A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 115

The Academy decided to personally store Usk’s corpse.

Perhaps due to the presence of the Forest of Chaos, there is a separate large freezer to maintain the freshness of materials.

However, disassembly and decomposition were mandatory, so butchers gathered to handle the process. For reference, there were even students in non-combat roles involved.

Since Usk is such a rare monster, it’s perfect for research and practical training. Thanks to that, things became more convenient.

“It’s been a while since I’ve dealt with Usk… I’ll do my best for now. Who’s the rightful owner of this catch?”

“Me. I mean, it’s mine.”

“Please write your name here. Since this is a top-grade material, you must personally collect it with this paper. Proxies are not allowed.”

I entrusted the slaughter of the youngling to an expert instead of doing it myself. No matter how skilled I am, it’s difficult to dismantle it properly without professional knowledge.

Above all, butchers in this world are highly respected professionals. It’s only natural, given the importance of monsters.

While it’s fine to kill and butcher monsters immediately, it’s generally better to leave it to the professionals.

There’s even a major in the Academy specializing in butchery for non-combat roles, which says it all.

Since butchers are closely associated with “blades,” their specialization naturally developed.

“Since it’s a youngling, it won’t take long. If all goes well, it should be ready by lunchtime. Would you like to pick it up then?”

“Sure.”

“Understood. Looks like I’ll get to flex my muscles after a while.”

Perhaps it was an unexpected harvest, as the butcher grinned from ear to ear. It was decided that payment would be made separately.

Later, when Kara puts it up for auction, the money will roll in on its own. Until then, I can enjoy cooking.

Thus, while the Academy was bustling due to the Usk incident—

“Sivar, student?”

“Hm?”

A familiar voice reached my ears. When I turned my head, a man with squinting eyes was staring at me.

It was Godin. The moment I turned my head, Godin spoke.

“The Headmaster has summoned you. Luna and Ellie as well.”

“Me too?”

“Yes.”

Coincidentally, Luna, who had been lingering beside me, was also summoned. Her eyes widened at the news of her being called.

If it were just me, I would’ve brushed it off, but she must be flustered since she’s involved too.

Still, since it was Rod’s summons, there was no thought of refusal. Besides, I didn’t have anything else to do.

The butchery of Usk was supposed to be finished around lunchtime, so all that’s left is to enjoy a good meal in the evening.

“It’s probably because of what happened today. Let’s go for now.”

“Hmm… Okay. Professor Godin, wasn’t Kara Unnie called?”

“No. Only the two of you were summoned.”

For some reason, Kara wasn’t summoned. Perhaps only the students who entered the inner area of the Forest of Chaos were called.

Just before I moved, I personally got Grace’s permission. I felt sorry for leaving her too frequently as my bodyguard.

“Since it’s the Headmaster’s summons, it can’t be helped. But you have to subtly let me know what was discussed, okay?”

“Sure.”

Her shrewdness showed as she subtly requested information. Grace is trustworthy enough, so it’s fine.

Afterward, we headed to the Principal’s Office. On the way, Luna kept glancing toward the Usk.

It seemed like she had something to say about it.

“Luna.”

“Y-Yes?”

“Do you have something to say?”

So, I asked directly without hiding it. Since the Usk was entirely my property, it was okay to ask.

When I pointed to the Usk and asked, Luna hesitated, her expression showing uncertainty about whether she should say it.

“Uh… Sivar?”

“Yeah.”

“This might sound shameless, but…”

After hesitating and mumbling, Luna finally opened her mouth with difficulty. She glanced at the Usk and gave an embarrassed smile.

Then, with an air of self-consciousness, she voiced her request.

“You know the Blade Fang you gave to Kara?”

“Yeah.”

“If there’s any left, can you give me just a little bit too?”

So that’s why she thought it might be shameless. That’s what I figured.

She must’ve gotten greedy after seeing me give the Blade Fang to Kara. It’s an endearing request, in a way.

If it were someone else, it might’ve come off as greedy. But for Luna, it’s a different kind of desire.

“Why do you want the Blade Fang? To make a weapon?”

“Yeah.”

“You already have a weapon from the village, don’t you? Did it break or something?”

Ellie raised a question at Luna’s desire for the Blade Fang.

As Ellie pointed out, Luna currently owns a fairly high-quality sword. It’s quite useful up until the early to mid-stage.

“It’s not that… I just want to have one made. Honestly, it looked kind of cool.”

“So, you want to make one because the material looks cool?”

“Embarrassing, but exactly. It’s hard to find materials like that anywhere else, right?”

Luna’s request was purely because the Blade Fang looked cool. She wasn’t interested in selling it for money, only in making a weapon.

Maybe she had already gauged the Blade Fang’s value through her “eyes.” Even so, she chose equipment over money.

“No.”

Of course, no means no. I refused firmly.

Perhaps expecting my refusal, Luna let out a sigh. But she hadn’t completely given up.

