A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 84

I was taken aback by Lord’s suggestion to live with Martial Saintess Rize—in other words, to cohabit.

Considering the number of incidents I’ve caused so far, it was somewhat inevitable, but why did it have to be Rize?

“Are you saying Brother Sivar and the Saintess will live together?”

“That’s correct.”

“All of a sudden? Wait, is that even allowed?”

I wasn’t the only one flustered. Kara, startled by the sudden news of cohabitation, asked in a bewildered voice.

Others were the same. Everyone seemed puzzled as to why I would be living with Rize.

“It’s fine. Occasionally, students with good rapport or blood relations share a room. Of course, such cases go through strict procedures, so it rarely happens.”

“Does it not matter if the genders are different?”

“It doesn’t matter. That’s a common misconception among students.”

“But the professors said it’s not allowed······?”

Luna, with a confused expression, raised her doubts. She seemed to recall when I first joined the Academy.

Back then, she insisted on staying in the same room with me under the pretext of monitoring me, but the professors completely blocked her.

Since their reasoning was sound, she couldn’t refute them.

“They didn’t outright say no, did they? They probably rejected it with various reasons. Everyone knows what might happen if men and women share a room.”

“Then what about the Saintess? She’s a woman too.”

Ellie retorted. As she pointed out, no matter how much Rize is the Martial Saintess, she’s still a woman.

While she might not care about public opinion, I certainly do.

Living in the same room as someone as prominent as a Saintess? It wouldn’t be surprising if all sorts of bizarre rumors started circulating.

Ironically, I don’t care much about rumors myself. I just want to live alone.

“It shouldn’t be an issue. It’s doubtful Sivar even sees Rize as a woman, and also······”

Rod trailed off, looking at me. His face suggested he had much to say but didn’t know where to start.

It seemed even he found the proposal sudden. He was trying hard to persuade me.

Ultimately, if Rize insisted, I’d have no choice but to cohabit. Still, persuasion was necessary.

“······There’s no reason to see her as a woman.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’ll leave it to your imagination what form Rize might take.”

“··· ···”

That single response was enough to convince everyone to some extent. Even I was included in that.

Saint Mode Rize is truly a beautiful woman, but when she switches to Martial Saint Mode······ further explanation is unnecessary.

However, there’s still an issue—Rize reportedly came to the Academy as a Saintess. In other words, she can’t always remain in Martial Saint Mode.

For rest, she would revert to her original Saint Mode. I’m slightly curious how that will be managed.

“Well, even with this explanation, it’s hard to fully accept. News of Rize and Sivar cohabiting has caused a stir not only in the Academy but also in Byzantium.”

“But somehow, it got approved?”

“Rize was so persistent that there was no other choice. Besides, the cohabitation period won’t last long. She said she’ll leave after the first semester.”

“If it’s until the first semester······ that’s about a month and a half.”

It’s almost midterm exam season. In other words, half the semester has passed.

That’s at least a small relief. If the cohabitation were to continue indefinitely, it would severely restrict my actions.

Rize isn’t entirely tactless, so she probably made this concession as a compromise.

“Then why does the Saintess want to live with Sivar? What’s the reason? That’s what I’m most curious about.”

“Me too. What about Sivar made her decide to cohabit?”

Above all, the biggest question is “why.” Why did Rize want to live with me?

She plans to manage my Berserk state on weekends. There’s no need for cohabitation to achieve that.

Rod cleared his throat lightly at our questions. It wasn’t because he was sick, just a simple cough.

Then he glanced behind him and gave a curious reply.

“It’s better to ask her directly. She’s arrived just in time.”

Knock, knock, knock—

As soon as Rod said that, someone knocked on the door. It seemed Rize had indeed arrived.

At the sound of the knock, Luna alternated her gaze between the door and Rod before standing up.

Click—

“Hello, Ms. Luna. Are you feeling better?”

“Ah. Yes······ hello. I’m fine now.”

As expected, the one who knocked was Rize. Like the others, she possessed striking beauty.

After greeting Luna warmly, Rize walked toward us.

Since she was in Saint Mode rather than Martial Saint Mode, certain features naturally caught the eye.

“··· ···”

As Rize walked toward us, our eyes met. When they did, she gave me a gentle smile.

Normally, that smile should evoke fear. That was exactly how I felt when I first met Rize.

But not today. Instead of fear, I felt an inexplicable embarrassment and couldn’t even maintain eye contact.

When I awkwardly averted my gaze, Rize chuckled softly and sat next to Rod.

“Have you discussed it yet?”

“For the most part. You can explain the reason yourself.”

As soon as she sat down, Rize got straight to the point, skipping any unnecessary pleasantries.

For now, resolving our curiosity takes precedence. Idle chatter can wait.

“I’m sure everyone was surprised to hear that Brother Sivar and I will be living together. Even if it’s only for a month and a half, the fact remains that we’ll be cohabiting. However, I can assure you it’s out of necessity.”

Out of necessity. That single phrase emphasized the importance of the matter.

But what we need now is the reason. Is it to monitor me, or is there another purpose?

Perhaps sensing our curiosity, Rize continued in her characteristic gentle tone.

“There are many reasons I wish to live with Brother Sivar. Primarily, it’s because Brother Sivar has been chosen by Lord Chaos. That is the biggest reason.”

