Chapter 39: Group Project(3)
Chapter 39: Group Project(3)
In group projects, various types of "villains" exist.
There’s the incompetent teammate who knows absolutely nothing and can’t contribute a thing. There’s the whiner who always has a prior engagement and begs to finish early. Then there’s the rogue—the one who is pointlessly stubborn, ruining teamwork and eventually causing serious discord.
As these examples show, there are many kinds of villains in group projects, but the most representative of them all is the "free rider."
So, what exactly does free-riding mean? Literally, it refers to the criminal act of using transportation without paying the fare. In a group project, these are the people who have sold their consciences—those who do nothing and expect others to handle everything for them.
However, as the definition suggests, it isn't a crime if you pay the proper price. In group projects, if someone has unavoidable circumstances or truly lacks knowledge in the field, they sometimes become the "financier," providing various conveniences to the team.
For instance, they might pay for the entire study room rental or buy delicious food every time the group meets for a discussion. In cases like these, it’s not free-riding; it’s more like paying the official fare to ride the bus comfortably.
Of course, using money to solve everything isn't ideal. At the very least, one should explain their situation and obtain the consent of their teammates first.
"I look forward to working with you. I've had my eye on you for a while."
She had a charming yet elegant appearance, with a delicate frame that looked like it wouldn't even reach 160 centimeters.
Aira, a brown-haired girl who exuded the adorable aura of a walking doll, greeted me with a bright smile. To an outsider, she looked like a well-mannered daughter of a noble family giving a polite greeting.
But I saw it clearly before she spoke—the way she looked at Benjamin and Leona. It was definitely not a gaze directed at equals.
She wasn't as openly contemptuous as Jackson, but it was as if she held a hidden blade in her heart. Perhaps I was overreacting, but having volunteered as a sacrificial lamb in countless group projects before, I had developed a bit of insight.
I could tell whether a person was motivated to participate or intended to be a free rider.
At first glance, Aira seemed to fall into the latter category.
But the Mathews Marquis family...
As everyone knows, a Marquis is the rank directly below a Duke, and there are only three Marquis families in the Minerva Empire. Among them, the Mathews family serves as the Margraves responsible for the empire's borders.
Furthermore, my father once served in the Mathews household, and I knew the Navy Knights—where Dave is currently training as an apprentice—were under their jurisdiction. The Navy Knights were more of a special forces unit focused on unconventional warfare rather than regular combat, which is why they were attached to a military house like the Mathews.
"...I am Isaac Ducard Maishal. It is an honor to meet the daughter of the Mathews family."
I gave a formal greeting to Aira, who was waiting for my response, maintaining a pleasant expression. My first impression wasn't great, but I figured I’d wait and see.
Aira’s smile widened at my greeting, and she turned her gaze toward Benjamin. When their eyes met, Benjamin flinched before hurriedly bowing.
"I-I'm Benjamin Blank! I-I-I look forward to working with you!"
"I look forward to working with you too. And..."
Finally, Aira turned her attention to Leona. As soon as their eyes met, Leona spoke with her characteristically inorganic expression.
"I am Leona Lyons."
Unlike the flustered Benjamin, Leona’s voice and expression were as stiff as a wooden statue. An ordinary person might have brushed it off, thinking she just had a peculiar personality.
But Aira was apparently not an ordinary person. As Leona gave her blunt greeting, the corners of Aira's mouth dipped slightly.
"...Is that all?"
She even asked a follow-up question. Her tone had dropped, making it obvious to anyone that she was offended.
However, Leona either didn't notice or didn't care, responding in the same flat tone. The highlight was the way she tilted her head as if she truly didn't understand the problem.
"I gave my greeting, did I not?"
"...No. I just thought you had a unique personality."
Fortunately, they seemed to move past it somehow. I caught a flicker of displeasure on Aira's face but feigned ignorance. Internally, I let out a sigh.
It seemed that even in another world, my luck with group projects remained legendary for all the wrong reasons. Given that the first impression was already a disaster, the future looked bleak. Of course, this wasn't Leona's fault; it was entirely due to Aira's sense of entitlement.
As I’ve mentioned before, the gap between nobles and commoners is immeasurably vast. A commoner is expected to obey a noble's every whim, no matter how low that noble's rank might be.