“Ugh… Really? You gave it to Kara Unnie as a gift…”

“Kara is strong, and Luna is weak.”

“…That’s harsh.”

When hit with a fact bomb, she gave up quickly. Still, Luna pouted, her lips jutting out in a sulk.

But this was unavoidable. The Blade Fang, even without any special treatment, had already shredded my hands to pieces.

If it were crafted into a sword or axe, it would create a terrifying masterpiece. It could last not just through the early to mid-stage but into the mid to late-stage.

‘But she’d end up relying on the weapon.’

If I gave Luna a good weapon, it would make things easier for her. But that would only work until the mid-stage.

Relying on the weapon would naturally diminish her skillfulness, and eventually, her limits would become apparent.

As the saying goes, “An artisan doesn’t blame their tools.” Unless Luna improves her personal strength, I won’t give it to her.

“I’ll give it to you if you get stronger.”

“You’ll give it to me if I get stronger?”

“Yeah.”

“How strong do I have to get?”

“As strong as Kara.”

No more, no less—if she gets as strong as Kara, I’ll gladly give it to her. Though it’ll take a long time.

Still, it seemed to motivate her enough, as Luna nodded seriously with a determined expression.

It’s funny to see someone so motivated over a weapon, but since she’s serious, I let it slide.

“Got it. So, I just have to get as strong as Kara Unnie?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll try. No, I’ll do my best.”

By the time that happens, there will still be material left. The meat will be gone, though.

Afterward, we chatted about various things as we walked to the Principal’s Office. It wasn’t in the main building but in the place where I had stayed before.

“Welcome. It seems like you had quite an impressive day today.”

As soon as we arrived at the Principal’s Office, Rod greeted us warmly. In his hand was a teacup with steam rising from it.

He then guided us to a space to sit. It was a table I was familiar with.

“I heard the news. You subjugated the Usk, didn’t you?”

“It wasn’t me; Sivar did it alone.”

As expected, the topic was about the Usk. Strictly speaking, it must’ve been due to the appearance of a high-rank monster like Usk.

Ogres are considered mid-rank monsters, but Usk is undoubtedly high-rank. Although it’s a non-aggro monster, it’s judged solely by its danger level.

“I hear the dismantling of the Usk is going smoothly… Do you know why I called you here?”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t.”

“I’m not sure either.”

I also don’t know. Why Rod suddenly summoned us.

Rod took a sip of his tea after hearing our answers, then spoke in a serious tone.

“It’s because you were the first students to meet Sivar and Ratatoskr. By the way, do you know where Ratatoskr is?”

“··· ···”

When Rod asked about Porori’s location, Ellie gave an awkward smile. Luna wasn’t any different.

However, they couldn’t avoid answering. Ellie ended up explaining everything.

“Hmm. That’s unfortunate. But putting that aside, let’s proceed with the STD test.”

“Can animals even get STD tests?”

“Why not? Why else would the Academy have a veterinarian?”

And so, Porori was suddenly subjected to an STD test. I tried my best to hold back my laughter.

Porori spoke humorously, but it was a tragedy among tragedies. Laughing would be disrespectful as a fellow animal.

“Anyway, I have something to ask. What was it like when you entered the Forest of Chaos? Was it noisier back then than it is now?”

After Porori, Rod moved on to the main topic. First, he addressed the changes in the Forest of Chaos.

At that question, Ellie tapped her cheek with her finger before answering.

“It wasn’t noisy. If not for Sivar, I would’ve been killed by Manki… but aside from that, it was surprisingly quiet.”

“Ellie is right. It was unexpectedly a quiet place.”

That’s how forests usually are. Quiet one moment, then suddenly dangerous the next.

The Forest of Chaos, being a forest, was generally quiet. It wasn’t teeming with monsters like it is now.

“I see. As expected. In fact, the internal issues will likely improve over time. The problem lies with the monsters expelled to the outskirts and those entering from the outside.”

“Won’t the exterior gradually stabilize as well?”

At Ellie’s question, Rod shook his head. It seemed he thought otherwise.

“At first, I thought so too. But after hearing about Usk’s intrusion, my thoughts changed. It’s not that the ‘balance’ is broken; it’s that the ‘boundary’ has collapsed.”

“When you say the boundary has collapsed, do you mean······”

“It means monsters from outside the forest will keep coming in. Those that fail to compete inside will settle in the outskirts. If this continues, a new territory will naturally form, which could become easy prey for external monsters.”

I think I understand what Rod is saying. Simply put, the outskirts are starting to resemble the interior.

Until now, the Forest of Chaos had a clear boundary between the outskirts and the interior. Strong monsters lived inside, while weaker monsters or beasts resided outside.

But with Porori and me disappearing simultaneously, the competition within the food chain intensified, and naturally, the defeated monsters were pushed to the outskirts.

