A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Cohabitation with Lize has begun. Initially, I thought it was just a change of abode and housemate.

Lize mentioned she wouldn't intrude on my personal life and only aimed to assist in building my character.

So, my plan was to live comfortably as I had been doing. First up was the morning.

"Brother Sivar, stretching in the morning is more effective than high-intensity or long-duration exercises."

"…?"

Usually, my mornings consist of lounging around doing nothing. Breakfast with Rod, then off to classes, and that's it.

Like the proverbial early bird that catches the worm, I rise early.

Lize too gets up around the same time as me. She brought up the stretching while I was idly standing by.

"There is a saying in the East: ‘A healthy mind resides in a healthy body.' Without the shield of physical health, the mind is nothing but an empty shell."

"…And?"

"Follow my movements. It's good for increasing flexibility. Of course, I respect your choice, so you can tend to your tasks if you prefer."

Lize started her exercise routine not in Saintess mode, but in Fist Saint mode, first performing 180-degree splits.

But it was by no means a simple process. She placed two chairs on either side and mounted her legs on them.

Her legs split at an angle way beyond 180 degrees, her thighs reminiscent of logs, and her calves of bludgeons.

"Would you like to give it a try? It feels quite refreshing once you're used to it."

In that same stance, Lize invited me to join her. Her smile alone could change the genre of a situation.

If I follow Lize's exercise method, would I end up like that? I was a bit curious.

"I'll do it."

"Good choice."

And so, I did it. There's nothing wrong with increasing flexibility.

Lize advised that increased flexibility would lead to better circulation of mana within the body.

When it comes to physical training, or Fist Saint skills, Lize has profound knowledge and expertise. It's like getting free training from a renowned instructor.

It would be foolish not to take this opportunity. During our cohabitation, I could improve not just my heart, but my body as well.

"As expected, you have high flexibility."

After mirroring Lize's actions, she complimented me. This level of exercise was easy for me.

I needed to compress my large frame as much as possible for stealth purposes.

Thanks to that, my flexibility had gradually improved, especially around the waist area.

Given the nature of hunting, having to stay low, it made sense that my flexibility increased as a natural consequence.

"Very good. Then, how about this?"

Lize moved on to the next phase after the splits. True to her appearance, she pulled the chairs, spread wide by her leg strength, back to the center with both legs.

As I admired her near freakish behavior, Lize dismounted the chairs and began her next move.

Swoosh-

The starting move was a gentle backbend. It looked utterly ordinary at first glance.

But she went beyond merely bending back, she folded in half and inserted her face between her legs.

It may sound bizarre, but everything I mentioned is truthfully what I saw.

She literally bent her waist in half and placed her face between her legs.

"Ha ha ha ha! How about this! When your flexibility is at its peak, even this becomes possible!"

Lize laughed heartily as she proudly boasted.

I had noticed the day before when she admired herself in the mirror alone, she deeply prides herself on her body.

Even that grotesque display, which seemed out of a freak show, she boldly showcased.

"…Disgusting."

I honestly said what I felt. It’s doubtful that's a human posture.

Even having touched all sorts of bugs in the forest, that was revolting. I would rather watch animal guts.

"Speaking like that hurts me too, you know."

However, Lize seemed unaffected and returned to her original stance, showing no sign of injury.

I never would have thought that she could be so flexible with her massive build. It's literally the result of carving flesh and blood from herself.

"It's about time for breakfast. I will prepare it myself."

"For real?"

"Yes. Despite how I may appear, I’m quite good at cooking."

That suits me fine. Cooking was always a bother when I lived in the forest.

"…Cooking in that state?"

"Is there a problem?"

The problem was her cooking in Fist Saint mode, and to top it off, she donned an apron.

The genre seemed to be shifting in real-time. I quietly embraced an internal chuckle, silently waiting for the meal.

"How is it?"

"Delicious!"

But the meal turned out to be truly delicious.

Who cares about muscles? As long as the food is good, that's all that matters.

"Brother Sivar."

"Hm?"

"Always keep in mind. What's important is your heart."

Of course, I don't really understand what she's talking about.

