A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Let me tell you a surprising fact: not even a day has passed yet.

From meeting Luna and Ellie in the forest to arriving at the academy and battling Elvin.

All this happened in just one day. Sometimes I wondered if I was dreaming.

‘When did I feel like this before?'

An unusually long day. Just like when I first fell into the forest and had a hard time.

Because of this, or maybe because my new sleeping place was uncomfortable, I just couldn't fall asleep.

Even when I was in the forest, I was half-awake when I slept, but today I couldn't sleep at all.

I couldn't believe that I had escaped from the forest, and I doubted whether I was entering the story.

‘Direct intervention would be difficult.'

I lay down on the bed Rod had arranged for me and stared blankly at the ceiling.

Practically speaking, getting admission is impossible. It's uncertain when I'll learn to write, and I need to fix my language impairment first.

Even if I fix my language impairment, it's doubtful whether I can speak properly. So, it's better not to consider getting admission.

In this case, it would be difficult to enter the story. But, while ‘entering' might be impossible, ‘intervention' is possible.

‘If there's a noticeable event right after getting admission…'

It's the competition. A face-off between freshmen in a specially designed arena.

I can’t remember well, but I know that there will be a competition shortly.

Perhaps then, key characters will reveal themselves.

Among them, the princess of the Tatars, Kara, will draw attention.

‘I wonder if Luna will win?'

The competition is one of the subtly important events.

It's closely linked to the ‘point' system which is one of the academy rules, and rankings can also change.

During this process, Luna will compete against Kara. Kara will probably apply first.

I heard that Luna got admitted because she came in first place, so she must have attracted interest from the beginning.

‘It would also draw attention at the same time.'

If you get a good result from the competition, not only your points but also your honor will increase.

In addition to this, your stats could also permanently increase. This depends on the result of the competition with Kara.

‘But I'm not sure if it will increase.'

So far, my stats have permanently increased every time I ‘survived'. And when I swore at the gods, my faith decreased.

Looking at this, when certain conditions are met, the ability can increase. I need to verify this.

‘I know there are hidden achievements everywhere.'

There exist minor achievements, starting from destroying the magic circles that the devil had set up in advance.

Roughly, what I remember is climbing the highest building in the academy, the memorial tower.

The memorial tower is in the center of the academy, and it stands tall, catching the eye from anywhere.

From what I remember, it was installed to commemorate the establishment and to prevent the invasion of demons.

In the game, climbing to the top increases your stats, but I don't know if this is true in reality.

‘The question is how much my stats will increase.'

Currently, all my stats except for luck and faith exceed 140. Moreover, my stamina is close to 150.

Even if I achieve something, there is a very high probability that it will only increase slightly. This is a measure to prevent multiple-round loopholes.

Even so, since my stats are 140, even a single point is precious and cannot be ignored. In the long run, it's beneficial to achieve all achievements.

‘I wish I could go to the memorial tower now… No.'

I want to go outside and climb the tower. However, there is a high chance that Rod will catch me.

He seems to have taken measures, thinking that I would sneak out. He hung a bell on the door.

If I open the door, the bell will ring, and Rod will come out to check right away.

You might ask me why I can't just remove the bell. But I can't because it's installed outside.

‘I'm also tired.'

Physically, I'm not tired. But today, there were so many things going on that I'm mentally exhausted.

I think it's better to just close my eyes and sleep. It's also inconsiderate to roam around too late at night.

Ah. Of course, I mean I'm sorry for the guards who work ‘late at night'.

"Who is that person?! Why is he climbing up there?"

"He could fall and seriously hurt himself…!"

"Quick! Call the professors!"

I proclaimed I wasn't going to do it at night.

While touring around the academy with Rod and learning the layout, I seized the opportunity and began to climb the memorial tower.

Starting today, I'm not sure whether classes have begun, but many people are coming and going in the area.

‘It doesn't matter anyway.'

I ignored the noisy chatter from below and went up the monument with my bare hands.

The monument resembled a ‘clock tower'. That means there is a clock at the very top.

How do I know that? Because I'm almost there. There wasn't much left to reach the top.

‘It's quite high.'

The memorial tower is made of a special material that prevents the use of magic when in physical contact.

That means climbing with your body. If your stats are low, you can fall and die midway.

Not only is it high, but there are hardly any parts to grab with your hands. You'd be climbing with pure grip strength.

From what I remember in the game, certain stats needed to be met, if that's correct then that's correct.

I took a short breath halfway up and reached the top.

"Wow."

The view was spectacular due to the incredible height. There was no spectacle like this.

It felt like if I reached out a little, I could touch the clouds. Not that I would do that, but that's how high it was.

‘Nothing's happening.'

There was no change upon reaching the top. Games and reality are different.

Even if you clear the achievement in multiple rounds, the stats don't increase. I guess this and that are different.

Though it's disappointing, I can let it slide because the view is beautiful. I sat at the top for a while and looked around.

The top was not pointy and there was some space, so I could sit.

‘During the academy invasion part, doesn't a demon disable the tower first?'

