Ch.15Drawing (1)

Despite the unexpected meeting with Leort, it couldn’t interrupt my writing. Rather, it gave me momentum to continue the story smoothly.

‘This is where Count Castlerock shouts. “The nation is its people.”‘

In my previous life, there was a famous movie. It was about a lawyer who desperately protested on behalf of people harmed by a military regime.

I vividly remember being deeply moved by the iconic scene. The immersion was so incredible that I wondered if it was truly acting.

‘As Leort said, I might receive some criticism, but…’

The conflict between Xenon, who comes from a common background, and the nobility is unavoidable. Those who firmly hold established power are extremely wary of anyone taking their place. It’s a story that could actually happen.

But that’s fine. As the saying goes, “carrot and stick” – if I also show the good side of nobility, it should be acceptable.

Besides, legitimate criticism is somewhat tolerated. After hearing Leort’s words, I searched for books in the library and found plenty of satire directed at nobility. The only drawback is the absence of direct criticism.

‘For the steam locomotive’s appearance… I’ll just draw it. I can practice sketching it in my notebook.’

The episode where Xenon conflicts with nobility spans from the beginning to middle of volume 8. Afterward, he travels to the dwarven country for rest and to experience new culture, where he forms a connection with an eccentric dwarf trying to invent a “steam locomotive.”

Xenon helps this eccentric dwarf whose invention everyone else ridicules as impossible. After various misjudgments and trial and error, they finally succeed in inventing the steam locomotive. Volume 8 concludes with the introduction of “mechanical engineering” as a new path distinct from “magic.”

‘They use carriages for supply here, right?’

Throughout history, whether on Earth or in a fantasy world, the importance of military supply needs no explanation. Even in a fantasy world, armies advance better when well-fed.

Some might ask why not use teleportation or warp magic instead of inventing steam locomotives, but that’s impossible. Supply methods using teleportation or warping are extremely inefficient and dangerous magic.

While using it on oneself isn’t problematic, issues arise when moving other objects. It requires enormous amounts of mana, and failure results in disintegration like sand. Such risks are only worth taking in critically important situations; otherwise, carriages are generally preferred.

‘Except for demons, of course. They’re truly an overpowered race.’

One reason why Helium, the demon realm, became a superpower that even the Empire of Minerva dares not touch is their incredible transportation capabilities. While other countries use carriages for supplies, demons use magic to ignore distance.

This is all thanks to their ability to use magic as naturally as breathing. For them, magic is closer to an “authority” where anything they imagine becomes reality.

Although I’ve never seen magic before, it must be amazing.

‘Magic…’

I placed the completed manuscript at the edge of my desk and checked the time. It was 10:30 PM. I should sleep now for tomorrow’s sake.

After a quick wash, I threw myself onto the bed. The soft mattress cushioned my back.

‘Tomorrow I only have Humanities, Magic Studies, and… Anthropology.’

I’ve already planned which majors to take.

Humanities, Magic Studies, History, Theology, Alchemy, Anthropology, Philosophy, Psychology, Administration, Military Science, and International Studies.

That’s 11 subjects in total, and among them, “Alchemy” might be unfamiliar to most. Simply put, it’s this world’s chemistry.

Even on Earth, alchemy is called the father of modern chemistry, but in this fantasy world, alchemy has greatly advanced. You don’t need to look far to understand – potions are created through alchemy.

‘It’s not as established as chemistry… but still fascinating.’

While it’s not specifically defined in terms of atoms or molecules, perhaps someone will establish it in the distant future. I stared at the dark ceiling before quietly closing my eyes.

I feel both nervous and excited about the upcoming classes. Just thinking about taking 11 majors already gives me a headache, but I have to work hard to avoid failing.

The good news is that grades aren’t based on relative evaluation but closer to absolute evaluation. If I work hard enough, I can definitely get perfect scores.

‘The Biography of Xenon… I’ll have to write it only on weekends for now…’

Perhaps because I was lying in bed, sleep began to creep in, and my eyelids closed.

In complete darkness, I felt my consciousness sinking as I drifted off to sleep.

*****

The next day, after breakfast at the school cafeteria, I headed straight to the classroom. Upon entering, familiar faces caught my eye first.

As everyone knows, they were Marie, Cecilly, and Rina. Seeing these three uniquely beautiful women gathered together chatting amicably, they seemed to radiate their own light.

I wondered if all three were taking Humanities together. As I looked around for an empty seat, I noticed something strange.

‘There are no seats available?’

Students were sitting all around the three women, in front, behind, and on both sides. Until last week, no one sat near them, which made me curious. Especially since there were many empty seats at the front.

