The day after midterm exams ended.

Thanks to swift administrative processing, grade reports were immediately issued, and students came forward one by one to check their standings.

Zernya didn't come to school today.

[1st Place - Eidel Rheinland]

[3rd Place - Seti von Adelbein Rheinland]

"Is this right?"

"I tried matching them up, and it seems correct."

Since the era of posting rankings on blackboards had ended, we had no choice but to reveal our rankings to each other for comparison.

Continuing to match them up, the results were as follows:

[4th Place - Mezulen Hueritia]

[5th Place - Welton Yusoford]

[7th Place - Kristin Heresset]

[9th Place - James Hedelton]

[11th Place - Mathers Byteling]

There were gaps in between. It was fun trying to figure out who filled those spots.

"Eidel, Seti. Look at this!"

Rustila revealed her grade report with a bright smile.

"Wow."

"You just barely made the merit scholarship cutoff!"

We couldn't help but be surprised. Hearing what Seti said, our classmates finally started looking our way.

"I got 10th place, 10th!"

It was the moment when Rustila's name was added to everyone's notes.

"That kid's pretty good."

Some people had been looking down on Rustila because she came from a lower class. Those looks finally subsided.

"The newspaper club is excited too."

"About what?"

"Take a look at this."

Seti showed me the school website.

[Student of the Month Special: Rustila Kersil, Who Is She?]

It was the typical school popularity feature.

The article contained a detailed record and analysis of how Rustila defeated Zernya.

[The match between the two was nail-bitingly intense. Particularly, Miss Kersil's sword energy that released two streams of starlight at the end couldn't help but draw admiration from viewers.]

[According to an Omega-grade swordmaster, what Miss Kersil demonstrated was 'polyphonic sword energy.']

"What's polyphonic sword energy?"

Seti asked.

"It's a method of drawing sword energy from multiple constellations."

"But Rustila only has one backing constellation."

"Other stars near her backing constellation must have helped her briefly."

When Rustila pulled out dual-nature sword energy like taffy, I thought I'd aged ten years. No, how could she use that technique now?

Actually, it was something I could have easily guessed if I'd thought about it.

[— The 'God of Wisdom and Curiosity' smiles slyly.]

What on earth is this outer god thinking?

"Oh, Eidel!"

Just then, Rustila called out to me with a raised voice.

"Would you like to go out for dinner together later? Since things turned out this way, I'll treat you."

Rustila was making a rare dinner invitation. It was a familiar suggestion since we often ate together with Seti.

I was about to look at Seti and suggest that the three of us have a party together.

Rub, rub.

Seti rubbed her lower back and drooped her eyes.

"Ah, sorry, both of you. I have something important to do today."

"Then I should also..."

"I guess you two will have to eat without me. Don't worry and just enjoy yourselves."

After patting both my and Rustila's shoulders, Seti left for the cafeteria to have lunch.

In the classroom bustling with exam results, only Rustila and I stood facing each other in silence.

"..."

"..."

For the record, I'm not so stupid that I can't read the situation that's been set up.

Still, it's uncomfortable. Suddenly being told to eat just the two of us. We get along well, but not to the point where we're completely at ease with each other.

"...Eidel."

Just as Rustila was about to ask something in a low voice.

Buzz buzz.

"Sorry, just a moment..."

With Rustila's consideration, I paused our conversation and checked my phone. There was an email on the school messenger.

*****

[Regarding Eidel's First Paper Topic]

<Richard Feynman> (Number of emails exchanged with this person: 892)

[Hello, Eidel. I hope your midterms went well.]

[I've selected a topic on Black Spheres for your paper. Since you don't have much research experience yet, I plan to provide ample guidance. Depending on your effort, you could be listed as second or even first author.]

[If you're available, please come to my office at 6 PM today.]

[Let's work on the proposal together and have dinner if possible.]

[Sincerely, Richard Feynman]

*****

Oh, damn it.

I slowly raised my head after reading the email.

"Is something wrong?"

"No. It's nothing."

"Let me finish what I was about to say earlier. Do you have any favorite food or restaurant you'd like to go to?"

Rustila asked with sparkling eyes. A few places immediately came to mind, but it was difficult to answer readily.

I could only have dinner with one person.

Rustila?

Or the professor?

[— The 'God of Wisdom and Curiosity' tilts his head at your attitude.]

If I think about long-term benefits, it would be advantageous to spend time with Rustila. If I take good care of her, she'll reach Omega grade even before graduating from college.

Of course, I could congratulate her later.

But there's something called atmosphere, or mood.

Today is one of the days when I could get close to her most quickly. In fact, I didn't have many opportunities to build a deep bond with Rustila.

After all, I was planning to skip the second year of Academia and enter College early.

But.

At the same time.

If I meet with Professor Feynman, I can write my first paper right away.

No, it's not just a possibility. It's almost certain.

What physics student wouldn't have their heart racing at the prospect of having Feynman as their advisor?

Honestly, my heart is drawn toward the professor.

Moreover, the topics I'll research with Professor Feynman will all serve as foreshadowing for the discovery of gravitons. In other words, they'll be the signal flare for defeating the outer gods.

Should I delay or pass up this opportunity?

"..."

