Chapter 35: Alcohol is the Problem(2)
Chapter 35: Alcohol is the Problem(2)
Xenon Biography. It was a book that had exerted a massive influence on the world.
On the surface, it appeared to be a common heroic epic, but the story contained within was profoundly deep. It portrayed the Demons—usually treated as nothing more than monsters—as tragic beings, and it offered a raw glimpse into both the light and the shadows of the nobility.
Until then, "novels" had consisted only of books with convoluted sentences and overly complex vocabulary. Xenon Biography took the opposite path. It possessed a narrative power and descriptive quality that made the scenes play out in the reader's mind, filled with iconic moments and messages that left a lingering aftertaste.
Above all else, it was fun. It was the life story of an ordinary commoner who experienced a "fated encounter," awakened his talent, and grew into a hero who saved the world. On top of that, it featured a charming female lead and a compelling supporting cast.
Because it was easy for commoners to read and enjoy, Xenon Biography established itself as a work for the masses. It was a book that could be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age, gender, or race.
And there was one thing readers were most curious about, aside from when the next volume would be released.
Just who was the author of Xenon Biography? What kind of person could write such a book?
Numerous critics had offered various opinions, but the most credible hypothesis was that the author was an elderly Sage. Specifically, the theory that he was an explorer who had traveled the world in his youth and accumulated a wealth of experience gained significant traction.
Teenagers, who should be under their parents' care, and those in their twenties, who had just entered society, were naturally excluded from consideration. This was because Xenon Biography contained far too many scenes that could only be written by someone with rich life experience.
Unless, of course, they had lived in another world entirely.
"...Wh-why are you asking that?"
Isaac, a red-haired man whose eyes were half-lidded, asked Cecile in a slurred, melting voice. His golden eyes, which usually shone like amber, had lost their luster and turned dull, and his normally blunt voice was devoid of strength.
His face was as flushed as his hair; anyone could tell he was drunk. He looked completely different from his usual self.
How cute.
Cecile thought he looked adorable, but she also recalled the suspicious circumstances she had noted before. First and foremost was the callus on his middle finger that Lina had mentioned—the writer's callus.
Just as the palm of a knight who has held a sword for a long time becomes hard, the callus on his middle finger was a mark that could only be obtained by holding a pen for a very long time. It was a severe callus that would take at least a year, not just a month or two, to form.
Of course, since Isaac had a habit of recording things in his notebook, it was possible for him to have such a callus. Furthermore, since he had personally stated that he enjoyed studying, she could let that point slide for now.
The second point was Isaac's usually indifferent attitude toward Xenon Biography. He clearly liked the book as others did, but he wasn't enthusiastic to the point of obsession like everyone else. It was more like he read it as a casual hobby.
However, based on the conversation with Jackson she had overheard earlier and his overall behavior, he seemed to have a profound insight into the story. To know the plot that thoroughly usually implied a passionate fan, yet Isaac was strangely nonchalant.
Finally, there was the definition of a Demon's identity that Isaac had mentioned last time.
It’s similar to what Xenon said to Jin. Is this really a coincidence?
There was a scene where Jin, another protagonist, agonizes over the identity of Demons after witnessing Sacran’s sacrifice, and Xenon eases that worry slightly. Other races, including humans, might simply see it as Xenon offering encouragement, but for Cecile, the context was impossible to ignore.
Isaac had defined Demons as "beings who know better than anyone that they can't be human, yet desperately long to be—the most human of all." And the line Xenon spoke to Jin was as follows:
[Don't worry. Contrary to your fears, even if a Demon becomes a Devil, they can still die like a human. Look at Sacran. Even God cannot change the circumstances of one's birth, but that is exactly why Demons are more human.]
Xenon’s maxim shared the same core essence as what Isaac had told her.
What if Isaac really was the author of Xenon Biography? Surprisingly, all the evidence above aligned perfectly. However, this alone wasn't decisive proof.
Most importantly, Isaac was currently seventeen years old—barely an adult by human standards. No matter how much knowledge he possessed, he couldn't possibly have such rich experience.
Furthermore, Isaac had personally claimed that he had lived at home his whole life and had rarely gone outside. Yet, Xenon Biography was filled with stories that could only come from vast experience or having witnessed such events firsthand.
Because of this one piece of contradictory evidence, the proof that "Isaac is the author of Xenon Biography" failed to hold up. Cecile shrugged at Isaac's question.
"I was just curious. You like reading and writing, don't you, Isaac? I thought maybe you were writing a book of your own."
"...Nooo. I don't... write books..."
