Chapter 4: Anxious Start(2)
Chapter 4: Anxious Start(2)
Let me ask you all a question. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of an entrance ceremony?
"Lastly, I hope for infinite glory and blessings to be upon the students entering our Halo Academy..."
What else? The principal’s address, of course. Or should I call him the President here?
Regardless, it seems long, tedious speeches are a universal constant. I might be the only one bored out of my mind, though, because the students standing next to me have eyes sparkling with anticipation.
The President of Halo Academy, the finest educational institution in the Minerva Empire, is undoubtedly a high-ranking official. These students probably appreciate such a distinguished figure speaking to them so kindly.
To me, however, he’s just a stout old man droning on. I just want this to be over as soon as possible.
‘By the way, just how much money did they pour into this place?’
The ceremony was held in the Grand Hall, and its scale was staggering. It was roughly the size of two standard gymnasiums joined together.
I assumed they expanded the capacity because it wasn't just the freshmen; there were parents and plenty of scouts looking for rising stars. Even so, the sheer size was undeniable.
‘...I can’t see a thing.’
Most importantly, I couldn't see the President's face on the podium. Nor could I see the faces of the people sitting in the chairs beside him.
Part of it was because I was sitting toward the back, but I also have rather poor eyesight. My vision naturally deteriorated from reading and writing every single day.
It’s not terrible—I can function perfectly fine in daily life. If it were any worse, I would have gotten glasses a long time ago.
I experienced more than enough of the inconveniences of glasses in my past life, so I’ve been trying to take care of my eyes.
"...And so, I wish you all the best of luck. That is all."
As the principal—no, the President—finished his speech, a thunderous round of applause erupted. I had been spacing out and started clapping reflexively, startled by the noise.
Just as the applause died down and I thought we were finally heading to the dorms, an announcement rang out. For the record, they use magic for the PA system here.
[Next, we will have a brief address from the Princess of Helium, Cecile Drat Aisilia bin.]
Dammit. There’s more?
As I grumbled internally, the hall began to buzz with hushed whispers.
—Is a Demon really enrolling?
—I’m still a bit uneasy about it...
—Whoa... she’s gorgeous.
It’s a bit embarrassing to say this myself, but I know that the perception of Demons has changed thanks to the Xenon Biography I wrote. Even so, this was the extent of that change.
I couldn't even fathom how much discrimination they must have faced before. Demons were always treated as little more than walking time bombs, so it must have been severe.
Perhaps that’s why Demons rarely venture outside of Helium. Cecile’s decision was as radical as it was bold.
‘...But I still can’t see anything.’
Even as I narrowed my eyes and focused on the podium, I couldn't make out the Princess clearly. Honestly, it would be strange if I could see her face in detail from this distance, but to me, she was just a moving black blur.
All around me, people were showering her with praise: "She's pretty," "She's beautiful," "She's stacked," "She's sexy," and so on. Unfortunately, I couldn't see any of it.
I should have sat in the front. This is what I get for my past-life habit of always picking the back row.
Vrrr—
[Ah. Ah-ah. Hello, everyone. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Cecile Drat Aisilia bin, Princess of Helium.]
Wow. Her voice is incredible. She’d be a hit on the radio.
I wasn't the only one who thought so; the moment Cecile spoke, the entire hall fell silent. Her voice was so beautiful that the noisy auditorium became hushed in an instant.
Cecile continued her speech in a voice that was both alluring and sophisticated.
[As you all know, you might still find it hard to believe. I am a Demon, a race often called the darkest beings in the world. Some of you may still feel uneasy, and perhaps some even feel contempt.]
Maybe it was because her words were filled with such strong conviction, but I cleared my mind and began to listen intently. Everyone else seemed to feel the same, listening with solemn expressions.
Cecile seemed to scan the audience before expressing her feelings with a powerful voice.
[Then one day, after a certain book was published, the way people looked at Demons began to change. That book portrayed us not as time bombs waiting to explode, but as pitiful beings who long to be human. Through that story, our most desperate desires were laid bare.]
"Hmm..."
I wore a wry smile. Hearing those words directly from her, of all people, made my face flush with embarrassment.
I wondered if Cecile had any idea that the author of Xenon Biography was right here in this hall. She probably wouldn't know even if the sky came crashing down.
[So, just as it was shown in that book, I will show you all. I will prove that we Demons can laugh, talk, grieve, and enjoy life just like humans. I will make sure you see that. Thank you.]
Rather than empty platitudes, her words laid out her will and determination.
It was cool. In that moment, "cool" was the only word I could think of to describe her.
Could I have done the same if I were in her shoes? I could say with certainty that I couldn't. I hadn't lived a life as turbulent as hers, nor did I have her courage.
‘...Not bad.’
I sincerely cheered for Cecile as she stepped down from the podium. It had seemed absurd when I read about it in the newspapers, but now I felt a lump in my throat.
If a heroine from a novel were to appear in reality, she would look exactly like that. I couldn't help but think she was truly remarkable.