It only felt strange to me because I came from a democratic society; unfortunately, in this world, this system was the norm. If I hadn't been born with memories of my past life, I might have lived with the same sense of entitlement as Jackson or Aira.
"...Anyway, now that introductions are over, what should we do?"
As the awkward atmosphere lingered, Aira got straight to the point. She seemed just as uncomfortable with the situation as anyone else.
At her question, I recalled the group project instructions Professor Virus had explained earlier. In truth, there wasn't much difference from the group projects of my past life; they were practically identical.
Therefore, we had to decide on the most important role right now.
The role that someone must take, but no one wants to take.
"...Who wants to be the leader?"
We had to decide on the "Group Leader" who would guide the team.
The moment I spoke, everyone’s eyes began to dart around. This confirmed that no matter where people live, some things never change.
However, our group was unique in this regard. Benjamin, being a commoner, would be hesitant to step forward with nobles like Aira and me present. Leona, as long as she maintained her persona, wasn't the type to be proactive.
That meant the only candidates for leader were Aira and me.
I might as well do it.
It would be more comfortable for me that way. Even in my past life, I was the type to just take charge rather than deal with the awkward tension of waiting for someone else.
Just as I was about to open my mouth with an internal sigh...
"If no one else wants to, I'll do it. That'll be easier for you all, right?"
An entirely unexpected situation unfolded.
Aira placed her hands on her hips and confidently declared that she would be the leader. I stared at her, surprised.
I didn't know where this confidence came from, but the leader is the person with the highest risk in a group project. If the teammates do well, there’s no problem, but the moment even one villain appears, the leader bears all the stress.
Could Aira actually handle the role? I was genuinely concerned and voiced my apprehension.
"Are you sure you're okay with that? It won't be easy."
"Don't worry. Leave everything to me. You guys just need to do as I say. Got it?"
"..."
This kind of style could actually be poisonous. Since ancient times, the most dangerous person has been the one who is highly motivated but incompetent. Far from being efficient, they can lead their own allies into disaster.
However, if she became the "financier" I mentioned earlier, the story would change. Aira didn't know this, but this assignment was easy enough for me to handle entirely on my own. I’m the author of the Xenon Chronicle; if I couldn't handle this, I’d have to put down my pen for good.
Regardless, I could only pray that Aira was a true leader and not just a self-righteous tyrant. If she was the "my way or the highway" type, the days ahead would be exhausting.
And if she combined that with free-riding—ordering others around while doing nothing herself—it would be a nightmare. Based on that look in her eyes earlier, the possibility was uncomfortably high.
"First of all, is there anyone here who hasn't read up to Volume 8 of the Xenon Chronicle? For the record, I've read them all. I have the books in my dormitory, so I can lend them to you if you want."
Had her mindset changed now that she was the leader? Surprisingly, Aira was quite enthusiastic.
It was enough to make me wonder if I had misjudged her as a potential free rider. I replied with a look of newfound respect.
"I've read them all."
"I've read them all as well."
Leona spoke at the same time I did. We both let out a small "Huh?" and looked at each other simultaneously.
But when Leona met my eyes, her lower eyelid merely twitched, and she turned her head back forward without saying anything else. I felt a bit awkward.
I'm the author, so it makes sense for me, but how did Leona get them? The Xenon Chronicle is so popular that even Mary, the daughter of Duke Rekilis, had trouble finding copies.
I tilted my head in thought before looking back at Aira. She had one eyebrow raised, looking surprised.
"...I see. They must have been hard to find, but you managed it somehow."
Judging by her reaction, she had assumed Leona and I wouldn't have the books. But what was interesting was that she seemed disappointed.
The Xenon Chronicle is so popular it sells out the moment it's released, so she should have been relieved. Having more people who had read the books would make the project go much smoother.
Yet, for some reason, she looked bothered. Was it because things weren't going exactly as she had planned?
"I-I haven't read them all. Actually, I haven't even read Volume 6 yet..."
"Is that so?"
As if to confirm my suspicions, Aira’s face brightened the moment Benjamin spoke up timidly. Seeing that, a creeping sense of unease began to bloom within me.
