A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 51

As Luna went through a series of tumultuous events, a sudden thought crossed her mind.

Was Academy life always this tough? She had known it was competitive, but this was something else entirely.

She had to clean up after Sivar’s messes, complete her personal training, and uncover the tricks demons were playing.

There was just too much to do. By the end of the day, she would collapse into bed, utterly drained, and fall asleep as if fainting.

‘I want to go home.’

It was the thought that came to her mind every night just before falling asleep. If she were home, she wouldn’t have to go through all this.

She would have lived like an ordinary person, grown into an ordinary adult, and continued meeting ordinary people.

But ever since meeting her Master, her fate had completely changed. She had awakened her talent through her Master and enrolled in the Academy.

And now, she was suffering immensely. It was so hard that she wondered if this was the hardship and adversity her Master had mentioned.

“Good morning, Ms. Luna.”

“Good morning······”

“Hmm······ Did you not sleep well last night? You look very tired.”

Grace, a sharp-featured beauty, greeted Luna in the morning, and Luna replied in a voice laden with fatigue.

Even Grace, who usually exuded an imposing aura, was concerned enough to make a remark.

Luna, at that question, rubbed her face dryly and glanced sideways.

“You can’t tell anyone about this, okay? If the Headmaster finds out, I’ll get scolded too.”

“Okay.”

“Here. Open wide.”

“Ah~”

Flick-

Kara was handing candy to Sivar, flicking it directly into his mouth.

Perhaps suffering from withdrawal symptoms, Sivar kept whining for more candy.

In the end, Kara, unable to bear it, secretly bought him one. For the record, it was just an ordinary orange-flavored candy.

‘I just hope he doesn’t cause any trouble.’

That was what Luna was thinking to herself at that moment.

“Come to think of it, I heard Mr. Sivar did something amusing two days ago······ or not?”

Grace, sitting next to Luna, asked with interest. It was a natural action.

In response, Luna turned to face her questioner. Being this close, Grace’s sharp eyes stood out even more.

“······What do you want from me? Ms. Grace, don’t you already know what happened yesterday?”

Luna might lack knowledge, but she wasn’t oblivious. Considering what happened yesterday, Grace must already know everything.

However, since this was her first time in a large society like the Academy, there were many things she lacked. So, she had no choice but to ask directly.

“Of course, I know. It’d be hard to find someone who doesn’t.”

“Then why are you asking about it?”

“I’m curious, you know. About exactly what happened. By the way, it really was Mr. Sivar, wasn’t it?”

“··· ···”

It happened again. Luna’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.

Of course, the rumor had already spread far and wide, so it was easy to guess who was responsible.

Therefore, it was likely that Grace asked for confirmation. To verify Sivar’s strength, perhaps.

“······You’re asking even though you already know, aren’t you?”

“Yes. Didn’t I mention before? I want to get closer to Mr. Sivar too.”

“You’re going to have a hard time.”

Regardless of her displeasure, Luna’s words were sincere. She genuinely hoped fewer people would have to suffer.

······No. She hoped more people would suffer like her. Especially Grace.

Grace had been interested in Sivar for a while. But when the opportunity arose, she hadn’t been able to approach him.

So, if Luna subtly bridged the gap, Grace might seize the chance eagerly.

“They say there’s reward after hardship. If someone like Mr. Sivar becomes an ally, you know how reassuring that would be, right?”

“Of course. ‘If nothing else,’ he’s perfect for physical tasks.”

“Physical tasks······ In the Academy, there’s nothing more reliable than that.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

Grace didn’t notice, but Luna emphasized ‘if nothing else.’ Sivar was inherently like a strong-willed child.

Even Hector had almost fallen victim to Sivar’s Berserk Mode. That’s why some of his messes were impossible to clean up.

Fortunately, the Sword Saint, Rod, who was presumed to be much stronger than Sivar, was keeping a close watch, allowing things to be managed.

‘Perhaps because of his strong instincts, Sivar recognizes that Rod is stronger than him.’