Scratch!

"Huh?"

It was when I was thinking and just chilling. Suddenly, the sound of something cutting just above my head was heard.

When I raised my head, I saw ‘ground' within a circle. Again, it's the ground.

Normally, I should see the sky, but why is the ground visible? What is this circle?

Thunk!

"Huh?"

I hadn't even finished thinking when a hand shot out from within the circle and firmly grabbed the hem of my clothes, pulling me in forcefully.

The speed was so fast, and there was hardly any space to move, that I couldn't even resist.

Crash!

Before passing through the circle, I felt like I was going up.

But after going through the circle, I fell to the ground due to the effects of gravity.

‘What the hell is happening?'

I blinked trying hard to grasp the situation.

"Heh heh. It seems you've caused such an accident in the blink of an eye."

Then I heard a rather familiar voice.

I turned my head in the direction of the voice.

Rod was smiling kindly. If you just look at his smile, he's no different than a saint.

However, once you see the sword in his hand, you'll realize his kindness is rather far off.

Swish-

Meanwhile, the circle that I assumed I'd come out of slowly shrank and soon disappeared.

Given the sword in his hand and the way I got here, there is only one conclusion to draw.

Rod used his sword to connect the spaces and pulled me out. That was magic performed with a sword.

‘The fact he can use that shows his poison level is manageable.'

The degree of Rod's poisoning can be assessed by the techniques he can use.

To use that technique, one must be able to use 80% of their full power unscathed.

In the academy collapse incident, the poisoning worsened so much that he could only use 50% of his abilities.

"I’ll give you a candy, so follow me quietly."

While I was assessing Rod's poisoning situation, he offered me a piece of candy. By the looks of it, it seems to be rice popcorn flavored.

I mumbled a word or two and put the candy he gave me in my mouth. It's delicious.

Subsequently, as Rod moved, I trailed behind him.

The memorial tower was at the academy square, but now we're right in front of a building.

It seems that he pulled me out here so as not to draw unnecessary attention.

‘What about the people in front of the monument…'

When I turned my head towards the tower, there was a buzzing crowd of people.

It looked like they still thought I was at the top.

But the crowd won't last long. They have classes to attend after all.

"Hmm."

Before I knew it, we had arrived at the building. Rod looked behind to check if I was following him properly.

Meanwhile, I was just munching on my candy. Feeling reassured, Rod opened the door and went inside.

"Welcome… oh my, The Principal?"

As soon as Rod entered, the woman sitting at the desk recognized him and started speaking.

Rod casually greeted her and stated his purpose.

"I want to get this kid's health checked."

"This kid…"

Upon hearing Rod's words, the woman's attention turned to me. In the meantime, I figured out where we were.

This was a hospital. Moreover, a comprehensive hospital that had features from different countries.

At first glance, it may seem like a typical hospital, but it wasn’t.

Here, acupuncture and herbal medicine from the East coexist with Western medicine.

Simply put, Western medicine is equivalent to surgery, while Eastern medicine relates to internal treatments.

"Is he the one who…"

"Yes, he lives in the forest. That's why I'm a little concerned."

"Understood. Please wait a moment."

The woman momentarily left her desk to make a report. Rod and I quietly waited in the nearby chairs.

Afraid that I might wander off, he handed me another candy. Though I was starting to get tired of it, I ate it anyway.

"It would be great if there were no issues, but the odds are hardly in favor of that."

As we waited, Rod muttered while looking at me.

My health was also a concern. I took deworming medicine but know nothing else about it.

Who knows, something might be worse than parasites. I hope nothing has happened.

"Did you really live in the forest?"

"So I've heard."

"Hmm, fascinating. Other than having an unusually high basal metabolic rate, there are no other issues. The language problem will be solved if you keep conversing. Don't kids usually do that?"

I was in completely good health.

Perhaps due to living in a country where science has made significant advances, they conducted a variety of tests. The results showed no issues at all.

Even though I lived in a forest, there was no sign of any hygiene-related diseases. But my basal metabolism rate was so high that I needed to adjust my diet.

The cost of food will be insane. There's a reason for enrollment since student meals are cheap.

"So all I have to do is feed him well?"

"Yes. All I can say is that he has a healthy body. He doesn't even have common chronic diseases."

"Hmm."

Rod, stroking his beard, looked at me curiously. I, too, found it strange that I was healthy.

Having eaten all manner of raw things to survive in the Forest of Chaos, it wouldn’t have been surprising if I was sick.

Nonetheless, seeing I was healthy, my body might be far from average.

"That's good to know. Health is the best. Since we're on the topic, I'd like to meet the healer."

"The healer had asked for you too."

Saying that the doctor handed over a bottle filled with herbs to Rod.

I gazed hauntingly at the herbs inside the bottle.

These are the ones Rod always puts in his tea—the herbs slowly eating away at Rod's body.

The doctor mentioned the apothecary, She is an internist from the Hwan Empire. Infamously known as the demon’s plantain dealer.

Just like a family doctor, she was damaging Rod's health.

‘How could I inform him?'

