Ch.17Proposal (1)

If there’s one thing that has captured my interest since being reincarnated here, among many possibilities, I would say it’s “history.”

Think about it. Instead of the history I took for granted in my previous life, this world is filled with entirely new histories.

The First and Second World Wars that changed Earth’s fate are gone, as are Admiral Yi Sun-sin and King Sejong who altered the destiny of Korea.

Actually, rather than saying they’re “gone,” it’s more that the entire planet has changed, but it’s still fascinating. Even in my previous life, I would search not just the internet but also books when I was curious about history.

So when I was at home, if I couldn’t bear reading novels anymore, I would thoroughly read history books multiple times. Unlike novels, history has clear causes and effects, and despite being somewhat subjective, it contains diverse content that was enough to spark my interest.

‘The library has so many books. I can’t wait to read them.’

By my previous life’s reckoning, it was Tuesday, the day after Monday.

While waiting for history class to begin, I was scribbling in my notebook. Thanks to yesterday’s mistake, I brought my lecture notebook today.

My lecture notebook contained my analysis of this world’s history, but it wasn’t simply a record of a specific country’s history.

If I were to compare it to my previous life, it was an analysis of what events occurred during the “Second World War,” what battles took place, and which figures played significant roles.

And in this world too, just like Earth’s Second World War, there was a “Racial War” that erupted from intensified conflicts between races. This major event occurred exactly 300 years ago and was a massive conflict involving humans, dwarves, elves, beastkin, and demon folk alike.

‘Analyzing a war between different races rather than just humans is really tough.’

Despite having superior abilities compared to other races, elves often made self-defeating moves due to their unique sense of superiority, rigid thinking, and arrogance. Dwarves participated directly in the war but were somewhat on the human side.

The reason dwarves sided with humans is simple. Humans were overwhelmingly numerous, purchased the most dwarf-made weapons, and had poor relations with elves.

Beastkin, who were treated as slaves by humans at the time, sided with the elves, while demon folk divided into two factions—”Rage” and “Restraint”—and cast spells at each other.

The common point might be that both races had suffered greatly at human hands. Afterward, relations between humans and beastkin deteriorated further, and remained hostile even after the generational change among elves.

But among all these, the most complicated were naturally the humans. Though they appeared united on the surface, internally they were full of politics and scheming, often cutting into their own flesh.

Also, as always happens in chaotic times, “heroes” emerged and made their mark on history.

‘Each race suffered great damage, but the dwarves clearly benefited the most. They made a lot of money and suffered few casualties.’

What would have happened if another race had provoked the dwarves? The Racial War would likely not have ended in a draw with only wounds to show, but would have tipped heavily to one side.

‘But what happened to make the elves collapse on their own? Did they underestimate everyone too much?’

The Racial War involved many large-scale battles, and there are books detailing the processes leading up to those battles. Reading those books left me with many questions.

Unfortunately, most of the history books I read were written from a human perspective, so there was much speculation but no clear explanation of why elves made self-defeating moves. However, given the generational change that occurred immediately after the war ended, it was certainly related.

‘The sudden arrest of Icare, who was a major force on the elven side, must be related to that reason. Old-fashioned thinking causes problems everywhere.’

After a long ten years, the war finally ended. With ten years of warfare, except for the dwarves, the damage was inevitably enormous. Several human kingdoms in particular couldn’t overcome financial difficulties and either went bankrupt or were absorbed by the Empire of Minerva.

The war between races ended, but the wars between humans did not.

‘Looking at it this way, places where humans live are all similar.’

Just as in my previous life, when the Cold War broke out between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II ended, this world followed a similar path. The difference is that science and engineering didn’t develop much, while magic developed rapidly.

The problem is that the current level of development is what it is. One can roughly understand how high-level an ability magic was in the past. For humans, it was literally something only the chosen few could use.

“Hmm…”

“…”

“…Huh?”

While I was lost in thought, my concentration slightly broken, I belatedly realized someone was staring at me from the front. I lifted my gaze slowly from my notebook.

Beyond the extremely slim waistline and prominent chest, I finally reached the face, where I met curious green eyes behind round glasses. I blinked and recognized who was facing me.

“…Professor?”

It was Professor Elena Heavensinger, who teaches history.

Professor Elena has her mint-green hair tied back and wears glasses, giving her an intellectual image as a beautiful woman, but her most distinctive feature is her long, pointed ears.

By now you’ve probably noticed that Professor Elena is an “elf,” a race known as the embodiment of beauty and chosen by the gods.

You might wonder why an elf is at Halo Academy, but it’s not actually that surprising. As I mentioned earlier, elves underwent a generational change after the Racial War, which included active exchange with other races.

That’s why she can work as a professor at Halo Academy. Besides Professor Elena, there are also elf freshmen and professors in the martial arts department. Unfortunately, it seems there are no elf freshmen in the literature department.

“Did you write all this yourself?”

While I was blinking and trying to grasp the situation, Professor Elena pointed at my notebook and asked. I followed her finger with my eyes.

Due to my concentration, I hadn’t even noticed someone watching me from right in front. At least it wasn’t my notes on the Biography of Xenon, so there wasn’t a big problem.

I nodded in response to her question. Professor Elena rested her chin on her hand, alternately looking at my notebook and me, then quietly spoke.

“May I see it for a moment?”

