Chapter 6

■ Chapter 5. An Uneasy Start (3) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

Hailo Academy, living up to its reputation as the world's top educational institution, had accommodations that were so impressive they made one's eyes widen.

Firstly, each student had their own room, and the rooms themselves were quite spacious. They were not just studio apartments but almost the size of a 20-pyeong apartment.

There was even a device to control the temperature, which seemed to be implemented by magic, and even a refrigerator. I have no idea how it works, but it must be magic.

‘Well, that’s fine.’

This is a fantasy world where the common sense of my previous life is completely shattered. There are monsters that can drop meteorites, so common sense is nothing.

I looked around the generally clean accommodation and walked inside. There was a soft bed, a desk, and everything else one could need.

I was very satisfied.

“Huh?”

Then I noticed some clothes neatly laid out on the bed, a familiar color. I dragged my suitcase over to the bed.

Upon closer inspection, it was the uniform provided by Hailo Academy. The top was a white dress shirt, and the pants were black. There were also other clothes to wear over the dress shirt.

Since the Minerva Empire has four seasons, it seemed they were meant to be worn according to the season. I examined the uniform, which seemed to fit me perfectly.

‘They must have made it after taking my measurements earlier.’

Honestly, wearing a uniform is better than casual clothes. If I wore casual clothes, I would end up wearing the same thing every day.

A little later, I tried on the uniform once. There was a full-length mirror, so it was easy to check my appearance.

“Sigh… No matter how I look at it…”

I look like a girl dressed as a boy. My face, which resembles my mother, has delicate and pretty features, and my figure is slim. Of course, it’s much better than being ugly.

I hung the uniform on a hanger and unpacked my luggage. To be honest, my luggage consisted of a few books, some clothes for the weekend, and a manuscript. That’s all I had to bring.

“Time now…”

After unpacking everything, I checked the clock. It was 4:30 PM, time for dinner.

I wanted to enjoy a meal with my brother or sister, but they are busy. I can’t bother busy people with trivial matters.

I thought about skipping dinner, but I was curious about the food here, so I decided to go. I could write my manuscript during that time.

“Oh, right. Paper.”

I realized I needed to find out where to buy manuscript paper first. I brought plenty of extra paper, but it’s good to be prepared.

Here, there are no pencils or erasers, so if I make a mistake, I have to throw away the manuscript. I’ve often gotten angry and sworn because of this.

“Phew! Damn it.”

Just like now.

With time to spare, I was writing my manuscript when I suddenly sneezed. The manuscript was covered in saliva, and the ink smeared.

I was almost done with the page, so I couldn’t help but frown. But what can I do? I have to throw it away, even though it’s a shame.

I transferred the content to a new sheet of paper before tearing up the old one and putting it in the trash.

However, the sneeze broke my concentration, and I had to put down my magic pen.

“Time… Only 30 minutes have passed?”

Since I’m here, I might as well take a look around the academy and have dinner. I stretched my slightly stiff body and got ready.

I debated whether to wear the uniform but decided against it and went out in casual clothes. I didn’t forget to bring the pocket money and student ID given by my parents.

By the way, the student ID is enchanted, making it impossible to forge. If it were possible, the government would have already taken action. The ID was issued before enrollment.

“Really spacious.”

I started exploring the interior of Hailo Academy. From the outside, it looked like a castle similar to Hogwarts, but the inside was completely different. It was on the scale of a small city or town.

There were buildings for lectures, a library, a bookstore, shops, clothing stores, restaurants, blacksmiths, and more.

It truly had the form of a small city.

The buildings were not haphazardly mixed but well-organized. If they were mixed, it would have felt a bit chaotic.

It seemed as if the academy was designed like a city from the beginning.

Ding!

“Welcome!”

“Do you have manuscript paper?”

“What kind of manuscript paper are you looking for?”

“This kind of material.”

Buying manuscript paper at the store was easy. I just showed the shop owner the paper I had prepared.

The price of the paper was also very reasonable, indicating that papermaking technology was well-developed, as evidenced by the widespread availability of books.

I looked around the store to see if there was anything else I needed and then went outside. There were many strange things, but none of them caught my interest.

‘Maybe I should go to the bookstore?’

On my way back to the dorm, I remembered the bookstore I had seen on the way. I knew it was a large building, similar to a big bookstore from my previous life.

Until now, I had only given my manuscript to publishers with the help of my parents, so I had no idea how my books were sold. It might be good to see it once.

With this in mind, I changed my direction from the dorm to the bookstore. I already knew the way.

And…

“… …”

The entrance had an unusual notice. It said that the entire series had sold out, even though it wasn’t recently published. Is this really true?

While I was staring at the notice in disbelief, a woman next to me complained in an angry voice.

“Damn it! I’ve only read up to volume 5! When is it coming out?!”

“Just wait a bit, Marie. The publisher said they are only printing the Zaxon Chronicles, so it will come out eventually.”

“But when is eventually?! All I hear is that it’s sold out!”

Her loud complaints made me curious about her face. I turned my head to see the woman who was throwing a tantrum.

She looked stubborn, but she was a beauty with cat-like features. She had uniquely white hair like snow and blue eyes.

