A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 72

When was the first time I felt a ‘wall’ in my life? It must have been when I fell from the forest and had a proper fight with Porori.

Back then, I was incredibly weak, while Porori was already unbelievably strong. Getting knocked out with a single hit was a regular occurrence.

Still, as the days went by, I gradually caught up, and eventually, I managed to claim victory. Leaving a mark of triumph was just a bonus.

Thanks to that, I realized that walls can be overcome with effort. The thrill of that moment is something I can never forget, even as time passes.

“From now on, I’ll help you manage your berserk state every weekend until the day you can control it yourself, Brother Sivar.”

“What happens when I can control it myself? The key question is whether I can maintain my reason.”

“We’ll have to confirm that when the time comes. But if you think about it, berserk is a type of awakening ability. The chances of losing reason are low.”

“Awakening ability?”

At Rize’s explanation, Luna tilted her head in confusion. Her expression showed it was the first time she’d heard the term awakening ability.

She still knows less than she doesn’t. Even with her talent for defying time, experience is something that can’t be skipped.

Before I knew it, Rize had shifted back from Fist Saint mode to Saint Mode, smiling gently as she began explaining.

“It’s a technique that enhances overall abilities, including physical ones. It consumes a lot of mana and stamina, but the benefits far outweigh the cost.”

“Is it similar to how clerics enhance physical abilities?”

“It’s similar but different. You have to activate it yourself, not rely on someone else. If you want, Ms. Luna, I can teach you too.”

“Really?!”

At Rize’s straightforward offer, Luna’s eyes sparkled. She’s trying to get another free ride, isn’t she?

In any case, awakening ability is essentially a ‘buff.’ It’s a buff that can only be activated on oneself, not on others.

Due to the significant stamina consumption, it’s a skill usually reserved for the final moments. A prime example would be Hector enveloping his entire body in lightning.

“Yes. But there are many conditions. First, your body must adapt to mana. Second, you need to significantly increase your stamina. If you fail to meet even one of these conditions, it’s hard to use.”

“The first can be achieved through condensation and engraving, but what’s the standard for the second?”

In the Soul World, the minimum stamina required to use awakening ability is 100. Even then, it doesn’t last long.

Just like how games have minimum and recommended system requirements, while the minimum might be 100, the recommended would be over 120.

“I’ll explain that gradually. For now, if your stamina is comparable to Kara’s, you should be able to use it.”

“Huh? Me?”

At the sudden mention of her name, Kara blinked in surprise, her green eyes filled with curiosity.

“Ms. Kara, you can use awakening ability too, can’t you?”

“Yes, but… I rarely use it unless it’s in practical combat.”

In sparring, it was just sparring, so she likely fought barehanded. Even if she had used awakening ability, the result wouldn’t have changed.

Conversely, this means that even Kara finds awakening ability burdensome. For Gulak believers, it must be even more overwhelming.

Even Hector, who surrounds his entire body with powerful lightning, struggles to endure it without exceptional physical strength and stamina.

“You heard that, right? For now, it’s best to focus on building stamina. There’s a reason people say stamina is national power.”

“Yes…”

At the realization that it all circles back to training, Luna’s face fell. Her expression clearly showed how tiresome she found it.

She never forgets what she learns, but having to repeat it over and over to master it makes her weary.

“If you want, I can help you boost your stamina in a short period. That is, if you can keep up.”

“I’ll do it!”

“Good. Then let’s meet here after every class. Mr. Rod, you’ll allow it, right?”

“Do as you please. It’s not like I can stop you anyway.”

Some people struggle to escape hell, but she’s willingly walking into it.

I cast a pitying glance at Luna, who was smiling brightly. She had no idea what she’d just signed up for.

‘Even game characters end up throwing up from this training.’

Players chosen by Chaos are dragged off by Rize and subjected to relentless training.

It’s so grueling that even playable characters vomit from the effort. It’s not an exaggeration—there’s an actual vomiting animation.

Yet Rize doesn’t care and continues the training. No matter how hard it gets, even when you try to run away, she always catches you.

‘But Luna wasn’t even chosen by Chaos, and she’s getting this for free?’

Rize has a sharp eye, so maybe she just took an interest in her. Kara, on the other hand, has her own routine, so she doesn’t interfere.

Still, if Rize trains you, you can grow stronger in a short time—if you can endure it, that is.

Inwardly, I offered my condolences to Luna, who was about to experience hell. She might become more and more worn out as time goes on.

“Alright, now that everything’s settled, Brother Sivar?”

“Yes.”

“I understand you need stability, but could you start listening to my story now?”

I don’t want to. I want to stay like this a bit longer. I shook my head in refusal.

After Rize engraved death into me, I was seeking comfort to calm my distraught heart. Naturally, Ellie was the one comforting me.

Her way of comforting me was simple. She held me warmly and patted my back.

I wanted to bury my face in her chest, but given the situation, a hug was all I could manage.

‘Her timing was impeccable.’

She wasn’t originally here, but she showed up at just the right moment.

As soon as Ellie arrived, I looked at her with teary eyes and clung to her. She accepted my whining with an open heart.

