Chapter 30

■ Chapter 29. Gathering (4) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

How often does time flow relatively quickly? The criteria may vary from person to person, but there are two main cases to distinguish.

The first is when you are doing something very enjoyable or fun. As the saying goes, "Time flies when you're having fun," and when you are focused on something, time tends to pass by in a flash. Afterward, you often regret the lack of time with a sense of longing.

The second is when each day is a repetition of the same routine. This case is a bit different. The process can be incredibly tedious, but when you look back, you realize that time has passed incredibly quickly.

And I am experiencing both of these phenomena. The lectures I want to listen to are so interesting that time flies, and the boring lectures pass quickly as I daydream.

As a result, it feels like it was just yesterday that my sister and I bought the formal attire, but it's already Friday. Since I don't attend the economics lecture, which is the last class on Fridays, all my classes end at 3 PM.

"Today's lecture ends here. I hope you have a pleasant time at tomorrow's gathering. Thank you all."

The professor, with his short hair, bowed politely, and the lecture hall was filled with applause. I, too, clapped enthusiastically in response to his excellent lecture.

The lecture I just attended, 'Military Science,' was merely a course to earn credits, but the professor's excellent explanations naturally piqued my interest. When I asked questions based on my historical knowledge from my previous life, he explained in a way that I could understand.

"Isaac, right?"

"Yes?"

As the applause began to die down, the professor called my name. I paused my clapping, startled by his call.

The professor maintained his usual stern expression and spoke with a tone of emphasis.

"As I mentioned earlier, naval battles on the sea are entirely different from land battles. Even if there is a 'Avatar' as you suggested, the sheer physical advantage cannot be overcome."

"Ah... Yes."

"Still, it was a good question. The idea of turning a disadvantageous battle situation around with just command, without any noticeable military force, is interesting. However, a wise commander would not have engaged in such a battle in the first place. Keep that in mind. That's all."

The military science professor gave a concise explanation and left the lecture hall. I was still dazed even after he left.

'How did Admiral Yi Sun-sin win the Battle of Myeongnyang, then?'

The topic I asked about during the lecture was the 'Battle of Myeongnyang.' It is a historical fact that every Korean knows, a great achievement by the hero Admiral Yi Sun-sin.

Of course, I didn't explain the detailed historical context but adapted it to fit this world. I made sure to add details about the excellent specifications of the Joseon navy, despite their numerical disadvantage. I had quietly attended lectures for two weeks to prepare for this question, and today was the day I finally asked it.

However, the military science professor was firm in his response. He said that while it was possible to inflict significant damage on the enemy, winning the battle was absolutely 'impossible.' Even if the commander was a 'Avatar' chosen by the gods, it was still impossible.

'Did I use a bad analogy? Or...'

Is it because this world is so different from Earth, or is it that Admiral Yi Sun-sin's existence itself is unrealistic? I can't tell.

Moreover, the historical situation was even worse than what I described to the professor. I tried to make the background and situation a bit more favorable, but the professor still concluded it was impossible.

"What's with that serious expression? Even I think it's unrealistic."

While I was struggling to make the scenario more realistic, Mari, who was sitting next to me, smirked and spoke. I paused my thoughts and looked at her.

Mari had one corner of her mouth turned up, as if to say, "Make sense."

"...Do you think so too?"

"Of course. How can 12 ships defeat over 100 enemy ships? If I were in charge, I would have beheaded the commander who ordered such a battle. It would be better to preserve the troops and combine them with others. From a soldier's perspective, there's no worse death."

But Admiral Yi Sun-sin won. Even though he was half-abandoned by the king and his own army was decimated by Won Gyun.

However, such a response would never come. I just laughed foolishly and agreed with her.

"Hahaha... Of course, right? It's an unrealistic story, isn't it?"

"You sometimes have a quirky side."

Mari said this and stood up. I also stood up to head back to the dormitory.

"Are you leaving?"

When the two of us stood up, Rina, who was sitting behind us, asked in a soft voice. By the way, Cecil was sitting next to Rina.

Originally, Cecil had agreed to sit separately from Rina until she finished reading the eighth volume of the Xenon Chronicles, but it seemed she had finished it.

"You know, Isaac and I don't attend economics. Why?"

Mari answered in a slightly irritable tone. I had noticed that over time, Mari's discomfort with Rina had increased. While she used to be wary of Rina, now she was openly irritable.

However, Rina shrugged nonchalantly. The small smile on her lips clearly showed that she was unfazed by Mari's behavior.

"Just a bit disappointed. I wanted to talk to you guys a bit more."

"Don't say things you don't mean. Let's go, Isaac."

"Uh... Okay."

"See you both at the gathering tomorrow~"

Before I took a step, Cecil waved brightly and smiled. I waved back, almost mesmerized by her gesture, and hurriedly followed Mari.

I didn't forget to greet Rina as I followed Mari. I nodded to her, and her smile deepened.

Her smile made me feel a bit uneasy, but I shook it off.

