The class had 40 students total. So the number of people I needed to memorize... wasn't quite 40. Those who didn't feel the need to introduce themselves to me weren't wearing nametags.
After writing them all down, it turned out to be just over half. Still, around twenty names seemed like a lot to memorize.
I'd thought the varied hair colors would make it easier to remember people, but now even the colors seemed to blend together, making it increasingly difficult. I furrowed my brow and struggled to write down the names.
Whenever I forgot how to read one, Iris, who sat beside me, would carefully pronounce it for me.
"—So, the hypothesis is that Demon Gods are born when mana and consciousness gather together and begin to form a sense of self."
The professor continued lecturing enthusiastically throughout. Despite bringing a stack of papers as supposed materials, he simply distributed them to students without referring to them himself while teaching.
Perhaps such content was already engraved in his mind. I thought that not just anyone could become a professor.
Though I couldn't make out the letters, I found myself unconsciously drawn into the lecture.
"Dense mana, plus consciousness. The moment they combine and self-awareness emerges is what we consider the birth of a Demon God. That's why they possess unique powers unrestricted by the limitations of humans, Elves, or other races."
The professor hurriedly wrote something on the blackboard.
"While mana maintains its basic form, research papers show it condenses differently depending on terrain and region. Studies have revealed differences between Demon Gods born in snowy mountains versus those born in volcanoes. Their attributes differ as well."
I fixed my gaze on him, entranced as if listening to a goblin sharing tales from his treasure trove of stories.
So does that mean this body's form could be determined by where it was born?
"Professor, does that mean after establishing self-awareness, a Demon God understands its characteristics and defines itself?" a student asked after raising their hand and being acknowledged.
The professor nodded and answered, "Yes, that's correct."
The students began to stir. The first-year lecture was called "On Demon Gods," and they seemed surprised as what had started as a simple lecture was delving into deeper territory.
I had no reason to be surprised since I knew nothing from the beginning.
The discussion about Demon God origins continued at length. The professor lectured as if sharing real-time updates from research papers. While learning about Demon Gods was part of the process, I wondered what the ultimate goal might be.
Was it to exclude them because people feared them?
After the lecture ended, the professor returned to the laboratory and stretched with a groan.
"Ugh, that was tiring."
"I enjoyed it."
When I offered this comment, the professor stared at me blankly with wide eyes.
"What? Weren't you studying names again today? You were writing so diligently at first."
"...I was at first, but I found what you were saying interesting, so I just listened."
"Really? Someone was sleeping in the corner, but our Urr enjoyed my lecture?"
I had found it interesting because it related to me, but the professor seemed to interpret it differently.
Delighted, the professor suddenly stood up and slipped his hands under my armpits. Being slow to react, I stood there blankly before being lifted into the air.
"Eeeeeek!"
My legs dangled helplessly as I lost contact with the ground, but the professor spun me around once. Though he didn't look particularly strong on the outside, lifting me so easily made it immediately apparent.
After spinning me around, the professor set me down with a satisfied expression. Startled and dizzy from the spin, I grabbed a chair to keep from falling and panted heavily.
"Sorry, sorry. I was just so touched. Do you know how good it feels to have Urr say my lecture was interesting?"
I shook my head. The professor, seemingly determined to convey his feelings, rested his hand on his chin. As his blue eyes stared at me for a while, I avoided his gaze.
"...Professor?"
"Yes?"
"I'm, I'm hungry."
I looked for an escape before the professor could choose some strange way to express himself. Since morning lectures were over, I suggested we eat, and the professor nodded in agreement.
"Great, today let's eat whatever Urr wants."
One mountain after another. I found myself in another situation where I had to choose a menu. Since I'd never particularly wanted anything specific, being asked what I "wanted to eat" left me at a loss.
If I had something I wanted, there'd be no dilemma, but since anything was fine with me, I wondered what the professor might enjoy eating.
"How about pasta?"
"Pasta? Pasta sounds good."
What did the professor enjoy eating? After squeezing my eyes shut in thought, I tentatively made a suggestion. Pleased with my menu choice, the professor smiled and returned to his desk.
He picked up a tablet and extended his hand to me, indicating I should take it.
"But why are you bringing that?"
As I took his hand, I asked casually, and the professor shook his head and slumped his shoulders as if to say "don't even ask."
"Sigh, after taking you around to meet people last week, rumors spread, and I got tons of emails asking if more lectures would be added."
"...What?"
"They're all applying because they want to see Urr. Some look ready to barge into my lab and bow down to you."
The professor showed me the tablet with its screen still off.
I felt strange. It seemed everyone at the Academy now recognized the names "Urr" and "Demon God." I experienced both the thrill of becoming famous and the creepiness of everyone requesting additional lectures just to see me.
I shuddered, and the professor, feeling the vibration through my hand, looked at me in surprise.
"What, did you just shiver, Urr?"
"..."
Finding my shudder amusing, the professor chuckled and gently swung my hand. Feeling embarrassed, I let my body follow the movement of his hand.
My powerless arm swung back and forth.
There were many restaurants near the Academy. Most catered to students, offering good value for money. People were even lining up at that kimbap place over there.
The restaurant the professor took me to along that street looked quite atmospheric. Not exactly upscale, but a stylish Western restaurant seemingly targeting female students.
"What would you like to eat? Want to read the menu today too?"
"Is that okay?"
Reading the menu took quite a while, so I felt self-conscious, but if the professor offered first, I had no reason to decline.
The professor briefly taught me the letters, not just the menu names but also what ingredients were used and what flavors to expect.
Nodding along, I suddenly felt like eating something spicy and chose arrabbiata. The professor said he wanted something creamy and selected alfredo pasta.
"...Alfredo?"
"Think of it as cream pasta. We've had it before."
It still felt unfamiliar no matter how many times I heard it. I had thought all cream pastas were carbonara.
At the professor's suggestion that we needed something to accompany our meal, four slices of cut baguette were added. They would definitely taste good dipped in pasta sauce.
I picked up my fork as the ordered pasta was placed before us. The professor used a fork, while I also employed a spoon. As I twirled the pasta with a clatter, the professor quietly observed me.
"Should we have ordered drinks too?"
"Ade?"
"Ade."
When I tilted my head, the professor nodded. Assuming we'd reached an understanding, he asked the server for two glasses of ade.
I filled one cheek with pasta and chewed. It had been so long since I'd tasted something this spicy. I closed my eyes to savor it, but my mouth seemed unable to handle it.
"...!"
"What, what's wrong?"
The professor was startled by my suddenly changed expression. Ignoring the confused professor, I reached out and sucked the ade through the straw, which finally neutralized the spiciness. My face briefly contorted from the carbonation that followed.
"Whew."
"...Was it hot?"
"Spicy, it's spicy!"
"It was spicy?"
I stuck out my tongue slightly and inhaled with a "hss."
I'd forgotten that while my memories made me crave spicy food, it was my body that had to handle the spiciness.
I groaned and glanced at the pasta in front of me.
According to the professor, they'd added peperoncino, but I wondered if they'd used too much. If I'd known, I would have ordered the Alf-whatever cream pasta like the professor.
"...Sip."
"Urr, would you like some of this?"
"..."
I hesitated momentarily. It didn't seem right to take what the professor had wanted to eat. But looking at the arrabbiata in front of me, I couldn't bring myself to continue, so I tentatively reached out.
"J-just a little, please..."
"Sure, sure. Have plenty."
The professor served me generously, knowing I wouldn't get full no matter how much I ate.