A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Despite the various mishaps during the midterm exam, there were no direct repercussions for me.

I couldn't be held responsible for the limitation of the right to attack since it was the professors who initiated it, and frankly, I wasn't concerned about any ripple effects that might arise.

I was prepared for a scolding from Rize, with whom I share my living quarters, but instead of chastising me, she actually praised me, saying Chaos was pleased with my actions.

In fact, my faith had soared just from the midterm exam. The last time I checked, it had reached a high of 34.

No matter one's origin in the Soul World, faith is typically fixed at 10 and is difficult to increase.

Yet now my faith surpassing 30 signifies quite a high level.

‘The catch is there's nowhere to use it.'

Usually, when faith increases, each order benefits differently.

Gulak naturally gains enhanced attack capabilities through lightning, and Gaia gains increased healing and defensive abilities.

However, Chaos is a bit different. The higher the faith, the lower the chance of Chaos causing mischief.

While normally troublesome, Chaos proves dependable in critical moments, though it's a bit of a gray area.

Nonetheless, it's never bad to have high stats. And with Rize by my side, I can afford to take things slowly.

"Is it good?"

"Yeah, it's tasty."

"That’s good. Seems you have quite a liking for chocolate."

For now, let’s start with the dessert. I joyfully dug into the pile of chocolate ice cream before me.

Kara has said I could eat as much as I want as payment for the exam, so I plan to indulge to the fullest today.

One might wonder if I'm not embarrassed, but actually, Kara dislikes when people are too conscious around her.

In the Soul World, she'd grumble about how being overly considerate created discomfort between us.

Given her open and generous nature, it's much better to eat whatever I want.

"You might get diabetes if you eat like that… don't indulge him too much."

Certainly, Kara and I weren't the only ones enjoying a sweet feast, as she, out of guilt, had bought some for Grace as well.

Yeonhwa was supposed to join us, but she adamantly declined, citing personal matters to attend to.

With a major figure from the Hwan Empire soon to enroll, she’s likely caught up in preparations.

"Diabetes, you mean the condition where eating too much sweet stuff causes all sorts of illnesses?"

"Yes, you're well informed."

"Up until a few years ago, it was a common endemic in our country. After Tatars was founded, all sorts of sweet stuff spread far and wide, didn't it?"

"Ah, now that you mention it, that's true."

Tatars is modeled after ancient Egypt, so its cuisine is similar to that region's.

The Middle East on Earth has desserts known for being teeth-achingly sweet, and Tatars is famous for all its desserts being rich in sugar.

They're great for replenishing calories in hot weather and provide abundant nutrients, which makes them frequently supplied to the military—or so I heard.

"Did you know our country invented chocolate?"

"Really? That's news to me. Doesn’t the ingredient for chocolate come from a different region?"

"Our region can grow it too."

‘They sweeten every dish.' That phrase encapsulates the food culture of Tatars.

You would think diabetes patients would be overflowing, yet surprisingly, there are hardly any.

This is partly because the pancreas is incredibly robust, but also because medical advancements allow for management of the condition.

Once you get diabetes, however, relentless management is the only way. No matter how fantastical the world is, if something is incurable, it remains so.

"Ugh…"

Maybe it's because I've been shoveling in ice cream without stop. As I listened to Kara's explanation, my head started throbbing with what felt like it could split open.

As I held my head and murmured in discomfort, Kara chuckled and advised me softly.

"Take it easy. Today, Your sister here will buy everything for you."

"Sister? Is Sivar about the same age as us?"

Kara's self-reference as ‘sister' puzzled Grace, who looked on with rounded eyes.

Kara often displayed the robust demeanor of a dependable older sister, so it wasn't out of place. She's indeed about two years older than most other students.

Considering my actual age, I would be her peer, but given the dignified image I've presented, it's been smoothly overlooked.

"Who knows? But judging by his face, isn't he similar to you guys?"

"Hmm…"

Grace studied my face intently upon Kara's remark. Her sharp gaze dissected my visage.

I stared back, and she, perhaps embarrassed, quickly turned away with a slightly flushed face.

Then, with a fake cough, she affirmatively responded to Kara's earlier statement.

"That could be true. When he first arrived, he had grown a long beard, so I thought he was older."

"A beard on that face… it would be odd. But I think it would still look cute."

Accompanying her comment with a stroke of my hair, Kara's touch felt naturally comfortable now.

Grace, observing our interactions, seemed to have a realization of her own, her expression complex.

It's true, such physical closeness isn't common between men and women unless they're exceptionally close.

"Kara seems extremely close to Sivar."

"Does it seem that way? I'm not so sure."

"Hmm!"

I pouted a complaint as she proceeded to pinch my cheeks.

I don't mind the occasional head pat while eating, but cheek-pinching I could do without.

Kara seemed to understand, opting not to pinch my cheeks and instead stroked my head a few times more.

"We inevitably grew close. Others don't approach me, and even when I approach, they avoid me. But not him. Regardless of approach or effort, somehow we just got close."

"There's no need to make that face. I'm well aware of the significant harm Tatars has inflicted on your people. I'm not so shameless as to ignore that."

Reading Grace's apologetic expression, Kara waved it off and reassured her.

