CH 130

Chapter 130 – Mixed Race (2)

June 17th, 2023

I have been mentioning this consistently, but I was appointed as a recommended student, so if I only take history classes, I will not only receive credits but also be treated as a third-year student right away.

I don’t know how disappointed the professors, including Professor Birus, whom I had built some rapport with, were when I told them about this fact. Especially Professor Birus seemed the most regretful, and he even suggested that I consider taking a double major in turn.

However, I politely declined because I wanted to focus solely on history rather than literature. Professor Birus’s expression at that time was truly heartbreaking.

Of course, I don’t only take history classes. Occasionally, I also take the classes I want. Nevertheless, most of them are closely related to history, so I take them for the purpose of acquiring knowledge.

Moreover, I can freely come and go to Professor Elena’s research lab and even receive texts from the Sanctuary through Siris. It means that I never lack knowledge.

Anyway, I can say that history is the only subject I concentrate on. I probably ask the most questions and give presentations diligently.

Since I will have much more time to meet Professor Elena during my time at the academy, it seems like a good idea to earn points, so I am working hard.

“Poke. Poke.”

However, it seems that my girlfriend, who doesn’t like history, was bored. While I was taking notes, Marie pressed my cheeks with her fingers.

I felt a pleasant sensation as if a cat was kneading my cheek. While I was taking notes, I glanced at her and asked quietly.

“What are you doing?”

“Just because you’re handsome.”

She answered like that and lightly pinched my cheek. In the past, I would have been embarrassed by such affectionate behavior, but now I could pass it off casually.

During the lecture given by Professor Elena, Marie expressed her desire for this time to pass quickly by pressing my cheek with her fingers or fidgeting with my fingers.

Holding hands was the most common occurrence for us, and other students were aware that we were in a romantic relationship, so they just overlooked it.

Initially, there were whispers about Marie playing around or me blackmailing her, but as I grew rapidly, such talk ceased. Moreover, when rumors spread that I was appointed as a recommended student, everyone accepted it.

Swift-

Marie’s hand, which used to hold mine and fidget with the ring finger, moved under the desk. Eventually, she placed her hand gently on my thigh and caressed it.

I could only respond with a bitter smile as I felt it. This act of Marie placing her hand on my thigh and caressing it was a kind of signal.

Although everyone knows what that signal means, there are many occasions when she does it without any warning, causing many awkward situations.

Marie’s sexual desire doesn’t seem to diminish. It was as if she even tried to distract herself from school by further fueling it. Despite diligently taking birth control pills, it wasn’t  an issue yet. If it weren’t for that, we might have had a child by now.

Grab

Before Marie’s hand could reach the center, I grabbed her wrist. If I had let it go it would have meant it’s fine, but my response meant not today.

Marie looked at me with a mixture of disappointment and curiosity. I’m sorry for her, but there’s someone I need to meet after class.

“I think today will be a bit tough. I have things to do.”

“But we couldn’t do it yesterday either?”

“We did it the day before yesterday. Can’t you endure that much?”

“Ugh. I don’t think I can endure it.”

My girlfriend pouted, puffing up her cheeks. Even her expression full of complaints was adorable, with her angelic beauty.

However, what can’t be done can’t be done. I pressed her inflated cheeks firmly with my fingers. Then, with a sound of deflation, they returned to their original state.

After briefly checking Elena’s reaction, I gently stroked her hair. The silky softness of her hair awakened my sense of touch.

When I started stroking Marie’s hair, she burst into her characteristic giggle and moved her hips discreetly, getting closer to me. We openly indulged in affectionate behavior, but no one paid any attention.

Because this wasn’t the first or second time this had happened. Even Jackson didn’t pay attention and focused on his lecture.

“Can’t we stay together at the inn tonight?”

“Do we really have to?”

“You’re the one who made it like this. So take responsibility.”

“Sigh… Fine, I got it.”

How did she end up becoming such a provocative woman? I shook my head, unable to refuse.

Once I gave my permission, Marie smiled brightly and started writing the appointment time and location in her notebook. I glanced at the contents briefly.

The appointment was set for 9 o’clock in front of the fountain at Academy Square. With that, it seemed like meeting Leona wouldn’t be a problem.

