In the chilly October wind, I graduated from Academia a week before midterms and transferred to the preparatory college program. This happened just eight months after I enrolled.

"Hey, hey!"

Just as I was about to board the orbital elevator with my diploma in hand, someone called out to me.

It was Zernya.

"Are you crazy?"

She shouted as she stepped onto the ascending platform.

"Who graduates without taking midterms? You should at least complete a full year before graduating!"

I scratched my head.

I knew it wasn't a common thing to graduate from the Cosmos program during high school.

That's why I showed Zernya the official document with special provisions along with my graduation certificate. It basically stated that due to my outstanding research achievements, I was specially permitted to advance directly to a higher school.

Zernya's expression hardened when she saw it.

"You're joking, right?"

"No joke."

"This is completely unreasonable."

"The professors helped a lot."

"That's corruption."

"What are you, Kristin?"

I didn't expect to hear the word "corruption" from Zernya's mouth.

"Your family must have lobbied for this. You think the Adelbeins can't do the same? Just wait."

"Where are you going?"

"To get my diploma."

With that, Zernya disappeared somewhere.

"Young master, it's time to go."

Sonia looked up with her hands folded neatly.

I followed her gaze toward the sky.

There was a large banner attached to the connection point between the orbital ascender and the elevator.

[Congratulations on the early graduation of (Excellent) Student Eidel von Rheinland (Celebration)]

[— All professors of the Stellarium Department of Physics and Astronomy]

What is that?

"To receive such great attention and love from the professors. I, Sonia, am truly envious, young master."

Sonia chuckled and grabbed my shoulder.

"Let's go."

"Wait! Waaait!"

Someone else was running toward us.

"Eidel!"

This time it was Rustila.

Rustila approached the ascender in just a few steps. Looking up at me, she shouted with all her might.

"Eidel, I won't forget what you said! I'm going to do what I want to do!"

She clenched her fist.

"Even if my parents object, even if foreigners interfere, even if that thieving cat Zernya causes trouble!"

"?"

What's with the sudden thieving cat reference?

"I'll definitely achieve what I want—!!"

Rustila jumped up onto the ascender.

The distance between us closed instantly.

She approached quickly and hugged me tightly, whispering:

"...If you need me for writing papers, call me anytime. You don't have to list me as a co-author. I'm fine being in the acknowledgments section, I'll help you every time."

"Wait a minute."

I was momentarily confused.

According to our bet at Alcatraz, she was supposed to help me just one more time.

But every time?

She'd help me every time?

"Do you understand what you're saying?"

"Yes."

Rustila nodded and looked up at me.

As vast as the sky and as deep as the sea.

Her eyes trembled like gentle waves, as if waiting for an answer, and I could only stand still as if petrified.

"..."

Even I know this is a green light.

I gently detached Rustila and answered.

"How many publications would you like?"

"Pub-publi... that's..."

Rustila's azure eyes rolled around like candy.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her lips quivered as if there was an earthquake.

Stumbling over her words, she answered with a gesture instead.

Ten.

"...would be nice."

Was that a direct statement or a metaphor?

In that ambiguous boundary, I adjusted my thoughts. Soon I concluded there was no need to rush.

Either way, I'll need to work hard.

I patted her shoulder.

"I won't be able to see you often from now on because I'll be busy."

"That's okay. I'll come running whenever you call."

"Then contact me through Seti."

"Y-yes!"

We looked at each other and smiled.

But Rustila's smile felt somewhat...

Slightly fishy.

***

'I won.'

Rustila was confident in her victory.

By creating this connection, she could maintain contact with Eidel while preventing other women from getting involved.

Currently, there was one person she needed to be most cautious about.

Zernya von Adelbein.

Sharing stew in the infirmary and having an indirect kiss, making cat noises and unconsciously seducing him.

She was nothing short of a thieving cat.

Until now, she had been a rival to overcome with the sword, but from now on, she would be a love rival.

There was no need to lose composure.

Rustila firmly believed she had the upper hand.

"Sister, did you see him off well?"

"Of course."

Rustila exchanged smiles with Seti.

"Sister, I've always thought of you as family. But it's so exciting to think we might actually become real family if things go well."

"...But we still don't know. We don't know how our parents will work things out."

The talk of an arranged marriage.

She had only told Seti who the potential match was.

For the first time in her life, Rustila was hoping that her parents' interference would properly reach the Rheinland family.

But there was still a long way to go.

Seti patted Rustila's shoulder.

Rustila smiled slightly. How could siblings be so alike?

"But your parents said they would consider letting you become a soldier if they saw grandchildren... Why did they say that?"

"Because the family line needs to continue."

"Is that really all?"

"...You know, I'm an only child."

Seti nodded.

"By when do they want grandchildren...?"

"Well, before twenty-five at least?"

Rustila was currently seventeen.

That meant she needed to get married and have a child within about eight years.

Normally, Rustila would have hated having her future plans decided by her parents.

But she thought it would be fine if it was with Eidel.

After all, he was her benefactor.

