A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 63

The Survival Training had ended. The students each took a break while waiting for their evaluations.

The teams that had tried to eliminate Sivar by joining forces—those plans had been meaningless in the face of overwhelming power, leaving everyone anxious and uneasy.

Although they had cooperated, they failed to achieve their ultimate goal of survival. Naturally, their evaluations would suffer.

However, Luna didn’t mind. Whether her evaluation dropped or not, she had achieved her own goal.

That goal was to have an opportunity to be alone with Sivar. Such a chance was exceedingly rare.

‘Now that it’s decided the two of us will be together, how can I create a pretext for it?’

She had thought about it constantly since her elimination. How could she find an excuse to face Sivar alone?

Gloria and Chronos were secretly meeting under the pretext of sparring. But Sivar was different.

He was someone the Academy monitored even more closely than Kara. No matter where he went, rumors would inevitably spread.

Thankfully, the Chancellor, Rod, was covering for him well, but even Rod had to be deceived in this situation. It was tricky in many ways.

‘A cafe won’t work. A restaurant is too ambiguous. Sparring would be fine as long as nothing gets broken.’

She had agonized over it ever since returning to her lodging after her elimination. What kind of pretext would even Rod find acceptable?

Not just Rod, but Ellie and Kara also needed to be convinced. While it was good that she had managed to set up a meeting, there were still many obstacles.

‘The only option left is to go herb-picking together on the weekends…’

Every weekend, she went herb-picking with Ellie. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to cleverly seize this opportunity.

Normally, Sivar would stay by her side, but if Ratatoskr took his place, there wouldn’t be an issue.

Ratatoskr, a spirit beast with power equal to Sivar’s and a sensitivity to nature, would be a great help.

‘Or, we could go without Ellie and just the two of us.’

That would be the best scenario—a situation where she could secure an appropriate pretext while avoiding anyone’s suspicion.

But as always, the first step was the hardest. Creating that situation naturally was the real challenge.

Luna, who had no prior experience with such matters, was deep in thought, but coincidentally, there was someone who had gone through a similar situation.

To be exact, they weren’t just similar; it was an ongoing case. These were people who, from the past to the present, had avoided anyone’s suspicion.

“Oh my. Oh my. What did you just say?”

“I’m curious about how to make plans without drawing suspicion from others.”

It was Gloria and Chronos, the nurturers teaching various mana techniques to Luna and Sivar.

Hearing Luna’s question, Gloria’s blue eyes sparkled. Her face was full of interest and anticipation.

She then turned her head to look at Sivar. He was practicing martial arts with Kara’s help.

Chronos was also involved, as martial arts demonstrations required at least two people to be effective, making the session flow smoothly.

“Does Student Sivar know about this, by any chance?”

Gloria asked in a whisper. It was a very quiet murmur, meant to ensure that no one else, especially Kara, could hear.

The point was that Kara, focused on Sivar’s training, wasn’t paying attention. Luna also glanced briefly at Sivar.

The meeting had been arranged. She had told him there was something she wanted to talk about and suggested they meet alone. Sivar had nodded in agreement.

The process of reaching the result was complicated, but the result itself was already determined.

“Yes. I mentioned it during the Survival Training. I said we should talk later, just the two of us.”

“During the training?”

Hearing that it had been brought up during the training, Gloria widened her eyes. She was well aware of how the training was conducted.

Thus, it was highly likely that the professors also knew Luna had arranged a meeting with Sivar.

After all, the equipment installed in the forest would have monitored the situation in real time. However, the spread of rumors would be slower.

‘At this point, even the Sword Saint must know… If it’s just a secret from Student Kara, I can understand that.’

Gloria looked at Kara again. She was teaching Sivar with a bright smile on her face.

Gloria didn’t know exactly what had happened during the Survival Training. She hadn’t been particularly interested in the first place.

But now, she felt she needed to hear about it at least once—what had happened between Sivar and Luna, and what kind of situation had unfolded.

Helping others with their secret romance was just as thrilling as secretly dating Chronos herself.

“I see. Alright. I’ll give you advice as much as I can.”

“R-Really?”

Luna’s blue eyes widened as she smiled brightly. Her pure smile shone like sunlight, making her look truly beautiful.

Seeing that smile, Gloria couldn’t help but smile warmly in return. Love truly made people more beautiful than before.

“Of course. You might even become my junior someday, right? There’s no reason not to help a student like that.”

“Thank you!”

“Shh. You need to be quiet, alright?”

As Luna expressed her gratitude enthusiastically, Gloria raised her index finger to her lips, signaling for silence.

