Chapter 98

Chapter 98

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 98: Lab Tour (1).

A brisk autumn wind swept across the campus that October day. I had recently transferred to a preparatory college course just a week before the midterms were set to begin. My story picks up eight months after my enrollment.

As I was about to step onto the orbital elevator, diploma in hand, a voice called out, “Hey, hey!” It was Zelnya.

“Are you out of your mind?” she shouted, joining me on the elevator. “Who graduates without even taking the midterms? Shouldn’t you at least finish the year?”

I scratched my head, puzzled by her reaction. Graduating from the Cosmos course in high school—let alone college—was no small achievement. I handed Zelnya a document along with my diploma. It contained a special clause stating that due to my exceptional thesis, I had been granted permission to advance to a higher institution immediately.

Zelnya’s face turned serious as she read the document. “Is this some kind of joke?”

“No joke.”

“This is ridiculous.”

“The professors really supported me.”

“It’s corruption.”

“You are starting to sound like Christine now,” I had never expected to hear the word ‘corruption’ from Zelnya, of all people.

“Your family must have pulled some strings. Do you think I’m unaware of what the Adelweins are capable of, too? Just wait,”

“Where are you going?”

“To get my diploma,” she retorted, disappearing into the crowd.

“Young master, it’s time to go,” Sonia said, her head raised and hands clasped neatly in front of her. I followed her gaze upward, where a large banner spanned the junction connecting the orbital ascent line to the elevator.

(Congratulations) We sincerely congratulate student Aidel von Reinhardt on his early graduation (Congratulations)

The Faculty of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Stellarium

“What is that?”

“You receive such great interest and love from the professors. I am really envious, young master,” Sonia chuckled, patting my shoulder. “Let’s go.”

“Wait! Waaait!” Another voice called out. “Aidel!” It was Rustila, her steps quick and determined as she approached the rising line. Stopping just in front of us, she looked up with fierce determination. “Aidel, I won’t forget your words! I will do what I want to do!” She clenched her fist tightly. “Even if my parents oppose, even if the Outer Gods interfere, even if Zelnya, that thieving cat, causes trouble!”

A thieving cat? That was unexpected.

“I will definitely achieve what I desire─!!” With that, Rustila leaped onto the rising line, closing the distance between us in an instant. She hugged me tightly, whispering, “…Call me anytime you need help with your thesis. You don’t have to include me as a co-author. Just an acknowledgment is fine. I’ll help you every time.”

“Wait a minute.” I paused, slightly overwhelmed. According to the bet we made at Alcatraz, she was only supposed to help one more time. But every time? “Do you realize what you’re saying?”

“Yes.” Rustila nodded earnestly, her eyes wide and deep, shimmering like the ocean. I found myself momentarily lost in them.

Even I can tell this is a green light. I gently stepped back and asked, “So, how many papers should we aim to publish?”

“Pu, pub, that is….” Rustila’s eyes darted around, her cheeks tinted with a blush, her lips trembling slightly. She stuttered, her words replaced by gestures. “Ten episodes… would be good.”

Was she being literal or metaphorical? I pondered the ambiguity of her statement. Deciding there was no need to rush, I reassured her, “I’ll be busy, so we won’t be able to meet often.”

“That’s okay. I’ll come running whenever you call.”

“Then contact me through Ceti.”

“Y-yes!” We exchanged smiles, though Rustila’s had a mischievous glint.

“I won.” Rustila was certain of her victory. By establishing this connection, she could maintain contact with Aidel and deter other women from getting too close. At the moment, her primary concern was Zelnya von Adelwein. Whether it was sharing stew in the infirmary, having an indirect kiss, or making playful, cat-like noises that seemed to seduce without effort, Zelnya was like a stray cat. Previously, she had been an opponent to be bested with a sword, but now, she was a rival in matters of the heart. Rustila felt no need to lose her composure; she was confident that she had the upper hand.

“Sister, did you see him off well?”

“Of course.” Rustila exchanged smiles with Ceti.

“Sister, I’ve always thought of you as family since long ago. But if things go well, we might actually become real family, which makes me so excited.”

“Still, you never know. We don’t know how our parents will negotiate.” The topic of an arranged marriage. Ceti was the only one Rustila had told about the potential match. For the first time in her life, Rustila hoped her parents’ intervention would sway the Reinhardt family. However, there was still a long way to go. Ceti patted Rustila on the shoulder, and she responded with a small smile. How could siblings be so alike?

“But didn’t your parents mention that they would consider you becoming a soldier if they had grandchildren? Why would they say that?”

“To continue the family line.”

“Is that really all?”

“You know, too. I’m an only child.”

Ceti nodded. “When do they want grandchildren?”

“Well, at least before I’m twenty-five?” Rustila was currently seventeen, meaning she had to get married and have a child within roughly eight years. Initially, Rustila would have resented her parents setting such a timeline for her future. But if it meant being with Aidel, she found it acceptable. He was the person who made her realize that her dream of becoming an inspector wasn’t just a futile hope. Rustila looked up at the sky, watching the orbital ascent line that Aidel’s ship followed as it left the Academia satellite. It would be a farewell for a while.

