A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

“It’s okay. It’s okay. That person won’t harm you. So calm down.” 

After a brief incident passed, Ellie gently comforted me. It was like a trainer handling a startled wild animal. 

Well, I can’t deny that my reaction just now was quite similar to that of a wild animal. Having spent too long in the wild, I instinctively react when someone approaches me from behind. 

Usually, I can sense someone’s presence, but just now, I let my guard down. I guess it’s because this is civilization, not the wilderness. 

I can suppress desires and impulses, but this is difficult. It’s more like a kind of trauma than instinct.

“I told you not to play around like that. He’s more sensitive because he’s been living in the wild.” 

“It reminds me of when I reacted the same way and ended up with a broken wrist.” 

“When will you ever mature?” 

Normally, I would have responded harshly, but it’s not the case at all. All the professors scolded the man with narrow eyes, and he seemed to know that he was at fault, showing a remorseful expression. 

“I’m sorry. I got carried away by curiosity…”

Scratching his head, the man laughed lightheartedly. The professors only stared at him with displeased expressions. 

The professors don’t dislike him. It’s just that they don’t appreciate his naive behavior. Most people with practical experience have similar traumas. 

Reacting oversensitively when someone approaches silently from behind, without even realizing it. 

The professors criticized the man’s actions because each of them has their own traumas. 

On the other hand, Professor Narrow Eyes, who focused mainly on theory and studying, lacked a bit of that consideration.

‘But he’s nice though.’

The man with gray hair and narrow eyes was Godin Ereves.

At first glance, he may seem ominous and inscrutable, like a black curtain. Having narrow eyes was his distinctive feature, if you can call it that. 

(TL: Black curtain is a korean name for a hidden mastermind/villain)

But that’s not the case. On the contrary, it’s the opposite. 

Even if you show just a little kindness, he rewards it with more than words can express. He could even be called a “Hogu(pushover)”. 

Furthermore, the magic he will invent in the future will be hailed as a greatest achievement for humanity.

In the final boss battle, the difficulty level will drop to a manageable level depending on the presence of his magic. 

However, the process of inventing magic was incredibly gloomy. Especially when certain incidents occurred, he would take the blame for everything. 

‘It was another incident caused by a different magic professor, right?’

As far as I remember, Godin’s evaluation within the academy was quite favorable. 

Despite his ominous appearance, he became a professor at the academy based solely on his theoretical skills. 

He can use magic, but the problem lies in the fact that its power and efficiency were similar to that of ordinary students. 

Nevertheless, he was able to invent magic that rivaled the exceptional ones due to his temperament. 

“Now that the situation has calmed down to some extent, let’s decide how to deal with this man, with all the duty officers present.” 

When the situation settled down to some extent, Professor Yeonhwa, a professor from the Hwan Empire, clapped her hands and drew everyone’s attention.

Starting with Yeonhwa, Malboro was the first to speak.

“The only thing we know for sure is the name, Sivar. And that he has lived in the wild. He can’t speak or write, but he can communicate to some extent.”

“You’ve brought a really difficult situation upon us. Did you say it’s because humans should live like humans?”

Serah asked Ellie in her characteristic cynical voice.

Seems like she conveyed the general situation while I was washing up.

“I agree with that statement, but responsibility is a separate issue. I trust you understand what I mean.”

“Well, that’s why I wanted to teach him how to read and write!”

Ellie spoke urgently, aware that things were not going well.

But Serah was painfully realistic. Not only her, but most people from her country were like that.

“Do you seriously think he can stay in the same room? That’s absolutely impossible. It’s too dangerous, as you just witnessed. Plus, you’re of different genders.”

“I don’t think Sivar would attack me or anything…”

As she said that, she stroked the Porori she was wearing. It’s true that he would protect her if I were to attack her.

But only Luna and Ellie knew that the Porori was a divine beast. To other professors, it was just a large squirrel.

“You’re being too optimistic. Even if we set that aside, there are too many dangerous aspects.”

“I agree, student Ellie. This is not a matter of right or wrong. We have to face reality.”

Every time Yeonhwa, who used to bicker with Serah, intervened, in my heart, I wanted to appeal, “I’m an innocent being.” 

Of course, it probably wouldn’t mean much. 

Even if it’s because of the issue of ethics, living together with Ellie was impossible. 

Even people raised in civilization would struggle in the midst of sexual desire. How much more so for a wild person. 

It felt strange for me to say such things, but the situation was exactly like that.

“…Then who will teach him? I can teach him myself.” 

“What’s Ellie’s major?” 

“Alchemy.” 

“Alchemy has many theories to memorize. Do you have time to teach someone?”

The student should act like a student. Although Godin said something like an old man, she couldn’t refute it.

What I urgently needed right now was a “guardian.” Since I didn’t know where I might get into trouble, I always needed to be accompanied by a guardian.

A student would be busy studying and training, and the professors were no different. There was simply no one who could be a guardian.

Even if I could spend a day or so in the professors’ dormitory, the problem lies in what happens after that.

“Or maybe I can…”

“Luna is the top student, but that won’t work.”

“I can protect myself.”

“If you can kill a Manki within 5 seconds, then go ahead.”

“…”

In the middle of it, Luna quietly interjected, but she was immediately stopped by Yeonhwa.

It was a challenging situation where no sharp solution emerged.

“Professor Malboro! The principal’s office contacted us!”

An administrative staff member who delivered the news. That there was a contact from the school principal’s office.

Upon hearing those words, the attention of the professors and others shifted in that direction. Malboro, who was the duty professor, was the first to ask.

“What did the principal say?”

“The principal instructed us to temporarily bring in that barbarian… no, the man into the principal’s office. They said they will consider the treatment afterward…”

“I have a bad feeling about this…”

At Godin’s words, everyone remained silent. Implicitly, they all agreed.

