Could it be because of my past life as a novelist?
As soon as I faced a master of literary theory, a strange tremor passed through me.
I barely had time to think that coming to the Royal Academy was the right choice before Middleton opened his mouth.
"I was impressed by the discussion. You explained the relationship between the work and the writer quite clearly."
"Ah, yes."
"You seem to have a deep interest in the arts."
I nodded.
"There are various fields in the arts…"
"I like literature the most."
A spark of interest appeared in his eyes at my words.
"I expected you to say you liked art the most."
Why did he suddenly mention art?
Could it be because I discovered Leonardo da Vinci's unpublished work?
I had mentioned it in my entrance interview, so it wouldn't be surprising if it reached the principal's ears.
Anyway.
"I do like art, but I find literature the most comfortable."
"And by literature?"
"Reading and writing, together."
"Hoho."
It seemed that the word 'writing' particularly caught Middleton's attention.
"What kind of writing do you usually do?"
"Mostly novels."
"Short stories? Novels?"
"I don't set a specific length."
"…Then?"
"If I follow the flow of the story faithfully, the volume naturally forms itself."
"You focus solely on the act of writing…"
Middleton muttered to himself as if summarizing my words.
"If you follow the process properly, the result of a novel naturally follows, is that what you mean?"
"Yes, something like that."
He looked at me with interest.
"If I get the chance, I'd like to read one of your novels."
It might have been just a polite remark. But still…
'The greatest mind of our time wants to read my writing?'
An opportunity unimaginable in my past life.
Gulp.
I swallowed and spoke.
"I do have a book translated into English, but it might be hard to find in British bookstores…"
"You've published a book, Ji-hoon?"
"It's not as impressive as you think."
"Publishing a novel collection at seventeen isn't impressive?"
"Ah, well… It was self-published through my own company."
This is the Royal Academy, after all.
A place where wealthy people from all over the world gather.
Perhaps that's why, despite his initial look of surprise, he soon seemed to understand.
"Hmm."
It didn't seem like a huge deal to him.
"Did you create the company just to publish your book?"
"No. Initially, I founded it to support struggling artists."
"...?"
"Nowadays, I'm focused on contacting foreign authors who are relatively unknown in Korea and introducing them to readers."
"You must need a lot of talented staff."
"It would be nice, but it's still more of a hobby at this point."
"So, it's practically a one-person publishing house?"
"Yes. I handle most of the work myself, from selecting books to assigning translators."
I added,
"I was also the one to first introduce Professor Middleton's book to Korea."
"...!"
"I even invited a researcher who was directly mentored by you to do the translation."
"I don't think I have any Korean students, though?"
"He's British. His name is James, a Ph.D. in Literature from Oxford who now specializes in East Asian literature…"
"Ah, are you talking about Bernard from East Asia? Tall guy…"
"The one with the large glasses barely hanging on his nose."
"Yes, that's him, that's him."
Middleton jumped with joy, as if he had just met his student in person.
Sure enough, he asked about his student's recent activities with a cheerful face.
"He's currently based at Keio University in Japan. Since he can translate literature from Korea, China, and Japan, he's playing a very important role in East Asia."
"Indeed, that guy always had an extraordinary linguistic sense. Not just because he was my student…"
Middleton went on for quite some time, boasting about his student.
It was as if his student's success was his greatest source of pride.
"Having Bernard handle the translation was an excellent choice. Absolutely. There are few who have followed my work as faithfully as Bernard has."
After this lengthy display of pride, he finally said:
"Oh dear, it seems I've taken up all of Ji-hoon's break time with my questions. You probably need to use the restroom as well…"
"It's alright."
He soon stood up and said,
"I really hope I get to read the novel you wrote, Ji-hoon."
"Yes, I'll make sure…"
"You said it was translated and published, right? Then I can find it myself."
Middleton smiled warmly and gave me a pat on the shoulder.
Because of that, I stood up and bowed my head.
As Professor Middleton walked back toward the podium,
Whispers spread through the crowd.
The students' attention was focused on me.
Even the older alumni couldn't help but glance my way.
It was a natural reaction.
Not only had I spoken my thoughts clearly during the debate, but I had also spent a considerable amount of time alone with the principal during the break.
It's bound to stir feelings of envy or resentment.
But there was no reason for me to be conceited.
The debate topic was 'art,' my area of expertise.
Moreover, it was a day that made me painfully aware of my shortcomings in English.
'I've got a lot to prepare.'
