Chapter 51

Chapter 51

“My specialization is computational physics, you know,” Iruki began, his eyes reflecting deep thought. “When you consider the scale, speed, and form of what you experienced, it’s impossible to observe such phenomena anywhere but in space. The numbers are just too vast to be realized on our continent.”

“But how could I have dreamed that?” Sirone interjected, perplexed. “If it’s a case of psychological regression, that implies memories, right? But I’ve never been to space.”

“It’s possible. You don’t need to physically travel to space to have memories of it, according to what Nade said.”

“Extrasensory perception...” Sirone mused aloud.

Nade nodded. “Yeah. In the soul ionization experiment with the inmate, the subject remained aware of global affairs even in an unconscious state. This suggests information was obtained by transcending time and space. Extrasensory perception differs from the field of paranormal science. Accessing information from all around the world simultaneously would only be possible if souls were akin to pigeons, freely traversing the globe. However, if ionization causes quantum phenomena, then transcending space and time becomes possible.”

Iruki agreed. “In the microscopic world, where particles are lighter than electrons, things happen that defy human understanding. You can’t simultaneously observe and measure. It’s all defined by probability. It would be like trying to pinpoint the location of a vibrating guitar string. If the soul’s lighter than an electron, sensing the universe becomes possible since it’s a realm where the relationship between time and distance is disrupted.”

Combining their insights, Sirone started to form a clearer picture. “Hmm... I think I understand what you’re both saying. Thanks. You really live up to the club name.”

Nade chuckled. “Don’t be surprised already. Just wait and see what we’re more capable of. But don’t worry too much. It’s unlikely to be some weird curse. Let’s explore more about Immortal Function and its connection to this.”

At that moment, Sirone made up his mind. “All right! I’ll join the Paranormal Science Club.”

Nade didn’t see a reason to refuse since Sirone’s joining would bring their member count to three. That would allow them to be officially recognized as a club and could result in reinstating the funding that was cut a year ago. “You’re more than welcome here. Right, Iruki?”

“Sirone is definitely a valuable addition for the club’s improvement. But will the administration approve? The club’s notoriety might make many professors oppose it.”

“Leave that to me. I’ll sneak the paperwork in without the professors knowing. Come on! Let’s go!”

Picking up the membership forms, Sirone followed his friends out of the room, glancing back momentarily. I’m a part of this club now. The place might have been as dirty as a storage unit, but now that he was a part of it, he felt a sense of affection for it. I’ll have to start by cleaning the place up sometime.

The door then shut with a thud. In the quiet, dark clubroom, the dust particles where Sirone had sat quietly swirled in the air.

Overflow

The professors’ office was unusually busy today. Normally, they would be engaged in casual conversations or savoring a cup of tea. However, they were deeply absorbed in sifting through stacks of paperwork. Covering the tables were numerous applications for club membership.

Sienna, returning from her class, couldn’t help but express her surprise at the mountain of documents, “My, all of these are club applications? There seems to be a lot this week.”

“It’s the end of the semester. It’s always a rush around this time each year. Clever kids, aren’t they?” remarked another professor.

As the semester wound down and the break approached, students usually shifted their focus from regular assignments to independent research papers.

A recent trend had emerged where many students, particularly those not already in clubs, applied for temporary membership toward the semester’s end. Club presentations were an accepted substitute for performance evaluations, a loophole that many were keen to exploit.

Thad, assisting with the paperwork, commented, “Kids these days seem to be getting cleverer at finding tricks. It wasn’t like this in our time. Students had a genuine passion for clubs and performance evaluations. Now, it feels like they’re too focused on efficiency.”

A professor chuckled in response. “Times have changed. Competition is much fiercer now than a decade ago, and the students are under a lot of stress. Forming temporary clubs is their way of carving out more personal study time, I suppose.”

“But aren’t they too fixated on results? School life should be filled with some nostalgic memories,” Thad said, his sentiment drawing out a bittersweet smile from the professor.

Just as they were about to pass the stack of papers to the relevant department, Sienna noticed a form that had slipped under the desk.

“We missed one,” she observed, picking it up.

“Huh? When did this come in? Someone must have slipped it in during class,” a professor remarked.

“Well, it seems like someone was in quite a hurry,” Sienna stated as she examined the document to determine the culprit. Adjusting her glasses, she read the name aloud, “It says... Sirone, right?”

The other professors leaned in to take a look.

“It seems so. Sirone Arian. I thought he wasn’t interested in clubs. But, given the current trend among students to exploit every possible angle, I guess it’s understandable.”

Receiving the form, Thad frowned. “But it appears that’s not the case. Isn’t this club quite famous? It was well-known even when I was a student,” he remarked.

“Let me see that again,” Sienna requested, her interest piqued. She took another look at the club Sirone had signed up for. Indeed, it was a well-known one: the Paranormal Science Club. This revelation brought back memories of her ongoing battles with the club’s alumni since she joined the faculty, causing her head to throb at the thought.

