Chapter 189: Second Year(3)
Chapter 189: Second Year(3)
Originally, first-year classes were held in a single lecture hall. Professors for each subject would come and go from that one room while the students remained to listen to the lectures.
However, that was the case when the student body numbered around fifty, as it did last year. This year, the number of incoming Literature students is a staggering 150. Splitting them into groups of fifty results in three separate classes, requiring three different lecture halls.
Of course, no Academy in the world has only one lecture hall. The Minerva Empire had designed the facilities in advance, predicting that the student population would eventually grow. Thanks to that foresight, the disaster of cramming all the students into one place was avoided.
The classes themselves are organized to avoid confusion. The students are divided into three sections, each with its own specific schedule.
What if a student from Class A decided to sit in on a Class B history lecture? It wouldn't really matter. There are no extra credit points for doing so, and they would simply be wasting their own time.
Since exams are scheduled to take place simultaneously, there's no risk of cheating. However, with the student population tripling in a single year, there are bound to be oversights and loopholes everywhere.
Since immediate fixes aren't possible, the plan is to proceed with classes for now and see how things go.
"Class A is Monday at 1:00 PM, Class B is Wednesday at 1:00 PM, and finally, Class C is Friday at 1:00 PM. For your information, this is the first-year schedule; the second-year schedule is separate."
We arrived at the lecture hall building for the first class and orientation. Elena explained the general schedule as we walked toward the room where the lessons would be held.
The second-year curriculum includes both Literature and Martial Studies students, making for a rather grueling schedule. While there is only one class for second-year Literature students, there are three for Martial Studies.
The itinerary is incredibly tight. Fortunately, other History professors handle the third and fourth years; otherwise, I wouldn't have had any time to write Xenon Biography.
I had become a Teaching Assistant thinking I would have plenty of free time, but I found myself under the illusion that I had somehow become even busier. Still, I took comfort in the fact that this would ensure a smooth graduation.
"But if I become a TA starting from the second year, does that mean I can graduate faster?"
"In theory, yes. If the professor takes a liking to you, you could graduate within a year. That is, assuming you write a graduation thesis. With your writing skills, it might actually be possible."
"Are you really going to let me graduate?"
"If you satisfy me. If the topic of your thesis is interesting enough, I might even help you. Or you could work on it with Cindy."
"Hmm..."
I wasn't sure whether to be happy or sad. Given Elena's straightforward personality, she would likely let me graduate if I produced a satisfactory thesis.
However, a thesis isn't something you can just whip up overnight, and I hadn't yet mastered the art of academic writing. I figured I could learn that step-by-step by Elena's side.
I planned to write Xenon Biography on the side, but I had a strong premonition that my schedule was about to become very hectic.
"By the way, have you finished reading all the books in the laboratory?"
"No, not yet."
As we talked, we arrived at the door of the lecture hall. It wasn't the same room I had used during my first year.
While it looked identical on the outside, the scent of wood lingered, suggesting it hadn't been fully broken in yet. Still, it was a pleasant, natural fragrance rather than a musty one.
When Elena slid the door open and stepped inside, I followed. The moment we entered, the noisy chatter of the classroom fell into a sudden hush.
Wait, what? An Elf? There was an Elf professor?
But who’s the redhead next to her? A TA?
I think he’s a TA, but his hair is so long. It looks longer than mine.
Whispers drifted through the silence. I felt a strange tension from the unfamiliar attention. It was my first time acting as a TA, so I suppose it was only natural.
While my heart gave a faint thud, Elena stood at the center of the podium and slowly scanned the students. The students looked back with expressions full of interest and curiosity at the sight of an Elf, rather than a human, appearing as their professor.
After a brief silence, Elena adjusted her glasses and spoke in a clear, crisp voice.
"Hello, freshmen. I am Professor Elena Heavensinger, and I will be teaching you History. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Just as she had done when I was a freshman, Elena introduced herself and gave a polite bow. The students responded to her introduction with a round of vigorous applause.
As the clapping began to die down, she gestured toward me.
"And this redhead is my TA. Introduce yourself."
"My name is Isaac Ducard Maishal."
When I introduced myself with a slightly trembling voice, the students welcomed me with another enthusiastic round of applause. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves and looked out at the students.
I saw a sea of different hair colors and eyes, each student possessing a unique appearance.
