Drifting(2)

This is Estelle’s father.

I looked at the remains with a slightly complicated state of mind.

It wasn’t that he was shocked or anything, but it was because Terreon’s intentions were questioned.

“Then, wouldn’t it be right to hold a funeral even more?”

“If it was normal, it would have been.”

His senile gaze contained the remains of the constellation Faelan.

“It’s not that I don’t want to take my son’s body with my own hands.”

“then.”

“It’s for Estelle. I don’t want her to be shaken.”

He was just concerned.

If she sees her father’s corpse, I’m afraid that Estelle’s heart, which she’s been holding on to, will be shaken again.

“Did you know? Estelle is about to face the test of Ascension.”

“You mean Estelle?”

“Yes. I benefited a lot from you.”

When I visited the record through Heritage.

Estelle was then contacted by the Singularity, and her wish led to a ‘contract,’ he explained.

“Hey. Do you know how Helios raises the ‘Constellation’?”

“Well, I don’t know the details. I’m not even curious.”

Matters concerning ‘Constellation Awakening’ are confidential among secrets, and it is something that only comes into contact with the skin in the third year anyway.

As a freshman in charge, it was something I had no reason to know or need to know.

But Terreon didn’t think so, so he told me what was a ‘black’ secret.

“At the end of Constellation Awakening, a ‘qualified’ child enters the record and begins with a ‘singularity’ selection.”

“If you qualify…”

“It’s about the size of your hopes and beliefs.”

Will enough to awaken the Singularity’s choice.

The conditions for becoming a Constellation are determined by factors that, ironically, have nothing to do with grades.

It’s something you have to realize yourself, and Helios’ education is nothing more than a process of honing that ‘will’.

That was the reason why the official name of this academy was ‘Cadet Academy’.

Excluding the few who will reach the Constellation, raising the rest as future strength.

It was because it was a school with a basic premise.

“Usually, in the course of three years, the will is awakened, but this was not the case with Estelle.”

“I see. If you were chosen by the Singularity, that will must have already been completed.”

“That’s right. He has to take the test now.”

A test of ascension to soar as a ‘star’.

Only then did I understand why I hadn’t seen Estelle in a while.

“You understand now. I fear that my granddaughter’s will will be cracked by seeing her father’s body.”

“·······.”

“That child’s talent shines through. I’m sure he will be able to overcome the trials given by the test with confidence. But…”

he swallowed his saliva.

The experience of losing her family at a young age must have settled in her heart as a deep wound.

It is said that he has overcome it to some extent now, but if he sees his family’s corpses again, the scars might open.

And the open wound was something that might work as a ‘failure factor’ in the test.

“I… don’t want to repeat the tragedies of the past. I lost my son and daughter-in-law, but I can’t lose my granddaughter.”

Of course, the safest way to protect Estelle was to keep her from becoming a Constellation.

But that was something the Constellations leading the family wouldn’t tolerate.

No matter how much he is a householder, he cannot disobey the will of ‘the founder Renoir’, so he took the next best course of action by excluding elements that would shake Estelle’s heart.

Even if that means giving up the body of his dead son.

“So please. You’re the only one who can trust me with a job like this.”

Trust enough to entrust your dead son.

Building that kind of relationship was certainly encouraging, but not very pleasant.

Rather, only bitter feelings were buried in the bottom of his heart.

I couldn’t reap the end of a precious person with my own hands, because I was the same.

“Okay. I will.”

“Thank you. Then…”

“However, the investment is also unnecessary.”

Again, I’m not short of money.

In addition to the 240 million shillings already secured, profits are steadily accruing and increasing in size.

I had no intention of taking an undeserved advantage from this work.

“…You give up a considerable amount of gain. Are you not greedy?”

I shook my head.

Anyway, just disposing of the remains would bring me enormous profits.

Being invested in it was unacceptable in my convictions.

I wouldn’t have known if it was a different situation, but I’m Estelle’s ‘teacher’.

“Did you have a good feeling about it? Looking at what you did for Estelle.”

“Not for Estelle.”

“Then what is it for?”

“…for the sake of the disciple.”

