Chapter 44

You can get through the big ordeal of group assignments safely, but that doesn't mean the semester is over. When you say you have to get a certain score to stop getting paid, you mean there's something to get that score.

It could be a test, it could be an assignment, or it could be a score you get from a presentation.

In a nutshell, it means that you are having a terribly busy day. Even over the big mountain of group assignments, there were so many hills that I had no choice but to sweat profusely.

Fortunately, there weren't many subjects for the 'exam', but instead, there were a lot of homework assignments. Instead of writing, I had no choice but to devote my time to homework.

"Ahn… save me…"

Marie made a sound of pain and slammed her face into the desk. Then her white hair, as white as her snow, fell down like a curtain.

After the last class, it seems that all energy has been completely exhausted.

"Really… Why are there so many assignments… It's crazy because there aren't one but many."

"Still, it's good to get grades for assignments, right?"

"It's only you. You'd be better off taking the exam. It's crazy because you can't even rest properly over the weekend."

At the university of my previous life, there are no more than 8 lectures at most, but Halo Academy requires at least 10 lectures to avoid being paid. Even just doing one task is daunting, but it is at a level that requires time to be put in.

I glanced at Marie who was grumbling, and then something came to mind, and I asked her.

"Now that I think about it, do you think history is okay?

As you all know, I'm teaching Marie history. Not only Marie, of course, but Cecily as well.

Time is Wednesday, after all classes are over and after dinner. Being busy with various things, that was the only time I could squeeze out.

I also learned that while teaching them history, Cecily knows history at the doctoral level without me having to teach it. There is a lot of knowledge gained over 100 years of living, and it is a living testament to the history of living by human standards.

Above all, he has a very good memory and, once learned, he never forgets, so even I was surprised. I said it because it was almost enough to ask questions about things I didn't know.

"Whoa…"

Marie took a deep breath and lifted her head slowly. She then pressed her chin on her chin, and in a sullen tone, she answered my questions.

"I memorized everything you told me. I even took notes to make it easier for you to understand. Still, I don't think it's going to be difficult to get a good score on the exam."

I smiled bitterly as I looked at Marie's half-given face.

She… was mediocre at best, and at worst had a lot of empty knowledge. If I tell you about a specific case, I have to say that I only heard the name but didn't know the detailed explanation.

Anyway, I worked hard while teaching Marie about history. I couldn't say that I can teach others that well, so it was a little difficult.

The fortunate thing is that Marie also worked passionately and had a good memory, so she saved the effort. Thanks to this, I was able to proceed with ease without any blockages.

"Cheer up. To be honest, other majors are too tight to just break through history."

"I agree. But what are you going to do now?"

As I was about to get up now, Marie asked me with anticipation. Seeing that his eyes are also bright, he seems to want a positive answer.

I looked around, pondering over Marie's leaning question.

The class you just finished is alchemy. A study unique to this world that replaces chemistry.

And among the students studying alchemy with me, Marie was the only close friend. Cecily and Lina didn't take classes because they weren't interested in alchemy, and there were Leona and Benjamin, who were team members, but it was difficult to say that they were close.

As I watched the students slowly leave, I opened my mouth with a blunt voice. I'm sorry Marie, but I had a pre-order.

"I need to eat. I promised to eat with my sister today."

"Ah… yes? You're eating with your sister?"

"Yes."

"Are your older sister?"

why do you ask that As I looked at her with a bewildered look, Marie turned her gaze away and gave her a smirk.

It seems that he was embarrassed even when he said it.

Then she glanced at me, spread her index finger, and spoke in a pleading tone. It caught my eye that there was a slight blush of shame.

"That… Don't get me wrong. I was a little confused when you said Cecily was your sister."

"…Okay."

"Anyway, are you eating only with your older sister?"

When I reluctantly affirmed, Marie wanted to do it this time and asked another question.

The fact that she tilted her head at her behavior, which seems to have changed more actively these days, also told the truth for a while.

"Probably… I'll eat with my sister's friend. Originally, we were supposed to eat together on the weekend, but he said he was busy with the new students. Since next week is practice, the amount of training has increased."

"Your older sister said you were a teaching assistant? My older brother said that your older sister was really scary."

