A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Chapter 203

After making a vague promise with Dan Yerin, I attended the class.

The class itself wasn't much, though it was similar yet different from the first semester.

On Wednesdays, we either had autonomous training or received training from a nurturer, while the rest involved various practical exercises.

As always, I passed the practical exercises effortlessly. Most of the first-year practicals resembled training sessions.

The professors practically excluded me from the exercises. Something about balance destruction and accident prevention.

Moreover, they sought my understanding, stating that even next week's practical might involve some sort of restrictions.

I had no idea what kind of practicals they were, but it was clear that balancing them would be difficult.

Anyway, I managed to finish the day normally. Now, all that remained was to relax peacefully...

"As I mentioned this morning, starting today, I'll teach you various disciplines. Among them, I'll focus on mathematics."

"I don't want to."

"No, you must. Basic disciplines are essential to avoid being underestimated, at the very least. As I said before, it's a waste to use such a brilliant mind only for headbutting."

I couldn't argue. Though I hated studying, Grace was so persistent that I had to learn.

The disciplines included mathematics, philosophy, science, history, morality, and so on, with a focus on the basics.

"Today, I'll start by teaching you the simplest mathematics. Here, take this book."

"What's this?"

"It's basic mathematics taught to nobles. Since I'm a mage, mathematics is important to me."

One might wonder why mathematics is relevant when magic is associated with language.

However, mathematical logic is not mentioned without reason. Mathematics is an objective discipline devoid of human emotions.

In language, emotions inevitably seep in, but mathematics restrains them, allowing for more efficient operation.

Even the magic Godin is researching likely deeply involves mathematics. That's how important it is.

"While formulas are important, the most crucial thing is mathematical logic. It's not about rote memorization but application. Got it?"

"Yes."

"And morality. Perhaps, this might actually be the most important."

Grace emphasized morality as even more important than mathematics. Honestly, morality is easy.

Of course, learning it is easy, but in this harsh world, morality feels like a luxury.

In times like these, morality rarely works as intended.

Even in the academy, violence erupted whenever people got bored.

'I'll just memorize it.'

Its application would vary depending on the situation. Since I had already learned it from Ellie, it didn't leave much of an impression.

"First, protect those you must protect with your life."

"Okay."

"Second, respect and protect the weak. Third, do not insult others recklessly. Fourth..."

"...?"

Wait a minute. The more I heard, the more familiar it sounded.

I couldn't recall exactly where I heard it, but I was sure I had heard it before.

Still, each statement made sense and was deeply connected to morality, so I didn't question it.

I just thought, 'Oh, so that's how it is,' and moved on. Anyway, I'm usually a moral person.

'I just happen to cause trouble.'

Thinking that inwardly, I continued to learn from Grace. Surprisingly, her teaching was good enough not to bore me.

Especially since it was her first time teaching, she often stuttered. That was somewhat cute.

"That's it for today. Good job."

"Now, it's Grace's turn."

"Huh? My turn?"

"It's time to exercise."

Once my lesson was over, it was Grace's turn to exercise.

At my words, Grace flinched and rolled her eyes, as if trying to find a way out of it.

Anyone could see she was trying to come up with an excuse, but I just watched silently. What excuse would she make?

"Oh, let's skip today. It's already late, isn't it?"

"No. If you delay it, you'll avoid it even more."

"But, still, the time..."

"One hour will do."

"... ..."

Under my not-so-forcible coercion, Grace reluctantly agreed. Trying to slip away, were you?

First, we started with aerobic exercises, so she changed into workout clothes. Luckily, she had them.

After some light stretching, we stepped outside and began jogging.

Since Grace had very poor stamina, I planned to keep it really light.

"Huff. Huff. Ugh..."

"Wow."

But less than three minutes in, she was already struggling. Her stamina was truly impressive—in the worst way.

On top of that, she could barely do two push-ups and did sit-ups entirely with her lower back, among other issues.

It was a complete mess, leaving me pondering where to even begin. Maybe she had focused only on mana.

"This won't do."

"Right? So, about exercising..."

"Work harder."

"Ahh..."

At the very least, she needed enough stamina to function as a person later. Her endurance was way too low.

Fortunately, her recovery rate was decent, likely thanks to her high mana.

"Mr. Sivar, this is a bit embarrassing to say, but..."

"What is it?"

"It's hard for me to run because of my... chest."

"Kara's is big too. Ellie's is even bigger."

"... ..."

Her excuse was dismissed along the way. I understood, but it was still just an excuse.