If it was for Estelle, there was no reason to go this far.

But if that’s my ‘disciple’.

If you are a disciple who must lead you on the right path.

The ‘correct’ to which my convictions point would say that this is what it should be.

“Thank you.”

“It was nothing.”

Then, leaving Terreon behind, I looked at Faelan’s remains.

Watching him with his eyes closed as if he was asleep, I felt intuition.

Perhaps I won’t be able to get rid of these remains intact.

For the future that you don’t know when it will be.

I probably should have kept these remains.

‘I’m sorry.’

I apologized softly to Thereon.

this is the right way

Because I know the regret of not being able to reap the one I love.

I don’t want to pass it on to my pupil.

“Please take responsibility and leave it to me.”

I wanted to give my student a life without regrets.

*

When I returned to the office, Encia was alone waiting for me.

Adeline said she was away for a while because she had work to do.

I also tried to start work right away because there was still work left, but it was delayed for a while.

It was because Ansia had requested counseling.

“What.”

“Ahahahaha… that’s it…”

However, even after applying for an interview, she was unable to speak easily.

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Just as he was about to get annoyed after hesitating for over 5 minutes, Encia struggled to open her mouth.

“Ho, by any chance… do you know about the ‘Divine Contract’!?”

“know.”

A ritual that can be performed only once in a lifetime by angels, which dramatically strengthens angels and contractees.

If this cannot be established, the angels will not be able to handle the accumulated holy power within their bodies, and will die prematurely before reaching adulthood.

“Didn’t you tell me?”

“Ahahahaha… that, it was!”

But is there a need to tremble like that?

As I looked at it questionably, I remembered what she had said to me before.

The time when Ensia was staying in the winter forest.

She said she was looking for the owner of the heart in the winter forest.

In the end, it turned out that the owner was me, but after that, I remembered that Encia’s attitude toward me had changed considerably, and I looked at her with narrowed eyes and said.

“Do you really want to make that contract with me?”

“······!”

His shoulders trembled as if he had been stabbed in the face.

Besides, I don’t know why, but my face turned red like a carrot.

If you’re going to be so ashamed, why the hell did you bring up the story?

“M-That’s right! hahahaha! The professor has a good touch~”

“Hmm.”

“So, what do you think, Professor?”

Encia looked at me with a nervous face.

divine contract.

Of course, it is a coveted condition.

According to what I’ve heard, the power brought by the contract raises the contractee to a position similar to that of a constellation.

I couldn’t do anything that didn’t appeal to me.

but.

“It’s not a matter to be discussed so lightly.”

A divine contract can only be concluded once in a lifetime by angels.

In other words, it is no different from making a seal of a ‘companion’ that will be with you for the rest of your life.

It was a very, very burdensome condition for me.

That kiang and a lifetime of…

The imagining was terrifying, so I shook my head.

“Kuhmm… I, if you’re thinking about the age difference… Chew, it’s okay because angels live long anyway!”

“I’m burdened. I don’t even want to.”

“ah···.”

Ensia let out a low sigh, then drooped her shoulders with a downcast face.

That figure was somewhat desolate, so I added my words with a sigh.

“Did your family make it?”

“My mother asked me to, but…”

It seems that the family also came out with words.

It was a word that made me feel uncomfortable as well.

As I was about to raise my watch to say something, she hurriedly waved her hand.

“Ah! But I said I would too! Because I wanted to!”

“·······.”

Even if I said that because my face was red, it wouldn’t be persuasive.

I’m not lying, so it’s true that there was an intention, but…

Whoa… I let out a sigh that leaked out from within.

“An important bond is a law that you should make a relationship with someone who means a lot to you.”

“···Yeah?”

“Find someone who can give you as much as you give. Finding someone you can relate to and bond with is first. Not someone like me.”

“·······.”

“It’s right to take the time to look far away, not to think about such things in haste.”

A relationship that lacks give and take will only leave scars on one side.

I’m sure, even if I sign a contract, I won’t be able to see the other person as more than a ‘contract’.

It might be okay now, but it was clear that someday it would hurt Ensia.

