A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 69

Having established a plan to control the berserk state, the conversation shifted to various casual topics.

Most of the discussion revolved around Rize, and she accepted questions as a way to build rapport.

At first, the group felt awkward, but as Rize answered their questions comfortably, they began asking more freely.

“If you’ve been chosen by Lord Chaos, how do you enhance your Divine Power? For Goddess Gaia or Lord Gulak, you can increase it through prayers or rituals.”

This was Kara’s question. Despite the prejudice against her as a barbarian, she was one of Lord Gulak’s trusted believers.

Even at her young age, she could already control lightning with ease. Moreover, she offered tributes regularly.

The recognition of the Tatars as a nation was largely due to Hector and Kara earning Lord Gulak’s trust.

“You may have heard this before, but Lord Chaos is extremely capricious. No one knows when, where, or how faith will be received.”

Rize calmly answered while sipping her tea. Even she acknowledged how unpredictable Chaos could be.

Still, while the capriciousness was more like a “prank,” Chaos was diligent when it came to serious matters.

Though, more often than not, that wasn’t the case. Rize elaborated just in time.

“Sometimes, even in critical situations, Chaos does strange things—like strengthening an enemy’s body at a decisive moment or doing nothing when healing is needed. Just thinking about it gives me chills.”

“…Can a god really behave like that?”

Kara reacted with disbelief. Lord Gulak provided rewards proportional to the tributes offered, and Goddess Gaia was no different.

But Chaos? None of that applied. Faith was granted at Chaos’s whim, and the rewards were far from reliable.

In the end, the only person you could trust was yourself. In the Soul World, being chosen by Chaos significantly increased the difficulty of clearing it.

‘The funny thing is, the player grows as much as the difficulty increases.’

Just to clarify, it’s the player who grows, not the character.

Since you have to pull off absurd feats to clear it, it’s the player themselves who improve.

“Lord Chaos may play pranks, but their care for us is as strong as any other deity’s. Even with the pranks, passing the trials isn’t impossible. So, if Chaos plays such pranks, I see it as a trial being given to us.”

Rize answered with a bright smile. Her words were well-packaged, but in truth, she had reached a state of enlightenment.

The result of overcoming those trials was the current Fist Saintess. While the lows were rock-bottom, the highs could pierce the heavens.

“Then, what can you do with your faith, Saint? Goddess Gaia specializes in healing, and Lord Gulak focuses on enhancing abilities.”

“I can do both. However, both are somewhat limited. Healing involves boosting an individual’s regenerative power, and ability enhancement raises the limits of one’s potential.”

“…Could you explain that in simpler terms?”

“When Gaia’s followers use healing abilities, I have to combine it with medical arts. When Gulak’s followers enhance physical abilities, I have to do weight training alongside it.”

This is one of Chaos’s most defining traits. Didn’t I mention earlier that the player’s personal stats increase?

Accordingly, the character being controlled with extreme precision also sees a rise in stats. Chaos is thoroughly focused on the “individual.”

Even with high potential, the poor efficiency and convenience are why Chaos is often considered a trap.

“Since I have a lot of Divine Power, most injuries don’t even require it. A disinfectant potion is enough. I’m steadily improving my physical abilities, though.”

“Can’t you enhance someone else’s abilities?”

“I can, but it also enhances the enemy’s abilities, which is the problem.”

In the Soul World, clerics, unlike in other games, can heal others but cannot boost their stats.

Even Lord Gulak’s followers can only enhance the abilities of fellow Gulak believers. Trying it on a regular person would result in them being fried by lightning.

Chaos is the exception, but as Rize mentioned, the fact that it can also boost an enemy’s stats is the biggest wildcard.

“However, demons are an exception. While Lord Chaos is capricious, they are in complete opposition to demons. So, if it’s only demons, I can use it without worry.”

“What happens if you use it on demons?”

“Basically, their flesh starts to burn. Since demons lack ‘color,’ they disappear as if they were paper burning.”

This is one of the reasons Rize is a hard counter to demons. Demons, devoid of “color,” are highly vulnerable to Holy Power, which embodies life itself.

When exposed to Holy Power, their flesh burns as if hit by white phosphorus, leaving amputation as the only way to stop it.

You might think this makes subjugating them too easy, but demons have absurd regenerative power by default.

Since they lack life, the rules governing living beings don’t apply to them. They can regenerate even if their heads are cut off.

There’s a reason why the undead are minions of demons. At least the high mana cost provides some consolation.

Their weaknesses are also clear, so once you identify a demon’s specific vulnerability, they can be dealt with easily.

‘Most demons would probably disintegrate just from Holy Power Release.’

Simply by releasing Holy Power in all directions, Rize could reduce low-level demons to dust.

Only indigo-ranked demons or higher could withstand it, but even they would suffer significant damage.

“Just in case, let me clarify: Brother Sivar doesn’t necessarily have to become a cleric. As I mentioned earlier, those chosen by Lord Chaos stand at a crossroads. My duty is to guide them toward the right path. Since I chose the path of a cleric, I can use Holy Power more easily.”

“So… does that mean Sivar could bulk up like you did earlier, Rize?”

Ellie cautiously asked, clearly impressed by the muscular Martial Saint Mode Rize had displayed earlier.

For the record, I have no intention of becoming muscle-bound. To be precise, even if I wanted to, it would take a long time.

Rize seemed to share a similar thought, as she responded with a soft smile.

“It’s possible, but it would take a long time. I gained this physique after decades of pilgrimage, accumulating Divine Power. Besides, what Brother Sivar needs isn’t ‘body’ but ‘mind.’ So, it’s not an urgent matter.”

“Phew…”

Ellie let out a sigh of relief after hearing Rize’s explanation. Her hand brushed over her ample chest, drawing attention.