“When we officially become a married couple, there won’t be a need for this… I just have to endure until the wedding. I want to call him my husband soon. Hehehe.”

“… …”

Was Marie having some strange delusions, laughing like a pervert? It seems she was imagining what it would be like after our wedding ceremony.

I wonder how much she desires to devour me to openly reveal such an expression. It goes without saying that Rina, who was sitting in front of us, was horrified by Marie’s expression, so there was no need for an explanation.

Aside from building connections, Marie was always straightforward and far from pretentious. If it were Cecily, though, I would have felt a sense of dissonance.

“The wedding ceremony…”

Cecily, who was sitting in front, murmured softly as if she had overheard our conversation. She paused abruptly while elegantly taking notes and looked at Rina sitting beside her.

Continuing, she spoke with her characteristic smirk, as if urging us to look and listen.

“Isn’t having a child more important than the wedding ceremony?”

“Huh? Um?”

“Does Rina think the same way?”

“Well…”

Rina couldn’t easily come up with an answer. Marie also sensed Cecily’s intention and narrowed her eyes. Cecily had been teasing Rina like this for a while.

Coincidentally, Elena was busy answering another student’s question, so she didn’t notice.

“…Cecily.”

“You called me?”

“So, what did you say?”

“… …”

Marie didn’t get excited and first snorted. No matter how much Marie scratched at Cecily’s inner thoughts, she could only keep her mouth shut with a single word.

As soon as those words came out, Cecily’s previously raised corner of her mouth drooped slightly. In response, Marie put on a confident expression and landed a series of blows.

“Don’t bring up things like being a child if you haven’t even done it. Got it?”

“…There’s always a chance.”

“Yeah. I’ll be the first.”

“Tsk. We’ll see.”

In the end, Cecily reluctantly withdrew. While doing so, she glanced at me, and her crimson eyes were filled with an irresistible desire not to give up.

I don’t know if all women in love were like this, but all I could manage was a bitter smile. While she willingly yielded, Cecily desired an even higher position (?).

‘So, this is the so-called fight for dominance that I’ve only heard about.’

I’ve heard that fights for dominance, or so-called power struggles, are common among nobles who have more than one wife. But now that I’m experiencing it firsthand, it feels unfamiliar.

As I sensed a strange tension between Marie and Cecily, I looked at Rina, who was the third party. Even Princess Rina, who was watching discreetly, seemed uncomfortable with this power struggle.

Then, by chance, our eyes met directly. She momentarily widened her eyes before quickly turning her face away. I couldn’t see her face clearly as only her back was visible, but for some reason, her ears were turning red.

To make matters worse, she fidgeted and interlocked her hands between her thighs. Recently, Lina’s behavior had been full of inexplicable actions that I couldn’t understand.

“That’s it for today’s lecture. Thank you all for your hard work.”

After a while, Elena finished the lecture. Although there was some chatter in the middle, I heard everything important.

Even after the lecture ended, I remained seated in my place, waiting for Leona, who was sitting in the front row.

While others got up, Leona quietly stayed in her seat, organizing her notes.

“Well, then, I’ll go. We have to keep our appointment, right?”

“Got it.”

“Um… Marie? What appointment do you have with Isaac?”

Marie got up from her seat and mentioned the appointment, and Rina quietly interjected. In response, Marie coolly replied as if it was nothing.

“We made an appointment to meet at 9 o’clock. It’s not for dinner.”

“Well… Okay, got it. Where will you meet?”

“We’ll meet in front of the fountain in the square? Why?”

“Oh, it’s nothing…”

As Rina spoke, she glanced at me briefly and then walked out of the classroom. Her face seemed strangely flushed, but I didn’t pay much attention to it.

Just before Cecily left, she leaned closer to my ear and whispered in a hushed voice.

“Is it okay if I’m greedy? After all, you touched my horns.”

“… …”

“I love you.”

This was a bit heart-wrenching. When a woman with a seductive voice like Cecily whispers love into your ear, your heart will throb intensely.

Without trying to hide my burning face, I looked at Cecily. She smiled as if nothing had happened and left the classroom.

It seems that Cecily was better at playing with people’s hearts than Marie. I wonder if she will eventually transform into an incarnation of desire like Marie.

