Chapter 49

■ Chapter 48. The Seven Deadly Sins (1) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

The sky after a storm is always clear. In reality, after a storm that seems to sweep everything away, the scene is left with a peaceful atmosphere as if nothing had happened.

However, the storm is powerful enough to sweep away everything in its path. The trunk of a giant tree, rooted deep in the ground, breaks helplessly in half, and the civilization built by people is destroyed helplessly in the face of the power of nature.

So, people endure the storm to see the infinitely clear blue sky. Whether the storm is a literal one or a storm of a different kind.

I, too, went through a storm and nearly collapsed like a broken tree trunk, but I managed to barely hold on thanks to Nicole's sincere comfort. After that, only a cloudless, clear sky shone upon me, bringing me a sense of freshness.

Currently, I am writing the 9th volume of the Zeyon series, and if I write up to the 10th volume, it will take about a year, even with a loose estimate. Since I said I would take a break until my third year, my break period is guaranteed to be at least a year.

Perhaps because of this thought, I was able to write the manuscript more smoothly. I have a terrifying concentration that, once I get into it, I go all the way, but there is another reason for the momentum.

It was a single letter that arrived from home a few days later, a letter filled with my father's sincerity.

Usually, he writes simple words to make them easy to understand, but this time, a long letter came, not unlike my mother's. And I couldn't help but wipe away a tear when I read my father's letter.

I felt both happy and guilty to have such solid people in my life. I wondered why I was so attached to this writing.

However, I couldn't disappoint them, so I had to work even harder. Whether it was the Zeyon series, a new work, or my studies, I had to be my parents' proud son.

Thanks to this resolve, I achieved the remarkable feat of writing the 9th volume, which was initially expected to take two months, in just one month. I carefully checked for any mistakes due to the speed of writing and sent it home.

I also added a note explaining the bloodstains on the manuscript to prevent my overly loving parents from misunderstanding.

But as a month passed, things changed. Just as college students face the daunting challenges of assignments and exams during that month, the same was true for academy students.

"Did the exam go well?"

"Hmm... It was a bit difficult. I guess there are limits to memorization. I didn't expect the topic to be like that."

On the day of the history exam that everyone had been so anxious about, Cecil and I were talking outside the lecture hall after finishing the exam.

Cecil looked a bit disappointed, as the exam was more difficult than expected. As she said, the history exam wasn't just about memorizing history.

Professor Elena, during history lectures, assumed basic historical knowledge and focused on what could be learned from history and what should be learned. It was a lecture that emphasized the subject of history itself more than just historical knowledge.

And the topic for this history exam was as follows:

It looks simple on the surface but is cruelly difficult in reality. You have to decide whether to write a simple and easy-to-understand answer or to elaborate in detail.

After grumbling for a moment, Cecil turned her head to me and asked curiously.

"Wasn't it difficult for you, Isaac? You wrote it down in one go and submitted the exam paper."

"Did you see that?"

"Of course, since you were the first to leave. What did you write?"

In my past life, there is a famous quote related to history that is often mentioned. I don't know who said it first, but it is firmly etched in people's minds.

With that, I answered her question in my usual blunt voice.

"History repeats itself eternally. I wrote just that and came out. What about you, Cecil?"

"Of course..."

"You're not going to tell me, right? I already know."

I beat her to it before Cecil could play a prank. She was momentarily taken aback and then looked at me with a bewildered expression.

From my observations, Cecil has a habit of raising the corners of her mouth before playing a prank. I anticipated and beat her to it the moment I saw that.

"...How did you know?"

Indeed, people are often unaware of their own habits. Cecil asked me with a mix of surprise and confusion, a reaction I didn't expect.

I looked at the rarely flustered Cecil and quietly replied.

"Aren't you going to tell me?"

"...Hey."

"I can't be the only one to suffer."

"Tch."

Cecil clicked her tongue and turned her head away, expressing her annoyance with her whole body. However, I didn't need to worry much about it.

No matter how annoyed she gets, she will surely play a prank on me again soon. Despite her playful nature, I was starting to get tired of it.

"Sis."

"What do you want?"

"Do you only play pranks on me, or do you play them on others too?"

I asked because while Cecil chatted warmly with Lina, she often played pranks on me.

However, pranks need to be reciprocated to be pranks, and at some point, they started to feel excessive, making me tired.

I was starting to get confused about whether she was treating me like a toy or as an equal.

Cecil blinked her red eyes and tilted her head in response to my question.

"Isn't that so? I play pranks on Lina and others too. I never play pranks on people I'm not close to."

"Hmm... Is that so?"

"...Why are you asking? Did it make you feel bad?"

When I showed a doubtful reaction, Cecil seemed to sense the change in the atmosphere and asked cautiously.

I stared at the worried Cecil and then remembered her age. She is a demon who has lived for over 100 years.

She must have seen and experienced many things during that time, yet she has a tendency to be immature in unexpected ways. It's hard to tell if it's because she is new to human society or due to the environment she grew up in.

"I'm not upset, but I wish you would tone it down a bit. I also want to share interesting stories, not just pranks."

"...I understand. Sorry, I guess I went overboard."

Cecil apologized with a guilty look. Seeing the atmosphere getting darker, I quickly changed the subject.

"I have a question. When you lived in the kingdom, did you play pranks on anyone?"

