In the second year, just like in the first year, students aim to take various classes to avoid failing and repeating a year. There isn’t much difference from the first year, but if there’s any distinction, it’s probably the change of professors.
However, even among the professors, there are those who change and those who remain the same. From the third year onwards, students become teaching assistants, helping professors or providing significant assistance in classes. At this point, they’ve essentially chosen their career path, so they’re treated almost like half-graduate students rather than mere teaching assistants.
Even if they haven’t decided on a career path, there’s a process to obtain a graduation certificate, so there’s no issue. In fact, there are fewer cases of students deciding on a career path in advance than one might think, which is why only about half of the literature students become teaching assistants from their third year.
Anyway, I planned to follow Professor Elena and assist her or directly participate in classes in the future. As mentioned before, history is a general education class that even non-literature students attend.
Unlike literature students, there are far more non-literature students, and their classes are also divided into several groups. According to Adelia’s explanation, when she first entered, there were only three groups.
But now, there were over five groups. Surprisingly, more than half of them were commoners, and the number of nobles was unexpectedly low.
This basically means that within less than 10 years, Minerva Empire’s talent recruitment ability has been elevated, and the system has been well established. The admission process is not based on relative evaluation but absolute evaluation, so the numbers can only increase over time.
As a result, there’s a need for faculty to teach non-literature students, so they are currently hiring skilled individuals from various backgrounds. By the way, among them was my father as well, but he politely declined due to being busy with territorial matters.
“Perhaps this year will be very busy. There are about 350 new students. Among them, 150 are liberal arts students.”
“Yes?”
I visited Elena’s research lab on the day of the academy’s reopening. While organizing materials, I couldn’t help but be surprised by the story Elena brought up. Last year, there were only 200 new students and 50 literature students. However, something happened in the meantime that caused the number of liberal arts students to triple.
Truly an explosive growth. As mentioned just now, the entrance exam is an absolute evaluation, so an increase in new students was a natural occurrence, but it was too much.
“Isn’t this increase a bit too much?”
“I thought it was strange at first too, but if you look closely, it’s a phenomenon that makes sense.”
“It makes sense?”
“Yes.”
Elena nodded her head and began to present a somewhat absurd hypothesis as I listened in disbelief.
“Do you know when Volume 1 of Xenon’s Biography was published?”
“Probably… about a year and six months ago?”
Since I was 16 years old when Volume 1 was published, it’s probably roughly correct. The significant surge in popularity started from Volume 5, but it had some popularity before that.
“But why bring up Xenon’s Biography? Are you suggesting that this might be because of that?”
“It could be?”
“… …”
I clenched my lips as I watched Professor Elena, who seemed to be countering with a questioning gaze. I was left speechless with a feeling that my wit was escaping me.
It’s true that Xenon’s Biography is an easily readable book for people of all ages, genders, and social classes, but I can’t bring myself to say it’s beneficial for education.
Does reading novels improve language or comprehension skills? In that case, it’s better to read another piece of literature or look up words in a dictionary.
While numerous critics praise Xenon’s Biography, some point out its flaw as being too simple. It’s overly straightforward, making it difficult for philosophical contemplation and deeper thinking.
Meanwhile, Elena pushed her slightly lowered glasses up and looked at me before speaking.
“The noteworthy aspect here is that the number of nobles is similar to last year, but the number of commoners has significantly increased. And Xenon’s Biography is an easy-to-read book that disregards social classes. Can you guess why?”
“Not at all.”
“You’re still far from it. Well, considering you were born a noble, that’s to be expected.”
Even in response to my curt answer, Elena shrugged her shoulders and showed a reaction that indicated she understood. She seemed to be smirking, narrowing her eyes as she extended a finger and continued speaking.
“Until Xenon’s Biography was released, commoners found it difficult to read books. Do you know the reason?”
“Because it was filled with unfamiliar words, and it was hard to grasp the overall flow. Isn’t that right?”
“Very accurate. On the other hand, Xenon’s Biography has a sentence structure and readability that allow you to imagine it even in your mind, to the extent that its narrative skill and ease of understanding are unparalleled. The content contained within, like the love between different races or the Sakran’s story, becomes subtly profound when delved into.”
Up to this point, it sounded like ordinary praise. So, in a moment when I was about to put on a smug expression, Elena provided a very important point.
“Thanks to this, it’s tailored perfectly for taking the first step.”
“The first step?”
“Yes. The first step. Regardless of what it is, the first step is crucial. You must know this too.”
No matter what you do, taking the first step is the beginning, as Elena said. Ironically, taking that first step is the hardest part.
People have curiosity about the unknown, but at the same time, they also have fear. The saying ‘the beginning is half the battle’ isn’t there without reason.
“So, are you going to tell a squire who’s just removed his novice badge to go and slay a dragon? Or will you tell him to kill an orc?”
“Of course, the latter.”
“It’s similar to that. Before Xenon’s Biography came out, the books were all so difficult. Not only lacking in fun, but also lacking in interest. Even if you had interest, the basic comprehension ability wasn’t there, so reading was very difficult. Fairy tales and such are practically meaningless unless kids read them when they start reading. “
“Um… So, Xenon’s Biography is well-suited for approaching the ‘book’ as a written form?”
