Chapter 6: A New Dawn: Shaking the Foundations of the Cosmos

The Royal Astronomical Society had to respond to Aren’s revolutionary compromise theory.

The members gathered, and the ceiling of the room glowed softly with lights shaped like celestial bodies orbiting the Earth.

Nihir had maintained her position as president of the Royal Astronomical Society for decades with her overwhelming achievements.

She stepped up to the podium.

Under the starlit lights, her eyes shimmered with passion for change.

“Esteemed members of the society, we are gathered here today to discuss a special matter.”

Nihir’s voice was gentle but resolute, resonating through the hall.

Holding Aren’s paper on the compromise theory, she continued.

“As you all know, a student from the academy recently published a remarkable astronomical theory. That student is Aren of the Rubellius family.”

A murmur rippled through the hall.

Nihir nodded, flipping open the pages of the paper, each page like a white bird soaring toward truth.

“Aren’s theory has shifted the fundamental framework of astronomy, unchanged for a thousand years. We thought all planets orbited the Earth, but we’ve learned that only the sun orbits the Earth, while the other planets orbit the sun.”

Of course, Nihir knew this was a transitional theory, preparing people for the revolutionary heliocentric model.

It was impressive in its own right, though.

“I propose that we accept Aren Rubellius as a member of our society. His extraordinary talent and insight will undoubtedly be a great asset.”

One member raised a hand.

A middle-aged man, his eyes filled with skepticism.

“But Madam President, isn’t Aren still an undergraduate? Our society consists solely of distinguished scholars and professors, does it not?”

A young woman’s voice chimed in.

“Exactly! I heard Aren’s not even in the astronomy department—he’s in swordsmanship!”

Her sharp tone, as if seizing a chance to criticize, drew Nihir’s gaze.

It was Lucia, the youngest member of the society at twenty-one, with twintails.

She had joined with dazzling talent, like a morning star, but compared to Aren, her talent was negligible—like comparing a candle to the sun.

Lucia’s flushed face and sweating brow betrayed the turmoil swirling within her.

Perhaps she feared losing her title as the youngest member if Aren joined.

Lucia was immature, and since joining, she hadn’t produced any notable achievements.

If she lost her youngest-member title, no one would pay her attention, so her overreaction made sense.

Murmurs filled the hall.

“How could he be from the swordsmanship department?”

“Is that paper really his own work?”

Such absurd speculations reached Nihir’s ears.

She shook her head.

Even if the talents of everyone in this society were combined, they couldn’t match Aren.

Yet here they were, debating whether to accept him.

‘Aren is far greater than any of you. You don’t know how much he truly understands.’

If the Royal Astronomical Society rejected Aren, it would be the society that fell to ruin.

Nihir knew Aren would soon announce the revolutionary heliocentric theory.

When heliocentrism emerged, the world would undergo a seismic shift, shedding the husk of outdated truths.

Nihir couldn’t even imagine the shock people would feel before the truth of the celestial sphere.

“Esteemed members, Aren’s education and age are irrelevant. Aren’t his achievements greater than ours?”

Her voice carried unwavering conviction.

“We are about to enter a new era. We must not fear change. Instead, we should lead it.”

A brief silence fell over the hall.

Nihir scanned the members’ faces.

Some eyes held doubt, but others sparkled with anticipation.

Then Lucia shouted.

“Aren even wrote at the end of his paper that the Earth might not be the center of the universe! For an undergraduate to say such crazy things!”

“Be quiet if you don’t understand, Miss Lucia!”

“Eek…”

To Nihir, Lucia’s jealous outburst was nothing but a desperate attempt to cling to her youngest-member title.

Frowning at Lucia’s insults toward Aren, Nihir continued.

“Shall we proceed with a vote? Who is in favor of accepting Aren Rubellius as a member of our society?”

Nihir rarely raised her voice, so most members looked startled.

