Chapter 4

■ Chapter 3. An Anxious Start (1) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

Time quickly passed, and the day of enrollment arrived.

Since I had completed all preparations several days ago, I only needed to check my suitcase, and I had already reserved a carriage. The only thing left was to say goodbye to my parents.

"Isaac, our beloved child. You must still write books even at the academy, right?"

"...Mother, you value books more than me, don't you?"

"Of course."

"..."

"Hehe. I'm just joking. Don't make that face."

It doesn't seem like a joke. I gave a bitter smile. Still, she hugged me, showing her deep love for her child.

"Isaac, I have a gift for you."

Next, it was my father's turn. He gave me a pen.

It looked like a fountain pen from my previous life, with a black base and a gold trim that combined beautifully, catching the eye.

For someone who had always used only the nib, it was a sight that made my eyes widen.

Seeing me alternate my gaze between the fountain pen and my father, he smiled contentedly and explained.

"It's called a Magic Pen. It has a magic embedded that converts mana into ink. As long as you can recharge the mana, you can use it for a lifetime."

"Isn't this expensive?"

In this world, magic has developed instead of science. Moreover, things that are complex like machines or engineering can be replaced by magic.

However, since magic has not been popularized or commercialized, it is mostly used by the upper class.

Furthermore, such magical items require meticulous work, so most are made by dwarves.

So, the Magic Pen that my father gave me must be incredibly expensive. It would probably exceed a commoner's annual living expenses. Even for my father, who holds the title of a viscount, it is a significant expense.

"Compared to the money you've earned for us, this is nothing. And when I thought about what to give you, this was the only thing that came to mind. I'm sorry."

"Father..."

"Work hard on your writing, but don't neglect your studies. If you have any difficulties, ask your older brother and sister for help."

My father gave me warm advice and handed me the Magic Pen. I could feel the calloused hands of a knight who had spent his life in service.

Then, he gently stroked the callus on the first and second joints of my middle finger, a result of my diligent writing, commonly known as a 'pen callus.'

"This can be called a mark of honor. I'm proud of you."

"..."

"This is an honor you've earned on your own. So, act with pride."

"...Yes."

Being born and raised under such good parents is a glory and a blessing. There's nothing more important than growing up under good parents.

Although in my previous life, my family disappeared before I could repay their kindness, this life is different. I shared a deep hug with my father and got into the carriage I had reserved.

"Then, I'll be back!"

"Take care of yourself! When the holidays come, visit with your brother and sister!"

"If anything happens, contact us! Stay healthy!"

My parents watched me until I got into the carriage. Even after I was a considerable distance away, they kept looking back.

'Now I'm leaving.'

In the swaying carriage, I watched the scenery outside. The territory my father managed was so desolate it could be called a rural village.

However, there were almost no monsters, and the people lived happily, filled with laughter and vitality. Since my father was originally a knight who had achieved great feats, young people often came to him for training.

Occasionally, when I was writing, I could hear the sounds of training from outside, mostly from knight aspirants being trained by my father. I believe some of the outstanding ones were sent to the academy under my father's name.

'Now I won't be able to see that anymore, will I?'

How should I describe this feeling... I can't express it in one word.

I was excited, but I wondered if I could adapt well, given that I had almost no social interactions until now. Moreover, this is a completely different world from what I know.

I'm not sure if the common sense of human society applies here. In a world where social status exists, there are too many variables.

'What's the point of worrying now?'

I decided to relax. No one will know that I'm the author of the Zayon Chronicles, and I just need to act as a diligent student.

I don't know what I'll learn at the academy, but my goal is to study hard and win a scholarship. If any trouble arises during my stay, I can inform my brother or sister.

'First, I need to find my brother and sister.'

My sister has navy blue hair, but my brother has red hair like my father, making him easy to find. Red hair is rare in this world, especially with his golden, feline-like eyes.

I leaned back against the seat, then a question came to mind, and I asked the coachman.