“Are you worried that Sivar’s actions might tarnish Lord Chaos’s reputation?”

Kara spoke in a slightly sharp tone. At first glance, it could certainly be interpreted that way.

It’s already well-known that I’ve been chosen by Chaos. The rumors have undoubtedly spread far and wide.

So if I were to cause trouble, it could reflect poorly on Chaos’s reputation. Kara seemed to have anticipated this.

But who is Chaos? As the deity of “disorder,” Chaos is infinitely tolerant in certain aspects.

“No, that’s not it. What Lord Chaos strictly forbids is the reckless taking of life. Brother Sivar does not harm life unnecessarily. Isn’t that right?”

Freed from Ellie’s embrace, I nodded timidly. Unless it’s hunting, I’ve rarely taken life.

Occasionally, I’ve dealt with predators invading my territory, but that was out of necessity.

After all, once a predator recognizes me, it’s bound to attack. It would also scare off prey.

“I don’t mind if Brother Sivar causes trouble—breaking buildings or destroying objects. It doesn’t bother me at all.”

“But I do!”

Rod protested to Rize in an exasperated tone. He’s the one who always has to deal with the mess I create.

Of course, Rize paid him no mind and brushed it off effortlessly. She had the composure to dismiss even the Sword Saint’s objections.

“However, if he were to deliberately take a life, I would reprimand him severely. That’s not something a human should do. As I’ve consistently said, Lord Chaos bestows blessings upon the wandering, not upon those lacking humanity.”

“Are you saying Sivar lacks a fully developed personality?”

Ellie asked. That part puzzled me as well.

From my perspective, my personality is fairly normal. Despite my Berserk state, my memories of living in civilization remain vivid.

“Strictly speaking, you could say so. After all, humans don’t have a Berserk state—only beasts do.”

“So, are you saying the Saintess intends to teach Sivar humanity······”

“Personality and humanity are different. That distinction must be made clear.”

While they might seem similar, they’re fundamentally different. One pertains to human nature, while the other is closer to character traits.

There are people with terrible personalities who still maintain their humanity, and others with decent personalities who lose their humanity.

Such cases are common on Earth and have been numerous throughout history.

‘I recall seeing plenty of examples during the Second World War.’

Even the infamous mustache was reportedly decent in private but implemented policies of racial extermination.

On the other hand, a businessman with a foul personality once protected innocent Jews. Humanity and personality are separate facets of intelligence.

“I plan to help Brother Sivar develop a more well-rounded personality. That’s why we’ll be cohabiting for a month and a half.”

“But the Headmaster and I are already teaching him well······”

Ellie murmured softly, hugging me like a doll. She still seemed eager to teach me various things.

“You don’t need to worry about that. If you wish, you can visit the room anytime. I’ll get special permission from the Academy.”

“Really?!”

“Yes. Since it’s about helping Brother Sivar, I must gladly accept it.”

“Thank you!”

While Ellie was overjoyed, Rod, who was seated next to Rize, had a reaction worth noting. Anyone could see he was forcing a sarcastic smile.

It seemed that while Rize stirred things up here and there, Rod had to clean up all the mess. Being the Academy Chancellor, it must have been a massive headache for him.

“In truth, only the dormitory is changing, so there won’t be much difference from usual. However, Brother Sivar?”

At Rize’s call, I turned to face her. I almost let my gaze drop downward but managed to suppress the urge.

“If you can fully control your Berserk state, your personality is likely to be complete. Until then, you must develop it well to live smoothly as a person.”

“······”

“I’m not saying you should live as a saint. After all, the world is full of trash that needs to be disposed of. However, even if it’s trash, I hope you won’t recklessly take away life.”

So, she’s telling me not to cross the ultimate line. It’s a philosophy fitting for Chaos yet inclined toward pursuing ‘good.’

I also don’t particularly enjoy taking human lives, even if it’s prey. Except, of course, when I lose control in a Berserk state.

Nodding in agreement, I affirmed her words. Rize seemed pleased with my response, as she offered a gentle smile.

“The dormitory assignment will be finalized two days from now. Since I already live there, Brother Sivar, you only need to bring yourself.”

“······That phrasing sounds a bit strange.”

“It’s your imagination.”

Whether Kara’s muttering reached her or not, Rize immediately shut it down. If the Saintess says so, it must be true.

“Oh, and one more thing. When addressing me, please use a title other than ‘Saintess.’ That way, we can grow even closer.”

“Then······”

Living with Rize is fine. However, her taking away my freedom is a bit infuriating.

Deciding everything without consulting the person involved—of course, I can understand, considering they probably judged that I haven’t fully adapted to civilization yet.

“Grandma?”

“······”

So, let’s see you flustered for once. Suppressing my inner thoughts, I quietly spoke up.

Was the title of Grandma a significant blow? Rize froze stiff, her smiling face unchanged.

By age, she is indeed a grandmother. She only appears as she does now because of Rejuvenation.

“Hmm. So this is the Instinct of the Wilderness. Even with a youthful appearance, you can tell right away.”

While everyone else was too shocked to speak, Rod alone seemed to be making some sort of judgment.

At that moment, Rize, having heard his comment, regained some composure. Still smiling, she spoke kindly.

“It seems some etiquette training is in order.”

I already got that from Rod, Grandma.

[Faith Increases!]

Even Lord Chaos seems to be enjoying this, which is truly delightful.