Chapter 5

■ Chapter 4. An Uneasy Start (2) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

I will ask everyone. What comes to mind first when you think of a school opening ceremony?

"Lastly, I wish infinite glory and blessings upon the students who have entered our Halo Academy..."

What is it? It's the principal's speech, right? Should I call them the chancellor here?

In any case, the long and tedious speech seems to be the same everywhere. Instead, I wonder if I'm the only one who finds it boring, but the eyes of the new students standing next to me are sparkling.

The chancellor of Halo Academy, the highest educational institution in the Minerva Empire, must be a very important person, and they might see it as a good thing that this important person is explaining things kindly.

To me, it's just a well-built old man giving a good speech. I wish this time would pass as soon as possible.

‘But how much money did they spend here?’

The opening ceremony was held in the auditorium, and its size is terrifying. It's about the size of two regular gymnasiums put together.

Not only new students but also parents and people who came to see the promising students, so it's estimated that the capacity has been increased. Still, the size is enormous.

‘...I can’t see anything at all.’

Most importantly, I can't see the chancellor's face on the stage. Not just the chancellor, but the faces of the people sitting in the chairs next to them.

It's partly because I'm sitting at the back, but I also have poor eyesight. My eyesight naturally got worse from reading and writing every day.

It's not that bad, though; I can manage daily life. If it were any worse, I would have gotten glasses long ago.

I experienced the inconvenience of glasses in my previous life, so I've been taking good care of my eyes.

“...Therefore, I wish everyone good luck. That's all.”

As the chancellor's speech ended, thunderous applause broke out. I was a bit dazed and automatically clapped.

As the applause died down and I thought we were finally going to the dorms, an announcement echoed through the auditorium. By the way, this is being broadcast by magic.

Damn. There's still something left.

While I was grumbling to myself, the auditorium began to buzz.

- Are they really enrolling? A demon?

- Even so, it's a bit unsettling...

- Wow... She's incredibly beautiful.

I feel embarrassed saying this, but I know that the way people look at demons has changed because of the Zeon Chronicles, which I wrote myself. But the change is only to this extent.

I can't even imagine how much discrimination they faced in the past. Demons were always treated as walking time bombs, so it must have been very severe.

That's why demons rarely come out of Helium unless absolutely necessary. Cecily's decision was that much more groundbreaking and bold.

‘...I can’t see anything at all.’

Even when I narrowed my eyes and focused on the stage, I couldn't see the princess clearly. Actually, it would be strange to see a face in detail from this distance, but to me, it's just a black mass moving.

Around me, people are showering her with compliments about her beauty, her large chest, and her sexiness, but unfortunately, I can't see anything.

If I had known this, I would have sat in the front. This is all because of the habit of always sitting in the back in my previous life.

Wow. Her voice is really amazing. She would be a hit on the radio.

It wasn't just me; as soon as Cecily started speaking, the auditorium fell silent. How beautiful must her voice be to make a noisy auditorium quiet in an instant?

During this time, Cecily continued with her alluring and sultry voice.

Perhaps because her words were filled with strong conviction, I cleared my mind of distractions and began to listen seriously. Others seemed to have similar thoughts, as they all listened with solemn expressions.

Cecily seemed to look around the audience and then expressed her feelings with a powerful voice.

“Um...”

I smiled wryly. Hearing her words directly, my face turned red.

Does Cecily know that the author of the Zeon Chronicles is in this auditorium? She probably wouldn't know even if the sky fell.

Words that show her will and determination more than flattery.

It's really impressive. At this moment, I can't think of any other expression but "impressive."

Can I do something like that? I can definitely say I can't. I haven't lived a life as tumultuous as Cecily's, nor do I have her courage.

‘...Not bad.’

I watched Cecily as she walked down from the stage and sincerely cheered for her. When I read about it in the newspaper, it seemed absurd, but now my heart is warm.

If a novel heroine appeared in reality, it would be just like that. I can only think that she is truly remarkable.

‘I wish I could have seen her face properly.’

It's a shame I couldn't see her face because of my poor eyesight. Well, since she's a new student, I might run into her sometime.

Finally, the long opening ceremony ended. I'll check my class schedule later, so I plan to go to the dormitory first.

I stayed put as people rushed out of the auditorium. If I joined them now, I'd get pushed around, so I plan to leave after most people have gone.

“Isaac!”

“Yeah?”

