Chapter 2: This Isn't Right(2)
Chapter 2: This Isn't Right(2)
As I’ve mentioned before, my hobby is reading. Since there are no smartphones, computers, or televisions here, reading naturally became my go-to pastime.
You might ask why I bothered writing my own fantasy novel if I found the books here so boring, but that only applies to "novels."
This world is a fantasy realm filled with various races and monsters, and adventurers who thrive on exploring the unknown. Furthermore, "Gods" actually exist, so myths and legends are widespread.
I personally enjoy reading adventure memoirs written by explorers—essentially autobiographies—or books related to mythology.
An adventurer's autobiography or a collection of myths provides enough of a fantasy novel feel for me. Of course, others might dismiss them as mere diaries or dry religious tales.
The descriptions are still garbage, though.
Every single one of them has terrible descriptive writing. To put it kindly, they’re "intuitive."
For example, suppose an autobiography mentions discovering a monster or a specific plant. The text will simply state that they found such-and-step, with almost no detailed description of what it actually looked like.
Because of this, I always keep an encyclopedia by my side when reading an adventurer's memoir. Encyclopedias come with illustrations and explanations, making them perfect for filling in the gaps in my imagination.
"Young Master Isaac. It is time for your meal."
"Yeah. Just leave it there."
"Um..."
The maid, who had brought my lunch on a tray, hesitated. I looked up from my book with a questioning "Hm?"
The brown-haired maid with a cute face glanced at me nervously before speaking in a cautious voice.
"The Mistress instructed me... She told me to make sure I see Young Master Isaac finish his entire meal before I leave..."
"..."
"She said that while reading is good, you must strictly observe meal times."
"Sigh... Fine. I get it."
She looked like she truly intended to stand there until I finished, so I had no choice but to close my book.
As the maid began setting the food on my desk, I pushed the manuscript I had been working on to the side. Her eyes naturally followed the movement.
"..."
Come to think of it, even this maid doesn't know I'm the author of Xenon Biography. Only my family knows the truth.
A secret stops being a secret the moment someone else finds out, but what choice did I have? As long as my parents don't have a slip of the tongue, there's no way the secret will leak out.
Just in case, I tucked the manuscript into my desk drawer. I even went as far as to lock it securely.
Mm. Perfect. Now all that's left is to enjoy a delicious meal.
"I'm done."
"You must eat the broccoli as well."
"I don't want to."
At least give me some dipping sauce. I hate raw broccoli.
The maid let out a deep sigh, seemingly giving up in the face of my stubborn refusal. She looked like she was dealing with a child throwing a tantrum over side dishes.
"Good work, then. Oh, what about today's newspaper?"
"Here it is."
She placed the empty dishes back on the tray and left the room. As soon as she was gone, I unlocked the drawer, pulled out the manuscript, and set it back on the desk.
I'm almost finished with my current book, so I plan to start writing soon.
I'll read the newspaper after I'm done with my work.
I'm glad there are so many useful books here.
Someone once said that books are food for the soul.
I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment.
If it weren't for books, I would have struggled quite a bit while writing Xenon Biography. Books on mythology and religion were particularly helpful.
Because of a certain "stupid incident" caused by a religion in the past, this world views fanatics very unfavorably. Of course, anyone would be offended if their own faith was portrayed negatively.
So, instead of being direct, I wrote in a way that would make anyone think, Ah, this religion is clearly based on that real-world one.
Besides, there are no Saintesses here. I won't get in trouble for that.
In fact, I heard that the number of believers in the religion I used as a motif has increased significantly. I'm not sure why, but perhaps the supporting characters played a big role.
I added a poignant romance between a Saintess and her guardian knight in Xenon Biography—the story of Lily and Jin.
According to my mother, their story was incredibly lovely yet heartbreaking. I heard it's especially popular among women.
Of course, the fact that Jin is the final boss remains unchanged.
I'm sorry, Mother. I have no intention of letting those two end up together.
The sudden thought that I might get kicked out of the family for this crossed my mind, but I pushed it aside.
A novel is just a novel. Let's just ignore the fact that the treatment of the Demon tribe has changed drastically because of my book.
"Nnnngh~"
How much time had passed? I stretched to work out the stiffness in my body.
Checking the clock, it was already 4:30 PM. Since lunch was at 1:30, it meant I had been writing for three hours straight.