In the end, Grace reluctantly exercised, as if eating mustard while crying.

I'm not that strict, so I limited it to just 30 minutes. Any more, and she might not even wake up the next day.

"Snore..."

"Good night."

How tired was she to snore like that? I looked at Grace's face.

Just five minutes after lying on the bed, she was already in dreamland. Of course, she didn't forget to cling to me.

Watching Grace sleep soundly, I quietly got up.

Then I moved from the bed to the balcony. It was almost time for the appointment.

"You're here."

A familiar voice came from the side. I turned my head in that direction.

As I turned, I saw Dan Yerin standing on the next balcony, as expected.

She held a smoking pipe in one hand and spoke with a faint smile. She was also wearing the oriental-style pajamas I saw yesterday.

"I can hear the snoring all the way here. She must have struggled quite a bit during the exercise."

"I stopped just before she died."

"True. Many mages tend to neglect their stamina."

Tap, tap-

Dan Yerin tapped the smoking pipe on the ashtray. Judging by how the smoke had stopped, it seemed she had finished.

Then she put the pipe down and showed me something.

It was a flask, with words symbolizing liquor inscribed on it.

"It's called Danju, a liquor known for its rich sweetness. I thought you'd like it since I also enjoy sweet things."

"You're right."

"Seems like I chose well. Now I need to give you a glass..."

Dan Yerin trailed off and looked at me. The distance between the two balconies was quite far.

In other words, someone would have to cross over. Realizing her implication, I moved cautiously.

Though it was dark all around, someone might be watching, and it'd be a headache if Yeohye woke up.

Dan Yerin seemed to understand this as well, stepping aside to make room for me to cross.

Tap, tap-

With light and quiet movements, I crossed over the balcony. Thanks to the ambush, there was hardly any sign of my presence.

Seeing that I had crossed over, Dan Yerin gave a satisfied smile and handed me a glass.

"Here's the glass. Take it."

Judging by the look of it, she had prepared it with intention. I received the glass from Dan Yerin.

It wasn't a wine glass but a very small one. It looked like a bowl with an overall white appearance.

A typical Eastern-style liquor glass. Now, all that was left was to fill this glass.

Trickle-

After filling each other's glasses, we lightly drank one round.

A bitter herbal scent spread, but the sweetness overwhelmed it. It was a curious taste.

Most Eastern liquor is known for its bitter flavor, but not this one. It was perfect even without any snacks.

"How is it? Do you like it?"

"Yeah. It's delicious."

"That's a relief. Most Eastern liquor tends to have a strong bitter taste."

Dan Yerin smiled contentedly and poured more liquor into her glass.

She showed no formality and behaved casually. It was an attitude unimaginable with anyone else.

However, I was close enough to Dan Yerin because I understood her. She was someone who lived a lonely life, albeit in a different sense from mine.

"It's been a really long time since I talked to someone like this. Back where I lived, I struggled with whom I could trust."

"I had no one."

"Ah, I see. So, how is it? How does it feel to talk with people?"

"It's fun."

Especially teasing Luna—it's the most fun. Watching her run her mouth is quite entertaining too.

Dan Yerin seemed pleased with my answer, giving a gentle smile. Then, she looked up at the sky.

The pitch-black night sky was adorned with countless stars. It felt as if the numerous stars formed a river.

"I also know how fun it is to converse with people. When you speak openly, it feels like you're unloading a burden."

"Even now?"

"Of course. You're safe, after all."

Politically safe, that is. I am a wild man with no backing whatsoever.

For Dan Yerin, who is under significant political stress, it couldn't get any more relaxing than this.

She couldn't even trust Yeohye, her bodyguard knight, in this immediate situation. She was isolated in many ways.

"To achieve my dream, I have no choice but to continue fighting a lonely battle. That's why I can't treat anyone comfortably, except for you."

"A dream?"

"I want to become the Emperor."

As you've heard, Dan Yerin's ambition is to ascend to the throne. It's a path filled with thorns, or rather, a hellish endeavor.

For starters, Dan Yerin has more than ten siblings. Each and every one of them is a competitor.

The moment anyone reveals their ambition, they might disappear without a trace, as even fratricide is not uncommon.

It's only thanks to Dan Yerin's exceptional abilities that she's managed to survive until now. Otherwise, she would have been assassinated long ago.

"The Emperor?"

"The sky that all look up to, the position that oversees the earth below. You might not understand, but that's what it is."

"Why do you want to become the Emperor?"

Dan Yerin's answer to my question was very simple.

"Because it's f*cked up."

"...What?"