“Here! Here!”

At that moment, I heard someone calling my name. If it was someone with the same name, I wouldn't have turned around, but it was a voice I knew, so I had to.

When I turned my head, a man with the same red hair as me and hawk-like golden eyes was waving his arm. Next to him stood a woman with navy blue hair and the same golden eyes.

As soon as I confirmed their faces, I smiled and ran over. I couldn't help but smile with joy.

“Brother! Sister!”

“It's been a while, Isaac.”

“Are you doing well?”

They are my older brother and sister. Their names are Dave and Nicole.

My brother looks exactly like my father, exuding a stern warrior's image, while my sister resembles my mother and is a beautiful woman.

“What are you doing here?”

“Why, we came to see our youngest brother's opening ceremony.”

Nicole bent slightly and answered in a gentle voice. She bent to match my eye level.

I don't know her face, but she must have inherited her height from my father, as she is very tall. She might be taller than most men.

“Have you been doing well so far? How are Father and Mother?”

At that moment, Dave asked about my parents.

I met his golden eyes and answered kindly.

“They're always the same. I think they'll be like that forever.”

“Is that so? Your parents are really something. They love each other so much.”

Dave chuckled and looked around. There were still many people who hadn't left.

With this, Dave bent his head slightly and whispered to me.

“I'm sorry to ask this right away, but can you tell me when the next volume will be released?”

“... ...”

As expected. I stiffened for a moment and then showed a disappointed expression.

Seeing my expression, Dave was startled and started to make excuses. Nicole's eyes narrowed.

“No, no. Of course! It's more important to see our youngest brother! But I can't help being curious...”

“Shut up. Is a book more important to you than your brother? The kid looks disappointed. Isaac, you can ignore this idiot, got it?”

“...Yeah.”

By the way, if you add my age from my previous life, I'm older than these two. But I don't care about such trivial things.

It would only complicate things if I did, and these two have more mature aspects than I do. Or maybe I just ate my age through my ass.

“Tsk... Anyway, I'm sorry. You must be stressed out, and I said something inappropriate.”

“It's okay. By the way, did you hear the speech by the Princess of Helium earlier?”

In such a situation, changing the topic is the best. Dave's eyes moved to the stage when he heard my question. Nicole and I followed his gaze.

The princess, Cecily, was still on the stage. Next to her was the princess of Minerva, Lina, whom I saw at the academy entrance.

The two women were talking, and they looked quite cheerful.

“Indeed, the princess has the qualifications. I couldn't do that in front of everyone.”

“Hmm... Is that so?”

“That's why, how do you feel? After all, it's because of your book that the Princess of Helium was placed on the stage.”

Nicole asked subtly. But I couldn't answer easily.

Is it because it doesn't feel real, or is it strange?

When I heard the speech, I felt moved, but now it feels awkward. I wonder if it's really true.

Why do I feel this way? It's partly because of my previous life, but more importantly, I have no worldly experience in this life.

I've never seen discrimination against demons with my own eyes, nor do I know what incidents demons have caused after transforming. I don't even know much about the common knowledge here.

“...To be honest, it doesn't really hit home. As you know, I've never been outside and only read books at home. I don't have anything to compare it to, so I don't really know.”

“This kid. As I've said before, don't belittle yourself. You are a precious treasure of our family. Got it?”

Nicole, hearing my answer, gently stroked my head. Looking at her face, she was smiling warmly.

I smiled back and responded to her expectations. Then Nicole pinched my cheek slightly.

“If you need anything, ask me or your brother. I don't know how it will turn out since our majors are different, but I can help with daily life.”

“Yeah, I got it.”

“You need to focus on your studies at the academy. Don't feel pressured to write. Got it?”

“Yeah.”

“You're a good boy. Our Isaac.”

Nicole tends to see me as a child. Actually, not just her, but the whole family does.

I've been an adult for a long time, but they might keep treating me this way until I die. Still, it doesn't feel too bad. Maybe it's because I suddenly lost the family I could rely on in my previous life.

Family bonds are truly warm and loving. Realizing this late, it's even more precious to me.

“Anyway, I'll go now. If you want to find us, contact us anytime.”

“Got it. I'll go.”

As I moved away from them, I waved my hand vigorously. They also waved back, sending me encouraging messages.

Leaving the warm reunion behind, I headed to the dormitory first. The location of the dormitory was explained by a teaching assistant before the opening ceremony.

