Chapter 6
"My name is Marie. Marie Hausen Rekilis. What about you, red-haired one?"
The white-haired girl, Marie, planted herself in the seat beside me and introduced herself. Until just now, she had been putting on a one-person show, but now she was acting friendly again.
She seemed to have a hot temper, but yesterday had been a misunderstanding, so she didn't seem like a bad person. In any case, since she had introduced herself first, I should do the same.
I silently stared at her smiling face before opening my mouth in a flat voice.
"Isaac Duker Maishal."
"Duker Maishal? As expected, you were a noble's son."
"You look like a noble too."
"That's right. I'm a daughter of House Rekilis, you know. Hmph."
I didn't ask. While I thought that to myself, Marie raised her chin and reacted proudly. She seemed quite proud of her family.
Speaking of House Rekilis, it was a duchy, ranking immediately below the emperor—not a countship or a marquisate.
I also knew very well how famous House Rekilis was. When my mother had educated me in the past, she had even taught me the history of the Minerva Empire, so of course I knew about it.
To explain House Rekilis, it was one of the founding families of the Minerva Empire. Moreover, it had practiced 'noblesse oblige' since ancient times and enjoyed an excellent reputation among the people of the empire.
Of course, the occasional complete scoundrel did emerge, but if they were caught, the family disowned and exiled them.
'If only every noble were like this."
If a duke ranking directly below the emperor personally practiced noblesse oblige, what about the other nobles? Unfortunately, they were nothing like that.
Even in my previous life, plenty of people abused their power when they held high positions. How much worse would it be here, in a world where social classes genuinely existed? There weren't even smartphones or computers to leave behind evidence.
As a result, nobles continued to discriminate against commoners in subtle ways. Even if they openly persecuted them, they could use their power to make the matter disappear.
I gazed at Marie before speaking. Just in case, I didn't forget to use polite speech.
"So you're the young lady of House Rekilis. I'm sorry I failed to recognize you."
"...Just speak informally. I hate that sort of thing."
When I used polite speech, Marie's pretty face crumpled. Just as the rumors suggested, she seemed to dislike authoritarianism.
So I began speaking informally, as she wanted. Marie seemed more comfortable with that too, and began chattering away.
"How many volumes of The Chronicle of Xenon do you have? I've only got volume five."
"Um..."
I have the manuscript, I wanted to say. The words rose to my throat, but I barely managed to suppress them. There was no comedy quite like this.
I pondered what to say before voicing a lie she could accept.
"I don't own any myself, but I know the whole story. My mother lent them to me to read."
"Really? Well, there are a lot of people like that. My brother wouldn't even lend them to me."
"Why?"
"He's the kind of person who treats his belongings like they're precious treasures. He hates it when anyone touches his things, even family."
Her brother must have been the white-haired man who had gently placated Marie yesterday. As I looked at the grumbling Marie, a question occurred to me, so I asked her.
"By the way, I overheard something your brother said yesterday. Were the people stockpiling copies of The Chronicle of Xenon arrested?"
"Huh? You didn't know...? Ah, I suppose you wouldn't. They were caught recently, so it'll take a little while for the news to appear in the newspaper. It should probably come out in about two days."
As expected of a ducal family, their speed at obtaining information was second to none.
When I looked at her admiringly, Marie seemed to read my thoughts and puffed herself up. Her pride was practically poking the sky.
"You don't have to look at me like that. This is the bare minimum for our family."
"That's still impressive. My family lives in the middle of nowhere, so the newspaper is our only way of getting news."
"The middle of nowhere? Pfft. You have an amusing way with words."
Rattle-
While I was chatting excitedly with Marie, I heard the classroom's front door open. The moment it did, the noisy classroom fell silent.
Tap- Tap- Tap-
An elderly man was walking toward the center, in front of a blackboard large enough to fill an entire wall. His hair was an even mixture of dull gold and white, and although he had grown a magnificent mustache, his expression made him look rather stubborn.
His clothes were exactly the sort of suit one would expect a professor to wear.
"Ahem."
At last, the old man stopped in the center before clearing his throat and looking around the room. All the students, myself included, waited intently for him to open his mouth.
When his gaze finally reached the far left after beginning on the right, his tightly closed lips parted.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, students. I am Vyrus Ar Tristan, a professor of humanities."