Strangely enough, Sivar was obedient only to Rod. The same applied to Ellie, but that was a different kind of obedience.

It was more like submission to overwhelming power. He must have realized just how strong Rod was, to the point he wouldn’t dare challenge him.

“Candy.”

“What? You want more? No way. I need to save some for myself too.”

“Just one······”

“Ugh. Fine. Here. But don’t complain if your teeth rot later.”

Kara was close to Sivar because she strongly considered him a ‘friend.’ Perhaps Sivar saw her as the first ‘civilized person’ he had befriended.

Ellie, on the other hand, felt more like a guardian than a friend, and the same went for Rod.

‘Then what am I?’

Suddenly, she became curious. How did Sivar perceive her?

She hadn’t thought about it before, being too busy cleaning up after him, but now that the thought crossed her mind, she was a little curious.

She’d have to subtly ask him about it the next time they were alone. There were still plenty of opportunities ahead.

“Ms. Grace.”

“Yes?”

“You seem particularly interested in Mr. Sivar. Are the others not to your liking?”

“Hmm~ Well? That’s not entirely untrue, but Mr. Sivar seems especially strong. That’s all.”

Of course, Luna wanted to prevent Grace from using Sivar. More precisely, it was a tug-of-war.

She wanted Grace to struggle as much as she did, but not to the extent of manipulating Sivar for her own purposes.

If that happened, Grace would eventually give up in frustration. Instead of controlling him, she’d just end up cleaning up after him.

‘I really hope so.’

Luna knew she shouldn’t harbor such thoughts. But too much had happened in such a short time.

The catalyst for it all was the Death Beam incident two days ago. She had almost lost the precious fateful encounter she had worked so hard to gain.

She had only brought him to ask about the mural’s content, but the aftermath had been terrifying. Even his very identity was now under suspicion.

“Let me say this in advance: please refrain from trying to use Sivar. You wouldn’t be able to handle it, Ms. Grace.”

“Oh my, it sounds like you’re saying you can handle him, Ms. Luna.”

“If that’s how it sounded, I apologize. But I’m being sincere.”

Luna smiled faintly as she spoke to Grace. It was 100% genuine.

Grace, in turn, gave a subtle smile, her expression full of intrigue. As if to say, ‘Not a chance.’

People with strong pride often reveal it with just a little provocation.

‘You think I can’t do it?’

Grace indeed felt that way. Luna’s somewhat arrogant assertion had stirred her pride.

Born into a prestigious family, Grace had gained many things, but her household was far from lenient.

“Don’t expect to gain anything without effort.” That was the family’s proverb, a philosophy that had driven her relentlessly since childhood.

Even now, she was striving to earn recognition from her family. The complex power struggles within noble households were all too well-known.

‘I need to gather as many allies as possible.’

Rather than defeating enemies, it was better to recruit allies. This had been Grace’s plan since entering the Academy.

Her targets were commoners like Luna or nobles of lower rank—those who were easy to win over.

‘Though what I want isn’t their skill.’

The United Academy was a place where people of diverse talents gathered. Unless one was in the top tier, ranking individuals by skill was meaningless.

Moreover, those in the top tier often attracted attention at the national level. Even prestigious families ultimately belonged to their respective nations.

Although Duke Berche’s Household had significant influence, they didn’t provide much support unless one had proven themselves.

‘What I need are those who can pledge loyalty.’

Thus, what Grace sought was one thing: individuals willing to pledge their loyalty to her.

Pledge your loyalty, and I’ll gladly give you what you desire. A fundamental principle between sovereign and subject.

Grace desired such loyalty, and the most suitable candidate for that was Sivar.

As he gradually adapted to civilization, he would begin to realize what he needed, and when that happened, he would naturally turn to her. That’s when she would extend her hand.

Most importantly, he had no connections. No parents, no discernible background—nothing. A sense of belonging would mean everything to him.

‘Until then, I just need to get closer to him little by little.’

