"...Two thousand years have passed, and yet the off-target effects of gene editing tools remain unresolved. The most advanced technology we have today is the Federation's nanodrone system, but even that requires an original template to function," Master Faurik paced slowly back and forth on the podium, his tail swaying with each step. "This is yet another piece of evidence that reveals to us just how profound and unfathomable the mysteries of the Rationalism truly are, far beyond the scope of our understanding!"

Today, there were more students asleep than awake, and those who were awake looked as though they might doze off at any moment. Like in past "recovery periods" between the preliminaries and the finals, everyone was still caught up in the excitement of the previous events, while eagerly anticipating next month's finals. There was no energy left to spare for mundane matters--like attending class.

The Masters had mostly adopted a hands-off approach, even Qana. Occasionally, a Master would complain directly to the sleepy young wolves, wondering aloud why the break couldn't be extended to three months. But most of the time, the Masters chose to gloss over less important or particularly disliked subjects during this period. I was probably the only one who noticed that Master Faurik had rolled his eyes at his own words for the third time today.

So when the Master dismissed the class and exited the lecture hall, hardly any of the wolves reacted.

"Master!" I quickly gathered my things and hurried into the hallway, calling after him.

"Ah, Richter." The Master turned around, his expression weary. "Is there something you need?"

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"I have some questions..." I noticed the impatience in the frequency of his tail's movements, so I decided to get straight to the point. "About your colleague at Oceanus Procellarum University. What if there was another 'intern,' a Nyx with episodic memory..."

"Has Qana come up with a new idea?" Master Faurik raised an eyebrow at me.

"Qana?" I tilted my head, confused.

"Well, it was his suggestion in the first place," the Master said with a shrug. "But I suppose this might not involve him. Qana should be well aware that even if he pressured Nyx, convincing the Library of Alexandria to give up a episodic memory- member is practically impossible." He narrowed his eyes at me, as if a multitude of thoughts were flashing through his mind.

I stood there with my mouth slightly open, unable to deliver the speech I had prepared. Although I had suspected this outcome, my ears and tail still drooped uncontrollably.

Still, learning that Qana had been involved in this matter was a bit surprising.

" Oceanus Procellarum University would certainly be interested in a Nyx with episodic memory, but the key is Nyx's own intentions," Master Faurik emphasized again. "If you really want to make something happen here, Qana's influence far outweighs mine. You should talk to him." The Master waved me off, signaling that he was too tired to deal with anything further, and then he left.

Well, it was clear that Master Faurik had his own concerns, so it seemed I would have to talk to Qana after all. Though I wasn't entirely sure how to go about "pressured," it sounded like something the swordsmanship Master would excel at.

Qana had mentioned that he would be very busy during this time, so perhaps it would be better to wait until after the selection process was fully over to bring this up? I had hoped to have some kind of answer to share with Aether and the others next time we met, but it looks like that will have to be postponed.

Now that I have to talk to Qana, does that make things easier?

I replayed Qana's interactions with Momus in my mind, pondering whether this would make things simpler or more complicated.