“Rustila von Kersil Reinhardt. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”

“Stop it…!”

“Why?”

“It’s embarrassing.”

Ceti chuckled, and the two of them continued to bask in their shared sentiments under the clear sky.

Ding! At that moment, a new notification window popped up in front of Ceti’s eyes.

Notification!

The results of your 50,000 C investment in the ‘God of Wisdom and Curiosity’ have arrived.

Would you like to receive it now?

Ceti’s lips twisted into a smirk.

“In the end, I am the ultimate winner.”

“What was that?” Sonia asked.

“Just talking to myself,” I replied as I unpacked and organized the lodging. The move from daylight to dusk had completely sapped my energy, though Sonia had helped quite a bit.

“Master Aidel, the head of the family, is asking you to visit them soon.”

“Tell them I’ll visit when I find the time.”

“Understood.” There was a mountain of work awaiting me. First on the list was my thesis, but before I could even start writing, I needed to revisit the lab. With a sigh, I opened my email.

——————————————————————————————————

Congratulations on your admission to college, Aidel.

——————————————————————————————————

(Stellarium) Full Admission Procedure Schedule

——————————————————————————————————

Internship Offer from the Southern Galaxy National Research Institute.

——————————————————————————————————

Callisto Applied Particle Physics Colloquium Notice

——————————————————————————————————

Stellarium Space Simulation Seminar Schedule

——————————————————————————————————

Assignment of the Physics Department Laboratory at Eruyel Academy

——————————————————————————————————

The subjects varied, but the underlying message was the same: join our lab. It was flattering, a professor reaching out like this, but meeting everyone’s expectations was impossible. I am just one person, yet there were dozens, if not hundreds, of professors.

Then came the email from Professor Feynman, which might as well have read:

Hello, Student Aidel. This is Professor Feynman.

= Pay attention to me.

Congratulations on your early graduation from Academia.

= So, you’re a college student now?

I apologize for your transfer to the College course instead of the Graduate course you were expecting.

= I tried my best to keep you in my lab.

The transfer didn’t happen because the government didn’t approve it, and other professors wanted everyone to have a fair chance.

= But there was opposition.

Aidel, you are highly anticipated at Stellarium. However, I am the only one who has a ‘connection’ with you, and other professors stumbled upon our paper without knowing your background.

= Other professors lobbied hard to contact you.

They hope you will broaden your horizons by experiencing various fields.

= Be wary. There are many circling you.

If possible, I will do my best so that you can graduate from the college course quickly.

= I will keep trying.

I look forward to meeting you on campus in good health.

= You will definitely come to our lab, right?

Thank you.

= Thank you so much.

Sincerely, Feynman

His appeal is as poignant as the memorials of Zhuge Liang, China’s legendary strategist. Could there be a better mentor than Feynman? I doubt it. Honestly, I don’t even want to consider the possibility. No matter what, I am determined to become this person’s student.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, I realized I had spent the entire day reading and responding to a mountain of emails.

“Young master, it’s time for bed,” Sonia urged, smoothing out the bedding with a pat.

“Just a moment, only a few left,” I replied, my eyes still fixed on the screen.

Professor scooped by student Aidel 2

“This person is…” Professor Kallis Stranov from Eruyel Academy. The memory of her surfaced; she was the one who had become embittered after a harsh rejection by Professor Feynman during her student days. We had corresponded before, and I remembered that interacting with her was always challenging.

I hesitated, realizing it was too late to send a reply. The email seemed to be an invitation to visit their lab. A visit could be interesting, but without knowing my schedule, I decided to delay my response. Above all, fatigue was setting in, and my bed was calling.

“Young master, please come in,” Sonia said, now dressed in pajamas, as she patted the bed invitingly.

“There’s only one bed.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“So, we have to share it tonight?”

“Just think of me as a long cushion and sleep comfortably.” I shut down my laptop and slid under the covers.

“Tomorrow is a new day.”

“Indeed.”

“I, Sonia, will follow the young master wherever he goes…” she declared with a gentle smile, patting my shoulder. “…Because a fool who forgets his own meals needs a capable android like me to manage the household. Understand?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Entering sleep mode now.” Sonia slowly closed her eyes.

“Sonia…”

“…Yes?”

“Can’t you take off that headband when you sleep?”

“No, I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s cute.”

“There’s no one else here to see it.”

“Not exactly…” Sonia’s voice trailed off as she drifted into a deep sleep.

“Tsk, fine.” It seemed best to let the matter rest and revisit it another day. I closed my eyes as well. That night, I dreamt I was being chased by tentacles.

“Why, why isn’t there a reply…?” Late at dawn, Professor Kallis Stranov was nervously biting her nails as she rummaged through her mailbox innocently. “There is a read receipt, but…” Ignoring a read message… Ignoring a read message from a professor! No, maybe not. It could still be under consideration. Maybe they’re adjusting their schedule. Also, some professors dislike receiving emails at dawn. Although Kallis wasn’t one of them, she decided to wait for the sake of the freshman who might not be used to professors yet. As she did, the first light of dawn broke across the sky.