I discovered one thing while living at the academy. Cecily was a mischievous, mean-spirited person when she sensed someones weakness. She was a model of a polite princess when using respectful words to me, but once she let go of those, she was always good at pulling pranks.

You can be honest. You know Im pretty. Thats why you stared at my face earlier, right?

thats not it.

Then why is your face red?

It was the same even after the Anthropology lecture was over. Cecilys mischief continued all the way to the school cafeteria. She urged me in a persistent voice, determined to hear my ruffled response with my own mouth. I denied it as much as I could, even as I vividly felt my face turning red again with every word she spoke. It was because I couldnt predict what kind of prank would occur if I simply affirmed it.

When I denied it until the end, Cecily made a puzzled expression. You called me big sister (Noona) the other day, so why arent you answering now? I dont understand.

Its not the same now as it was then. And there are others who are watching. Even as I said that, there were students whispering around us.

Im not exaggerating, but just by looking around, I could feel many students gazes directed toward us. Naturally, it was because of the beautiful Cecily, who was friendly with me. Cecily was the princess of Helium, and coupled with her striking appearance, she had been a hot topic since the entrance ceremony, so many people are naturally curious about her.

Naturally they all wondered why such a person got along with an unknown male student like myself. Rumors spreading within a school setting were a natural occurrence, however. Because its been about three weeks since the entrance ceremony and there werent many Literature students as there are Martial Arts students, gossip about Cecily and myself must have already spread as quickly as it could.

I dont have a big problem yet, but I also have ears, so I vaguely know what my current reputation is. A red-haired person of interest to the professors and at the same time, an unlucky redhead to the very same students. These are all stories I heard by chance in a restaurant the other day.

Right now, they seem to be watching because of Cecily and Rina, but you never know when it might explode. The students enrolled in Halo Academy are emotionally imperfect teenagers and there are many children from high-nosed aristocratic families. Even if they dont go overboard with their petty jealousies and dislike right now, a guy named Jackson was already displeased with me.

When I finally became honest about it and explained the situation to Cecily, her reaction was:

Really? Cecily seemed to grasp the true atmosphere only after hearing my words. Seeing her slightly frowning face, it was clear that she didnt like it. As Cecily also looked around, the whispers died away abruptly.

I glanced at her and, in a cautious voice, suggested to Cecily, If youre uncomfortable, lets part ways.

No. Theres no problem with this. Its always been the case in Helium.

Helium doesnt have any nobility except for the king, right?

She replied with a soft smile, Even if there are no nobles, that doesnt mean theres no way to keep the king in check. It was probably something I didnt know about. Of course, its not that I dont get it. I nodded my head as if I Knew it, and she smiled faintly. It was close to saying thank you for not asking, but after a while, her smile deepened and her playfulness began to show through again. I wanted to see that, but it was already too late.

So whats the answer to my question from before? When are you going to admit it?

If you keep your mouth shut, Ill do something weird and probably embarrassing to you.

In the end, I had no choice but to surrender. I covered my face with one hand and opened my lips as if giving up.

Okay, yes. Youre very pretty. Of all the people Ive seen so far, Ms. Cecily is the prettiest.

Shouldnt you call me Cecily noona?

Cecily Noona.

Huhu. Thank you. It feels like Im always being bowed down to, but hearing words like that from Isaac is new and refreshing.

Hufff Now Im so red, it looks like my face was going to explode. I took a deep breath to get rid of the heat rising from within. Even so, I was embarrassed because I didnt think I would go down without a fight.

Either way, Cecily giggled like a girl and tickled my ears. Is teasing me so much fun for you? It was difficult for me to understand. Im sorry. Your reactions are so funny that I cant stop.

My reactions are funny?

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Yes.

Then it wont be fun if I dont react to anything, right?

Heh. Try it once.

Sorry. In addition, I lacked initiative. Cecily smiled slightly as I lowered my tail and spoke softly like before.

Isaac.

Yeah?

Arent you curious about the demons?

Why do you ask?

When I threw this question back at her, Cecily spoke of what had happened during Anthropology class. Before, you asked why the elves had a small population. I thought you werent curious about the demons.

No. I have a lot of questions.

Then why dont you ask? Cecily tilted her head and asked me that in a tone as if she didnt understand.

I answered quietly while looking at her face. Im afraid Ill make a mistake.

You are afraid youll make a mistake?

Yeah.

