Episode 32

Rustila scratched her cheek and declared,

“I will go.”

“Uh?”

I was taken aback. Rustila was holding my hand, something I hadn’t anticipated her doing so assertively.

Yet, considering it from another perspective made me pause.

A young daughter, not yet of age, holding hands with a stranger in front of her parents?

Wouldn’t any parent lose their mind at such a sight?

“Release his hand immediately, Rustila!”

Her parents simultaneously lunged forward, attempting to separate Rustila’s hand from mine.

We easily evaded them by standing up.

“Uh? Look at this!”

“Your father is giving you one final warning. Release his hand by the count of three. Now. One, two…”

“Father!”

Rustila vehemently shook her head.

“Aidel is my friend. He’s a bit odd, but a good person. I’m okay.”

“How can a man and a woman be just friends?”

“For me, at least, it’s possible.”

“You’re too naive. It’s always those types that cause problems.”

“Mom!”

“Rustila.”

“Both of you… please, just stop.”

Rustila clenched her teeth and looked around.

The murmuring sound of people, drawn by the prospect of a conflict, began to fill the air.

Even I recognized the situation was becoming embarrassingly public.

There was no need to escalate the situation and draw unnecessary attention.

I grasped Rustila’s hand and pulled her closer. She uttered a surprised cute sound, “uh, uh,” as our distance shrank to mere inches.

I whispered in her ear.

“You should go sit over there. Ask Ceti for my seat, and just wait there.”

“…And you, Aidel?”

“I need to head to the podium.”

Rustila responded with a bright smile.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Rustila moved away before her parents could interject.

“Rustila, where are you going?”

“Dear, hurry and follow her!”

They rushed after her, but Rustila was no ordinary girl. She was a sports prodigy, her calves sculpted by Secret Home Training, a rigorous fitness program.

Catching up to her swift movements was a challenge for any average person.

“Ah, no! Why is she so fast…!”

“Stop right there, Rustila!”

It was like a game of cops and robbers, with the robber far too agile.

Somehow, they managed to navigate through the crisis in an unexpected way.

“Lucky me.”

All that remained were four androids lying on the ground.

Contemplating what to do with them, I turned and walked away.

After all, someone else would take care of it, I assumed.

In the vast expanse of the universe, dreams are as numerous as the stars.

When an interviewer inquired about her dream, Rustila responded with heartfelt honesty.

“My dream is to protect the Federation,” she declared.

Asked about her desired career, her answer was clear and ambitious.

“I aim to become the highest-ranking inspector. I wish to serve as a soldier, believing that with every stroke of my sword, I can save a life.”

Pressed for her motivation, she shared a personal story.

“Why, do you ask? The planet of my childhood was ravaged by an Outer God. That was the moment I realized no corner of the universe is truly safe. I thought, how wonderful it would be if I could secure even a small sanctuary in this vast cosmos.”

Some might dismiss her dream as overly idealistic.

Yet, she was determined to meet their skepticism with her unwavering sincerity.

Her dedication was not met with disdain but rewarded with acceptance into the Stellarium Academy.

This achievement was largely thanks to Aidel.

Because of him, she was able to emerge from her parents’ overbearing presence. She found the strength to express her own views.

Rustila had only recently come to recognize this transformation within herself.

“Sigh, sigh.”

‘I’ve done it.’

‘I’ve actually done it.’

The concept of “deviation” loomed large in her thoughts.

Her heart raced.

It was her first act of open defiance against her parents, sending an exhilarating shock through her system.

She was wracked with guilt, as though she had committed an unforgivable offense.

“Sigh…”

‘Let’s take a moment to calm down.’

Rustila closed her eyes, inhaling deeply and slowly.

Next to her, Ceti sat, radiating joy.

“Who would have imagined Aidel giving up his place for you?”

“…”

Rustila toyed with her fingers, her gaze fixed on the podium.

The seat of honor was indeed a symbol of great prestige.

While she was profoundly thankful for Aidel’s sacrifice, it also sparked a flurry of self-doubt.

Do I truly deserve this honor?

Is it right to continue relying on Aidel’s support?

“Sis, are your parents still unable to make it here?”

“I managed to shake them off halfway through.”

Rustila’s pace was so swift it seemed as though her parents had lost her in the crowd. This was partly because the open-air theater was so expansive.

What was even more disheartening was the fact that Rustila’s parents had arrived without familiarizing themselves with the layout of the area.

It meant they had never truly entertained the possibility of Rustila being accepted into Stellarium.

This realization stung deeply. She had been accepted solely on her merit and passion for the inspectors, yet she felt her achievement went unrecognized.

[Next, the oath-taking ceremony by the representative of the new students will commence.]

“Wow, it’s starting. Look over there, sis!”

Ceti nudged her, snapping Rustila out of her reverie.

Rustila’s azure eyes captured the scene.

A tall boy made his way onto the podium, bowing to the principal and vice-principal.

Standing within the podium, which resembled a picturesque scene, the boy appeared impeccably neat.

And he was strikingly handsome, exuding the aura of an exemplary student.

“That’s my brother.”