"Really... That annoying smile is always so irritating."

As we walked from the lecture hall to the dormitory, Mari grumbled. It was more like she was venting than grumbling.

I was curious why Mari disliked Rina but didn't ask. I usually refrain from prying into such matters unless the person brings it up.

Instead, it was better to change the subject. I gauged Mari's mood and cautiously brought up a new topic.

"Are you going to the gathering tomorrow?"

"I don't want to, but I have to. I'm the daughter of the Duke of Rekilles, so I need to build connections early."

Nicole had said the gathering was a fun event for freshmen to laugh and chat, but from Mari's perspective, it seemed she knew better.

As she said, the most important thing for nobles is connections, or networking.

Without connections, there would be no one to help in times of crisis, and politics is an essential aspect of noble life.

For commoners, the freshmen gathering is just an event, but for nobles, it's a space to build connections. In simple terms, it's a rehearsal for the future.

"You're going, right? Rina told me."

Mari looked at me and asked. I nodded, not sure when she heard it, but it was true.

When I nodded, Mari's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her discomfort was evident.

"Really, you have a talent for making people uncomfortable. Did Rina pressure you? Be honest."

"Absolutely not. I decided to go on my own."

"Hmm..."

Mari looked at me with her bright blue eyes wide open. As Cecil had mentioned, I tend to show my true feelings on my face.

Although Mari can't read my expressions like Cecil can, she can make educated guesses based on my facial expressions. I tried to calm myself to keep my face neutral.

After a moment, Mari, who had been staring at me intently, stepped back with an uncertain look. It seemed my face hadn't changed.

"Really, you decided on your own? Rina didn't say something like, 'It would be nice if you attended'?"

"Absolutely not."

Mari, who dislikes Rina, also knows her well.

"And you even bought formal attire?"

"Formal attire?"

"Yes."

"Hmm..."

When I said I bought formal attire, Mari let out a strange sound and looked me up and down. Her gaze felt like an appraisal, which made me a bit uncomfortable.

After a while, Mari nodded, seemingly satisfied, and spoke in a pleased tone.

"It suits you quite well. Who made it for you?"

"Uh... I don't know. My sister picked it out."

"How much did it cost?"

"7 gold and 99 silver, I think?"

"Eh? That's all?"

Indeed, for a daughter of a duke, 8 gold, or about 800,000 won, was considered 'just' a price.

I couldn't help but think about her family and asked in return.

"Then what about you?"

"I brought something from my family. It's a dress my dad gave me for my birthday, made by the famous Zelt."

Mari said this confidently, but I had no idea who Zelt was. He must be a tailor or something.

In this world, the materials for making clothes are well-developed, like training suits or leggings. Alchemy can replace chemistry, and recipes are widely available, making mass production possible to some extent.

However, making clothes is a different story.

There are no sewing machines here, so everything is hand-stitched. Therefore, while commoners' clothes are affordable, nobles' clothes, made by skilled artisans, are incredibly expensive.

"That must have been very expensive."

"Of course. It's probably over 100 gold, at the very least. But for a dress made by Zelt, it's relatively cheap."

A single dress costs 10 million won. Indeed, the world of the rich is incomprehensible.

As we talked, Mari's playful side emerged, and she smiled mischievously. She then declared confidently,

"Don't fall for me when you see me in my dress. Even my brother had to admit I looked pretty, albeit reluctantly."

I responded with a single, straightforward comment.

"You're already pretty."

"…Huh?"

"You're already very pretty."

"Uh... Uh..."

Did she realize I was being sincere despite my gruffness? Her snow-white skin turned red instantly. My response seemed to have caught her off guard.

However, Mari is undeniably beautiful. I was simply stating a fact.

"Uh... Well... That... Uh..."

For a while, Mari fidgeted and struggled to speak. Her face was so red that if you pressed her fingers, red drops would have fallen.

I wondered if I should have said that, but she had started the joke. Honestly, it was more of a sincere statement than a joke, and I had no intention of taking it back.

"Uh... Well... Thanks. It's a bit surprising to hear that from you, of all people."

"Why me?"

"Well, you're... gruff, and you can't hide when you're lying. So... anyway."

Mari nodded with a red face and then closed her mouth.

After a moment, Mari, who had been looking at the ground, glanced at me.

"...Isaac."

"Yes."

"Am I really pretty?"

"If you really don't believe it, ask someone else. They'll all say you're pretty."

"...Hehe."

Is it that good?

Mari smiled sweetly at my gruff response. Despite her initially tough impression, she was showing a youthful, innocent side.

Her unique side was refreshing, and I couldn't help but smile warmly.

"Isaac."

"Yes."

"Are you coming to our mansion during the break?"

For some reason, her words seemed to take a strange turn. The current friendly atmosphere and her reaction felt a bit odd.

Regardless, there must be a good reason, and I have no intention of refusing.

"Of course. You said the author of the Xenon Chronicles would be there, right?"

