A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 126

Just in case, I’ll say this upfront—I know my place well.

No matter how much I struggle, I can’t claim victory over Rize, and I’ll just end up beaten like a dog on a hot summer day.

This is something I painfully realized during my sparring with Rod. And Rize is even stronger than Rod.

So this is strictly a ‘sparring match’; I have no intention of genuinely trying to win. I don’t want to have etiquette drilled into me by Rize.

Besides, apart from Rod and Rize, there’s no one else who can take my attacks seriously while going all out.

‘I also have some experiments to try.’

When I got the Usk Axe, countless plans started forming in my head.

First and foremost, my combat style. Until now, I’ve only used Ragnarok, but now I have two weapons.

Even though it’s a weapon I’ll have to return someday, I plan to use it effectively until then. It’ll take a while anyway.

“Why don’t you reconsider? You got beaten up pretty badly by the Headmaster last time, didn’t you?”

“It’s fine. I’ll be polite.”

“If that’s the case, then okay, but…”

Kara immediately expressed concern when I mentioned sparring with Rize.

It seems to be because of the time I got beaten up by Rod. That did hurt a lot, to be honest.

But today is different. I have things I want to test out while also evaluating my combat style.

If it works out, it could create an incredible synergy with my overwhelming regenerative power.

For that, sparring with Rize is essential. As I’ve said repeatedly, I hate getting hurt.

“Still, don’t overdo it. It’s just sparring today, right? Got it?”

“Yeah.”

“At least you respond well.”

Kara chuckled at my consistent replies, wearing a look that said she couldn’t stop me.

Soon, we returned to my dormitory, where Rize and Luna were training.

Normally, it’s strictly forbidden for students, especially of the opposite sex, to visit dormitories.

However, thanks to Rize’s presence, I have access. It’s limited to acquaintances, but that’s enough for me.

“Hyaaaah!”

As soon as I opened the door, a powerful shout hit my ears. There was no doubt about who it belonged to.

Looking further inside, I saw Luna training hard, coming into view.

As always, Rize was comfortably perched on her back in Martial Saint Mode.

With her arms crossed, she looked truly dignified.

“Does she always train like that?”

“Yeah, consistently.”

“So that’s why she was so sluggish every morning at first.”

Watching Luna train, Kara finally seemed to understand the reason behind it.

Even if Luna spouts chaotic nonsense from now on, Kara will probably just let it slide.

I quietly approached the two who were training together in harmony. Rize glanced at us once before turning back to Luna.

“There are still five more to go. Keep at it.”

“Ugh… Huff…”

Judging by the puddle of sweat on the floor, quite some time had passed. Or maybe the intensity had increased.

Whenever Rize sees signs of growth in Luna, she drastically raises the difficulty every week. Today was no exception.

At first, it wasn’t Martial Saint Mode but Saint Form, and for the time being, training would continue in this manner.

Anyway, I had something to say. I approached Rize and confidently called out.

“Rize.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Let’s fight.”

“Cough!”

Thud!

I was talking to Rize, so why are you collapsing, Luna?

As soon as I said I wanted to fight Rize, Luna’s trembling arms gave out.

She seemed to lose her strength, but that’s not my concern. Right now, Rize is what matters.

“Fight, huh… Are you saying you want to spar?”

“Yeah.”

“How curious. Brother Sivar is the one requesting a sparring match first.”

I agreed with Rize’s remark. Until now, I had only done what she instructed, overwhelmed by her presence.

But today is different. Not only do I have a new weapon, but I also have something I want to try.

If it works, I think even Rize will be surprised. Of course, I also plan to train my techniques regardless.

“There are still some left. Get up.”

“I… can’t move…”

“Hmm. Understood. We’ll stop here for today. We’ll stick to the same method next week.”

It didn’t seem like she was exaggerating, as Rize easily conceded. Even after Rize got off her back, Luna remained collapsed for a while.

“Shall we go now?”

“Yeah. Let’s go.”

“What about Luna?”

Kara pointed at the collapsed Luna as she spoke. Rize also glanced in Luna’s direction.

Luna was lying there, breathing evenly like a mouse, but she didn’t seem capable of moving.

“I’ll… go.”

