Ch.242Invitation (1)

As the exams approach, so does vacation. And my academic duties, which include submitting exam questions, become extremely busy.

One might wonder what’s so difficult about submitting exams, but it’s surprisingly challenging. Especially for humanities-focused majors like history, most questions need to be subjective, and I’m not doing this alone.

Elena only asked me to create the questions, but grading must be fair, so there’s a lot of back-and-forth discussion.

If the questions were multiple choice, I could just throw something together, but that’s not how things work here. Each professor has their own beliefs and philosophy, so there are no multiple choice questions—only subjective ones.

So I’ve been wracking my brain repeatedly about what subjective questions to submit. The sooner I submit the problems, the more free time I’ll have.

But there’s always a way to take the easy route in this world. I suddenly had a good idea and proposed it to Elena.

“Can’t we just use the same questions from last year?”

“That was my original plan.”

“…Then why did you ask me?”

“I was curious what kind of questions you would come up with. It’s a bit disappointing.”

“…”

One way or another, I got away with the exam questions. In truth, there’s no better question for freshmen than “What is history?”

However, I’ll have to submit my own history questions next time. Elena said she’ll handle the second-year exams herself, so I’ve been given some quality free time.

During this free time, I’ve been writing volume 19 and researching historical materials. I’m spending productive time until vacation arrives.

This spare time also includes exhibition invitations. Marie, Cecilly, and Rina will definitely visit my territory, and Adelia will automatically attend as my knight.

But Leona and Cherry are in slightly different situations. Unlike others, Leona became my wife due to beast-folk culture, and she has a strong sense of independence.

This means she might work part-time throughout the vacation. She’s always done so, so there’s no reason this exhibition would be any different.

“Then I’ll buy everything you need for next semester.”

“Oh, but that’s too much…”

“Including food. How much steak do you want to eat?”

“I love you, husband.”

Of course, inviting the steak-tamed Leona wasn’t difficult. When I promised to buy her all the steak she wanted next semester, she nuzzled her face against my chest.

Fortunately, we were alone in the café. If others had seen, they would have glared at us with cold eyes.

With her ears perked up, she gives off the impression of an affectionate cat. I suppose lions are felines too, so it makes sense.

Like this, Leona often shows her affection by rubbing her face against me, whether it’s my cheek or chest.

Like an animal leaving its scent, Leona frequently engages in skin-to-skin contact when we’re alone.

“Your territory has lots of delicious food, right?”

“Yes, tons. It’s the Biography of Xenon exhibition after all.”

“You’re more and more amazing. How could Xenon’s birthplace be there?”

That’s because I am Xenon. By the way, I haven’t told Leona yet that I’m Xenon.

I should tell her, but I plan to introduce her to my parents first, then reveal it.

The reason is my father. He has fought many battles against elven scouts and savage beast-folk at the border.

Naturally, he might have considerable aversion toward beast-folk, so getting his permission first is a priority.

Given my father’s personality, he’ll reluctantly accept, but I feel I should first tell him that Leona is a beast-folk.

“So when are you thinking of mating? I’m ready anytime.”

“Uh… probably not this vacation?”

“Ah, you already have plans with someone else?”

“Rather than plans…”

I smiled awkwardly, not knowing how to explain. At least Leona is definitely next after Adelia.

But I’m not sure if I’ll spend the first night with Adelia after this exhibition. I want to give her a joyful first night that will make her forget all past trauma, but that’s not easy.

I’ve vowed to make her choose me unconditionally when I reveal that I’m Xenon, but I need to consider others too.

Especially Marie and Cecilly, who are probably eagerly anticipating this vacation—I’m not sure if there’s room for Adelia.

‘She was really happy when I remembered our anniversary.’

On the exact one-year anniversary of starting my relationship with Marie, I gave her a ring with a ruby. It was quite expensive, purchased with profits from selling the Biography of Xenon.

My mother told me that noble women who like to show off prefer expensive accessories, and they wear jewelry given by their beloved men every day.