"Well…"

Hearing the story, she had brought up, he raised his gaze upward and thought deeply. Nicole, her youngest child, overflowing with love, was an example of a kind older sister to me.

Occasionally, if I made a mistake, I just gave a stinging advice, never raising my voice or using physical violence.

However, when he visits the dance hall every weekend, he reveals the instinct of a 'lion'. If a freshman breaks the rules or intentionally provokes during a match, they will be thoroughly smashed, and since then, discipline has been strictly enforced with corporal punishment.

"Well… it must be scary for others to see. Still, people can say it's good."

"Your siblings are really special. Me and my brother are busy fighting every day. Is it because of the big age difference?"

"It's probably different for each person. Isn't your brother a good personality too?"

"Eh, your brother?"

Marie had an expression on her face that she had heard all sorts of strange sounds from my words. Seeing that she even makes such facial expressions, she is definitely a real brother and sister.

But it is undeniable that her brother has a good personality. I told her while recalling her first meeting with her.

"There's a bookstore where we first met. At that time, you said that Zeno's biography didn't come out, so I'm not sure…"

"aah~ I don't know. I don't know. I don't know~"

Just as I was about to comment, Marie covered her ears and shook her head from side to side as if she didn't want to hear.

I looked at her, who was whining like a child, with an absurd expression on her face, and then I was fed up. I'll have to say something though.

"I'm sure your brother cares for you no matter what you think. Otherwise, I wouldn't have brought it to the bookstore myself."

"…I guess so. That's why it feels weird."

"Anyway, don't you have anything else to say? It's an appointment until 6 o'clock, but I think it's better to go early."

"Well…"

Marie showed a worried look when I asked as I put the notebook under her arm. I waited by her side while she was organizing her thoughts.

Then she moved her blue eyes and looked at me and spoke in a very cautious tone.

"If it's not rude, can I meet your older sister once? I'm not going to eat together, just to say hello."

"It doesn't matter that much."

"Okay? Okay. Then let's go quickly."

As soon as my permission was granted, Marie jumped up from her seat. The corners of her lips that were raised pleasantly with her slightly excited accent spoke of her mood.

It took me a while to look at her who had quickly organized my luggage, and then walked towards the classroom door. After that she started walking with Marie standing next to me.

"Isaac. Do you think your older sister is pretty by your standards?"

"Objectively, it's pretty. It's like my face has turned into a woman. Instead, my hair is indigo blue."

"Does that mean you admit that your face is pretty?"

"I can't really deny it. I resemble my mother more than my father.

On the way to the meeting place, we chatted about various things. Most of it was a bittersweet story, but that was enough.

More than anything else, I was most comfortable talking to Marie. It was difficult to deal with Lina, and Cecily was always joking around, so it was difficult to keep the conversation going.

After entering the academy, the closest person to me right now is arguably Marie. She has never been more comfortable with her, at least in my narrow and narrow interpersonal relationships.

"Isaac, do you have any plans after graduation?"

Then, all of a sudden, Marie asked about the future after graduation. I was a little puzzled by her question, for a moment, I pondered.

'Because I can't live by just writing books…'

Xenon's biography was an unintended hit, but that alone cannot be captured. At best, I was reincarnated in a fantasy world, but it was too disappointing to write only a book.

At the very least, you should visit various countries and enjoy the culture as much as you can. Instead, I want to enjoy small daily life rather than dangerous adventure stories like in other novels.

"Maybe… World travel? I want to travel the world at least once. I want to get away from the empire and experience different cultures."

"It's a world tour… that wouldn't be bad either."

"You?"

"Aren't you going to teach me?"

"… …"

I was able to understand when I saw Marie who answered with a refreshing smile. I've been beaten

I looked at Marie with a wide smile, and then shook my head as if I couldn't dry it. She giggled at my reaction, too, and then she muttered in an inaudible volume.

"…if possible… I'd like to."

"What?"

"I wish I hadn't heard. But isn't that person your sister over there?"

When Marie changed the subject, I put down my doubts and turned my gaze in the direction she was pointing.

The direction she pointed to be a fountain in the middle of the square, where Nicole was really standing in front of it.

