Ch.5Uneasy Beginning (3)

The Halo Academy lived up to its reputation as the world’s finest educational institution, with dormitory facilities so impressive they made one’s eyes widen in amazement.

For starters, each student had their own private room, and the rooms themselves were extremely spacious. Not just a studio apartment, but nearly a 20-pyeong apartment.

There was even a device to control the room’s temperature, perhaps implemented through magic, and even a refrigerator. I had no idea how it worked, but it must have been magic as well.

‘As long as it’s good, that’s all that matters.’

This is a fantasy world where common sense from my previous life gets utterly shattered. When there are monsters capable of dropping meteorites, common sense is the least of my concerns.

I looked around the clean dormitory before walking inside. There was a comfortable bed, a desk—everything one could need.

I was quite satisfied.

“Huh?”

Then I noticed clothes neatly arranged on the bed, in a color that seemed familiar. I dragged my suitcase over to the bed.

Upon closer inspection, I saw it was the uniform provided by Halo Academy. The top was a white dress shirt, and the pants were black. There were also various other garments that could be worn over the shirt.

Since the Empire of Minerva had four seasons, it seemed they provided clothing for each season. I examined the uniform that appeared to fit me perfectly.

‘They took my measurements earlier and immediately provided the uniform.’

Honestly, wearing a uniform is better than casual clothes. Even with casual clothes, I’d just wear the same outfit every day.

A moment later, I tried on the uniform. Conveniently, there was a full-length mirror, making it easy to check my appearance.

“Hmm… no matter how I look at it…”

I look like a girl disguised as a boy. My face takes after my mother with delicate, pretty features, and my body is slim. Of course, it’s much better than being ugly.

I hung the uniform on a hanger and unpacked my things. Actually, my luggage consisted of just a few books, weekend clothes, and my manuscript. Not much to unpack.

“The time now is…”

After unpacking everything, I checked the clock. It was 4:30 PM. Almost time for dinner.

I would have liked to have dinner with my brother or sister, but they’re busy people. I couldn’t bother them with such trivial matters.

I considered skipping dinner, but I was curious about what the food here was like, so I decided to go. I could work on my manuscript during that time.

“Ah, right. Paper.”

I needed to find out where to buy manuscript paper. I brought plenty of extras, but just in case.

Here, there are no pencils or erasers, so if you make a mistake, you have to throw away the manuscript. I’ve cursed and sworn many times because of that.

“Achoo! Ah, shit.”

Just like now.

While writing my manuscript with time to spare, I suddenly sneezed. Saliva splattered on the manuscript, causing the ink to smudge.

I was just about to finish the page, so I couldn’t help but frown. But what could I do? Disappointing as it was, I had to discard it.

Before tearing up the manuscript, I copied what I had written onto a new sheet, then tore up the ruined paper and threw it in the trash.

But the sneeze had broken my concentration, so I had to put down my magic pen.

“Time… only 30 minutes have passed?”

Since I was already distracted, I decided to explore the academy and get dinner. I stretched my stiffened body and got ready.

I debated whether to wear the uniform but didn’t see the need, so I went out in casual clothes. I made sure to bring the allowance my parents gave me and my student ID.

By the way, the student ID was also magically processed, making forgery absolutely impossible. If forgery were possible, the government would have already taken me away. The student ID was issued before enrollment.

“It’s really spacious.”

I began exploring the Halo Academy in earnest. When I saw it from the carriage, it looked like a castle similar to Hogwarts, but the interior was completely different. It was more like a small city or village.

There were buildings for lectures, a library, bookstore, shops, clothing stores, restaurants, a blacksmith, and more.

It truly resembled a small city.

However, everything wasn’t jumbled together but well-organized into separate areas. I suppose if everything were mixed, it would feel somewhat chaotic.

It seemed they hadn’t just planned to build an academy but designed an entire city.

*Ding-a-ling*

“Welcome~”

“Do you have manuscript paper here?”

“What kind of manuscript paper are you referring to?”

“This kind of material.”

Buying manuscript paper at the shop was easy. I just showed the shopkeeper a piece of paper I had brought with me.

The price of paper was also quite cheap. Judging by how widely books were available, papermaking technology must be well-developed.

I looked around the shop to see if there was anything else of interest before leaving. There were many strange things, but nothing that caught my attention.

‘Maybe I’ll check out the bookstore?’

On my way back to the dormitory, I remembered the bookstore I had passed earlier. From what I recall, it was quite large, like a major bookstore from my previous life.

Until now, I had only submitted manuscripts to publishers with my parents’ help, without knowing how my books were selling. It wouldn’t hurt to take a look.

So I changed course from the dormitory to the bookstore. I had already memorized the way.

And then…

[We sincerely apologize, but “Biography of Xenon” is currently sold out in all volumes.]

“…”

From the entrance, an unusual notice caught my eye. It claimed that all volumes were sold out, not just recent publications. Could this really be true?

As I stared at the notice with a dumbfounded expression, a woman next to me complained in a sharp voice.

“Damn it! I’ve only read up to volume 5! When will the rest be available?!”

“Be patient, Marie. The publisher said they’re only printing Biography of Xenon, so it’ll be available eventually.”

“When is ‘eventually’?! We came all this way only to hear it’s sold out!”

The noise made me curious about her face. I turned my head to look at the woman making a fuss.

Though her expression was stern, making her look stubborn, she was a beautiful woman with cat-like features. Uniquely, she had snow-white hair and blue eyes.

The man trying to calm her down appeared to be her brother. Though their facial features differed, their hair and eye colors matched perfectly.

While I was thinking this, the woman’s hysteria continued.