"Coachman, how long does it take to get to the academy?"

"On a good day, it takes about 10 hours."

"It's shorter than I thought. I expected it to take at least a day."

"The territory managed by Viscount Maishal is close to the capital. Besides, this territory will start to develop in earnest from five years later, even though it hasn't been developed yet."

10 hours... It's a good amount of time to read a book or take a nap. Still, it's a very long time.

When I was reincarnated, I once pondered how to spend the excessive free time meaningfully. The result was books.

However, sometimes I wish science had developed a bit more. Even the dwarves, who are more skilled than humans, focus on making excellent weapons and items, not on transportation.

'Maybe I should include it in the Zayon Chronicles? As a masterpiece created by the dwarven craftsmen.'

This isn't a bad idea. Dwarves are known for their eccentricity, creating even bizarre magical weapons. If there's a goal for transportation and supply, and a suitably gloomy backstory, it's plausible.

Especially, I've heard from my father that among dwarves, the relationship between master and apprentice is like that of parent and child. When a master passes away, the apprentice carries on the tradition, even if it means being ostracized.

This explains why there are so many eccentric dwarves.

'The gloomy backstory is enough. Let's set it as a steam locomotive powered by burning mana.'

I scribbled in my notebook with the Magic Pen my father gave me. I have a habit of recording things to remember them, which I carried over from my previous life.

'After all, I don't know how it works. Surely, I won't have to build it for real, right?'

To be clear, I'm a humanities student. Do I even know about machines?

I'll just describe it in a way that I can imagine, and if it gets too difficult, I'll add illustrations.

By the way, I'm surprisingly good at drawing. When the Zayon Chronicles were first published, I included a world map to help readers understand.

While my drawing skills aren't outstanding, they were sufficient for immersion. I found it fun to draw, so I added several illustrations with each publication.

'It has that old novel feel.'

Before web novels became popular in my previous life, paper books often included several illustrations to help readers understand the world.

Thanks to this, I could immerse myself even more.

After recording the setting of the steam locomotive in my notebook, I checked if the ink had dried. As expected, the ink dried quickly, showing its worth.

I felt happy, thinking my father had given me something truly good. After that, I focused on reading until we arrived.

"Sir?"

"..."

"Sir?"

"Yes?"

While I was engrossed in reading, the coachman called me. I put down my book and looked up.

"We'll be arriving at Halo Academy soon."

"Huh? Already?"

"Hehe. Already? It's been 10 hours. Your concentration is terrifying."

The coachman laughed heartily. I scratched my head in embarrassment and glanced out the window.

"Wow..."

Indeed, it's a city, and the capital at that. The streets are completely different.

In my hometown, most of the streets are fields or farmland, but here, they are filled with buildings. The architectural style and the pedestrians walking on the streets give a European feel.

Occasionally, I saw knights in iron armor and mages with staffs, who seemed to be in charge of security.

"Look ahead, and you'll see Halo Academy."

"Where... Oh."

As the coachman said, I looked ahead and saw a building with a unique structure. My impression:

'...Is this Hogwarts?'

It's not a lie; the Hogwarts from Harry Potter is right there. The size of a castle, with conical roofs, it looks exactly like the Hogwarts I know.

Of course, it's not exactly the same, but the differences are minor.

'Could the magic incantations be something like Abracadabra?'

I've never seen a mage before, so such thoughts come to mind.

"Here we are. Have a good life."

"Thank you. Good job."

The coachman politely greeted me as I got out of the carriage. I also greeted him according to the etiquette I learned at home.

The coachman smiled once and turned away. I watched him leave, then turned around.

"Wow..."

I couldn't help but exclaim. Anyone who has lived on Earth would understand my feelings.

A fantasy civilization that only existed in comics and novels is right in front of me. Who wouldn't be amazed? From a distance, it looked like a castle, not a university.

'...This isn't the time.'

I quickly regained my composure and looked around. People who seemed to be new students were heading towards the main gate.

