Chapter 11

■ Chapter 10. Cecil (1) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

Time flew by. The first class was mostly an orientation, teaching us only what we would be learning, so there were plenty of breaks in between.

Thus, after the final lecture of the first week, "Economics," ended, I remained seated as the other students left. I had a lot to think about.

‘Damn. They’ve poured all the shortcomings of high school into this.’

This place doesn’t follow the system of the university from my previous life, where lectures lasted for three months followed by a long three-month vacation before moving on to the next semester. Here, classes run for 4 to 5 months, and the vacation period is only two or one month.

Moreover, there are a total of 18 subjects, and the maximum score for each subject is 100 points. To avoid being held back, one must score a total of 900 points. To receive a scholarship, one needs to score over 1200 points, but that’s practically impossible.

Getting 100 points in one subject is already difficult, let alone 1200 points. For someone like me, who is just a regular person, it’s almost an impossible feat.

‘First, I’ll take Philosophy, Humanities, Biology, History, and Theology as required subjects… The rest is a problem. I thought this was a liberal arts course, so why is there math?’

I grumbled inwardly, but math plays a very important role in this world. It’s closely related to magic, which has naturally led to its development.

Why? In old fantasy novels, when casting spells, mathematical formulas are often used. It’s a cliché to apply the formulas learned in middle and high school to make the protagonist a magic genius.

But here, it’s also useful. However, it’s not the same as the math learned in school. When inventing new magic, one must logically write down the numbers related to the magic to make it easier to use.

‘Magic being math and physics, what a terrifying hybrid.’

No wonder the books related to magic are so difficult. They contain words that only mathematicians and physicists would use, making it impossible for someone like me, a liberal arts student, to understand.

Moreover, since ‘mana’ is used to manifest fireballs and ice chunks, math and physics have advanced to a crazy extent. Therefore, it’s easy to think of mages as having computers in their heads.

It’s as if there are geniuses like Newton and Einstein from my previous life scattered everywhere.

For these reasons, I decided to give up on math. It’s a subject that only real geniuses can study.

Due to my experience of being a math failure in my previous life, I thought about learning math once, but I gave up after the first class.

“…Mr. Jang?”

“… …”

“Mr. Isaac?”

“Huh?”

While I was recording my future plans in my notebook, someone called me. An attractive, smooth voice tickled my ears.

I turned my head to see who had called my name and was somewhat surprised.

Princess Cecil of Helium was looking at me, blinking her blood-red eyes.

“…Ms. Cecil?”

“I’m sorry if I interrupted your concentration. There’s no one else in the lecture hall right now.”

“Oh.”

I looked around at her words. As she said, the lecture hall was completely empty.

It seems that my concentration was so intense that I didn’t notice everyone had left.

“…Where are Lina and Marie?”

“They saw you concentrating and left first. I stayed behind, but you didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving, so I called you.”

“Hahaha…”

I scratched my head, feeling embarrassed. I almost ended up staying in the lecture hall all night.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I didn’t waste my time.”

“You’re welcome. Do you usually do this, Mr. Isaac?”

“Hmm… Yes, I often do.”

“It’s a good trait, but it seems a bit dangerous when I see it now.”

Cecil smiled and said. I felt my face turning red from her deadly smile and tried to avert my gaze.

At first, she seemed like a cartoon character, which felt strange, but as time passed, I got used to it. One could say that getting used to it is a good thing, but it made her beauty even more noticeable. That’s why I averted my gaze.

“Do you have any plans after this, Mr. Isaac?”

While I was trying to cool down my heated face, Cecil asked me. I calmed my flushed face and looked at her.

I don’t know why she asked such a question, but I have to answer. Besides, I don’t really have anything to do except go back to my dorm and read books or write manuscripts.

“No, not really.”

“Then how about we take this opportunity to get to know each other better?”

“… …”

I stared at Cecil in response to her suggestion. It’s not awkward for her to show such kindness, as she has shown sudden interest in me since the Magna incident.

Just before I opened my mouth, I thought it was okay to joke around and replied.

“Is this a date invitation?”

“Of course.”

“… …”

I was counterattacked. I stared blankly at Cecil, who was smiling, and felt my face turning red in real time. With that face and that smile, no man could resist.

While I was reacting, Cecil observed my reaction and smiled faintly, then spoke playfully.

“Mr. Isaac? Your hair and face are the same color now?”

“…Your jokes are cruel.”

“You started the joke, Mr. Isaac.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Since it was already exposed, I decided to continue the conversation with my face as red as a beet. When everything is exposed, embarrassment is a luxury.

“…Anyway, I don’t really have anything to do. I’ll just read books if I go back to my dorm.”

“Then how about we move to a different place?”

“Do you have a place in mind?”

“Having a simple meal while talking wouldn’t be bad, I think.”

I checked the time after hearing her suggestion. The lecture ended at exactly 4:30, and it was now 5:00.

It’s a bit early for dinner, but it’s not too early either. If I get hungry at night, I can eat the snacks I put in the fridge.

“Sure. But I don’t know the restaurants well…”

“I think the school cafeteria isn’t bad.”

“I see.”

Halo Academy has many restaurants that are commonly called good places, but the school cafeteria, which is provided for free by the academy, is not bad either.

