Ch.7Uneasy Beginning (5)

“Ooh~ Are you actually smart?”

“Shut up.”

Even when she compliments me, I don’t feel happy at all. A compliment should sound like one, but with that smirking expression, it feels more like mockery.

More than anything, I’m concerned about all those stares directed at me earlier rather than the professor’s extra points. Rina and Cecilly were merely curious, but some of those gazes were definitely not friendly.

I don’t know how things will unfold from here, but for now, keeping my mouth shut is the best strategy. As the applause gradually died down, Professor Virus began explaining in a leisurely voice.

“As Issac correctly answered, knowledge can be a weapon, no different from power. For humans, power is something inseparable from our existence. Also…”

Unlike his engaging presentation earlier, his lecture dragged on tediously. Nevertheless, I—and indeed all the students—remained focused on the professor’s lecture.

It might have been boring like my university lectures in my previous life, but it wasn’t useless. Besides, it made me realize I was actually attending an academy straight out of a fantasy novel.

After about 30 minutes of the professor’s lengthy explanation, he brought up something that captured everyone’s attention.

“Let me ask a question here. Has anyone read the book called ‘Biography of Xenon’?”

“…Huh?”

Why is my book suddenly being mentioned? While I was internally flustered, the professor cleared his throat with an “oops” and corrected himself.

“I apologize. I misspoke. Is there anyone here who has NOT read the Biography of Xenon at least once?”

As soon as the professor asked that question, I looked around. No matter how popular the Biography of Xenon might be, surely one or two out of fifty students wouldn’t be interested.

However, as if to prove my assumption completely wrong, not a single student raised their hand.

‘No way. Really?’

At first I was dumbfounded, but it’s not entirely incomprehensible. Even in a fantasy world where magic exists, this place is still close to the medieval era. There must be very few cultural activities to enjoy during leisure time.

Without smartphones, computers, or even television, leisure activities are extremely limited. Moreover, nobles would naturally read books for their own cultivation, so they would have naturally encountered the Biography of Xenon.

Thinking about it this way, I couldn’t have been born in a better era.

“Well, that makes things easier. As you all know, the Biography of Xenon appeared like a comet just a year ago. When I read this work, I couldn’t help but be amazed. How much knowledge must one possess to have the ability to create an entire world?”

That stuff was a dime a dozen in my previous life. Fantasy is fantasy everywhere. If you just season it well, readers will enjoy it even if the stories are similar.

“And how much experience must one have to write such a beautiful story? I’m certain that the author of the Biography of Xenon must have had experiences that ordinary people couldn’t even imagine.”

…I just read a lot of books at home. Still, the professor’s words aren’t entirely wrong, as I am a “reincarnator.”

I’ve not only experienced a different world but also easily accessed cultural artifacts beyond imagination. I suppose that counts as experience.

Moreover, since I could easily access stories created by others—comics and novels—creating a new story was quite simple.

“Most importantly, it’s the expressiveness and readability. You all know the feeling of scenes vividly playing out in your mind. I can only imagine how much the author agonized and researched to write such sentences.”

If you keep praising me like that, I’ll get embarrassed. I almost gave a bitter smile.

If he reacts this way to a book I wrote, I wonder how he’d react to The Lord of the Rings or Sherlock Holmes. He’d probably faint.

I wonder what kind of impact Tolkien or Conan Doyle would have made if they had reincarnated here.

Ah, Tolkien would probably be shocked to find the world he created had become reality.

“While it’s certainly difficult to write an immortal masterpiece like the Biography of Xenon, the author has already paved the way, so following that path shouldn’t be too difficult. However, knowledge and experience to create a new world are essential.”

“Professor, may I ask a question?”

While Virus was continuing his explanation, someone raised their hand high. It was a female student with auburn hair sitting in the front row. I couldn’t see her face from where I was sitting.

Since no professor dislikes questions, Professor Virus brightened up and asked her:

“Of course. Your name?”

“Leona.”

“Yes, Leona. What’s your question?”

When Leona stood up, all kinds of gazes poured toward her. Then, in an articulate yet blunt voice, she spoke her mind.

“As you explained, Professor, the Biography of Xenon has not only made a mark in the literary world but has also shown a new path. Thanks to that, it’s enjoying unprecedented popularity even now.”

“That’s right.”

“However, some critics evaluate it this way: while it’s a book that can be enjoyed regardless of social class, it’s insufficient for building cultural refinement. I’d like to know your thoughts on this.”

I think I understand what she’s trying to say. When the Biography of Xenon became a huge hit, most reviews were positive, but a minority criticized it.

They claimed it was highly inappropriate for cultivating refinement. I snickered when I saw that.

‘If they’re jealous, they should try writing something as easily as I did.’

As I mentioned before, novels in this world are like college entrance exam English problems. Words you might hear once in a lifetime are all crammed into one book, making it impossible to understand the story, let alone the meaning.

The professor seemed to understand this point well, as he nodded at Leona’s question.

“I understand what you mean. As you said, anyone can easily read the Biography of Xenon, but there are bound to be people who dislike that. But do you know something?”

“What is it?”

“The common trait among those critics is that they’re all novelists. Moreover, they were novelists who, before the Biography of Xenon was published, were recognized ONLY by nobles, not commoners. One of them is Professor Magnar, who is also one of the people who will be teaching you.”

The professor particularly emphasized “ONLY.” Professor Virus moved to the front of the blackboard and explained in a leisurely voice.