Sivar is not a beast but a human. Therefore, expecting the kind of loyalty unique to beasts is absurd.

While that wouldn’t be entirely bad, in that case, she might as well raise a dog. She wasn’t looking for a beast.

‘…Even so, what I truly want will likely remain out of reach.’

Grace gave a bitter smile inwardly. The feelings she had set aside while compromising with reality resurfaced.

But the world is not as beautiful as a fairy tale. She steeled herself once again.

To gain recognition from her household and secure her future, she had to strengthen her resolve from now on.

“Come to think of it, Grace, you mentioned you were assisting Professor Delphoi with his research, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Has he done anything strange by any chance?”

“Hmm…”

At Luna’s question, Grace slightly leaned her head forward. Sivar was playing hand games with Kara.

He had told her before. Professor Delphoi is a beast, so she should stay away from him.

At the time, she had no idea what he meant by that, but when she met him, something felt off.

His tone was polite, but there were subtle daggers hidden in his words, or remarks tinged with inferiority, and so on.

Grace realized that even with a mask on, one’s true nature couldn’t be completely concealed. She felt an inexplicable sense of disharmony when meeting him.

“Well… I’m not sure yet. It could just be my prejudice, so I’m still observing for now.”

She couldn’t make a definitive judgment. Her prejudice might have been influenced by Sivar’s so-called advice.

So, she planned to observe him gradually and maintain a cautious distance. Even if not Delphoi, there were plenty of excellent professors in Magic Studies.

For instance, there was Godin. While he was terrible at practical training, no one could rival him in theory.

“I see. Don’t take it too seriously. Sivar might have misjudged him.”

“Got it.”

“Is everyone here? I have a brief announcement, so please quiet down.”

Just then, Marlboro entered the lecture room at a perfectly timed moment. There was still some time before the class began.

Moreover, today wasn’t a Monday but a Friday, just before the weekend. It should have been another professor, not Marlboro.

Luna looked ahead with a puzzled expression, and even Sivar, who had been playing with Kara, turned his gaze.

As all the students focused, Marlboro cleared his throat and began to announce a particular schedule.

“Next Monday, a special practical training will take place. It will be held outdoors, not in the Academy’s main building.”

Practical training at the Academy was usually conducted indoors. So, the mention of an outdoor session sounded special.

While everyone was curious about the nature of this training, Marlboro spoke in his characteristic solemn tone.

“The training will take place in a forest strictly managed by the Academy, and…”

He paused briefly and looked in one direction. Specifically, toward Sivar, who was seated next to Luna.

Then, as if predicting the upcoming events, he continued to explain the details of the training.

“The theme is ‘Survival.'”

“…Survival?”

“Are they telling us to survive in the forest?”

“Wait a second. If that’s the case…”

As soon as Marlboro mentioned the theme, all eyes quickly turned to one spot. As expected, it was Sivar.

Luna, Grace, and even Kara were no exceptions. Without realizing it, they turned their heads toward Sivar.

Sivar, however, just sat there with a blank expression.

“The time will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., exactly 12 hours. During that time, you must ensure your survival and act as a team. Teams will consist of three or four members each. I believe this much is clear.”

“…”

“However, as the theme of survival suggests, there is a way to eliminate others. By removing or breaking the bracelet attached to their wrist.”

In the end, it was a competition. Either eliminate others or survive until the end to earn points.

Some thought, wouldn’t it be enough to just hide from start to finish?

But Marlboro’s subsequent explanation shattered that idea entirely.

“At first glance, hiding until the end might seem like a viable strategy. However, as time passes, the area you can move in will gradually shrink. In the increasingly limited space, your options will also dwindle.”

“Does that mean we’ll eventually have to fight?”

A student raised their hand and asked. Marlboro shook his head.

“As I said, the choice is entirely up to your team. Whether only your team survives or multiple teams survive, no one can predict. Even if there’s a tie for first place, the points awarded won’t differ significantly.”

Marlboro then explained various rules. The key point was survival, and the moment a bracelet was damaged, the wearer would be eliminated immediately.

