Chapter 44: Crisis(3)
Chapter 44: Crisis(3)
Surviving the great ordeal of the group assignment didn't mean the semester was over. The fact that I needed a certain score to avoid failing meant there was still work to be done to earn those points.
Whether it was an exam, an assignment, or a presentation, it all boiled down to one thing: I was spending my days being incredibly busy. Even after crossing the massive mountain of the group assignment, there were so many hills left to climb that I was constantly drenched in sweat.
Fortunately, there weren't many subjects that required a traditional 'exam,' but in their place was an insane amount of coursework. I had to pour all my time into assignments, leaving no room for writing.
"Ugh... save me..."
Marie let out a groan and faceplanted onto her desk. Her snow-white hair spilled over the edges like a curtain.
It seemed she had completely exhausted her energy after the final lecture of the day.
"Seriously... why are there so many assignments? It’s not just one; there are so many it’s driving me crazy."
"But assignments are an easy way to get points, aren't they?"
"That’s only true for you. I’d rather just take an exam. I can't even rest properly over the weekend. It’s maddening."
In my previous life, a university student might take eight courses at most, but at Halo Academy, you had to take at least ten to avoid repeating a grade. Doing just one assignment was overwhelming enough, but this level of workload required grinding away my very soul.
I stared at the grumbling Marie for a moment before remembering something and asking her.
"By the way, how is History going? I can't say I'm the best teacher, but I've covered all the basics with you."
As everyone knew, I was tutoring Marie in history. And not just Marie, but Cecily as well.
Our sessions took place on Wednesday evenings after dinner, once all classes were finished. Between various responsibilities, that was the only time I could squeeze out.
Furthermore, through these tutoring sessions, I discovered that Cecily already knew history at a doctoral level; she didn't even need my help.
Having lived for over a hundred years, she possessed a wealth of knowledge and was, by human standards, a living witness to history.
Above all, her memory was so exceptional that she never forgot anything once she learned it, which left even me astonished.
It got to the point where I was the one asking her about things I didn't know.
"Phew..."
Marie let out a deep sigh and slowly lifted her head. Resting her chin on her hand, she answered my question with a dejected tone.
"I've memorized everything you told me. You even took notes for me to make it easier to understand. Still, I don't think I'll get a good grade on the exam."
I gave a bitter smile as I looked at Marie’s half-defeated face.
To put it kindly, she was average. To put it bluntly, there were many gaps in her knowledge. If I brought up a specific event, she might have heard the name, but she wouldn't know the details.
Regardless, I worked hard while teaching her. It was a bit difficult for me too, since I wasn't exactly a natural at teaching others.
The saving grace was that Marie was enthusiastic and had a decent memory, which lessened the burden. Thanks to that, we were able to progress smoothly without getting stuck.
"Hang in there. Honestly, it's hard to focus solely on history when your other major subjects are so demanding."
"Agreed. So, what are you doing now?"
As I moved to get up from my seat, Marie asked with a look of anticipation. Seeing her eyes sparkle, it was clear she was hoping for a positive answer.
I thought about her expectant question for a moment and looked around.
The class that had just ended was Alchemy—this world's unique equivalent to Chemistry.
And the only person I was close to in this class was Marie. Cecily and Lina didn't take Alchemy, perhaps because they weren't interested, and while Leona and Benjamin from my group assignment were there, it was awkward to call us 'close.'
I watched the students slowly filter out before speaking in a flat voice. I felt bad for Marie, but I already had plans.
"I have to go eat. I promised my sister I'd have dinner with her today."
"Ah... really? With your sister?"
"Yeah."
"Your biological sister, right?"
Why even ask that? When I gave her a bewildered look, Marie sheepishly looked away, feigning indifference.
She seemed embarrassed by her own question.
Then, she glanced at me and pointed an index finger, speaking in a cautionary tone. I noticed a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks, likely out of embarrassment.
"I-I mean, don't get the wrong idea. It's just that you call Cecily 'Noona' too, so I got a little confused."
"...I see."
"Anyway, you're only eating with your biological sister, right?"
When I reluctantly confirmed, Marie seized the opportunity to ask another question.
I tilted my head at her behavior, which had become increasingly proactive lately, but I answered with the facts first.