My mother always wears the same ring on her left ring finger. I was surprised to learn that my father had spent all his retirement money on that wedding anniversary ring.

Anyway, when I gave Marie the ring, she jumped with joy and kept telling me she loved me. I was also very happy seeing her joy.

And then… well, everyone probably knows. Her love and affection for me seemed to be filled by the ring, and despite it being exam period, she became passionate.

She even made extreme statements about not needing academics and wanting to have a child right away.

Fortunately, she regained her senses, otherwise we would have immediately prepared for a wedding.

“It is a prior engagement. So it might take a while. Is that okay?”

“Of course. It might be a bit difficult during mating season, but I can endure it.”

“Thanks. Thank you for understanding.”

“Purr.”

I stroked her head with sincere words. As I did, Leona purred and twitched her ears.

Although her tail was hidden by her pants, I imagine it would be swishing back and forth if visible.

As I continued stroking Leona’s head, a thought suddenly occurred to me.

‘Come to think of it, I seem to sleep with a woman every vacation…’

First summer vacation was Marie, last winter vacation was Cecilly. And though it’s not confirmed, this summer vacation might be Adelia.

Does that mean next winter vacation is Leona? Nicole was right—I really am a playboy who seduces women.

‘Well, what can I do?’

I’ll just consider it my fate. I continued stroking Leona’s soft hair to calm my mind.

For some reason, it’s addictively pleasant. In my previous life, I also enjoyed petting cute dogs and cats.

After losing both parents in an accident, cute dog and animal pictures were my only comfort. I wanted to raise a pet myself, but circumstances didn’t allow it, so I lived lonely.

Although Leona isn’t an animal but a beast-folk, she’s still of the animal family. I want to keep feeling this sensation in my hands.

“Purr. Purr.”

“You like it that much?”

“Yes, husband. Please stroke me more.”

“…”

It’s certain. Leona is not a lion but a cat.

I chuckled and continued without stopping, as she wished. It seems she’s going to call me “husband” from now on.

‘I’ve invited Leona, and the remaining person is…’

The rookie who’s just sprouting dreams and hopes, Cherry. I haven’t proposed to her yet, but I plan to soon.

However, given her oppressive home environment, it’s possible they’ve forbidden her from even dreaming about the exhibition.

I’ve counseled Cherry many times, and her family, the Roseberry, is known for their extremely strict education.

They don’t treat people as people, but almost like robots. It’s suffocating just hearing about it.

Originally, during her grandfather’s time as head of the family, things were normal, but the current head is particularly severe.

Especially after the Biography of Xenon was published, this tendency worsened.

‘I’ll have to meet her in person and talk.’

If possible, I want to invite Cherry to the exhibition. If that’s not feasible, I plan to send an invitation directly to her family.

If even that doesn’t work… I’ll gently persuade her to come secretly. She needs to witness with her own eyes how the Biography of Xenon is transforming into a cultural phenomenon.

This is what you’d call motivation. The public already speculates that she’s Xenon’s disciple.

Despite only one volume being published, it’s receiving a lot of attention due to its time-regression feature.

If Cherry’s recognition grows, her family won’t be able to easily interfere with her. This is the most certain method currently.

Lick-

“Eek?!”

“Ah, sorry. I did it without thinking.”

While lost in thought, I was startled by a cold sensation on my nape. Simultaneously, Leona apologized.

Wondering what happened, I looked down to see her sticking out her tongue with an awkward smile.

Apparently, she couldn’t resist her instinct and licked my nape. Commonly known as grooming.

I stared blankly at her smiling face and touched my neck. Meanwhile, Leona curiously licked her lips and said to me with sparkling golden eyes:

“I smelled flower fragrance and thought it might taste similar, but it doesn’t. It even tastes good?”

“…”

“Can I lick once more? You can lick my neck too.”

“…Is that also a beast-folk custom?”

“Not so much beast-folk as a trait of lion, tiger, and cat beast-folk. So, is it possible?”

For a moment, I almost told her to lick somewhere else.

