Chapter 7

■ Chapter 6. An Uneasy Start (4) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

“My name is Mariya. Mari Hausen Rekilis. What about you, red-head?”

Mari, the girl with white hair, introduced herself as she plopped down in the seat next to me. She had been doing well on her own just a moment ago, but now she was acting friendly.

She seemed to have a short temper, but since yesterday’s incident was a misunderstanding, her personality didn’t seem bad. Anyway, since she introduced herself first, I should do the same.

I stared at her smiling face in silence before speaking in a calm voice.

“Issac Duker Maysal.”

“Duker Maysal? Just as I expected, you’re a noble’s son.”

“You look like a noble too.”

“Right. I’m the daughter of the Rekilis family. Huh.”

You didn’t ask, but as I thought this, Mari lifted her chin proudly. She seemed to be very proud of her family.

Still, the Rekilis family. Not a count or a marquis, but a duke, the second highest rank after the emperor.

I also know how famous the Rekilis ducal family is. I learned about the history of the Minerva Empire from my mother, so it’s only natural that I would know.

To explain the Rekilis ducal family, they are one of the founding families of the Minerva Empire. Moreover, they have practiced ‘noblesse oblige’ since ancient times, and they have a very good reputation among the people of the Minerva Empire.

Of course, there are occasionally troublemakers, but if they are caught, they are expelled and their family registry is erased.

‘If all nobles were like this, how wonderful it would be.’

The duke, who ranks just below the emperor, practices noblesse oblige, but what about the other nobles? Sadly, they are not.

In my previous life, there were many people who abused their power, and here, where a strict class system exists and there are no smartphones or computers to leave evidence, the situation is even worse.

As a result, the custom of nobles secretly discriminating against commoners continues. Even if they openly oppress them, they can suppress the power.

I stared at Mari for a moment and then spoke, not forgetting to use polite language just in case.

“You are the young lady of the Rekilis ducal family. I apologize for not recognizing you.”

“…Just use informal language. I don’t like formalities.”

When I used polite language, Mari’s pretty face crumpled. It seems she really dislikes authority, as the rumors say.

So, I started using informal language as she wanted. Mari seemed to be more comfortable with this and chattered away.

“How many volumes of the Xeon series do you have? I only have five.”

“Hmm…”

I have the complete collection, but I held back from saying it. It would have been too much of a comedy.

I thought about what to say and then came up with a lie that she might believe.

“I don’t have a collection, but I know the story. My mother lent it to me to read.”

“Really? Well, there are a lot of people like that. My brother doesn’t even lend his books.”

“Why?”

“He values his things terribly. He hates it when anyone, even family, touches his things.”

The brother she mentioned must be the white-haired man who was gently comforting her yesterday. I looked at the grumbling Mari and, thinking of something I wanted to ask, inquired,

“By the way, I heard your brother say something yesterday. Did he say that a group hoarding the Xeon series was caught?”

“Huh? You didn’t know… Oh, I guess you wouldn’t. It’s recent, so it will take some time to appear in the newspaper. It should be out in about two days, I think.”

As expected, the speed at which the ducal family obtains information is unparalleled.

When I looked at her with admiration, she seemed to read my thoughts and puffed out her chest, her nose almost touching the sky.

“You don’t have to look at me like that. This is just the basics for our family.”

“Still, it’s impressive. My family is from a rural village, so the only way to get news is through the newspaper.”

“Rural village? Haha, you’re funny.”

Creak—

While I was chatting with Mari, the door to the lecture hall opened. The moment the sound was heard, the noisy lecture hall fell silent instantly.

Thud— Thud— Thud—

An elderly man walked to the center in front of a large blackboard that filled an entire wall. His hair was a mix of dull gold and white, and he had a neatly groomed mustache, but his expression seemed somewhat stubborn.

He was dressed in a suit, typical of a professor.

“Ahem.”

Finally, the old man standing in the center of the blackboard cleared his throat and looked around the room. All the students, including me, waited patiently for him to speak.

