As class started, Lee quickly came to the conclusion that it was one of those classes where the professor literally regurgitated what was already in the textbooks.
So, instead of paying attention, he half-paid attention to anything that stuck out. Key phrases like 'pay attention' or 'this will be on the exam.'
That meant that, in general, Lee was pretty relaxed.
In contrast, Rachel was furiously writing things down.
Lee wanted to tell her she shouldn't do that... but considering it was probably her way of feeling like she had control of the situation as well as her method of learning, he just let her be.
Instead, he took a look around the room.
Nayun was sitting on the opposite corner of the room in front of Hajin. She looked completely bored and irritated... especially since she kept side-eyeing Hajin.
Did something happen between them?
Lee didn't know, but it also wasn't his business.
He DID find it curious how Hajin was deliberately pretending to take notes though.
While Lee couldn't see exactly what Hajin was writing, he did notice that the cadence of his pen moving didn't match up with what the professor was saying. Not only that, but his eyes kept staring at space every now and then, like he was reading something only he could see.
'...Wow. His luck stat must be carrying him a lot.'
Lee was surprised no one noticed. Hajin ABSOLUTELY looked like a student who was using a hidden device to cheat. Either smart lenses or something similar.
As for other interesting people in the class...
That white-haired guy with golden eyes who had glared at Lee was sitting near Yeonha, yawning as he barely paid attention to the lecture.
Shin Jonghak, apparently.
Lee had made sure to check the class roster for the top cadets before heading off this morning, and that guy was definitely on the list next to Suho.
Speaking of Suho, the guy was also yawning, sitting next to someone who seemed to be another friend of his.
As for that friend... A round face, gentle eyes... and a completely at odds muscular body. It reminded Lee a lot of a certain caped-baldy when he wasn't serious...
But anyway, Lee didn't recognize that guy. Still, considering how the guy seemed to be prodding Suho to pay attention and took notes, they were probably pretty close?
"Cadet Lee Shin."
Lee blinked and noticed that the gray-haired professor had called him out directly.
"Yes, Professor?"
The professor adjusted his round-rimmed glasses and said, "Since you appear to be so free... would you care to tell the class what the guild The Apostle of Saints did on August 17th, 2023?"
Beside him, Lee noticed Rachel tense. It seemed like she was worried he wouldn't know and wanted to help.
But Lee just smiled and said, "They conquered the Tower of Floods and obtained an ocean stone. It's what put them on the map in terms of the international landscape since the ocean stone ended up having a great utility in terraforming as well as providing an ample amount of ambient mana for new recruits to accumulate. It's also why, to this day, a good amount of their recruits are water-affinity mana users since it naturally strengthens them."
The professor blinked. The disapproving look that had been on his face vanished, replaced with respect and expectation. "...Correct." He nodded, a faint smile on his face. "Well then. Since you appear so knowledgable about this topic... What is another example of a Tower clear reward?"
"Mm..." Lee tilted my head, absently glancing to my left while he was in thought. Then he saw Rachel, which jogged his memory. "Ah, the reason the Clancey Islet in the Kingdom of Britain stays afloat is because of the Buoyancy Stone, which the English Royal Court retrieved after clearing the Tower of Mists that emerged over the Thames river."
Rachel's eyes widened and her ears turned red, probably surprised that Lee knew that bit of history.
The professor, meanwhile, looked both impressed and amused. "Indeed. That's quite an infamous example... very well. Continuing on with the lecture... As I was saying, the emergence of numerous Towers led to the rise of national superpowers and guilds, which became a power unto their own..."
===
After Post-Outcall History, it was time for Anti-Monster combat training.
The class president, Suho's friend who was apparently called Yi Yeonghan, told everyone to meet at the Novice Field in twenty minutes.
Of course, Lee had completely missed the memo on that and thought there would be more time, so he had left his halberd back in his room.
Fortunately, his natural habit of keeping his retractable spear on him came in clutch and he didn't have to face off against the monsters while unarmed. Not only that, but the painkillers Rachel gave him were kicking in... that, or the enlightement from last night was finally healing him up properly.
But either way, he was walking to the Novice Field with Rachel. As Lee did though, he noticed Rachel keep glancing at him and said, "Is something wrong, Rachel?"
"No. Just... are you certain you are fit for class?" Rachel frowned and said, "If you are still suffering from a training incident, it would not be good for you to push yourself..."
Lee waved his hand and said, "I'll be fine. The painkillers kicked in, and it seems like my body's adapting to what I put it through after my enlightenment."
Rachel's eyes widened. "Enlightenment?"
Lee blinked. "...Oh yeah. Probably shouldn't mention that. ...Meh, it's you, so it's fine. But don't tell anyone."
Rachel sighed. "I swear. Americans and the lack of tact..."
"Hey, I resemble that statement."
"...It is 'I resent' that statement."
"No. I meant what I said." Lee laughed.
Rachel shook her head, a faint smile on her face. But after that, she took a look around and said, "I am surprised. I would think there would be more people looking at us, but... there aren't."
"Hm? Oh. Well, no offense, Rachel... but even though you're a princess, you're still just a Cube cadet right now. You're beautiful, but considering that the top graduates at Cube would basically be national powerhouses..."
"...Ah. I suppose that is true..." Rachel frowned, lost in thought.
Lee didn't blame her.
That was just the objective truth of the situation. Although Rachel WAS the princess of the Kingdom of Britain, said kingdom wasn't very powerful these days. It was a bit like meeting a popstar or idol... but that was it.
Cube was a military academy that developed international powerhouses who could reshape the political climate on their own just by joining or refraining from joining a guild.
Or in short, Rachel was a big fish from a small pond that had been dropped into an ocean with sharks.
Not to say that she would drown or lose out... but most of their peers only paid attention to her because she was beautiful, not so much because of her status.
Granted, that wasn't COMPLETELY true. A princess WAS a princess, after all.
If this was the Kingdom of Britain, the story would be different.
Lee would DEFINITELY be mobbed the moment he acted like this around Rachel if they were out in public there.
But this was Korea. Specifically, Cube.
For better or worse, the status Rachel had in her homeland didn't apply here.
After a few moments walking in silence, Rachel nodded. Then she smiled and said, "Thank you for your candid words, Lee. It can be easy to lose perspective on things. ...Though it is sad to think, it is important to remember that my homeland is not quite as great as it used to be."
"No worries. And also DON'T worry." Lee smiled. "It has you, right? I'm sure it'll be on the map again in no time."
Rachel laughed. "Is that so? Then..." She hesitated. "...Would you be amenable to coming as well? To England with me?"
Lee poked Rachel's arm and said, "Recruitment pitches are illegal before graduation, dear princess... But don't worry. I'll give the English Royal Court the right of first refusal."
Rachel's face turned a bright red before she huffed and said, "You truly have no sense of tact. Touching a royal like this could have you executed, you know?"
"You say that, but it's the 2020s. As if~"
Rachel shook her head and kept walking.
Lee smiled and followed beside her.