Ch.38Group Project (2)

What an impossible probability is this? I opened my eyes wide as soon as I heard Cecilly’s name called last. It truly must be an incredible coincidence.

How is it possible that those three and Jackson ended up in the same group? Unless the lottery was rigged, it’s still hard to believe even if it’s not completely impossible.

I was momentarily dazed after Professor Virus called Cecilly’s name, then looked behind me. Judging by the similar expressions on Cecilly and Rina’s faces, they must be quite shocked too.

‘Did someone actually rig this?’

This led me to reasonable suspicion. One person might be coincidence, but all three in the same group? That makes you wonder.

As Professor Virus began the next roll call, before looking for Jackson, I checked Marie’s reaction first. Being grouped with none other than Jackson, Rina, and Cecilly must have been devastating news for her.

And as I expected, Marie was slightly open-mouthed, clearly showing her disbelief. Even I was surprised by this unbelievable reality, so how much worse must it be for her?

The difference is that I’m watching the fire from across the river, while she’s struggling in the flames.

‘Consoling her… probably isn’t the best idea.’

In a situation like this, keeping my mouth shut is the wisest choice. Being in the same group as Jackson was already unfortunate for her, but adding Rina, with whom she has the worst relationship, makes it even worse.

Moreover, since the gathering, attitudes toward Cecilly haven’t been great either. Unlike Rina who openly dislikes her, others are simply wary.

‘It’s going to be tough.’

It’s beyond tough—it’s hell party level. Marie comes from the Reckyless family that practices noblesse oblige, so she tends to act on her own, but the others? That’s questionable.

The Princess of the Empire of Minerva, the Princess of Helium, and the wealthy count’s son.

These three are probably more accustomed to ordering others around than doing things themselves. Especially Rina, who has the strongest tendency in this regard, as she’s more suited to being a “ruler” than a “leader.”

Simply put, she’s the type who prefers to efficiently complete tasks by delegating to suitable people rather than taking action herself. But in other words, she’s likely to freeload in group projects.

“…They really won’t let us change groups?”

After some time, Marie seemed to have come to terms with the unbelievable reality, muttering with a resigned expression. While I could fully sympathize with her feelings, I offered no consolation. I just gave her a pitying look.

I’m sorry for Marie, but the professor had firmly emphasized earlier that changing group members was absolutely forbidden, and if such behavior was detected, severe punishment would follow.

It’s best not to think “it’s fine if we don’t get caught.” The professor isn’t someone to be taken lightly, and getting caught would involve tremendous risk. Rumors would spread throughout the class, and you might even receive the lowest possible grade.

“This concludes all assignments. As I emphasized before, changing group members is impossible, and if detected, severe punishment will follow, so please be careful.”

“…Hehe.”

Right on cue, the professor kindly delivered the final blow. Marie let out a hollow laugh, as if giving up in advance.

Seeing that, I almost laughed but managed to cover it with a forced cough. I think it’s the first time I’ve seen Marie make such an expression.

“The presentations will take place exactly two weeks from now, and during that period, classes will be replaced with group discussions. Additionally, students who present well or ask insightful questions will earn bonus points for their entire group.”

I can understand choosing the Biography of Xenon as the topic, but looking at it now, he seems to enjoy taking the easy way out. Still, knowing how tight the students’ class schedules are, he’s probably substituting group discussions as a form of rest.

Following this, while listening to Professor Virus’s explanation, I slowly raised my hand. I had a question. Professor Virus brightened up when he saw my hand and readily acknowledged me.

“Yes, Issac. What would you like to know?”

“I was wondering if we could use visual aids during the presentation.”

This world hasn’t developed computers, let alone machinery. There’s no PowerPoint, not even a projector, so we’d have to use large sheets of paper instead.

Professor Virus heard my question, gently tugged at his mustache while thinking, and then answered in a calm voice.

“That’s fine. Using visual aids shows thorough preparation. However, given the nature of this topic, visual aids might not be very meaningful.”

“Why is that?”

“The theme of this group project is predicting developments, not making evaluations. In my personal opinion, using the blackboard should be sufficient.”

That’s a relief. No need to bother drawing on large sheets of paper.

Instead, I’ll need to focus more on organizing materials and practicing the presentation. Using a blackboard while presenting is unfamiliar to me.

