"Professor. We have somewhere to be, so we'll be back at the research lab a little later."
"Pardon? Somewhere to be? Senior and me? Where would we possibly... mmmph!"
Had walking with me become that uncomfortable?
The doctoral research student covered the puzzled master's research student's mouth and dragged him away somewhere.
I had assumed they would join in if research on this body's Ether proceeded, but seeing them run off like that made me realize my prediction had been wrong.
'Well, it doesn't matter. Even if they're research students, they're still students in the end. Isn't the professor's help what really matters?'
Their departure wasn't particularly important to me, and Professor Radvisin seemed to think the same.
As soon as we arrived at the research lab, the professor gathered all the papers I had been reading, the table of contents I had written, and the papers where I had jotted down keywords.
Then he headed into the private room at the back of the research lab and told me to follow him.
"Please sit here for a moment."
Professor Radvisin seated me in front of him and began rummaging through the stack of papers he had collected.
As I sat there idly watching him, a sense of drowsy boredom began creeping over me.
Especially since I had just eaten lunch, and the sound of rustling paper was incredibly soothing.
At this rate, I felt like I might yawn or doze off in my seat.
So just as I was about to ask if I could have another cup of coffee—
"Excellent! There are some inefficient parts, but for a first attempt, this is quite impressive."
Professor Radvisin looked up from the stack of papers with a satisfied smile and met my eyes.
I knew the polite response was to say thank you, but for some reason, my lips wouldn't part.
An inexplicable sense of foreboding held me back.
Fortunately, Professor Radvisin didn't point it out and continued speaking.
"Student Karvaldr, did you know? While you're still in the undergraduate program, you can't 'officially' choose an advisor professor, but 'unofficially,' it's possible."
"...And later, I would continue through my master's and doctoral programs under you, Professor?"
"As expected of student Karvaldr, your comprehension is excellent!"
Professor Radvisin even clapped his hands as if in admiration.
For some reason, it felt like I could hear a voice saying, 'You are perfectly suited to become my research student.'
Only a few hours ago, I had resolved that in this world full of haphazard settings, I absolutely had to avoid becoming a scholar.
'But he wants me to become a research student? Under a professor researching Ether colors and attributes, which the original author admitted he determines by spinning a roulette wheel?'
Absolutely not.
No matter what, I had to refuse.
But I couldn't openly show my dislike.
Because I needed Professor Radvisin's help.
The research he was currently conducting was meaningless as it stood, so I was skeptical about whether I could really learn a new Ether ability through his help.
Still, it was too early to give up hope.
'And since he's in charge of the Ether Attribute Enhancement course, he can definitely help strengthen the buff ability this body already possesses.'
After considerable deliberation, I reached a conclusion.
I would refuse, but leave room for possibility.
Then Professor Radvisin would become even more eager and try helping me in various ways.
Whether that involved discovering a new Ether attribute or strengthening my existing one.
"I am grateful for the offer, but I am still a first-year student. For now, I want to gain experience by learning a variety of things."
"Ah, experience. That's right, experience is very important. For a scholar, experience is an extremely valuable asset."
"Then I'll trust that you understand my intentions...?"
"Yes, you may trust this professor."
Could I really trust him?
I remained rather skeptical.
But I was the one who had intentionally decided to leave room.
I could clearly see the determination in the professor's expression, as if he were saying, 'I will definitely make you my research student,' but I decided to pretend not to notice and move on.
"More importantly, don't you have something you wanted to ask me?"
"Oh my, I haven't even asked why you came to the research lab, have I, student Karvaldr? I have a rough idea, but procedures are important, so let me ask properly. What brings you here?"
"As you may have guessed, Professor, I came to ask for help with a problem regarding my Ether attribute, but..."
"But? Is there a problem?"
"...Aren't you going to ask about the rumors?"
On the way back to the research lab, Professor Radvisin had clearly stated his position.
He would confirm whether the rumors were true, and if they were, he would ask why I had done such things before helping me.
But the professor had skipped that entire process and even suddenly offered me a research student position.
'If he's simply willing to overlook the possessed body's past actions, then that's good for me, but...'
For some reason, it displeased me.
I wondered whether he was willing to cover for a perpetrator's wrongdoings simply because the student's future was bright and full of potential, despite the existence of victims.
So even though I knew this was what people called a "sweet potato act," I couldn't stop myself from asking pointedly.
"Hahaha, I simply didn't think it was necessary."
"Pardon...?"
"Didn't student Karvaldr admit # Nоvеlight # with his own mouth that he 'committed acts deserving criticism'? And now you've brought up the subject first with such a troubled expression. In my eyes, student Karvaldr already seems to be reflecting sufficiently on his past. Am I mistaken?"
He was mistaken.
The one who committed the "acts deserving criticism" was the original Karvaldr, while I was merely a third party possessing his body.