"Probably... I'll be eating with my sister and her friend. We were supposed to eat together over the weekend, but she said she was busy because of the freshmen. Since their practical exams are next week, their training volume has increased."
"Your sister is a Martial Arts Assistant Instructor, right? My brother told me your sister is really scary."
"Hmm..."
Hearing her words, I looked up and fell into thought. To me, Nicole, who overflowed with love for her youngest brother, was the epitome of a kind sister.
Occasionally, if I did something wrong, she would give me a stern warning, but she had never raised her voice or used physical violence against me.
However, whenever I visited the training grounds on weekends, she truly revealed her 'Lion' instincts. If a freshman broke the rules or provoked her during a spar, she would thoroughly crush them and then strictly enforce discipline through corporal punishment.
"Well... I suppose she could look scary to others. But I can tell you she's a good person."
"You two are a really strange pair of siblings. My brother and I are always busy fighting. Is it because of the age gap?"
"It probably varies from person to person. Isn't your brother's personality good too?"
"Ack. My brother?"
Marie looked at me as if I’d just said the most absurd thing in the world. Seeing her make that face, they were definitely typical siblings.
However, it was an undeniable fact that her brother had a good personality. Recalling our first meeting, I reminded her.
"Remember that bookstore where we first met? Back then, when you were throwing a fit because Xenon Biography hadn't come out..."
"Ahhh~ I don't know! I don't know! I don't hear anything~!"
The moment I tried to bring it up, Marie covered her ears and shook her head side to side, refusing to listen.
I watched her whine like a child with an exasperated expression, but eventually, I chuckled. I still had to say what needed to be said.
"Regardless of what you think, it's certain your brother cherishes you. If he didn't, he wouldn't have brought you to the bookstore himself."
"...I guess. That's why it feels even weirder."
"Anyway, is that all? Our plans are for 6:00, but I think it's better if I head out early."
"Hmm..."
When I asked while tucking my notebook under my arm, Marie looked like she was contemplating something. I waited by her side while she organized her thoughts.
Then, she shifted her blue eyes toward me and spoke in a very cautious tone.
"If it's not too much trouble, could I meet your sister? Not to eat with you, just to say hello."
"That should be fine."
"Really? Great. Then let's go quickly."
As soon as I gave my permission, Marie jumped up from her seat. Her slightly excited tone and the pleasant curve of her lips betrayed her mood.
I watched her quickly pack her things before heading toward the classroom door. Marie followed, walking right beside me.
"Isaac. By your standards, do you think your sister is pretty?"
"Objectively speaking, she's on the pretty side. You can basically think of it as my face turned into a woman's. Except her hair is navy blue."
"Does that mean you're admitting your own face is pretty?"
"I can't really deny it. I take after my mother more than my father."
We chatted about various things on the way to the meeting spot. Most of it was trivial, but that was enough.
Above all, I felt most comfortable talking to Marie compared to anyone else. Lina was difficult to approach, and Cecily was always weaving mischievous pranks into the conversation, making it hard to keep a steady dialogue.
Since entering the academy, the person I was closest to was undoubtedly Marie. At least within my very narrow social circle, there was no one as comfortable as her yet.
"Isaac, do you have any plans for after graduation?"
Marie suddenly asked about my future after graduation. I was slightly puzzled by her question for a moment before thinking it over.
I can't spend my whole life just writing books...
Even though Xenon Biography became an unintended mega-hit, I couldn't just cling to that one thing forever. Moreover, it would be a waste to just write books after being reincarnated into a fantasy world.
At the very least, I wanted to visit various countries and enjoy their cultures to the fullest. Instead of a dangerous adventure like in most novels, I wanted to savor a quiet, everyday life.
"Maybe... travel the world? I want to try traveling the world at least once. I want to leave the Empire and experience different cultures."
"Traveling the world... that doesn't sound bad."
"What about you?"
"I'm not telling."
"..."
Looking at Marie, who answered with a refreshing smile, I realized I’d been played.
I stared at the beaming Marie with a blank face before eventually shaking my head as if she were hopeless. She giggled at my reaction and then muttered something in a voice so small it was barely audible.
"...If possible... I'd like to."
"What?"
"It's nothing if you didn't hear it. But isn't that person over there your sister?"
As Marie changed the subject, I dropped my question and looked in the direction she was pointing.
