?


    The words didn''t just sting ter; they pped Edna and the rest of them right across the face.


    "So, you''re the older graduate student, huh?" Edna finally gave Roseanne a proper look, smirking with disdain. "Got a sharp tongue, I see. Wonder if your smarts measure up."


    ter chimed in: "Seriously! Who gets into grad school pushing thirty? Either a few screws loose or just not much upstairs. Has the bar really gotten that low for academia?"


    Roseanne, unfazed, replied calmly, "Whether my brain''s wired right isn''t your concern, but you- you''re definitely sick."


    Out of nowhere, Scales joined the fray: "Rabies, to be exact. Biting anyone in reach."


    Turning to Edna, he added, "If I were the owner, I''d put down a rabid dog like that pronto. Save myself the trouble of getting bittenter."


    A chill ran down Edna''s spine.


    ter exploded on the spot-


    "Who are you calling a rabid dog?! You''re the sick dogs!"


    Roseanne retorted, "The one barking is usually the dog. Ms. Payne, let''s not waste our time with these roadblocks."


    Madeleine, who had been fuming, suddenly felt her anger dissipate.


    "Alright."


    The group of four made to leave when Edna suddenly piped up: "The department''s funding has been officially approved. You''ve failed to produce any noteworthy papers for years. If I were you, I''d gracefully step aside for someone more capable."


    Madeleine stiffened.


    Edna continued, "Resources should go to those who truly need them, not to those resting on theirurels, wasting away. Right, Ms. Payne?" Roseanne nced back, her voice icy, "Whether it''s a waste isn''t for you to judge. Academic achievements will prove who truly deserves those resources."


    "Well said!" Edna pped mockingly. "I look forward to seeing what academic marvels you''ll bring to the table."


    With that, Roseanne and her group left.


    ter sneered, "With Carlson around, you''re nothing!"


    ...


    The next day, at the opening ceremony, students were seated by college.


    Naturally, Roseanne, Mamie, and Scales stuck together.


    The usual drill unfolded: speeches from university leaders, followed by faculty heads, and then a representative from the neers...


    The trio was about to doze off when suddenly, a buzz of excitement


    stirred from the back of their


    college''s section, followed bel.ne


    hushed whispers-


    "Was that really Carlson who just walked by?"


    "Absolutely sure!"


    "But shouldn''t he be swamped with work? Why attend the opening ceremony?"


    "Who knows? Maybe just here for the show?"


    "And what a show... You think the ''Walking SCI'' has time to kill?"


    "Walking SCI"?"


    "Can''t believe you don''t know!"


    "Uh... know what?"


    "Carlson, Professor Edna''s star pupil,N?velDrama.Org content.


    aced his way into Kingswell


    University as a science prodigy. Started publishing papers in undergrad. Senior year alone, snagged three SCI papers, sailed


    straight into grad school, and h


    been cranking out ster research yearly."


    "Saying he''s carrying half our science department''s reputation isn''t an overstatement. Professor Edna''s pride and joy-heck, even the faculty heads smile a little brighter around him."


    This was Roseanne''s second time hearing "Carlson" in just two days.