Episode 2

Father left the house at dawn. The ship, spanning roughly 3,300 square meters, housed few people, most of whom were maintenance robots. My family members seemed to avoid me, not even showing their faces.

Aidel’s mother? She never made an appearance in the story. She must have either been absent or passed away before the main plot began. The only one I could converse with was the android, Sonia.

“Young master,” Sonia inquired, adjusting her headband, “Are you really planning to undergo the graduation process?”

Graduation. That’s what people call the academy’s graduate program as well.

“Yes,” I replied.

“Are you insane?”

“I am normal.”

Sonia’s eyes widened in shock. It seems even a robot understands that graduate school is challenging.

But what does it matter one way or another? Everything is difficult at first. From the second attempt, it should become manageable on its own. Even if the newly acquired degree disappears, the ‘I’ who worked hard to obtain that degree remains. That is sufficient. I anticipate this graduate program to be much easier than the first.

After all, to fend off the attacks of the Outer Gods, developing these Graviton bullets is crucial. But to make that possible, one must ascend to a high status. Yes, for example, a professor.

“You are not in your right mind, not in your right mind…” Sonia continued to mumble.

“Pass the academia course first, then talk. Graduate school isn’t for everyone.”

“Okay. I understand, so can you order this for me?” I handed the tablet to her.

Sonia frowned upon seeing it. “You plan to buy all the workbooks listed here?”

“Stick with the Academia course before we proceed?”

‘Academia’ is a course equivalent to somewhere between high school and the freshman year of college on Earth. Following that is the ‘college’ course and finally the ‘Graduate’ stage.

Aidel is sixteen this year. And soon, he turns seventeen. It is time for him to step into high school.

As Sterallium is a prestigious institution on a cosmic scale, it holds a specialized entrance examination exclusive to high school students. Passing this exam guarantees one’s place within their family and safeguards against being utterly destroyed by Outer Gods.

Moreover, it might also allow for the use of the immense Raint family fortune in future Graviton Bullet research.

Reflecting on his smooth experience with college admissions, Aidel was confident that with his best efforts, he could overcome the Academia entrance.

“I keep telling you, the chance of you passing Stellarium is close to zero,” Sonia said.

“Ah, is that so.”

“I, Sonia, think option two is the most sensible one. How about enlisting instead of trying for admission now?”

“You want me to die as cannon fodder on the battlefield?”

“I don’t wish to push you into death, young master. It was a realistic suggestion.”

This will not do. I ordered the workbooks directly, bypassing Sonia. Why entrust a machine with something that humans can do?

“You are picking out everything available.”

“I wanted to buy them a week ago but felt too self-conscious. I need to place the order quickly now.”

Sonia slapped her forehead. There wasn’t much she could do anyway. Why, if he’s finally decided to study seriously, what right does she have to lecture him?

Tring! After checking the order details, I looked around. “Such a mess.” The condition of the room was beyond words. It was filled with inappropriate items like playing cards for gambling, betting chips, and all sorts of things.

I hadn’t given it much thought till now, but when I began to move, it caught my eye. “When was the last time you cleaned?”

“I am not sure myself.”

“Aren’t you the maid?”

“I, Sonia, am not strictly a maid. I am a multi-purpose android. I do not act without commands.”

“Then what’s with the outfit?”

“Are you talking about this fluttering dress?” Sonia, clad in the typical black skirt of a maid, fidgeted with it and responded impassively. “I wore it because it’s cute.”

“And the headband?”

“Are you referring to this one? I wore it because it’s cute.”

I was taken aback. Sonia cocked her head and inquired, ‘What’s the matter?’—the cherry on top.

“It hasn’t been cleaned all this time, right?”

“Yes, I simply followed the young master’s orders not to touch anything.”

“And hitting me was with my permission then?”

“That, too, was in accordance with the family head’s directive to discipline the young master.”

“Ugh. Fine. I’ll clean it myself.” It’s the room I’ll be using for the next few months, so I might as well get rid of what’s unnecessary.

First, I decided to air out the room, so I opened the window. “What are you doing?”

“Ah.” Right. This is space.

After dispelling the musty air smell with the ventilator, I began cleaning in earnest. Dusting and organizing the clutter were routine tasks. I moved around, causing sweat to bead on my forehead. Sonia, who had been standing idly, started helping after observing my bustling activity.

“Young master, are you finally planning to live like a human being?” Sonia’s eyes sparkled like seashells gleaming in the moonlight.

In response, I demonstrated through actions. “Everything over there, throw it out.” I gestured towards the bookshelf.

“That is….” Items like idol bromides or game characters. All the things Aidel had treasured and stored until now. A luxury. Not necessary for studying.

I removed the items Aidel had purchased from the bookshelf. These companions were soon to vanish like dew at dawn. The valuable ones could be sold secondhand, and the rest would be discarded.

“Y-Young master?” Sonia appeared flustered as she inquired.

“What?”

“Young master once said to never touch things over there.”

“It isn’t like that now.”

“But…”

“I am going to dispose of everything. There should be books on the bookshelf.” I said.

In a way, this is an obsession. It’s the result of an obsession to tenaciously survive in this damned world and secure a happy ending. It was the survival instinct that humans naturally possess.

When I began to dispose of the goods myself, Sonia stepped in to help. Initially, she hesitated, unsure of what to do, but then she started to place the items into boxes.

“Young master.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Why hesitate after calling me?”

“…Nothing. Just, I’m a bit confused. That’s all.”

I glanced at Sonia while placing the VR device into the metal trash can. “You planning to throw that away too?”

