For You 46

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#46

“I agree. It seems Rikin is talking about a world consisting only of subjects without the imperial family, while you’re saying that in the current system, subjects should be given more rights and benefits. In the end, both are suggesting that the imperial family’s power should be distributed.”

As Persis said this, he rested his chin on one hand and gave an eye-smile. He looked so pretty that I found myself breathless without realizing it.

“Are you saying that for me to hear?”

Of course, his words weren’t as beautiful as his smile. I could see Rikin’s eyes trembling uncontrollably. ‘A world consisting only of subjects without the imperial family.’ If he was unlucky, he could be charged with treason.

In a way, both of them had quite enlightened ideas. However, this world was a class society where the Emperor ruled over the subjects. The Emperor of the Empire must take responsibility for both the suffering and happiness of his people. Otherwise, why would he be given so much power?

But unlike Rikin, Iria couldn’t seem to agree with what the two of us had said.

“A king is an imperfect being. Sometimes they make wrong judgments. That’s why the royal family should trust the judgment of the people, watch over them, and help them when they’re in difficulty. Also, the role of the king is to allow the people to freely pursue their dreams.”

“Isn’t it the role of ministers to advise the king when he makes wrong judgments? And to begin with, a king shouldn’t make wrong judgments.”

“The king is human too. How can they not make mistakes?”

“With that much power, you make mistakes? Then they should step down.”

“They’re human, how can they always make the right judgment?”

“Yes, that’s right. But beings with absolute power should not make mistakes. A king’s mistake threatens the lives of the people.”

I picked up the paper I had just put down and covered my mouth with it. If I didn’t do that, I felt like I would be watching the two of them with my mouth agape.

It wasn’t a scene I had seen in the original work, but Persis and Iria were finally, finally arguing. Through this, the two would get to know each other. This was the first proper button being fastened. I felt like cheering out loud.

I had been worried because events had been flowing differently from the game, but now I felt like we were back on the track I knew.

“Then let’s do that.”

At that moment, I looked at Persis because his words didn’t make sense. With a somewhat mischievous expression, Persis pointed at the materials with his finger.

“It seems both of you think the royal family is unreliable. Then why not just get rid of it?”

Suddenly, the faces of the palace employees who had been helping Persis flashed through my mind. What on earth had they taught this kid while I was away to make him think like this? Even though it was just an assignment, suggesting to abolish the royal family? Even for Persis, if other royals heard about this, it would be a serious problem.

How difficult must it be to live as a royal for him to say such things? I thought he had been treated well, but it seemed like everything had changed while I was away. Thinking that I wouldn’t let this slide when I saw them later, I looked at the dumbfounded Iria and Rikin.

Neither could readily agree to Persis’s suggestion. I don’t know how the topic had developed this far. I sighed and nodded.

“Yes, let’s do that. It seems like a good direction.”

I don’t know anymore. I decided to find significance in the fact that Persis and Iria had properly exchanged words.

* * *

The footsteps of a student going forward for their presentation were exceptionally heavy. It was partly due to the teacher’s fierce gaze, which wasn’t hidden even by the deeply pulled-down robe, and partly due to a lack of confidence in their research.

Students waiting for their turn watched the first presenter with sympathy. None of them were unaware that this scene would soon be their own future.

It was the second Demon Research class after the class adjustment period.

The assignment she had given was “Why are demons, who are externally identical to humans and capable of communication, called demons? What are the differences between humans and demons?” I thought it was remarkable that Yaksi had given such a difficult assignment from the first week. In the case of myself, Persis, Rikin, and Iria, we had a busy week with not only this assignment but also assignments from other classes.

Recalling the previous meeting time made my head hurt. Persis’s sudden remark was perfect for stunning others. However, shortly after, Iria and Persis became united in proposing new plans.

The scene of the two looking at each other and talking was pleasant to see, but I was worried about the chaos this assignment would cause. It was an assertion that Persis could boldly make because he was royalty, but conversely, it was a topic that shouldn’t be touched because he was royalty.

Suggesting to replace monarchy with another system to rule the country? If the imperial family heard it, they could charge it as treason. Knowing this, Rikin looked at Persis with an anxious face. I had planned to step in and package it well if things got too dangerous, but that didn’t change the fact that it was extremely risky.

The lunch I had just eaten wasn’t digesting well, and my stomach started to ache.

“Are you alright?”

Seeing me holding my stomach, Yutis asked with concern. During the class adjustment period, Yutis had canceled most of the classes he was taking and changed to the same schedule as mine. After revealing his true feelings to me, he tried more explicitly to stay by my side.

It was very kind, but I couldn’t help thinking that Yutis was monitoring me. However, since I couldn’t express that feeling, I decided to get more accustomed to staying with Yutis.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

I quickly ended the conversation without saying anything else. I remembered that when I once mentioned having trouble digesting lunch, Yutis immediately took me to the infirmary. Even though it was a condition that would get better with a little rest, Yutis tended to overreact.

I thought he might have learned this from Kara. Kara would also stop everything she was doing and stay by my side if I felt even slightly unwell. I started to miss Kara a little, even though it hadn’t been that long since I last saw her.

Anyway, Yaksi told us to come forward one by one and present the class assignments from the previous week. The student unluckily chosen to go first was the one who had been bullied by a noble student in the corridor before.

The student who stepped forward swallowed dryly and stammered through their findings.

“So, the difference between demons and humans is, I think, their basic, nature. That, unlike humans, demons…”

“You want to say they’re malicious? And you’re presenting that as a difference now? Do you think that’s the vague difference I wanted?”

Yaksi quickly pressured the student as soon as they opened their mouth. The student couldn’t say anything and just gaped like a goldfish. The other students, realizing that the presenter’s situation would soon be their own, hung their heads low.

Realizing the atmosphere in the classroom, Yaksi let out a deep sigh. She raised her finger and waved it once in the air, and all the assignments in the students’ possession floated up at once. The papers in the air mixed together and then neatly arranged themselves.

When Yaksi reached out her hand, the organized assignments fell onto her hand from the air. Yaksi skimmed through the assignments, looking at what the students had written.

In my case, I had heard from the sword about the biggest difference between demons and humans, but I couldn’t write that fact in my assignment. Since not many people knew about it, I couldn’t properly explain it either. Yaksi placed the assignments she was holding on the desk with a thud and gestured with her chin to the student who hadn’t yet returned to their seat. Understanding the signal to return to their seat, the student quickly left Yaksi’s sight and found their place.

“No one has written anything proper. You might as well have written a novel. Neither entertaining nor innovative.”

Grumbling, Yaksi struck the blackboard once. Then, white letters and drawings appeared on the black board. What was written on the board were the words “magic power” and “mana.”

“Does anyone know about magic power and mana?”

The students blinked their eyes and couldn’t answer properly.

“These days, many people confuse these terms and use them interchangeably, but they are distinctly different. Demons contain mana, and humans contain magic power. This is the difference. There are no other differences between the two species.”

Yaksi casually uttered words that would have caused an uproar if the Temple had heard them. I wondered if there was some strange wind blowing in the imperial palace these days. Perhaps that’s why both the court magician and the prince were so eager to break the mold.

I couldn’t even gauge how much this diverged from the original story anymore.

The students seemed bewildered, unable to believe Yaksi’s words, and some whispered to the students next to them. Regardless, Yaksi continued speaking.

“The reason why magic that demons can use and magic that humans can use are divided lies precisely here. The systems that activate magic are different from the beginning. Humans without mana cannot use demon magic, and demons without magic power cannot use human magic.”