A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Dark History (5)

***

Grace fainted due to Kara’s unexpected action and was immediately taken away.

As always, a protective shield formed the moment she fainted.

However, as explained, she vanished somewhere as soon as the shield formed.

It seemed the shield had a teleportation device installed. This would ensure a safe evacuation.

Lee Yeonju also returned to the base after Grace was evacuated. She gave us an awkward smile as a bonus.

Thus, only Kara and I were left. Normally, we would chat and play as usual, but this time it seemed difficult.

“…”

A dead silence settled between us.

Kara kept her head down, her face beet-red, while I sat beside her, touching my lips.

I could still vividly feel it. The sensation of Kara’s lips touching mine. A feeling I had never experienced on Earth.

At first, I wondered what had happened, but now it hit me. Kara definitely kissed me.

And she did it in front of Grace. It would be strange not to know her feelings after coming this far.

‘…But since when?’

I glanced at Kara while touching my lips. She was still staring at the floor with her lips tightly shut.

I had a vague idea that Kara felt more than friendship towards me. But I wasn’t certain.

Living in the wild had dulled my senses, and I couldn’t recall experiencing anything similar on Earth.

In any case, a beautiful and charming woman like Kara had no reason to approach me first. It was refreshing, to say the least.

‘What should I do in this situation…?’

Kara was likely pondering her own worries, but I was also troubled. If this continued, our relationship would only grow awkward.

Maybe it would be better to clarify things. But I didn’t know how to proceed.

Despite the kiss, it seemed more like an impulsive act on Kara’s part. It’s really ambiguous.

“…Sivar.”

While I was trying to wrack my brain, Kara, who had been staring at the floor, spoke quietly.

When I turned my head, I met Kara’s eyes as she glanced sideways at me. As soon as our eyes met, she quickly looked away again.

Her face flushed, she mumbled and scratched her head. She seemed unsure of what to do.

“Um… Do you know what I just did means?”

“A kiss?”

“…You know well. Yes, it was a light kiss.”

A long silence followed. I had nothing to say, so I remained quiet.

Kara was probably experiencing this for the first time too. I tried to recall my knowledge from the Soul World.

Even when the player was a guy, the affection level didn’t change. It was just a close friendship.

Rarely did it show romantic interest. Even among close friends, light kisses were almost nonexistent.

Unless transitioning from a close friend to a girlfriend. Thinking back, I had been steadily building Kara’s affection.

“Do you know what it means?”

Kara cautiously asked again.

I decided to keep it simple. In such situations, directness is key.

“With someone you like. Ellie taught me.”

“Yes, it’s something done between people who like each other.”

“Do you like me, Kara?”

“…”

Kara clammed up at my straightforward question. Her skin blushed so much it was noticeable despite her tan.

I needed a clear answer from her to decide my next steps. This was something I had to ponder seriously.

One day, when I cleared all the stories of this world, I had to go back.

Although several years had passed, I hadn’t forgotten my love for my homeland.

I had to think carefully whether I could invest enough affection to give it up or remain in an ambiguous relationship.

“…It would be a lie to say I don’t like you. It would also be a lie to say I don’t.”

“So?”

“I do like you. That’s the truth.”

Kara confessed her feelings plainly but confidently. Seeing her smile, she seemed relieved.

But her words were still quite ambiguous. What was holding her back?

Kara seemed to sense this too and looked forward.

“Do you know? Many people like you. Especially women.”

“…?”

“Judging by your expression, you really don’t know. Grace just added that clause. Ellie and Luna are similar.”

Come to think of it, that seemed true. Grace added a strange clause, claiming I saved her chastity.

Ellie always accepted my whims with open arms, even telling me to come anytime.

Luna… I wasn’t sure. She felt more like a companion, but maybe others saw it differently.

I might have felt that way, but Kara likely saw it differently.

“So, more of these situations might happen. The more rumors spread, the more actively people will approach you.”

“What about you, Kara?”

“I care more about your feelings. Have you ever felt love, Sivar?”

“…”

I avoided her gaze. I didn’t have the courage to face her smiling face.

“Even if you haven’t felt it, Ellie taught you, so you roughly understand. But understanding isn’t enough; you need to experience it.”

“Hmm…”

“As you get used to civilization and your relationships deepen, you’ll naturally understand. Maybe not yet.”

Kara patted my head as she spoke. Her words were half right and half wrong, but I stayed silent.

Better an interpretation than the dream itself. There’s no need to tell her my core is a dark adult.

“So, decide when you realize it. Choose from those who like you. If you’re unsure, consider choosing all.”

“…Can I do that?”