The person who showed her that her dream of becoming a swordswoman wasn't just a vain hope.

Rustila looked up at the sky.

The orbital ascender carrying Eidel was leaving the Academia satellite.

It would be farewell for a while.

"Rustila von Kersil Rheinland. Sounds nice, doesn't it?"

"Stop it...!"

"Why?"

"It's... it's embarrassing."

Seti giggled.

The two of them were lost in sentiment, with the clear sky as their backdrop.

Ding!

Just then, a new window popped up in front of Seti.

[— <Stock App> Notification!]

[— The results of your 50,000 C investment in 'God of Wisdom and Curiosity' have arrived.]

[— Would you like to collect now?]

Her lips twisted into a grin.

***

"In the end, I am the final victor."

"What did you say?"

"Just talking to myself."

I unpacked and organized my dormitory. I had used up all my energy moving from daytime until night.

Of course, Sonia helped considerably.

"Young Master Eidel, the head of the family says to visit him soon."

"Tell him I'll go when I have time."

"Understood."

There's a mountain of work to do.

First, the paper.

...But before writing it, I should find a lab first.

I sighed and opened my email.

[Congratulations on your admission to College, Eidel.]

[Regarding the schedule before the formal admission procedure (Stellarium)]

[Internship proposal from the Southern Galaxy National Research Institute]

[Notice for Callisto Applied Particle Physics Colloquium]

[Stellarium Space Simulation Seminar Schedule]

[Regarding lab assignment at Iryuel Academy Physics Department]

The subjects varied, but the content was the same.

Please join our lab.

It's auspicious when professors make such proposals to a student.

However, I couldn't meet everyone's expectations.

I am just one person, and there are hundreds of professors.

Besides.

[This is Professor Feynman.]

I already had someone in mind.

Let me interpret Professor Feynman's email:

[Hello, Eidel. This is Professor Feynman.]

= Look at me.

[I sincerely congratulate you on your early graduation from Academia.]

= So you're a college student now?

[I also want to apologize that you were transferred to the college program rather than the graduate program you were expecting.]

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

[The reasons you couldn't transfer to the graduate program are first - the government didn't approve it, and second - other professors also wanted a fair opportunity.]

= But others objected.

[Eidel, you are generating great expectations at Stellarium. However, I am the only one who has a 'personal relationship' with you, and other professors encountered our papers without even knowing your background.]

= Other professors are lobbying hard to contact you.

[They hope that you will explore various fields and broaden your perspective.]

= There are many hyenas targeting you, so be careful.

[I will do my best to help you graduate from the college program quickly if possible.]

= I'll keep trying.

[I look forward to seeing you healthy on campus.]

= You'll definitely come to our lab, right?

[Thank you.]

= Thank you so much.

[Feynman]

His appeal, rivaling Zhuge Liang's famous declaration, brings tears to my eyes.

Could there be a better advisor than Feynman?

I don't know.

Actually, I don't want to know.

No matter what happens, I will become this person's student.

After reading most of the emails and sending rejection replies, the sun had already set.

"Young master, please go to bed now."

Sonia patted the bed after arranging the bedding.

"Just a moment, let me check this one."

Only a few left.

[I'm the professor whose paper was scooped by student Eidel 2]

"This person is..."

Professor Callis Stranov from Iryuel Academy.

If my memory serves me right, he was someone who was thoroughly rejected by Professor Feynman during his school days and turned bitter.

We had exchanged emails before, and dealing with him was quite challenging.

"..."

It's too late to send a reply now.

Reading it, I see it's basically asking me to visit his research lab.

A visit, huh.

I decided to postpone replying since I didn't know what my schedule would be like.

Above all, I'm sleepy.

"Young master, come in."

Sonia, already changed into pajamas, patted the blanket urging me.

"There's only one bed."

"That's right."

"So we have to sleep together tonight."

"Think of me as a long cushion and sleep comfortably."

I closed my laptop and slid into the blanket.

"A new day begins tomorrow."

"Indeed."

"I, Sonia, will follow wherever you go, young master."

She smiled softly and stroked my shoulder.

"...I say this because a fool who forgets to eat needs a capable android like me for household matters. Understand?"

"Ah, yes."

"Entering power-saving mode."

Sonia slowly closed her eyes.

"Sonia."

"...What?"

"Can't you take off that headband when you sleep?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because it's cute."

"But there's no one watching here."

"That's not entirely..."

Sonia trailed off and fell into a deep sleep.

"Tsk, fine."

It's better to sleep well tonight and continue thinking tomorrow.

I closed my eyes as well.

And that night, I dreamed of being chased by tentacles.

***

"Why, why isn't he replying...?"

In the late dawn.

Professor Callis Stranov was biting his nails while obsessively checking his inbox.

"It shows as read but..."

Read and ignored.

Read and ignored by a student!

No, that might not be it.

He could still be thinking about it. Maybe he's coordinating his schedule.

Also, some professors dislike receiving emails at dawn. Callis wasn't that type, but he decided to wait for the newcomer who might not be used to professorial customs yet.

And so, dawn broke.