I wasn’t foolish enough to take power even though I was aware of the predestined catastrophe, and I wasn’t so shameless as to use my pupils just for the sake of power.

“There will surely be a meaningful relationship, so be patient and search for it. Tell Princess Helena that too.”

“Yes, yes…”

“Then get out now. Get business training from Adeline.”

I issued an order to stop.

This was enough for consultation, and I have a lot of work.

For some reason, Ensia, with a hazy and flushed face, left the office with her head bowed.

*

That night.

In the middle of the night when complete darkness has fallen, only the lights in the office are brightly lit.

The time is already 3 in the morning.

It wasn’t until the middle of the night, when everyone was asleep and only the moon was shining, that my day’s work was over.

“I will soon die of overwork.”

When the lecture starts, there will be more work.

Even if Encia comes in as an intern, there is a high probability that she will not be able to handle it.

Is it better to hire more people?

Since the undergraduate course is over anyway, there will be a lot of talented people to bring.

Finding the right person is just a bit of a problem…

At the moment I let out a low sigh as I was tidying up my desk, a sudden wind blew through my hair.

“It’s a big deal.”

I felt a presence that was not there by the window of the office.

I welcomed her with familiar energy without looking back.

“What is it, Laniakea?”

“Whoa. Do you know without seeing now?”

I raised my head and looked at her.

A silvery woman sitting on a window sill with her back to the moonlight.

With that splendidly beautiful figure, her finely folded eyes smiled at me.

“It’s not mental control… is it okay to descend?”

“Yes. Abanrat is fine.”

As I’ve said before, the descent of the Constellation itself puts a burden on that dimension.

In particular, the constellation of a supreme deity like Laniakea is enough to damage the world just by descending, so unless it is a special environment like the ‘Altar of Stars’, there are restrictions on incarnation.

Except for exceptional cases such as records, there were not many opportunities to see constellations in my dimension.

“The power of the late Lord Faelan sustains this place, so Avanrat is exceptionally one of the few worlds where I can descend.”

“okay.”

How competent this nobleman is even after death.

It’s to the point where I have a crush on him, whom I’ve never had a conversation with.

I engraved another value of Avanrat into my memory.

Meanwhile, Laniakea came down from the window sill and approached me.

Little white bare feet stomped on the tile and made a thud.

“Did I interfere with your work?”

“It’s over. And, your visit is always welcome.”

“Whoops… I heard that the boss who visits often isn’t popular?”

“It’s fine with you.”

I took off my mask and put my hat on the desk.

It was because he decided to reveal his face only when he met her exceptionally.

Because she deserves such an example.

“Rather, I don’t usually see them, but if Avantrat is okay, you can come often.”

“is that so?”

Her eyes, round like the moon, held an unexpected light.

Maria used to make that kind of expression when she was surprised, but it seems that the term twins is correct.

It was all the more so today, perhaps because the wings and rings were hidden.

“then···.”

I said while clearing the desk.

“Is there anything else you want me to do?”

“···Yes, that is correct.”

She smiled bitterly as if she was sorry.

“Do you remember the theory Prof. Lafless put forward at the Picatinny Society?”

“You mean the Divine Equation?”

“Yes.”

divinity equation.

In other words, it is a theoretical formula that artificially generates ‘sacred power’, the power of the constellation.

At the time of the Picatinny Conference, there was an anecdote in which I supplemented and completed the theory on the spot after seeing Professor Lapless’s theory.

‘The thing at that time is still mysterious.’

As soon as I saw the formula, I was forcibly connected to the core of the record… the ‘singularity’ power.

Originally, theories that I would not have known at all are established in my head, and the sense of automatically coming up with an answer.

It was a terrifying experience for me too.

“It seems to be related to the military’s ‘Artificial Constellation’ project.”

“That’s right. Now that the issue of holy power has been resolved, it’s time to create the ‘source’ that will serve as the skeleton.”

“Are you entrusting it to me?”

“Yeah… When I think of the right person who is that outstanding, I can only think of Eugene-sama.”

The root can be said to be the basis for the existence of a constellation as a constellation.