Karvaldr wasn't even a character I had created.
So why should I reflect on his actions?
'But I can't reveal that, so if he's misunderstanding the situation, I'm grateful.'
I lowered my head so this complicated feeling wouldn't show on my face.
Mistaking my reaction for guilt, the professor gently patted my shoulder and spoke softly.
"Did you apologize?"
"I plan to apologize to my fiancée soon, and I've already apologized to the other one."
"How did that friend react?"
"He's not a friend, but... he seemed willing to forgive me and move on."
"Then he's a good friend!"
"No, he's a good person, not a friend."
Despite my insistence that he wasn't a friend, Professor Radvisin let out another warm "hahaha."
It seemed that in his eyes, I looked like an honest but socially awkward child.
"Now then, shall we finally discuss student Karvaldr's goal? Is it to ask for help manifesting the poison ability, the Ether attribute of the Austri family?"
"That's my second choice."
"Hmm?"
Now that the subject had changed, I no longer needed to keep my head lowered and pretend to feel guilty.
When I cautiously raised my head, I saw a puzzled look on the professor's face.
Then, the moment our eyes met, a sudden realization escaped his lips.
"Ah! Could it be that you can also use Sky Blue Ether? Is that why you came to me? To learn about that Ether attribute or strengthen it?"
"I've only considered the possibility, so I tried searching for related cases in the library. But there are too many books related to Ether, and it seemed like it would take a long time to find anything. And even if I did find a similar case, that alone wouldn't enable me to use Sky Blue Ether, would it?"
"So you came to consult me, an expert. An excellent decision. Books can teach many things, but if you don't know which book contains the information you need, then for the time being, you gain nothing from them. In such cases, the correct answer is to consult someone who has accumulated extensive knowledge and information over many years."
Professor Radvisin nodded to himself as he spoke.
Seeing that, I couldn't help harboring a faint glimmer of hope.
As my hands unconsciously clenched atop my knees, a smile formed on Professor Radvisin's lips.
"Was it about thirty years ago? An academic journal dealing exclusively with Ether attributes published a story about someone born with dual-colored eyes. Like you, student Karvaldr, he was initially only able to use one type of Ether."
That was phrased in the past tense.
Which meant he had later become capable of using both types of Ether.
"Do you know who that person was and where he might be living now?"
"If you're hoping to seek advice from him, I'm afraid that's impossible. At the time, he was already over eighty years old, so he has likely passed away by now."
The hope that had swelled moments earlier instantly shriveled.
The fact that he had been over eighty when he learned to use his second Ether, and that the person capable of explaining how it happened was now dead.
All of it was deeply disappointing.
"But don't lose hope. The circumstances under which he became capable of using his second Ether were also documented in that academic journal."
Professor Radvisin stood and approached the bookshelf covering one wall of the room.
After carefully examining the shelves, he pulled out a very old-looking journal.
"The future advances through the past, which is why I collect academic journals instead of throwing them away. I also reread them from time to time."
As he handed me the journal from more than thirty years ago, Professor Radvisin gave me a benevolent smile.
In that moment, he looked genuinely respectable.
If only the topic he was currently researching weren't the "correlation between Ether colors and attributes," I might have immediately begged him to accept me as a research student.
"You'll understand once you read it, but he became capable of perceiving his second Ether after exhausting all of his existing Ether and entering a state of complete depletion. It's dangerous, so don't attempt it alone. Let's do it together."
"Yes...! Thank you!"
There was no reason to refuse when he was guaranteeing my safety.
As I carefully accepted the old journal and expressed my gratitude, I could hear the excitement in my own voice.
I still didn't know the attribute of the Sky Blue Ether.
But gaining another ability would surely be useful somehow.
"Let's head home for today and meet again tomorrow."
It seemed he had noticed that I was eager to read the journal immediately.
Professor Radvisin grasped the doorknob to the research lab and said his farewell.
But instead of opening the door immediately, he turned around and suddenly asked a question.
"Ah, right. Are you okay with the rumors?"
"Pardon?"
"I'm talking about the people saying bad things about you, student Karvaldr."
I wondered why he had brought up a subject that should already have passed.
By now, the research students had probably returned to the lab.
He must have been worried that I had been hurt by what they said.
"I have to accept it. It's not like they're making things up, right? And if I think of my past self from last semester and my current self as different people, then there's nothing to feel hurt about."
"But that doesn't change the fact that those cruel words are still directed at you, does it?"
"......"
I hadn't expected to hear something like that, so I was left speechless.
"Anyway, I'm glad to hear you're okay. But if you stop being okay later, please come talk to me anytime."
"...Yes, thank you."
Professor Radvisin opened the door, and I quickly passed by him into the research lab.
I was about to leave immediately, but this time, the two research students blocked my path.
Their arms were overflowing with bread and snack bags.
