A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Chapter 202

What did you do after finishing your moonlit conversation with Dan Yerin?

Nothing. I returned to Grace's side and quietly closed my eyes.

I wasn't sleeping but remained in a half-awake state. Similar to a dog guarding its owner.

If someone were to approach or if strange energy was sensed, I could immediately respond.

You might wonder if it's necessary, but it's not something I can control. It's just automatic.

Moreover, I had to pay attention to Dan Yerin in the next room. There was no telling when Yeohye might threaten her.

I only knew an assassination attempt would happen at dawn, but it was hard to pinpoint the exact time.

"Wow... Did Mr. Sivar make all of this food?"

"Yes."

"You really didn't have to prepare breakfast..."

Time passed, and morning came. Before Grace woke up, I started preparing breakfast.

It wasn't a hearty breakfast suited to the Western diet but a light one.

Sausage and bread. Along with fried eggs and even a salad. I prepared it all myself.

"Grace."

"Yes."

"Do you usually eat breakfast?"

"I find it bothersome, so I usually just grab some bread..."

As expected. As a Young Lady of the Duke's Family, making it herself would be too much effort.

However, having breakfast regularly is important. Naturally, it's for health reasons.

A consistent lifestyle habit is only beneficial, never harmful. It greatly aids growth.

"I'll handle it from now on. Just eat."

"Ah, no. That's not necessary..."

"Just eat."

"...Alright."

Thanks to my not-so-forced persuasion, Grace was able to fill her stomach.

There's no need to worry about calories. If she uses mana, it will naturally burn off.

This is a time when mechanical civilization isn't developed, so surprisingly, there aren't many overweight people.

Even in developed Santia, it's no different. On Earth, obesity only recently became a societal issue.

'The problem is more about not having enough to eat.'

In that sense, Grace is indulging in luxury. Though she's completely unaware.

As someone who lived a self-sustaining life in the forest, I understand the importance of meals better than anyone.

That's why it was hard for me to see someone skipping breakfast. Some struggle to survive, while others skip their morning meals.

"Is it good?"

"Yes. Strangely, it's delicious. Why does it taste so good?"

Well, that's because I added herbs. Herbs are essential instead of spices.

After a simple yet filling breakfast, we finished preparing to head to the lecture room.

"Alright. Now, please comb my hair."

"Comb your hair?"

"Yes. Mr. Sivar, you might not know this since it's your first time, but bodyguards are supposed to do even this."

That can't be true. No matter how foolish I might be, there's no way bodyguards do this.

However, asking further seemed like it would only lead to strange answers, so I obediently complied.

Combing someone's hair is also a sign of trust, so I didn't mind.

'Her hair is really nice.'

It's the kind of hair texture and shine you'd expect to see in advertisements. As a Young Lady from a Noble family, she must have received every possible care.

Grace let out a pleasant hum every time I combed her hair. Looking in the mirror, I even saw a faint smile on her face.

After a good night's sleep, she seemed completely refreshed. I tilted my head, wondering if it was really that much, but since Grace seemed happy, I let it slide.

"Well then, let's start the day on a good note."

"Alright."

After finishing all our preparations, the two of us walked side by side to the classroom.

Even while walking, Grace chirped like a lark, chattering nonstop. She seemed to be in a great mood.

If I could, I would've joined in, but my language ability is still lacking. Still, I showed as much sincerity as I could.

'When will this accursed speech improve?'

Despite having over 300 faith, my language ability hasn't improved. Is there something I don't know?

Or maybe it's just become a habit. It's a bit annoying, and I've always been more of a listener.

Grace seemed satisfied enough with just this, smiling brightly. Her usual sharp impression was completely gone.

'Is she really that happy?'

The fact that she has romantic feelings for me is obvious to anyone.

They say people become fools when they fall in love, and Grace fits that description perfectly. The gap was palpable.

Still, it's much better for her to act silly like this than to be stressed out.

If I can be a source of healing, I'd gladly play that role. Not only do I not mind, but I actually like it.

"Good morning, everyone! It's such a lovely morning!"

"... ..."

But it seems a bit too cheerful. Watching Grace's lively greeting, I felt slightly awkward.

Compared to yesterday, she's changed so much it's almost unbelievable.

"You look like you're in a good mood. Did you sleep well?"

Kara chuckled as she looked at the cheerful Grace. Her eyes suggested she already knew.

Grace responded in her usual confident tone while sitting in her usual seat.

"Of course. It's been a while since I slept so well. I didn't realize how refreshing morning sunlight could be until now."

"Well, that's all that matters."

Surprisingly, Kara seemed to just let it go this time. Judging by her smile, she clearly knew something.

It felt more like tolerance than jealousy. More like she was letting it slide just this once.

"As long as your back doesn't hurt. If it does, I'll wreak havoc. Got it?"

"... ..."

Grace couldn't easily reply to Kara's threatening remark. She rolled her eyes, trying to dodge the question.

Sensing something unusual, Kara made a strange expression and demanded again.

"Answer."

"...Tch."

"Tch? Tccchhh? You keep crossing the line. Are you really a Noble? Are all Nobles from the Matra Empire like this?"

"Who knows? What do you think?"

Hmm. The tension was already palpable. Caught in between, I felt like I was suffocating.

I tried to feign ignorance, but the atmosphere was so tense that I could only stare at the desk.

'Come to think of it, Grace and Kara have been fighting more often.'

It's clear that Grace is starting to push back more. Kara must feel a sense of crisis.

I don't know how it will turn out, but for now, Grace has the upper hand. When physical distance grows, emotional distance follows.