She was pointing toward the fountain located in the center of the plaza, and Nicole was indeed standing in front of it.
Even from a distance, her superior height and her navy-blue hair tied in a ponytail made it unmistakably Nicole.
"Wow. Your sister is really cool."
Marie let out a sincere exclamation of admiration upon seeing Nicole. Just as she said, Nicole’s current appearance was cool enough to put most models to shame.
She wore black leather pants that fully accentuated her long legs and a black shirt. With just those two items, she exuded both style and beauty.
She must have come straight after her classes, but seeing her in civilian clothes, it seemed being a TA had its perks.
"Hm? Ah! Isaac~!"
Nicole, who had been lingering in front of the fountain, spotted me and raised her arm, calling my name. I responded by raising my own.
Once I waved, Nicole started walking toward me with long, vigorous strides, as if she wanted to meet me halfway. Before long, she was right in front of us, and her expression turned curious when she saw Marie standing beside me.
"Who is this?"
"Ah! Hello! I am Marie Hausen Rekilis of the Rekilis Ducal House!"
As soon as Nicole asked, Marie introduced herself with a spirited voice. I had the feeling she was nervous for some reason.
Meanwhile, Nicole’s golden eyes widened when Marie revealed her name and family, and she looked at me. Her thoughts were plain to see: Why is someone like this next to you?
I answered her unspoken question as if it were no big deal.
"She's my friend. We happened to get close by chance."
"...Hello, Lady Rekilis. I am Nicole Ducard Maishal, Isaac's older sister. It is an honor to meet you."
After hearing my answer, Nicole politely introduced herself. Even as she greeted her, she didn't drop her suspicious gaze.
"I-I am also honored to meet the daughter of the Red Lion. And you can speak comfortably with me. It makes me feel awkward otherwise. You know the Rekilis family, right?"
"...I know it well. Then, I'll speak casually."
Nicole seemed well aware of the Rekilis family and didn't hesitate to drop the formalities. Then, she looked back and forth between Marie and me before asking Marie a question.
"By the way, you're friends with our Isaac?"
There was a hint of wariness embedded in her questioning voice. Knowing that I was the author of Xenon Biography, she had plenty of reason to be cautious of Marie.
Marie seemed to quickly pick up on the slight wariness in Nicole's words, as she answered immediately. Her voice trembled slightly, perhaps from nerves.
"Yes. We're friends."
"Hmm... I see. That's a bit unexpected."
This time, Nicole spoke while looking at me. It seemed the fact that I had become friends with the daughter of a high-ranking noble, of all people, was beyond her expectations.
I also hadn't expected to become friends with Marie, so I just shrugged. This friendship had caused many dangerous situations, but so far, things were fine.
Besides, I wondered how Nicole would react if I told her I’d also become close with Lina and Cecily. I didn't feel the need to say it out loud, so I stayed quiet.
However, Marie, who had no way of knowing this, asked Nicole about her 'unexpected' comment.
"Unexpected? What do you mean by that?"
"Oh, I didn't mean you. I was just a little worried if our Isaac could make friends since he's so blunt and only cares about his own business. But I didn't expect his friend to be the daughter of a Duke."
I nodded, as I agreed with that sentiment. I never imagined I’d get close to Marie either.
But for some reason, it felt like she was badmouthing me. Surely not.
"Phew..."
In the meantime, Marie seemed to have found some relief, as she placed a hand on her chest and let out a sigh of relief. Then, with a brighter expression than before, she spoke.
"Then, Nicole, you don't mind if Isaac and I stay friends?"
"Huh? Well... yeah. In fact, it might be... okay?"
"Really?"
At Nicole's affirmation, Marie's face brightened immensely. Why are you so happy about that?
But in contrast to the joyful Marie, Nicole seemed to have become uneasy. She knew all too well how dangerous it was for Marie and me to get close.
Part of it was because Marie was a Duke's daughter, but the biggest factor was that I was the author of Xenon Biography. The closer we became, the higher the chance my secret would inevitably be revealed.
While being friends with Marie would make my academy life easier, that was only true as long as my secret wasn't discovered. From Nicole's perspective, Marie was nothing short of a double-edged sword.
She looked back and forth between Marie and me, gauging the situation, before speaking in a cautious voice.
"...Or maybe not?"
"Ah..."
At that, Marie's face instantly slumped into a pout.