As she said, until shortly after its foundation, Tatars had plundered nearby nations.

Given this history, it's no wonder it's spoken of disfavorably, especially with Hector even branded as ‘King of Destruction'.

"I've realized it, looking back… I was part of the problem too. It's not an apology if the victim doesn't accept it; it’s coercion."

"Coercion…"

"Right, coercion. So I'm prepared to accept the label of a barbarian. Did some research and it turns out even the Frozen people were originally barbarians, right? In time, Tatars will hopefully improve somewhat."

She seemed to have gone through significant changes in attitude over the past month—something I hadn’t witnessed even in the Soul World.

What exactly prompted such a transformation in her? I paused my ice cream scraping to gaze at Kara.

Her green eyes were misty with emotion, a faint trace of guilt recognizable as she looked at me.

I wondered what had brought on this sense of guilt, as there was no clear reason for it.

"And… I've realized how deceitful people can be. I secretly scorned civilized folk, yet I’m no different."

With a gentle touch to my face, Kara comforted me. I savored the softness of her hand, quietly returning her gaze.

Her eyes shone like jewels, a contrast to her usual rugged demeanor, presenting an unexpectedly different side.

"Well, enough of such trivial matters. Got any more questions? Take this chance to ask me anything."

Breaking the momentary awkwardness, Kara quickly shifted the topic back to her solid self.

Grace caught the change and quickly pondered on another question she might have.

There could be plenty of queries, but some thought is needed to avoid potential pitfalls.

"Kara."

"Hmm? Got something to say to me?"

"More ice cream."

For now, more ice cream would be ample.

I held out an empty bowl as I requested, and Kara looked at me incredulously.

After laughing a hollow laugh, she refused with a hint of sternness in her voice.

"Not right now, take it slow."

"Why?"

Could it be because I was eating too much? To be fair, I had indeed been indulging.

Seeing my slightly sheepish reaction, Kara gave me a sly smile and explained.

"Or else you'll quickly get sick of it. There's other stuff to try, you know."

"Other stuff?"

"Don't just stick to chocolate. Try some strawberry or vanilla. Let's see…"

Kara scanned the menu for a suitable choice. The café offered a variety of sweet treats.

Spotting something of interest, she pointed with her finger, revealing her curiosity.

"Mint chocolate? What's that? I've never seen it before."

"…"

I hardened my expression. So, such controversial offerings do exist here, too.

"That flavor tends to divide opinions. It might not suit Sivar's taste."

"He eats almost anything though, perhaps he’ll like it differently?"

"Maybe? I don't mind, so give it a shot."

And so, for the first time today, I left some food uneaten.

"Why do they say it's not tasty? Strange. Yum."

I wondered how she could stomach that.

*****

"Well, I'll be leaving now, Principal."

"Alright. Be more cautious going forward."

Creak—thud—

Delphoi bowed politely to Rod and quietly closed the door behind him.

Even after closing the door, Delphoi didn't immediately walk away; he remained silent before the door for a moment.

His fists trembled violently, and his lips were pressed so tightly they almost bled.

"Blast it!"

Behind the door, out of the Principal's earshot, Delphoi muttered curses as he began walking.

He replayed in his mind the words Rod had just said as he headed towards his research lab.

[Amidst the Academy's principles of fairness and equity, not only was the condition insufficient, but you also overstepped your authority… Such could tarnish your reputation if word spreads.]

[Where did you say you came from? Oh, that mage tower? Perhaps their headmaster…]

[If similar actions continue to be exposed, they will not be tolerated. Remember, Sivar is now officially enrolled as a student.]

He braced for the criticism, but the scathing language he encountered was more direct than expected. One could acutely feel what being dressed down by words meant.

The problem was that there was not a single comment from Rod that he could refute. Ultimately, exercising authority beyond one's domain was a fact.

Never did he expect Rod to intervene. His role was always to maintain neutrality as a breakwater.

If that breakwater was to support him, it meant his reputation could significantly decline.

"Damned barbarian!"

The memory was still vivid: Sivar indifferently snapping his wrist.

Considering how pitifully he'd fallen afterward, there was no way to suppress the anger.

But what could he do? Sivar had the support not only of Rod but also the Saintess.

He couldn't politically bury him, nor could he make the exams more challenging. If he went any further, it could actually result in his own expulsion.

"All of them…!"

Everyone seemed to dismiss him—from the wild man to Grace, who would change her charge professor if displeased, and finally, Rod himself.

Touching either the wild man or Rod could bring unpredictable outcomes. For certain, it would not just be his reputation but potentially his life at risk.

Yet, Grace was different. While her family could be a thorn, it could also be a leverage point.

He wanted to unleash his anger immediately. Grace presented the easiest target.

"Yes, it starts with that woman. Then things will naturally connect."

Grace and Sivar were quite close. Thus, they could be intertwined, strung together like sausages.

For now, it was about taking it slow, starting with one thing at a time. Delphoi wore a sardonic grin.

‘I must get to my research lab quickly.'

There wasn’t much time.

‘It’s too late for begging now.'

His mindset was, ‘slapped in Jong-ro but glaring down the perpetrator at Han River’—it was all in his approach.

Note: I don't quite understand about the last phrase means.