My concentration has really improved.
Part of it is the lack of distractions like computers or smartphones, but my own focus is quite impressive.
It was the result of the training my father forced on me when I was ten, trying to raise me as a knight like my older brother and sister.
Of course, Father gave up after a year when he realized I had zero talent for knighthood, but in exchange, my concentration and patience skyrocketed.
Crack— Snap—
Perhaps because I had been sitting at the desk for too long, a rhythmic popping sound echoed from my bones with just a slight twist of my waist.
I loosened up with some light stretching and headed toward the full-length mirror. My new face, gained through reincarnation, was reflected back at me.
Flame-red hair and golden eyes that glowed like a predator's. Up to this point, I had inherited my father's genes perfectly, but not my facial features.
My features were delicate and sharp like my mother's, giving me a rather cute appearance—"pretty as a doll" would be an apt description.
The owner of this face, with skin as white as snow, was Isaac Ducard Maishal.
Not the "Kim Yoo-hwan" of my past life, but the me of now.
"I'm glad I was born handsome."
I'm still growing, so I've barely passed 170cm, but the finishing touch of any fashion is the face. I'm perfectly satisfied with this look.
My only complaint is that I look a bit fragile, like a "pretty boy," but I can live with that. Asking for more with a face like this would be greedy.
I checked my face for any blemishes before walking over and flopping onto the bed.
I'm heading to the Academy tomorrow.
I experienced university life in my past life, but I'm still looking forward to it. I wonder what life at the Academy will be like.
According to my older brother and sister, who enrolled before me, you never know what might happen. If you can get socially buried in a past-life university for one wrong move, how much worse would it be here where social status exists?
I'm the son of a Baron, so I should be fine, but the commoners who passed the difficult exams to get in will likely have a hard time.
And then there's the Princess of Helium...
After hearing that Cecile, the Princess of Helium, was enrolling in Halo Academy, I gathered some information on her.
She could be described in one phrase: the girl who has it all.
Not only is she skilled in both literary and martial arts, but her beauty is said to be so legendary that it's known worldwide. I heard a rumor that she has Succubus blood, though I'm not sure if that's true.
The only "flaw" is that she's a Demon, but even that has become meaningless now.
"Hmm..."
Maybe it's for the best. If all the attention is focused on her, my Academy life might be even smoother.
Besides, critics currently assume the author of Xenon Biography is a venerable old sage. No one would ever suspect a fresh-faced brat who hasn't even turned twenty.
So, I just need to enjoy my Academy life while being careful not to draw unnecessary suspicion. And, of course, I must make sure my manuscripts aren't discovered.
"First, I should build up as much of a backlog as possible."
Today will be the last day I can write at my leisure. I hopped off the bed and sat back down at my desk.
"Ah. Right. Come to think of it..."
The latest volume was released three days ago. I paused before picking up my pen and unfolded the newspaper the maid had brought.
I wonder what the reaction will be today?
Since I used the "Cutting Demon Art" skill for the first time in a while, the reaction might be a bit intense...
[-Leort, Crown Prince of the Minerva Empire: "The author of Xenon Biography must release the next volume immediately. Otherwise, I will find you myself and lock you in the Imperial Palace."]
[-Furthermore, Imperial Princess Lina has also been pressuring for the swift publication of the next volume...]
[-Xenon in a desperate crisis. How will he escape? A comrade's sacrifice? Or...]
[-All readers are hoping for the next volume to be released as soon as possible, and there are urgent calls to reveal the author's identity...]
"..."
I quietly folded the newspaper.
I had received comments like this in my past life, and I could usually laugh them off. It just meant the readers were joking around because they enjoyed the work.
But here, it feels like they'd actually do it. Holy shit.
It was terrifying.
*
"Aaaaagh!!"
The Imperial Palace of the Minerva Empire was so magnificent that even the word "grand" felt insufficient.
A man's roar was echoing through that very palace. Since it was the residence of the Imperial family, even the smallest occurrence was usually scrutinized—so what about a scream?
Naturally, it should have caused an uproar, but no one reacted. Part of it was because the room where the man screamed was thoroughly soundproofed, but more importantly...
"That bastard! Why did he cut it off there?! Huh?! Why of all places did he have to stop there!!"
It was because the scream was born of unbearable rage, not pain.
As the man huffed and puffed, glaring fiercely at the book he had just hurled across the room, a woman sitting opposite him spoke up quietly.