Nicole is certain because of her superior stature that stands out even from a distance, and her navy-blue hair tied in a ponytail.

"Wow. Your sister is really cool."

Marie, who had seen Nicole, also spoke out a sincere admiration. As she said, Nicole's current appearance was so cool that it could be said that she was a model far away.

Black leather pants revealing her legs perfectly and a black shirt over it. It was simply a combination of these two clothes, exuding fashion and beauty.

She must have come right after class was over, but seeing that she was wearing plain clothes, it seemed possible because she was a teaching assistant.

"Um? Ah! Isaac~!"

Nicole, who was walking around in front of the fountain, raised her arm and called my name as if she had found me. I responded by raising my arm.

When I raised my arm, Nicole walked up to me with her long legs outstretched, whether she would come first. And before long he came up to his nose and looked at Marie standing next to me, with a questionable expression on his face.

"Who is he?"

"Ah! Hello! My name is Marie Hausen Racilis of the Duke of Requel's!"

As soon as Nicole asked, Marie introduced herself in a strong voice. She somehow had the illusion that she was nervous.

Meanwhile, when Marie revealed her name and family, Nicole opened her golden eyes and looked at me. The thought of why such a person is by your side was clearly revealed.

So, I answered her question as if it was no big deal.

"It's my friend. We got to know each other by chance."

"…Hello, Lady Requel's. My name is Nicole Ducker Michel, Isaac's older sister. It's an honor to meet you."

Hearing my answer, Nicole also politely revealed her name. Even the moment he greeted him, his suspicions were not lifted.

"Me too, it's an honor to meet the Red Lion's daughter. And you're free to talk. I'm uncomfortable. You know the Requel's family, right?"

"…I know you well. Then I'll tell you right away."

Without hesitation, Nicole didn't hesitate to say whether she knew the Requel's family well. Then she took turns looking at me and her Marie, asking Marie a question with her questions.

"By the way, are we friends with Isaac?"

There was also a bit of caution in the questionable voice. As she knew I was the author of Zeno's biography, it was enough to warn her Marie.

Maybe Marie quickly noticed that Nicole's words contained a weak boundary, and immediately answered them. Her voice trembled slightly as she was nervous.

"Yes. Friends."

"Hmm… I see. It's a little surprising."

This time, Nicole looked at me and spoke. Perhaps it was unexpected that I became friends with the daughter of a high-ranking aristocrat and not someone else.

I, too, shrugged my shoulders as it was unexpected for me to become friends with Marie. This often led to dangerous situations, but so far, it's been fine.

Besides, what kind of reaction would Nicole react if she said that she became close not only to Marie, but also to Lina and Cecily? She stood still, not feeling the need to get it out of her mouth.

However, Marie, who was not aware of this fact at all, heard Nicole's answer that it was surprising and asked her a question.

"Are you surprised? What do you mean by that?"

"Ah. It's not your story. I was a little worried that our Isaac would be blunt and focused only on his work, so that he could make friends.

I nodded my head because I felt the same way. I never even imagined that I would become friends with Marie.

But somehow it seems like you're gossiping about me, maybe I'm mistaken? maybe not

"Whoa…"

In the meantime, Marie was relieved, but she put her hand on her chest and sighed in relief. Then she said with a brighter expression on her face than before.

"So Nicole-san, you're saying it doesn't matter if I and Isaac remain friends?"

"Huh? Well… that's right. Would it be okay… maybe?"

"really?"

At Nicole's affirmation, Marie's face brightened infinitely. Why the hell are you so happy?

However, in inverse proportion to Marie who is happy, Nicole seems anxious. She knows how dangerous it is for her to get close to her and Marie.

Marie may be the daughter of a duke, but most likely because I am the author of Zeno's biography. The closer she gets to her, the more she loses, the more likely it is that her secrets will be revealed in her secret.

And my academy life would be easier if I was friends with Marie, but that was only when the secret wasn't revealed. From Nicole's point of view, Marie was like a double-edged sword.

At this, she took turns looking at Marie and I, looking at each other, and spoke in a cautious voice.

"…is not it?"

"ah…"

Then Marie's face quickly turned pale.