The Changed Lifestyle #6
No matter where I went, I could never escape the hell of homework—whether in my past life or this fantasy world.
It was the first time I truly felt that way several years ago, back when my sister Fleta was still living and studying at Minerva Academy.
She used to send me letters regularly, but most were just routine check-ins about family health.
There were occasional ones where she would share bits about her own life, and among those, the line about how stressed she was because of the assignments would pop up every so often.
Fleta wasn’t the kind of person I could dominate even if I had my abilities at full power.
Not because I was favored for being family, but because she was simply an outstanding individual to the point where calling her “my respected sister” came naturally.
Even my own sister, when it came to writing about assignments, would react with genuine passion in her letters.
It was incredibly annoying, sure, but with how many lectures were required and the mountain of homework each one dumped on us, it had reached the point where even a little procrastination became impossible to handle.
And right after I entered the academy, the first thing the upperclassmen advised me about was homework.
Never put off today’s assignment until tomorrow. Tomorrow’s assignment is already waiting for you.
If I went to sleep now, I’d have two assignments due tomorrow, but if I finished today’s, tomorrow would have only one.
There were plenty of students who complained about exactly that kind of thing.
“How is it, Lucian student? My proposal. Let me be clear: I’m not asking you to investigate materials for the thesis or collaborate on writing it. I just want to have a freer, more relaxed conversation with you. After a deep discussion like this, your mind always feels refreshed.”
The phrase “like the person who heard their story” made my chest twitch the moment I heard it.
In reality, I had met Chancellor Cloud several times and had such a close relationship that it was almost like sharing a secret.
But if it ever leaked out, it could turn into something far more serious, so I kept silent.
It seemed Milaze Professor had mistaken my silence for hesitation and gave me a long, steady look.
Her proposal was clearly: think it over carefully and decide. Accept or reject, it’s your choice.
From her perspective as a professor, either outcome was acceptable.
So the final decision would come down to whether the benefits for me outweighed the drawbacks.
‘Let’s see the downsides… hell, not even a downside. If I could wipe out all the homework from history lectures, I’d accept anything. I could casually slip in the parts I discussed with Chancellor Cloud and call it good.’
Even if history was fascinating and her lectures were enjoyable, homework was a completely different matter.
With my ability I could just blast through the assignments in one go—what was the problem?
The biggest weakness of my ability was that it had an absurdly powerful effect.
In other words, it was like a machine that wouldn’t let me adjust the strength and weakness.
The point of homework was to evaluate students at the right level.
If it included parts that belonged in a professor’s own paper, that made no sense.
And right now, thanks to Rie, the chocolate ban was in full effect.
Using my ability at this exact timing would only make me crave chocolate even more, and that would disrupt my training at a critical moment.
Considering how Rie was pushing me harder than ever to get better results…
Accepting a conversation or two after the lecture to handle one assignment was clearly the better deal.
“Are you sure this is the only thing I have to do? If you’re asking me to help with thesis writing or any other requests…”
“I’m not a heartless professor. Want me to swear on my mother’s tree?”
I immediately shook my head at Milaze Professor’s words.
Among elves, swearing on the mother’s tree meant far more than just promising to keep your word.
Anyone who knew how sacred they held it would understand why that phrase couldn’t be said lightly.
“As I said earlier, I don’t have anyone I can have deep conversations with. My fellow elves only scold me for getting too focused on one human. On the other side, humans constantly try to make great people seem ordinary and say whatever. It was a pretty difficult position for me.”
“…”
She was quite intelligent, yet the moment Chancellor’s story came up she transformed completely.
I was already curious how she would react if I ever met the man in person.
“Then does this mean we exchange opinions starting today?”
“It shouldn’t be necessary today. Just from your last answer and its explanation, I’ve already come up with some new ideas.”
“Then I’m relieved.”
“I wondered why they called you a theoretical genius, but you’re not just smart—you have the ability to see even the tiniest details differently. That’s clearly a talent not everyone possesses.”
Just that’s all I can see, Professor.
With a hollow laugh I scratched the back of my head.
There wasn’t much more I could say here anyway.
“Anyway, please take care of me, Lucian student.”
Milaze Professor smiled faintly and gave a light bow.
If that smile alone made me think of a beautiful woman’s, it wasn’t an exaggeration.
In human terms she was like an elderly grandmother.
Elves believed humans’ lifespan concept was useless, yet when I looked at the grandmother in front of me and imagined she was over sixty, even if she appeared in her early twenties I couldn’t help tilting my head.