“Very accurate.”
Elena nodded with a satisfied expression at my response. Only then did I realize what she was trying to say.
Xenon’s Biography is an easily accessible book in itself. Just like Elena’s analogy, if you were to ask a newly trained knight, who just removed his training badge, to go and subdue a dragon, he would likely end up dead before too long. Unless they’ve awakened some talent they didn’t know they had, it’s almost certain they’ll die. Unless it’s a talent granted directly by a deity, most talents require the support of effort.
Xenon’s Biography was similar to this concept. It’s more efficient than any other book when it comes to ‘growth,’ making it suitable for advancing to higher levels.
‘Well, originally I had no interest in books either.’
I can deeply relate, having experienced a similar progression in my past life’s skill tree. Back when I was fervently reading comic books, a friend recommended a fantasy novel, and I became captivated by its charm. However, genre novels have their limits, so I delved into other books and eventually developed a deep interest in history, leading me to read books related to that subject. If my friend hadn’t recommended that novel back then, I probably wouldn’t have touched history books and would have spent my time aimlessly browsing the internet.
The same held true after reincarnation. Because I cultivated the habit of reading, it saved me from just wasting time without purpose.
The current situation was quite similar. Xenon’s Biography has garnered unprecedented popularity, increasing interest in books overall. Even though Xenon’s Biography continues to dominate the publishing market, there’s news that the sales of other books have also risen.
“By the way, this isn’t just the case with the Halo Academy, it’s the same in other countries too. The academy in the Ters Kingdom has seen a staggering 5-fold increase in literary students.”
“That’s impressive. Is the increase in non-literary students separate?”
“Yes, it’s separate. Well, who knows if it will increase in the next few years. After all, there might be those who enroll thinking they’ll become heroes like Xenon, right?”
While Elena spoke jokingly, a smile emerged as it seemed like she might actually mean it. After all, tales of heroes had always been enough to ignite a fire in the hearts of children. Of course, reality was horrifying beyond measure, but if that determination continued to the end, another hero could be born.
“Thus, I’m going to be very busy from now on. We used to put literature students all in one class, but now we have to split them into three. Not just for the first year, but also for the second year literature students and even the non-literature students.”
“Do I have any free time then?”
Won’t the time for me to write Xenon’s Biography disappear? That’s why I became the recommended student.
Elena seemed to sense some unease in my question and responded, raising one corner of her mouth.
“Of course you do. I might treat assistants differently, but I won’t push my teaching assistants too hard. You’ll have enough break time, so don’t worry.”
“Well, that’s a relief. But what about Cindy? Where did Cindy go?”
“Cindy went to the sanctuary for a short while. She’ll probably be back within a week.”
Since obtaining her doctorate, Cindy has been extremely busy. There are more days when her seat is empty than when I get to see her face. While it’s a bit disappointing not to see her distinctively hazy face, I wasn’t resentful as everyone has their own life. I’m going to be busy too, and I don’t have the luxury of worrying about others.
“The number of literature students has tripled, has the system changed too?”
“Things will probably change soon. From now on, assistant positions might only be appointed to recommended students. And by now, the upper ranks might be experiencing quite a headache. They probably never imagined it would turn out this way for themselves.”
“Xenon’s Biography is causing quite a lot of changes.”
“It’s laying the groundwork for leading the heyday of human literature. What Luminous said wasn’t just empty praise.”
Elena spoke like this and then checked the time before getting up from her seat. Just to note, the entrance ceremony was held yesterday, and orientation will be conducted starting from today.
Originally, history wouldn’t be taught at this time, but due to the division of the class into three groups, the number of classes has tripled. Not only that, but they also have to hold classes for the second-year students, so she will be quite busy in the future.
“Well then, let’s start preparing for the class. Do you have everything you need?”
“I’ve prepared everything.”
“Good. Don’t be nervous, just stand by my side and watch how the class progresses. Of course, I might pass things over to you from time to time, so don’t space out.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Afterward, I followed her and walked to the classroom where the class would take place. Although the number of literary students has tripled, causing some disruptions in writing, it shouldn’t be a big issue as long as I manage my time.
I haven’t forgotten to consider dates with Marie and Cecily’s from time to time. Anyway, since all classes end at 5 PM, that won’t change.
While I was slowly revising my plans in my mind, a sudden question popped up. In fact, it’s a thought that I’ve had even before coming to the academy.
Why does Professor Elena not have an assistant? Curious, I asked her as she stood in front.
“Professor Elena.”
“Yeah?”
“Why don’t you have any teaching assistants?”
“Oh, that? It’s not a big deal. I don’t take TAs unless they’re recommended students.”
“Why?”
As I wondered, she pushed up her glasses and replied with a nonchalant tone.
“That’s where the satisfaction of growth comes from.”
“… …”
“By the way, all the history professors in the history department were once my TAs.”
It must be a mistake that I saw the gates of hell opening before my eyes.
‘Yeah, it must be a mistake.’
It has to be a mistake.
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