Episode 55

The day after all the midterm tests had ended, the school buzzed with anticipation.

With swift administrative processing, report cards were issued immediately, and students emerged one by one to check their standings.

Zelnya did not come to school today.

“Is this right?” one student asked.

“I roughly calculated, and it seems about right,” another replied.

Since the era of displaying rankings on the blackboard had ended, we had no choice but to reveal our ranks to each other for direct comparison.

If we continued to match them, it would be as follows:

There were gaps here and there, but it was fun to match these as well.

“Aidel, Ceti. Look at this!” Rustila exclaimed, revealing her report card with a bright smile.

“Wow,” Aidel said, impressed.

“Isn’t that just on the edge of a merit scholarship?” Ceti asked, examining the card closely.

We couldn’t help but be surprised. The classmates who heard what Ceti said also started looking our way, their conversations abruptly halting.

“Rank 10 has come, rank 10!”

It was the moment when Rustila’s name was etched into the students’ notebooks.

“That girl, she’s quite something.”

Some had subtly looked down on Rustila for coming from a lower class. Finally, those disdainful gazes began to subside.

“The newspaper club is also excited.”

“What for?”

“Look at this.”

Ceti showed me the school website on her tablet.

It was a popular section that introduced notable figures at the school.

The article detailed the process and analysis of Rustila’s victory over Zelnya.

The match between the two was filled with gripping intensity for those who watched. Especially at the end, the sword energy that Kersil had released, pouring out two streams of starlight, was bound to draw admiration from all those present.

According to an Omega-grade swordsman, what Miss Kersil demonstrated was ‘Multi Star Sword Energy.’

“What’s Multi Star Sword Energy?” Ceti asked.

“It’s a method of drawing sword energy from multiple constellations,” I explained.

“But Rustila only has one sponsor,” Ceti pointed out.

“Probably a nearby star lent its power for a moment,” I speculated.

When Rustila extracted the Dual Star Sword Energy, like pulling out a stick of sugar candy, I thought I was aging ten years at that moment. How was she using that technique now?

In fact, it was a question that could be quickly answered with a little thought.

What the hell is this Outer God thinking?

“Ai-Aidel!” At that moment, Rustila raised her voice and called out to me.

“Would you like to go out for dinner later? It’s on me this time,” Rustila offered, a rarity for someone who seldom initiated plans for meals out. It was a familiar suggestion, given that Ceti, Rustila, and I often dined together.

I was about to propose a celebratory dinner for the three of us when I noticed Ceti’s discomfort.

She rubbed her waist gently, and her eyelids drooped slightly. “Ah, sorry, both of you. I have some urgent business today.”

“Then I will also…” I began, hoping to reschedule.

“It looks like it’s just the two of you tonight. Don’t worry about me. Just enjoy yourselves,” Ceti interrupted, giving us a reassuring pat on the shoulders before heading off to the cafeteria for an early lunch.

As the classroom buzzed with discussions about the test results, Rustila and I were left facing each other in an awkward silence.

“…….”

“…….”

I’m not usually oblivious to social cues, but the sudden shift in plans left me feeling somewhat uneasy. Despite our closeness, Rustila and I hadn’t spent much time alone together, and the prospect was unexpectedly daunting.

“…Aidel,” Rustila finally broke the silence, her voice softer than usual.

Just then, my phone vibrated. “Sorry, just a moment…” I muttered, grateful for the brief interruption.

Rustila nodded understandingly as I checked the message—it was an email from the school’s communication system.

Ah, damn it.

After reading the email, I slowly lifted my head.

“Is something wrong?”

“No. It’s nothing.”

“I didn’t get to finish asking earlier. Do you have any favorite foods or a particular restaurant you’d like to go to?”

Rustila asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Several options sprang to mind, but it wasn’t easy to choose on the spot.

I can only have dinner with one person tonight.

Rustila.

Or the Professor.

