The Weight of a Voice

Today was finally the first group meeting. I took a deep breath, thinking of Michael, who had cheered me on, and Ronia, who had pressed a fatigue recovery potion into my hand. For their sake, I was determined to crush this group project.

With my resolve steeled, I turned around. The group members were sitting in their seats, staring at me as I stood before the chalkboard. I picked up a piece of chalk and asked, “The unit we have to present is Unit 3, right? I skimmed the contents, and it looks a bit difficult.”

I wrote the title of Unit 3 on the board: [Ancient History].

“Finding materials will likely be tricky, and there’s a lot to organize.”

the members nodded.

“First, I think we need to look for resources. How should we go about it?”

Silence followed. I looked at the members patiently. Then, I spotted one student aimlessly flipping through their textbook. The moment our eyes met, I asked, “Do you have any ideas?”

“Ah, well,” the student said cautiously. “Since there are four sub-units, how about we pair up in twos to research the materials?”

“That sounds good.”

I sought agreement from the other members.

“Shall we go with that, then?”

“Sure, I guess.” “Sounds fine.”

The members nodded.

“Then we need to pair up. How should we decide? I can’t think of a particular method.”

“How about just pairing up with whoever we want?”

“…….”

There’s no way anyone wants to pair up with me. Just then, Zeno raised his hand and spoke.

“Drawing lots would be best.”

At that single sentence, the students immediately tore up paper to make lots. After shaking the container a few times, the members put their hands in one by one.

I was Number 4. Who is Number 4? Just as I wondered, Zeno silently held out his slip. “4” was written on it. I wasn’t sure if this was a blessing or a curse. Unlike the other members who overtly disliked me, Zeno didn’t seem to have much ill will toward me. He was the most cooperative person in the group, and even his question yesterday about my nickname being “Maltese” seemed to stem from genuine curiosity.

I stole a glance at Zeno. He was staring straight ahead with an expressionless face.

“Then please bring your materials by the next class.”

“Yes, we’ll do that.”

After deciding what materials to research and the deadline, the meeting concluded. The other members whispered to each other as they left the classroom.

“What? I heard he was the type to throw a fit if things didn’t go his way.” “I know, right? I heard he had a terrible temper, but he’s actually quite calm.”

My face flushed hot. The first meeting ended so successfully that my worries felt baseless. I wouldn’t even need to drink the recovery potion. I’d have to have a celebratory party with the other two today. I turned my head and asked Zeno:

“How do you want to handle the research? Should we head to the library first?”

Zeno nodded.

“Then when would you like to go?”

“Today is fine.”

“Really?”

I happened to have time today as well.

“One moment, let me go grab my library card.”

Zeno nodded. The moment I stepped out of the classroom, the laughter I had been holding back burst out. No matter how much I thought about it, I felt proud. I squeezed my fists tight. Let’s keep it going like this. Next year, I’ll definitely become the ‘Saintly Maltese’.

I was skipping along when I saw Zeno staring at me through the window, his chin resting on his hand.

“…….”

My face turned bright red again. I dashed to the dorm, grabbed my card, and came back. We headed to the library side-by-side. Everyone’s eyes swiveled toward us.

“Isn’t that the Crazy Maltese? Why is he with him?” “Shh, they’re in the same group.”

If you’re going to talk behind my back, I wish you’d do it where I can’t hear you. Well, they were probably saying it loud enough for me to hear on purpose. I checked Zeno’s reaction. I could just ignore it, but how would he feel? Just as I thought that…

“You there.”

Zeno opened his mouth. The people who were about to pass us and enter a classroom flinched. Zeno motioned with his hand.

“Come here.”

Why is he calling them? I was bewildered. The students looked around nervously before reluctantly standing before Zeno. Zeno said:

“Do it.”

The people were confused. “Pardon?” “What do you want us to do, Your Highness?”

Zeno repeated himself. “Didn’t you have something to say?”

“Ah, well, that’s…”

“You were staring at us so overtly, it seemed like you had something to say. Was I wrong?”

“No, it’s not that…”

Zeno gave one final urge. “Do it, quickly.”

The students’ faces turned deathly pale. They quickly bowed their waists and shouted:

“We’re sorry…!”

With that, they scrambled away. I stared blankly at Zeno. Zeno said again:

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

I followed Zeno once more. I was grateful, but I felt equally miserable. I suppose you can only do things like that because your status is high. If I tried something like that, it would just add another bad rumor to the pile.

