Your Student is Incredible (2)
Opportunity cost exists everywhere. Pouring your focus into one research project inevitably steals time from others. It’s the same logic as paying for jajangmyeon and no longer being able to afford jjamppong with that same money. And tonight, I stood at a crossroads of choice.
Midterms are over. How about lunch together?
I have a business trip to the south. How about lunch together?
This was enough to drive a man insane. Professors were people so busy that even a single sandwich felt insufficient to fill the gaps in their schedules. The fact that both had reached out first to set up a meeting meant they each had something important to discuss. It was flattering, but I couldn’t satisfy them both. I only had one body, after all. The dilemma didn’t last long.
“Thank you so much for joining me today, Idel.”
In the end, I chose Professor Stranoff. I’m sorry, Professor Feynman. But there was no other way. To detach the Outer God clinging to Ire as soon as possible, Professor Stranoff’s research was absolutely essential. So this wasn’t betrayal. It was truly unavoidable.
“Shall we head to that restaurant over there?”
“Sounds good.”
I nodded without thinking much of it. By the time I realized it was a trap set by the professor, it was already far too late.
Insane. Why is everything so expensive?
“Don’t feel burdened. Order whatever you like. The meal will be covered by the lab’s entertainment budget anyway.”
“No, it would be better if you saved even a little to add to the research funds…”
“This level of expense is fine. Our lab has plenty of money.”
For a moment, I was at a loss for words. Conversation continued until the food arrived. In the comfortably warm atmosphere, Professor Stranoff finally brought up the main topic.
“Are you still quite close with Professor Feynman?”
“Yes. We don’t interact often, but I consider us close.”
“…You don’t interact often. I see.”
Professor Stranoff gave a subtle nod. “For the master’s program—”
“I’m sorry, Professor. I’d prefer the integrated master’s and doctoral program if possible. I plan to stay at this institution for graduate school.”
I had cut her off preemptively. The professor looked visibly disappointed. It seemed she still had lingering hopes. She regrouped and pressed again.
“Physics is a field where experimentation is crucial, unlike mathematics or philosophy. If you wish, our lab will provide unlimited support for any experiment you want to design.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Professor. Even so, I think I should take more time before choosing a lab.”
“Is that so? That makes sense, doesn’t it? Interests and aptitudes can change over time…!”
A spark of hope flickered in the professor’s eyes. I had only spoken in vague terms.
“What do you think of the resonator research I’m currently conducting? Do you believe it’s progressing well?”
Buoyed by the momentum, she naturally shifted the topic. This was something I had plenty to say about.
“Ordinary mirror materials won’t be able to contain an Outer God’s wavelength.”
“An accurate observation.”
“That’s why I’m examining concrete methods to use ‘crystals’ from Darwin-type Outer Gods as the material.”
“Avatar-grade ones, I presume?”
“Correct.”
“Wouldn’t that still be insufficient?”
“The issue isn’t technical so much as financial. Ordering comfortably from home comes with painfully steep margins.”
I saw the professor’s lips twitch and quickly added, “Even for a well-funded lab, it would be a burdensome purchase.”
“That’s because they’re life-risk allowances. Crystals are crystallized madness; you must be extremely careful when handling them.”
“Yes. In any case, it seems we’ll need to trade directly…”
“That would be quite dangerous.”
Professor Stranoff’s eyes met mine. For a brief instant, my mind went blank. We were currently in the southern region. And Professor Stranoff had mentioned she was here on a business trip. No way.
“Idel, do you have some time?”
She smiled with seductive charm.
Give and take. Once you’ve eaten the meal, you must provide equivalent labor. After reading the room, I eventually followed Professor Stranoff onto a shuttle headed for the southernmost processing facility. The processing facility was exactly what the name implied: a place that cleaned up the filth left behind by Outer Gods.
“Just a month ago, the southern frontier was a land boiling with blood and flesh. A true zone of death. If not for you scientists, we would still be fighting here.”
The swordsman guarding the dock offered us words of gratitude. It was the respect given to scientists. We received a basic briefing.
The army of Darwin led by the Elegant Finale Monarch devoured entire planets using immortal organic matter. The planets corrupted by that invasion turned black and rotten. Sulfur gas instead of oxygen. Smoke instead of grass. Even in this land of death where survival was impossible without protective gear, life still existed. They were complete organisms possessing immortal DNA. When these organisms were processed under heat and pressure, their madness vanished and they transformed into useful crystals.
