After Aira ran away from the group, the group project progressed so smoothly that any concerns we had about it seemed pointless.

    It was said that minnows naturally muddy the water, but when those minnows disappeared, the water that had been murky also became clear on its own.

    As I always said, it was enough for me to do the task myself, but as it was a group task, I worked hard. If Benjamin and Leona came up with plausible hypotheses, I would refute or fleshed it out.”

    As a result, we achieved a very satisfying outcome, but of course, since I only added substance to the hypotheses they organized, I took charge of the presentation myself.

    “But didn’t you say that Xenon’s Biography wasn’t interesting? It seems like you read it very in depth though?”

    “Everyone, shut up! I was just curious about what’s next!”

    When Benjamin left, I was able to have various conversations with Leona. I realized that she was not just someone who talked a lot but also an enjoyer of Xenon’s Biography.

    Her ears, which flinched above her head whenever she was excited, were a little annoying, but since Leona only showed her true self when she was with me, it wasn’t a big problem.

    “Are you really confident in giving a good presentation? If it’s difficult, I can do it for you.”

    Leona, who calmed down her excitement after a moment, asked me with her signature cynical tone. She crossed her arms and stared at her, but there was a mix of worry and concern in her eyes.

    I wasn’t sure if she didn’t trust me or if she felt sorry for me for being in charge of the presentation. However, considering Leona’s personality, I assumed it was the latter.

    “I can do it well. Trust me once. Or do you want to try it?”

    “Alright then. Tomorrow is the day of the presentation, why bother changing anything now. Anyway, I’m leaving. See you tomorrow.”

    “Okay. See you tomorrow.”

    As Leona waved her hand and left, I also waved and saw her off. The place where Leona and I had been was a deserted place, so we could talk as much as we wanted without any disturbance.

    A little later, I moved my feet after seeing Leona’s figure disappear. I have done the final check, and I planned to take it easy and write something during the remaining time.

    ‘I wish I could quickly become a third-year student. At that time, I would have more free time.’

    As I returned to my dorm and threw myself onto the bed, I thought about the future. As Professor Beerus explained during the first class, we have to score above a certain point to advance to the next grade until the end of our second year.

    However, once you become a third-year student, you only have to focus on the major you want to concentrate on. That’s it. I also learned this information when I went to see Professor Beerus separately last Monday and reported the situation of Aira.

    If the first two years are like a combination of high school and university, starting from the third year, you become a university student who focuses only on one subject. You don’t need to worry about grades or other stuff, you just concentrate on your major to get good grades.

    ‘Me, on the other hand...’

    Of course, my goal is to major in history. There’s no other subject that interests me as much as history in this world.

    After becoming a 3rd year student, I wanted to quickly finish writing Xenon’s Biography and write my next work. I wanted to write a modern-day story that would be treated as a fantasy in this world.

    Instead, as it deals with a tragic wartime story, there will be no heroic journey like in the Xenon’s Biography.

    No, no. Instead of thinking about the next work, let’s focus on Xenon’s Biography for now.

    If I touch it without good reason, I could end up becoming an octopus’s foot. There is a risk that the quality of the work may also deteriorate, so it is beneficial to concentrate on Xenon’s Biography for now.

    Of course, if there are two volumes left until the completion, I plan to establish the settings slowly. It should be okay by then.

    ‘...I should make use of my time instead of thinking like this.’

    It’s a waste of time to fool around like this. Recently, there have been not just one or two areas that require attention, such as the problem with Aira, but it is bearable even though it is a bit tiring.

    Above all, if I keep my eyes closed now, I feel like I’ll wake up tomorrow morning. It might be better to finish at least one part and go to bed.

    Leading my weary body, I sat down at his desk. Neatly stacked on the desk were manuscript papers that I had stopped writing just before leaving my room.

    ‘I wonder if they are doing okay?’

    While imbuing mana into the magic pen, the thought of the crazy party suddenly came to my mind. The first day seemed good enough, but as time passed, it was clear that cracks were beginning to form.

    Rina, who always had a relaxed expression, became expressionless, and the expression of Cecily, who used to brighten up when she saw me, also darkened suddenly. As for Marie, she seemed to have given up halfway and occasionally let out a sneer.

    Above all, the most impressive person among them was undoubtedly Jackson. He was trying to cling to them somehow, but he was gradually becoming fed up with them.

    Furthermore, he occasionally sent me jealous (!?) glances. I can roughly predict how serious it is.

    I think it’s probably because we had to do a group project together. It’s a combination that couldn’t mix like water and oil from the beginning.