His voice was dignified and relaxed, yet every word carried clearly. When the professor, who had introduced himself as Vyrus, bowed at the waist, the students welcomed him with applause.
After straightening his back, he continued in his characteristic unhurried manner.
"First of all, I sincerely welcome you to Halo Academy—and to Literary Studies. This year in particular, some very special people have entered Halo Academy."
As he said this, he looked toward where Rina and Cecily were sitting, then shifted his gaze and looked directly at Marie. Even if she wasn't an imperial princess or a demonkin princess, Marie was still special enough as the daughter of a duke.
"...What am I supposed to do?"
Of course, Marie grumbled when she was singled out. The professor continued speaking with dignity.
"First, I will explain what kind of life you will lead here. Students in Literary Studies take common courses for two years, but after that, you must find your own path. Those interested in medicine will study medicine, those interested in administration will study administration, those interested in politics will study political science, and those interested in the humanities will study the humanities. From that point on, you may choose the path you desire."
I listened attentively because I knew almost nothing about the Academy, especially Literary Studies. My older brother and sister were both illiterate, so there was nothing they could teach me.
"That will naturally raise a question. What should you do if you haven't found your path after two years? You needn't worry. It's perfectly natural for people your age to wander because they haven't found their path yet. We can wait for you."
... ...
"Above all, most of those who enter Literary Studies probably came because they seek 'knowledge.' Even if you don't find your path, there is no problem as long as you want knowledge."
So that meant they could graduate whether they found their path or not. They could either receive a diploma or go on as an intern.
It was impressive in itself that someone in a world so close to the medieval era had come up with such an idea. I rested my chin on my hand and waited for the professor's next words.
"Since this is your first, historic class, I will ask you a simple question. What do you think 'knowledge' is? I will award bonus points to any student who gives a good answer."
Class had begun with the very first question. As soon as I heard it, a famous saying surfaced in my mind.
'Knowledge is power.'
Had this been Earth, it would have been one of the famous sayings everyone had heard at least once. However, I didn't raise my hand. Having grown up in South Korea, I had always felt awkward about raising my hand to give a presentation.
While I sat still, one of the students raised her hand. Surprisingly, it was Rina.
The moment Professor Vyrus saw Rina raise her hand, he looked at her and extended a hand toward her.
"Your name is... Rina, correct?"
"Yes, Professor."
"What do you think knowledge is, Rina?"
Even though Rina was the imperial princess of the Minerva Empire, she seemed to be nothing more than a student in the professor's eyes. Rina didn't seem bothered by that, either. She rose from her seat and answered in a nightingale-like voice.
"I believe it is something people absolutely need in order to advance to a higher place."
"Hmm... Please explain in greater detail."
When the professor asked her to elaborate, Rina began explaining everything one point at a time, as though she had expected the request.
"From cultivation methods that circulate the mana within one's body, to magic, aura, and even the architecture needed to rebuild civilization, all of these things are possible only through knowledge. Without knowledge, people can do nothing. Therefore, I believe knowledge is what lifts people to greater heights."
"Excellent. Everyone, applause."
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap!
When the professor urged them to applaud, thunderous applause filled the classroom. I clapped along with everyone else before sneaking a glance to the side.
Marie was clapping slowly with an indifferent expression. Judging by the way she had one corner of her mouth raised, she looked dissatisfied.
"As Rina said, knowledge can help people advance to a higher place. But that isn't the answer I wanted. Is there anyone who can explain it more concisely?"
... ...
Even when the professor asked again, no one raised a hand. It was understandable; they would have to summarize an imperial princess's presentation.
If they gave a strange answer after volunteering for no reason, they would certainly be ridiculed. And if the professor happened to like their answer, that would be a problem in its own way. They would draw attention in several different senses.
'Damn this class system.'
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
Everyone was probably praying for time to pass just as it was. Being singled out by the other students was more frightening than disappointing the professor. At least if Cecily or Marie gave a presentation, the impact would be smaller.
Swoosh-
The moment I had that thought, Cecily, who was sitting beside Rina, cautiously raised her hand. Her awkward posture made her look lacking in confidence.