“Please be patient. Sivar is clearly terrified.”

Ellie, as always, understood me perfectly. She’s as perceptive as Kara.

As Ellie patted my back and comforted me, I burrowed deeper into her embrace. A warm sensation enveloped me.

Perhaps because her hug was so sincere, the fear that had filled my heart gradually subsided.

I felt her chest against me, but strangely, it didn’t stir any impure thoughts. I only felt a sense of peace.

“Hmm. Well, it’s understandable. The shock must have been significant. It might be better to discuss this after returning to the residence.”

“Alright. Sivar, you agree, right?”

I nodded at Ellie’s question. That much was fine.

Reluctantly, I let go of the hug. As I pulled away, Ellie’s face came into view.

A faint blush on her cheeks and an innocent, radiant smile. Seeing her flushed face, I wondered if I’d hugged her too tightly.

I hadn’t controlled my strength while hugging her, so it made sense. I should apologize later.

“Were you uncomfortable? It must have been suffocating because of my chest.”

“Not at all.”

Far from uncomfortable, I felt recharged. The fear that had consumed me was replaced with calm.

Besides, I should have been the one asking that question. I had hugged her so tightly that her face turned red, yet she hadn’t uttered a word of complaint.

“That’s a relief. From now on…”

“Don’t say anything weird and let’s go. We can’t just stay here forever, can we?”

Just as Ellie was about to say something, Kara’s voice cut through, interrupting us.

Her voice was so loud and clear that it rang in my ears. I turned my head to look at Kara.

She stood with her arms crossed, wearing a displeased expression. I couldn’t figure out why she looked like that.

“And Ellie, what if Sivar’s habits worsen because of this? You shouldn’t indulge him too much.”

Kara followed up by criticizing Ellie’s actions. To be fair, I did tend to whine whenever I got the chance.

Ellie seemed to acknowledge this as she nodded. However, her next words were quite reasonable.

“Just let it slide, Unnie. Sivar lived in the wilderness, remember? He’s just starting to understand what loneliness is.”

“For the record, hugs are an excellent remedy for loneliness. They can even alleviate depression.”

Rize added to Ellie’s explanation. With her expertise in medical arts and abundant experience, her words carried weight.

Truthfully, every night, an inexplicable loneliness and sense of isolation would wash over me. It made it hard to sleep.

Perhaps that’s why mornings felt so joyful. There’s a reason humans are called social animals.

“…Really? Then I guess there’s no helping it.”

Kara seemed to think she couldn’t argue further and let it go. With Rize’s testimony, there was nothing more to say.

Then, glancing at me, Kara raised her fist to her mouth and cleared her throat. After hesitating for a moment, she spoke quietly.

“…Fine, I’ll help a little too. All I have to do is hug, right?”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Ellie, I can’t let you handle everything alone. Remember when I said I’d help whenever you needed it?”

She had said that, though it was open to interpretation. Still, it didn’t carry much significance.

I doubt Ellie expected her to bring it up now. Her golden eyes wavered slightly.

“Th-that’s okay! I can handle this by myself. Kara Unnie, you have your own training to focus on, right?”

Ellie tried to keep her composure, but her trembling voice betrayed her. She must have been quite flustered.

Kara, whether she noticed or not, responded as if it didn’t matter to her.

“Oh, come on. A hug is easy. I’ve done it with Sivar during training too.”

“W-what? During training? What do you mean?”

“Have you heard of grappling? Saint, you know what I’m talking about, right?”

“Of course. Techniques that involve grabbing your opponent, slamming them to the floor, or choking them unconscious. Physical contact is unavoidable.”

Once again, the Fist Saintess kindly explained. With her exceptional skills in both medical and martial arts, she was practically a walking knowledge bundle.

At this, Ellie’s eyes shook even more violently. It was a reaction that screamed she hadn’t expected this.

She couldn’t figure out what to say and eventually shifted her gaze to Luna.

Finally, stammering, she sought confirmation.

“I-Is that true? L-Luna, you train too, don’t you?”

“Huh? Yeah, that’s right. I do it too. So what?”

“L-Luna, you too?”

“Is there a problem with that?”

Luna tilted her head, genuinely looking like she didn’t understand. Meanwhile, Ellie’s expression was changing by the second.

In a situation that was pure chaos in every sense, I was the only one standing there blankly. For the record, Rod had already returned.

“Where do you think you’re going, trying to hog everything for yourself?”

Then, Kara’s voice pierced my ears. The moment I heard her words, I turned to look at her.

Kara was wearing her signature sly grin. She had definitely just said something about greed.

“What did you just say? That didn’t sound like the Common Language.”

Rize, who had hearing as sharp as mine, asked Kara. Kara replied in a breezy tone.

“It’s nothing. Just talking to myself, that’s all.”

“That’s the Language of Tatars, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Saint, do you happen to know our language?”

“No. If it were another country, maybe, but back when I was on my pilgrimage, the Tatars’ language was a mess. I heard Hector unified it, though. Is that not true?”

So it was the Language of Tatars. But why did it feel like I understood it?

[Faith Increases!]

What are you again?