"There will be a career experience event in two weeks."

Kendra announced.

The career experience event is exactly what it sounds like. A time when college students show Academia students what they learn in their departments—"This is what we study in our major."

It's a meaningful opportunity for Academia students to consider which major to choose.

Of course, it was also beneficial for the college students who received 10 hours of volunteer service through this event.

It was a win-win situation, so there was no reason to refuse.

"I'll hand out career questionnaires, so please fill them out by this time next week. Understood?"

"Yes."

And so we received A4-sized questionnaires.

Basically asking what we want to do when we grow up. What our aspirations are. What career path we'll take, and what major we'll pursue.

As if essay questions weren't enough, there weren't even right answers.

Even the elite Stellarium students were busy chewing on their pens and groaning.

I quickly wrote down my answers.

While finishing up, I overheard my classmates talking.

Kristin wants to become a lawyer, and James an editor. Just like in the original story.

"Hehe."

Seti put down her pen with a giggle. Business administration. That's the major she'll choose.

Rustila also finished her answers quickly.

She looked at me with eyes half-worried, half-hopeful.

"Eidel, do you think I can become a soldier?"

"Is it because of your parents' opposition?"

"Yes, for now."

Rustila still seemed hesitant. Not that she wanted to give up her dream, but she feared becoming estranged from her parents.

I scooted right next to Rustila and whispered.

"I don't know about others, but I think you should do what you love."

"..."

"Rustila, live happily."

Rustila looked up at me with a dazed expression.

I patted her shoulder and stood up from my seat.

***

After school, Rustila and Seti went their separate ways to attend to their own business.

From what I could see, Seti had joined an economics club to build her credentials.

My sister is a money-making genius, so there's no need to worry about her.

"Ha, hap!"

"Your feet are sluggish. Move faster!"

When I went looking for Rustila, I found her training with Naiere at the small field below the hill.

I came to give her a sports drink, but they were training so intensely I couldn't find a moment to hand it to her.

"Oh, isn't it Professor Eidel!"

A voice called me from behind.

It was the external reporter I'd seen this morning.

She hurried down the grassy hill and greeted me politely.

"It's me, Sofia. Thank you so much for the interview early this morning."

"Ah, yes."

"May I sit beside you for a moment?"

"That's fine."

Though it was bothersome, I needed to manage my reputation and fame. I reluctantly nodded.

And so I found myself in the strange situation of watching the sunset with a female reporter I'd never met before.

Crack, crack!

Above the setting sun, two real Plasma Swords, not wooden practice swords, sparked against each other.

The sound was so distinct that even from a distance, the hair on the back of my neck stood up.

"Wow, that's intense. Is that blonde woman a student too?"

"Yes. My classmate."

"I see. If she's your classmate, that means she's your friend. Or girlfriend..."

I glared at the reporter.

"Just kidding, just kidding. Ahaha."

"Even as a joke, I'd appreciate if you didn't make such misinterpretations."

"Are you two not on good terms?"

I held my tongue.

I was wrong. Sofia's interview hadn't ended earlier. She was asking as many questions as possible while walking a fine line.

My throat felt parched.

I wanted to gulp down the drink I'd brought.

"Wow. You're reading a paper even at a time like this?"

"Yes, well, that's right."

"You're working on new research, aren't you? I love reading research. I'm actually a science major. I told you my name is Sofia, right? 'Sofia' means wisdom, which..."

"Excuse me."

A shadow fell across the chattering reporter.

Drip, drip.

Droplets fell onto the dry autumn soil.

Following those drops upward like a salmon swimming upstream, I saw Rustila, drenched in sweat.

With a pink towel around her neck, she glared at us.

Sharp eyes, like those of a military general.

"Who are you beside Eidel?"

"Excuse me. I'm Sofia, a newspaper reporter. I was interviewing Professor Eidel."

"I see."

Rustila wedged herself between Sofia and me.

"If you're done with your interview, please leave."

"No, I'm not finished yet..."

"Then let me ask you one thing. If this is an interview, why were you explaining the meaning of your name?"

"Well, that's..."

"Everyone at Stellarium is busy. Would you please stop disturbing Eidel's studies?"

"I'm sorry! I'll be going now!"

Reporter Sofia scurried away.

I calmed my surprised heart.

To witness such dignified charisma here—something she only showed in the original story after her parents passed away.

Had Rustila grown?

Either way, it felt like walking on thin ice.

I smiled bitterly and said:

"Thanks. I was in a difficult situation."