The man trying to calm her down was presumably her brother. Their facial features were different, but their hair and eye colors matched perfectly.

While I was thinking this, the woman’s hysterics continued.

“My brother said that when I entered Hailo Academy, the Zaxon Chronicles would be here! Are you lying to me now?”

“Well, it… was definitely there until yesterday.”

“How many volumes?”

“…There were three copies of volume 6, and volume 7 was completely out.”

“Are you kidding me?! My brother should have bought them for me!”

“Marie. As you know, the Zaxon Chronicles are limited to one copy per person. Don’t you know that people who hoarded them were caught in the past?”

Now she’s getting really upset.

I had never heard of hoarding books before. It’s not like they were smuggling them.

While I was feeling absurd and chuckling, the white-haired woman looked at me. She then made an even angrier face and shouted at me.

“Hey, you! Who are you? Did you just laugh at me?”

“Marie!”

“Let go. That kid was laughing at me!”

“I’m sorry. Please ignore her and go on your way.”

“Let go! Let go of me!!”

Marie, who was being dragged by her brother, glared at me. I stood there, feeling like a storm had just passed, even after they left.

At least, I could now get a sense of how my novel was doing. If it’s being hoarded, it must be doing well.

“…Let’s go eat.”

That kid is also a new student, but I hope we’re not in the same class.

* * *

The number of new students at Hailo Academy this year is about 200. Among them, 150 are in the martial arts department, and only about 50 are in the literature department.

If you ask why there are three times as many people in the martial arts department compared to the literature department, it’s due to the characteristics of this world. Monsters and mana exist, and this world relies more on human power than on machines, unlike in my previous life.

As a result, education is focused on ‘martial arts,’ and even magic is considered a form of martial power and is included in the martial arts department. I heard that classes are divided based on specialties within the martial arts department.

This might make it seem like the literature department is neglected, but that’s not the case. There are frequent examples of people changing the world without martial power.

Moreover, unlike the martial arts department, which is close to the military, the literature department is considered a professional field. If the military is the sword and shield that protect the country, the literature department is the backbone that supports it.

So, how are the classes in the literature department assigned?

How? They put all 50 students in one class.

In the end, Cecil and Lina ended up in the same class. Damn.

“Ah, Princess Cecil, you’re in the literature department too. It’s an honor to study with you.”

“Huh? Who are you?”

While Lina and Cecil were having a friendly conversation, a male student interrupted. A look of displeasure briefly appeared on their faces but quickly disappeared.

Regardless, the male student introduced himself with a lecherous smile.

“My name is Jackson Mirel Carrison. Beautiful princess of the demons and great sun of the empire.”

I snorted at the man who was already trying to flirt. His intentions were too obvious, making me want to laugh.

If you ask if he’s overdoing it, a well-mannered person wouldn’t interrupt a conversation like that.

Moreover, other students couldn’t even approach Lina and Cecil, who were sitting next to each other. I don’t know if this is bravery or recklessness. Maybe he just lacks awareness.

Cecil, after hearing Jackson’s introduction, tilted her head and said in a disinterested tone.

“I don’t know you. Do you know Lina?”

“…The Carrison family is one of the wealthiest in our Minerva Empire.”

Jackson seemed to puff up when Lina explained his family. Should I say he’s as arrogant as he looks? Anyway, his every action was annoying and sleazy.

Feeling more confident, Jackson leaned in close to Cecil and asked in a suggestive tone. Cecil remained calm even as his face approached hers.

“Did you hear? What do you think?”

“What do I think?”

“Yes. If you have any interest in me…”

“I’m not interested, so please go away.”

“…Later. Okay?”

Of course, Cecil’s outright rejection made him look flustered.

Cecil maintained her calm demeanor and said,

“I was having a conversation with Lina, and you interrupted. I want to ask what kind of rudeness this is.”

Then she looked at Lina and asked,

“Lina, are all the nobles of the Minerva Empire like this?”

“No. Only this person is. The Carrison family, you said? Did you learn to flirt with ladies so casually in the Carrison family?”

“No, I… didn’t.”

“If you have nothing more to say, please leave. Class will start soon.”

“I’m sorry!”

When Lina, who is not just anyone, gave a sharp command, Jackson hurriedly apologized and left. His face was flushed red.

If he had just stayed quiet, he might have avoided trouble, but he brought it upon himself. Even if he had the nerve to flirt with a princess, he couldn’t get away with it.

If he did, not only would he lose his head, but his family would also fall. He needs to be careful. If he can’t even do that, he’s a fool.

“Hey, you’re that red-haired kid from yesterday!”

“Huh?”

While I was observing the situation, a clear voice came from beside me. It was a very familiar voice.

I turned my head to see the white-haired girl, Marie, from the bookstore yesterday, pointing at me.

‘Ah, damn. She’s in the literature department too?’

What a coincidence. Of all people, to be in the same major as someone I had a bad first encounter with.

Marie, unaware of my thoughts, put her hands on her hips and glared at me.

“Did you laugh at me yesterday?”

No, I didn’t.

“Well, from the looks of it, you were in the same situation as me, standing