Cecil is the princess of Helium, a position similar to Lina's.

So, she must have met various people to build connections, and some of those relationships might have developed into friendships.

However, contrary to my expectations, Cecil smiled slightly and shook her head. It meant no.

"Almost no one, except for my father. I had no siblings, and everyone approached me only for my power. Since I was the next Demon King, I couldn't easily play pranks."

"What about the maids? As a princess, you must have had maids, right?"

"Back then, yes. But... something bad happened. In Helium, it's safe to say that no one played pranks on me except for my father."

It seems she has some unpleasant memories. Given Cecil's excellent memory, the events must have come back vividly.

I looked at the awkwardly smiling Cecil and quickly apologized. I asked to change the mood, but it only made things more awkward.

"I'm sorry. I seem to have brought up a bad memory."

"No, no. Thanks to you, I realized how precious this moment is. Anyway, I'll try to tone down the pranks from now on. Got it?"

"Yes."

"By the way, who is Isaac waiting for?"

Just as I did earlier, Cecil changed the topic to break the awkwardness.

I responded to her question.

"Mary. I'm curious if she did well on the exam."

"That's all?"

Cecil looked at me with a subtle expression. She seems to think there's something between Mary and me, but unfortunately, that's not the case.

I'm not oblivious; I know Mary has more than just a friendly interest in me. However, I'm too busy to reciprocate.

'Secrets need to be revealed gradually...'

If, hypothetically, I were to date Mary, I would probably reveal that I'm the author of the Zeyon series then.

Until now, I kept secrets from everyone except family, but after receiving their sincere comfort, my mindset changed.

I still keep secrets but subtly drop hints to people I trust. People who would simply say, "Oh, really?" if they found out I'm the author of the Zeyon series.

Mary is one of those people. I'm confident she wouldn't use me, regardless of her family's reaction. She would be surprised, of course.

Of course, I've already dropped a few clumsy hints, but let's overlook that. They were purely my mistakes.

"Really, that's all. There's nothing else."

"Hmm. Is that so?"

Cecil looked at me with a doubtful expression. Her lips twitched, suggesting she wanted to play a prank.

I smiled and looked at the lecture hall door. Time passed, and a few students came out, but I didn't see Mary's familiar white hair.

Given her dislike of history, it might be taking her longer, or maybe Cecil and I came out too early.

"By the way, the 9th volume of the Zeyon series should be coming out soon, right?"

Perhaps to break the boredom of waiting, Cecil suddenly brought up the 9th volume of the Zeyon series and glanced at me.

It's a matter that would make anyone flinch, but it was Cecil, so it was somewhat manageable. If Lina had brought it up, I would have been greatly flustered.

I took a deep breath and replied as calmly as possible. I sent the manuscript home a few days ago, so the 9th volume should be out soon.

"It will come out. Only the author knows when."

"Right? Since you've been releasing a volume every month, it might be finished by the end of the first year."

Why are you asking me this? I couldn't help but feel uneasy as Cecil looked at me with high expectations.

Since the meeting, Cecil has been looking at me whenever she mentions the Zeyon series, which is quite embarrassing.

'...Did I make a mistake back then?'

This thought crossed my mind. Otherwise, there was no reason for Cecil to act this way. She suspects I'm the author of the Zeyon series.

I stared blankly at the smiling Cecil and subtly turned my head toward the lecture hall door. If she truly suspects me, I need to be careful with my words.

It's too late to undo what's already done, but I can still prevent further issues.

"...I guess. It's up to the author."

"I hope it comes out as soon as possible. I thought a month was short, but it feels long."

Her tone was subtly encouraging. I tried my best not to smile bitterly.

'I'm planning to take a break for over a year after the 10th volume.'

Submitting the 9th volume in just a month was a significant achievement given my current lack of time.

But thanks to my family's support, I managed to release the 9th volume in a month. The 10th volume will take at least two months, and I plan to take a break for over a year afterward.

If Cecil truly suspects me, I expect some changes after the break announcement. She might even directly ask if I'm the author of the Zeyon series.

I'm prepared for that. For now...

'I need to rest until the exams are over...'

I plan to relax after the continuous assignments and exams. I pressed my nose bridge to relieve the fatigue.

It felt like the engine was overheating from being overworked. Despite regular exercise on weekends, combining writing and studies was physically demanding.

Even last time, I had a nosebleed that stained the manuscript. I tend to have nosebleeds when tired, so I need to be careful.

"You look very tired. Are you okay?"

Cecil, noticing my fatigue, asked with concern. I nodded and replied.

"Yes, just a bit tired. There's no need to worry."

"Still, don't overdo it. No matter how important grades are, your health is the most important."

"Of course, I know. But I have to do what I have to do, right?"

Even as I forced a smile, Cecil didn't hide her worried expression. As one of her few friends, it's a natural reaction.

But I was only a bit tired, nothing more. I waved my hand to reassure her.

"Really, I'm fine. A good night's sleep will do the trick."

"...Alright. Don't do anything else and get some rest, okay?"

"Of course."

At that moment, I thought my ordinary life would continue as usual.

Until the Seven Deadly Sins from the 8th volume caused an unexpected reaction.

I rubbed the back of my neck.

"...I hope I don't get arrested for blasphemy."