A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Crash (2)

***

Just so you know, I am well aware of my own limits.

No matter how much I struggle, I can’t win against Rize; I’ll end up getting beaten like a dog on a hot day.

er than Rod.

So, it’s merely ‘sparring’—I have no intention of winning for real. I don’t want Rize to teach me manners.

Besides, excluding Rod and Rize, there’s no one else who can take my attacks seriously.

‘I have some things to experiment with.’

Primarily, my combat style. Up until now, I only used Ragnarok, but now I have two weapons.

Even if I have to return one eventually, I plan to make good use of it until then. It will take a while anyway.

“Why don’t you reconsider? You got beaten up badly by The Principal last time.”

“It’s fine. I’ll be respectful.”

“If it’s about that, then okay…”

Kara was worried when I said I would spar with Rize.

Probably because of the time I was beaten up by Rod. It did hurt a lot then.

But today is different. I need to check my combat style and test something.

If it works, it could synergize incredibly well with my overwhelming regenerative powers.

For that, sparring with Rize is essential. I’ve said it many times, but I hate pain.

“Just don’t overdo it. It’s just sparring today, got it?”

“Yes.”

“You sure talk big.”

Kara chuckled at my repeated affirmations. She seemed to think I was incorrigible.

Eventually, we returned to my dorm where Rize and Luna were training.

Normally, it’s strictly forbidden for students, especially of the opposite sex, to visit each other’s dorms.

But thanks to Rize, I can enter. It’s limited to acquaintances, but that’s enough.

“Hiyah!”

The moment I opened the door, a powerful shout echoed. No surprise who it belonged to.

Looking inside, I saw Luna training hard.

As usual, Rize, in her Holy Warrior mode, was comfortably perched on her back.

With her arms crossed, she looked quite dignified.

“…Does she always train like that?”

“Yes, consistently.”

“No wonder she struggles every morning.”

Seeing Luna’s training, Kara finally understood the situation.

She probably won’t mind Luna’s ramblings about the Chaos anymore.

I quietly approached the pair training together. Rize glanced at me briefly before speaking to Luna again.

“There are still five more left. Keep going.”

“Ugh…”

Seeing the sweat pooling on the floor, it was clear they had been at it for a while. Either that or the intensity had increased.

When Rize noticed signs of Luna’s growth, she would drastically increase the difficulty every week. Today was no exception.

Initially, it was the Holy Warrior form, not the Holy Warrior form, that Rize used for training. She planned to continue in this manner for the time being.

Anyway, I needed to say what I had to say. I boldly approached Rize and called out.

“Rize.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Let’s fight.”

“Ugh!”

Thud!

Why did Luna collapse when I spoke to Rize?

The moment I challenged Rize, Luna’s arms gave out.

She seemed to be out of strength, but that’s not my concern. Rize is what matters now.

“Let’s fight… Are you asking for a spar?”

“Yes.”

“Interesting. Brother Sivar requesting a spar, huh.”

Rize agreed. So far, I had only done what she told me, feeling overwhelmed by her presence.

But today is different. Not only did I get a new weapon, but I also wanted to try something.

If it works, it will astonish even Rize. Of course, I also plan to practice my skills.

“There’s still some left. Get up.”

“I can’t…”

“Hmm. Alright. We’ll stop here for today. We’ll continue the same way next week.”

Rize conceded, confirming Luna wasn’t faking it. Even after Rize got off her back, Luna lay there for a while.

“Shall we go right away?”

“Yes. Let’s go.”

“What about Luna?”

Kara pointed to the collapsed Luna. Rize also looked at Luna.

Luna lay there, breathing steadily, but moving seemed difficult.

“I’ll… go.”

Even though her body was exhausted, she still had the energy to talk. Hearing our conversation, Luna answered with difficulty.

Seeing her manage h.

“You don’t have to come. You can stay here and rest if you’re tired.”

“No… If someone comes in while I’m alone…”

Luna’s concern seemed to be this: What if someone came in while she was alone in my room?

It made sense, so Rize agreed. She told her to go shower first.

“Is she really going to shower here?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…”

Kara made a strange face at the thought of Luna showering in my room.

There’s no need for any misunderstandings. It’s just a shower before heading back to the dorm.

Luna was too exhausted to even lift a finger. I heard she falls asleep the moment she lies down.

Poof!

“All done…”

“Alright, let’s go. Since it’s a spar, we’ll head to the forest.”

Rize returned to her Holy Warrior form for the sake of appearances. This form was eye-catching in different ways.

She probably wanted to stay in her Holy Warrior form. But as a Holy Warrior at the academy, she had to be mindful of appearances.

We soon headed to the forest we were using as a sparring ground. I made sure to grab Ragnarok before we left.

Holding a large axe in each hand gave me a true barbarian feel.

“Kara.”

“Hmm?”

“Why did Sivar request a spar? I don’t get it.”

Luna asked Kara as we walked. She whispered so quietly, thinking I couldn’t hear.

Does she not know about my excellent hearing? I focused on her conversation.

“Why whisper? He can hear you anyway. Right?”

“Yes.”

“Uh…”

There was no need for that. Kara openly revealed it.

Luna seemed bewildered at my answer and awkwardly laughed.

Then she spoke confidently without any hesitation.

“Is he planning to get beaten up again? He got beaten by The Principal last time.”

“…”

You should prepare to get beaten yourself. Can’t someone shut her mouth?

