Chapter 6: Anxious Start(4)
Chapter 6: Anxious Start(4)
"My name is Mari. Mari Hausen Rekilis. What about you, Redhead?"
The white-haired girl, Mari, plopped down in the seat next to me and introduced herself. Just a moment ago, she had been putting on quite a one-woman show, but now she was acting friendly.
She seemed to have a bit of a temper, but since yesterday’s incident was just a misunderstanding, her personality didn't seem all that bad. Regardless, since she had introduced herself first, I had to reciprocate.
I stared at her beaming face for a moment before speaking in a flat tone.
"Isaac Ducard Maishal."
"Ducard Maishal? Just as I thought, you're the son of a noble."
"You look like a noble yourself."
"That's right. I'm the daughter of the Great House of Rekilis, no less. Hmph."
I didn't ask. While I thought that to myself, Mari tilted her chin up with a triumphant look. She seemed quite proud of her family.
The Rekilis family, huh? They weren't just Counts or Marquises; they were Dukes, the highest rank below the Emperor.
I was well aware of how famous the Ducal House of Rekilis was. Back when I was being tutored by my mother, I had to learn the history of the Minerva Empire, so it was impossible not to know.
To sum up the Rekilis family, they were one of the founding contributors to the Minerva Empire. Furthermore, they had a stellar reputation among the citizens for practicing 'Noblesse Oblige' since ancient times.
Of course, a total scoundrel would pop up in the family every now and then, but once caught, they were promptly struck from the family register and exiled.
‘It would be great if all nobles were like that.’
If a Duke, second only to the Emperor, personally practiced Noblesse Oblige, what about the other nobles? Unfortunately, that wasn't the case at all.
Even in my previous life, many people in power abused it, let alone in a world where social classes strictly existed. There were no smartphones or computers here, making it difficult to leave evidence of wrongdoing.
Because of this, the trend of nobles discriminating against commoners behind the scenes persisted. Some even oppressed them openly, using their power to hush things up.
I looked at Mari for a moment before speaking. Just in case, I didn't forget to use polite honorifics.
"So you are the Lady of the House of Rekilis. Please forgive me for not recognizing you."
"...Just speak casually. I hate that formal stuff."
Mari’s pretty face crumpled as soon as I used honorifics. It seemed the rumors were true—she really did dislike authoritarianism.
At her request, I began to speak casually. Mari seemed more comfortable with that and started chatting away.
"How many volumes of Xenon's Life do you have? I only have up to volume five."
"Um..."
I have the original manuscript. The words climbed up to my throat, but I barely managed to suppress them. This was a comedy of the highest order.
I pondered how to answer before coming up with a plausible lie.
"I don't own any copies myself, but I know the whole story. My mother borrowed them and let me read them."
"Really? Well, I guess there are a lot of people like that. My brother wouldn't even let me borrow his."
"Why?"
"He’s the type who cherishes his possessions to a fault. He hates it when anyone touches his things, even family."
By 'brother,' did she mean that white-haired man who was soothing her yesterday? I watched the grumbling Mari before a question occurred to me.
"By the way, I overheard your brother saying something yesterday. Did he say a gang hoarding copies of Xenon's Life was arrested?"
"Huh? You didn't know... Ah, I guess you wouldn't. They were caught recently, so it'll take some time for the news to hit the papers. It'll probably come out in about two days."
As expected of a Ducal family, the speed at which they obtained information was second to none.
When I looked at her with an impressed gaze, Mari puffed out her chest as if she had read my mind. Her pride was practically piercing the sky.
"You don't have to look at me like that. This much is the bare minimum for our family."
"Still, it's impressive. My home is in the middle of nowhere, so newspapers are the only way to get any news."
"The middle of nowhere? Pfft. You have a funny way of talking."
Slide—
While I was chatting away with Mari, the sound of the classroom's front door opening echoed. The moment that sound was heard, the noisy classroom fell silent in an instant.
Step, step, step.
An elderly man walked toward the center of the room, standing before a blackboard large enough to fill an entire wall. His hair was a blend of dull gold and white, and he sported a magnificent mustache, though his expression made him look somewhat stubborn.
He was dressed in a suit that looked exactly like something a professor would wear.
"Ahem."
Finally standing at the center of the blackboard, the old man cleared his throat and scanned the audience. Every student, including myself, waited patiently for him to speak.