Even if an opponent was knocked unconscious, as long as their bracelet remained intact, they would still be considered surviving.

Professors would oversee the event to prepare for any emergencies, and there were no significantly dangerous animals in the forest.

“At most, there might be wild boars or vipers. I recommend bringing a Detoxification Potion in case of a snake bite.”

“What if we don’t have a Detoxification Potion?”

“I suggest removing your bracelet. That way, a professor will locate and assist you. Don’t foolishly throw your life away.”

He added that meals would be entirely up to the participants, and no support would be provided.

The theme of survival fit perfectly—perhaps too perfectly. Moreover, the forest terrain could introduce numerous variables.

“Lastly, regarding the most important part: team composition…”

As soon as Marlboro trailed off, all eyes focused on Sivar once again.

Sivar, who had not only survived but lived in the forest, and who was strong enough to defeat Kara, was undoubtedly a desirable teammate.

Everyone likely wanted to recruit him immediately. But the world wasn’t that simple.

“Teams will be assigned randomly. We’ve already decided the teams in consultation with the professors.”

Tap—

Marlboro lightly flicked the paper he had brought with his finger. The students’ gazes naturally turned toward the paper.

Luna even used her “eyes” to examine the paper, but it was too far away to discern the details.

‘…Wait a second.’

A sudden realization flashed through her mind. Perhaps, for the time being, she could find some peace of mind.

Depending on the team assignments, their fates would diverge. Luna focused intently on Marlboro’s words.

“First team: Luna Estelle.”

Luna’s name was called first, making her tense as she waited to hear who her teammates would be.

“Antonio Bemoss. Talia Zerde.”

She knew Antonio but had never heard of Talia. She would have to familiarize herself with her soon.

It seemed the teams were divided with one top-tier, one mid-tier, and one lower-tier member each.

“Next, second team: Kara Meyer Hector’s Daughter. Jenaya…”

By chance, Luna learned Kara’s full name. Her surname was unique and lengthy.

Luna glanced at Kara upon hearing it. Kara muttered something under her breath, seemingly displeased.

“It’s like they’re announcing to the world whose daughter I am…”

It seemed adding something to one’s name was a tradition among the Tatars. Luna decided to ask about it later.

“Elvin Martis Zerka. Banat Rex…”

Sivar’s name hadn’t come up yet. This only heightened the curiosity.

Who would end up on the same team as Sivar? Not only Luna but also Grace listened attentively.

“Tenth team: Grace Aria del Berche. Lee Yeonju. And…”

Just as most of the names had been called, Marlboro trailed off again, glancing upward.

After briefly looking at Sivar, he folded the paper in half and finished his sentence.

“Sivar. That’s all.”

“…”

“Does anyone have any questions?”

There were many. Far too many.

But everyone refrained from asking, thinking the answers would likely be the same.

“I’ll emphasize once more: it’s fine to focus solely on survival. You don’t necessarily have to fight.”

Marlboro, understanding the students’ thoughts all too well, reiterated his point. It was essentially a roundabout way of saying not to fight Sivar.

Sivar had even defeated Kara with overwhelming skill. Moreover, the forest could be considered his home ground.

There was no way to win. Targeting other teams or simply focusing on survival seemed like the better strategy.

“Prepare thoroughly and aim for good results.”

With those final words, Marlboro left the lecture room. A subtle silence lingered in his absence.

The training itself was ordinary, if not for Sivar. Survive in the forest, eliminate or persuade rivals, and that was it.

The problem was Sivar—a mutant who didn’t just disrupt the ecosystem but completely destroyed it.

In this increasingly complicated situation, there was one person who was smiling.

“What a coincidence. I ended up on the same team as Mr. Sivar.”

“······Indeed.”

It was too perfect to be called a coincidence. Could this have happened because someone forcibly twisted the team assignments?

Either way, it was a welcome development for Luna. Especially since Grace was also on the team—it was the icing on the cake.