‘…Wait. Why am I naturally assuming I’ll be the one presenting?’

This is why trauma is scary. After being burned so many times in group projects, I naturally lean in that direction.

Of course, part of it is because I’m the author of the Biography of Xenon. Maybe there are group members who are better at presenting than I am, so I should wait and see.

‘It’ll be interesting to observe.’

If I’m lucky, there might be people who present unexpected developments. Like Jackson at the gathering, some students might catch subtle foreshadowing or hints.

Although the outcome was strange, considering that, Jackson’s observational skills are exceptional.

‘…But I wonder if he can handle this well.’

While the professor was explaining points to be careful about during group projects, I glanced behind me. Having seemingly sorted out their thoughts, Rina and Cecilly wore unconcerned expressions.

‘They’ll manage somehow.’

I wonder who will suffer the most in this chaotic party. I predict it will be either Marie or Jackson.

“That concludes today’s class. Please use the remaining time to get acquainted with your group members and establish plans.”

With over an hour of class time remaining, Professor Virus quickly ended the session. It seemed he finished early so group members could get to know each other, as he suggested.

The class ended with Professor Virus giving a polite farewell. Before standing up, I checked on Marie beside me.

With her face planted on the desk and her hair hanging like curtains, I couldn’t see her face, but I could hear her occasional mutterings.

“It’s over… I should give up on humanities…”

“… …”

“If it were Issac instead of that guy, it would be manageable, but why him of all people…”

“… …”

“Luminus, why are you testing me like this… I pray every day…”

Should I really console her? I cautiously observed Marie’s depression, which seemed deep enough to sink through the floor.

But like pouring oil on a raging fire, Rina, sitting behind, encouraged Marie in a nonchalant voice.

“Since we’re in this situation, why don’t we all work hard together? Since the professor said not to change group members, wouldn’t it be better to accept it?”

“…Bitch.”

It’s the first time I’ve heard Marie curse. That shows how angry she is. Fortunately, she said it quietly, so Rina probably didn’t hear.

“By the way, it would have been nice if Issac were in our group. That’s a shame.”

Rina looked directly at me with a subtle smile. I responded to her gaze with an awkward laugh.

“Jackson should be fine too. I noticed at the gathering that while I don’t know about other things, his observation and analytical skills are quite good.”

“Isn’t that true for you as well?”

This time, it was Cecilly, not Rina, who questioned me. Judging by the confidence in her voice, both Rina and Cecilly tend to overestimate me.

Many people misunderstand, but I’m not a genius—I just have a lot of miscellaneous knowledge thanks to my previous life. Moreover, access to information in this world lags far behind my previous life.

I maintained a bitter smile as I responded to Cecilly’s question. Since I couldn’t mention my previous life, I offered a plausible excuse.

“You’re overestimating me. I’ve just read a lot of books.”

“From my perspective, it seems like Issac is underestimating himself. The occasional consideration you show can only come from someone who thinks deeply.”

The “consideration” Cecilly mentioned was more like a habit. As everyone knows, it’s a habit that developed due to my somewhat clumsy nature—the habit of thinking once more before speaking or acting.

Of course, even with such a habit, my nature doesn’t change. You can tell by how clumsily I act sometimes.

“Well… consider it a habit. I’m a bit disorganized, so I tend to think once more before doing anything.”

“That’s a good habit. It must be difficult to develop such a habit.”

It was Rina, not Cecilly, who spoke. I glanced at her once and opened my mouth.

“That may be true, but I often miss opportunities because of it. People with outstanding strengths always have weaknesses hidden behind those strengths. If a situation arises where they can’t utilize their strengths, only their weaknesses will be exposed.”

Without going far, even I make various mistakes if I don’t think things through once. Recently, I almost got caught by Marie when I mistakenly brought my material notebook instead of my lecture notes.

After hearing my words, Rina seemed to recall something and pressed her lips together. Her expression darkened slightly, suggesting she remembered something unpleasant.

During the momentary silence that followed, I quickly organized my notes and stood up to leave. With the class over, I wanted to meet my group members as Professor Virus had suggested.

“Then I’ll be going now. I hope you have good results.”

“Good luck to you too, Issac. We’ll… try our best.”

Cecilly looked at Rina and Marie in turn as she spoke quietly. She seems well aware of the terrible balance in her current group. You can tell by how her voice trailed off.