“You said Biography of Xenon would be available when we enrolled at Halo Academy! Were you lying to me?”

“Well… it was definitely available until yesterday.”

“How many copies?”

“…Three copies of volume 6, and volume 7 was completely out of stock.”

“Are you kidding me?! You should have bought them for me!”

“Marie, you know the rules—only one volume per person. Remember when they caught those people hoarding copies?”

Now I was dizzy.

I’d never heard of hoarding books before. It’s not like they were smuggling contraband.

As I let out a chuckle of disbelief, unfortunately, the white-haired woman noticed me. Her expression grew even angrier as she shouted at me.

“Hey, what’s your problem? Are you laughing at me?”

“Marie!”

“Let go! He was clearly mocking me!”

“I apologize. Please ignore us and go on your way.”

“Let go! I said let go!!”

Even as her brother dragged her away, Marie continued to glare at me. I stood rooted to the spot, feeling like a storm had just passed through.

Still, thanks to this incident, I got some sense of how my novel was doing. If people were hoarding copies, that said it all.

“…Let’s go eat.”

That girl seems to be a new student too. Surely we won’t be assigned to the same class?

*****

This year, Halo Academy has approximately 200 new students. Of these, 150 are in martial studies, and only about 50 are in literary studies.

If you’re wondering why martial studies has three times more students than literary studies, it’s because of this world’s characteristics. Monsters and mana exist, and unlike my previous life, this world relies more on human power than machines.

As a result, education focuses on martial arts, and even magic is classified under martial studies. I heard that within martial studies, classes are further divided according to specialization.

This might make it seem like literary studies is neglected, but that’s absolutely not the case. Even in this world, there are frequent examples of people changing the world without personal martial power.

Moreover, unlike martial studies, which is closer to military training, literary studies is considered a profession. If soldiers are the spears and shields protecting the nation, professionals are the backbone supporting it.

So how are literary studies classes assigned?

Simple. All 50 students are placed in one class.

As a result, I ended up in the same class as Cecilly and Rina. Damn it.

“Ah~ Princess Cecilly is also in literary studies. It’s an honor to learn alongside you.”

“Hmm? Who are you?”

While Rina and Cecilly were having a friendly conversation, a male student interrupted. Momentary displeasure flashed across Cecilly and Rina’s faces but quickly disappeared.

Regardless, the male student introduced himself with a greasy smile.

“My name is Jackson Mirelle Carryson. To the beautiful demon princess and the great sun of the empire.”

I snorted at the man already making his move. His intentions were too obvious.

One might ask if he’s being too forward, but a person with proper manners wouldn’t interrupt a conversation like that.

Moreover, seeing Rina and Cecilly sitting together, others didn’t dare approach. I wasn’t sure if this was courage or recklessness. Perhaps he simply lacked awareness.

Cecilly tilted her head after hearing Jackson’s introduction and spoke with disinterest.

“I don’t know who you are. Rina, do you know him?”

“…The Carryson family is among the wealthiest in our Empire of Minerva.”

Jackson puffed up when Rina explained his family background on his behalf. Like his appearance, his every action exuded unpleasantness and sleaziness.

Gaining confidence, Jackson moved his face closer to Cecilly and asked in an insinuating voice. Cecilly maintained her calm expression despite his proximity.

“Did you hear that? What do you think?”

“About what?”

“Yes. If you’re interested in me…”

“I’m not interested, so would you please leave?”

“…I’m sorry, what?”

Of course, when Cecilly openly rejected him, his expression turned to shock.

Cecilly, still maintaining her calm demeanor, said:

“I was having a conversation with Rina when you interrupted. What rudeness is this?”

Then Cecilly turned to Rina and asked:

“Rina, are all nobles in the Empire of Minerva like this?”

“No. Just this person. You said you’re from the Carryson family? Did they teach you to flirt so carelessly with ladies?”

“No, that’s not…”

“If you have nothing more to say, would you please leave? Class will start soon.”

“I-I’m sorry!”

When Rina, of all people, gave instructions in a sharp voice, Jackson quickly apologized and left. His face had turned red and blue, looking like it might explode at any moment.

They say if you stay quiet, you’ll at least get half, but this guy ruined his own chances. A mere count’s son wouldn’t dare defy the imperial princess anyway.

If he did, not only would his head roll, but his entire family would be ruined. He should have conducted himself better. If he couldn’t even do that, he was a fool.

“Oh? You’re that red-haired guy from yesterday!”

“Huh?”

While I was observing the situation, a sharp voice caught my attention from beside me. It was a strangely familiar voice.

When I turned my head, lo and behold, the white-haired girl from the bookstore yesterday, Marie, was pointing at me.

‘Oh, damn. She’s in literary studies too?’

How cruel is fate. Of all people, I had to share a major with a woman I had a bad first encounter with.

Unaware of my thoughts, the white-haired girl, Marie, put her hands on her hips and snapped at me.

“You were laughing at me yesterday, weren’t you?”

I wasn’t.

“Well, seeing you lingering in front of the door, I guess you were in the same situation as me. Right? You must have been annoyed too when you saw the books were sold out.”

I have the original manuscript, not the book. And I was more bewildered than annoyed.

Unable to think of anything else to say, I kept my mouth shut. Marie raised one corner of her mouth and sneered. She seemed to have made her own assumptions.

Then she sighed deeply and spoke as if doing me a favor.

“Sigh. Fine. There’s no point in people in similar situations fighting. I’ll specially forgive your rudeness from yesterday.”

“…”

“The author probably wouldn’t want us fighting either. Besides, such situations tarnish the author’s honor, not ours. Don’t you agree?”

I am the author, for goodness’ sake.