Eventually, when the old man's gaze traveled from the right all the way to the left end, his tightly closed lips finally parted.
"Nice to meet you, students. I am Virius Ar Tristan, your professor of Humanities."
His voice was quite refined and leisurely, making it easy to listen to. As Professor Virius gave a slight bow, the students welcomed him with a round of applause.
Straightening his back, he continued in his characteristically relaxed tone.
"First of all, I sincerely welcome you to Halo Academy and the Department of Literature. This year in particular, some very special individuals have enrolled at Halo Academy."
As he spoke, he looked toward where Lina and Cecile were sitting before shifting his gaze to look directly at Mari. Indeed, even if they weren't an Imperial Princess or a Demon Princess, Mari was from a Ducal family, making her a special person in her own right.
"...What's he looking at me for?"
Mari grumbled under her breath at being singled out, but the professor calmly continued his speech.
"First, let me tell you what your life here will be like. In Literature, you will take common classes for two years, but after that, you must find your own path. Those interested in medicine will go to Medicine; those in administration to Public Administration; those in politics to Political Science; and those in humanities to Humanities. From that point on, you can choose the path you desire."
Since I had almost no knowledge about the Academy, especially the Literature Department, I listened intently to the professor. My older brother and sister were both in Martial Studies, so they hadn't been able to teach me anything.
"Now, you might be wondering: what if I can't find my path within two years? You don't need to worry. It is perfectly natural for people your age to wander while searching for their way. We can wait for you."
"..."
"Above all, most of you who entered Literature probably came here seeking 'knowledge.' If you seek knowledge, it doesn't matter if you haven't found a specific path yet."
So, whether I found a path or not, I could still graduate. It was just a matter of whether I'd only get a diploma or enter an internship.
Actually, the fact that such a concept existed in a world close to the Middle Ages was quite impressive. I rested my chin on my hand and waited for the professor's next words.
"Since today is your historic first class, I will ask a simple question. What do you think 'knowledge' is? I will give extra credit to any student who provides a good answer."
The lecture began with the very first question. As soon as I heard it, a certain famous quote popped into my head.
'Knowledge is power.'
If this were Earth, it was a quote everyone would have heard at least once. However, I didn't raise my hand. Having been born and raised in South Korea, the idea of raising my hand to speak in class felt incredibly awkward.
While I stayed still, one student raised her hand. Surprisingly, it was Lina.
The moment Lina raised her hand, Professor Virius looked at her and gestured for her to speak.
"Your name is... Student Lina, correct?"
"Yes, Professor."
"Student Lina, what do you think knowledge is?"
It seemed that even the Imperial Princess of the Minerva Empire was just a student to the professor. Lina didn't seem to mind and stood up, answering in a voice as clear as a nightingale's.
"I believe it is something absolutely necessary for a person to advance to higher ground."
"Hmm... Could you please elaborate?"
When the professor asked for a further explanation, Lina began to explain point by point, as if she had fully expected the follow-up.
"From the cultivation methods that circulate mana within the body to magic, aura, and even the architecture used to rebuild civilization—all of these are only possible with knowledge. Without knowledge, people can do nothing. Therefore, I believe knowledge is what elevates a person to higher heights."
"Very good. Everyone, a round of applause."
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!
As the professor encouraged them, thunderous applause filled the classroom. I clapped along with the others while glancing to my side.
Mari was clapping slowly with a disinterested look on her face. Judging by the way one corner of her mouth was twitching, she looked dissatisfied with something.
"As Student Lina said, knowledge can indeed make a person advance to higher ground. However, that is not the answer I am looking for. Is there any student who can explain it more concisely?"
"..."
Even when the professor asked again, no one raised their hand. It made sense—they would have to summarize a presentation given by the Imperial Princess herself.
If they spoke up and gave a weird answer, they would surely be mocked, and if by some chance the professor was satisfied, that would be a problem in its own way. They would be marked as a target in many senses.
‘Damn class society.’
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
Everyone was probably secretly praying for time to pass. Being targeted by others was far scarier than disappointing the professor. At the very least, it would have to be Cecile or Mari who spoke up for the impact to be minimized.
Slide—
Just as I thought that, Cecile, who was sitting next to Lina, cautiously raised her hand. She looked hesitant, as if she lacked confidence.