As these thoughts ran through my mind,
The moderator picked up the microphone, signaling the end of the break.
"We are about to announce the students who have been assigned to a class. Those whose names are called may go home after receiving an explanation of the school rules."
A moment later,
As they announced that I was the only one assigned to a top class,
"It's unfair!"
Julian shouted, rising from his seat.
The moderator calmly provided an explanation.
"The class assignment process is not over yet. Only one person has been confirmed from the first debate, and the second and third debates will continue…"
Despite the explanation, Julian looked far from satisfied.
Regardless,
Step step
I was already walking out of the debate hall, just as the moderator had said.
Of course, protests continued behind me.
"I expressed my opinions without a single hesitation. How can I not be placed in the top class?"
Then, Professor Middleton took the microphone.
Instead of rebuking Julian, he addressed the students.
"Your classmate is questioning the fairness of the scoring. This could be an interesting topic for discussion. Does anyone wish to express their opinion freely?"
Julian was someone who showed an obsessive attachment to school life.
Perhaps that's why.
Most of the other students seemed unwilling to get involved with him.
Except for one person.
Only Olivia raised her hand confidently.
Her leather jacket creased stylishly as she did.
Without a microphone, she spoke up.
"He just talked a lot, but his debate strategy was awful."
"What do you mean by 'debate strategy'?"
"In a debate, the best strategy is to lead the discussion. The second-best option is to oppose the leader's opinion. If neither is possible, it's better to remain silent."
"Like Olivia did?"
She nodded.
"But Julian neither led the discussion nor opposed it effectively. He merely agreed with the seniors' opinions. That's the problem."
"Hoho."
"The worst strategy is 'agreeing.' It's like volunteering to be an insignificant presence. As proof, does anyone remember a single thing Julian said?"
Naturally, no one spoke up.
"On the other hand, everyone still remembers the example about how denying gravity because of Newton's moral failings would be absurd."
In other words, I had led the discussion, while Julian had simply followed others.
She was right, but hearing such a blunt compliment made me feel a bit self-conscious.
'I'd better get out of here quickly.'
And so, I hurriedly left the lecture hall.
***
After the third debate ended, the moderator picked up the microphone.
Several typical British names were called one after the other.
"And finally, Olivia. That concludes the top-class assignments."
She managed to get in.
Phew.
Olivia let out a sigh of relief as she stood up.
She hadn't given much thought to the whole thing.
After all, it was just high school.
What did class assignments really matter?
But suddenly, her mindset had shifted.
After putting in extra effort at the last minute, she barely made it into the top class.
'Well, that's good enough.'
As she walked out of the lecture hall,
There was a lively commotion.
A few familiar faces were making a scene in the hallway, loudly talking as if they wanted everyone to hear.
"No way he was good enough to pass the first round alone."
"Exactly."
"Doesn't it seem strange? The principal just happened to walk in right before his turn…"
"I heard he got in because the Queen recommended him. So, of course, the principal came to take special care of him. Who knows? Maybe they even gave him the questions in advance."
"Yeah, it was so ridiculous to see the two of them chatting like that out in the open earlier."
Olivia shot a fierce glare at the two people gossiping.
Her gaze was so intense that they both turned toward her, startled.
"Pathetic."
Her voice was full of contempt.
The bigger one stood up.
"Are you talking to me?"
"So what if I am?"
"How dare you say that to my face…"
"Saying it to your face is more gentlemanly, isn't it?"
"...!"
"I don't talk behind people's backs like a coward. If I want to insult someone, I do it directly. Like now."
And she wasn't done.
"What's the matter? Are you badmouthing others in secret, hoping it'll somehow get you an opportunity?"
She shook her head in disbelief.
"Wow, you're so optimistic. Your life must be all sunshine and rainbows."
Just as she adjusted her leather jacket, as if she was done dealing with them, the big guy seemed unwilling to let her go that easily.
Sure enough, he grabbed her sleeve, but the moment Olivia raised her elbow as if she had been waiting for it—
"Things are getting too noisy."
A voice came from the entrance to the lecture hall.
It was Principal Middleton.
"The class assignments aren't finished yet. Some students are still preparing for the next debate, so could you please keep it quiet?"
At the principal's words, the two guys exaggeratedly bowed their heads.
As if they hadn't just been gossiping.
'Ugh.'
Go ahead and live like that forever.
But Olivia didn't care about them at all.
Click, clack.
She just continued to walk down the long hallway, her steps echoing as she went.