A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 62

Since Kara joined, nothing particularly noteworthy happened.

Grace and Lee Yeonju, who hadn’t slept well, nodded off occasionally, but there were no issues.

The same went for the evening when the Safe Zone shrank to its maximum limit. There were barely any Survivors left, and no one wanted to fight.

“Are you going to fight? We don’t mind.”

“A Peace Treaty doesn’t sound bad.”

These were the words of Elvin, who had survived until the end like the others. The moment he saw us, he immediately proposed a Peace Treaty.

It was as if my mere existence was so overwhelming, like a Nuclear Bomb, that it led to the Peace Treaty being formed.

Since we didn’t have to exert any effort either, the Survival Training continued peacefully in its own way.

“Elvin, what did you eat to endure this?”

“I survived on just water.”

“…Aren’t you hungry? That must’ve been really tough.”

“I’d rather not eat at all than eat frogs or snakes.”

Elvin survived rather stubbornly. He endured without eating anything.

He solved the issue of Drinking Water with the Potions he had prepared in advance. Hunting was difficult, and he didn’t want to eat bugs, which led to this Resultant Product.

“This?”

“G-Get rid of that quickly! I’m not eating it!”

So, when I handed him a nicely roasted grub, he freaked out. Why does everyone hate bugs so much?

Leaving the pale-faced Elvin behind, I handed it over to Kara. She thanked me and popped it into her mouth.

“Mmm. Mmm. It’s delicious as expected. Why wouldn’t anyone eat something this tasty?”

“No idea.”

“… …”

Elvin looked at us with an indescribable Expression. No joke, it really is tasty.

Anyway, time passed, evening approached, and the sun was just about to set.

“Good job, everyone. This concludes the Survival Training.”

While we were chatting away in the Safe Zone, the Professors came to find us.

The eventful Survival Training had finally come to an end. Now, we could rest comfortably on soft Beds.

“It’s better to take off the Bracelets later. They temporarily enhance Fatigue recovery and suppress physiological needs. So, take them off at the Lodging and return them the next day.”

“…Enhanced Fatigue recovery makes sense, but why include a function to suppress physiological needs?”

This was Grace’s question. The other Survivors also looked equally puzzled.

When people are in a slightly different environment, their bodies are bound to react in various ways. Especially physiological needs.

Moreover, Survival Training involves extreme environmental changes. No one had probably thought about what might have changed.

“There are several reasons, but it’s mainly to avoid embarrassing situations. We were watching over you, after all. Does that make sense now?”

“…Yes.”

Grace nodded. She probably had a hunch, given how quick-witted she was.

That the Faculty must have been monitoring the students in some way. That’s why we could focus solely on the Training.

Some might find this uncomfortable, but there wasn’t much resistance. After all, those who weren’t focused on Survival and did unnecessary things were at fault.

“Well, there’s no need to worry too much. We don’t concern ourselves with students’ personal matters. It’s one of the Academy’s principles.”

Marlboro said this while glancing at me. Even the other Professors subtly directed their gazes toward me.

I wondered why they were looking at me of all people, then quickly realized.

‘Ah. Luna.’

I had momentarily forgotten about Luna. It’s highly likely they had seen everything she said to me.

Luna had asked me about the Cave Mural where I lived, but to others, it could easily be misunderstood as a confession.

For the Professors, who were monitoring everything in real-time, it must have been a popcorn-worthy moment. I wonder how they’ll grade it.

‘Well, they’ll handle it properly.’

Professors aren’t the type to gossip. At most, they’d call the person involved to give advice, but they wouldn’t spread rumors.

However, as the saying goes, “Words have no feet but travel a thousand miles.” Rumors will inevitably grow closer to the truth as they spread.

This isn’t something the Professors can control. That’s just how rumors work.

I don’t know how this situation will unfold, but I’ll just focus on what I need to do.

“Once again, good job, everyone. Tomorrow’s class is just Autonomous Training in the afternoon, so rest well in the morning. Now, dismissed!”

After following the Professors out of the forest, we were officially dismissed.

The Students hesitated for a moment before heading back to their respective Lodgings.

We were about to do the same until Grace called out to me.

“Mr. Sivar.”

“?”

I stopped in my tracks and looked at her. Kara, who was walking with me, did the same.

Grace’s face was worn out with Fatigue. She hadn’t eaten proper Food or slept well for two days.

Yet, her sharp and striking beauty couldn’t be hidden. Even her usually fierce gaze had softened, giving her a pitiful appearance.

“That…”

Grace seemed to want to say something but hesitated, her lips moving wordlessly. I waited silently for her to speak.

Finally, Grace glanced at Kara beside me and gave a bitter smile. For someone who was always confident, this was an unusual Expression.

“…It’s nothing. I look forward to working with you.”

“Sure.”

“You too, Ms. Yeonju. I look forward to working with you.”