With no choice, I sat in an empty seat, but still puzzled, I turned my head back. As soon as I did, I made eye contact with Marie, who was chatting happily with the other two.

“Ah! There’s Issac.”

When Marie called out, Cecilly and Rina also looked at me. I greeted them with a wave.

“But why isn’t he sitting next to us… Wait, when did it get so crowded?”

“Huh? That’s strange.”

From their conversation, it seemed they had just noticed their surroundings. As I watched them looking confused, I suddenly made eye contact with a male student sitting to their right.

Jackson, was it? The guy who tried hitting on Cecilly and Rina on the first day and got brutally rejected. When our eyes met, he raised one corner of his mouth in a smirk.

That vile smile told me everything. It was his doing.

Apparently, he was jealous that the women who had rejected him were showing interest in me. Whether he had recruited these students or already knew them, it was pathetically childish.

‘Are factions forming already?’

Since he was described as the son of a wealthy count, he likely bribed them with money.

‘What is he doing, acting like a child… Well, at 17, I guess he is a child.’

Not wanting to get involved in troublesome matters, I turned my head forward. I prefer to enjoy a peaceful academic life.

“Oof.”

“Huh?”

“Hello?”

As soon as I turned forward, someone sat beside me and greeted me warmly.

The white-haired beauty, Marie, was smiling at me.

I blinked a couple of times as she sat next to me. I wondered why she chose to sit by me instead of staying in her original seat.

While I was thinking this, Marie made a slightly disappointed expression and said:

“Won’t you return my greeting?”

“…Hello.”

Only then did Marie nod with satisfaction. I stared at her for a moment before looking back.

Cecilly was frowning slightly as if uncomfortable, and Rina beside her had an ambiguous expression.

Finally, looking toward Jackson, his face was filled with irritation. I felt a sense of satisfaction at having unintentionally annoyed him.

“What did you do over the weekend?”

“What about you?”

“I went around with my brother. There were many interesting things. What did you do?”

“I read books in the library. There were many interesting ones. And I also went to the training ground with my sister to watch.”

“You have a sister?”

“Not just a sister, but a brother too.”

“So you’re the youngest? I just learned that.”

I could talk about various things with Marie until class started. It was definitely more comfortable talking with her than with others. She was far from authoritarian and had a straightforward personality, making it easy to speak freely.

I was grateful just to be able to converse with such a distinctive beauty like Marie. Fortunately, our conversation styles also matched well.

“Issac, you said you’ve read up to volume 5 of the Biography of Xenon? I could lend it to you.”

Sometimes she would say startling things, but fortunately, I had anticipated this question and could answer smoothly.

As we chatted, losing track of time, the professor entered the classroom. Naturally, it was Professor Virus, the Humanities instructor.

“Good day, my proud students. Today we will begin our formal lessons.”

As the lecture began, the classroom filled with applause just like last week.

Shortly after, as the applause subsided, Professor Virus cleared his throat and began the class with his characteristically calm voice.

“Last week, I explained about ‘knowledge.’ For today’s class, what will we learn? It’s simple. You will tell us what knowledge you’ve gained through books or experiences. Too sudden, you say? Don’t worry. I’ll give you plenty of time.”

The professor set the time limit at exactly 40 minutes. Though students complained about the short time, Professor Virus simply ignored them.

“Also, if you present something related to books or experiences other than the Biography of Xenon, I’ll give you extra points. Of course, if your presentation is excellent even if it relates to the Biography of Xenon, I’ll still award extra points. Just make sure to clearly state what knowledge you gained. Now…”

With the professor’s shout of “Begin!” students, after a moment of confusion, started organizing their thoughts in notebooks or muttering quietly.

I also began writing down my thoughts in the notebook I had prepared. I was confident because I had read many books and gained knowledge from them.

“Um… Issac?”

“Hmm?”

Marie quietly called me. I looked at her with an expression asking what was wrong.

When I looked at her, Marie hesitated slightly before asking with an embarrassed smile:

“…Could you lend me a sheet of paper? I only brought my magic pen…”

“Sure, no problem.”

I willingly tore out a sheet from my notebook and handed it to her. Marie thanked me brightly when I readily gave her the paper.

Just as I was about to focus back on my notes:

“Huh? Hey. What’s this?”

“What?”

Marie showed me the back of the paper I had given her. When I saw the drawing she was showing, I could only inwardly gasp in shock.

Meanwhile, Marie asked me with eyes full of curiosity:

“Did you draw this?”

On the back of the page was a steam locomotive I had casually sketched for practice yesterday.