Lucia, scolded by the president, turned red as a beet, trembling in fear.

Nihir slowly raised her hand.

One by one, other members’ hands rose like stars.

Lucia hung her head, refusing to raise her hand, as if she’d never accept it.

The vote concluded, and Aren’s membership was approved.

Nihir smiled like a crescent moon and bowed to the members.

Soon, they would all witness what Aren was capable of.

*

Morning sunlight streamed gently through the library window, settling on my arm.

Thick astronomy books lay open on the desk.

I must’ve fallen asleep while reading.

To me, these books were mere stacks of worthless paper.

But to the people of this era, they represented the entirety of their cosmic knowledge.

I planned to examine the path they’d taken and guide them toward the future.

Perhaps they needed a new telescope.

The current ones were too crude to observe the celestial sphere properly.

With a tool that truly surpassed human vision, astronomy could advance.

Then, people might be ready to accept heliocentrism.

“Aren?”

My thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling my name.

I turned to see Lilia, bathed in sunlight, looking at me.

Her brown hair, reflecting the light, shone brilliantly.

“What’s up?”

My groggy, half-awake voice slipped out.

A bright, innocent smile spread across Lilia’s face.

Though her beauty briefly caught my eye, my gaze returned to the book.

I needed to find the part I’d been reading.

“You’ve done something incredible. It’s all over the newspapers—congratulations!”

“Oh, thanks.”

“I’ve been hearing a lot about you lately. They say other academies are offering you professorships, and you’re joining the Royal Astronomical Society…”

“I’m not leaving here. No need to. I’ll visit the society, but I don’t have any particular plans.”

“It’s the Royal Astronomical Society!”

“Honestly, there’s nothing for me to learn there.”

Lilia shook her head in disbelief, her large eyes filled with astonishment.

“I can’t believe you’re the same Aren I knew. I tried to stop you from studying astronomy, and now I feel so embarrassed thinking about it. My dream is actually to become a scholar like you and join the Royal Astronomical Society…”

“It’s fine. I didn’t expect you to understand anyway.”

Her expression darkened slightly at my words.

In the novel, Aren would’ve been overjoyed at Lilia’s praise, but honestly, I found it a bit bothersome.

I’m not that Aren.

I’m just a science YouTuber and university professor who’s never cared for romance fantasies.

Lilia may be the protagonist, but in a world where I see the potential for a scientific revolution, she doesn’t stir any excitement in me.

“You’ve… gotten a bit colder, Aren.”

“Have I?”

“You used to be brighter, more cheerful. A bit immature and childish, too…”

“I’ve probably changed a lot. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

“Aren…”

If the old Aren was an arrogant, foolish extra, the current Aren is someone who holds world-shaking truths known only to himself.

It’d be strange if my personality hadn’t changed.

“Aren, you’ve already accomplished something no one else has. You’ve changed an entire field. Take a break and be proud of it.”

Her words irritated me.

My left eye twitched with fatigue.

Lilia thinks what I’ve done is great, but she knows nothing about me.

What’s so great that I should rest?

Was presenting a transitional geocentrism as a bridge to heliocentrism some grand achievement?

There was far too much left to do for this world for me to rest over something so small.

“Lilia, I don’t have time to be proud. What matters is what I do next.”

“But…”

“I’m going to be very busy. Probably for a long time.”

“I understand. Sorry for bothering you, Aren. But… resting is important too. Don’t forget there are people who care about you.”

With a bittersweet smile, Lilia left the library.

As the door closed quietly, I let out a deep sigh.

I knew Lilia’s kind heart from reading the novel.

But I had no desire to fall in love.

With the ability to reveal world-shaking truths and pull the trigger on a scientific revolution, how could I care about the romantic drama of a romance fantasy?

Looking at the thick books and my scribbled notes, I began searching for ways to lead these medieval people to the light of science.

Lilia’s hurt expression lingered in my mind, but I pushed it aside.