"Because it's f*cked up, I want to become the Emperor. I didn't choose to be born here, yet at every opportunity, my life is threatened."

It's not the kind of thing you'd expect to hear from a princess, but it shows how much stress she's under.

In reality, the current state of the Hwan Empire isn't great. If compared to Earth, it's like an internal power struggle within the Soviet Union.

It's only being held together because the current Emperor is someone like Stalin. The moment he passes away, a massive bloodbath will follow.

Even the Emperor himself is an insane person who hasn't properly designated a successor.

"If only he had properly chosen a successor, it might be different, but my father is strange. He says the true owner of the throne can only emerge by weeding out and weeding out again."

"A predator?"

"A predator? Ah, you mean a wild predator? Hmm..."

Dan Yerin twirled her glass in thought while pouring its contents into her mouth.

I also tilted the glass to my mouth, following Dan Yerin. As always, it had a truly unique taste.

"In a way, you could say it's similar. A relationship of eating and being eaten, survival of the fittest. In that sense, humans also feel like beasts."

"Sometimes they fail."

"Huh. That's a biting remark. You've realized that already."

Dan Yerin gave a faint smile at my words. It was closer to a self-deprecating laugh.

She then poured more liquor into her glass and sighed. Since the alcohol was strong, her face was already turning red.

I could feel my face heating up too, but I tried not to show it. Any drunken outburst would be dangerous.

"Sivar."

"Yeah."

"What do you think is the way to find trustworthy people?"

Dan Yerin asked me. Her gaze was still fixed on the sky.

Since yesterday, Dan Yerin had been asking questions related to trust. Considering her situation, it made sense.

There was no one trustworthy near her. She probably had experiences of betrayal in the past.

"I don't know."

And I couldn't answer her question. Because I genuinely didn't know.

Human relationships are inherently changeable. It's rare for someone to stay with you through any crisis.

Yesterday's enemy can become today's ally, and vice versa. That's what makes people complicated.

"You don't know... Then why do you trust people?"

"I just trust them."

"What if that person deceives you?"

"Then I get deceived."

"...Same answer as before."

Dan Yerin said with a faint smile. For now, that's the only answer I could give.

If I claimed to know the future, they obviously wouldn't believe me. Otherwise, they'd think I was crazy.

So I shrugged my shoulders and replied in a carefree voice.

"I don't like headaches. I'll just trust them."

"... ..."

"Do you want to get deceived once too?"

I jokingly suggested to Dan Yerin, telling her to try trusting someone, even if it means being deceived once.

Dan Yerin seemed shaken and stared blankly at me. Her pupils trembled as if ripples were forming in her chest.

"...Pfft."

Then, she suddenly burst out laughing.

"Puhuhuhu."

She made a deflated sound and shook her head.

It wasn't a denial; it was closer to a reaction of disbelief.

Then, looking at me squarely, Dan Yerin spoke in a perplexed voice.

"You're amusing. Truly amusing. To enchant people so naturally... Yesterday too, the more I see, the more talented you are."

"So, will you trust me?"

"I won't trust you, but I'll let myself be deceived."

That means she trusts me. That's how I interpreted it.

Moreover, such words are only spoken when a certain level of favorability is built.

It's not absolute trust, but it means she's comfortable talking with me.

"That's it for today. After drinking, you'll sleep well."

"What's left?"

"Sorry, but it's a cherished bottle. I have to drink it sparingly."

What a pity. It tasted really good.

Seeing my disappointed look, Dan Yerin gave a faint smile.

She then wiggled her finger and softly persuaded me.

"You can't get too accustomed to alcohol already. Everything should be done in moderation."

"Got it."

"Then have a good night. Let's meet again at this time tomorrow."

Dan Yerin naturally made an appointment and went back inside. I also crossed over the balcony and returned to my room.

Before that, one more thing. After crossing the balcony, I looked straight ahead. Only darkness lay thickly.

'Shall I go today?'

It should be fine if it's not just once but twice. Before the presence in the darkness disappeared, I crossed the balcony.

Not towards Dan Yerin's side, but straight ahead. In other words, I climbed over the wall.

The problem was...

Slip-

"Oh."

Perhaps because of the slight alcohol buzz, my foot slipped. I couldn't even maintain my balance and fell headfirst.

Thud!

"Ouch."

Thankfully, the floor wasn't high. I got up, rubbing my head.

It seemed like the presence noticed me falling, as it quickly moved away. It appeared to realize that I had caught on to it.

'Still, I'll catch it soon enough.'

Without delay, I started moving my legs.