‘I wish I could have at least seen her face properly.’
It was a shame my poor eyesight prevented me from seeing her. Well, she’s a freshman too, so I’m bound to run into her eventually.
[This concludes the 1,012th Entrance Ceremony of Halo Academy. Freshmen, please check your assigned classes. Classes will begin tomorrow. That is all.]
Finally, the long entrance ceremony was over. I could check my class later; for now, I planned to head straight to the dorms.
I stayed put as the crowd surged toward the exits. If I tried to leave now, I’d just get shoved around, so I planned to wait until the crowd thinned out.
"Isaac!"
"Huh?"
"Over here! Over here!"
Just then, someone calling my name caught my ear. If it had been a common name, I might have ignored it, but I recognized the voice. I had no choice but to turn my head.
When I did, I saw a man with the same red hair as mine and golden eyes like a bird of prey, waving his arm. Standing beside him was a woman with navy-blue hair and the same golden eyes.
As soon as I recognized them, a wide smile spread across my face, and I ran toward them. I couldn't help but smile out of pure joy.
"Dave! Nicole!"
"It’s been a while, Isaac."
"How have you been?"
They were my older brother and sister. Their names were Dave and Nicole, respectively.
My brother was the spitting image of our father, radiating the aura of a steadfast warrior, while my sister took after our mother and was quite a beauty.
"What are you guys doing here?"
"What do you mean? We came to see our youngest at his entrance ceremony, of course."
Nicole replied in a gentle voice, leaning down slightly. She did this to meet my eye level.
I might not have inherited my father's face, but I certainly got his height—or rather, she did. She was very tall, probably taller than most men.
"Have you been doing well? How are Mom and Dad?"
Dave asked about our parents.
I looked into his golden eyes and answered kindly.
"The same as always. I think they’ll be like that forever."
"Really? Honestly, those two. Are they really that crazy about each other?"
Dave chuckled and then glanced around. There were still many people who hadn't left yet.
Lowering his head slightly, Dave asked me in a whisper.
"I’m sorry to ask this the moment we meet, but can you tell me when the next volume is coming out?"
"..."
Just as I expected. My body stiffened for a moment, and I put on a hurt expression.
Startled by my reaction, Dave began to stammer out excuses. Beside him, Nicole’s eyes sharpened.
"A-Ah, no! Of course! Seeing my little brother is more important! But I couldn't help being curious..."
"Shut up. Is the book more important to you than your brother? You’re hurting his feelings. Isaac, you can ignore this idiot. Got it?"
"...Yeah."
For the record, if you include my past life, I’m older than both of them. But I didn't care about such trivial things.
Worrying about it would only make my head hurt, and besides, these two had their mature sides. Or maybe I just grew up poorly.
"Tch... Anyway, I’m sorry. You must be under a lot of stress, and I spoke without thinking."
"No, it’s fine. By the way, did you hear the speech the Princess of Helium gave earlier?"
In situations like this, changing the subject is best. As soon as he heard my question, Dave shifted his gaze toward the podium. Nicole and I followed his lead.
Princess Cecile was still on the podium. Beside her was someone else—Imperial Princess Lina, whom I had seen at the academy entrance.
The two women seemed to be having a very bright conversation.
"She certainly has the qualities of a princess. I couldn't do that in front of everyone like she did."
"Mhm... right?"
"So, how does it feel? It’s basically thanks to your book that the Princess of Helium is standing on that podium."
Nicole asked casually. But I couldn't give an easy answer.
I wasn't sure if I should say it didn't feel real, or if it just felt strange.
I felt moved while listening to the speech, but now it just felt awkward. I wondered if it was really true.
The reason I felt this way was partly because of my past life, but mostly because the current me has zero experience with the world.
I had never seen discrimination against Demons with my own eyes, nor did I know what kind of incidents Demons-turned-devils had caused. I didn't even have a good grasp of the common sense of this world.
"...To be honest, it doesn't really sink in. As you both know, I’ve never really gone out; I just stayed home and read books. I don't have anything to compare it to, so I don't know."
"Oh, you. I’ve told you many times, don't put yourself down so much. You are the precious treasure of our family. Understand?"
Hearing my answer, Nicole gently stroked my hair. Looking at her face, I saw her wearing a proud smile.
I gave her a bright smile in return. Nicole then playfully pinched my cheek.
"If you need anything, just ask me or Dave. I don't know how much we can help with your studies since our majors are different, but we can help with daily life."
"Okay, I will."
"Focus on your studies while you're at the academy. Don't feel pressured to write if you don't want to. Got it?"
"Yeah."
"Good boy, our Isaac."
Nicole had a tendency to treat me like a child. Actually, it wasn't just her; the whole family did.
Even though I’d been an adult for a long time, I suspected they’d be like this until the day I died. Still, it didn't feel bad. Maybe it was because the family I could lean on in my past life had vanished so suddenly.
Family affection is a warm and lovely thing. It was a truth I realized late, which made it all the more precious to me.