Her voice also carried a faint trace of anger, though not as explosive as the man's.
"This... this was definitely intentional. How could he, at such a critical moment...!"
Her golden hair was so brilliant it seemed to reflect light. Her blue eyes were as beautiful as sapphires.
Finally, her features looked as if they had been painstakingly carved by a master craftsman. She exuded a beauty that could truly be called a masterpiece.
Her name was Lina Urmi Christine, the First Princess of the Minerva Empire.
Lina was also an ardent fan of Xenon Biography, but she had never been this angry before.
"Brother. Do you really not know who this author is?"
Lina asked the man in front of her urgently, her voice trembling.
The man—Leort, Lina's older brother and the Crown Prince—let out a long breath and slumped into a plush chair.
While Lina had a cute, puppy-like face, Leort had a somewhat fiercer, tiger-like appearance, though their hair and eye colors were identical.
"...The publisher says they can't tell me. Apparently, the author submits the manuscripts through several intermediaries, making them difficult to track. Still, we'll find them eventually."
"Can't you find them faster? I've wanted to meet them before, but now I really want to see the face of the author who would play such a prank."
"I want to as well, but I can't waste national resources on something like this. Besides, if we find them and the author runs away, we're the ones who lose. Do you want Xenon Biography to end like this?"
"Tch..."
Lina clicked her tongue in disappointment. As a devoted fan, she also wanted more volumes to be released.
One might think Xenon Biography would be read mostly by men since the protagonist is male, but in reality, the readership is split exactly down the middle.
The story itself is engaging, and the heroine who always stays by Xenon's side is incredibly charming.
"Xenon isn't going to die here, is he? I absolutely cannot stand to see Mary grieving. Those two must get married and have children."
"Do you think I feel any different? If he turns Xenon into a cripple, I'll find him and do the same to him."
If Isaac had heard this conversation, he would have scrambled to release the next volume. The Crown Prince certainly had the power to follow through on his threat.
Lina let out a sigh that seemed to shake the earth in her frustration, then spoke in a heavy voice.
"Phew... For now, we'll have to use the newspapers to voice our feelings. If the author sees the paper, they'll at least feel some sense of alarm."
"I wonder. Do you think this person will bend their will? I doubt it."
"But since they're likely a wise sage who has experienced everything in the world, they'll surely pay attention."
They, too, assumed the author of Xenon Biography was an experienced sage.
To them, who had received an education far superior to that of commoners or even typical nobles, the readability and power of expression in the book led them to that conclusion.
There had never been a novelist with such incredible writing skills that the story played out vividly in one's mind.
"In any case, we have no choice but to wait for the next volume. Has Xenon Biography been coming out once a month? At the fastest, once every fifteen days."
"Yes. The only silver lining is that the Academy's opening ceremony is tomorrow. Both you and I will be very busy, so we won't be as bored as we are now."
"Ha... What a pain. Come to think of it, you're enrolling too, right?"
"Yes."
It was already an open secret that Princess Lina was enrolling in the Academy. To reiterate, it was an open "secret."
Isaac, who had only been keeping up with world news through newspapers, was completely unaware of this. He had never even been outside.
Furthermore, Isaac was the son of a Baron—and a case where his father had risen from commoner to nobility at that—so his social circle was narrow. Even if his mother gathered information at tea parties, there were limits.
"All sorts of annoying things will happen. Most of the people there will just be sycophants looking at your status."
"Do you think I don't know that? I'm already sick to death of it."
While Halo Academy was indeed the finest educational institution in the Minerva Empire, it wasn't as if only strangers enrolled.
Commoners usually had a friend or two they knew before entering the Academy, and for nobles, it went without saying. Unlike commoners, nobles could enroll unconditionally, so most of them were led by their parents to build social networks in advance.
Yes, Isaac, who had never been outside except for basic physical training, was a unique case. Even when his parents suggested he go out, he remained immovable. His parents, who doted on their youngest, eventually gave up.
To put it another way, Isaac currently had no one he could call a "friend."
"And I heard the Princess of Helium is enrolling as well? I heard she's also an ardent fan of Xenon Biography."
"The Demons have no choice but to be. The treatment they receive has changed completely since that book came out."
"Hmm..."
Lina habitually poked her cheek before speaking with a bright smile.
"Maybe we could become good friends."