Occasionally, I saw people in uniform, which must be the school uniform, so they were probably returning students. The uniform is only given to new students.

I calmed my racing heart and walked towards the main gate. As I moved, the sound of my suitcase being dragged followed.

"Oh! Oh! Look! Isn't that Prince Leort?"

"Really? He's always so handsome..."

"Is that Princess Lina next to him?"

"Probably. She's beautiful too. I'm envious."

Suddenly, the atmosphere became noisy. People heading to the academy entrance stopped and looked in one direction.

I turned my head to see what was happening. Two men and women, radiating beauty that could blind, were walking side by side.

"Wow."

People can look like that. I'm quite handsome myself, but I'd have to admit defeat in front of this man.

And the woman walking next to him? She was wearing a white dress, exuding a beauty that rivaled the elves, known as the embodiment of beauty.

The unique point was that both had blonde hair and blue eyes, though their features were different, they were clearly siblings.

"...Wait, the prince and princess?"

The two who threatened to lock me up in the newspaper? Just as I thought this, someone approached them.

A girl with wavy brown hair and round, cute eyes, small in stature like a squirrel.

"Prince Leort! It's been a while!"

"Hmm? You are..."

For a moment, a crack appeared in Leort's expression, but it wasn't a hallucination.

Regardless, the brown-haired girl clung even closer to Leort. She subtly linked her arm with his, emphasizing her relationship with him to the surrounding people.

However, Leort's reaction was indifferent, even as the girl clung to him. She spoke in a cheerful voice.

"It's me, Sophia! Do you recognize me?"

"...Ah. Lady Sophia. I know you well."

Lies. Anyone can tell from his forced smile. The prince is clearly annoyed.

After all, anyone would be annoyed if a stranger clung to them while walking. Even more so if their intentions are obvious.

Unfortunately, Lady Sophia, either clueless or with a death wish, pressed herself even closer.

Her expression of being moved was an added bonus.

"You remember! Honestly, I thought you wouldn't..."

"You wouldn't forget a small, cute woman like you."

"Ah..."

Wow. She can lie so boldly without even a hint of hesitation. Still, with that voice and face, anyone would be swayed.

Of course, acting isn't easy.

'The prince isn't easy either.'

I felt a strange sympathy and chuckled to myself before moving on. This is not my business, and unnecessary interference would only cause trouble.

"By the way! Prince Leort, did you read the latest Zayon Chronicles?"

Until she asked this, I had stopped in my tracks and looked back at Leort.

Leort's expression brightened as soon as the Zayon Chronicles were mentioned. Given how much he threatened to lock me up in the palace, it's understandable.

"Of course. Did you read the new volume?"

"Of course! But the ending... The author seems to be playing with people's emotions, and it made me angry. Prince Leort, do you agree?"

"That shows the author has the ability to move people's hearts. I was also angry after reading the ending, as was my sister."

"Princess Lina too?"

Sophia's gaze turned to the princess, Lina. Lina smiled and answered, but her gaze was on Leort, not Sophia.

"Brother, do you really have to say that? It's embarrassing."

Why are you making me the scapegoat? This is what I heard.

But Leort wasn't easy either.

"Sharing hobbies is more fun."

Let's suffer together. This is what I heard.

Despite his gentle tone and refined language, the essence of siblings remains the same.

"What did you feel after reading the ending? Was it really as the newspaper said?"

"Ah, that? It was written in a fit of anger, so you don't need to take it seriously."

"I feel the same. Lady Sophia doesn't need to worry."

That's a relief for me. I sighed in relief.

After all, who would write such things in a newspaper while sober...

"Though, the part about locking me up in the palace is half true. Hahaha."

"..."

I must avoid any entanglement or encounter with these people.

I moved my legs quickly, deciding I had heard enough.

'Wait, but... Could the princess be enrolling too?'

Upon further thought, the situation seems even more complicated.

I must not be discovered.