Conversely, when physical distance closes, emotional closeness follows. Especially when a man and woman share the same room, anything could happen.

"I just need to endure for one semester. I shouldn't have agreed. So, what did you do yesterday?"

"I didn't do much since I was moving my belongings. Starting today, I plan to focus on studying."

"Huh?"

I hadn't heard anything about studying. I widened my eyes and looked at Grace.

Kara, noticing my reaction, also seemed puzzled and asked in a curious tone.

"He looks like it's the first time he's hearing this. Why study all of a sudden?"

"No matter how smart Mr. Sivar is, if he hasn't learned anything, it's useless. Even if it's not general knowledge, he at least needs to learn basic math."

"Didn't you learn math while staying with the Headmaster?"

"...No."

Back then, I was so busy learning basic knowledge and writing that I had no time for something like math.

Kara, seemingly surprised, remarked with an unexpected expression.

"Really? Well, there were more pressing matters than math back then. Might as well learn now."

"Don't you think so, Kara? Especially math, since it focuses more on logic than intuition. It will be a great help to Mr. Sivar."

"No."

If there's one thing I can't stand, it's math. Even on Earth, it was more than just dislike—it was hatred.

It's not that I was completely incapable like a hopeless case. On the contrary, my grades were quite decent.

That's why I hated it even more. The more I dug into this wretched subject, the more frustrating things came out.

Besides, unless you're becoming a professor, basic arithmetic is enough. That's what I believe.

"No, that's not right. Mathematics isn't just basic arithmetic; it's a field that greatly aids logic. There's a reason people talk about mathematical thinking, isn't there?"

"Right. It's such a waste to only use that good brain of yours for headbutting. Learning it once wouldn't be a bad idea."

"... ..."

When even Kara agreed, I couldn't resist any longer. Instead, I redirected my target elsewhere.

That target was none other than Grace. If she was going to teach me math, she'd have to get something in return.

And there was only one thing I could teach her.

"Then Grace too."

"What? Why me?"

"Let's exercise. I'll teach you."

"E-Exercise?"

Improving the frail stamina befitting a mage. That's what I'll teach her.

Grace seemed flustered when I said I'd teach her exercise. It appears she didn't expect this.

Soon after, she regained her composure, cleared her throat, and began to skillfully withdraw.

"I-I'm fine. I'm a mage, after all. If I'm going to focus on anything, it should be magic, not physical strength..."

"Stamina is national power. It's the same for mages."

"W-Well, that's true, but..."

"Mana increases too. Mana is important for mages."

"Wow. You're good with words."

Kara admired my logical argument from the side. In fact, stamina and mana are indeed interrelated.

Even if mana is sufficient, there are often cases where stamina is lacking. Rather than stamina, it's more like endurance.

A good balance between the two can yield greater effects. Especially since Grace is particularly frail.

"Sivar is right. Ms. Grace, your stamina is extremely weak."

Luna, who had been silent until now, chimed in. The way she stared intently at Grace, it seemed she was scrutinizing her abilities.

In my heart, I wanted to ask Luna for more detailed stats, but I refrained. I'll ask her later.

Perhaps Grace already knew her weakness. She responded to Luna's remark with a flustered voice.

"H-How do you know that, Ms. Luna?"

"When we went up to the altar, you were the only one lagging behind. Even Ellie climbed up with ease."

"T-That was..."

"At most, raise it to just 40... No, just below Ellie."

Wow. Is her stamina really not even 40? Just how frail is she?

Grace tried to protest but, seeing our faces, let out a deep sigh.

Kara and I are undoubtedly monsters, and Luna, being a tough one, can exert strength beyond her stamina.

"...Fine. One day for academics, one day for exercise, then."

"Sounds good. But be careful. Sivar doesn't go easy. When I first started, I thought I was going to die from the pain."

"... ..."

It seems Luna's mouth is starting to run off again. I kept a close watch on her lips.

Kara, as if sensing something as well, glanced sideways at Luna. But Luna herself seemed oblivious.

"...Did it hurt a lot?"

"Yes. But once I got used to it, it was fine. Although he does have a slightly mischievous side."

"W-What kind of exercises did you do, exactly?"

Luna's answer to this was truly a spectacle.

"Waist exercises?"

"... ..."

"... ..."

It's terrifying that she wasn't lying.

As a chilling, heavy silence settled momentarily, I felt a gaze and looked ahead.

Looking forward, I noticed Dan Yerin staring at me with a peculiar expression.

How long had we been staring at each other like that? Dan Yerin stood up and approached me.

"You."

"Hmm?"

"Princess?"

Dan Yerin's soft voice broke the tense atmosphere entirely. Everyone's gaze turned to her.

Dan Yerin glanced around at the faces of those around me, then smiled subtly. It was quite an enchanting smile.

"You didn't forget our promise tonight, did you? I've prepared some good wine, you see."

"... ..."

"Then I'll be waiting."

Dan Yerin said what she needed to and left. I found myself blankly staring at her retreating figure.

If she had said it outright, it would have caused quite a commotion. But it was fine.

"What did she just say? It was the Eastern language, so I didn't understand a word."

"Me neither. Sivar probably understood, though."

"What did she say?"

Dan Yerin used the language of The East. Here, I'm the only one who knows that language.

Actually, it's less that I know it and more that I understood it. Hearing their questions, I answered casually.

"She said yesterday's restaurant was delicious."

"Restaurant?"

"Yeah. I recommended it yesterday."

Grace seemed to feel some inexplicable guilt piling up.

[Faith Increases!]