*****

About a month remained until the second exhibition at Mayshall territory.

For humans and beast-folk, this seems like ample time, but for other races with much longer lifespans, it feels very short.

Moreover, artists had to transport their “works” to Mayshall territory, making the time feel even shorter.

Because of this, most artists have been busy long before the exhibition starts, trying to secure the best spots.

And there was someone working hard to exhibit his work…

“This really moves?”

“I told you it does. Don’t you trust me?”

Eins, an inventor of magic engines who decided to participate in this exhibition. Currently, he’s showing his “work” to other dwarves.

At first glance, it looked like an ordinary carriage, but several differences were clearly visible.

First, a carriage is literally a vehicle pulled by horses, but there was no device for attaching reins to horses.

Instead, there was a seat for the driver and also passenger seats.

But one part particularly stood out—a strange item attached to the back.

It was a “magic engine” originally invented for magic engine trains, but attached to a carriage. Eins had attached it to the carriage.

“So if you put in coal? That black stone, how far can it go?”

“I haven’t experimented with that yet?”

“You idiot. You’re trying to go all the way to the Empire of Minerva without even testing that? You’re insane.”

Hearing Eins’s straightforward answer, a dwarf criticized him. Understandably, the distance between the dwarven country, Makina, and the Empire of Minerva is very far.

Although it doesn’t require crossing the sea like Alfheim, traveling by land takes at least a month.

And that’s assuming you’re using a carriage, not walking. If it takes a month by carriage, how much longer would an untested carriage take?

However, Eins crossed his thick arms and confidently spoke. His lush brown beard was particularly noticeable.

“I’m doing this because it’s possible! Once you ride it, your doubts will disappear. You all thought I couldn’t even make a magic engine.”

“Well… that’s true. But why did you make this first instead of the magic engine train?”

“This is a kind of prototype. The train is too big and needs to be built on a large scale with everyone’s help. The important thing is that it moves.”

“That makes sense. So what’s it called? Magic car?”

“That sounds too lazy.”

“Magic engine train sounds impressive, but this doesn’t. It sounds like a downgrade.”

The dwarves criticized before even hearing the name. But Eins didn’t mind.

He had anticipated such reactions. For dwarves, their inventions are as precious as their children.

This applies to names as well. A good name prevents future ridicule, so it must be chosen carefully.

As the dwarves started naming it themselves, Eins clicked his tongue and said with his characteristic confidence:

“Do I look that thoughtless to you? Me, Eins Eightree, the inventor of the magic engine?”

“Yes, extremely thoughtless.”

“You’re a thoughtless idiot, that’s why you made such a thing. I acknowledge your achievement, but you’re thoughtless and reckless.”

“You bastards. Anyway, the name of this invention is simple. Without needing any horses, moving solely by magic engine…!”

What would Issac think if he saw this?

“Behold, the magic automobile!”

“That sounds worse than before.”

“Just call it a car.”

He would probably laugh. Perhaps he should have considered that World War II novel more carefully.

Despite the harsh criticism from his friends, Eins nodded approvingly and pointed at the magic automobile with his thumb.

“So, want to try riding it? If you want, I’ll give you the honor of being the first passengers.”

“Well, I’m bored, so why not?”

“Sure, let’s do it.”

But there was something even the inventor Eins hadn’t anticipated.

“By the way, how do you stop this thing?”

“Huh.”

“What do you mean ‘huh’?! Damn it! Stop it right now!!”

He had forgotten to make a “brake.” Fortunately, they were just about to start; otherwise, they might have caused the world’s first traffic accident.

With one month left until the exhibition…

“You careless bastard. Move aside. We need to make a stopping mechanism.”

“Let’s also add a speed converter. What’s the maximum speed of this thing?”

“Probably slightly slower than a horse at full gallop? Whatever you put in, it eventually converts to mana.”

“Hmm, that’s problematic. How about making a separate mana storage? Store excess mana, and if it’s too much, discharge it outside.”

“That sounds good!”

After culture and religion, science was gradually approaching.