When his gaze finally reached the end of the room from right to left, his heavy lips opened.

“Hello, students. I am Professor Virius Ar Tristan, a humanities professor.”

His voice was quite dignified and calm, and it flowed smoothly into our ears. When Professor Virius bowed, the students welcomed him with applause.

Straightening up again, he maintained his characteristic calm tone and continued.

“First, I sincerely welcome you to the Helio Academy and the Department of Literature. This year, some special people have also joined the Helio Academy.”

He then looked at where Lina and Cecilie were sitting and then directly at Mari. Even if she wasn’t a princess or a demon princess, Mari, being from a ducal family, is certainly a special person.

“…What do you want?”

Of course, Mari grumbled when she was pointed out, but the professor continued speaking calmly.

“First, I will tell you what kind of life you will lead here. For two years, you will take common classes, but after that, you will have to find your own path. Those interested in medicine will go into medical studies, those interested in administration will go into administrative studies, those interested in politics will go into political studies, and those interested in humanities will go into humanities. From then on, you can choose the path you want.”

I listened carefully to the professor’s words, as I had almost no knowledge about the academy, especially the Department of Literature. My brother and sister were all illiterate, so they couldn’t teach me anything.

“So, you might have a question. What if you can’t find your path in two years? Don’t worry. Wandering without finding your path is a very common thing at your age. We can wait for you.”

“… …”

“Most of you who have entered the Department of Literature probably came here because you want ‘knowledge.’ Even if you don’t find your path, it’s fine as long as you want knowledge.”

In other words, you can graduate whether you find your path or not. You can either just get a diploma or enter as an intern.

In a world that is close to the Middle Ages, it’s quite remarkable to have such a mindset. I rested my chin and waited for the professor to continue.

“Today is your first historical class, so I will ask a simple question. What do you think ‘knowledge’ is? I will give extra points to the student who gives a good answer.”

The class began with the first question. As soon as I heard his question, a famous quote came to mind.

‘Knowledge is power.’

If this were Earth, it would be a quote that almost everyone would have heard at least once. However, I didn’t raise my hand. Having grown up in South Korea, raising my hand to answer felt awkward.

While I was hesitating, a student raised their hand. Surprisingly, it was Lina.

Professor Virius looked at Lina, who had raised her hand, and extended his hand.

“Your name is… Lina, right?”

“Yes, Professor.”

“What do you think knowledge is, Lina?”

Even as the princess of the Minerva Empire, she is just a student to the professor. Lina didn’t seem to mind this and stood up, answering in a clear voice.

“I think it is something essential for people to advance to higher places.”

“Hmm… Please explain in more detail.”

When the professor asked for more details, Lina began to explain, as if she had anticipated it.

“From the cultivation methods to circulate mana within the body, to magic, aura, and even architecture to rebuild civilization. All of these are only possible with knowledge. Without knowledge, people can do nothing. Therefore, I think knowledge elevates people to higher places.”

“Very good. Everyone, give her a round of applause.”

Clap clap clap clap clap!

When the professor encouraged applause, a loud applause filled the lecture hall. I also clapped along with everyone else, but I glanced at Mari.

Mari was clapping slowly with a bored expression. The slight curl of her lip suggested she was dissatisfied with something.

“Lina’s answer is correct; knowledge can elevate people to higher places. However, it’s not the answer I was looking for. Is there anyone who can explain it more succinctly?”

“… …”

Even when the professor asked again, no one raised their hand. It’s understandable, given that they would have to summarize the answer of a princess.

If they gave a strange answer, they would surely be ridiculed, and if the professor was satisfied, it would also be a problem. They would be marked in various ways.

‘Damn class system.’

I inwardly sighed.

Everyone probably wishes time would just pass. Being marked by others is more frightening than disappointing the professor. At least Cecilie or Mari giving a speech would have less impact.

