A Chemist's Interstellar Saga
Chapter 121: Arix’s Choice

Chapter 121: Arix’s Choice

"Hello, Miss Kering," Gunder greeted warmly.

Arix choked back her words, forcing a strained smile. "Hello, President Gunder."

President Gunder smiled kindly and nodded. Then he began, "I wanted to know if you’ve decided on your major. Oh, before that, there’s something I haven’t told you yet. The Department of Mecha Manufacture you initially chose remains unchanged, but studying in the Department of Chemistry is now mandatory for you. I’m sure you understand the reason and I don’t have to explain."

Arix nodded obediently, as these were the two departments she had planned to choose anyway.

Gunder smiled with satisfaction and continued, "Additionally, the mentor from the Psychic Ware Department is very interested in you and has been eagerly anticipating your enrollment. You won’t turn this down, right?"

Arix was surprised. She felt something was off, but she was indeed interested in Psychic Ware, so she hesitantly nodded.

"And since your physical power is quite weak, I suggest you also studying from Department of Combat. How else will you build your strength? Given your talent, you’ll surely need to handle mechas in the future, right?" Gunder’s words were logical and convincing.

Arix found herself nodding along.

"Also, Arix, you already have a military rank. It’s certain that you’ll enter the corps after graduation. With your talents, you’re destined to become a great officer. How can an officer not know how to command? So, adding the Department of Strategy and Commanding is essential, don’t you think?" Gunder’s tone was firm and persuasive, as if he was doing her a great favor.

Arix: ... ’Wow! He’s treating me like an all-rounder!’

She loved doing research but had no interest in fighting or commanding.

"President, um, I think..." Arix began to object, intending to drop the last two departments.

But before she could finish, Gunder interrupted, "I know you think these choices are excellent, so it’s settled. I won’t take up any more of your time. Goodbye!" With that, Gunder hurriedly ended the call.

Arix stared at the blank screen, stunned. She turned to Drexel and asked, "What did I just agree to?"

Drexel looked at his sister with sympathy. "You didn’t really agree to anything, but the president took it as agreement. So now you’re enrolled in five departments."

’What the heck!’ Arix finally realized what had happened. She immediately tried to contact Gunder. She could tolerate joining the Psychic Ware Department, but she had no intention of studying combat and commanding!

Joining a department wasn’t just about waiting for graduation. There were assignments, yearly exams, and final graduation tests. Failing meant being held back, and being held back meant not graduating on time.

The thought of being held back made Arix more anxious as she waited for Gunder to answer the call. Her pride wouldn’t allow her to be a held-back student.

The call rang for what seemed like an eternity.

Drexel couldn’t bear it and said, "Arix, just accept it. The president is doing this on purpose. Once the enrollment procedures are completed, it can’t be changed. The president probably won’t take your call until then."

Arix had a strong urge to curse, but she held it back... Yes! Held back! See? Already!

In the Hecaris Military Academy president’s office...

Marlone silently observed the entire process of President Gunder setting up Arix. With a rare pang of conscience, he hesitated and asked, "Isn’t this too much? Regular students only take one."

Gunder said, clutching his head in frustration, "Is Arix anywhere near a regular? Do you think I want to do this? My hands are tied! The Department of Chemistry is already up in arms over Arix not being enrolled yet. And then there’s the Psychic Ware Department. Those old folks are envious that Arix developed a potion for psychic power treatment. They think a genius like her should join their department, hoping she might create a Psychic Ware for treating psychic power. They even threatened to resign and move to the Mulado Military Academy if Arix doesn’t join. Do you know how hard it is to find a Psychic Ware mentor these days?"

"What about the Mecha Department of Combat and the Department of Strategy and Command?" Marlone asked meekly.

"Do you think the heads of those departments would let a Supergiant+ slip away easily?" Gunder retorted with a cold laugh.

Marlone fell silent. He couldn’t decide whether to sympathize with the president or with the poor Arix.

’Ah, having such an exceptional talent is also a hassle. But wait... Why am I smiling?’

Arix switched back to her old opticomputer and stared blankly at the screen. Notifications popped up one after another.

"Congratulations, Arix, you have joined the Department of Chemistry."

"Congratulations, Arix, you have joined the Department of Psychic Ware."

"Congratulations, Arix, you have joined the Department of Mecha Manufacture."

"Congratulations, Arix, you have joined the Department of Strategy and Commanding."

"Congratulations, Arix, you have successfully joined the Department of Mecha Pilot."

Drexel, standing nearby, was floored. "Wow, Arix, there are only seven departments, and you got into five of them!"

"Do you think it’s too late to drop out?" Arix asked, feeling a wave of dizziness at the thought of her future as a military student. Even a workhorse had it easier.

