A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy-Chapter 221

Contrary to concerns, no hunters were seen while moving through the forest.

There were no creatures looting in Porori's Territory either. Porori's influence still lingered strongly.

Additionally, there was something very peculiar about Porori's Territory—it was teeming with squirrels.

It seemed to be a phenomenon caused by Porori being a squirrel. He must have eliminated predators for his fellow kin.

Of course, it wasn't an insane number. Just the usual amount you'd commonly see anywhere.

'Otherwise, the ecosystem would've collapsed.'

When a specific species becomes excessively abundant, the ecosystem collapses. This is a natural phenomenon.

Whether Porori knows this or not, things are maintained at an appropriate level. As for me, I'm just leaving it alone.

Anyway, now that we've explored the entire forest, today's tasks are done. Starting tomorrow, I'll have to attend classes again.

"Oh, right. Kara Unnie."

"Hm?"

"Will King Hector be visiting this time too?"

It was when they returned to Rod's residence. Luna, who had just finished training, asked Kara.

She seemed to have worked hard, as her hair was drenched in sweat and stuck to her face. She'd probably wash up as soon as she got back to the dormitory.

Meanwhile, Kara heard Luna's question, pondered for a moment, then shrugged her shoulders.

"Who knows. I don't think he'll come. You know that Magic Stone Mine we discovered last time? It's bigger than we thought, so he's probably very busy."

Thanks to that mine, I made a fortune in stocks. Just the interest from my savings is enough to earn money steadily.

And as she said, Hector wouldn't be able to attend this exam. It was the same in the Soul World.

No matter how important Academy affairs are, he has no choice when his home is in chaos.

Especially since the Tatar Descent's most sensitive issue, the contract, is involved. Even if he had two bodies, it wouldn't be enough.

"Really? That's a shame."

"Why all of a sudden? Don't tell me you were planning to ask my father for a spar?"

"Oh. How did you know?"

Kara, quick to catch on, asked, and Luna, startled, widened her eyes. It was kind of cute.

Kara then made a face that said, "I knew it," and expressed how absurd the idea was.

"Not yet. My father treats sparring almost like a real battle. All Tatar Descent are like that, though."

"I see... Headmaster."

"Go on."

Luna, now dejected, called out to Rod. Unlike Luna, he didn't have a single drop of sweat on him.

It was a blatant display of the stark difference in skill. Luna then asked another question.

"How much has my technique improved now? Physical abilities aside, technique is what's important."

"Technique, huh... Can I use myself as a standard? But I'll exclude space-related techniques."

"Yes, that's fine."

"Roughly 50%, I'd say. That's just in terms of technique."

That's a pretty high percentage. To think her technique alone reached 50% of Rod's level.

It could be called an absurd rate of growth, but that's how it is when you're taught even in the Soul World.

However, there was something even more important than that...

"But it's an unstable 50%. Since you have no real combat experience, it's hard to gauge properly."

"Is real combat that important?"

"It's essential, even just to expand your range of improvisation. Otherwise, it's only good for self-defense."

It's real combat experience. Luna has no real combat experience, except for hunting monsters.

No matter how much you practice, real combat is different. You'll realize it vividly even during the Brawl.

'The Brawl requires quick judgment.'

Among the Academy events, the Brawl is the closest to real combat. And it's not one-on-one but in a chaotic free-for-all format.

You never know when or where fire or ice arrows will fly at you, and it's hard to even distinguish enemies since they're everywhere.

That's when Luna's true worth will show—or she'll fall into confusion and flounder.

"Still, isn't 50% something? Considering how recently I started learning."

"Objectively, your talent is excellent. Among that, your diligence is the best part."

"Hehe."

Following Kara's praise, Rod complimented her too, and Luna smiled bashfully. Praise, after all, can make even a whale dance.

'Everything's great, but that mouth of hers is the problem.'

Fortunately, today there was no unnecessary chatter from her mouth. Training was done, and all that was left was to disperse.

It was just as they were about to leave after a rough cleanup. Luna, who had been tidying up, suddenly seemed to realize something and asked me.

"Come to think of it, Sivar. Didn't you gather herbs today?"

"Huh? No, I didn't. Why?"

"I thought you might've gathered some since you went into the forest. I was hoping you could lend me some herbs good for fatigue recovery."

Up to this point, it could be brushed off. The problem was that Kara was present.

Kara, hearing Luna's words, raised one eyebrow as if sensing something odd.

"Like yesterday? Are you saying you went to the forest yesterday too?"

"Yes. Yesterday, I went with Ellie."

"...Really?"

"... ..."

With those words, Kara turned her head with a peculiar expression. The direction she turned was where Ellie was.

Ellie seemed too focused on cleaning up to notice the gaze. Or she was pretending not to notice.

"...What a fox. A fox."

Kara muttered meaningfully. Though spoken quietly, it was loud enough for me to hear.

"Ellie is a fox? How?"

"... ..."

Luna seemed to have heard it too. And of course, she said it out loud.