I scanned the room to see if anyone else had red hair like mine, but as expected, there were none. Nor was there anyone with snow-white hair like Marie's.
However, there was one color that stood out exceptionally.
...Pink?
Even though the student was sitting far back, the color caught my eye—hair the shade of cherry blossoms. Their face was partially obscured by the person in front of them, so I couldn't see them clearly, but the color was truly unique.
In this world, wigs exist, but hair dye does not. Therefore, that hair color had to be natural, just like mine.
Thinking to myself that this was indeed a fantasy world, I looked away from the student. Staring too long might lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.
"Today, I will explain how my classes will be conducted. Earning extra credit in my course is simple: either provide an answer to a question I pose, or ask me an interesting question yourself. The subject I will be teaching you is the foundation and essence of history."
Elena informed the students about the upcoming curriculum in her characteristically precise diction. I listened intently as well, noting how the content was similar yet different from last year.
She wouldn't just leave me standing there like a decorative prop; she was bound to use me somehow. Seeing as she had brought a TA—who was essentially being treated like a grad student—all the way to the lecture hall, she clearly had a purpose for me.
Just as Elena was about to finish her explanation, a student raised her hand. It was a girl sitting in the very front row.
"Professor? Is TA Isaac just going to stand there and watch?"
It was a bold question. Then again, from the outside, it might look like I was just standing there doing nothing. Even I was thinking that, so I couldn't blame the observers.
At this, the students—and even I—looked at Elena, waiting for an answer. Elena glanced at me, then smiled as she replied to the student.
"Absolutely not. TA Isaac will engage in debates with you whenever an interesting topic arises. If TA Isaac loses the debate, a significant amount of extra credit will be awarded to you. Of course, it is up to you students to bring up those debate topics."
"Oh!"
"... ..."
So that was it. The girl who asked the question had sparkling eyes, but I could only manage a bitter smile.
While it might be a way for her to make the class easier, it seemed she planned to use these 'debates' as a way to evaluate me. I had won her favor with my writing skills, but she likely hadn't fully grasped the extent of my knowledge yet.
"In addition, TA Isaac will be proctoring exams and handling various administrative tasks. Speaking of which, Isaac?"
"Yes."
"Distribute these papers while I continue the explanation."
"Understood."
Following Elena's instructions, I began to distribute the papers I had prepared in advance. They were essentially the syllabus for the upcoming semester.
My hands had suffered quite a bit while writing these. Coincidentally, Cindy was away on a business trip, so I had to move the magic pen all by myself.
The only saving grace was that Elena could use duplication magic. If she had been human, I would have had to do every single one by hand.
"Some say that history possesses the power to predict the future through a dialogue with the past. Just as every effect has a cause, history is no different. Great events erupt due to specific causes..."
Elena's lecture continued while I handed out the papers. The students focused on her words, receiving the papers with both hands when I reached them.
By the time I reached the students in the back rows, I finally came face-to-face with that 'pink' I had seen earlier. I hadn't been mistaken; her hair, which fell to her shoulders, was entirely pink.
However, my attention was only on her hair for a moment. When I lowered my gaze slightly, I couldn't help but flinch. It was because of her chest, which seemed to boast an overwhelming presence.
I had guessed she was a girl, but seeing a size that far surpassed Marie's—and perhaps even rivaled Cecile's—left me stunned. She seemed to have managed to fit into the school uniform, but the fabric looked like it was screaming for mercy.
"... ..."
Perhaps she felt my gaze. For some reason, the girl, who had been hanging her head low, slowly looked up. This allowed me to see her face clearly.
She had cherry-blossom-colored eyes that matched her hair. With delicate features that suited her large eyes, she possessed a doll-like image.
However, there was one problem that overshadowed all of this: her eyes.
I wasn't exaggerating when I say there was no life in them. Like a dead fish, they lacked even a single spark of light, creating a gloomy and cynical atmosphere. I couldn't even tell if she was truly alive.
As I mentioned, her features were as dainty as a doll's, but now she looked like a literal 'doll' devoid of vitality. A puppet that only moved as its master commanded.
I even felt a dark foreboding that she might take her own life one day.
"...?"
When I didn't give her the paper and just stared, the girl tilted her head. Even then, she didn't blink, which added to the eeriness.
Startled, I snapped out of it and carefully handed her the paper. But the girl didn't take it; she just stared intently at my face.
