Chapter 167: A Walking Textbook (3)
A suffocating silence settled over the room. Neither Gerhardt, Christina, nor I could muster a single word. It made sense, really. Someone’s world had just crumbled.
And with that crumbling world, or rather, life, the unbearable guilt of being the one responsible surged within me—a feeling so profound it was beyond words. I’m sorry, truly sorry.
I didn’t have the courage to face her and did my best to look away, but I still forced my eyes toward Christina. It felt utterly wrong to drop such a bomb and then act as if nothing had happened.
Damn it.
As soon as I glanced at her, I regretted it.
Christina looked like a perfect example of shock—mouth slightly agape, her gaze fixated vacantly on the floor. She seemed to tremble as well, though maybe that was just my imagination.
If only she had shouted at me, called my words nonsense, or told me to stop spewing rubbish; my guilt would have lightened a bit.
Well, I would still feel guilty either way, but you get the idea.
“Are you saying they are the same person?”
Gerhardt gazed at Christina with a pitying expression before hastily breaking the silence.
Right, as her professor, he’d naturally be curious. Especially since a thesis she’d poured her heart into had turned to trash overnight.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Unfortunately, it was true. Aridu Keza and Udesr Zairug. No matter how you looked at it, those two names had no similarities; they belonged to the same person.
We had been pretty bewildered at the time. A melee fighter we knew for brandishing a sword suddenly switched to a ranged character wielding a bow. He even changed his name.
“The Almighty One has guided me onto a new path!”
What a ridiculous proclamation, but it turned out he was just scouted. Kagan thought he was a pretty solid fighter and brought him into his tribe. Since he didn’t change the clan name, they gave him a brand new name instead.
In the meantime, did Kagan tell him something like, “You’re more suited to a bow than a sword”? Because he switched up his weapon too.
And wouldn’t you know it, he actually turned out to be better with the bow. Damn it.
“He was originally from the Aridu tribe, but when the Emperor of the Nomads personally took him in, he became part of the Udesr tribe. Thanks to that, his main battlefield changed, and his primary weapon shifted; it’s understandable to think he’s a different person.”
“But there are records of Aridu Keza appearing even after Udesr Zairug showed up!”
Before Gerhardt could even speak, Christina chimed in desperately.
It was beyond shocking for a mere graduate student to interrupt a professor, but the situation allowed for such audacity. Even Gerhardt quietly closed his eyes, swayed by Christina’s desperate voice.
And Christina’s protest was indeed persuasive. It would’ve been one thing if Aridu Keza vanished when Udesr Zairug appeared, but there was actually a time when both names were mentioned concurrently.
“That was a recording error. The sudden name change led to some mix-ups and incorrect entries.”
Regrettably, it was just a blunder. Typical military operations, if you ask me.
“Ah, ah…”
The thesis she had dedicated her everything to was based on nothing more than an error—what a shocking truth to uncover.
With a sigh, Christina finally slumped back into her chair.
I’m going crazy.
Just before I averted my gaze, I noticed something shining near her eye.
What on earth do I do with this guilt?
*
Christina applied for sick leave (reason: mental breakdown) but was denied.
“Actually, this worked out well.”
“Excuse me?”
This is insane.
Her unexpected remark nearly drove me up the wall. Even Christina, who had been quietly sipping tea to calm her nerves, shot Gerhardt a death glare.
What’s good about this?
I couldn’t understand what was so “good” about the situation. Was he suggesting that writing a fresh thesis could somehow help her academic performance?
Ah, the cruelty…!
“There is no truth that remains hidden forever. If it’s going to come out anyway, it’s better to face it before the thesis submission rather than after it has been approved.”
“I see.”
She fortunately nodded, grasping the logic. After all, it had to be painful to have your master’s thesis resurrected from the abyss while you’re a professor or a principal.
I kept referring to it as a master’s thesis, but what else could I do when it clearly was one?
“That makes sense, but…”
Gerhardt’s words were right, yet just because something makes sense doesn’t mean it spares you from the pain.
It’s better to take a hit now rather than suffer later. A rational thought, but would that really comfort someone hurting in the moment?
This isn’t a brief pain; it’s a major shock.
That hit feels more like losing a limb.
“And thanks to the prosecutor, you were able to find a new thesis topic right away.”
I was at a loss for words. We had just obliterated a perfectly good thesis, after all.
“Ah.”
On the other hand, something in Gerhardt’s words seemed to illuminate Christina, brightening her expression.
“This is a groundbreaking discovery! I assumed they were different individuals, yet they’re the same person!”
Gerhardt’s voice lifted with excitement, seeming overwhelmed himself.