If they drew unnecessary attention, the carefully arranged meeting could become meaningless.

“Ah, yes. I’m sorry.”

Luna belatedly realized her mistake and made an apologetic expression. Gloria found it even cuter.

“So, you’ve set the meeting, but you’re having trouble following through with it…”

“By the way, sparring with Sivar is difficult, and eating together somewhere is also hard.”

“Why is that? Then there’s no suitable place to arrange a meeting…”

Gloria trailed off. Sivar was indeed far from ordinary.

If he were an average person, there would be various excuses to use, but Sivar’s circumstances were extremely limited.

What would be the best option, then? Gloria pondered briefly over a situation that was similar yet different.

‘Since I don’t know Student Sivar well, I should start by teaching her how to draw the big picture rather than focusing on the details.’

Chronos was originally the best at seeing the big picture. Having traversed various battlefields, his perspective was broad.

He had risen from the bottom to the rank of general on his own, so his ability to strategize was exceptional.

It was a bit amusing to use that ability for secret romance, but it was necessary.

“It’s certainly tricky. It might even be harder than the situation we’re dealing with.”

“I-Is it really that difficult?”

“The options are limited. The only method that comes to mind is…”

Gloria racked her brain, trying to help the young student nurture her budding love.

She suspected it would be a significant challenge, especially with a rival involved, but her role was merely that of an advisor.

While she could give advice, the choice would always be Luna’s. After all, the future was shaped by personal decisions.

“Hmm! I’ve thought of a good idea.”

“Really?”

“Yes. But if you miss this chance, it’ll be hard to get another. Do you know that representatives from the Holy Kingdom Byzantium will be visiting soon?”

“This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

It was news to her. She hadn’t heard much since the Survival Training ended.

Gloria nodded as if she had expected that. The Academy would announce it soon, but knowing in advance wouldn’t hurt.

“The Academy hosts representatives from Byzantium once every quarter to scout for talent. During that time, students offer prayers or perform rituals according to their respective religions. That’s when their aptitudes are assessed.”

“Rituals, you say…”

The Goddess of Life required prayers, while the God of Destruction demanded rituals. Naturally, her thoughts turned to Kara.

In Tatar, where Gulak was practically the state religion, most people worshipped him. Consequently, they wielded lightning freely.

“That’s when you can seize the opportunity. Kara, being a follower of Lord Gulak, has a reason to separate from you, right? You can use the excuse of praying to the Goddess Gaia to create a moment alone. What do you think?”

“I… I think that might be difficult.”

“Huh? Difficult? Don’t tell me you’re also a follower of Lord Gulak?”

From Gloria’s perspective, it was only natural to think so. It was such a rare opportunity, yet Luna was the one drawing the line first.

However, contrary to her assumption, the issue wasn’t Kara but Sivar. Luna already knew which god had chosen him.

“It’s not that. It’s because of Sivar. He was chosen by Lord Chaos.”

“Chaos? You mean the Lord Chaos I know?”

“Yes. The God of Chaos, Lord Chaos. I heard he was chosen by him.”

“How fascinating. There are so few people chosen by Lord Chaos…”

Gloria said this as she looked toward Sivar. He was rolling on the ground with Kara, practicing grappling.

The expression wasn’t meant to be strange—it was literally just practice. They weren’t doing anything improper.

“What happens to those chosen by Lord Chaos? I heard that Byzantium accommodates all religions…”

“I’m not sure if a follower of Chaos will come. Their religion is so full of eccentrics…”

Followers of Chaos were notorious in many ways. Their small numbers made them stand out even more.

Yet they weren’t persecuted as heretics but recognized as a legitimate religion for a very simple reason.

“They’re unusually strong. That’s what defines the Order of Chaos. They rarely cause harm to those around them.”

“Who’s a representative example? I don’t know much about them.”

“A representative… Only one person comes to mind.”

Gloria tilted her head upward in thought. A cleric who was both peculiar and steadfast in their convictions.

At the same time, someone who never forgot their duties as a cleric and remained an endlessly righteous person.

“Martial Saintess Rize.”

“Martial Saintess? Is she someone with skills comparable to the Headmaster?”

“Yes. Like Lord Rod, she wields Navy-Colored Magic.”

Just hearing about her made her sound incredibly powerful. That was Luna’s thought.

“She’s also called this: Saint Rize.”

“Saint…?”

Luna’s face turned blank. Even though she came from a rural countryside, she had at least heard the title of Saint.

After all, clerics on pilgrimage would occasionally come through for missionary work. Among them, the name of the Saint was always mentioned.