Aira tapped her lips a few times before speaking to Benjamin with a tone that suggested she was doing him a great favor.
"I could lend them to you. Would you like that? I bought all the way up to Volume 8."
"R-Really? That would be great—"
"On one condition."
"Pardon?"
Benjamin’s eyes widened in bewilderment when Aira cut him off to mention a condition. I was just as taken aback.
Just in case, I glanced at Leona, who maintained her inscrutable expression. Still, I suspected she was feeling something similar to me.
Meanwhile, Aira’s lips curled into a wide smirk as she revealed the condition to the flustered Benjamin.
"The thing you have to do in my stead is—"
"I can lend him the books."
Leona beat her to the punch before Aira could finish. Her tone was as stiff as ever, but there was a hint of discomfort hidden within it.
Aira froze instantly as Leona interrupted her. She then clamped her mouth shut and glared at Leona with cold eyes.
"...Were you never taught that it's rude to interrupt someone when they're speaking?"
Aira’s chilling pressure intensified. An aura that didn't match her doll-like elegance and small stature began to seep out.
But Leona didn't back down. Since she was sitting, she looked up at Aira and replied stiffly.
"I spoke up because I didn't see the necessity for Lady Aira to lend them. I apologize if I have offended you."
"Do you think a mere apology is enough? You've already ruined my mood."
"..."
Leona didn't respond to Aira's continued pressure. Her face remained expressionless, but I had the illusion that her inner thoughts were screaming, Do we really have to do this?
At that reaction, Aira clicked her tongue and warned Leona in a stern voice. Fortunately, she seemed to have decided to let it go.
"This is a warning. If you behave like that again, I'll kick you out of the group. I'm the leader, so I have the authority to do that. Understood?"
"Understood. However, I will still lend the books to Benjamin."
"Do whatever you want."
"T-Thank you, Leona."
Benjamin thanked Leona while still casting wary glances at Aira. Seeing him grovel like that made me feel a bit sorry for him.
Watching the scene unfold, I muttered to myself.
There's no need to cause a rift already...
It might have been better if Aira had lent Benjamin the books and received something in return. Benjamin was a commoner, and Aira was a noble.
What Leona just did was technically an act that undermined noble authority. I didn't care about such things, but she was bound to receive cold stares from other nobles.
As I said before, a commoner is expected to bow even to a noble's son or daughter who hasn't officially inherited a title. It’s a form of "common sense" in this world.
"Hmph. These commoners... I can't even get properly angry over something like this..."
"..."
"Why are you looking at me like that? Do you have something to say?"
"No."
I think I have a general idea of what kind of person Aira is. I wasn't certain yet, but one thing was for sure.
The moment someone gets on her bad side, this group will disintegrate.
I felt it when she mentioned having the authority to kick people out because she was the leader. I’d have to keep watching, but she clearly hated having her authority challenged.
This is going to be a bit exhausting...
I had a feeling that something even worse than a simple free rider might have been born here.
While I was lost in thought, Aira stared at my face with a haughty expression before calling my name.
"Isaac."
"Yes. Go ahead."
"You'll do well, right?"
It sounded like a question of trust, but it carried the implication that she didn't trust Benjamin or Leona.
It seemed she found me—a fellow noble and someone who stood out in class—more reliable than the commoners.
Plus, though she would never know it, I am the original author of the project's subject, the Xenon Chronicle.
I could do more than just "well"; I could tear this assignment apart.
"You don't have to worry."
"Hmm. Is that so? Good. I'll trust you for now."
Was she already drawing a line between nobles and commoners? Aira patted my shoulder encouragingly. Then, she looked at Benjamin and Leona with arrogant eyes.
I stared at Aira, maintaining a stoic expression on the outside while letting out a deep sigh on the inside.
I'll handle everything, so please, just don't be stubborn.
I can do it all, so I just hope she doesn't start trolling.
Whether she was competent or not, her conflict with Leona proved she had a strong sense of authority. I wanted to avoid the group falling apart because of some pointless ego trip.
I should keep a worst-case scenario in mind, just in case.
It was a rocky start, but there were no major problems yet.
At least, not yet. And more than anything...
Looking at her now, he seems like an angel.
I trust everyone knows who I was thinking of when I said that.