"Is that so?"
Cecile swirled her wine glass, watching the liquid ripple inside before turning her gaze back to Isaac.
Perhaps it was because he was drunk. Usually, Isaac's thoughts were written all over his face, but right now, he was difficult to read.
People usually make mistakes when they're drunk, but Isaac seemed to be hiding things even more tightly. That only made her more suspicious. Once the seeds of doubt are sown, they tend to grow uncontrollably.
I’d love to use magic, but... I definitely shouldn't do that.
The utility of magic was endless. There was magic for daily convenience, and there was magic to manipulate the mind and force the truth out.
If she were human, it would be a spell too complex to even touch, but she was a Demon, a race known as masters of magic. With a little effort, she could easily use it.
However, magic was prohibited at Halo Academy except in specific areas, and mind-altering magic carried significant risks and side effects. She couldn't go rummaging through the mind of someone she liked just to satisfy her curiosity.
If he were a total stranger, she might have leaned that way, but this was Isaac. Isaac was special to her, so she had to treat him with care.
Humans are numerous. There’s a chance, however small, that this is all just a coincidence.
Even if he was exceptionally considerate and thoughtful for his age, he was still only seventeen. Moreover, since the human population was overwhelmingly larger than that of other races, there was no need to fixate solely on Isaac.
Still, it’s worth keeping an eye on him.
The probability of Isaac being the author was remarkably low, but if he was someone connected to the author, the odds rose slightly. Cecile briefly considered who might be in his inner circle before checking on his condition.
Isaac was on the verge of losing consciousness; it looked like he might collapse and fall asleep right there. She needed to get him to a chair or take some kind of action.
"Isaac. You're okay, right?"
"...Yesss."
"You don't look okay at all. Let's go sit over there and rest."
Cecile pointed to a chair placed in a corner of the Grand Hall. With a wall behind it, it was the perfect spot to lean back and rest.
Isaac shifted his gaze in the direction she pointed and began to stagger forward. He still had a wine glass in one hand, which looked a bit ridiculous, but her worry outweighed her amusement.
She walked beside him in case he fell, but he still looked incredibly unstable. He looked like a newborn penguin chick waddling after its parent.
"The wine... is... kinda tasty... hehe."
Now he was even giggling. Cecile watched Isaac's smiling face with a look of newfound realization.
Isaac was usually blunt, and his expression only changed when she teased him, but he rarely ever laughed. At most, he would give a short smirk; he never laughed foolishly like this.
He’s even cuter when he smiles.
The more she looked, the more he reminded her of a baby penguin. He wasn't particularly small, yet he felt small, and even his distinct features just seemed adorable. Perhaps it was because he was so much younger than her.
Still, she felt she should ban him from excessive drinking in the future. Rumors that he had become a laughingstock because he drank too much at a gathering wouldn't be good for him. She doubted he would care, given his usual indifference to his surroundings, but it would weigh on her mind.
"Rest here until you sober up. Got it?"
"Yesss..."
"By the way, Isaac. Writing really isn't your hobby, is it?"
Cecile slipped the question in again, subtly changing the wording. Since Isaac's brain wasn't functioning normally due to the alcohol, she intended to coax as much evidence out of him as possible.
Isaac stared blankly at Cecile for a moment before breaking into a broad grin. He answered brightly.
"I don't know anything about that...!"
"... ..."
Cecile let out a faint laugh as she watched Isaac answer as cheerfully as a child.
He usually had a strong, mature side, but right now he was like a little kid. They say a person's true nature comes out when they're drunk; was this Isaac's true nature? It was a very desirable nature indeed.
Cecile placed a hand on Isaac's head and spoke tenderly, her characteristic playfulness kicking in.
"Right. Big sister is going to head out now, so stay put. Isaac is a good boy, so you'll listen to me, right?"
"Yesss..."
"Good, good. Isaac really is a good boy."
She gently stroked the hair under her hand. It felt soft to the touch, as if he took good care of it.
As Cecile stroked his head, Isaac continued to grin as he had before. It was clear that he was enjoying the sensation.
"I'm going now. You have to stay here just like I said. Okay?"
"Yes!"
Cecile turned away from Isaac's energetic response and began to walk. Even as she walked, she didn't forget to glance back at him just in case.
Isaac was sitting with his back straight, swaying side to side like a roly-poly toy. Cecile felt a bit uneasy seeing that, but she brushed it off, thinking he would be fine.
Less than three minutes after Cecile began talking to other people...
"Zzz..."
Isaac's eyes slowly closed, and he finally drifted off into a deep sleep.