“Why not? I’m a princess, but it’s a position. The Tatars traditionally elect their chieftain by vote. It’s the same after founding the nation.”

Come to think of it, the Tatar political structure is quite fresh compared to other countries. More democratic, you could say.

Tribal life naturally favored the elderly, making them chiefs or headmen.

But the Tatars elected the wisest by vote, even after establishing their nation, evolving into democracy.

“I might not even be the next king. My father also told me to live as my heart leads.”

“…”

“Moreover… I feel sorry for you.”

“Sorry?”

Did Kara have something to apologize for? Maybe when Hector abruptly challenged me?

While I looked puzzled, Kara mumbled, hesitating. It was hard for her to speak.

Then she glanced at me, sighed, and ruffled her hair. It seemed quite complicated.

“…Never mind. I’ll tell you later. Do they serve alcohol at the freshman banquet? I’ll tell you then.”

“Is it bad?”

“It’s bad. Really bad. So bad it disgusts me.”

It seemed serious. But I couldn’t think of anything she did wrong.

Most of my memories with Kara were good. Except for the sparring session where she beat me up.

But even that sparring left no hard feelings over time. We remained in a good relationship.

“So, take your time deciding. Let’s pretend that kiss… never happened. Deal?”

“Okay.”

“You’re good at answering. Really, you’re too cute to give up.”

Kara pinched my cheek affectionately. Upon reflection, even such actions were forms of affection.

We spent time chatting about various topics. This incident might have strengthened our bond.

However, we didn’t make a contract. Kara felt bad for Grace and wasn’t confident she could handle me.

“Just go easy, okay? Don’t break everything. Got it?”

“Okay.”

“And about the singing…”

“La-la-la.”

I covered my ears and made nonsense sounds. I’d pretend not to know that.

Not only Kara but also Lee Yeonju witnessed my dark history. That was a problem for later.

Kara smiled at my antics and returned. There were many things to do at the freshman banquet, but I sensed personal matters with Kara too.

‘But what did I do to build such affection? I don’t get it.’

Let’s think it over. Starting with Ellie.

Ellie’s affection likely grew after I saved her from the Manki. That made sense.

The same for Grace. If I hadn’t saved her, she’d have been defiled and never faced anyone again.

These two were understandable, but Luna was a mystery.

Others saw Luna as having feelings for me.

‘Did she gossip behind my back?’

That seemed the most plausible. I needed to ponder this more.

Just as Kara left and I was listening to music, without dancing, only carving.

“Sivar! Sivar, are you there?!”

“?”

“Oh! There you are, Sivar!”

While I was lost in carving, Grace’s urgent voice called out.

I looked up to see Grace running toward me, looking quite desperate.

“Where’s Kara, that redhead?! Where is she?!”

“She left.”

“She left? Without making a contract?”

“Yes.”

“Oh no…”

Plop.

Grace collapsed, seemingly drained. She must have run here immediately after reviving, which was taxing for a mage like her.

I approached the fallen Grace but turned my head. I sensed another presence.

“So, you were here. What’s that music?”

Luna appeared. She must have followed Lee Yeonju in the rush.

While she looked around, I helped Grace. I brushed aside her sweat-drenched hair.

“Are you okay?”

“Haa…”

Grace sighed deeply at my concern. Then she slowly lifted her head to face me.

Her once sharp eyes softened a bit, but soon she frowned, returning to her usual expression.

She seemed to regain her energy, but her next action surprised me.

“Uh?”

“I’d usually put this in the contract…!”

Grace grabbed my face with both hands, much like Kara did earlier.

I felt uneasy, wondering if she’d…

Smooch!

Grace kissed me, but it felt different.

Her kiss was more forceful, almost devouring. Not just a light peck, but intense.

Thankfully, she didn’t use her tongue. It was just a stronger kiss.

“She only kissed you here, right? I can do more!”

Smooch, smooch, smooch!

It wasn’t just one kiss. She kissed my cheeks, chin, neck, and everywhere.

I was too stunned to push her away. I just stood there.

“Haa… That should be enough. You won’t remember her kiss now, right?”

“…”

It was too intense. I rubbed my tingling face.

As I tried to grasp the situation, I felt a gaze and turned my head. There had been a spectator.

“Wow…”

For some reason, Luna was gaping in awe.

Why are you impressed?

[Faith has increased!]

I knew it.

***

Meanwhile, from the professors’ perspective…

“Luna must be shocked.”

“Indeed. Judging by her open mouth… she must be quite shocked.”

“Her grades might drop. But this is personal, so we can’t help.”

They watched the drama unfold.

End of Chapter