For hundreds of years, demons were persecuted regardless of whichever race they interacted with. So I was a little hesitant to ask questions about demons to Cecily. It will be awkward for both Cecily and myself if I touch upon a painful or taboo subject. It wasnt because I lacked courage; it was just out of consideration. That way, at least I can have an amicable relationship with her by not digging up the other persons wounds. Thats why, like Cecily, I dont joke around and accept it quietly.

Yeah. Isaac is very caring. She muttered that with a happy smile as if she understood my feelings. Then she told me that I was kind. She added, Its fine. You can ask me anything.

Really?

Yeah. You arent just anyone, youre Isaac. I know there wont be any malice at all.

If thats the case I muttered and looked around. As we talked, we arrived at the cafeteria before we knew it, but there werent many students there. The majority of them eat out. In response, I picked up an empty bowl from the small stack and asked Cecily a question. Its something Ive always been curious about, so I was a little excited. What do those horns do?

Huh? Horns?

Yeah.

Cecily heard my question and fiddled with the horns rising from her temples. The horns became redder as they reached their tips. Horns, along with black mana, were a characteristic that could be considered the demons symbol. However, there was no proper research on demon horns and only strange rumors abounded.

For example, is mana gathered in demon horns, or is it simply a symbol of the devil? And so on. As a result, even in Xenons Saga, I rarely mentioned demons horns.

Ummm Cecily took a moment to organize her thoughts and began to put food into her empty bowl bit by bit. I also put food in mine bit by bit, waiting for her to provide an answer. Eventually, when we found empty seats and sat down, Cecily, who was sitting across from me, answered. Did I tell you about our menstrual cycle?

Huh?

Tuk

Its an embarrassing answer enough to miss the fork that I used to lift up my food. For a moment, I couldnt tell if she was serious or just joking. Contrary to my feelings, however, Cecilys face remained calm. Through this, I could see that she was sincere and not joking.

Even though I looked at her with a puzzled expression on my face, Cecily continued speaking as if it was not a big deal. As you know, demons are descendants of the Great Devil. And demons are literally the crystallization of desire. Because of this, we demons have a difficult time controlling our desires in certain cycles. This phenomenon is referred to as the Evil Cycle, but only our men say that while demon women tend to just use the term menstruation. Ironically, it overlaps with our true menstrual period.

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So thats how it is. As a result, the tense mind gradually relaxed. Instead, I couldnt stop the heat from rising to my face.

I coughed out all the thoughts in my head and asked another question. Then how do you endure it? I dont know the details since Im a human male, but women also say that every time they menstruate, their stomach hurts.

I usually calm down through meditation. As for the pain from menstruation itself, recently medicine has been invented so there is no major issue.

What if someone, um, touches you during the Evil Cycle? Will you become aa devil?

No. I dont become a devil just because of that. Most demons become devils after they experience a terrible tragedy. Either theyve lost their loved ones in front of their eyes, or they were betrayed by a trusted friend, Cecily explained as she picked up minced meat with a fork from her bowl and put it in her mouth.

She went on after taking a bite, Well, like you already suspect, we can be as violent as devils. Our women especially tend to become like that.

Its the same with humans.

Is that so? I heard earlier that human females menstruate once a month? It must be very difficult. Demons only do it once every six months.

Are the long-lived races on the long side of the menstrual cycle? Elves and demons have a very long menstrual cycle then. Or it could be that humans and beastmen have an abnormally short one.

With growing curiosity, I hurriedly moved on to the next question. What kind of race the demons were was more important than the meal.

So, does that mean that as a demons horn grows, their cycle approaches?

No. The horns dont grow and this red part covers the entire horn. Cecily tapped the tip of her horn, which was dyed red as if painted over. Approximately a quarter of the area was currently covered in red.

If the horns are all dyed red, you must never touch them, right? Thats what she implied after explaining the Evil Cycle. I dont know what kind of disaster will happen if I just touch one of them.

I chewed the food in my mouth and asked other questions in succession. What if the horn is cut off?

It will be restored quickly. And even if it is cut off, there is no sensation.

Is the horn itself numb?

Yes.

Excuse me then, but can I touch it?

Eh? Pu, touching the horns? Cecilys reaction to my question was very strange. She stuttered with her eyes wide, and a slight blush appeared on her cheeks. It clearly shows that she was embarrassed again. I tilted my head at her unexpected reaction but quickly realized that it was another sensitive topic. If its that embarrassing, it must have an unusual meaning.