Now, all that remained was to follow through with the thought that had just flashed through her mind.

“Then, Ms. Luna, if it’s not too much trouble, may I ask you for a favor?”

“What kind of favor?”

“For the sake of planning our future strategy and tactics, I’d like to borrow Mr. Sivar for just this weekend.”

Just as expected. Luna maintained her best poker face.

Strategy and tactics were meaningless in front of Sivar. Sivar himself was a living strategic weapon.

Grace still didn’t know Sivar’s true capabilities, but that didn’t matter. What was important now was whether or not to hand Sivar over.

“Taking him is fine. But I’ll come along as well······”

“That won’t do. What if our plans get exposed?”

As if. Sivar himself was likely the plan, so what plans were there to expose?

Luna chuckled inwardly at Grace’s response, which could easily be seen as shameless.

This, too, was within her expectations. However, Grace knew far too little about Sivar.

‘Still, I’m worried······’

Originally, she had intended to just say, “Here, take him!” and agree. But now that the moment had come, she hesitated.

Should she sell her conscience for a peaceful weekend, or should she hold on to her principles?

Normally, she would have chosen the latter, but too many things had happened recently, leaving her utterly exhausted.

Besides, maintaining her condition was essential for the practical training scheduled for next week.

‘Will he manage without causing trouble?’

Luna looked at Sivar with a worried gaze. Sivar, oblivious, was happily playing with Kara.

While one person was agonizing, another was having a grand time. For a moment, Luna felt like she might explode but managed to suppress it.

‘He hasn’t even shared any secrets with us so far.’

Sivar hadn’t said a word about the mural. He was simply going with the flow.

While she couldn’t be entirely sure he had become “human,” at the very least, he had never treated anyone recklessly.

Except for Hector, that is. But to be fair, Hector had provoked him first, so there was plenty of room for leniency.

After going through all these thoughts, Luna nodded, having made her decision.

“······I’ll inform the Headmaster. Let’s go together after today’s class.”

“Thank you so much, Ms. Luna.”

She had only sold half her conscience. Knowing Rod’s personality, he’d probably grumble and reluctantly agree.

More importantly, there was nothing inherently wrong with Grace’s reasoning. Meeting to plan as a team was perfectly valid.

How could she possibly block such a justification? Especially in a fiercely competitive academy.

Without knowing what the future held, Luna spoke to Grace, who was smiling brightly.

“Don’t mention it.”

Outwardly, she smiled, but inwardly, she thought to herself.

“Go ahead and suffer your ass off.”

She was entrusting Sivar to them.

Her outward and inward thoughts were worlds apart, in more ways than one.

“Huh······? Just now······ what did you say······?”

“··· ···”

Grace was flustered by the unexpectedly crude remark. Her face clearly showed her confusion about what she had just heard.

Luna belatedly realized her slip of the tongue and froze. A chill ran through her entire body.

Her fatigue had flipped her inner and outer thoughts. Normally, she would never have made such a mistake.

But once words are spoken, they can’t be taken back. In desperation, she tried to correct herself.

Even if it was impossible to take them back, she had to at least make an effort, no matter how shameless it might seem.

“I said, please take good care of Sivar. Did I say something wrong?”

“Ah······ ahaha······ r-right? I must have misheard.”

“Yes. That must be······”

“Suffer?”

Whether it was out of disbelief or intentional, Grace repeated Luna’s words.

“Suffer. Your ass off?”

“··· ···”

“··· ···”

Sivar, who had barely managed to hold back Luna’s words, blurted them out again.

The atmosphere fell silent once more. Grace’s violet eyes grew colder.

“Goodness. You should watch your words in front of kids. And Sivar.”

“Yes?”

“You shouldn’t say that. It’s a curse word, a curse.”

Kara’s scolding continued, but one thing was certain.

“······Ms. Luna?”

“··· ···”

“I never thought you’d use such vulgar language. How unexpected.”

It seemed Luna would have to be cautious of Grace’s gaze for the foreseeable future.