A Walking Textbook (3)

A suffocating silence enveloped the room. Neither Gerhardt, Christina, nor I could find the words to break it. It was understandable. Someones entire world had just come crashing down, hadnt it?

The overwhelming guilt of being the person responsible for shattering that worldor rather, lifewas indescribable. Im sorry, truly sorry.

I couldnt bring myself to look at her and turned my eyes away as much as possible, but I forced myself to glance in Christinas direction. It felt terribly wrong to drop such a bombshell and then pretend like nothing happened.

Damn it.

And immediately regretted looking.

Christinas expression was the very picture of being shell-shocked. Her mouth was slightly open, and her gaze was fixed vacantly on the floor. She seemed to be trembling, but perhaps it was just my imagination.

I would have felt less guilty if she had yelled at me, told me that it was nonsense, or to not to speak rubbish.

Either way, I would have felt guilty regardless.

Are you saying they are the same person?

Gerhardt looked pitifully at Christina and quickly broke the silence.

Thats right. As a teacher, he would naturally be curious. This held especially true since a thesis that took so much effort had been rendered worthless overnight.

Yes, thats correct.

Unfortunately, it was true. Aridu Keza and Udesr Zairug. Despite how it looked, these two vastly different names belonged to the same person.

We were quite taken aback at the time. A warrior we knew for wielding a sword had suddenly appeared wielding a bow, even changing his name.

The Almighty One has guided me onto a new path!

It sounded absurd, but it turned out that he was just scouted. Kagan thought he was a good fighter and, he had him join his tribe. They just gave him a new name because they didnt want to change the clan name.

Amidst all this, Kagan had commented, Youre better suited to the bow than the sword, prompting a change in his weapon choice too.

And he actually turned out to be better with the bow. Damn it.

He was originally from the Aridu tribe, but he became a part of the Udesr tribe when the Emperor of the Nomads personally took him in. This changed the battlefields he was active on and his primary weapon, so its understandable to think that he was a different person.

But there are records of Aridu Keza even after the appearance of Udesr Zairug!

Christina interjected desperately before Gerhardt could speak.

It was unthinkable for a mere masters student to interrupt while a professor was speaking, but the situation allowed for it. Even Gerhardt closed his eyes quietly, moved by Christinas desperate voice.

And Christina had a point. It would be one thing if Aridu Keza disappeared after Udesr Zairug appeared, but there was a period when both names were mentioned together.

That was a recording error. The sudden name change led to some confusion and misrecording.

Unfortunately, it was just a mistake. Such was the nature of military documentation.

Ah, ah

The realization that the thesis she had poured her entire soul into was based on a mere error was probably devastating.

Christina let out a sigh and eventually slumped into her seat.

Im going crazy.

Just before I looked away, I noticed something glistening in the corner of her eye.

How was I supposed to deal with this guilt?

***

Christina applied for sick leave with a mental breakdown as the reason but was denied.

Actually, this turned out for the better.

Sorry?

This is crazy.

The unexpected comment nearly drove me out of my mind. Christina, who had been quietly sipping her tea to calm down, gave Gerhardt a look that could kill.

Whats good about this situation?

I couldnt grasp what possibly could be considered good here. Was he implying that writing a new thesis could somehow be beneficial for her academic progress?

Ah, the cruelty!

There is no truth that stays hidden forever. If its bound to come out eventually, its better for it to happen before the thesis submission rather than after its been approved.

I see.

She fortunately nodded in understanding, realizing the logic. Indeed, it would be painful to have your masters thesis pulled from the abyss while you were a professor or a Principal.

I kept referring to it as a masters thesis, but what could I do when it was indeed one?

It makes sense, but

Gerhardts words were true. However, acknowledging the truth didnt spare one from the pain.

It was better to endure the pain now to avoid future repercussions. That was a logically smart move, but would that provide comfort to someone in pain right now?

Its hardly brief, too.

The shock would be almost equivalent to losing a limb.

And thanks to the Prosecutor, you were able to immediately find a new thesis topic.

I was at a loss for words. We had just obliterated a perfectly good thesis, after all.

Ah.

On the other hand, something in Gerhardts words seemed to enlighten Christina, and her expression brightened.

This is a groundbreaking discovery. To think they were the same individual all along!

Gerhardts voice rose with excitement, seemingly overwhelmed with emotion.