My mood threatened to sink again. I thought I had adjusted to this world, but I guess I haven’t. After handing my student ID to the librarian, I entered the library. I want to fully adapt to this world soon. If I do, I won’t feel this sense of deprivation and alienation anymore. I thought as I picked out books alongside Zeno.

“…….”

In my original world, human rights and the right to speak were given equally, but here, the “size” of those rights changed based on status. Zeno, born with a diamond spoon, naturally had the largest share of rights and voice among us, while I, from a Viscount family, was right in the middle. Those from families with less power had even smaller shares, and for commoners, it was practically non-existent.

Yet, no one thought it was strange. Rather, people who resisted or argued against it were treated as eccentric or weird. In fact, there were a few commoners here who cried for revolution, but they received no support and were eventually sent to the gallows.

“This should be enough.”

“Ah, yes, that’s right.”

It was the same in several novels I had read. Protagonists who were righteous—saying things like “What does status matter?” or “It’s too much to harm someone over one mistake!”—were treated as frustrating, annoying people who couldn’t read the room.

To be honest, I was like that too before I came to this world. I found it annoying when a high-status protagonist would just laugh and brush it off when underlings climbed all over them.

But after coming here, I realized poignantly: a protagonist like that is a hundred, a thousand times better. At least a protagonist like that knew the value of a life. Cold-blooded protagonists, on the other hand, kill many people just to “silence” them after an incident.

It was just like the last novel I read before coming here.

—Kill them all.

Even if it was night, they were talking about secrets in an open area, and when a passing commoner overheard, they ordered their knight to dispose of the commoner without hesitation.

No, if it’s such a secret, go inside to talk! Even if it’s a remote spot, why do you insist on talking outside and then hurting innocent people?! Suddenly, anger flared up in me, and as I was huffing, I froze.

“…….”

Back then, why did I naturally empathize with the person in power while reading? In reality, I’m much closer to the murdered commoner than the protagonist. I realized it as I pulled out another book.

It was because it was someone else’s problem—because I lived in a comfortable world without a class system.

But now, it’s no longer someone else’s problem. That’s why I finally began to empathize with that commoner. I really am a piece of work. I sighed as I pulled out the last book, feeling a gaze on me. I looked up. Zeno was staring at me intently and mouthed something.

What is he saying? Just as I thought that, Zeno grabbed my wrist. Wait, what is this now? My body stiffened at the sudden warmth, and Zeno began to write letters on my palm with his finger.

「Is something wrong?」

Ah. Belatedly, I touched my face. I’m the type who can’t control my expressions when I’m lost in thought. My face changes second by second depending on what I’m thinking. It was a truly fatal flaw.

A noble has to be different on the inside and outside to survive, but since I’m the same on both, I’m doomed. And I have no patience, no wit, I’m narrow-minded, stupid… I was unconsciously listing my flaws when I shook my head. This time, I wrote letters on Zeno’s palm with my finger.

「I’m fine.」

After writing that, I looked up at Zeno and beamed a smile. Zeno’s eyes momentarily widened.

Now, let’s hurry up, borrow the books, and head back. I loaded a cart full of books and handed my card to the librarian.

Zeno and I decided to split the books in half to find materials. I’m the leader, so I should do a bit more, right? With that thought, I intentionally picked the thickest books for my cart, but at some point, Zeno took a few of the thick ones and replaced them with thinner ones.

I hurriedly called out to Zeno as he walked away with the books.

“Um, the cart…!”

“I don’t need it.”

Zeno headed toward the dorm perfectly fine, even while carrying a mountain of heavy books.

That’s strange. He’s in General Studies, but he’s strong enough to smack someone in the Swordsmanship Faculty. Why did he enter General Studies? I stared at Zeno with questioning eyes before hurriedly pulling my cart. As we entered the dormitory, three passages greeted us.

On the right was a passage with a red carpet symbolizing the Swordsmanship Faculty; in the middle was a passage with a green carpet symbolizing General Studies; and on the left was a hallway with a blue carpet symbolizing the Magic Faculty. Looking at this, most people would think, “Ah, I shouldn’t enter the other faculties’ dorms,” but there is no such rule.

My friends freely come into the General Studies dorm to meet me, and I often go to theirs. You just shouldn’t go too late at night.

However, the Swordsmanship Faculty and Magic Faculty members never go to each other’s dorms. I don’t know the exact reason, but I heard they’ve been on bad terms since the school was founded. That’s why the General Studies dorm was intentionally placed in the middle. Because if they were next to each other, they’d fight.