“Sure. Why not…”

As I handed her my notebook, I checked the time and saw there were about 10 minutes left until class. She had arrived about 20 minutes early last week too, so it wasn’t unusual. I was just a bit flustered that she showed interest in my notes.

While I waited with slight nervousness, Professor Elena carefully examined my notebook. Occasionally she would open her eyes wide or stroke her chin as if pondering something.

After reading through to the last page, Professor Elena offered a brief assessment.

“Your analysis is quite good. You’ve explained the situations between races well within the framework of the Racial War, and the causes and effects are clear. It’s a bit unfortunate that it focuses only on human history, but that can be supplemented gradually. With a little polishing, this could be submitted as a thesis without any issues.”

As she was giving her assessment, Professor Elena seemed to realize something and corrected herself with an “Ah.”

“No, this wasn’t written in thesis format to begin with, was it? Even so, this level is really impressive. You’re quite a good writer, aren’t you?”

“Th-thank you for the compliment.”

“Issac, right? Who taught you this? Your writing skills are quite remarkable.”

Professor Elena pointed at the notebook in her hand and asked me. I pondered how to answer, then replied somewhat shyly.

“I taught myself.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

I couldn’t possibly mention that I learned it at university in my previous life, no matter what. Elena nodded at my answer and spoke with a rather surprised voice.

“Last week and today too, I see you sitting in the front row. You must be very interested in history?”

“It’s fun, isn’t it?”

If nothing else, this statement was sincere. I liked history in my previous life too, but now, the deeper I dig, the more stories emerge that stimulate my imagination.

Professor Elena must have sensed my sincerity, as she looked at me with an expression that seemed to find me endearing.

“Wait here a moment.”

She returned my notebook and left the classroom after saying just that. My confusion was short-lived as a voice from the left brought me back to reality.

“Seeing you get praised by the professor, Issac must be really good at writing? That callus on your pen finger isn’t there for nothing.”

It was Rina. She was resting her chin on her hand, looking at me with blue eyes full of interest and curiosity.

I flinched slightly at her question, then awkwardly smiled while rubbing the callus on my middle finger. Rina returned a gentle smile despite my awkward laugh.

“Do you also know a lot about the history of us demon folk, Issac?”

This time from the right. Following the voice, I met red eyes that were the perfect opposite of Rina’s. Of course, it was Cecilly.

I thought about her question carefully, then shook my head.

Unfortunately, demon folk maintained a closed stance until the publication of the Biography of Xenon, so information about them was significantly limited.

Even if there were history books about demon folk, they were all from a human perspective and thus extremely subjective.

“No. Except for the founding process and the indiscriminate massacre of demon folk by the Papal Kingdom of Sabre, I know almost nothing. As you know, demon folk had almost no interaction with the outside until a few years ago.”

“Hmm… I guess that’s true. Then shall I bring you a few books? I can ask my father later.”

“Really?”

I looked at Cecilly with wide eyes, surprised by her unexpected kindness. Cecilly smiled softly at my reaction and spoke in a playful tone.

“Of course. But there’s one condition.”

“What is it?”

“Call me ‘big sister.'”

“Pardon?”

When I was dumbfounded by her unexpected condition, Cecilly maintained her playful tone and pressed me.

I couldn’t help but hesitate momentarily as she leaned in.

“I said call me big sister. Why? Are you shy?”

“Big sister Cecilly.”

“…”

“I did it, didn’t I?”

Now it was Cecilly’s turn to be surprised. I’m not sure what reaction she was trying to elicit from me, but I’m used to calling people older than me “big brother” or “big sister.”

With an actual older brother and sister, what’s so difficult about it?

Cecilly made a face that suggested this wasn’t what she expected, then eventually pouted. She turned her head away sharply, clicked her tongue, and grumbled.

“Tch. No fun. Come to think of it, didn’t you say you have an older sister?”

“Pfft.”

While Cecilly was grumbling, Rina, who had been watching the situation, let out a small laugh. Naturally, Cecilly couldn’t help but hear it.

“Hm? Rina. Are you laughing at me?”

“No? Maybe Cecilly misheard?”

“I don’t think so…”

While the two women chatted with me between them, I waited for Professor Elena to return. The reason Marie wasn’t in the classroom despite Rina and Cecilly being present was because she hated history. I vaguely recall hearing that she shudders at the mention of history.

Even Jackson, the guy who tried to mess with me during yesterday’s humanities class, wasn’t here. Clearly, history is boring everywhere unless you’re interested in it. Perhaps because of this, only about 30 people were seated in the lecture hall.

“Here’s a book.”

“…What is this?”

Shortly after, Professor Elena returned to the classroom and handed me a thick book. It was an old book that smelled musty, without even a title on the cover.

When I asked about the book, Professor Elena answered.

“It’s an elven history book translated into the common language. Elves tend to write books in their own language.”

“What? Is this r-really…”

“Yes. It’s right. A history book from the elven perspective, not the human one. I happened to find it in the library.”

“Wow…”

I looked at the worn-out book with sparkling eyes. Despite its old and plain appearance, it was a treasure more valuable to me than any other item.

Through this history book, I could determine what kind of race elves are in this world, and what settings to add to the elves that will appear in the Biography of Xenon. I had been wondering how to portray elves, and Professor Elena provided timely help.

“Thank you, Professor. How can I repay this kindness…”

“No thanks necessary, but do you have any other classes after this one ends?”

She continued with a kind smile.

“If not, I was wondering if you could come see me for a moment.”