‘That’s… a bit scary.’

Until then, I’ll have to exercise rigorously. As the people in the lecture room gradually disappeared, I quietly got up from my seat. Leona, sitting in the front row, was still taking notes even though almost everyone had left. At first glance, she appeared to be an exemplary student devoted to her studies, and she actually was.

I cautiously approached, fearing that I might disturb her. There was nothing more unpleasant than having your concentration broken, so I planned to wait until she finished taking notes, even if it meant dozing off in the process.

“…?”

However, I had overlooked the fact that Leona was a beastwoman. A race with senses far superior to humans. She would easily detect someone approaching her. As I drew closer, she slowly raised her head, momentarily ceasing her note-taking. When she finally laid eyes on me, she blinked and expressed curiosity.

“What’s the matter?”

“Ahem.”

I was currently hesitating because I knew her true form. That’s why I couldn’t help but feel a slight tension. I pondered and pondered on how I could seek advice from her, but in the end, the only option left was a direct approach.

Clearing my throat and adjusting my collar, I quietly opened my mouth while keeping an eye on Leona’s reaction.

“Do you happen to have any free time?”

“If you mean free time… Do you mean this evening?”

“Whether it’s an evening or just a quick cup of coffee. I only need about an hour.”

“Hmm…”

Leona gazed at me with a dry yet curious look. Since becoming lovers with Marie, we’ve had very little interaction until now, so it’s understandable for her to send such a glance.

However, to learn more about the beastmen, I definitely need her help. While books have provided sufficient knowledge about the history and various aspects of the beastmen’s lifestyle, there’s nothing as certain as hearing it from the source.

Leona has been staring at me intensely for a while, and I nervously wait for her to speak. How long have I been waiting?

“Objective.”

“Huh?”

“What’s your objective?”

Leona’s question about my objective. I felt relieved when I heard that question.

In truth, it’s rather embarrassing to call it an objective. It’s practically an interview, if we’re being honest. Leona was still unaware that I’ve been appointed as a recommended student in history. It seems better to start with that.

“To start with, I’ve been appointed as Professor Elena’s recommended student. Starting next semester, I’ll be treated as a third-year student.”

“… …”

“So right now, I’m… working on something similar to a thesis. I need your help with it.”

If I say this much, she should roughly understand that I’m writing about the beastmen.

Leona narrowed her eyes slightly, trying to discern my intentions, and then stared at me intently for a while before responding in her unique, low voice.

“I understand. However…”

“However?”

She paused briefly, then followed with a threatening tone. Sharp anticipation emanated from her blue eyes, catching my attention.

“If you write something that deviates from the truth…”

“Well, I don’t think I will. I actually think they are remarkable individuals, more than one might expect.”

I reassured Leona, gesturing with my hands. It wasn’t just empty words, in the books, despite being portrayed as hostile and savage, the Beastmen had many admirable qualities.

Historically, they were a race that sacrificed themselves alongside humans, and they had a unique culture. If it weren’t for the massacre perpetrated by humans during the Race War, they might have shared the power and dominance over the continent.

After listening to my story, Leona made a subtle expression and asked quietly,

“Do you truly believe that?”

“Yes, and there is also a high possibility of them becoming formidable opponents to humans in a few hundred years.”

“Why do you think that way?”

“I’ll explain it gradually. So, are you willing to go and talk?”

In response to my question, Leona’s expression became even more curious than before as she replied,

“I would be glad to accept.”

******

Meanwhile, at a similar time…

“…Marie.”

“Yeah?”

“You said we’re meeting at 9 o’clock… Am I correct?” “

Yeah, you’re right.”

“Got it… In front of the fountain at Academy Square…”

Rina was once again devising a sinister plan in her mind. Seeing her like that, Cecily couldn’t help but burst into a bewildered laughter.

“…Rina?”

“Uh, yeah? What’s wrong? I didn’t do anything.”

“…Never mind.”

Cecily became concerned that she might get caught. While she understood different preferences, ethically it was wrong.

‘Do I really need to help her…’

She genuinely had thoughts to that extent.

Translators note:

Guess who has no self-controll and prioritization skills. That’s right, it’s ya boi, me.