While I was inwardly dumbfounded, Kara spoke in a similarly perplexed voice.

“You really are… all or nothing, huh? How can you say such outrageous things?”

“What do you mean?”

“Never mind. I don’t know either. Sivar just suddenly said he’d spar.”

Luna blinked, seemingly unaware of her mistake. I’ll let it slide because she’s cute.

Moreover, Luna’s choice of words leads to misunderstandings, but she doesn’t hurt anyone’s feelings. That’s a relief.

“Hmm… I see. So, that axe is made from Usk’s blade tusks, right?”

“Yes. Want to see it?”

“Yes!”

She must really want it, judging by her bright response. Soon, she’ll check the item herself.

Luna took the Usk curved sword from Kara and examined it closely.

Her sapphire-like blue eyes sparkled as she inspected the item’s abilities.

“…Sister.”

“How is it? Nice, right?”

“I made a lot of money from stocks recently. Can you sell this to me?”

“…”

Her mouth is truly incredible. She always says the most unexpected things.

Kara, probably finding it just as absurd, chuckled and silently took back the curved sword.

After sheathed the sword in her belt, she quietly put her arm around Luna’s head.

Squeeze!

“Eek!”

“You’re so cute. Trying to get something for free?”

“It hurts!”

“It’s supposed to.”

Luna, trapped in Kara’s headlock, struggled to break free.

But having exhausted herself in training, she had no strength left. Kara seemed to know this and applied little force.

“If you want it, ask Sivar. He might give it to you since it’s your request.”

Kara joked after releasing Luna. It wasn’t just a joke; she knew a double-edged sword was already ordered.

Kara probably wanted to see Luna’s reaction. I was curious about her response too.

“No. I want it as a gift, like you. That’s why I’m getting stronger.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I can’t tell you. It’s a matter of pride.”

It is a matter of pride. Kara said she wouldn’t even dream of getting a weapon unless she became as strong as her.

Of course, Kara wouldn’t know that. She looked at Luna curiously, then shrugged.

“Do what you want. Sivar will decide.”

“What should I do to get strong quickly, like you?”

“Real combat, what else? I’ve been cutting people with swords since I was 13.”

“That’s a bit…”

She probably witnessed all sorts of scenes beyond cutting people. It’s the fate of nomads in this era.

Even Hector must have realized it was wrong after founding Tatars. That’s why he’s floundering now.

It took Kara a long time to understand that. But I’ve seen her grow mentally recently.

If she reunites with her father, they’ll probably have a deep conversation.

“This place should do.”

We soon found a suitable place for sparring.

It wasn’t a familiar spot, as it seemed to be outside my territory.

Boom!

“So, can I ask why you requested this spar?”

Rize, back in her Holy Warrior form, asked me. Just facing her felt like an immense pressure.

It would be strange not to feel pressured facing this muscle-bound figure. But I had to do what I had to do.

“Berserk.”

“You want to train berserk mode?”

“I’ll use it.”

What I wanted was to control berserk mode freely. Establishing my combat style comes after that.

If this experiment succeeds… I’ll gain a powerful ability.

Though my stamina and regenerative power will be heavily depleted, it’s fine. Rize would manage it well.

“Understood. Then…”

Swoosh!

Rize didn’t hesitate and approached me instantly. I felt my hair stand on end.

Her giant fist flew towards my face. My wild instincts screamed.

Dodge now. If you don’t, you’ll die.

Whoosh!

Of course, I didn’t dodge. I watched the fist come towards me.

Even as ‘death’ was imprinted in my mind, I stood firm. I felt my rationality slipping away.

[Berserk activated!]

Faced with such a clear death, berserk mode activated. And with it, Rize’s fist stopped abruptly.

Last time, I couldn’t even react, but this time was different. I clearly saw her fist as I awaited death.

Though the result was the same, the subsequent events would be different. It begins the moment Rize withdraws her fist.

“How is it? Now…”

Swoosh!

As soon as Rize withdrew her fist, I swung the Usk axe in my left hand from below.

Though my rationality flickered, the swing was entirely my will.

“It begins.”

Naturally, Rize easily dodged my attack. The fist she had slowly withdrawn was suddenly gone.

I clung to my rationality while maintaining berserk mode. My chest felt like it would explode.

If I let it explode, I’d lose all rationality. I’d wake up in my bed.

“Phew…”

“There’s a saying: keep your chest hot and your head cold.”

I know. Hearing that, I charged forward, raising both arms.

Holding axes in each hand left many gaps.

Rize seemed to prepare to counterattack, standing still.

And then…

Whack!

Rize’s fist landed squarely on my face. A fist so large it almost blocked my vision.

Normally, I’d flinch at this punch. But I didn’t show any sign of it.

Swoosh!

Even with Rize’s fist in my face, I swung the raised axe down. Rize quickly withdrew her fist and stepped back.

I rushed forward without showing any pain. All my rationality was focused on suppressing berserk mode, so I fought instinctively.

Whack! Whack!

Every time I attacked, Rize’s fists landed all over my body. But strangely, I didn’t flinch.

Rize, noticing this, asked in disbelief.

“Could it be…”

My experiment was a success.

“Do you not feel pain?”

I nodded silently.

With my regenerative powers and stamina, it’s a viable tactic. Most people couldn’t even attempt it.

‘But is it okay to fight without intelligence?’

I don’t know. Let’s just fight.

End of Chapter