A Chemist's Interstellar Saga

Chapter 70: Shocking The Admiral
Chapter 70: Shocking The Admiral

Varden looked at the two stubborn people in front of him and rubbed his forehead in frustration, thinking, ’What did I do wrong to deserve this?’

Knowing that he’ll need Sims’s help in his future studies, Varden had no choice but to say, ”Grandpa, Arix really can save this guy.”

Sims could dismiss Nyx’s words as extreme grief, but hearing it from his own grandson made him hesitate.

”Are you sure? Think carefully. This is a fatal illness.” Sims looked at Varden seriously.

Varden nodded solemnly.

Sims knew his grandson well, so he believed him halfway. As for the other half, he would verify it himself.

With this in mind, Sims walked over to Arix and Draven.

He didn’t disturb them; he just observed closely.

The longer he watched, the more serious his expression became.

Finally, Sims sent an urgent message to Matis.

A moment later, Matis’s video call came through. Sims answered, and Matis’s concerned voice came from the other end.

”Sims, what’s happening? Why did you contact me so urgently?” Matis asked.

”Come to Hecaris. I can’t explain everything in a video call,” Sims replied, his face heavy.

”Okay! I’ll take a spacecraft and be there in an hour,” Matis agreed without asking further questions and hung up.

Matis was actually Varden’s maternal grandfather.

Varden knew his grandfathers had been friends for decades, but he didn’t realize how close they were. Matis came over without asking any questions, while earlier, when Varden called Sims, he hesitated for a long time.

”Grandpa, look, you both are my grandpas, so why don’t you learn something from Grandpa Matis? He came right away without asking anything, but when I asked you earlier on, you wouldn’t agree at first,” Varden muttered in annoyance.

Sims, old but with sharp hearing, replied with equal disdain, ”You and Arix are both my grandkids, but why is Arix prettier and more considerate than you? And she’s more talented in chemistry. Do you think maybe we switched babies at birth? Maybe Arix is my real granddaughter.”

Varden was at a loss for words, feeling his throat tighten as he tried to respond.

...

An hour later, Matis arrived at the Fifth Legion. When Sims went to meet him, he explained the situation.

Matis’s first reaction was disbelief. A broken psychic world was considered an incurable condition in the galaxy.

If Sims had said he would treat it himself, Matis might have believed it a bit. But when he heard Arix was the healer, he couldn’t believe it at all.

”I’m serious. Why don’t you believe me?” Sims was exasperated, beginning to understand Nyx’s frustration.

”Sims, it’s not about belief. It’s impossible,” Matis replied, having long lost hope for a cure for mental illnesses.

Every year, over 100,000 Alliance soldiers in the Fifth Legion died or were severely injured due to psychic problems. Matis had searched for a cure for decades without success. Now, however, someone claimed to cure psychic world issues, and Matis’s skepticism was understandable.

”You stubborn old man,” Sims cursed in frustration.

Matis advised, ”Sims, you should accept reality.”

”To hell with reality,” Sims snapped back, furious.

The two old men, with a combined age over a century, argued like children all the way to Varden’s dormitory.

”Ad... Admiral,” Nyx stammered nervously, recognizing the Fifth Legion’s admiral.

”Grandpa,” Varden greeted with a smile.

Matis nodded in response to Nyx and then ruffled Varden’s hair affectionately. ”Varden, your look today is quite unique.”

”No, it’s not a look. I’ll shower and change soon,” Varden said, embarrassed and smiling.

”Sims, hurry up. What’s taking so long? This boy can wait for you love. You should focus on Kellan and Drexel,” Sims scolded.

Varden sighed.

Matis shook his head and smiled at Sims. ”You haven’t changed a bit, still as hot-tempered as ever.” He then comfortingly ruffled Varden’s hair again.

Sims, annoyed, said, ”Enough. You didn’t believe me? See for yourself.”

Sims brought out a tester to check Draven’s condition.

Matis, resigned, walked over to Draven and looked at the virtual screen of the tester.

Draven’s condition was poor, both physically and psychically. The data on the screen showed low levels.

But as time passed, the levels began to rise slowly.

When the psychic power level increased by one millimeter, Matis’s face turned serious and shocked.

As the levels continued to rise, tears welled up in Matis’s eyes.

Sims noticed and sighed. ”You two, go out for a while,” he said to Varden and Nyx.

”But...” Nyx started to protest, but Varden covered his mouth and dragged him out, locking the door behind them.

With only the four of them left in the room, Sims’s expression softened. He patted Matis’s shoulder, teasing, ”You’re so old, yet you cry in front of the youngsters. Isn’t it embarrassing?”

”Sims, I’m just happy,” Matis defended.

”Yeah, right,” Sims said, rolling his eyes.

Matis could see Sims was being dismissive, but he didn’t explain further and just hid his rare moment of vulnerability.

He then looked at Sims with determination and said, ”Sims, I know why you called me here, but we can’t keep this secret. The Alliance has many people who need Arix, and I believe Arix is willing to help.”

”You! That’s your own granddaughter! If this gets out, she’ll be a target for all enemies, especially the insectoids. Matis, do you even have a heart?” Sims angrily replied, clearly upset.

”Isn’t Arix already the primary target for the insectoids? Sims! Why is your Chemistry Department so busy, running around the clock? Others might not know, but you know exactly why!” Matis said, his eyes filled with pain. Making this decision had been equally heart-wrenching for him.

”Matis, but Arix is still just a child,” Sims said with a furrowed brow, his face showing his sadness.

”Sims, if the Alliance is a tree, the soldiers are the roots. They endure the insectoids’ bites to nourish the leaves. If the leaves abandon the roots, the roots will wither, and the tree will fall. Sims, do you think the leaves can survive then?” Matis closed his eyes and fell silent.

”But at least...” Sims began, only to be interrupted by a clear, young voice.

”OK, there’s no need to hide it. This is what I want to do,” Arix said, having opened her eyes without them noticing. She looked at her two old men arguing over her and smiled.

Both old men fell silent. Finally, Matis smiled, a mix of bitterness and pride. ”Good, that’s my granddaughter. Don’t worry, Arix, if there’s any danger, Grandpa is ready to fight.”

”And me, Arix. I am just a chemist, but I still have some influence,” Sims added, unwilling to be outdone.

The two old men exchanged a glare, sparks flying between them.