After hearing that from Mari, I wrote to my father. He replied that it was very likely a fraud and that the person had no calluses from writing for a long time.

This reassured me, but it also made me curious about the identity of the fraudster. Who would be so bold as to try to scam a duke?

Mari, after hearing my words, blinked a few times and then realized something.

"Oh, that? I forgot to tell you. My dad said the person was a fraud."

"What?"

"A fraud. There were several suspicious circumstances, and upon investigation, it turned out to be a well-known con artist. Now that the Xenon Chronicles are famous, he tried to pass himself off as the author and got caught by us."

While the result was disappointing, it was expected. A duke wouldn't easily believe someone and would have had a thorough investigation.

In fact, the fraudster had dug his own grave. He might have thought he could make a big score, but his target was too bad.

"Also, my dad met him and noticed he had no calluses from writing. Isaac, don't you have any?"

"This?"

I showed her the 'pen callus' on my finger. Mari nodded vigorously after confirming it.

"Yes, yes. That's it. My dad gets calluses from paperwork, but yours seem even more pronounced?"

"I study a lot."

Now I can handle this kind of situation smoothly. Mari, hearing my answer, looked relieved but then asked in an uncertain voice.

"...So, you're not coming to our mansion?"

"Hmm..."

I thought about her question. While I felt bad for Mari, there was no reason for me to visit her mansion now that the invited author was exposed as a fraud.

'There's no need to take unnecessary risks...'

While the duke had caught the fraudster, Mari's keen observation skills were evident. Therefore, the moment I shook hands with the duke, he would likely notice my pen callus.

I could explain it as a result of studying hard, but once suspicion arises, it tends to grow.

Especially, the duke would consider all possibilities. He wouldn't just assume the author of the Xenon Chronicles is an old sage.

Moreover, I'm not a pervert or a fool to risk my safety when a tiger has its mouth wide open.

I glanced at Mari, who looked anxious, and carefully answered. While I felt bad for her, I had to be honest.

"...Probably not."

"Damn... Just don't say it... No, wait."

Mari grumbled in disappointment but then seemed to have a sudden idea. She rubbed her chin, looking serious as if planning something.

What kind of scheme could she be concocting to look so serious? It was the first time I had seen her with such a serious expression, which made me uneasy.

"If it doesn't work, make it work... If you say you won't come, make you come..."

"..."

"...Alright. Isaac?"

Mari, muttering almost inaudibly, smiled and called me. I answered stiffly, feeling a sense of foreboding.

"What."

"If I invite you, will you still refuse? What if my dad invites you?"

"...Hey."

Now she's using her father's influence to pressure me. I looked at her with a bewildered expression, but she just smiled brightly.

"By the way, my dad is also interested in you. He said, 'How can a student teach history with such broad knowledge?' And if I do well in history, he'll be even more interested."

"..."

"What are you going to do? Will you come if I ask, or if my dad asks?"

"Fine. I'll go. It's fine, really. You're being unreasonable."

"Great!"

When I answered with a tone of resignation, Mari clenched her fists and cheered. I shook my head, looking at her excitedly.

I only agreed reluctantly because it was Mari. If it were anyone else, I would have refused outright. Mari might not realize it, but she was using 'power'—something far from the ideals of the Rekilles family.

But telling her now might shock her. It's better to keep this to myself for both our sakes.

Moreover, seeing her excitedly bouncing around, any negative feelings melted away.

"So, you agree? If you say no later, you'll be in trouble."

"Got it. I won't, so don't worry."

"Great. See you at the gathering tomorrow! Bye~"

Mari waved energetically and headed to the girls' dormitory. I waved back and returned to my dormitory.

As soon as I got back, I threw off my school uniform and flopped onto the bed. The soft sensation enveloped me, and I strongly felt the urge to rest.

'Assuming the duke's family is one thing, but at the gathering...'

The gathering is an event where not only literature students but also martial arts students gather. Nicole said there was no need to worry, but I was still concerned.

Jackson, for one, was eager to confront me. I wondered what kind of insulting remarks I would receive at the gathering. Of course, I treat Jackson like a child, so it wouldn't bother me.

A young, hot-headed person ranting wouldn't affect me at all. His elitist attitude feels like a middle schooler's, so it doesn't resonate with me.

'By the way, will Leona attend?'

I suddenly thought of Leona, the water spirit. Would she attend the gathering tomorrow? Given her situation, it's more likely she won't.

I lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, and then turned my head slightly. My formal attire for tomorrow was hanging on the clothes rack. Just this one piece costs over 800,000 won.

'I hope it's worth it.'

With that thought, I jumped out of bed. It would be a waste to just idle away my time. It's better to write some more.

I sat at my desk and opened a notebook, not the lecture notes, but one where I had organized the plot. It contained detailed outlines and episodes, as well as descriptions of the characters' features and backgrounds.

'For the Seven Deadly Sins, let's make Wrath a water spirit. A human whose family was massacred and even betrayed by another water spirit...'

I took out the magic pen my father had given me from my front pocket and started writing.