I should probably interpret it as advice not to cause any trouble.

******

After sorting out breakfast, I started preparing for classes.

The adaptation period isn't totally over, but it might as well be.

That means starting today, I should wear the uniform to classes, which is quite uncomfortable.

At least a week ago, I began wearing the lax summer uniform; if it had been the spring-autumn one, it might’ve felt too snug.

"Do you know how to tie a necktie?"

"No."

"I don't either. Just tie it somehow and go."

Then why bother asking, woman.

I grumbled to myself and carelessly tied the necktie. After all, there’s no deduction points for improper attire.

Beyond that, I don't care about points. My focus is on events or the various hidden routes.

‘What was the midterm content again?'

As a result, I have no clue what the midterms are about. They must have announced it last week, but I was inattentive.

Best guess it’s a practical exam. Hopefully, it's not written.

I might understand spoken language, but I’m still illiterate. It may take a while to shake off being unlettered.

"Have a good day then."

"I’ll be back later."

I left Lize, who waved me off in Fist Saint mode, and headed out on my own.

The distance to the classroom isn't far, but going there alone feels strange.

Normally, I would have arrived there with either Luna or Kara. It's scary how quickly one becomes accustomed to things.

‘I know the way there. Still some time before class, maybe pay a visit to Godin?'

During the adaptation period, I didn't meet with Godin too often. Mostly, I would visit him in Rod's absence.

There were times I visited him simply out of boredom, but beyond that, I had little contact with him.

I should visit him more often from now on. Now that I can start a conversation, learning magic from Godin seems like a good idea.

"Sivar!"

"?"

I was meandering towards the classroom, lost in thought, when a familiar voice caught my attention.

Turning my head, I came face to face with Kara in her summer clothes. Her frank and refreshing smile is always striking.

"It really is Sivar. I was doubting because you were alone."

"Hi."

"Hey. Hi."

I waved casually in greeting, and Kara welcomed me warmly.

The summer uniform made her skin tone stand out more compared to the spring-autumn attire.

A combination of fair and tanned skin. Although it seemed improper, it also exuded a subtle charm.

In addition, with the thin summer uniform, her figure couldn’t be hidden. It strangely fit well.

"What did you have for breakfast?"

Kara casually walked up beside me and asked, her green eyes etched with deep curiosity.

I fixed my gaze forward and answered in my characteristically blunt tone.

"Lize."

"…What?"

My answer was as brief as it was profound. However, the implied meaning was far from ordinary.

Kara shivered and her pace slowed after hearing my response.

"She made it."

"…Ah. You startled me."

Following my clarification, Kara let out a sigh of relief. Her voice quivered slightly as if she really had been startled.

Everyone probably knows, it was just a joke. Despite the awkward phrasing, the language itself wasn’t too challenging.

Is it an antiphrasis? It's a manner of speaking that could easily lead to misunderstandings.

"People say you should listen to someone's speech to the end; seems that's even truer for you. Still having trouble using language properly?"

"Yeah."

"It's much better now, though. Until last week, you almost had to be translated."

I've been working hard to gather faith, squeezing every bit out. My faith score is now close to 20.

It's still a long journey ahead. In Soul World, you need at least a score of 50 to play a proper faith game.

Not that I'm specifically playing a faith game, but there's no harm in considering it. It won't be bad to have it built up anyway.

"It's a shame, though. There was a flavor to interpreting your words."

"Shall I?"

"No, don’t. Just talk comfortably."

"Yeah."

"You respond well."

Conversing with Kara about trivial matters, we soon arrived at the classroom.

Upon reaching the classroom, I saw that a considerable number of students had gathered.

"What, is he wearing a uniform now?"

"Looks like his adaptation period has ended. How did he pass? I heard he went around smashing buildings."

"Maybe because he didn't hit people?"

Normally, everyone would have been busy with their own business, but now they were whispering about my new uniform attire.

It’s only natural since, until yesterday, I had been in casual clothes and now I had switched to a uniform.

Ignoring their murmurs, I moved to a seat with Kara.

This corner spot had become our unofficial assigned seats.

"It doesn’t feel like someone else's business. I got the same reaction when I came in a uniform."