Of course, the professor was overjoyed that a student had volunteered. The moment Cecily raised her hand, Professor Vyrus brightened and opened his mouth.
"Oh! Your name is probably..."
"M-My name is Cecily..."
"Very well, Cecily. What do you think knowledge is?"
Unlike when she had delivered her confident speech, her voice was quite dispirited. I guessed that her confidence had vanished because, unlike during her speech, she wasn't certain of herself.
"Phew..."
Cecily looked around at the other students before patting her chest as if encouraging herself. Then she rose from her seat and answered in a voice that had regained its confidence.
"I believe it is what people need in order to live as human beings."
That was a truly demonkin-like answer. Professor Vyrus also seemed intrigued, because he leaned slightly toward her and asked another question.
"Could you explain that in greater detail?"
"Yes. As Lady Rina said, knowledge is essential for people to advance to a higher place, but I believe that can only happen after one first becomes a 'person.' Someone without knowledge is nothing more than a beast with no potential for growth."
"A truly primal answer. But an excellent one. Everyone, applause!"
As with Rina, thunderous applause filled the classroom. I stared at Cecily's back as she hurriedly sat down with a strange expression on her face.
It felt particularly meaningful to hear an answer like that from someone who was a demonkin herself.
"Both of you gave excellent answers. Unfortunately, neither was the answer I wanted. Is there anyone who would like to give a different answer?"
As if.
After Cecily had presented, there wouldn't be any more volunteers. I could guarantee it.
I wished this would end without anything else happening, but...
"If there are no more students willing to present, I will choose someone myself."
As expected, the professor was trying to screw us over now, just as professors had in my previous life. I lowered my head to avoid making eye contact as much as possible.
'Please, don't pick me. Please...'
But ominous premonitions always come true.
"You there, the red-haired student with your head down. Answer the question."
For the first time since being born into this world, I resented my father for passing his red hair on to me. There was no denying that it was a color that stood out wherever I went.
"Hey. I think the professor's talking to you."
"...I know. Phew."
I cursed inwardly with every obscenity I knew before raising my head. The moment I did, dozens of eyes were staring directly at me.
I wanted to snap at them and ask what they were staring at, but I swallowed my irritation and stood up. The moment I reluctantly rose from my seat, Professor Vyrus asked me a question.
"Red-haired student. What is your name?"
"...My name is Isaac."
"Yes, Isaac. What do you think knowledge is?"
What should I say? I tried to think of a different answer, but the famous saying from my previous life was the only thing spinning around in my head.
Since things had come to this, I pretended to think before opening my mouth in as flat a voice as possible.
"...I believe it's power."
"Oh ho."
What the fuck. What was that exclamation supposed to mean, and why were his eyes shining like that?
While I was muttering to myself as though chewing on the words, the professor asked me in a far more excited voice than before,
"Why do you think that? That's a very interesting answer."
... ...
As soon as I heard the professor's question, I glanced toward where Rina and Cecily were sitting.
A pair of blue eyes and a pair of red eyes were looking directly at me with curiosity. I could feel my anxiety swelling in real time as I barely managed to open my mouth.
"...Since ancient times, knowledge has been used in countless ways to advance civilization. How to make fire, how to farm, how to build structures, and what knowledge is needed to hunt monsters, for example. Through these things, we can see that knowledge possesses a power greater than physical force."
"You summarized Rina's presentation. Then what do you think of Cecily's presentation?"
No. This should have been enough.
Regardless, the professor's eyes grew even brighter. I sighed inwardly and answered as though I had nothing left to lose.
"...The knowledge one can acquire alone is clearly limited. That's why people can exchange knowledge with one another, or seize it through conflict. And being human... can't be defined in a single way, so I'll stop there."
Since I truly had nothing more to say, I sat down without delay. At the same time, silence descended upon the classroom.
When the silence continued, I sensed that something was off and looked at the professor. He was staring at me with an expression of deep emotion, as though my presentation had moved him.
His expression was completely different from the ones he had worn when Rina and Cecily had presented.
Then the professor shouted in an excited voice,
"That was abso~lutely magnificent! A flawless answer! Your name was Isaac, correct?"
"...And?"
"I will award Isaac bonus points! Everyone, welcome him with a hearty round of applause!"
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap!
... ...
Don't do this to me. Fuck.