“Why are you relieved? I think he’d still be cute even as a muscle mass. Or is that not your type?”

Noticing Ellie’s reaction, Kara smirked and teased her. It was easy to misunderstand.

Realizing what Kara meant, Ellie became slightly flustered. Her golden eyes darted around, unable to settle.

“Th-that’s not it! He’s already big, and if he gets any bigger, it would be hard to hug him!”

“… …”

“Ellie…”

At least from my perspective, her response was heartwarming. Maybe not for everyone else, though.

Kara’s smirk faded into a straight line, while Luna gave her a withering look.

Ellie, realizing she’d misspoken again, started blushing and stealing glances at me.

“…This feels strange.”

I heard Kara mutter something, but I ignored it. Ellie’s reaction was just too amusing.

When people reveal their true feelings, they tend to get embarrassed. Ellie was no exception.

Meanwhile, Rize chuckled softly and made a comment that was half-joke, half-serious.

“How heartwarming. I was curious about how Brother Sivar suppresses his instincts… but it seems Ms. Ellie nurtures him with love.”

“W-what? L-love?”

Ellie jumped up, her face turning even redder, almost like a ripe persimmon.

I was tempted to poke her cheeks with my finger to see if they’d drip red.

“Not that kind of love, silly. She probably means a familial bond.”

Kara, who had been observing the whole situation, interjected with a clear response, though she seemed somewhat dissatisfied.

Rize didn’t add anything further, simply maintaining her bright smile. Rod just sipped his tea quietly.

Luna… seemed to be deep in thought. Perhaps she was paying close attention to Rize’s words.

“Well, it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try. A healthy body fosters a healthy mind, after all. Improving your physique can only be beneficial, Brother Sivar.”

“?”

“Could you stand up for a moment?”

What was she planning? I was puzzled by her suggestion but stood up without resistance.

Honestly, I’d love to lean against Ellie’s chest forever, but that’s not something I can do indefinitely.

Once I stood up, Rize moved closer and pointed to a spot next to the table.

“Excuse me for a moment. This is just for confirmation, so please don’t misunderstand.”

Following Rize’s guidance, I moved to the indicated spot. She then began running her hands over various parts of my body.

It felt more like an inspection than a caress. The sensation was both peculiar and ticklish.

She thoroughly examined every muscle—arms, abs, chest, buttocks, neck, shoulders, and so on.

“This is… quite…”

For some reason, Rize’s calm expression gradually shifted to one of excitement. Her face flushed, and she occasionally let out a breath.

She looked like an artist discovering a masterpiece. She even began re-checking areas she’d already examined.

How long had she been inspecting me like this? Eventually, Rize looked at my face and spoke with a flushed expression.

“Truly… a perfect body…”

“…?”

“It’s incredibly rare to find such a flawless physique… Brother Sivar, who are you? To have a body that seems sculpted by hand…”

What is she talking about? I know my body is sturdy, but it doesn’t compare to your Martial Saint Mode.

I wasn’t the only one thinking that. Even Rod chimed in with a puzzled tone.

“Aren’t you in a better position to say that? Your physique is far superior.”

“I’m not ‘natural,’ though. But look at Brother Sivar—his body is honed to its peak through sheer effort! It’s truly beautiful. I can’t help but wonder who his parents are.”

Rize grew increasingly excited, almost like a pervert. Thank goodness she was in Saint Mode.

If she had been in Martial Saint Mode with that expression… Ugh. I don’t even want to imagine it.

“Pardon me… but could you take off your clothes? It’s just for confirmation.”

“No.”

Still, I hate perverts. I immediately rejected Rize’s suggestion and returned to the sofa.

As soon as I sat back on the sofa, I leaned into Ellie. That woman is terrifying in so many ways.

“I was joking. Could you come back here? I need to confirm something.”

Rize, perhaps trying to pass it off as a joke, kindly gestured to the spot. Honestly, I wish it hadn’t been a joke.

Reluctantly leaving Ellie’s embrace, I returned to my seat. Then, to my surprise, Rize plopped herself down on the floor.

As if that wasn’t shocking enough, she lay flat on the floor and raised her right arm, speaking.

“I’m curious if you’re fully utilizing that body of yours. Do you happen to know what arm wrestling is?”

Of course I do. I’ve seen Kara and Luna do it occasionally.

Following Rize’s request, I lay down on the floor. From this position, I could see her face directly.

And, on top of that, her chest was pressed flat like a steamed bun. It looked like it would be hard to even breathe, but Rize seemed completely unfazed.

Clench!

“Hmm. Your grip strength is certainly impressive.”

As soon as our hands clasped, Rize smiled in satisfaction and complimented me. I stared straight at her face.

At least in Saint Mode, I might have a chance of winning against her. Rize in Saint Mode is entirely devoted to her faith.

Crunch!

“Ugh…!”

That thought shattered exactly 30 seconds later. I started exerting my strength at Luna’s signal, but it was pointless.

No matter how hard I tried to push, Rize didn’t budge, like a deeply rooted tree.

On the contrary, her expression was one of complete serenity. It was unsettling, to say the least.

Bam!

“…Huh?”

The moment I loosened my strength for a brief recharge, my arm was slammed down. It hit the floor so hard that it caused a crack.

Looking at my slightly numb hand, I turned my head forward. Rize stood up and smiled leisurely.

“No matter how great a body is, it’s meaningless if you don’t know how to use it. Isn’t there a saying about all show and no substance?”

“…”

“Arm wrestling doesn’t just use the forearm muscles, biceps, and triceps, Brother Sivar. You also need to know how to utilize your back muscles.”

At her words, I could feel it.

“I’ll teach you soon—how to properly use your body.”

She was like an enormous ‘wall’ itself.