If They Get Obsessed, I’m Doomed - Chapter 78

Chapter 40.1

After a week of adjustment, it was Monday—the first day of attending lectures.

Starting today, another month is given as a new adjustment period, during which students will get to experience various classes and create the best schedule that suits them.

Most new students attended various lectures during this time. They listened to as many different classes as possible and selected the necessary ones. After narrowing down the lectures, they combined them to create the optimal schedule, considering not only their aptitude but also time and logistics. This finalized schedule had to be submitted at least a week before the adjustment period ended.

Considering the size of the academy and the number of lectures, it would’ve been quite cumbersome and difficult even if they were given a month-long adjustment period. Most freshmen found themselves confused and flustered because of their schedules, but Ariel didn’t have to go through such trouble.

「 Monday

10:00 AM — Magic Theory ( Academy Building 3, Classroom 1 )
3:00 PM — Magical Engineering ( Academy Building 10, Classroom 5 ). 」

Ariel checked the schedule that Lexius had personally prepared for her, then lightly packed her bag and headed out.

The distance from the First Dormitory to the Third Academy Building was quite considerable. While other students took shuttles that operated every hour, she was provided with a personal vehicle.

‘This must be part of the top-tier treatment for a special guest.’

As she sat on the soft leather seat, Ariel felt burdened by the privileges she was given. The treatment she received consisted of enormous privileges not even offered to royalty. It was something she could never quite get used to, no matter how much time passed.

The car covered a distance that would take over an hour on foot in just a little over ten minutes.

The academy’s buildings were a cluster of red brick. Among them, the central building was the public library, and right next to it, horizontally positioned, was the Third Building. The largest lecture hall, which was immediately visible upon entering, was the first classroom in the Third Building.

Ariel stepped out of the car, hoping to draw as little attention as possible.

The classroom was bustling with students. Perhaps because the time she spent standing in front of the podium was short, hardly any of the students recognized her, which she was secretly relieved about.

She hurried her steps carefully along the wall as she entered the lecture hall.

The interior was semicircular, with tiered desks filled with students. Despite the room’s capacity to hold well over three hundred people, there were only a few seats left.

Ariel hesitated, cautiously searching for an empty seat. As she shifted her gaze upward, starting from the area near the podium at the lowest level, at a certain point, a particularly unusual figure caught her eye.

Seventh row from the podium, center seat.

Amidst the sea of students dressed in black uniforms, one white uniform stood out conspicuously. A perfect white spot. With striking blonde hair, he occupied a desk meant for five people all by himself.

It was Skylar, whom she had seen yesterday.

As if sensing her gaze, he turned his head back. His blue eyes, so bright they almost seemed to shine, locked directly onto her before he gestured for her to come over, beckoning with a slight nod. As Ariel descended the steps as he called her, unable to find an empty seat, he glanced at the seat next to him, indicating for her to sit down there.

Skylar’s actions caused a stir in the classroom.

Ariel sat next to him, pretending not to notice the attention focused on her.

“Hello, Ariel.”

“Sk—”

She was about to call him by his name without thinking when she realized her surroundings and corrected her words.

“Do you also attend this lecture, Your Highness?”

“Don’t be so formal. You can speak casually, it’s fine.”

Skylar responded first to her formal address rather than her question. He even pointed it out. The students around them, who had been eavesdropping, were stunned. It was a natural reaction. Who would have imagined that someone would dare speak casually to the imperial family?

Ariel hastily lowered her voice.

“But here…”

“It doesn’t matter. Just do it.”

He insisted stubbornly.

Ariel was at a loss. Even in an academy where everyone attended classes together, using informal language with an imperial family member was a breach of hierarchy. Even Lexius wouldn’t allow her to speak informally to him in public settings. Naturally, Skylar’s demand wasn’t only unusual but also dangerous.

‘…Is this really okay?’

Even if he said it was fine, she still felt uncomfortable, so Ariel lowered her voice even more and whispered.

“Are you taking this class, too?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

“If you’re attending, this lecture must be quite difficult.”

“Not really.”

“…But I’m still only at a beginner’s level when it comes to magic.”

“It’ll be fine. If there’s anything you don’t understand, I’ll teach you.”

“Not asking the professor?”

“I know well enough myself, so ask me.”

It was strange that he wanted her to ask him rather than the professor, as if he knew the subject completely.

“…If you’re knowledgeable enough to teach, why are you taking this class?”

“….”

Skylar, perhaps realizing the contradiction too late, couldn’t respond. He just blushed and looked away.

‘Did he take this class on purpose so he could attend it with me?’

Ariel entertained such speculation. Although the number of hearts hadn’t increased, the favorability might be subtly progressing, just not visibly.

Just as the speculation was turning to doubt in her mind, the professor came and stood at the podium.

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

Magic Theory was far from an easy class.

Despite the fact that Skylar said it would be fine, Ariel was struggling to keep up with the pace. Her textbook was filled with check marks on every page, and there were so many things she didn’t understand. By the end of the one-hour lecture, she was completely exhausted.

Even though it was just a preliminary class before the number of people in the class was confirmed, she was already feeling overwhelmed.

A sigh rose up to her chin.

‘After a month, the class time and the pace will be much more demanding… Will I be able to keep up?’

Her worries deepened. While the other students hurriedly stampeded out of the classroom, she remained seated quietly.

Skylar, who had been quietly staying by her side, spoke up first.

“Was it very difficult?”

“Ung… I guess I’m lacking in the fundamentals. It’s giving me a headache.”

“Don’t worry. If there’s something you don’t understand, I’ll teach you.”

“Then here, about the independent partition of magic…”

“Not right now.”

Just when she was about to ask, Skylar abruptly cut off her question. As she looked at him in confusion, he went a step further and even closed her book.

“Let’s do it after lunch.”

“Uh…? O-Okay.”