly, “Perhaps we should take Rustila with us…”

“So please, stay here,” Aidel interjected quickly.

“What?”

Creak, bang! Aidel, who had been perusing a thesis, quietly closed the door.

The Kersil couple alternated every 12 hours to keep a close watch on Aidel and Rustila. Their previous monitoring system, Verdia, had long been repurposed as a mining device for laboratory graphics. Days rolled by—first one, then two, then three. Remarkably, nothing of note occurred.

“Aidel, can we take a break now?”

“Just until this part is finished.”

“Ughhh…”

The only unusual aspect was Aidel’s insistence that Rustila forego her usual sleep schedule. They were burning the midnight oil over a thesis, a genuine, labor-intensive thesis that Rustila was earnestly composing.

“Drafting the initial outline is always the toughest part. Hang in there.”

“Ugh, save me.”

One might ponder the consequences of Rustila collapsing from exhaustion, but her stamina, fortified by years of swordsmanship, was robust. It was Aidel, in fact, who seemed on the brink of collapse. Yet, his resolve was formidable, a determination so profound it would impress even the likes of Heidegger—a resolve to finish the thesis at all costs.

“Heh, heh.”

“This is fun.”

Their joint madness was surprisingly productive. Rustila kept pace with Aidel’s research, often sparking primal ideas that Aidel would then meticulously formalize. Together, they would simulate their improved models, tirelessly refining them to correct previous flaws. Rustila also managed various side tasks, ensuring the codes were accurate and organizing data into coherent tables. Although not officially a graduate student, her contributions were akin to those of a dedicated undergraduate intern.

“Here you go.”

Ada Kersil, engrossed in her notebook, accepted a glass of lemonade. A sip revealed the unexpected fizz of carbonated water.

“Hmm, this is delicious. Did you make this?”

“Yes. It’s one of Master Aidel’s favorite concoctions.”

The maid android with blue bobbed hair, Sonia, bowed slightly and stepped back.

“Your name is Sonia, right?”

“That’s correct.”

Curious, Sonia tilted her head. “What are you writing in your notebook?”

“It’s a bit complicated to explain.”

“Then I won’t pry any further.”

Ada was meticulously compiling a ‘List of Prospective Grooms for Rustila.’ Having endured a difficult childbirth, Ada was determined to secure a prosperous future for her only child, Rustila. In their esteemed family, continuing the lineage was not merely an expectation but a destiny. Thankfully, Rustila was born healthy, eliminating the fears of an early demise. However, Ada knew that securing a grandchild was essential. Thus, she embarked on the task of arranging a suitable marriage for Rustila.

‘None of these candidates are suitable.’

Ada’s notebook was filled with the names of hundreds of young men, yet none met her high standards.

Tap, tap.

Aidel: Professor Feynman, the second paper is close to completion. With additional help from another student, we’re making swift progress. I’ve prepared the draft outline for your review.

Aidel’s direct message popped up on Ada’s screen as she sipped her lemonade. The conversation continued:

Aidel: Could Rustila be included in the paper?

Prof. Feynman: It seems a waste to merely mention her in the acknowledgments. You’ve acknowledged that her insights were crucial to understanding the multi-diffusion effect of Ether. It would be fitting to list her as an author.

Aidel: I would be the first author, and Rustila the second.

Prof. Feynman: Yes, and please ensure I’m listed as the corresponding author.

Aidel: Of course.

Having been through graduate school herself, Ada grasped the significance of these exchanges. Her daughter’s name would appear in a prestigious academic journal. Ada’s mind raced with calculations.

‘She can’t become a soldier. But a life in academia? Unthinkable.’ Ada herself was a Ph.D. candidate and knew too well the toll it took. ‘If I allow her to pursue a graduate degree, her radiant, smooth complexion will suffer just as mine did. It’s a path that leads to ruin.’ As the vacation neared its end, Ada resolved to devise a plausible reason to steer both Aidel and Rustila apart.

While working alongside Aidel, Rustila had an epiphany. Up until that moment, her training had been purely physical: running faster, striking quicker with her sword. Yet, she had neglected her mind, leaving it vulnerable to attacks from the Outer Gods who targeted her psyche. It was clear she needed to fortify her mental defenses.

The solution seemed unexpectedly straightforward: graduate school.

The thought intrigued her. If she could study under someone as knowledgeable as Aidel—better yet, if Aidel himself took on the role of a professor—then surely, mastering the intricacies of Ether in an academic setting was within reach. This would not only expand her knowledge but also strengthen her mental resilience. Such intellectual growth would nourish her journey toward becoming not just a swordsman but a true Sword Master in every sense of the word.

Was it surveillance? Confinement? Either way, it was the second week. Aidel had warmed up enough to Lloyd to engage in casual conversations. Though Lloyd might have failed as a parent, he was proving to be a decent and respectable man. Moreover, Lloyd had come to genuinely appreciate Aidel’s attitude.

“You really didn’t give Rustila a single glance.”

“You told me to be cautious.”

“I mean, your restraint is quite commendable.”

Aidel cocked his head, puzzled. Lloyd clapped him on the back and offered a thin smile.

“My daughter is quite a beauty, you know.”

“Oh.”

There it was. A universal truth. Fathers who were crazy about their daughters.

“Aidel, I’m sorry, but can I test something?”

“If it helps clear up any misunderstandings, I don’t mind at all.”

Though they had been on good terms, two weeks was hardly enough time to establish complete trust. Men often rely on three things to deepen their bonds: alcohol, video games, and—

“The latest release.”

Adult videos.

‘I’ll gauge his reaction with this.’ The software skillfully smuggled past stringent inspections was sure to pique any man’s interest. Observing his reaction would reveal his true nature and whether he was putting on a facade. Such a test is a surefire way to see through a man.

“Oh.”

A bait.

“Not interested.”

A miss.

“Hey, put it away. There will come a time when you’ll need it.”

“You said this is a test for me. Isn’t it better not to take it?”

“Whether you take it or not isn’t the point. Everyone has sexual desires. There’s no need to feel embarrassed.”

“I’m really fine, though.”

In the end, despite his protests, Aidel accepted the disk containing the adult videos. It boasts a massive storage capacity of 512 terabytes. As he took it, Aidel’s expression subtly shifted.

‘Well… he seems to be putting on an act. But judging by his face, he’s not devoid of desire.’ A complete lack of sexual interest would be a rather serious issue in itself.

Lloyd clapped Aidel on the shoulder and said, “This will do. I understand what kind of person you are now.”

“Y-yes.”

Aidel rolled his eyes and tucked the disk into his sleeve. Afterward, the two shared a light meal and relaxed. Throughout this time, Aidel never let go of the thesis he was reading.

“You’re really working hard.”

“Thank you.”

“The title of that thesis you’re reading,” he glanced at the cover, “reminds me of a news article I stumbled upon yesterday.”

“Oh? Which article?”

“I think it was titled ‘Methods for Restoring the Ether Belt Using Quantum Gravity Tongs’ or something along those lines.”

I’m not entirely sure; I’m just piecing together bits and pieces from memory. If Aidel could use that article for his thesis, perhaps we could expedite Rustila’s rescue.

“The article discussed an engineering technique to restore a damaged ether belt to its original condition through simulations. Even to a layperson, it seemed quite a breakthrough, but for you…”

Mid-sentence, Lloyd paused, his attention abruptly diverted.

“Gasp, gasp… gasp…!”

Look at this beastly bastard.