Feeling awkward and a bit creeped out, I spoke cautiously.
"...Aren't you going to take it?"
"... ..."
At my cautious question, the girl finally shifted her gaze to the paper. She slowly reached out and took it.
I felt a sense of relief as she accepted the paper and I moved on.
"...Red."
I tried to ignore the voice coming from behind me. It gave me goosebumps for some reason.
Wait, the characteristic of the Roseberry family is...
I had heard it from Marie before the semester started. Cherry Blossom Roseberry, the girl who always sent me fan letters—her family was known for the color pink.
Just as the Maishal family was famous for red hair and Marie's family, the Rekilis, for white hair, the Roseberrys were known for pink hair.
Furthermore, in her last fan letter, Cherry had mentioned she would be enrolling in the Academy soon. Because of that, I had expected to meet her eventually.
However, this was far from the atmosphere I had anticipated. The Cherry in the fan letters was lively, passionate, and brimming with life.
But the girl I just met was not. She had a somber aura and eyes that were pitch black and dead. She wasn't like a person; she was like a literal doll.
...It couldn't be.
I finished distributing all the papers and returned to Elena's side. I didn't forget to glance back at the girl as I walked.
The girl was staring straight at me with those dead eyes. As if she really were a doll, she watched me fixedly without blinking even once.
I felt a sense of dread and tried my best to avoid eye contact. Her face was beautiful, but the complete lack of vitality made it difficult even to look at her.
"...And so, what is history to you? I will award extra credit based on your answers."
In the meantime, Elena's long explanation ended, and a Q&A session followed. As is typical for a first class, the students were hesitant at first, but one by one, they began to raise their hands and answer.
Some answers satisfied Elena, while others were somewhat absurd, but the mere act of answering was enough. Even the commoners, who had been gauging the atmosphere, plucked up the courage to share their thoughts.
Yet, through it all, the pink-haired girl watched me without a single flicker of movement. Elena seemed to have noticed as well, but she didn't point it out, likely to avoid embarrassing her.
Of course, it's hard to tolerate someone spacing out and not focusing from the very first class. Once the students finished their answers, Elena cleared her throat and brought up another topic.
"Thank you very much for your excellent answers. Now, before I explain the most important cause and effect in history... I'll ask a question that might interest you. Until last year, the number of Literature students was fifty, and now it is 150. The number of Literature students has tripled in just one year. Does anyone know why?"
"... ..."
It must have been a difficult question, as no student stepped forward immediately. To be fair, I had wondered the same thing before I was told, so it was a natural reaction.
Elena, having expected this response, scanned the room and offered a hint.
"To give you a hint, there is a book currently leaving the largest cultural footprint. It will be very easy if you connect it to that."
"...She's talking about Xenon Biography, right?"
"I think so."
"What does Xenon Biography have to do with it?"
Even with the hint, there was only murmuring; no student was brave enough to raise their hand. While the students debated among themselves, I glanced at the girl from earlier.
She was still staring at me, but perhaps because Xenon Biography had been mentioned, a faint spark of life seemed to have returned to her eyes. However, it was such a weak light that it made little difference.
Was that girl really Cherry? The discrepancy was so severe that it was hard to be certain.
"Since no one is answering, I'll call on someone. First..."
Elena trailed off for a moment and shifted her gaze toward the back. Toward the pink-haired girl who had been staring at me all this time.
Then, Elena looked directly at the girl and quietly called her name.
"The student with the pink hair back there?"
"...?"
"Would you like to try answering?"
Being singled out, the pink-haired girl finally turned her gaze toward Elena. I breathed a sigh of relief inwardly and waited for her answer.
"...Me?"
The pink-haired girl tilted her head and answered quietly. It seemed she hadn't even realized she'd been called on because she was too busy staring at me.
Elena, perhaps instinctively sensing that something was off about her, asked in a somewhat hesitant voice.
"...Yes. May I ask what your name is?"
"... ..."
Even as the questioning continued, the pink-haired girl didn't answer immediately. She still didn't blink, which was becoming increasingly frightening.
Then, the pink-haired girl turned her head slightly and shifted her gaze back to me. And quietly, in a voice devoid of any energy, she spoke word by word.
"Cherry..."
"... ..."
If Cindy's voice was limp and slurred from exhaustion...
"Cherry Blossom Roseberry..."
This girl's voice was as lifeless as someone who was about to die.