Ellie, hearing her name mentioned, looked this way with a puzzled expression.

"What? I didn't catch the last part."

"I was just thinking of animals you resemble."

"An animal I resemble?"

"Yeah. Like how I'm a lion, and Sivar is a cat."

Thankfully, Kara handled it appropriately. She's now adept at dealing with Luna's chatter.

By the way, does she really think of herself as a lion? With her appearance, it actually suited her quite well.

As for me... I guess I'm treated like a cat because of all the trouble I've caused.

"Then what animal do I resemble?"

"... ..."

I didn't say anything in response to that question. There's only one animal that comes to mind when I think of Ellie.

But saying it out loud would only make things awkward. So, it's better to keep my mouth shut.

"...A cow?"

Our Luna had no such reservations. As soon as she said it, an awkward atmosphere quickly set in.

Does she even realize that was a rather inappropriate comment? Even if it's true, it's a problematic statement.

However, just as Luna's mouth is unrestrained, Ellie's personality wasn't one to be trifled with.

She simply smiled brightly, even after being called a cow, and responded cheerfully.

"That's fascinating. My peers call me a cow too."

"Who."

"Who."

Kara and I spoke almost simultaneously. Both of us carried a faint sense of anger.

I decided to deal with those bastards first. But unfortunately, there was no need.

It turned out that Porori had already dealt with them. Well, it figures. People who call others such names are always like that.

"Then what about me? What animal do I resemble?"

What else? There's only one for Luna.

"A parrot."

"Why?"

Do you really not know?

*****

The next day dawned, and as usual, the classes began... or rather, only the morning class was held.

As everyone knows, from today, there will be sparring and the Brawl. Sparring is mainly for students who didn't attend last semester.

Naturally, I did not attend. I had no reason to, nor was I particularly interested in the points.

The main Brawl will take place on Thursday. On Friday, there will be a break to recover from injuries sustained during the Brawl.

"Is there anything special I should care about for the Brawl?"

Kara asked while we were having a meal together at the buffet. She seemed to be concerned about the Brawl as well.

After all, it's not a one-on-one fight but a chaotic battle involving as many as three classes. Even Kara can't handle sheer numbers.

"Something to care about... Well, if I had to say, maybe figuring out who your opponents are?"

Grace, who was cutting her steak, shrugged her shoulders as she answered. It wasn't a very definite answer.

But that's the best answer one can give. No one knows what will happen in the Brawl.

At best, gathering rumors about the opponents and preparing accordingly. That's the best strategy.

"Even so, no one can beat Mr. Sivar."

"That's true."

Rarely, Kara and Grace seemed to get along well. As for Luna... she just quietly ate her meal.

You might say they're trusting me too much, but the Brawl is a field I'm confident in.

No matter how strong someone is, the Brawl is where even a stray arrow can hit them. It's inevitable.

However, I have a body that regenerates quickly even if I get hit by a stray arrow.

'Unlike someone whose body is as hard as steel.'

A fitting example would be Martial Saintess Rize. If I'm just as hard as steel, she's harder than steel.

Even when I struck her with an axe as hard as I could, it barely left a scratch. I was so shocked at the time.

'There couldn't be another person like that, could there?'

One more of such a thing in the world? That would surely be a sign the world is doomed.

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Rize even makes demons scream like little girls. The thought of another existence like her is truly horrifying.

'...No, wait. There is one person who makes me uneasy.'

Suddenly, an image of a nun with pink hair popped into my mind.

During the vacation, I don't know what she did, but her chest had grown much larger than before.

Erica, who overwhelmed Kara with harsh truths and left Luna dazed with her chaotic mouth.

So, I told her to seek counseling from Rize, and she became a completely different person.

'I guess I'll find out during the Brawl.'

Whatever's changed, I'll know soon enough. For now, let's just focus on eating.

"What is that?"

At that moment, Luna's voice reached my ears. It was full of confusion.

I turned to look at her with a questioning expression. She was staring at something with a puzzled look.

I followed Luna's gaze. And then, I witnessed a truly absurd scene.

"Wow... Is that seriously all vegetables and fruits?"

"Even Mr. Sivar doesn't eat that much..."

"... ..."

As Kara and Grace commented, there was a mountain of food.

To be precise, a mountain made entirely of vegetables and fruits. It was piled high on a plate.

It was so much that the person eating it was almost hidden. Even I would struggle to finish that much. Who could possibly eat that?

'Who is it?'

Unable to contain my curiosity, I quietly got up from my seat. I planned to just check who it was and return.

After a few steps, I spotted a very familiar back. The pink hair was the most striking point.

"...Erica?"

"Hmm?"

When I quietly called her name, the person eating turned around. Judging by her pink eyes, it was definitely Erica.

As soon as she saw me, her eyes widened, and she exclaimed with delight.

"Ah, Mr. Sivar! Hello. Have you eaten?"

"I'm eating now. But..."

I pointed to the mountain of vegetables and fruits and asked.

"Are you going to eat all of that?"

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

"... ..."

What are you, an elephant?