chapter 15
Over the half-year that had passed since the Trimounts Science Fair at the beginning of 1083, the social status of Joshua and the founders of Rhine Lab had completely changed for the better.
"…And that brings today's session on intermediate arc reactor engineering to a close. Are there any questions?"
Several hands shot up like sprouting grass. Joshua took a quick look across the lecture hall and pointed to a student in the third row.
"Alright, shoot."
"Professor Obsidian, is it true that after you successfully founded Rhine Lab, you gave away your blueprints to the other founders so they could join in?"
"Just call me Joshua, I haven't technically graduated yet," he replied with a light chuckle. "As for your question: yes, I did share the prints. But it wasn't because of any hidden agenda or corporate maneuvering. It was simply sharing the results of a dream that we achieved together."
Once, his little group had been considered a collective of outliers. Now, he was the face of Columbian scientific advancement. Yet, despite being the sole inventor of the Arc Reactor, Joshua always went out of his way to credit the heavy lifting done by his colleagues. The public rarely believed him, assuming he was merely being humble.
After answering a few more questions, Joshua packed up his notes and prepared to leave. As he zipped up his bag, a familiar feeling of being watched drew his attention toward the entrance.
Waiting by the doors was a blonde Perro, smiling with a rare hint of warmth.
"Kristen? How long have you been waiting there?" Joshua asked, pleasantly surprised.
"Since you started claiming that we helped you build the reactor," Kristen replied smoothly. "And for the record, the reactor is entirely your creation, Professor Joshua."
A sudden shiver ran down Joshua's spine. "Please don't call me that! Hearing that word come from you… hiss, it makes my skin crawl. And I'm not officially a professor yet!"
The dramatic, goosebump-ridden expression on his face finally broke her composure, making her giggle. "Haha! You will have to get used to it eventually. You're the pioneer of Arc Reactor technology. Of course they're going to recognize you as a professor."
It was true. Since the founding of Rhine Lab, Joshua and the group had been swamped by scholars, businessmen, and politicians. They offered him status, immense wealth, and political power—anything to get their hands on his revolutionary innovation. The title of 'Professor' was just one of the many carrots dangled in front of him.
The sheer volume of investors would have overwhelmed him, but luckily, his friends were there to help sort the genuine benefits from the predatory contracts. Kristen, in particular, had the connections and the sharp mind to navigate the corporate battlefield.
"So, what brings you to my lecture hall?" Joshua asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Don't tell me you couldn't wait for a home-cooked meal and decided to track me down?"
Kristen rolled her eyes playfully. "While it's true that your cooking is more nutritional and flavorful than most five-star restaurants, I'm actually here as a messenger. Jara asked me to bring you in for a talk."
"Oh! Is it that time already? Well, what are we waiting for? Lead the way."
Kristen guided Joshua out of the faculty building and toward one of the university's private, upscale lounges. Sitting inside was a platinum-haired Vulpo woman, elegantly dressed in layered fabrics, a wide-brimmed hat, dark glasses, and long evening gloves.
"Ah, you made it, Joshua. Thank you, Kristy, for bringing him." Jara greeted them with a warm, maternal smile the moment they stepped through the door.
Kristen frowned deeply at the nickname, muttering a brief complaint under her breath before excusing herself, her mission fulfilled.
"Sorry for being late," Joshua apologized, taking a seat across from the Vulpo. "Lately, people have started taking a bit too much interest in the Arc Reactor, despite how few of the concepts are actually practical for mass production at this current stage."
Jara giggled at his modesty. "It's quite alright, Joshua. I know how busy you are, so I don't mind waiting. On the contrary, I should be the one apologizing for pulling you away from your schedule."
Jara looked at the Sarkaz man with genuine gratitude. For years, she had blamed herself for the tragic fate of the Wrights—Kristen's parents. She had taken Kristen under her wing, desperately hoping to atone for what she viewed as her sins. But for the longest time, Kristen had remained closed off. It was only since Joshua's arrival that the young Perro had truly begun to open up—initiating small talk, joining group activities, checking on others' well-being, and actually expressing her emotions. Jara never thought she would see the day, and she knew exactly who to thank for it. Assisting his vision for Rhine Lab was the least she could do.
"Because of you, I can finally rest easy," Jara said softly, her tone laced with relief. "Knowing that Kristen has found people she can trust, people she can share her goals with... it means the world to me."
"You give me too much credit, Miss Jara," Joshua smiled warmly. "Kristen was the one who decided to trust us. All we did was give her a little push. But... pardon me, it seems we're digressing. Shall we get to business?"
Jara nodded, her demeanor shifting to that of a sharp businesswoman. As one of Trimounts' most powerful investors, she had taken on the role of filtering out the noise, finding the clients who would actually benefit Rhine Lab's long-term growth.
She slid a dossier across the table. Joshua flipped through the curated list of clients. So far, only a select few had been allowed to purchase a share of Rhine Lab: the Columbian Government, the Maylander Foundation, and—surprisingly—Blacksteel Worldwide.
They spent the next hour revising contracts and planning for the quarter, completely absorbed in the logistics, until the lounge doors suddenly burst open.
"Oie! Are you two done yet? This cute Mumu is absolutely starving!" Muelsyses whined, leaning dramatically against the doorframe.
Joshua scoffed, completely immune to her exaggerated act. "If you're that hungry, why don't you go order something? Or better yet, make it yourself?"
"Because the rest of us can only be satisfied by your culinary masterpieces now!" Muelsyses pointed an accusing finger at him. "You're the one who spoiled our palettes, so you need to take responsibility for it!"
Hearing the commotion, Jara perked up, a delighted spark in her eye. "Oh my. It has been quite a while since I've had your cooking, Joshua. Mind if I join you all?"
It was a poorly kept secret that the founders of Rhine Lab had grown so accustomed to Joshua preparing their meals that they hardly ate anywhere else. And as time passed, his culinary skills had only sharpened.
Joshua sighed in mock resignation, a fond smile betraying his act. "Alright, alright. Since it's come to this, lead the way, Mumu."
The trio left the lounge and walked back toward the modest office building that served as Rhine Lab's current headquarters. Along the way, several students and admirers stopped Joshua to ask for autographs or handshakes. It was a surreal experience; the revolutionary change brought by the Arc Reactor completely overshadowed his Sarkaz heritage. Horns and a halo that would normally cause Columbians to cross the street in fear were now treated as the quirks of a celebrity genius.
Soon, they reached the headquarters. The heavy front doors opened, and a familiar, sturdy Vouivre stepped forward to greet them.
"Welcome back, Joshua. Good evening, Miss Jara," Saria said, her voice a calm anchor in the bustling facility.
"Good evening, Saria," Jara replied politely.
"I'm home, my dear," Joshua said, stepping forward to give Saria a warm hug and a gentle kiss on the cheek.
Before the moment could linger, a deadpan voice called out from the adjacent room.
"Before you two get any more intimate with each other, could you please make dinner? It's already an hour past my scheduled eating time."
Kristen was already seated at the head of the dining table, knife and fork resting impatiently in her hands, her face a mask of utter seriousness.
"Yeah! Food first, flirting later!" Muelsyses cheered, immediately following suit and stationing herself at the table alongside Jara, who was trying to hide her amusement.
Looking at the chaotic, demanding, yet incredibly warm scene unfolding in the dining room, Joshua couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Despite all the ups and downs, the stressful failures and the monumental successes, his friends still treated him exactly the same as they always had. Titles, money, and fame didn't matter in this room.
This—this loud, hungry, brilliant family—was exactly what he had truly wished to see.