"Go on then. Contact us whenever you want to find us."
"I will. I’m going now."
I waved vigorously as I moved away from them. The two of them waved back, sending me messages of encouragement.
Leaving behind that heart-warming reunion, I headed for the dorms. A teaching assistant had explained the location of the dorms using a map before the ceremony.
"Lulu-lu~"
I felt great thinking about resting comfortably in my room for the rest of the day.
*
Meanwhile, back in the Grand Hall Isaac had just left.
On the podium, two women as beautiful as elves were chatting brightly.
One had jet-black hair and blood-red eyes, while the other had golden hair and blue eyes, each radiating a different kind of charm.
The woman with black hair had horns protruding from her head, making it obvious to anyone that she was a Demon.
Indeed, they were Cecile, the Princess of Helium who had just enrolled in Halo Academy, and Lina, the Imperial Princess of the Minerva Empire.
They were laughing and genuinely enjoying themselves like ordinary girls.
"Hahaha! Seriously, that part... Oh, Princess Lina. Do you know that scene? The one where Mary kicks the thug."
"Ah~ Of course I do. I believe the name of that kick was..."
"The Hectopascal Kick. I heard it’s the name of a storm in that world."
"Pfft! I remember. It was so satisfying."
Lina, the Imperial Princess and a fellow freshman like Cecile, let out a refined laugh.
She wanted to laugh out loud like Cecile, but she was maintaining her dignity as a princess. If anything, it was Cecile, who laughed heartily without worrying about her surroundings, who was the unique one.
"You must be a huge fan of Xenon Biography too, Princess Lina. Seeing as you know such fine details."
"Of course. Honestly, even if someone hasn't seen Xenon Biography, I bet no one has seen it only once. I can guarantee that. But..."
Lina trailed off for a moment, scanning Cecile’s appearance from head to toe. Everything about her was perfect—calling her beautiful wasn't enough.
If Lina represented the pinnacle of a pure and innocent image, Cecile was the embodiment of a mature one. One part of her was particularly eye-catching.
It was her chest. Lina considered herself quite well-endowed, but Cecile... no further explanation was needed.
The only "flaw" was that she was a Demon, but honestly, with beauty like that, she would have captured the hearts of countless men even if Xenon Biography had never been published.
Lina composed herself as best she could and asked Cecile.
"...Princess Cecile, what do you think of the author of Xenon Biography?"
"The author?"
"Yes. He didn't just lighten the burden of the Demons' fate; he made it so everyone could understand them. Isn't he essentially your savior?"
Lina, too, had treated Demons like time bombs before the book was published. In fact, she had once been attacked by a Demon who had undergone demonization while she was outside the Imperial Palace.
From then on, she had thought of Demons as people wearing the masks of devils, but her perspective had completely changed after Xenon Biography came out.
"I was once attacked by a Demon who had demonized. I loathed them after that. But after this book came out, the way people looked at them changed."
"..."
"Even I feel this way, so I was curious to know what you think, Princess Cecile."
Hearing the question, Cecile initially looked stunned, but soon a soft smile graced her lips.
They say nothing is as beautiful as a sincere smile. That was Cecile in that moment.
As Lina marveled at her lovely smile, Cecile placed a hand on her chest and spoke.
In her blood-red eyes, a mixture of longing and affection flickered sorrowfully.
"A savior... even that word feels inadequate. He is the only person who saw us Demons as humans, not devils. If I could, I would give him my everything."
"That much?"
"Yes. We Demons have a history of being treated as devils for over a thousand years. Do you remember what Sacran said at the end of Volume 5?"
"Ah, that part..."
Though the series wasn't finished yet, if readers had to pick a masterpiece scene from Xenon Biography, they would undoubtedly choose the very end of Volume 5. That scene perfectly represented the lonely fate of the Demons.
Cecile, still caught in the lingering emotions, spoke in a low, hushed voice.
"I... want to be like Sacran. A Demon who ends their life as a human, not a devil, even in their final moment."
"..."
"Then, Princess Lina, what do you think of the author?"
"Ah, I..."
Lina was momentarily flustered and avoided Cecile’s gaze. Hearing Cecile’s inner thoughts made her feel small.
However, perhaps thanks to her quick wit as a princess, Lina hurried to voice her answer.
"Someone I’d like to lock up in the Imperial Palace and make them do nothing but write?"
"...Pardon?"
Ah. I messed up.
Lina realized her slip of the tongue too late and quickly covered her mouth. But words once spoken cannot be taken back.
Cecile stared blankly as Lina’s pale face turned red in real-time, then burst into laughter.
"Puhahaha! What was that? Was that your true feeling coming out?"
"T-That’s...!"
"No wonder you said something similar in the newspapers. You were serious!"
"P-Please, just listen to me!"
And so, the friendship between the two women grew even deeper.
"A-choo!"
Isaac, who had arrived at his dorm and started writing, suddenly sneezed.
"Ugh. Ah, shit. I got spit on it."
He ripped up the manuscript where the ink had smeared because of the spit.