This is a dilemma.

[— The 'God of Wisdom and Curiosity' feels bored by your indecisiveness.]

This won't do.

I have no choice but to use my brain at full capacity.

[— The 'God of Wisdom and Curiosity' pays attention to your choice.]

***

Under a harmonious chandelier.

A boy and a girl sat facing each other across a white table.

The girl was dressed neatly, as a student would be.

However, her gaze was as beautiful as a clear jewel, and her softly flowing platinum hair seemed designed to captivate the hearts of men.

A beauty that could steal one's soul if gazed upon for too long.

"Are you really paying for this?"

"It's a meaningful day for you. As your friend, I should treat you."

"Friend..."

Rustila smiled faintly. It was a smile whose meaning was unclear—seemingly both happy and sad.

Under the elegant lighting, the food arrived one by one. Steak and a salad bar. Grape juice instead of wine since we were still minors.

"So Eidel likes places like this."

"It has a nice mood."

While facing Rustila, whose expression shone brilliantly under the light, I cut into my steak.

[Direct Message]

[Me: I'm sorry, Professor. I think I've let my guard down after the exams. My body feels feverish. (5:25 PM)]

[Professor: Oh no. Are you okay? (5:26 PM)]

[Professor: Is it a cold?]

[Me: Yes, I think so.]

[Professor: Don't push yourself too hard. Let's reschedule our dinner appointment. (5:27 PM)]

[Professor: Student? (5:30 PM)]

[Professor: Eidel, are you alright? (5:37 PM)]

[Professor: Should I call an ambulance? (5:43 PM)]

"Wow, this pumpkin porridge is delicious. It shouldn't just be an appetizer."

"Should we order two more then?"

"Yes. I'd like that."

After finishing cutting my steak and preparing to eat, I lowered my hand under the tablecloth again while answering Rustila's question.

Tap tap tap.

[Me: I'm fine, Professor. I'm sorry for worrying you. I was just talking with my family and couldn't see your messages. (5:48 PM)]

[Me: I'm not so sick that I can't move. I'm just concerned about passing my cold to you.]

[Professor: Just a moment]

[System Message: You have received a Healthy Porridge Gift Set from 'Professor'! Claim it now! (5:50 PM)]

"Your additional pumpkin porridge order is here."

"Wow, thank you."

[Me: Wow, thank you Professor (_ _)]

"Enjoy your meal."

[Professor: I hope you enjoy it and get better soon (5:51 PM)]

"Yes."

[Me: Yes ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ]

I took a spoonful of the additional pumpkin porridge. Rustila shivered first. There wasn't a single lump, showing how meticulously it was made.

Something this delicious is bound to be expensive.

It was now time to move on to the main course.

[Me: Professor, if it's alright with you, I'd like to discuss the proposal through this DM. I also want to discuss the Black Sphere topic and the recent hole in the Aether Belt. (5:56 PM)]

[Professor: Are you sure you're okay? (5:57 PM)]

[Me: Yes, I'm fine.]

I dipped the pre-cut steak into the sauce and ate it. Extreme pleasure pierced through my taste buds and rushed down to my nervous system.

"Ah."

After eating a couple of pieces, I noticed that Rustila's knife skills were more lacking than I expected. It was strange.

"Weren't you good at cutting steak before?"

"Um, yes. But this one isn't working out well. That's strange..."

Whether she had lost her knack since last time or not, she was struggling to cut through the thick meat. It was quite an endearing sight. I couldn't help but curl up the corners of my mouth.

"You're really terrible at this."

"Ugh. That's too harsh."

"Should I do it for you?"

"...Can I really ask you to?"

When I nodded, Rustila's expression brightened noticeably. So I took a fork and an unused knife to Rustila's steak and began the operation.

"All done."

"Thank you!"

Rustila grinned broadly as she picked up her knife. While she dipped a large piece of meat into the sauce, I typed with my left hand.

Tap tap tap tap.

[Me: I'd like to revisit the prion topic we discussed before. (6:01 PM)]

"Ah, this is really delicious. It feels like my tongue is melting."

She blinked her eyelashes and scratched her flushed cheeks. Her fair face was charming. She was too good for someone like me. Treating this undeserved honor like wine, I dipped my meat deeply into the sauce and brought it to my mouth.

"Mmm."

It melted in my mouth like snow touching my hand.

Anyway, I continued using parallel processing until the end of the meal. That way, I could catch both rabbits—Rustila and Professor Feynman.

"Mmm, delicious!"

While eating steak with my right hand.

[Professor: The Aether Belt is under investigation, but no prion traces were found. Probably due to gravity characteristics, they couldn't be detected. (6:02 PM)]

With my other hand, I continued the discussion I was having with the professor.

[Me: The localized collapse of the Aether Belt might be due to a non-linear interaction between aether and prions. (6:04 PM)]

I continued.

And,

[Professor: Interesting idea.]

I dipped my steak again.

[— The 'God of Wisdom and Curiosity' is shocked to the point of fainting.]

[— You have received a donation of 12000 prons.]

"Hey, Eidel."

[Professor: Let's use the Lagrangian here, excluding the Higgs boson. (6:10 PM)]

"Are you actually listening to me?"