Ceti repeated the statement, her voice tinged with disbelief and a hint of deflation.

[The representative of the new students, Aidel von Reinhardt.]

Aidel, now on the podium, raised his hand and surveyed the surroundings.

[Oath. As incoming students of the prestigious Stellarium Academy, we pledge to conduct ourselves with integrity, foster camaraderie with our peers, and dedicate ourselves to our studies…]

A clear voice began to resonate throughout the open-air theater.

Valedictorian.

The fact that a boy as academically distinguished as he was a friend of Rustila sent her heart racing.

Ceti seemed equally moved.

“I can’t believe he’s up there.”

That’s when it happened.

“Exactly.”

“…?”

An unwelcome voice cut through the air.

Turning towards the source, they encountered a girl with silver hair, who looked down at Rustila and Ceti with arrogance.

“Are you… the girl from before?”

Rustila had previously encountered this girl in a park on the planet Stellarium.

If asked whether she had enjoyed the encounter, the answer was a resounding no.

“My family is the Adelweins. Unless you’re of the Reinhardt family’s caliber, you should bow your head and step aside.”

“Who do you think you are? Does the Federation operate on a class system?”

“Hehe, can’t you take a joke?”

Rustila typically avoided engaging with those she disliked.

But this time, she felt compelled to stand her ground.

It seemed hypocritical to shrink away from a stranger when she had already defied her parents’ wishes.

[…with this, I conclude the student representative’s oath.]

“Oh my.”

Conversely, Zelnya barely paid Rustila any mind. Her attention was primarily fixed on Aidel, still on the podium.

“That place should have been mine…”

Tsk! Zelnya clicked her tongue.

Not only had she been persistently arrogant, but she also harbored significant resentment towards Aidel.

“…”

Rustila silently made a vow.

If this girl caused any trouble for Aidel, she would step in and sharply reprimand her.

“Sigh, dear. We’ve lost her. What should we do now?”

Aida Kersil, Rustila’s mother, tapped her nails anxiously, pressing her husband for an answer.

Her husband, Lloyd Kersil, shared her anxiety.

Their hard-won, only daughter. She was the one destined to inherit the family business. The Kersil family’s legacy couldn’t possibly end with them.

They had meticulously planned everything for her: the perfect career path, the ideal lifestyle, and even the most suitable husband.

“For now… let’s head back home,” Lloyd suggested, taking deep breaths to calm himself. “She’ll have to come back eventually, be it after today’s class assignments or the entrance ceremony.”

“But what if she doesn’t return? What if she claims to stay at a friend’s house as an excuse to book a hotel room…”

“Then we’ll have to discipline her, and it won’t be pleasant.”

Lloyd had, indeed, steeled his heart for this moment.

He was bracing himself for an inevitable confrontation with his daughter, prepared to enforce the family’s expectations, no matter how reluctantly.

Immediately following the entrance ceremony, we were sorted into our respective classes.

The division of classes is determined by the scores on the entrance test.

The highest and lowest scorers are placed in the elite and supplementary classes, respectively, while the rest join the regular classes.

Ceti and I, as scholarship recipients, found ourselves in the elite class. Unfortunately, Rustila didn’t make the cut and was assigned to the supplementary class.

“What a shame.”

“Truly. If only she had done better on the practical test, she could’ve joined us in the elite class.”

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

Ceti chuckled and shot me a knowing glance.

“Ah, this is frustrating.”

Ceti and I were naturally placed in the elite class.

‘She’, too, was entering the elite class…

“You two are always together.”

Zelnya von Adelwein.

Speak of the devil herself.

“Were you born in consecutive years? You siblings seem unusually close.”

She wasted no time in starting her provocations.

“Well, I guess that’s what they mean by ‘birds of a feather flock together.’”

Her skill in provocation is almost admirable. However, her motives are a mystery.

Could it stem from an inferiority complex?

Nevertheless, the best strategy is to ignore her.

“Let’s go sit over there.”

“Good idea.”

We walked past Zelnya and headed to the back of the room.

“Brother, what do you fancy for dinner?”

“I’m craving sushi.”

“…Are you both seriously ignoring me right now?”

She deliberately followed us, adjusting her white scarf and speaking with aggression.

“Am I a joke to you?!”

“What now?”

“I simply cannot fathom how you’re the top student.”

Zelnya, her scarf pulled tight, glared with eyes wide open. Below her broad forehead, her eyes sparkled like radiant grapes.

“You can’t grasp how I’m the top student, can you…”

Ceti and I exchanged a knowing smile.

Zelnya pressed on with her attack.

“Enjoy your moment while it lasts. Luck doesn’t strike twice.”

“Understood.”

“Got it.”

“Do you realize this class is only temporary?”

“Absolutely.”

“We’re aware.”

“The practical test, missed during the entrance evaluation, will soon be upon us.”

“Understood.”

“Got it.”

“Be ready to leave this class when the time comes…”

“You too.”

“Do your best.”

“…”

The united front of the mischievous siblings was unbreakable. No assault could penetrate it. The severely wounded Zelnya quickly retreated.

“It’s because the standards are low.”