It’s already troublesome that they’ve been pushed to the outskirts, but there’s an even bigger problem. Monsters like Usk, which prey on them, are continuously entering.

It’s not just Usk. There was also an ogre from the northern region. The one that got split in half by Usk.

“As you know, the Forest of Chaos is connected to every environment except the desert. It’s naturally an ideal entry point for external creatures.”

“Weren’t there very few external creatures entering before?”

“That’s because the outskirts and the interior were almost completely isolated. But that’s no longer the case. The boundary between the exterior and the interior has blurred, allowing external creatures to flow in naturally.”

As I mentioned earlier, the deep parts of the Forest of Chaos and its outskirts had a clear boundary. External creatures wouldn’t have been interested in the life forms of the outskirts.

Those that accidentally ventured into the interior were particularly strong. They were likely drawn there instinctively by mana.

But now, with the boundary between the interior and the outskirts becoming indistinct, external monsters are naturally entering.

“If this continues, not only the outskirts but even the Academy could face significant threats. For now, we’re taking a wait-and-see approach, but the situation could spiral out of control.”

“Even the Academy could be in danger.”

When Luna pointed out the core issue, Rod nodded. That was indeed the most important matter.

If the outskirts transform to resemble the interior, it would be a disaster. Imagine creatures like Usk scattered everywhere.

Not only the students but even the professors would be powerless. Things might improve if Rod intervened, but he’s just one person.

“No matter how strong humans are, they are powerless against the might of nature. We must act now to ensure the Academy’s safety.”

“So, does that mean you need Sivar and Ratatoskr······”

“Yes, I plan to ask them. To create a ‘territory’ in the outskirts of the Forest of Chaos.”

So that’s why he asked about Porori’s location. I think I understand Rod’s plan now.

If the boundary has collapsed, the solution is to rebuild it. It’s a simple yet highly effective method.

Porori and I were once predators that divided the interior of the Forest of Chaos. Naturally, we had been consistently marking our territory.

‘Any intruders who ignored that were all devoured.’

In the wild, invading someone’s territory is a life-or-death ‘challenge.’ Succeed, and you claim the territory; fail, and you die.

Back when I was weaker, I hid to avoid Porori’s gaze. Over time, as I grew stronger, I began marking my own territory.

If any other predator tried to mark their territory? I personally smashed their skulls with a stone axe, while Porori crushed their solar plexuses with Iron Mountain Strike.

After repeating this process and clashing with Porori over territory disputes, we eventually ended up dividing the territory.

“If we create a territory, the outskirts will become safer, and the boundary will become clearer. Any intruding predators can be eliminated in the process. What do you think?”

“I’ll do it. No, I will do it.”

It was an issue I couldn’t just sit back and watch, so I gladly accepted. Porori would likely agree as well.

If this works, the influx of external monsters would decrease. As for the defeated monsters from the interior, we’d deal with them directly.

Rod seemed pleased with my decisive answer, flashing a broad smile. It seemed he had been troubled by this issue for some time.

“Thank you. Is there anything you need? If so, I’ll provide any support you require.”

“Food.”

“Haha. You haven’t changed a bit.”

Rod laughed heartily. He seemed to take it as a joke.

But eating more food would ensure clearer territory markings. Naturally, this raises a question.

“So, Sivar. How will you mark the territory? Do you have a method in mind?”

At just the right moment, Ellie asked the question. Rod and Luna also looked curious.

Even with their attention focused on me, I answered in my usual calm voice.

“With poop and pee.”

“······What?”

Humans mark their territories with borders. But animals are different.

They rub their bodies against trees to leave their scent or fur, or they leave their excrement. There are various methods.

Among these, the most definitive method is leaving excrement. I often used this when marking my territory.

“It’s a clear marker. No one will dare to come near.”

“R-Right. That method is certainly effective.”

“······Most animals do use that method.”

Everyone seemed taken aback by my answer. Understandable, as it wasn’t something they’d expected.

Except for one person—Luna. She, too, was initially startled but soon seemed lost in thought.

“······Sivar.”

“Yes.”

“Then, what I stepped on back then······ it wasn’t, right?”

After some thought, she cautiously asked the question. It seemed she had recalled stepping on a trace of territory marking.

At the time, I pretended not to know······ but it was true. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her.

“What are you talking about?”

So, I tilted my head and feigned ignorance.

Luna, hearing my response, elaborated on the situation.

“You know, back when we first met, I stepped on something. Was that… your mark?”

Yes. That was my mark. You were just incredibly unlucky.

Those words reached the tip of my tongue, but I held them back. I felt too guilty to tell her the truth.

“······I don’t know?”

I decided to take this secret to my grave. Otherwise, I’d feel so guilty that I’d do anything she asked.

Fortunately, Luna didn’t ask further. But her expression showed she wasn’t entirely convinced and still felt uneasy.

‘I should give her a Blade Fang Sword later.’

For the first time, I felt indebted to someone.