Indeed. It would be a significant discovery. Id be surprised too if I found out that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were the same person.

The only issue is the submission deadline, but for a discovery of this magnitude, Im willing to endure another year.

That doesnt seem right.

Christinas face was a mix of relief and sorrow. Finding a new topic so quickly was fortunate, but the thought of enduring another year of a dreadful masters program didnt seem to thrill her.

Well, there was nothing we could do about it. If a person made a mistake, then they had to deal with the consequences.

May I know who oversees the thesis evaluation?

Its the Ministry of Education, specifically the Compilation Department.

Gerhardt answered, puzzled by the sudden question.

But the Compilation Department? That was the department responsible for textbooks. Were they handling this, too? Well, it wasnt really my concern since it was another departments issue. The important part was that it was under the Compilation Departments jurisdiction.

I know someone there.

Fortunately, Im on good terms with the head of the Compilation Department. It also happens that he has a small debt to clear with me.

This is exactly when connections come in handy.

***

I sat there, staring blankly at the ceiling.

It felt like the 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. The approved theses will all be registered in March, so adding one more isnt a problem.

He even came back with tremendous news.

That famously strict Compilation Department made such a concession. It was the same department that normally never allowed a delay unless the thesis disappeared due to a natural disaster.

Since Ms. Christina has to write a new thesis because of me, its only right that I handle the situation.

Thank you! Thank you so much!

Christina bowed several times to the Prosecutor, who downplayed his gesture as if it were nothing.

Of course, I would have done the same.

Passing is guaranteed, then.

While sticking to the original submission deadline might have been challenging, February of next year was more than enough time. It wasnt even a teachers thesis but only that of an assistant teacher.

Even if it were a teachers thesis, there would be no issue. It was a topic that overturned what was thought to be common knowledge, after all. Unless the writing was exceptionally poor, the submission alone would almost guarantee approval.

Honestly, it was a topic too valuable to be used just for an assistant teachers thesis, but this too must be Christinas luck. After all, luck was also part of a scholars abilities.

Congratulations, Miss Christina. It wont be long before youre no longer an assistant.

Seeing Christina, who was unusually lively as she organized her books, brought a smile to my face. It was as if she had moved from hell to heaven.

Its all thanks to you, teacher! I really appreciate it!

Ha, I appreciate your kind words even if theyre just out of courtesy.

I laughed and took a sip of my tea. How could this be my doing? It was all thanks to the Prosecutor.

Bringing him in was only meant to be a boon for the research on the nomadic tribes of the North. I had no idea it would lead to an upheaval from the very first day.

But Id gladly accept such a miscalculation. What was important was lifting the fog and revealing the truth.

Ill come by again tomorrow at this time.

Are you sure thats okay with you?

Ive got nothing else going on outside of club time. Im more worried about whether Gerhardt is okay with it.

Its fine! Absolutely!

I even received a definite answer. This wouldnt be a one-time meeting but continuous encounters and proportionate advice.

Today was truly a joyous day.

***

I narrowly avoided becoming a masters thesis assassin. Things could have really gone south if it hadnt been under the Compilation Departments involvement.

Thank goodness.

I tried to calm my still-racing heart and sighed. It felt embarrassingly awkward to suddenly contact someone I didnt usually keep in touch with.

Thankfully, owing a favor here and there to the head of the Compilation Department meant that everything could end smoothly.

Understood. I owe you a favor myself, so extending that courtesy is the least I can do.

Thank you. Youve saved a good-hearted assistant teacher.

Haha! Thats great. Ill have to take some credit when that friend succeeds.

Indeed, life was all about connections. A colleague who supported and helped was far better than a boss who was always on your case.

But something felt strange. Such an incident occurred on the first day; would things be okay moving forward?

Today was the last day before the submission.

If they were unlucky, Gerhardts submitted thesis might be targeted. Just the thought was frightening.

However, considering Gerhardts passion, he might even consider it a good thing. After all, wasnt refuting a past work a proof of growth?

Lets just think of it that way.

***

During club time, I asked Tannian if he wrote the answer I told them back then.

What you taught me seemed right, so I unconsciously wrote that. I cant write a lie after knowing the truth, right?

He said as much while looking a bit sheepish and offering an awkward smile.

Yeah, that can definitely happen.

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