It’s a space for financially struggling commoners, but it offers a variety of foods in a buffet style.

This is possible because of the significant investment, and it’s one of the reasons why Halo Academy has a good reputation compared to academies in other countries. The welfare for students, regardless of their social status, is at a remarkable level.

Thus, I held my notebook in one hand and put the pen in the front pocket of my uniform. Cecil looked at me curiously and asked.

“Do you usually carry a notebook and fountain pen, Mr. Isaac?”

“No, I only prepare a notebook for lectures.”

I usually carry a notebook, but I didn’t mention it. She would inevitably ask why I always carry a notebook.

Cecil alternated her gaze between the magic pen hanging from my front pocket and the notebook in my hand, then nodded. Then, a question came to my mind, and I asked her.

“Do you not take notes, Ms. Cecil?”

“I’m a demon, so I remember everything I hear. I even remember what I ate on New Year’s Day ten years ago.”

“Wow…”

Maybe because they are a long-lived race, their memory is incredible.

It seems that the longer a race lives, the better their memory, as mentioned in books. I can’t even imagine how good the memory of elves, who are the epitome of longevity, would be.

However, having a good memory is not necessarily a ‘strength.’

“It might seem like a strength, but it must be very difficult.”

“Huh?”

“You remember everything, including bad things.”

There’s a saying about the blessing of forgetfulness. It’s better to forget bad memories as soon as possible, but if that’s impossible, it becomes a lifelong wound.

Cecil looked dazed at my sympathetic tone, but her expression soon turned into a deep smile.

“I’ve always thought that Mr. Isaac is very thoughtful. Most people would consider a good memory as a strength.”

“The word ‘trauma’ isn’t there for nothing.”

I have trauma from my previous life. It’s when my family from my previous life left unexpectedly in an accident.

That memory is truly… heart-wrenching. When something you naturally assume will always be there disappears without warning, you can’t even think.

Still, thanks to that, I was able to realize the importance of family, albeit belatedly. In this life, I have a very satisfying life with my good family.

While I was thinking about this, Cecil spoke with a curious tone.

“Sometimes, when I talk to Mr. Isaac, it feels like I’m talking to an older person. How old are you, Mr. Isaac?”

My heart skipped a beat, but I could answer calmly.

“I’m 17 now. How about you, Ms. Cecil?”

“I’m 105.”

“Ah, really… What?”

105 years old? I thought I had heard wrong and looked at Cecil.

She tilted her head, wondering what the problem was, and then realized something.

“To a demon, 100 years is like a human just entering adulthood. The custom is to become a demon and truly live as a human until 100 years. Of course, even if converted to human years, I’m older than Mr. Isaac.”

“Oh… I see.”

I mumbled and shifted my gaze to her head. Two horns protruded, proving she was a demon.

I sometimes forget that Cecil is a demon. Her usual behavior is that of an ordinary person, not a demon. Who would think a beautiful and playful woman like her is a demon?

Still, the occasional sense of alienation might be because this kind of life is new to her. I can understand it even as I think about it.

‘So, have you only lived in Helium until now?’

It’s likely. Demons living in Helium spend their entire lives there.

In the first place, it’s been almost 100 years since demons ventured out to form ties with other countries. That’s why Cecil’s enrollment in Halo Academy was a big news story.

“Hmm.”

During this time, did she notice my gaze on her horns?

Cecil let out a suggestive sound, narrowed her eyes, and asked me with a subtle, expectant tone.

“What do you think? If you only look at this, I really seem like an ordinary human, don’t I?”

“Yes.”

“…Huh? That’s it?”

My sharp answer made Cecil look bewildered. I was the one who couldn’t understand her reaction.

I blinked and asked her in return.

“What kind of answer are you looking for?”

“Well… something like, ‘You don’t seem like a demon’ or ‘It’s not awkward to see you living like a human’…”

Her voice grew softer as she spoke. I was puzzled for a moment, then recalled her life as a demon.

Before the publication of the Xeon Chronicles, demons were likely treated poorly and despised as devils. Moreover, with a good memory, bad memories must have continuously tormented her.

I rubbed my neck, not thinking of anything else to say. Still, the atmosphere felt like I should say something.

“Well, I’ve read the Xeon Chronicles, so I think of demons as humans. Besides, I’ve never been harmed by a demon, so I don’t have any prejudices.”

“…Really?”

“Yes.”

Cecil seemed to be thinking deeply, then looked at me straight and asked.

I’m not sure if it’s my imagination, but her expression seemed tense and determined.

“Then, what do you think of demons, Mr. Isaac?”

“Hmm…”

“Do you really… think we can become like humans?”

How should I answer in such a situation? I want to say something nice, but sometimes a whip is necessary. Disappointment grows in proportion to the expectations set.

Even if the Xeon Chronicles have made more people treat demons like humans, the inherent nature of demons, no matter how divine, cannot be changed. Perhaps, at this very moment, a demon who has demonized is causing chaos.

I stopped walking and turned to look at Cecil. My face was reflected in her ruby eyes, which were waiting for my answer.

I said firmly, looking at her.

“No.”

Thud-

Cecil’s steps stopped abruptly just before the cafeteria.

“Demons cannot become humans.”

A cold atmosphere settled between us.