Even though her body was exhausted, she still had enough energy to move her mouth. Hearing our conversation, Luna answered weakly.

Seeing her somehow manage to get up, it seemed she still had some stamina left. Though it would all be gone after a shower.

“You don’t have to come if you’re too tired. You can stay here and rest.”

“No… If I stay here alone… and someone comes in…”

Luna seemed to be saying this: What if someone comes into my room while I’m alone?

If Rize were here, it could be brushed off, but if she were alone, it would be a different story.

It was a reasonable concern, so Rize agreed. She told her to at least take a shower first.

“You’re not seriously showering here, are you?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm…”

Kara made a strange expression at the idea of Luna showering in my room.

There’s no need for any weird misunderstandings. It’s literally just a shower before heading back to the dormitory.

Luna was so drained that she probably wouldn’t even have the strength to lift a finger. I heard she falls asleep the moment she lies down on the bed.

Bang!

“I’m done showering…”

“Then let’s head out. Since it’s a sparring match, the forest should be a good spot.”

For appearances’ sake, Rize returned to Saint Form. In this form, her prominent features stood out even more.

She probably wanted to stay in Martial Saint Mode, but as a ‘Saintess’ at the Academy, she had to be mindful of appearances.

Soon, we headed to the forest, which we used as a training ground. I didn’t forget to grab Ragnarok before leaving.

Holding a massive axe in each hand, I felt like a true Barbarian in every sense of the word. It was a strange feeling.

“Kara Unnie.”

“Yeah?”

“Why did Sivar request a sparring match? I just don’t get it.”

While walking ahead, Luna whispered a question to Kara, trying to keep me from hearing.

Does she still not know about my excellent hearing? I focused on her words.

“Why are you whispering? Just say it outright. He’ll hear it all anyway, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh…”

There was no need for that. Kara bluntly revealed it anyway.

Luna looked dumbfounded at my response, then gave an awkward laugh.

Afterward, she spoke boldly without any hesitation.

“Is he doing this just to get beaten up again? Last time, it was the Headmaster who hit him.”

“…”

You’d better prepare to get hit yourself. Is there no way to shut that big mouth of hers?

While I was silently dumbfounded, Kara seemed to feel the same, judging by her voice filled with absurdity.

“You really… are all or nothing, huh? How can you come up with such groundbreaking statements?”

“What do you mean?”

“Never mind. Forget it. Honestly, I don’t even know. Sivar just said we’d spar without any real reason.”

She blinked as if she truly didn’t understand what was wrong. Since she looked cute, I decided to let it slide this once.

Besides, Luna’s problem was her choice of words that often led to misunderstandings, not that she hurt anyone’s feelings. If anything, that was better.

“Hmm… I see. Then, that axe is made from Usk Blade Fang, right?”

“Yeah. Want to take a look?”

“Yes!”

How much must she want it to answer so brightly? She’d soon get to check out the item with her own eyes.

Following that, Luna received the Usk Curved Sword from Kara and examined it closely.

Her sapphire-like blue eyes sparkled, suggesting she was analyzing the item’s abilities.

“…Unnie.”

“How is it? Isn’t it great?”

“I made a lot of money from stocks recently. Could you sell this to me?”

“…”

Truly, her mouth is remarkable in so many ways. How does she always manage to say things that leave people speechless?

Kara, perhaps equally dumbfounded, let out a hollow laugh before silently taking back the curved sword.

Then, she sheathed the curved sword at her waist and, without a word, wrapped an arm around Luna’s head.

Squeeze!

“Kyaa!”

“You adorable little thing. Trying to get something for free, are you?”

“Ah, it hurts!”

“It’s supposed to hurt.”

Trapped in Kara’s headlock, Luna flailed, desperately trying to escape.

However, having just exhausted all her energy in training, she was likely too weak to resist. Kara seemed aware of this and applied only a little force.

“If you want it, talk to Sivar. He might agree since it’s you asking.”

Kara released the headlock and teased Luna with a joke. Though, it wasn’t entirely a joke—she already knew the double-edged sword had been ordered.

She was probably just playing around to see Luna’s reaction. I was curious about what kind of witty response would come out this time.

“No way. I want to receive it as a gift like you did, Kara Unnie. That’s why I’m getting stronger.”