"Arix, I advise against such dangerous thoughts unless you want to face Dad and Mom in anger," Drexel said, grinning. He had a knack for bringing others down when he was in the same boat. Seeing Arix struggle with her classes would weirdly make him happy.

Arix rolled her eyes at his gloating face. "You’re such a great brother."

"Well, it’s Saturday, and classes start on Monday. How about we go out and meet some family from the Empire?" Drexel suggested, like an overexcited puppy eager to play.

Arix remembered she hadn’t prepared gifts for the relatives and rummaged through her old Space Button. Seeing a bunch of potions inside, she nodded reluctantly. "Fine, we can give out the gifts too."

"Awesome! Let’s go!" Drexel picked up Arix and headed out.

As they opened the bedroom door, they found Scion standing in the hallway.

"Sir," Drexel greeted politely.

Scion’s face stiffened, and he coldly nodded at Drexel, ignoring him afterward.

"Scion, are you done with your work?" Arix’s mood brightened at the sight of the handsome man. Her earlier gloom vanished instantly, and she eagerly asked.

"Arix, he’s young but has a higher rank. Isn’t it inappropriate to call him ’Scion’?" Drexel whispered to Arix.

Arix turned to glare at Drexel, her eyes saying, "Say another word and I’ll..."

Drexel shut up immediately. Arix’s love for good-looking people was something that needed fixing.

She turned back to Scion, smiling sweetly and innocently.

Scion gave a reserved nod, his gaze softening as he looked at Arix. "They are cooking now. What would you like tonight, Arix?"

"Steak!" Arix’s eyes lit up as she licked her lips. Juicy, tender steak with a dash of black pepper—absolutely divine!

"Okay, steak it is tonight," Scion said with a slight, indulgent smile.

Drexel stood there, feeling a bit overlooked. ’Why is no one asking me? I want lamb chops...’

But Arix and Scion completely ignored him, lost in their own conversation.

"So, Arix, where are you headed?" Scion asked casually.

Arix remembered their plans and began transferring potions from her Space Button to a ring-shaped Space Button. She handed it to Scion. "Scion, this is a gift for you."

Scion’s eyes flickered with surprise. He examined the ring for a moment before looking at Arix. "For me?"

"Yes," Arix nodded.

Scion’s gaze softened, and he carefully took the ring, slipping it onto his index finger. "Thank you, I like it a lot." He smiled, gently touching the ring.

"You’re welcome." Arix was happy to see him pleased. But remembering their plans, she turned to Drexel urgently. "Let’s go quickly, Drexel. We need to give out the gifts and come back for dinner. Scion, we’ll be back soon."

"Alright." Drexel had been itching to leave. Hearing his sister, he immediately started moving.

They left so quickly that they didn’t notice Scion’s smile stiffen.

"So, it’s not just for me," Scion murmured, a rare hint of disappointment in his voice.

Outside the villa, Drexel finally asked, "Arix, you don’t happen to like Scion, do you?"

"Of course I do," Arix answered without hesitation. ’Scion is so good-looking; who wouldn’t like him?’

Drexel gasped, feeling the urge to shake some sense into her. "Sis! Where’s your sense of dignity? Where’s your shyness?"

Suppressing his emotions, he nervously asked, "And who do you love? Is it him too?"

"No," Arix shook her head just as quickly.

Drexel was shocked. "What a heartbreaker!"

Though he disapproved of his sister’s fickleness, Drexel was more curious. Whispering as if sharing a secret, he asked, "So, who do you love?"

"I love mechas, of course! I’m going to build legendary mechas one day. Right now, I only love them." Arix’s eyes sparkled with determination, already planning to dive into her freshman mecha textbooks after dinner.

Drexel was at a loss. "What the heck, you just love mechas?"

Though exasperated, Drexel realized one thing: Arix was still just a clueless kid. Her liking for Scion was probably just because of his looks, like how fangirls adore celebrities. They claim to be head over heels, but in the end, they marry someone else.

"Arix, have you ever thought about getting married in the future? Like to someone like Scion? He may not be as outstanding as me, though," Drexel joked. "But you have to admit, he’s pretty outstanding! He’s already an admiral in the Empire at such a young age!"

Arix looked at Drexel with disdain. "Are you sure Scion is no better than you?"

"Ahem, that’s not the point," Drexel turned away, coughing awkwardly.

Arix snorted in disapproval, then answered Drexel’s question seriously. "Marriage requires love, and love comes with anxiety, suspicion, and caution. So, instead of indulging in some tragic romance, I’d rather read more books about mechas."

Hearing Arix speak so confidently, Drexel couldn’t help but feel a bit disdainful inside. Look at her, so clueless. If she wasn’t his sister, he’d probably mock her thoroughly.

But he realized he was losing hope in changing Arix’s views on love. At this rate, the chance of her having a future husband was slimmer than winning the lottery.