Swish—

As soon as I thought this, Cecilie, who was sitting next to Lina, cautiously raised her hand. Her hesitant posture suggested a lack of confidence.

Of course, the professor was delighted to have a student willing to speak. Professor Virius immediately smiled and spoke.

“Oh! Your name is…”

“Cecilie…”

“Good. Cecilie, what do you think knowledge is?”

Unlike her confident speech earlier, her voice was quite subdued. It seems she lacked confidence, unlike when she was speaking confidently.

“Huh…”

Cecilie looked around and then patted her chest, as if to calm herself. She then stood up and answered with a more confident voice.

“I think it is something necessary for people to live as humans.”

Truly a demon-like answer. Professor Virius seemed intrigued and leaned forward, asking her.

“Can you explain in more detail?”

“Yes. As Lina mentioned, knowledge is essential for people to advance to higher places, but first, they must become ‘people.’ Without knowledge, a person is no different from an animal with no potential for development.”

“Truly a fundamental answer. But it’s excellent. Everyone, give her a round of applause!”

Like when Lina spoke, thunderous applause filled the lecture hall. I looked at Cecilie, who had hurriedly sat down, with a strange expression.

It felt like her answer, coming from a demon, resonated with me.

“Both students gave excellent answers. However, unfortunately, they were not the answers I was looking for. Is there anyone who can give a different answer?”

There won’t be.

After Cecilie’s speech, there would be no more volunteers. I can guarantee it.

I wish this could end without any further incidents, but…

“If no one else wants to speak, I will choose a student myself.”

As expected, the professor, who did this in my previous life, is trying to put someone on the spot. I lowered my head to avoid eye contact.

‘Please don’t pick me. Please…’

But ominous premonitions always come true.

“You there, the red-haired student with your head down. Why don’t you answer?”

For the first time in this world, I blamed my father for giving me red hair. It’s a color that stands out no matter where you go.

“Hey, the professor is talking to you.”

“…I know. Sigh.”

I cursed inwardly and lifted my head. As soon as I did, dozens of eyes were fixed on me.

I wanted to snap at them, but I suppressed my irritation and stood up. As soon as I did, Professor Virius asked,

“Red-haired student, what is your name?”

“…Issac.”

“Yes, Issac. What do you think knowledge is?”

What should I say? I tried to think of a different answer, but the only thing that came to mind was the quote from my previous life.

Since it’s come to this, I pretended to think and then spoke in as calm a voice as possible.

“…I think it is power.”

“Oh ho.”

What? Damn. What’s with that exclamation and those shining eyes?

As I muttered to myself, the professor asked me with an excited voice, different from before.

“Why do you think so? That’s a very interesting answer.”

“… …”

As soon as I heard the professor’s question, I looked at where Lina and Cecilie were sitting.

A pair of blue eyes and a pair of red eyes were staring at me with curiosity. I felt a growing sense of unease and managed to speak.

“…Throughout history, knowledge has been used to advance civilization. How to make fire, how to farm, how to build structures, and what knowledge is needed to hunt monsters, for example. Through this, we can see that knowledge is a power stronger than physical force.”

“You summarized Lina’s speech. What do you think of Cecilie’s speech?”

No, that’s enough.

Nevertheless, the professor’s eyes became even brighter. I sighed inwardly and spoke as if I didn’t care.

“…The knowledge one can acquire alone is clearly limited. Therefore, people exchange knowledge or even steal it through conflict. And being human… cannot be defined by one thing, so I will stop here.”

I really had nothing more to say, so I quickly sat down. At the same time, silence fell over the lecture hall.

I sensed something was off and looked at the professor. He was looking at me with an expression of deep admiration, unlike when Lina and Cecilie spoke.

The professor then exclaimed excitedly,

“Truly, a flawless and wonderful answer! You said your name is Issac, right?”

“…Yes.”

“I will give Issac extra points! Everyone, give him a round of applause!”

Clap clap clap clap clap!

“… …”

Don’t do this to me. Damn.