“…What does that even mean?”

“I can’t tell you. It’s a matter of pride.”

It really was a matter of pride. Unless she became as strong as Kara, she couldn’t even dream of owning a weapon.

Of course, Kara had no way of knowing that. She looked at Luna with a puzzled expression before shrugging her shoulders.

“Do whatever you want. Sivar will handle it.”

“What should I do to become as strong as you in a short time?”

“Practical combat, what else? I’ve been slicing people with swords since I was thirteen.”

“That’s a bit…”

She must have witnessed all sorts of scenes beyond just slicing people. Such was the fate of nomads in this era.

Even Hector must have realized it was wrong after founding the Tatars. That’s why he’s so lost right now.

Kara takes a long time to understand things to that extent. But recently, I’ve seen her achieve some mental growth.

If the father and daughter were to reunite, they might have a profound conversation.

“This spot should do.”

Before long, we found a suitable area to use as a training ground.

It wasn’t a familiar location, suggesting it was a place I hadn’t yet claimed as my territory.

Bang!

“So, can I ask why you requested this sparring match?”

Rize, having returned to her Authority Form, asked me. Just facing her exuded an overwhelming sense of pressure.

Facing that muscle mass without feeling any pressure would indeed be strange. Still, I had to do what I came here to do.

“Berserk.”

“You mean berserk mode training?”

“I’m going to use it.”

What I wanted was to freely control berserk mode. Establishing my combat style would come after that.

If this experiment worked properly… I would gain a powerful ability.

Although my stamina and regenerative power would be severely drained, it didn’t matter. Rize would manage it well.

“Understood. Then…”

Whoosh!

Without hesitation, Rize approached me in an instant. At the same time, I felt every hair on my body stand on end.

Soon, Rize’s fist, as large as a cauldron lid, came flying toward my face. My wild instinct screamed loudly.

Dodge immediately. If I didn’t avoid it, I would die with 100% certainty.

Boom!

Of course, I didn’t dodge. I watched the fist approach with clear focus.

Even as the thought of death etched itself into my mind, I stood firm. I could feel my reason gradually fading.

[Berserk is activating!]

Faced with such a vivid sense of death, berserk mode finally activated. At the same time, Rize’s fist came to a sudden halt.

Last time, it had been so fast I couldn’t even close my eyes, but this time was different. I stared directly at the fist, awaiting death.

Though the result was the same, the developments afterward would differ. Everything would begin the moment Rize withdrew her fist.

“How is it? Now…”

Whoosh!

The moment Rize pulled back her fist, I swung the Usk Axe in my left hand upward.

My reason flickered on and off, but swinging the axe was purely my own will.

“It’s starting.”

Naturally, Rize easily dodged my attack. The fist she had been slowly retracting was already gone.

While holding onto my reason as much as possible, I didn’t suppress berserk mode. My chest felt like it was about to explode.

If it did explode, all my reason would vanish. When I woke up, I’d likely find myself in bed.

“Hoo…”

“There’s a saying: Keep your chest hot, but your head cool.”

I know that. The moment I heard those words, I charged forward, raising both arms.

Each hand gripped an axe, leaving me with far too many openings.

Rize, perhaps preparing a counterattack, didn’t evade and stood still.

And then…

Whack!

Rize’s massive fist landed squarely on my face, momentarily blocking my vision.

Normally, I would have flinched after being hit by such a fist. However, I showed no such reaction.

Whoosh!

Even with my face struck by her fist, I brought down the axe I had raised. Rize quickly retracted her fist and stepped back.

Without showing any sign of pain, I immediately charged again. Using all my reason to suppress berserk mode, I fought purely on instinct.

Thud! Thud!

Each time I attacked, Rize’s fists landed all over my body. Yet, it was strange—I didn’t flinch at all.

Rize, seemingly realizing this belatedly, asked in a voice filled with disbelief.

“Could it be…”

The experiment I had hoped for was a success.

“Are you unable to feel pain?”

I silently nodded in response to her question.

Thankfully, I had regenerative power and stamina. Otherwise, this would have been impossible.

‘But is it okay to fight without intelligence?’

I don’t know. Let’s just fight.