“The reason they were recognized only by nobles and not commoners is because, until then, most novels could only be read by nobles. There were too many difficult words for commoners, so reading was almost like deciphering. This made readability poor, and eventually, the flow of the story would twist in strange directions.”

“…”

“But the Biography of Xenon has simple sentences and expressiveness that even commoners can easily read. The Biography of Xenon lacks cultural refinement? That’s nonsense. True refinement is something that can only be acquired through learning and knowledge.”

The professor, who had been pacing back and forth, suddenly stopped. Finally, looking directly at Leona, he asked her a question.

“Now, Leona, let me ask you a question in return.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“How many volumes of the Biography of Xenon have you read?”

“I’ve read all of them, including the most recent one.”

Hearing that answer, Marie commented:

“Wow. I haven’t even read the recent one. How did she manage that?”

“She must have had her ways.”

Regardless of our chatter, the professor nodded at Leona’s answer and asked gently:

“Then, after reading the Biography of Xenon, what do you think about demons?”

“…”

Leona didn’t answer and shifted her gaze toward where Cecilly was sitting. Cecilly seemed surprised to be mentioned, but she met Leona’s gaze directly.

After a few seconds of staring at Cecilly, Leona seemed to understand something and said bluntly:

“I apologize. I think I asked the wrong question.”

“No, it was a very sharp question. I’ll give you extra points, Leona.”

“Thank you, Professor.”

Despite the unexpected extra points, Leona replied in a monotone voice. Someone who didn’t know her might think she was a robot.

“Anyway, to fully internalize specific knowledge, you must first understand what that knowledge is trying to tell you. The Biography of Xenon can be considered an extremely progressive novel in that regard.”

Wow. He’s really packaging a novel I wrote as a hobby like that. That’s a talent in itself.

Meanwhile, the professor, seemingly pleased with the opportunity, continued his lecture, occasionally mentioning the Biography of Xenon. The students also began to listen more attentively, their faces showing increased interest.

“In particular, what I want to emphasize here is that you should never become arrogant, even in the final moment…”

During the lecture, the professor even made up meanings for parts of the story that even I, the author, didn’t know about. The irony is that the author wrote those parts without any particular meaning.

They say that extremely intelligent people tend to interpret simple traps in more complex ways, and this was exactly that situation.

So from the middle of the lecture, I listened with a somewhat indifferent expression. Glancing to the side, I saw Marie listening with sparkling eyes.

“Well… it seems our time is almost up.”

How much time had passed? The professor checked his wristwatch and announced that the end was approaching.

Even if I wasn’t, the students seemed to have enjoyed it quite a bit, as small sighs of disappointment could be heard. Was it really that interesting?

Professor Virus, pleased by the sighs, laughed and said:

“You don’t have to be too disappointed. We have plenty of time besides today.”

“What do other professors teach, Professor?”

“History, theology, magic, medicine, administration, politics, philosophy, biology, and so on. Each professor will teach you basic knowledge. Also, after this session ends, we’ll issue you all a timetable.”

“Do we need to get good scores in all of them?”

One student asked in an anxious voice. It would certainly be a headache to attend all those classes. It would be the epitome of inefficiency.

However, Professor Virus shook his head and denied it.

“No. You can attend only the lectures you’re interested in. However, to avoid failing, you’ll need a certain minimum score.”

“So does that mean we don’t have to attend classes for majors we’re not interested in?”

“It doesn’t matter much. The professors will focus only on students who are interested in their lectures anyway. But as I said earlier, to secure a certain minimum score, it would be better to attend as many lectures as possible to at least get attendance points.”

As explained earlier, although students take common classes until the second year, if they can achieve a certain score, they don’t necessarily need to attend lectures they’re not interested in.

Looking at just this aspect, it’s similar to the university system from my previous life. The difference is that my major is predetermined without me having to register for courses separately.

Still, it was a system I was somewhat familiar with, so I was satisfied.

“Now our time is up. It was nice meeting you all, students.”

As the lecture time ended, Virus bowed politely like a gentleman. Naturally, since it had been an impressive lecture, the students responded with applause.

Eventually, Virus left the classroom, and people who appeared to be teaching assistants came in and distributed papers to the students. It seemed to be the timetable the professor had mentioned earlier.

“Damn. What is this?”

As soon as I checked the timetable, I couldn’t help but be shocked. The classes packed from 9 AM to 5 PM weren’t the issue, but the number of majors was enormous.

There were so many that even if I tried to find the same major, they were all different. Marie also clicked her tongue and muttered in a troubled voice:

“Unnecessarily many. So we just need to secure a certain score from these, right? What majors are you going to take?”

“…I’ll try all of them first. There are too many, so I’m not sure. For now, I’m considering history, theology, and biology.”

I answered Marie’s question while staring intently at the timetable. The three subjects I mentioned were ones I was confident in. I had a wealth of knowledge stored in my head from books.

Of course, I would attend majors I wasn’t interested in only once and ignore them afterward, but there was one thing that worried me.

‘I don’t care about the scores, but I wonder if there are group projects here too? That would be annoying.’

While I was examining the densely packed timetable with a serious expression:

“Issac?”

“Hm?”

A woman’s voice, like the rolling of jade beads, penetrated my ears. I lifted my head from the timetable.

And…

“You’re considering history, theology, and biology?”

Rina, radiating beauty like the sun, was looking at me with a bright smile. Her blue eyes were filled with strong curiosity.

Also, Cecilly was standing beside her, and although not as much as Rina, she was looking at me with a similar gaze.

‘…Damn it.’

I’ll curse you. That professor bastard.