“Y-Yes…!”

Grace spoke to Lee Yeonju with a kind smile. I instinctively realized it wasn’t what she truly wanted to say.

I disliked this awkwardness. It would’ve been better to get closer to Grace than to grow distant.

I wasn’t sure what she wanted to say, but if things ended here, it would be hard to raise her Affinity.

My Instinct told me not to let it end here but to keep it going.

“Gra. Ce.”

“H-Huh? Me?”

Maybe because she was tired, Grace pointed to herself with a dazed Expression at my call.

It was so unlike her usual elegant demeanor as a Noble. This must be one of her true sides hidden behind the mask.

I spoke to her, who was staring at me with wide eyes.

“Cake.”

“…Cake? Cake?”

“Yes. The promise.”

I had promised her before. If she achieved good Grades in Survival, I’d buy her Cake.

Thanks to me, she escaped danger and completed the Training without any issues. I was fulfilling that promise.

Grace seemed to realize this belatedly and let out an “Ah” of understanding. Then, with a blank Expression, she chuckled softly.

“I’m sorry. I forgot about that. When should we meet?”

When would be good? I already had plans with Luna, so I’d have to postpone it. Plus, there were upcoming Episodes to consider.

Considering all that, it might take a while to set a date. I also had Training with Ellie and Rod on the weekend.

“Sorry to interrupt, but what kind of promise did you make with Sivar?”

While I was pondering, Kara interjected. Since it was her first time hearing about it, she must have been curious.

Grace explained casually, as if it was no big deal, recounting what had happened.

“I promised Mr. Sivar that if he actively cooperated, I’d buy him Cake. And Mr. Sivar kept that promise splendidly. That’s all.”

“Cake? That sweet, fluffy thing?”

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“Hmm…”

Kara, after hearing the explanation, turned her gaze to me. Her green eyes sparkled with contemplation.

I wasn’t sure what she was thinking, but it didn’t seem to be anything Negative.

“…Alright. A promise is a promise. But decide later, not now. You’re tired, and so are we. There’s plenty of time, right?”

“Let’s do that. Ms. Yeonju, would you like to join us?”

“Oh, no. I’m fine.”

Lee Yeonju waved her hands vigorously, clearly rejecting the idea. It was an obvious refusal.

Grace probably asked out of politeness, so it wasn’t a big deal.

‘When was the Episode involving Lee Yeonju again?’

I believe it’s the event where the Hwan Empire representatives visit. Someone of high status will likely come.

That person will immediately recognize Lee Yeonju and cause various incidents. Thankfully, they’re a sensible individual; otherwise, it would’ve been chaos.

“Once again, great job, everyone. Tomorrow… I don’t think I’ll be able to get up, so let’s meet in two days.”

With Grace’s words as the conclusion, we each returned to our lodgings. Naturally, I moved together with Kara.

‘Anyway, I just hope that person doesn’t show up.’

Now that the Survival Training is over, the next Episode is definitely that one. The Episode related to the Cleric.

In Soul World, you can obtain a Cleric-related Profession through that Route. However, your Faith needs to be a bit high.

For someone like me, whose Faith is practically nonexistent, it’s not something to worry about. But the problem is that I’m a Believer of Chaos.

“Sivar.”

“?”

Just as I was deeply contemplating whether that person would really show up, Kara called out to me. I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at her.

For some reason, Kara had a slightly annoyed expression. Just as I started to wonder if I had done something wrong—

“I don’t know if Ellie told you this, but you shouldn’t just follow anyone who offers you something tasty, okay?”

“…Huh?”

She suddenly brought up something completely out of the blue. It was a piece of advice so absurd that I didn’t even know how to react.

As I stood there bewildered, Kara scratched her head and gave me what sounded like an excuse.

“You mentioned Grace, right? She seems kind enough, so she’s probably fine… but that doesn’t mean you should just follow people. Especially if a stranger offers you food or promises to do something nice for you. Got it?”

Does she think I’m a child? I stared at Kara with a dumbfounded expression.

Kara, perhaps misunderstanding my expression, repeated her lesson once more.

“Alright, let’s practice. A stranger tells you they’ll buy you a cake if you follow them. What do you do?”

“Sure.”

I’d just take the cake and run. But it seemed Kara wasn’t too pleased with my answer.

“You’re supposed to say, ‘No!’ Let’s try another one. What if a stranger offers you money and suggests doing something fun together?”

“Sounds good.”

“No! You’re supposed to say, ‘No!’ Wow, you were really close to being in big trouble, huh? At least you’re learning now.”

I can protect myself just fine, so I don’t understand why she’s reacting like this.

Regardless, Kara muttered in a voice filled with sincerity.

“I’m scared someone might try to take our cute Sivar away. I’ll have to keep a close eye on you from now on.”

“?”

Who’s taking who? If someone tries to take me by force, I’ll bite them and escape.