Wait a minute... Weren’t most of the notorious members of the club supposed to have graduated last year? That makes it even more irksome. She also remembered hearing that the club had recently lost its funding due to a lack of members.

Another professor smiled and mentioned, “Speaking of which, I heard Iruki is also part of that club. Maybe they share similar interests?”

Thad let out a weary laugh. “I heard about their impressive performance in the speed gun exam. They must surprisingly get along well. It’s hard to imagine, though.”

Sienna, with a pained expression, responded, “Yes, and that’s exactly the problem.”

The thought of someone as unyielding as Sirone being influenced by someone equally talented, like Iruki, was concerning.

This isn’t about favoritism. Iruki really pushes the boundaries. If these two collaborate on something, it’s like dealing with two ticking time bombs. Perhaps it’s for the best. Ending their ill-fated relationship early would be the wisest course of action.

She flipped through a file to check who the president of the Paranormal Science Club was. Upon seeing the names of the students who had recently been close to Sirone, she could easily guess why he had joined.

Who is Nade’s professor? Sienna scanned the faculty list for his professor and sighed heavily upon finding the name. Of course, it had to be...

***

Meanwhile, at the monastery located on the outskirts of the magic school, Etala sat in a meditative posture, deeply immersed in contemplation.

As a member of the Karsis Order, the kingdom’s largest with over a thousand monk apprentices, she was a standout figure. Every year, hundreds of children, accompanied by their parents, would seek admission, but only a few were recognized for their talent and became monks.

Etala stood out among these children, having surpassed numerous high-ranking nobles and even royalty to become the youngest bishop ever. A bishop’s position wasn’t something one could attain solely through exceptional skills.

It was her innate nature, well-suited for a seeker of truth, that had captured the attention of the wise elders. With a resolve to be the light and salt of the world, she set aside wealth and fame to become a professor at the magic school.

Thank you for allowing the students to safely complete their education today. Her gratitude toward nature, which shaped her being, and her sense of mission to share this gratitude with others defined her entirety.

As she meditated, Etala suddenly opened her eyes. Through her Spirit Zone’s synesthesia, she felt a woman approaching the monastery.

Usually, determining someone’s gender through this sense was impossible, but as an authority figure of the Spirit Zone, Etala’s level of sensory perception was far superior to that of her peers.

In magic society, mages like Etala were revered as “zoners,” which were individuals distinguished for their ability to manipulate not just the density but also the mass of their Spirit Zones. Unlike the typical air-filled Spirit Zone, a zoner’s was akin to a liquid, enabling them to perceive their surroundings with remarkable precision.

As Etala prepared tea for her unexpected guest, the door of the monastery creaked open.

“Welcome, Professor,” she said.

Though her visit was unexpected, Sienna was not surprised by Etala’s greeting. She was well aware of the delicate nature of a zoner’s Spirit Zone.

“You must have been meditating. Did I interrupt your practice?”

The answer was evident from Etala’s monastic robes, but she shook her head gently, assuring her that there was no need for concern. “Not at all. I just finished. Come in.”

“Then please excuse my unexpected visit,” Sienna replied as she entered.

Sitting on cushions on the wooden floor, unfamiliar yet attempting not to show her discomfort, Sienna accepted the tea from Etala with both hands.

She knew that in the monastery, it was customary to refrain from speaking while drinking the first cup of tea, so she remained silent, sipping the somewhat bitter brew until her cup was empty.

Outside, the long summer day was giving way to a golden sunset. Eager to begin their discussion before darkness fell, Sienna hurriedly finished her hot tea.

Etala, with a smile in her eyes, broke the silence. “Coming all the way here must mean it’s not a trivial matter.”

“Yes, I need to consult with you.”

“I see. What may it be about?”

“You’re Nade’s main professor, right?”

“Yes, he’s a spirited and talented student. He gets along well with others, though his grades are just above average.”

“Then you must also be aware that he’s the president of the Paranormal Science Club.”

“Of course. Has he done something wrong?”

Sienna leaned forward, her tone becoming assertive. “I intend to disband the club he’s leading. I thought it polite to seek his dedicated professor’s consent first.”

Etala smiled subtly as she savored her tea. After a moment of deep contemplation, she spoke. “If it’s a decision made by you, then it must be for the students’ benefit. But I’d like to hear your reasoning for this.”

“His club has a long history of incidents and controversies. It has been notorious since even before my time here. While it has achieved notable accomplishments, which is why the school has given it some leeway, things have changed. In the last three years, there hasn’t been a single official presentation. Instead, they’ve been engaging in behaviors deserving of disciplinary action.”

“But like you said, isn’t that all in the past? The current president is Nade. Could you not give it a little more time? The club is one of the oldest and most respected at this school. Even the head of Tormia’s Magic Association, Michea Gaold, is an alumnus.”

Anticipating this response, Sienna revealed her trump card. “Today, Sirone submitted an application to join.”

Etala fell silent, absorbing the weight of Sienna’s revelation.