But the combination of Martial Saintess and Saint? She couldn’t fathom what kind of bizarre mix that was.

“She’s the face of Byzantium and can be described as physical strength itself. She’s also the one Lord Chaos cherishes the most.”

“Uh… I don’t quite get it. What exactly does she do…?”

“You probably won’t fully grasp it. But her convictions are incredibly famous.”

Luna was curious. How could such a combination come together as one individual?

What kind of conviction did she hold to earn Lord Chaos’s favor?

In the meantime, Gloria began to explain the peculiar hybrid, Rize, and her convictions.

“A true cleric is not someone who merely heals the wounded. They find the source of harm and eradicate it. That is the virtue a true cleric must possess.”

“… …”

“It may sound somewhat heretical, but if you don’t address the root cause, it’s like pouring water into a bottomless pit. She always leads by example, which is why she’s so respected. Do you have a clearer picture of her now?”

Luna answered concisely.

“No.”

It felt like all her common sense was being shattered. How could someone like that be considered a cleric? Maybe a demon slayer, but not a cleric.

Gloria nodded, as if she understood the sentiment. She had felt the same way at first.

“You don’t need to delve too deeply. She’s an extremely busy and unpredictable person. Besides, she wouldn’t attend something like this anyway.”

“Hmm…”

Something about it felt deeply unsettling.

Especially since she was someone favored by Lord Chaos.

*****

The Holy Kingdom Byzantium.

Religiously speaking, it holds the highest status and authority in the world.

Each country has its own state religion, but Byzantium is a city built solely for the gods.

Of course, its unique religious characteristics shine through, and it has many followers of the God of Destruction, Gulak, making it a formidable power.

Most notably, Byzantium’s biggest feature is its status as a neutral nation. Neutrality is a position that cannot be maintained without strong support.

In that sense, Byzantium’s influence on the world is immeasurable. It produces the most clerics and even houses sacred grounds, so it’s only natural.

“Please reconsider, Lady Rize! Why are you suddenly planning to go to the Academy?”

But currently, Byzantium was in an uproar internally. A stark contrast to its endlessly calm exterior.

“Lord Chaos has spoken. Go there and meet your destiny. I merely follow Lord Chaos’s words.”

To the plea of a man presumed to be a Holy Knight, a woman… answered.

Contrary to her sweet and delicate voice, the woman’s appearance was astonishing. To put it bluntly, she was a Muscle Tank.

Biceps and trapezius muscles more robust than most men’s. Legs as thick as pillars supporting a building.

At first glance, she looked more like a man than a woman, and her rugged appearance was anything but feminine.

Her outfit, which exposed most of her muscles, was shockingly bold, though her chest was thoroughly covered. In many ways, it was utterly baffling.

“Are you suggesting we disobey the words of the gods…?”

“O-of course not! It’s just so sudden! If you leave without notice, everyone will be thrown into chaos!”

The Holy Knight responded in a panicked voice. If she were to head to the Academy, it would cause an uproar.

Even the mere presence of the Order’s representative would be disruptive, but this individual was far beyond that.

“At the very least, please go as the ‘Saintess,’ not the ‘Martial Saintess’! If you go like this, it will feel like you’re there to judge heretics!”

Above all, her current appearance was the issue. Her Muscle Tank-like physique.

Going to the Academy in this state? It was practically inviting trouble.

Thus, she was asked to go as the Saintess, not the Martial Saintess. Please, understand our position.

Was it the Holy Knight’s desperate plea that she couldn’t ignore? Or was it a reasonable persuasion?

“Hoo…”

Bang!

As the woman let out a deep sigh, a small explosion occurred. With a pop, smoke began to rise and spread.

The Holy Knight, as if accustomed to the scene, showed no reaction to the explosion. He simply waited quietly for the ‘Saintess’ within.

“I don’t really like this form, but I suppose it can’t be helped.”

Her tone, which had been firm just moments ago, softened immeasurably.

Amidst the dense smoke, a single silhouette wavered like a shadow.

A figure much smaller than the Muscle Tank from earlier. The Holy Knight, seeing the silhouette, felt a sense of relief.

‘No, wait. Why am I relieved?’

‘The Saintess may be less overwhelming than the Martial Saintess, but she’s still plenty chaotic.’ The Holy Knight quickly lifted his head and looked toward the smoke.

Just as the smoke began to dissipate, revealing the figure within.

That appearance was nothing short of striking.

“Well, I suppose this will do.”

Anyone would agree she was unmistakably a ‘Saintess.’

“Lord Chaos said it would be amusing, after all.”

Even her mischievous smile was breathtakingly beautiful.