The hours flew by. Most of the first classes, such as orientation, taught simply what I needed to know, so I had a lot of free time in between.
As a result, when 'Economics,' the final lesson of the first week, ended, I sat still while the other students left. Because there was a lot to consider.
'Crazy. 'All the flaws of high school.'
This was not the way to go to the next semester after attending lectures for three months and then going on a three-month-long vacation like in my previous life. I have to attend classes for 4-5 months, with only two to one month off.
In addition, the number of majors is 18 in total, and the maximum score for each is 100 points, where a minimum of 900 points must be scored to avoid being penalized. If you have a total score of 1200 or higher, you can get a scholarship, but it is virtually impossible.
It is difficult to get 100 points in one subject right now, but 1200 points is an area that is impossible for me.
'For now, philosophy, humanities, biology, history, and theology are mandatory, but the rest is a problem. I thought it was liberal arts, but why is there math?'
I grumbled in my heart, but mathematics was critical in this world. It's nothing else, and since it has a close relationship with magic, mathematics naturally developed.
Why, in certain classic fantasy novels, mathematical formulas are utilized to calculate magic. It is a cliché in which the main character is transformed into a magical genius by retaining the formulas acquired in middle and high school.
But it is also useful here. Instead, it's not the math I learned in school like a novel. When you create new magic, you logically write the number about it to make it easier to use.
'Magic is math and physics. What a terrible mix.'
No wonder the books related to magic were very difficult. It contained words used by mathematicians and physicists, so it is impossible for me, a liberal arts student, to understand.
Moreover, since the energy called 'mana' is realized here as a fireball or a block of ice, mathematics, and physics are bound to advance like crazy. Therefore, it is convenient to think of a wizard as a being equipped with a computer in his head.
It can be said that geniuses like Newton and Einstein from previous lives are scattered here all over the place.
For this reason, I gave up math neatly. It's a major that only real geniuses can learn.
I thought about learning math once because of my experience as a child in my previous life, but I gave up my mind as soon as I took the first class.
"….aac?"
"… …"
"Mr. Isaac?"
"Huh?"
While I was writing my future plans in a notebook, someone called me. A charming voice tickled my ears.
I turned my head to see who was calling my name and was a little surprised.
Cecily, the Princess of Helium, was looking at me, her blood-red eyes flashing.
"…Ms. Cecily?"
"I'm sorry if I broke your focus. Isaac is the only one in the classroom right now."
"Ah."
I listened to her and looked around. Like she said, the classroom was empty with no one in it.
Because of my concentration, I didn't seem to notice at all when everyone left.
"…Rina-sama and Marie?"
"We saw Isaac's focus, so they went first. I stayed there, but you didn't want to leave, so I called you."
"Ha Ha Ha…"
I scratched my head in embarrassment. I almost stayed in the classroom until night.
"Thank you. Thanks for not wasting time."
"No. Mr. Isaac does this normally?"
"Um… yes. I do this often."
"It's a good thing, but looking at it now, it seems a bit dangerous."
Cecily said, smiling. I tried to turn away from her as my face flushed from her smile.
It felt like a cartoon character at first, but I grew used to it. It is good if I get used to it, but after getting used to it, her attractiveness drew my attention even more. That's why I shifted my focus.
"Are you busy after this hour, Isaac?"
While I was barely cooling my hot face, Cecily asked me. I looked at her, barely soothing my flushed face.
I don't know why she asked such a question, but I'll have to answer it. There are times when I have nothing to do other than go back to my dorm and read a book or write a manuscript.
"No. Not really."
"Then why don't we take this opportunity to get to know each other?"
"… …"
At Cecily's suggestion, I glanced at her. It's not strange for her to do me such a favor. She's been showing a sharp interest in me since Professor Magner's incident.
Just before I opened my mouth, I thought that this was okay, so I pulled out an answer with a prank.
"Is that a date?"
"Of course."
"… …"
On the contrary, I was counterattacked. I stared blankly at Cecily's smile and felt my face heat up in real-time. With that smile on her face, no man can stop it.
Meanwhile, Cecily saw my reaction and smiled faintly, and said in a playful tone.
"Mr. Isaac? Did your hair and face color just match?"
"…the jokes are mean."
"The joke was played by Mr. Isaac first."
"…Sorry."
Whatever it was, I decided to continue the conversation with my face blushing. Shame is a luxury in the yard where it's all caught.
"…Anyway, I don't really have anything to do. I'll just read a book when I go back to my dorm."
"Then let's move from the seat?"
"Have you thought of a place?"
"It wouldn't be a bad idea to talk while having a simple meal."
I listened to her suggestion and checked the watch. The lecture ended at exactly 4:30, but now it's 5:00.
It's a bit early for dinner, but not too early either. If I get hungry at night, it would be okay to eat the late-night snack that I put in the refrigerator in advance.
"Okay, but I don't know much about restaurants…"
"I don't think it's a bad idea to eat school food."
"All right."
There are many restaurants in Halo Academy that are often referred to as restaurants, but the academy was free of charge.