"What was Kara's reaction like?"

"Huh? Oh, what did they say? Just that it's amazing I was admitted after getting into fights. I guess I just barely made it."

From the beginning, I had an easy rapport with Kara.

Even if I spoke nonsense, she would just get it, so there was no need for me to use complicated language.

Even if I attempted a difficult phrase, she enjoyed translating it, which made it easier for me to talk.

"Hello Kara, Sivar too."

After a short while, Luna also arrived at the classroom, taking the usual seat next to me.

Even though it was the season for summer uniforms, Luna was still in her spring-autumn clothes.

Strictly speaking, it's only her shirt that has long sleeves. Doesn't that get hot?

"Aren't you hot? You always wear long sleeves."

"I don’t like getting my arms sunburnt. How about you, don’t you burn?"

"I do get sunburnt. It just doesn't show."

As we chatted like this, Grace and Yeonhwa arrived, and the classroom quickly became bustling.

I stayed quiet amidst the noise, just shutting up and listening.

I’d respond firmly when occasionally someone would ask me a question.

‘I need a reason to initiate conversation myself.'

For now, I didn’t really have anything I wanted to discuss. I just kept my ears open.

"Oh yes. Is everyone studying for the exams?"

Then an interesting topic came up from Grace.

The inevitable destiny of all students, the exam season. Being at the academy makes no difference.

The academy's exams last about a week, similar to university exams, testing what’s been learned so far.

"Not at all. I haven't been studying, is that important?"

Kara responded very confidently. True to her carefree approach to academy life.

At least the conscientious students like Luna and Grace would have been steadily preparing. Points are important, after all.

"It's important if you wish to score a good amount of points."

"Ah, points. I wasn't thinking about them at all. What can you use them for?"

"…It seems like Kara won’t have to worry about that."

Grace, known for her wide network of information, had no idea what form the exams would take.

It would likely be based on what we've learned in class, but the exact format was still unknown.

We already had a combat test once, so the likelihood of another seems slim, and if done individually, it just boils down to revision.

"Marlboro will announce it soon, won’t he? You don't have any problems, do you, Grace?"

"Well, I did review the material from the lessons, but… Oh, by the way Luna."

"Yes?"

"What’s Godin like as a professor? I’m thinking of studying under him after midterms."

Midterms aside, Grace's words were certainly not something that could be easily ignored.

Outwardly feigning disinterest, I opened my ears wide. It felt like an important crossroad was approaching.

"I only know he's a good person… By the way, Delphoi isn’t very pleasant, is he?"

"No, it's just a bit… difficult? It might be a prejudice, but like Sivar said, there's just something uncomfortable about him."

Grace turned her gaze to me as she spoke. Her deep violet eyes held complex emotions.

As a child of a ducal family, she has keen insight. She probably noticed Delphoi's insidious intentions early on.

If things were normal, she might have realized later, but she seems to have caught on sooner because of my warning.

"Did he do something weird? Shouldn’t you report that?"

Kara asked aggressively, her face contorting. She seemed to catch on to what Grace meant.

But Grace shook her head, indicating that things weren't severe enough to warrant concern.

"It's not quite to that extent. Besides, it could just be my misunderstanding. That’s why I’m planning to consult and make adjustments."

"Still, be careful. Snakes are everywhere."

"I'll keep that in mind. But surely he wouldn't do anything, right? I’m a member of a ducal family."

That’s exactly what they prey upon. Being of ducal status can be both a spear and shield, yet sometimes it becomes shackles that hold you.

Delphoi preys on this cunningly to ensure Grace can’t report him, effectively blocking all avenues.

By the time the crimes end up exposed, it's like a river that can’t be crossed back.

Then I'd never see Grace again. It’s a sorrowful situation in many ways.

‘I need to keep a close eye.'

The time seems to have come to put a leash on that beastly brat. I thought to myself as I waited for the class to start.

"As everyone knows, the midterms start tomorrow. The midterm will be a team battle."

And then, the content of the midterm.

"For your information, direct attacks by Sivar are prohibited."

"… …"

For me, at least, this felt distinctly discriminatory.