“Of course not. Do not compare a 5th generation AI to that mere metal scrap.” Sonia sighed and adjusted her hairband.

“Don’t worry. I won’t throw you away.”

“…That is such a lame joke.”

It isn’t a joke. It’s the truth. Robots are quicker at providing feedback than humans. They are less prejudiced. Therefore, if I present a changed appearance convincingly, Sonia will become my first ally.

“Well, this is the last of it.” The cleaning is mostly done. I dusted myself off and stood up. Sonia also got up, holding the bag full of stuff.

“I’ll throw these away. In the meantime, why don’t you go and wash up, young master?”

“Thanks. I was planning to go since I feel so stuffy.”

After splashing myself with cold water in the shower room, turning on the ventilator, air conditioner, and dehumidifier in the cleaned room, and drying my hair, it felt like paradise.

Anyway, Sonia was taking longer than I expected.

Ding! [Your order has been delivered. Thank you for using EO Shopping Mall.] Just then, the books I had ordered arrived.

I went out to the dock and moved the boxes one by one. “Oh my.” It felt like my back would break, moving them after such a long time. Both Aidel and I were the same. Far from being healthy, we were lacking in physical strength. If I pass, I should start working out or something.

“My goodness.” Just as I was moving the last box, Sonia returned to the room like a ghost.

“Did you move all this by yourself?”

“You weren’t here.”

“I had something to do.”

“Something? What kind?”

What could she possibly have to do?

“I made some food.”

With that, Sonia brought out a tray she had hidden. Appetizingly cut ham and cheese sandwiches, and a salmon salad enhanced with an oriental dressing. And there was milk too. It’s a basic yet luxurious combination.

“This… did you make this yourself?”

“Housework is my specialty.”

Sonia placed the plate on the desk and rested her hand on her hips, looking happy. “Please eat.”

“…” This is unexpected. For the past week, Sonia kept telling me to ‘eat by myself’. So, I managed my meals with just canned food. It was the easiest way.

“Not being a cat, I almost couldn’t stand watching you just open cans all the time. Why did you do that?”

“I lost money gambling.”

“Did you even have to be cautious about eating?”

“Why?”

“…”

“Thanks, though.”

It’s the first time Sonia has treated me with food since I came into this body. I am so moved I could cry.

Taking a bite of the sandwich, a fresh flavor enveloped my taste buds. The crisp texture of the lettuce was perfectly preserved, while the savoriness of the ham and egg harmonized with each other. A moderate amount of cheese smoothly connected the two.

As described in the novel, she really could cook.

“Why are you staring so intently?”

“No, just… thank you.”

“You don’t have to be thankful. If you just live like a human, I can do this for you every day.”

“Huh.” It’s a passage that, though not said in the novel, gives insight into how Aidel had lived all these years.

“I am sorry.”

“… Uh?”

“I have been a fool all this time.”

Of course, I haven’t done anything wrong, but still, I feel like I should say something.

I crammed the rest of the food into my mouth and officially started the unboxing. “Woah, look at that beautiful color.” Opening a new book is always exciting, even more so if it’s for academic purposes.

However, what I bought wasn’t a paper book. If anything, it was closer to an E-Book. It was a system where the necessary books were bundled together and sold.

“But it does seem a bit inefficient.”

“What do you mean?”

“Something like this should just be kept on the cloud and let people download it after paying.”

Sonia shook her head and said, “What if it gets hacked? What would happen to the company that published the books?”

“Just implement tight security.”

“The cost of maintaining that security is much cheaper than sending it bundled in tablet boxes.”

Oh my. Is this culture shock? After all, even though ancient China invented paper, they used bamboo slips more frequently.

In this era, where superconductors work at room temperature, pressure has been commercialized, and humanity is expanding its living area into the galaxy too, it isn’t strange. It seems like I was having primitive thoughts.

“Young master, I, Sonia, have my doubts. Why did you suddenly apply to Stellarium?”

“That…” I had no reason to give.

To prevent the destruction of the world? That is real. But isn’t that too vague? It might be fine for the protagonist to say, but if I told Sonia this, she would make fun of me.

Moreover, if I were to voice such thoughts, a passing Outer God might overhear.

“I need a convincing reason.” Sonia leaned in and asked.

I really had no compelling reason, though. “Well, it seemed fun.” I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

It wasn’t a lie. Besides averting destruction, learning is quite thrilling. “It’s way more enjoyable and simpler than gobbling up 200 trillion credits or enlisting in the military.” I simply chose what suited my skills.

“Ah, uh…” Sonia’s expression turned pale, reminiscent of her reaction when I mentioned graduation.

I couldn’t afford to dwell on each of her reactions. I proceeded to open the boxes.

Korean textbooks with corresponding workbooks, math materials alongside their workbooks. I grouped the tablet boxes with binders. It was a straightforward task, as all I needed to do was adjust the screens floating in the air.

As I unpacked the boxes, something other than a book emerged from the final box.

“…Ah, fuck.”

“Why the curse?” Sonia approached me, her expression one of displeasure, probably thinking, ‘Why is this guy swearing again?’

But even a saint would curse in this situation.

“What on earth is this?” Sonia also asked, surprised.

The item that emerged from the box was a white object, twisted like a broken tooth. It emitted a light dimmer than an LED, causing a throbbing headache just by looking at it.

A white scalene polyhedron. An artifact notorious for suddenly appearing right before the manifestation of an Outer God.

The fact that this appeared before me implies, well,

In other words, I am screwed.