Of course, for the professor, the appearance of a student willing to speak was a joyous occasion. Professor Virius brightened up and spoke as soon as Cecile raised her hand.
"Oh! Your name is probably..."
"I-I am called Cecile..."
"Good. Student Cecile. What do you think knowledge is?"
Unlike when she was giving her speech earlier, her voice was quite subdued. It seemed her confidence had vanished because, unlike during her speech, she wasn't sure of herself.
"Whew..."
Cecile glanced around before patting her chest as if to steady herself. Then, she stood up and answered in a voice that had regained its confidence.
"I believe it is what is necessary for a person to live like a human."
It was a very Demon-like answer. Professor Virius also seemed intrigued, leaning forward slightly as he questioned her.
"Could you explain in more detail?"
"Yes. As Lady Lina said, knowledge is essential for a person to advance to higher ground, but I believe that is only possible after one has become a 'human' first. A person without knowledge would be nothing more than a beast with no potential for development."
"A truly primal answer. But it is excellent. Everyone, applause!"
Just like with Lina, thunderous applause filled the lecture hall. I stared at the back of Cecile's head as she hurriedly sat down, a strange expression on my face.
Coming from her, a Demon, that answer felt like it carried a certain weight.
"Both students gave excellent answers. However, unfortunately, they weren't the answers I was looking for. Is there any other student who would like to present a different view?"
As if.
With even Cecile having spoken, there wouldn't be any more volunteers. I could bet on it.
I just hoped this would end without any further incident...
"If there are no more volunteers, I will designate someone myself."
As expected, professors in this world were just like the ones in my previous life—always trying to screw you over. I lowered my head as much as possible to avoid eye contact.
‘Please don't pick me. Please...’
But as they say, bad premonitions always come true.
"The red-haired student with his head down over there? Why don't you try answering?"
For the first time since being born into this world, I resented my father for passing down his red hair to me. It really was a color that stood out no matter where I went.
"Hey. I think the professor is talking to you."
"...I know. Whew."
I cursed a thousand times in my head as I lifted my gaze. As soon as I did, dozens of eyes were fixed squarely on me.
Part of me wanted to snap and ask what they were staring at, but I swallowed it down and stood up. As soon as I reluctantly rose, Professor Virius asked.
"Red-haired student. What is your name?"
"...I am Isaac."
"Yes, Student Isaac. What do you think knowledge is?"
What should I say? I tried to think of a different answer, but only the famous quote from my previous life kept spinning in my head.
Since it had come to this, I pretended to ponder for a moment before speaking in the most nonchalant voice I could muster.
"...I believe it is power."
"Oho."
What? Dammit. What's with that exclamation, and why are your eyes sparkling?
While I was grumbling inwardly, the professor asked me in a voice that was more excited than before.
"Why do you think so? That is a very interesting answer."
"..."
As soon as I heard the professor's question, I looked toward where Lina and Cecile were sitting.
A pair of blue eyes and a pair of red eyes were staring directly at me with curiosity. Feeling my anxiety grow in real-time, I finally managed to open my mouth.
"...Since ancient times, knowledge has been used extensively to develop civilization. How to start a fire, how to farm, how to build structures, and what knowledge is needed to hunt monsters. Through this, we can see that knowledge possesses a power stronger than mere physical force."
"You've summarized Student Lina's presentation. Then, what do you think of Student Cecile's presentation?"
No, isn't that enough?
Regardless of my thoughts, the professor's eyes grew even more sparkling. I let out an internal sigh and spoke as if I had given up.
"...There is a clear limit to the knowledge one can acquire alone. That is why people exchange it, or even seize it through conflict. And as for being human... that cannot be defined by a single thing, so I will stop here."
Since I truly had nothing more to say, I sat down without hesitation. At that moment, silence descended upon the classroom.
Sensing that something was amiss in the silence, I looked at the professor. He was staring at me with an expression that suggested he was deeply moved by my answer.
It was a completely different expression from when Lina and Cecile had spoken.
Then, the professor shouted in an excited voice.
"Truly! That was a flawless and wonderful answer! You said your name was Isaac?"
"...Yes."
"I will give Student Isaac extra credit! Everyone, please give him a warm round of applause!"
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!
"..."
Don't do this to me. Goddammit.