But what can I do about it? I’m sorry for Cecilly, but it’s not my concern. If any of them were to ask me for help, I would firmly refuse.

Some might think that’s harsh, but don’t they need such experiences too? Just as I was getting up to head towards Leona:

“Hello, beautiful ladies. It’s an honor to be on the same team as you.”

“…Hello. Nice to meet you too.”

As soon as I left, Jackson appeared out of nowhere and greeted them with a smooth voice. Unlike how he speaks to me, his tone was overly sweet and gentlemanly.

Cecilly responded to his greeting on behalf of Marie, who had her head on the desk, and Rina, who was lost in thought. Her usual playful expression had completely disappeared, replaced by stiffness.

Jackson will probably see this as an opportunity. I watched him continue his conversation with Cecilly with a friendly smile before turning away. Meeting my group members is the priority now.

‘I wonder if I’ll get along well with Leona?’

Leona, when not showing her true self, has a much more stoic and model student image. Unless we’re alone, she won’t show her cynical side.

Above all, it’s much better than being in that chaotic party. As I was walking towards where Leona was sitting, I suddenly encountered a male student.

“Oh.”

“Ah! Hello! I’m Benjamin Blank!”

With dull blonde hair, curly locks, and a face as innocent as a country youth—he’s Benjamin Blank, one of my group members. I nodded in response to his energetic greeting, accepting it rather stoically.

“I’m Issac Ducar Mayshall. You can speak casually with me.”

“Ah… r-really? But you’re… a noble…”

Benjamin fumbled at my words and began to look nervous. Judging by how he couldn’t even make proper eye contact, I could tell how he generally viewed nobles.

‘This damn class society.’

Unfortunately, in this world, reactions like Benjamin’s are normal. Unless you’re from another noble family, there’s a clear gap between commoners and nobles.

That’s why it’s not strange for Benjamin to feel uncomfortable around me. I inwardly sighed and said to him:

“I don’t care about such things, so speak casually. It makes me uncomfortable otherwise.”

“Oh… really? Alright. I’ll be comfortable then.”

“You switched to casual speech right away?”

“I-I’m sorry!”

“I’m just kidding.”

Somehow, this reminds me of the military from my previous life. Benjamin looked bewildered when I added that I was joking.

I chuckled at his expression and moved on. As I walked, Benjamin hurriedly followed.

“A-are you sure it’s okay to speak casually?”

“I told you it’s fine.”

“Alright. I’m really speaking casually now?”

“You already are, you know.”

Chatting with Benjamin, we soon arrived at the desk where Leona was sitting. She was recording something in her notebook but quietly closed it when we approached. Then she raised her head and met my gaze.

As expected, her expression wasn’t cynical like before, but rather stiff, as if not a drop of blood would come out even if pricked with a needle. She seems to have her concept down well.

“I’m Leona Lions. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

She looked at us alternately and introduced herself in a monotone voice. There was a slight sense of disconnect due to how different this attitude was from her true self, but I suppressed it.

“I’m Issac Ducar Mayshall.”

“I’m Benjamin Blank. Nice to meet you.”

Just as the three of us exchanged greetings:

“Oh my. You’ve already gathered?”

A refreshingly sweet girl’s voice reached our ears. Not just me, but the other two also turned their gaze towards the source of the sound.

In that direction, a female student with brown hair and brown eyes, with a doll-like cute appearance, was approaching. I hadn’t noticed from a distance, but up close, she was quite petite.

She looked at the three of us in turn, then placed her hand on the center of her chest and greeted us politely.

“I’m Aira von Mathius from the Viscount Mathius family. And…”

Aira, as she introduced herself, looked alternately at Benjamin and Leona, not at me. After a moment, as if she had finished her assessment, I noticed her lips curling up slightly at the corners.

Seeing this, I slightly furrowed my brow. Surely she wouldn’t say it outright…

“Except for Issac, you’re all commoners, right? I’ll speak casually with you.”

“… …”

“Oh, by the way, Issac, you’re from the Mayshall Baronet family, aren’t you?”

Judging by how she deliberately added “Baronet” after my surname, I could make a prediction. It’s a conclusion I could draw from my experiences of being beaten down in group projects.

“I look forward to working with you. I’ve been keeping an eye on you.”

So there’s one person looking to freeload by using her social status.