This was all possible by pouring money into it, and that's why Halo Academy had a better reputation than academies in other countries. Welfare for students, regardless of class, was outstanding.
So I put the notebook in one hand and the pen in the front pocket of the school uniform. Cecily asked in a curious voice as she looked at me.
"Does Isaac usually carry a notebook and fountain pen?"
"No. I tend to prepare notes only during lectures."
I usually carry a notebook with me, but I didn't dare to speak it loud. I'm sure she will ask me why I always carry a notebook.
Cecily looked at the magic pen in my front pocket and the notebook in my hand, and nodded. Then I suddenly thought of something I was curious about and asked her a question.
"Cecily, don't you take notes?"
"I'm a demon, so I remember everything I've heard once. I remember the food I ate on New Year's Day 10 years ago."
"Wow…"
Is it because they are a long-lived race? Her memory was no joke.
In the book, it seems true that the longer the lifespan, the higher the memory. If so, it is difficult to understand how good the memory of an elf, the representative of longevity, is.
But having a good memory can never be an 'advantage'.
"Even if it looks like an advantage, it must be very difficult."
"Huh?"
"It means you remember all the bad things too."
There is a saying that oblivion is a blessing. Bad memories should be forgotten as soon as possible, but if that is not possible, it will be a lifelong wound.
Cecily's face went blank when I said I felt sorry for her. However, her expression soon turned into a deep smile.
"I thought about it from the beginning, but Mr. Isaac is very thoughtful. Everyone would think that having a good memory is an advantage."
"The word trauma is not for nothing."
Even I, who remember my previous life, have experienced trauma. That is when my family in my previous life passed away due to an unexpected accident.
The memories of that time are really… It was terrifying. Of course, what I thought would be by my side disappeared without notice.
But because of this, I belatedly realized the importance of family. My current family has only good people, so I am living a very satisfying life.
As I pondered the thought, Cecily opened her mouth in a curious voice.
"Sometimes when I talk to Mr. Isaac, I feel like I'm talking to an old man even older than me. How old is Mr. Isaac?"
My heart throbbed for a moment, but I responded calmly.
"I'm 17 now. What about Cecily?"
"105 years old."
"Oh, that's it… Huh?"
105 years old? I looked at Cecily, wondering if I had heard it wrong.
Cecily tilted her head with a face saying what was wrong but soon realized it.
"To the demons, being 100 years old is like having just reached adulthood. It is customary to become a demon and live as a human until the age of 100. Of course, even if converted into a human, I am older than Mr. Isaac."
"Ah… that's right."
I murmured, moving my gaze to her head. As if to prove that she was a demon, her two horns were protruding.
Sometimes I forget that Cecily was a demon. If I looked at her usual behavior, she was not a demon, but an ordinary normal ordinary person. Who would consider such a pretty and playful woman to be a demon?
And yet often there was a sense of discomfort because it was the first time she had ever lived like this. Though she thinks for herself, she barely understands it.
'Then she had only been living in Helium until this time?'
Most likely it is. The demons who lived in Helium said they lived there all their lives.
In the early days, there have been very few cases in the past 100 years that demons have come out to establish ties with other countries. So Cecily got a special mention in the newspaper that he was going to Halo Academy.
"Hmm."
In the meantime, did she notice that my gaze was directed towards her horn?
Cecily let out her strange snoring and closed her eyes beautifully. She then asked me in a subtly, yet hopeful voice.
"How do you feel? Do I really look like a normal human when you look at it like this?"
"Yes."
"…Huh? Is that it?"
On the contrary, to my sharp answer, Cecily showed an absurd reaction. It was rather me who couldn't understand the reaction.
I blinked and asked her in her reverse.
"What answer do you want?"
"That … I'm not like a demon, or that it's not awkward living like a human…"
The more she spoke, the more her voice crawled in. For a moment, I remembered the way she lived as a demon.
Until the publication of Xenon's biography, she would have been despised as a demon. Even more, she has a good memory, so bad memories must have plagued her constantly.
I couldn't think of anything else to say here, so I caressed the back of my neck. But I had to open my mouth because I felt like I had to say something.
"Well. I've read Xenon's biography, and I think demons are human too. Besides, I have never been harmed by demons, so I don't have any preconceived notions."
"…Really?"
"Yes."
Afterward, Cecily seemed to be contemplating something and asked a question, looking straight at me in the face.
It may be my mistake, but the expression on her face seemed to contain tension and determination.
"So what does Mr. Isaac think of the demons?"
"Well…"
"Really… Do you think we can be like humans?"
How do I answer this? As much as possible, I want to speak in a good way, but sometimes a whip is necessary. The disappointment grows as much as the original expectation.
Even though the number of people who treat demons as humans had increased thanks to Xenon's biography, in the end, the nature of their birth cannot be changed even if they are gods. Perhaps even at this moment, demonized demons are running rampant.
I took a step, turned my head, and looked at Cecily. My face shone in her ruby-colored eyes.
At her appearance, waiting only for my answer, I said firmly.
"No."
Thud-
With the restaurant just around the corner, Cecily's footsteps stopped.
"Demons cannot become human."
A cold atmosphere settled between the two of us.