NOVEL NEXT Chapter 41
“Do you know about the freshman who completed a whole year’s worth of general courses last semester and is now studying life sciences in the Faculty of Science?”
Director Naito asked, lying back in his office chair, smoking.
“Yes, Mr. Suzu is under my guidance now. Before this semester started, he was seriously injured and took some time off, but he came back and successfully passed most of the undergraduate courses.”
Professor Kikuchi said, bowing slightly as he presented the student’s transcript, filled with various course names: Life Sciences, Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology, Ecology, Cell Biology, Morphogenesis, Plant Systematics, Molecular Life Informatics, Evolutionary Developmental Biology…
“Apart from not having much lab experience, he scored As in all theoretical courses and participated in seminars and specialized research discussions,” added Professor Kikuchi.
Director Naito frowned slightly, taking a few deep drags of his cigarette. He tapped the desk with his fingers, incredulously asking, “How is that possible? It’s only October, right?”
“According to his student record, he won a gold medal in a memory competition and often conducted research with his family. It’s worth mentioning that his grandparents and mother are well-known scholars in the field of life sciences.”
Professor Kikuchi opened the student’s file copy and spread it in front of the director, continuing, “One reason he was able to skip grades and enter university is his impressive achievements in biology competitions.”
“Do you intend to let him directly join the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, studying advanced life sciences?”
【Note: The Graduate School of Frontier Sciences aims to create new disciplines based on the concept of “academic integration,” advancing interdisciplinary studies. It only offers master’s and doctoral programs, comprising 11 departments in basic science, life sciences, and environmental studies.
The 11 specializations are: Material Science, Advanced Energy Engineering, Complex Science and Engineering, Advanced Life Sciences, Medical Informatics and Life, Natural Environmental Studies, Marine Technology and Environmental Studies, Environmental System Studies, Human Environmental Studies, Social and Cultural Environmental Studies, and International Cooperation Studies.
The school gathers faculty from various fields to address significant interdisciplinary problems like nanotechnology, materials, energy, information, complex systems, life, medicine, environmental issues, and international cooperation. The idea is to break organizational barriers and tackle new human challenges through close interaction and cooperation among diverse members in a free and open research and educational environment. – Reference: University of Tokyo】
“Yes.”
“He has already jumped from high school freshman to university freshman, and now he’s fast-tracking to a master’s program… Hmm, this is unprecedented for our institute and requires discussion among the higher-ups.”
Professor Kikuchi tried to argue further, emphasizing, “Undergraduate courses seem too basic for him.”
“Professor Kikuchi, you said he just returned from the hospital, right? We’re concerned that such an intense study load might adversely affect Mr. Suzu’s physical and mental health…” After a deep inhale, Director Naito flicked the ash, “How about this: let him join the lab research with senior undergraduates for now, and we’ll consider his case after observing for a while.”
More waiting? That probably means no chance.
Reluctantly, Professor Kikuchi had to give up. As he left the director’s office, he sighed deeply.
2.
“Mr. Suzu Suzu’s application to join the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences in Advanced Life Sciences, what do you think?”
Director Naito leaned forward at the head of the conference table, his elbows propping up his upper body, fingers interlocked in front of his face. The lenses of his glasses glinted, obscuring his expression.
“That historian’s son? Of course not!” a gaunt, dark-skinned man decisively rejected, “We can’t allow the relatives of an opposing faction to access our confidential research!”
Another bald, portly man offered a different view, “I think Mr. Suzu Suzu might not share his father’s views. His student record shows he was influenced by his grandparents and has no interest in politics or history. He also doesn’t meet his father often.”
The gaunt man snorted and countered, “Don’t forget, he reported a missing person case for his father at the end of April, indicating their relationship isn’t as distant as we thought. His supervising senior also has ‘those kinds’ of political leanings, and they shared a dorm, likely influencing each other. Plus, he stayed in Beitou for a while and was involved with a suspicious girl named Airi Sometaki…”
“You’ve just returned from the mainland and seem a bit behind on the news,” the bald man interrupted bluntly, “He’s completely broken ties with the shrine powers.”
He then instructed his secretary to brief the informed and uninformed attendees about the Beitou incident.
After hearing this, the gaunt man fell silent for a moment, seemingly reluctant, then sarcastically remarked, “Just a kid, why have
a special meeting for him?”
“Wouldn’t it be interesting to recruit him and let that stubborn, unrepentant old faction see his son take a completely different path? The dignitaries are tired of watching torture and live experiments; they want something new. The recent inner ring incident was perfect material, but the on-site equipment was disrupted by jammers and couldn’t be edited into a film.”
The bearded gentleman leisurely sipped his tea and continued, “Mr. Suzu prides himself on being unafraid, but he refuses to change his historical perspective. What if we target his weak spot and make him completely collapse? If the patrons enjoy the show, we’ll get more investments and sponsorships.”
“But…”
“I understand your concerns. We can grant him a bachelor’s degree and officially approve his master’s studies, but not let him touch confidential research for now. Also, teachers in other faculties and departments might not be fully aligned with us, so we need to keep a close eye.”
Director Naito nodded in approval. Seeing this, others echoed:
“He stayed in Beitou for a while, right? We can ask him to disclose information there to show loyalty.”
“He’s a rare talent. If he’s truly severed ties with them, we can use him. If he’s just acting, it’s like voluntarily offering himself as a hostage, a bargaining chip against the shrine. Either way, we win!”
“The Central Hospital and the psychological counseling station reported he was devastated after learning that Shin Megumi died at the hands of his crush. As a result, he neglected sleep and food, immersing himself in studies. He also has a history of drug abuse.”
“It seems genuine.”
“Yes, yes…”