Well, yes. When thinking about it that way, it is an incredible discovery. I’d be stunned too if I found out Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were the same person.
“The only issue is the submission deadline, but… for a find like this, I’m willing to endure another year.”
No way that’s accurate.
The expression on Christina’s face was a blend of relief and sorrow. While it’s fortunate she found a topic so swiftly, the thought of enduring another dreadful year in a master’s program wasn’t exactly filling her with glee.
Oh well, you make a mess—you own up to it.
“Could you tell me who oversees the thesis review?”
“It’s the Ministry of Education. Specifically, the Compilation Department.”
Gerhardt responded, puzzled by my sudden question.
But the Compilation Department? That’s the group responsible for textbooks, right? Are they involved in this too? Well, it’s not really my concern since it’s a different department. The important detail is that it’s under their jurisdiction.
I know someone there.
Fortunately, I am somewhat acquainted with the head of the Compilation Department. Plus, I’ve got a small favor owed to me.
Connections truly come in handy at times like this.
*
I sat there, lost in thought, staring blankly at the ceiling.
It felt as if a storm had passed.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
The prosecutor, who had stepped out to make a call, returned shortly.
“You just need to submit it by next February. All the approved theses will be registered in March, so adding one more isn’t a problem.”
He returned with even more fantastic news.
The notoriously strict Compilation Department had made such a concession. This was the same department that typically wouldn’t allow extensions unless your thesis vanished due to a natural disaster!
“Given that Ms. Christina has to write a new thesis because of me, it’s only fair that I handle things.”
“Thank you! I truly appreciate it!”
Christina bowed repeatedly to the prosecutor, who brushed it off as if it were nothing.
Of course, I’d do the same.
“Passing is guaranteed, then.”
While sticking to the original submission deadline felt impossible, having until February next year was quite sufficient. It wasn’t even a full teacher’s thesis, merely that of an assistant.
Even if it were a teacher’s thesis, there wouldn’t be a problem. It was a topic that challenged what’s generally accepted, after all. Unless the writing is atrocious, simply submitting it practically guarantees approval.
Honestly, this topic feels too valuable to be used only for an assistant teacher’s thesis, but maybe that’s Christina’s good fortune. After all, luck is part of a scholar’s skill set.
“Congratulations, Miss Christina! It won’t be long before you’re no longer an assistant.”
Watching Christina, unusually lively as she organized her books, brought a smile to my face. This must be what it’s like to move from hell to heaven.
“It’s all thanks to you, teacher! I can’t thank you enough!”
“Ha, I appreciate your words, even if they’re merely pleasantries.”
I chuckled and took a sip of my tea. How could this be my doing? It’s all credit to the prosecutor.
Having him involved was initially to support research on the nomadic tribes of the North. I had no notion we’d experience such upheaval from the get-go.
Yet I’d gladly accept such miscalculations. What matters is clearing the fog and unveiling the truth.
“I’ll come again tomorrow at this time.”
“Are you really alright with that?”
“For me, outside of club time, I’m just a jobless bum. I’m more worried about whether Gerhardt is okay with it.”
“Absolutely! It’s more than fine!”
I received an assertive answer. This wouldn’t just be a one-off meeting, but a continuous engagement and equally proportionate advice.
Today was genuinely a day of joy.
*
I narrowly dodged the bullet of becoming a master’s thesis assassin. Things could have really spiraled if it hadn’t been for the Compilation Department’s involvement.
Thank goodness.
Still trying to calm my racing heart, I sighed. Reaching out to someone I usually didn’t was embarrassingly awkward.
But, I had a few favors with the head of the Compilation Department, so this turned out well.
“Understood. I owe a favor myself, so extending this courtesy is the least I can do.”
“Thank you. You’ve saved a kind-hearted assistant teacher.”
“Haha! That sounds good. I’ll make sure to take some credit when that friend succeeds.”
Life is indeed about connections. A coworker who supports you is far better than a boss who’s always breathing down your neck.
Yet something felt off. An incident like this, right on the first day? What’s ahead of us?
“Today was at least before the submission.”
If fate is unkind, Gerhardt’s already-submitted thesis could end up under scrutiny. Just imagining that sends shivers down my spine.
Still, considering Gerhardt’s passion, he might actually take it as a positive sign. After all, rebutting a previous work shows growth, doesn’t it?
…Let’s just roll with that thought.
*
During club time, I asked Tannian if he had followed the instructions I’d given him.
“When you explained, it just seemed right, so I unconsciously wrote it down. I can’t write a lie once I’ve learned the truth, right?”
He said this, looking a bit sheepish and forcing an awkward smile.
Yeah, that can happen.
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