“Lalala~”

Thinking about resting comfortably in the dormitory today, I felt happy.

* * *

Meanwhile, in the auditorium where Isaac had left.

On the stage of the auditorium, two beautiful women, as beautiful as elves, were chatting with bright expressions.

One had jet-black hair and blood-red eyes, while the other had golden hair and blue eyes, each exuding a unique charm.

In particular, the woman with jet-black hair had horns on her head, making it clear to anyone that she was a demon.

That's right. The Princess of Helium, Cecily, who had just enrolled in Halo Academy, and the Princess of Minerva, Lina.

They were laughing and enjoying themselves like ordinary girls.

“Hahaha! Really, that... Oh, Princess Lina. Do you know that scene? When Mary kicked the pervert.”

“Ah~ Of course I know. I think the name of that kick was...”

“Hectopascal Kick. I heard it's one of the names of a storm in that world.”

“Phew! I remember how satisfying it was.”

Lina, the Princess of Minerva and a new student like Cecily, laughed demurely.

She wanted to laugh like Cecily, but as a princess, she maintained her dignity. On the contrary, Cecily's loud laughter was unique.

“Princess Lina is also a passionate fan of the Zeon Chronicles, it seems. You know such details.”

“Of course. Honestly, I don't think there's anyone who has only read it once. I can guarantee that. But...”

Lina paused and scanned Cecily's appearance from head to toe. She is so perfect that the word "beautiful" is insufficient.

If Lina had pushed her innocent image to the extreme, Cecily had pushed her mature image to the extreme. There is one particularly noticeable feature.

It's her chest. Even though Lina herself is quite well-endowed, Cecily... I'll skip the further description.

The only flaw is that she is a demon, but honestly, even without the release of the Zeon Chronicles, her beauty alone would have melted the hearts of many men.

Lina tried to maintain her composure as much as possible and asked Cecily.

“...What do you think of the author of the Zeon Chronicles?”

“The author?”

“Yes. They made the fate of demons understandable to everyone, didn't they? In a sense, they are benefactors, aren't they?”

Lina also treated demons as bombs before the release of the Zeon Chronicles. She had been attacked by a demon who had transformed into a devil when she went outside the palace.

Since then, she had thought of demons as people wearing the devil's mask. But after the release of the Zeon Chronicles, everything changed.

“I have also been attacked by a demon who had transformed into a devil. I used to shudder at the thought of demons. But after this book was released, my view of demons changed.”

“... ...”

“I feel this way, so I'm curious about what you think, Princess Cecily.”

When she heard the question, Cecily initially looked bewildered but then smiled softly.

They say there's nothing more beautiful than a sincere smile. Cecily was like that now.

As Lina admired her beautiful smile, Cecily placed her hand on her chest and spoke.

Her blood-red eyes were filled with nostalgia and affection, shimmering sadly.

“Benefactor... is far too inadequate. They are the only person who saw us demons as humans, not devils. I would give everything I have to them.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Our demons have a history of being treated as devils for over 1000 years. By the way, do you remember what Sarkan said at the end of Volume 5?”

“Oh, that part...”

Although it hasn't concluded yet, if readers were to pick a memorable scene from the Zeon Chronicles, they would undoubtedly choose the latter part of Volume 5. That scene truly represented the lonely fate of demons.

Cecily, still immersed in the aftertaste, spoke in a low voice.

“I... want to be like Sarkan. A demon who can end their life as a human, even in the final moment.”

“... ...”

“Then, what do you think of the author, Princess Lina?”

“Oh, I...”

Lina was momentarily flustered and avoided Cecily's gaze. Hearing her inner thoughts, she felt inferior to herself.

But perhaps due to her quick thinking as a princess, Lina quickly answered.

“I want to lock them in the palace and make them write only?”

“...What?”

Ah. I made a mistake.

Lina realized she had misspoken and quickly covered her mouth. But once said, words can't be taken back.

Cecily, watching Lina's white face turn red in real-time, burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! What is that! You're being honest, aren't you?”

“T, that...!”

“I see, you were serious when you said that in the newspaper?”

“P, please listen to me!”

Thus, the friendship between the two women deepened even further.

“Pew!”

Isaac, who had arrived at the dormitory and was writing, suddenly sneezed.

“Ugh. Damn. It's all wet now.”

He tore the manuscript, which had ink smudged by the saliva, into pieces.