On top of that, if I had a girlfriend I might have felt something, but she was so beautiful that even thinking of one didn’t spark any interest.
“Then I’ll take my leave, Professor.”
I had achieved the feat of wiping out the entire history lecture, so I felt great.
Especially the thought that my classmates would now have time to focus on other things instead of groaning over homework for history.
I walked down the corridor with very light steps when I spotted Rie approaching from ahead.
She must have just finished her lecture too, but her expression was far from pleasant.
“Rie? Why does your face look like that?”
“You got thoroughly beaten up.”
“What?”
Beaten up? Did someone at the academy hit Rie?
Before I could ask what she meant, Rie let out a light laugh and said, “What do you think?”
“Homework. Everyone seems to have adapted to the academy now, so they’re going to give assignments…”
“Maybe the other professors are giving homework in a chain…”
My prediction had been spot on.
Rie gave a tired nod and glanced at the textbooks in her hands with a deep sigh.
“It’s like a landslide. I won’t be able to do anything else after getting swept up in it.”
“You’re already exaggerating, the academy’s genius. Your classmates will be worse off.”
“There’s no law that says being a genius means you enjoy homework. This is pure hell…”
Watching her reaction made me feel even luckier that I had finally found a way to escape history homework forever.
For me, homework that was perfectly matched to my level was far less familiar than the effortless “I’m so good at this” attitude of just handing in a thesis.
“Especially administrative studies. It’s completely ridiculous. The lectures are already hard enough, and now they want us to calculate land division plans, city layouts, and taxes for those areas.”
“Later on you’ll have to manage your own viscounty. Your administrative skills will be what keeps the Haniel family stable, so there’s no choice.”
At that, Rie’s voice rose. “That’s exactly the problem!”
She knew this was something she had to do herself and had no choice but to do. Because she couldn’t slack off, the burden and pressure only grew heavier.
I didn’t misunderstand her at all.
In reality, many noble viscounts kept separate administrative officials to handle their viscounties.
It was only natural that a viscount alone couldn’t manage everything with so many complex tasks.
Still, administrative ability remained one of the essential qualities for nobles.
Especially for successors who would inherit the viscountcy, it was just as important as swordsmanship and magic.
That was why the burden on Rie was bound to be immense.
“Do you have another lecture today?”
“I don’t. History was my last one.”
“…That’s good for you. I still have two more left.”
“Was the schedule really that packed from the first semester?”
“As a freshman they said they wouldn’t make it too loose or I’d get tired later.”
“It is the case, but I still managed to keep a little breathing room in the first semester. An adaptation period is necessary.”
“…Hearing that, it doesn’t sound so bad.”
Rie nodded.
If there was another lecture after this, today’s duel probably wouldn’t end the way I thought.
I was secretly looking forward to it and was about to speak when Rie took the lead.
“Of course there’s no time constraint.”
“Hm?”
“Thirty minutes until the next lecture. Plenty of time for one duel.”
“Eh, wait no, no. It’s not enough. You’ll be late!”
“I can finish quickly and not be late. So come on, follow me.”
“Wait, hold on. Rie-nim. That doesn’t sound right. Let’s just do the lecture for today…”
“Impossible. I’ll definitely make you get a feel for attacking today.”
I didn’t need it! Give me a break today! I even fell asleep during the lecture! Aaaah!!
Despite my protests, Rie dragged me away anyway.
Eventually, when we reached the duel arena I found her standing with her neck held high. A sigh slipped out.
Of course I wanted to do well, but pushing myself without any rest was hard.
Physically it was tough, but mentally it felt like I was cornered.
“This is the most important part, Lucian. Keep advancing steadily while you still can. The moment a wall blocks you, no matter how much you want to advance, you won’t be able to. I’m sorry to say this, but you already know you’re too late.”
“…Yes. Even as an adult I’m only just managing to defend myself.”
I exhaled, cast aside my whining, and gripped my neck firmly.
Please move exactly as my body wants to move today.
I charged forward like an arrow aimed at the Rie standing before me.
“Left, left, left, left!”
When I attacked from the side, she twisted her body slightly and dodged it.
“Your movements are too big. Make them more concise.”
“But if I make them any more concise here I won’t be able to generate enough power.”
“You need to find some space between them. That’s something only you can figure out. And once you engrave it clearly into your body, you’ll never forget it and can use it freely.”
As she spoke, Rie took up her stance again, ready to start over.
I caught my breath and prepared to charge at her once more.
“Lucian Theodore von Deodore.”
A voice I knew all too well cut through the air.