Considering the long-term benefits, it’s in my best interest to maintain a good relationship with Rustila. If I take care of her well, she could reach Omega grade even before graduating from college. Of course, there’s always time to celebrate these achievements later. But the atmosphere, or mood, matters too.

Today presents an excellent opportunity to quickly deepen my bond with Rustila. However, my time is limited as I plan to skip the second year of Academia and enter college early. But there’s another compelling opportunity on the horizon.

If I manage to meet Professor Feynman, I could start writing my first research paper immediately. It’s not just a possibility; it’s nearly a certainty. Which physics student wouldn’t jump at the chance to have Feynman as their advisor? My heart leans more towards working with the Professor, especially considering the topics we’d explore together are likely to pave the way for the discovery of Gravitons. This breakthrough could challenge the Outer Gods themselves.

To pass up or delay this chance?

“…….”

I was caught in a dilemma.

This indecision won’t do.

I need to fully engage my mind to make a decision.

Beneath the glow of an elegant chandelier, a boy and a girl sat opposite each other, a pristine white table between them. The girl, clad in the neat attire typical of a student, possessed a gaze as clear and captivating as a polished jewel. Her platinum hair flowed softly, casting an enchanting spell likely to captivate many.

Her beauty was the kind that could ensnare the soul if one dared to look too long.

“Are you really going to pay for this?” she asked.

“It’s a significant day for you. As your friend, it’s only right that I treat you,” he replied.

“Friend…” Rustila murmured, her smile tinged with both joy and sadness, its true meaning elusive.

As the elegant lighting enhanced their surroundings, course after course was served: steak, a selection of salads, and, since I was still underage, grape juice in place of wine.

“Aidel likes places like this, huh?” Rustila commented, her eyes sparkling under the light.

“It has a certain ambiance,” I replied, slicing into my steak while facing Rustila, who radiated a brilliance akin to the sun.

“Wow, this pumpkin porridge is delicious. Isn’t it too good to be just an appetizer?”

“Then, shall we order two more?”

“Yes. I’d like that.”

After finishing the steak preparation, Rustila responded and reached under the tablecloth again.

Tap, tap, tap.

“Your additional order of pumpkin porridge is ready.”

“Wow, thank you.”

“Enjoy your meal.”

“Yes.”

I took another spoonful of the pumpkin porridge. Rustila shivered first. It was so smoothly made that not a single lump could be detected.

Delicious things are bound to be expensive.

It was time to move on to the main course.

As I cut the pre-sliced steak into smaller portions and dipped it into the rich sauce, a surge of pleasure shot through my taste buds and zipped down my nervous system.

“Ah.”

After a few bites, I noticed something off about Rustila’s usually impeccable knife skills.

“Didn’t you have amazing skills in slicing steak?”

“Uh, yeah. But this isn’t going well. Strangely…”

Whether her skills had deteriorated or the steak was unusually tough, she struggled to slice through the thick meat. It was quite amusing to watch. Seeing her struggle, I couldn’t help but smile.

“Total disaster.”

“Hey. That’s too harsh.”

“Should I do it for you?”

“…Would you really?”

As I nodded, Rustila’s face lit up. I took over, expertly maneuvering a fork and a fresh knife through her steak.

“It’s done.”

“Thank you!”

Rustila laughed heartily, taking a big bite of her now properly sliced steak. Meanwhile, I tapped a message with my left hand.

“Ah, this is really delicious. It feels like my tongue is melting with the food.”

She blinked her eyelashes and touched her flushed cheeks. Her charm was undeniable, almost too much for someone like me to be alone with. Feeling somewhat out of my depth, I dipped my steak deeply into the sauce and brought it to my mouth.

“Mmm.”

It melted instantly, like a snowflake on the tongue.

I continued multitasking through the meal, hoping to effectively manage both my dinner with Rustila and my discussion with Professor Feynman.

“Yum, delicious!”

I alternated between eating and typing.

I kept the conversation going with the Professor.

The discussion deepened.

And then,

I dipped my steak again.

“Hey, Aidel.”

“Are you listening to me?”