That was the official explanation.

“High five.”

Watching Zelnya flee with her cheeks ablaze, we exchanged a casual high five.

This is turning out to be more fun than I anticipated.

Additionally, my skill in reading minds has improved as well. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone.

The information provided has indeed become more detailed.

However, I can’t claim this achievement as entirely my own.

It’s disappointing that it’s actually Cartesia’s ability to observe and, in some instances, manipulate others’ mental states to her liking.

Caution is paramount, even when leveraging such skills.

Amid these reflections, I was engaged in conversation with Ceti.

Suddenly, a surprised gasp followed by the sound of something catching on the threshold interrupted us. Turning around, I saw a girl with dark green bobbed hair, rubbing her waist after having spilled her books.

“Ouch.”

She was even smaller than either Ceti or Zelnya.

Her uniform was too large, with sleeves hanging unevenly. She looked like an elementary school student who had wandered into a high school.

“Really, I knew this would happen!”

Then, another girl entered the scene.

She stood over 175cm tall and appeared so mature that, if not for her uniform, one might mistake her for a teacher.

She swiftly gathered the fallen girl’s books and helped her to her feet.

“Merlin, are you okay?”

“M-my lumbar! I think I sprained my 8th lumbar!”

“That’s why I told you! Let’s carry the books together! Why do you insist on doing too much by yourself…”

“Everyone treats me like a child. I can handle this much on my own!”

By synthesizing their hair color, eye color, physique, and speech patterns, I deduced the identities of the two.

“I am really sorry for causing this disturbance.”

The tall girl repeatedly bowed and apologized.

Her name was ‘Christine Herseth’, and like Kersil, she hailed from a renowned legal family.

Christine was a girl who strove to lead a righteous life as she saw fit.

“Ah!”

Upon making eye contact with me, Christine suddenly pointed an accusing finger.

“You!”

“What, me?”

“Yes, you! You were the one on the podium earlier, right? Your name was…”

“Aidel von Reinhardt.”

“That’s right! Aidel von Reinhardt! The universe’s rascal.”

I sighed.

It would be strange if the daughter of the Herseth family, known for generations of prosecutors, didn’t pick a fight with me.

“I read about your notorious deeds on my way here! You’ve committed more atrocities than I could have imagined. How could someone like you be admitted into such a prestigious academy! And as a top student, no less!?”

“Ah, well…”

“It’s suspicious! It reeks of corruption. Did you bribe the entire school? Or do you have connections with the board chairman? No matter how I think about it, it’s odd. This demands a thorough investigation by the Southern District Prosecutor’s Office…!”

“Try listening when someone is speaking.”

Christine’s rapid-fire accusations were cut short when a man holding a thin blackboard tapped her on the head.

“Ouch! Wh-who are you?”

“Well, who could I be?”

“Ah, could it be… our homeroom teacher?”

“Heh, go ahead and take a seat wherever you like. We’ll start the orientation soon.”

“Understood…”

As if the confrontation had never happened, she bowed deeply and took a seat by the window, far away. The girl with the green bobbed hair, still clutching her waist, groaned beside her.

Click, click.

The man, who had introduced himself as our homeroom teacher, now stood at the front of the classroom, surveying us.

His black hair was slicked back, and he wore sunglasses. A white stick, resembling a cigarette, dangled from his mouth.

Dressed simply in a white shirt and black slacks, his tall stature lent him an overwhelming presence.

Gulp. Several students, myself included, swallowed nervously.

I, too, felt nervous, having had no prior opportunity to learn about our Academia’s homeroom teacher.

But then he began,

“Congratulations on your admission, everyone. My name is Welton Yuseford.”

Upon hearing his name, a sense of dread washed over me.

Damn it, of all people, it had to be him!

“Let’s strive to get along in the upcoming year. While some of us might part ways after the class assignment evaluation, I will continue overseeing this class. I encourage everyone to give their best to avoid being reassigned.”

“Excuse me, I have a question.”

“Yes, what’s your name?”

“I’m Zelnya Adelwein.”

“Go ahead, Adelwein. What would you like to ask?”

Zelnya cast a brief glance at us before proceeding.

“Could you inform us about the topics and the schedule for the reassignment test? Has there been any announcement?”

“Ah, that? I’m not sure.”

The room plunged into a stunned silence.

“You don’t know?”

“Is it going to be a surprise test?”

“Possibly…”

The students reacted in various ways. Some frowned, clearly finding the situation ridiculous, while others nodded, seemingly understanding.

As for me…

I didn’t fall into either category.

“Kuak.”

I found the entire scene amusing and watched with interest.

Then, the door slid open, revealing none other than teacher Kendra Hemington.

She was the mathematics teacher, known not only for her broad range of concerns but also for her dedication. Having been the main proctor in my test room, I recognized her immediately.

Upon spotting the boy at the podium, Kendra narrowed her eyes and inquired,

“Student, why are you at the podium?”

“Ehh.”

Our supposed homeroom teacher—or rather, the student Welton Yuseford—quickly vacated the podium and retreated to a back seat.

It didn’t take long for Zelnya to lose her cool.