Well, that’s because the principal of United Academy was famous for being eccentric.

Even though he lived a casual life, he was an untouchable figure. The academy principal was precisely that kind of person. 

Not only was he formidable, but his reputation was ridiculously high, making it difficult to approach him easily.

The only downside was that there was no one who could restrain him when he acted on his own whims. This was a reason why the professors felt anxious.

“…First, let’s go to the principal’s office. Since they said it’s temporary, it must be there, not in the main building. Does anyone want to come along?” 

“Since Malboro is on duty, I’ll go. Are the others going back?” 

Malboro will stay here, and Yeonhwa will take over in his place. After her question, Sarah was the first to speak. Her chilly tone was quite impressive. 

“I’ll stay here and just hear the results. It doesn’t seem necessary for everyone to gather together.” 

“I’ll also just hear the results.” 

“Is it because everyone feels burdened by the principal?”

At Yeonhwa’s direct question, Sarah and Godin subtly avoided eye contact. That’s how burdensome the principal seemed to be. Yeonhwa looked at them with a contemptuous expression. 

“Alright, enough talking. We don’t have time, so let’s go now. Students, come along too.” 

“Understood.” 

“Yes, yes! Sivar, you come too.”

After Ellie pointed to herself, she took a step forward. As soon as she took a step, I quietly followed behind her. 

Observing our actions, Yeonhwa commented, feeling strange. 

“You listen to commands surprisingly well, almost as if you can understand the language. Do you really understand what we’re saying?” 

“Maybe it’s because he recognizes us as the same kind? Earlier, with Professor Godin he also reacted harshly, but after that, he stayed quiet.” 

“That could be it.”

Go ahead and talk as you please. I’ll only move my two legs.

While Ellie and Yeonhwa chatted with each other, Luna occasionally glanced at me but didn’t participate in the conversation.

It seemed as if she wanted to say something, judging by the way her mouth twitched. It was a reaction that conveyed a strong desire to speak.

Then she turned her gaze forward, as if giving up. It seemed like she was waiting for a time when I could speak.

“By the way, who is the principal? I couldn’t tell just from the speech at the entrance ceremony.”

There was a separate building for the principal’s office, not in the administration building. While we were on our way there, Ellie asked a question.

Yeonhwa made a complex expression in response to that question and explained in an embarrassed voice.

“First of all, do you know what title the principal holds?”

“The Sword Saint.”

“That’s right. The person who possesses an ability that no one can match when it comes to the sword. Even the professors at the United Academy won’t stand a chance against him.”

So there was such a setting, indeed. The principal’s ability is truly remarkable.

Within the Soul World, there were various titles, and the highest rank was “Saint”.

(TL: can also mean “Star”, “Celestial” or “Heavenly body”. Will change as fitting later.)

It’s not something you could easily obtain like in a fantasy . It was incredibly difficult, to the point of being deadly.

How difficult is it? To put it in perspective, it’s easier to reach the final boss battle at Level 1 than to obtain that title.

‘I heard that even the attack patterns were extremely challenging, as it represented the pinnacle of a technique.’

Vaguely recalling, that seems to be the case. It was the pinnacle of a technique, capable of penetrating even the most advanced defenses.

On the other hand, it means you could only rely on legitimate tactics to win. It truly demonstrated the qualities of a zenith.

“Even if the Academy faces a crisis, the Principal will effortlessly resolve it. The fact that the Academy, known as the melting pot of races, can remain intact is all thanks to the Principal.”

“Are the professors apprehensive about him?”

It seems that Ellie has noticed that the professors were wary of the Principal.

In response, Yeonhwa gave a vague smile and nodded.

“Yes, you’re right. Perhaps because he’s a savage, he tends to be very “my pace”. During the entrance ceremony speech, he casually spoke and left as he found it bothersome.”

“But wasn’t that a speech?”

“It was originally much longer. The Principal changed it as he pleased.”

Did that really happen?

It seems like there was something about him giving a half-hearted speech and skipping over parts, but I’m not entirely sure.

In any case, it’s certain that he is an extraordinary person. I hope it won’t bring any unnecessary harm to me.

‘Nevertheless, he has a strong sense of responsibility.’

While being eccentric, I knew him as someone who gets things done when it matters. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to ascend to the position of principal.

Even though the professors were wary, they didn’t openly express their dissatisfaction. Just by looking at that alone, you can tell that he has a good reputation.

Above all, he was a crucial figure who played a significant role in the pivotal episode and turning point, the “Academy Collapse.”

Despite being unable to fully demonstrate his true abilities due to the manipulation of demons, he still displayed formidable power.

‘Even at the cost of his life.’

After the episode, with the death of the principal, the United Academy loses much of its significance.

Until now, the existence of the United Academy has helped maintain a delicate balance among nations. But now that it has crumbled?

All the accumulated problems exploded at once, and the suffering began. Clearing this crucial episode had an otherworldly level of difficulty.

‘First, I need to resolve the issue of the principal’s poisoning.’

By becoming close to the principal, you could learn swordsmanship and he also gave gifts on the side.

You also needed to find herbs to neutralize the poison. Since the poison gradually accumulated, regularly consuming herbs should suffice.

And I know about these herbs. Even if I didn’t know anything else, I remembered clearly because they were the culprit behind difficulty fluctuations.

Due to their scarcity, the herbs were difficult to find even in the Forest of Chaos, but with enough effort, they could be sufficiently collected.

‘Can we get to know each other before that?’

I’m not sure about that. I guess I’ll have to give it a try first. 

By the time I arrived at the principal’s office, I was pondering various thoughts. 

“If it isn’t inconvenient for you, living together wouldn’t be a bad idea.” 

“…?” 

I quickly understood why people called this person eccentric.