Rod would not deem it poison. It is the medicine prescribed by the academy. Of course, it's expected.

Technically, it’s an herb. However, it's tricky noticing that upon combining it with water, the herb becomes toxic.

"Have your coughs alleviated lately?"

"They're better off late. However, I'm growing older, so there are inevitable limitations."

"That's a relief. I'll let the apothecary know."

I was pondering on how to prevent this when the examination concluded. Rod got up, and I unhurriedly rose to my feet too.

Right before we stepped out, I cast a casual glance at the doctor who handed the herbs to Rod.

Unaware of my gaze, the doctor scribbled something down in her chart.

‘I ought to learn the language as soon as possible.'

I can't keep cursing. It's unavoidable if I want to ease the story's difficulty.

While considering ways to propel the story smoothly, mental diagnoses were given.

"Your intelligence appears normal. The issue is just your severely lacking social skills due to your growth environment."

The fact upset me.

*****

Sivar's comprehensive health examination was over. The results were exceedingly straightforward.

Sivar was in the pink of health. His senses were more evolved compared to the average person.

He had average intelligence for his age, though he lacked social skills.

Despite everything, he was a normal person. However, living in the wild made him profoundly reactive.

This was evident from Sivar's body bearing various scars. Even Rod knitted his brows at the sight.

Thus, as long as he doesn't get astonishingly startled, it won't pose any problem.

But, he certainly needs to cultivate his social skills.

Otherwise, who knows when he might cause an accident.

"Fundamentally, your comprehension is high, learning a language wouldn't be tough. Just be cautious not to disturb your nerves."

"Thank you. Nothing else?"

"For an accurate examination, we need to converse effectively."

The psychiatrist grinned, looking sideways.

Sivar was staring, mumbling something, probably wondering when I fed him candy the last time.

On the outside, he seemed like an individual from the Hwan Empire, but his pale skin and bright red eyes invoked a sense of discomfort.

For now, he's docile since I've given him candy, but he's like a time bomb that could go off any second.

"It might be best to proceed gradually. Except for his nervousness, he's pretty usual."

"Got it. Is there any prescribed medicine?"

"No, there isn't. But I advise you to give candies moderately. Might result in a bad habit."

"I'll keep that in mind."

With this, Sivar's comprehensive inspection was over. Rod walked outside the building with Sivar.

Occasionally the students entering the clinic either greeted Rod or eyed Sivar peculiarly.

As soon as they stepped out, they sighted students wandering after their classes.

Looking roughly at the time—it was just lunchtime. Meals aren't only served at the main building but also at the plaza.

‘Social skills…'

Rod turned back to check if Sivar was following him. Indeed, he was following obediently maybe due to the candy.

There's a saying, "Man is a social animal." Forming a society is like an inherent instinct.

Those who can't form social bonds struggle to survive. Yet, Sivar survived by himself.

Thus, social skills might feel unfamiliar, or even repulsive to him.

If he doesn't feel the necessity, he might return to the forest.

‘There's a lot to teach.'

High comprehension means it won't be hard to learn to read.

Regardless, it raises questions if he can adapt well. That's what bothered Rod.

Should I enroll him after teaching social skills or should I enroll him so he could develop social skills?

‘Do I have to teach a child that isn't even mine?'

Almost amused, Rod chuckled.

Swoosh-

A very small sound, but clear in Rod's ears. The sound of Sivar picking up something.

Turning towards the sound, he saw Sivar holding a stone about the size of a fist.

The moment Rod bemusedly watched Sivar pick up a stone, Sivar stiffened, glaring at something.

The stone clutched in his left hand was drawn back while his right arm stretched forward.

Then, stretching his right leg onwards, he threw the stone.

"Hold on…"

Bang!

Before Rod could stop him, the stone had already left Sivar's hand, moving at a much faster speed than his spear-throwing displayed in the arena.

Should anyone get hit by that throw, it would cause severe damage. Rod quickly glanced in the direction the stone was thrown.

He even prepared to cut through the flying stone with his sword if needed. Though fast, it was futile if he could bend space.

However, luckily, it was not aimed at a person. So, where was it heading?

Ding!

A sudden clear, beautiful bell sound resounded. Looking at the spot hit by the stone, Rod showed a devastated expression.

It wasn't as high as the monument, but quite a tall tower. And at the top, hung a bell.

A bell tower symbolizing religion. Even at such a considerable distance, Sivar hit the bell with his throw.

"Why is the bell ringing?"

"Indeed."

Baffled by the sudden bell toll, students looked towards the bell tower.

Usually, the bell is tolled every hour, unless something goes wrong.

So it was natural for most passersby to stop and look at the bell tower.

"Shibal!"

"··· ···"

The very person who caused the bell to ring was excitedly raising his arms.

However, Rod covered his face with one hand on witnessing Sivar's actions, the second time just today.

There was nothing he could say even if struck by lightning. Sivar, who was unafraid even of the emperor, might fear the wrath of the gods.

‘This is tricky…'

If nothing else, it seems like I must instill some common sense into him.