And my expectations were met precisely when she explained, Thatah, sorry. Touching the horns of demons is an act of affection between lovers. It means that I will love you even if you were to become a devil.

Ohso its romantic.

Really? Its romantic? She stared at me. Its the first time Ive heard someone call it that whos not a demon. Cecily scratched her cheek in embarrassment.

It was completely different from how she usually played pranks on me, so it came to me anew. Thanks to that, I was able to put one in..

It was also information that could add bone and flesh to the story of Jin and Lily, who are riding a heartbreaking love line in Xenons Saga.

Jin is a knight only for Lily, and Lily strokes his horns as he kneels down on one knee. Because of that, Jin looks up at Lily, startled. There is no story in this world as sad as the love between a demon and a priest.

Of course, in the final half of the novel series, Jin will appear as the Final Boss. Im sorry, Mother, but its hard to change the ending because there are so many lines filled with double meaning and other hints scattered throughout the story. If its really hard, Ill release a side story.

Shoving everything in my mouth just as the atmosphere became awkward, I swallowed and told Cecily, Cecily, do you have any questions about humans?

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Uhhuh? Questions about humans?

Yes. Its kind of weird when Im the only one asking. If you have any questions of your own, please ask.

Humans, you say

Fortunately, somehow, the awkward atmosphere seems to have cooled off. I quietly put more food in my mouth until Cecily was ready. Cecily, as if organizing her thoughts, continued eating while thinking.

Jerk-jerk-jerk-

Then a familiar face came into my sight. When I shifted my gaze a bit while munching, Leona, a beautiful girl with a hard impression, was walking far in the distance. I didnt notice at first because I wasnt normally interested, but Leona was wearing pants, unlike the other girls. Despite her pretty face, her expressions were usually so hard and sharp that she looked more like a schoolboy from a distance. Doesnt she have any friends? Why is she sitting so far away?

Even though there werent many students in the dining room, Leona sat particularly far away in an empty corner. Rather, she stood out even more because there was no one around her. As I was muttering to myself while resting my chin, Leona sighed deeply as if she were worried about something. And then

Prick- {*T/N: A word describing the motion of sticking out ones lips or making ones ears standerect.}

Suddenly, something pricked up on the top of her head. And not just one, but two. Unfortunately, my eyesight was not that good so it was impossible to make an accurate guess. But I could tell that something had risen above her head at that moment.

! Leona also hurriedly put her hand to her head, perhaps realizing that something had risen above her head there. That hard impression of hers vanished without a trace, leaving only her bewilderment.

I blinked and rubbed my eyes to see if I had seen something wrong. I rubbed my eyes and looked at Leona again, and as if she had gotten over some embarrassment, she started eating as usual, expressionless again.

It happened while I was staring at Leona. Cecily called my name in the meantime now that she seemed to have organized her thoughts. Isaac?

Oh, yes. Noona.

Looks like youve been dazed for a while. I just remembered a question I wanted to ask, so can I?

Yes, certainly.

After I gave permission, Cecily asked in a really curious tone, What do you think is the reason that humans are currently considered the center of the world?

The center of the world?

Yeah, I know how it sounds. I heard it in lecture, so Im curious about your opinion.

Well It was a fairly complex question to answer. Even on an Earth where there were only humans, we are a race that cant be judged prematurely. Because the ones judging humans as a whole are also humans.

But, ironically, thats why an objective explanation was possible. In this case, Im sure of one thing. A human being can become supremely good, but he can also become supremely evil. You can think of the fierce battle between the theory of goodness and the theory of evil. However, that was the standard often used on Earth, and this world should be viewed from a slightly different perspective. As I habitually rubbed the pen-hook with my thumb, I glanced at Cecily. Cecily was staring at me as if waiting for my answer.

At this, I stopped my thumb and spoke quietly. Ill tell you in advance: this is my subjective opinion only, so you dont need to listen carefully. There are many professors with more experience of the world than me.

Its okay. You can tell me what you think.

Yes. That I stopped talking and glanced past Cecily. Leona, who was eating alone, was looking straight at me. I wondered if she had heard our discussion from a distance, but decided that she didnt. Our voices were not that loud, and the distance was very far.

Anyway, I didnt care and continued what I was saying. The reason humans could be considered the center of the world is simple: humans are overly stupid, reckless, and foolish.

Prick-

As soon as I said those words, strange things popped out of Leonas head once again.

Editor and Proofreader:- In Valens Name

End of Chapter

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