From what I heard, I knew that the ‘hope’ I had at the moment of awakening was solidified as a source.

It was understandable to make it as it was an essential element of a constellation, but it was a little ironic that the person talking about it was the same constellation.

Wouldn’t it be right to dislike it if someone artificially created a being like himself?

“No. Rather, it was the Constellation that initiated this project.”

“Can you tell me why?”

“…the test of ascension is too inefficient.”

She explained it succinctly.

The process of ascension is inefficient and cumbersome.

So, it was decided that it would be more efficient to create artificially.

That’s why I started this project, where you can become a Constellation without taking a test…

she explained.

“…for that reason.”

Even so, for some reason, Laniakea avoided my gaze.

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Just as I was about to question it, she handed me the relevant documents with a benevolent smile again.

The neatly arranged documents were full of neat words, and the handwriting was round.

“These are the materials I received from Professor Lapless and organized in my own way.”

“Thank you. By the way, it’s cursive… did you write it yourself?”

“Yeah!”

Then he smiled and nodded his head.

Even if you look at it roughly, it’s over 50 pages, but it’s all written by hand…

“Why don’t you use the printing press?”

“I don’t know how to write.”

“···Yes?”

“That’s because I don’t know how to use artifacts well…”

“·······.”

She shyly covered one cheek and averted my gaze.

…Is it a mechanical level in terms of Earth?

It was a bit unexpected for me because I thought he would be good at anything.

Even so, it would have been enough to use magic or engrave words with holy power.

When I answered that, she glared at me with pouty eyes.

“It’s for Eugene, so I wanted to write it myself.”

“Is that so.”

He sighed and put the papers in.

“Your handwriting is beautiful.”

“Is that so? Huhu…”

Feeling relieved in an instant, she smiled softly.

Oh, he was someone who knew how to smile beautifully.

“It’s going to take a while, but I’ll do it as soon as possible.”

“···Yeah.”

I was about to leave the office with my head down, but Laniakea still didn’t leave and muttered.

Is there anything left to say?

As she tried to stand still, she opened her squirming mouth and continued talking with a bit of difficulty.

“Eugene-sama… are you satisfied with your current life?”

“If you’re satisfied?”

“I was wondering if there were any complaints… or things that made me angry.”

It was a bit of an odd question.

Is it a job satisfaction survey?

I think it’s a bit too much to have to wait for a year for something like that.

“If you think about working more than 7 days a week without weekends, there are no complaints at all.”

“Ah…that, that’s…”

Her silver eyes lost their way and wandered.

It was the first time I’d seen Laniakea flustered, so I burst into laughter.

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault, is it?”

Most of my workload is work created by the military or myself.

Conferences, papers, consortiums, rotation kits and more.

It’s true that she wanted to help Laniakea, but looking at the culprit itself, she did nothing wrong because she did it herself.

“I just want to thank you for giving me a chance.”

And this is my sincerity.

A second chance I wouldn’t have had if it wasn’t for her.

Being able to spend such a fulfilling time was all possible because Raniakea saved me.

If I were to think about it now, the only feelings I had for her were favor and gratitude.

“is that so.”

However, upon hearing the answer, Raniakea was not very happy.

Rather, it seemed even more downcast.

The darkened complexion and slightly trembling shoulders were similar to those of a person who is anxious.

“Laniakea?”

“Ah…! It’s nothing. Thanks for the answer.”

But that expression was quickly erased.

I was a little puzzled by the difficult smile, but since he didn’t say anything, I decided to move on.

I bowed like that and was about to leave the office.

Her hand grabbed my collar.

“Eugene.”

“Yes.”

warble.

The lost eyes wandered left and right.

I just stared curiously into her quivering silver eyes.

“that···.”

After a long pause, she swallowed dry saliva and raised her head.

Late at night, with her back against the bright moonlight, she smiled with difficulty as she said.

“Would you like to stay with me tonight?”

“·······.”

An unexpected, unexpected request from me.

If it was someone else, I would have rejected it like a knife…

Seeing her weak side for the first time, I couldn’t resist.

I nodded softly.