◈ High strength and hardness
◈ Can surpass diamond performance when processed correctly
◈ Commonly used for cutting tools in industry
“This is a crystal.”
An S-rank swordsman wearing a purple epaulet held up a black crystal for us to see.
“We’re looking for one with high reflectivity. Preferably avatar-grade or higher.”
“We do have some. However…”
The swordsman’s following words carried a heavy tone. It was a crystal obtained at the cost of a Great Omega swordsman’s life, one who had once formed the Virgo constellation among the twelve zodiacs.
“It is transparent like glass and pure like virginity. Therefore, we decided to call this crystal by this name.”
Virgo. Its size alone spanned dozens of meters.
“That would be more than enough to coat a resonator generously.”
“It’s the perfect material for creating a resonance mirror, Idel.”
I felt a thrill run through me. Professor Stranoff likely felt the same.
“However, there is a problem. Since it is essentially that person’s legacy, the members of her former unit are opposing its sale. It would be best if you could discuss the matter with them directly…”
I glanced at Professor Stranoff. She lifted her chin and nodded.
“Very well. Where are they?”
“This is something Captain Lasella sacrificed her life to obtain! We absolutely cannot allow it to be sold!”
“That’s right! It’s practically a memento!”
“If it were to be placed in a museum, maybe, but we cannot permit it to be used for scientific research…!”
It had begun. The sweet-potato moment. I stepped forward to persuade them, but it was useless. Listening closely, these people carried a strong undertone of eastern indigenous faith. The souls of the dead are guided to the constellations, engraved into the remnants of Outer Gods, and so on and so forth. I was certain I had read about such a religion in a novel once. The details were fuzzy. All I felt was frustration. Damn it. I couldn’t exactly smack these swordsmen over the head with a caliper.
— The God of Wisdom and Curiosity slumps her shoulders.
Keep your monkey paws to yourself. No matter what, I didn’t want to borrow Cartesia’s help for something like this. I intended to try everything possible as a human being.
At that moment, Professor Stranoff gently placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Idel, let me handle this.”
She stepped forward. The swordsmen still looked uncomfortable.
“How much?”
“Like I said, we won’t sell it no matter how much you offer.”
“Would it be possible to sell even a small fragment?”
“What nonsense are you saying! This crystal is no different from Lady Lasella’s very soul!”
“Hmm, this is troublesome.”
“Look, I don’t know how much you have, but even if you offered a hundred billion credits, we have no intention of selling.”
A hundred billion. That was half the price of the Southern Holy Sanctuary I had purchased. I couldn’t help but snort. Professor Stranoff did the same.
“Hmmm. Then how about one trillion credits?”
“O-one trillion?”
“Don’t joke around. Do you even have that kind of money?”
“I’ll say it again. Even if you offered that much, not a single speck…”
“Two trillion.”
“……”
“Three trillion. Shall we settle the deal around here?”
They stared blankly, then flushed red and stubbornly held their ground. It was their final pride.
“How much do you think our loyalty to the captain is worth——!!”
“Okay, five trillion.”
“……”
“Everyone, you aren’t thinking something like ‘She doesn’t actually have the money and is just testing us with a bluff,’ are you? We may be meeting for the first time, but if that’s what you’re thinking, I, Stranoff, would be quite disappointed.”
The swordsmen fell silent. Quick common-sense reminder: the Stranoff family stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Adelwein and Rheinlant families as one of the federation’s top ten houses.
Received 1 Trillion Credits
“Kalis, my light, my soul, my flame.”
They said nothing more.
“Your Grace, I will now leave the order and return to a secular life.”
They claimed it was simply to honor their promise to their captain. I had provided everything from Gold Zone subscriptions to child-rearing expenses.
“Professor, I wish you fruitful research.”
In that moment, I realized it. So this was the power of capital. This was the difference between labs.
Professor Stranoff loaded the Virgo crystal into the cargo hold, then looked at me with a dignified gaze. I didn’t know why, but she looked truly magnificent.
“Idel.”
She placed a hand on my shoulder and spoke.
“Shall we go do some research now?”
I had no choice but to move like a grain of sand swept away by the waves…