    ‘It’s a little pitiful. We only had one...’

    drip-

    While lost in thought, liquid dripped from my nose. I snapped out of my reverie and wiped my hand on my chin, feeling a slight stickiness.

    With a feeling of disbelief, I took my hand away and found bright red blood on it. It was a nosebleed.

    I felt sluggish today and it seemed like my body was sending me a warning.Fo?ll0w current novE?ls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

    drip- drip-

    As I stared absent-mindedly at the blood on my hand, drops of blood started to fall onto my manuscript paper. I was startled and hastily cleared away the manuscript paper.

    Fortunately, the blood was only on the edge and I was able to prevent a major disaster of rewriting the manuscript. Still, I need to quickly stop the nosebleed.

    “Phew, tissue...”

    It seemed that I should take a break from writing today.

    *****

    “Who do you think did everything? By the way, I didn’t do anything.”

    “... ...”

    As Marie asked in return, I became speechless.

    So that’s why Jackson’s expression was so dark. I felt sympathetic somehow.

    “To be honest, I gave up from the moment the team was assigned like that. The grade might sting a bit, but it won’t be too harsh. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll focus on another major.”

    “Speaking of major... What major will you enter when you become a third-year?”

    I suddenly became curious and asked. I unhesitantly chose a major in history, but don’t know about others.

    Of course, it might be a bit early to ask now, even though the first semester hasn’t ended yet. But she must have something in mind, right?

    After hearing my question, Marie put her hand on her chin and thought for a moment before speaking quietly.

    “About my major...well, I’m not sure. I’d like to major in political science, but since Rina is there, I’ll pass. Right now, I don’t have anything specific in mind. I just want to graduate and be done with it. What about you?”

    “I’m obviously majoring in history.”

    When I answered without any hesitation, Marie made a strange expression as if she heard something unexpected.

    “Is history that interesting? I don’t understand.”

    “Maybe you think that way, but not me. How isn’t history interesting?”

    “Got it. Got it. That’s why you’re good at history. Are you planning to write a book about it? Didn’t you receive compliments from Professor Elena last time for writing well?”

    “Uh...”

    The conversation suddenly paused for a moment. She may have said it as a joke, but it could not be regarded as a joke.

    Then Marie observed my face and said with a strange expression.

    “What’s with that expression? Are you really writing one?”

    “No?”

    “Hmm...”

    When I denied it, she stared at my face and then lowered her gaze. Marie’s gaze was precisely directed towards my right hand, where the pen hook was located.

    I almost instinctively hid my hand, but I managed to control myself just in time to avoid arousing suspicion. Marie also opened her mouth, turning her eyes forward to see if she had no more suspicion.

    “Well... if you say it’s no, then it’s not. But if you really write a book, show it to me. I’m curious.”

    “That’s because I don’t write.”

    “Who said anything? Oh, of course, I can ask my dad to support you financially if you need it.”

    “Ah, thanks, I appreciate it.”

    Even if I grumbled as if to stop, Marie only giggled. Fortunately, he seemed to have said it as a joke.

    ‘How long do I have to live anxiously?’

    I really wanted to clarify, but I was afraid of the aftermath. I had to endure it, even if it meant watching my father suffer as he struggled to hide our true identity.

    Anyway, class started and the presentation, the flower of the group assignment, began. As I expected, Jackson was the presenter for Mari’s group, and his exhausted appearance evoked sympathy from the audience.

    ‘You are suffering too.’

    I think the incidents of being picked on might decrease after this. I looked at him with a sympathetic expression as he returned to his seat with exhaustion.

    I wonder if he noticed my gaze. Jackson, who met my eyes, just gave a hollow laugh without any reaction.

    With that, all the presentations were over and the humanities class came to an end, and the rest of the classes proceeded normally.

    After all the classes were over, we had a meal with our teammates and returned to our dorm.

    “Hmm?”

    When I opened the door of the accommodation and went inside, I saw a letter envelope lying on the floor.

    When I picked it up, it turned out to be a letter from home . I had no choice but to wonder if there was any mail I sent to my parents recently.

    ‘What’s going on?’

    Then, I sat on the bed and tore open the envelope to take out the letter. And the identity of the letter was...

    [The tail has been stepped on. Be careful for the time being.]

    It was a warning written in my father’s handwriting.

    “... ...”

    I blinked my eyes as I looked at the warning letter.

    Translators note:

    Cliffhanger! HaHA!

    Today’s chapter 2/2(?)