"Did you just meet her today?"

"We barely met. She just followed me around one-sidedly."

I poured her an ion drink as I continued.

"She's been like this all day since we wrote that paper together."

"...I see. That's a relief."

Rustila sighed deeply and relaxed her tense expression.

The gentle breeze gradually grew stronger. Rustila's throat moved slowly in her light clothing. Each time, beads of sweat dropped from her chin.

"Thanks, that was refreshing."

"You'll catch a cold."

I put down my paper and took off my coat to place it on her shoulders.

"Ah, ouch..."

"What's wrong?"

"Just muscle pain. Would you like some?"

"Just a little, then."

My throat was parched from talking with the reporter. I took just a few sips before returning the drink.

"I need to go."

"Where to?"

"I forgot something in the classroom."

While reading the paper, I realized I'd left one document behind.

***

Naiere watched from a distance as Rustila and Eidel chatted amicably.

"Youth, indeed."

Normally, she should have approached Eidel to apologize.

Sorry for sending you to Alcatraz.

But it was an unavoidable choice once the foreign press got involved.

Above all, she was grateful that Eidel had shaken off the possession and returned.

She wanted to say these things, but there was no opportunity to interrupt.

"Hehe."

Naiere recalled a memory from her past.

The time when she was approaching her current husband, whom she had taken a liking to. Everyone tactfully gave them space whenever the timing was right.

Interrupting now would be disrespectful to Rustila.

After finishing her conversation with Eidel, Rustila came running back excitedly.

"Master, Master!"

She was as warm as sunshine and as soft as cotton.

Rustila smiled brightly and kept drinking from the beverage Eidel had given her. She seemed thirsty.

"That's a green light."

"A green light?"

Rustila tilted her head.

Naiere chuckled.

"You're so innocent. It's nothing."

"Let's continue our training."

Rustila adjusted her grip on the sword.

With the Aether Belt fully repaired, the military cadets could train with peace of mind more than ever before.

In gratitude for the peace created by a certain physicist, the two continued swinging their swords until nightfall.

***

"Sonia."

"Yes, sir."

"Why is she sleeping here like this?"

After taking care of Rustila and returning to the classroom.

I discovered a silver-haired girl sleeping in a corner.

"She's been sleeping here the whole time."

"I didn't see her."

"She's quite small in stature."

I grabbed the paper I'd come for and approached the girl.

A few strands of white hair fell from the wind blowing in from outside.

Eyes closed like Sleeping Beauty.

Looking at her like this, you'd believe she was an angel rather than the universe's greatest villainess.

I clicked my tongue and shook her shoulder.

"Zernya, wake up."

"..."

No response.

"Ma'am, your face will get paralyzed if you sleep here."

Even words that would make her go berserk if she heard them got no response.

Listening carefully to her breathing, I could hear a nasal sound.

"Sonia."

"Yes, young master."

"Can you tell what her body temperature is?"

"311.8, sir. She has a fever."

"This isn't the time for writing papers. Use Celsius, not Kelvin."

"38.6 degrees Celsius."

If left like this, Zernya could become seriously ill. No matter what, I couldn't ignore a classmate.

I grabbed Zernya's shoulders and slowly raised her up. She was sweating slightly.

"Sonia, close the window."

"Understood."

"She's tough. Not waking up even when shaken like this? How deeply is she sleeping?"

"She seems to have taken antihistamines. She might be suffering from seasonal allergies since it's the changing of seasons."

If I left her here, Zernya could really become seriously ill.

I didn't know why she was here like this, but I needed to move her to the infirmary.

With Sonia's help, I carried her on my back.

Just then, a piece of paper fluttered to the floor.

"What's this?"

"It's the career questionnaire."

Zernya's name, student ID, and "doctor" written in the future career field—otherwise, it was a clean sheet.

The reason Zernya wants to go to medical school.

Simply put, it's because "that's where the top student goes."

If the top student went to the physics department every year, Zernya would have aimed for physics. If only this talented person would join my department, she'd make an excellent graduate school colleague.

In the end, she's a friend who lives by rankings.

She'll become a great evil in the future, so it might be better to eliminate her now while she's defenseless—

But that's not my way.

In this world line, Zernya hasn't committed any crimes yet, so why kill her?

"Sonia. Follow me."

I adjusted my posture to secure Zernya completely against my back.

Just as I was about to head to the infirmary.

Grip.

I felt a hot sensation on my left shoulder.