A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Chapter 193

There was a brief moment of flirting or something akin to it, but it came to an end when Rod returned.

Rod, having apparently been informed beforehand, sent everyone else out.

It could involve political elements, and if a third party were to intervene, they wouldn't be able to have a proper conversation.

"Princess. Are you really sure about this?"

"I am fine."

"But..."

"I said I'm fine, and the Chancellor also gave his permission. What more needs to be said?"

Except for me. For some reason, Dan Yerin specifically singled me out to stay.

A woman presumed to be a bodyguard tried to stop her persistently, but Dan Yerin was adamant.

Rod seemed to find the situation interesting and decided to side with her opinion.

'But why was I really left behind?'

Sitting next to Rod, I couldn't understand it at all.

There's almost nothing I can help her with, and the reverse is true as well.

But for some reason, Dan Yerin seemed to be paying attention to me.

Maybe it had to do with the wine she drank back then.

"Let's get to the point. Which class will I be assigned to from now on?"

Dan Yerin asked Rod politely. Before being a princess, Rod was her senior.

Even if he weren't the Sword Saint, she would've shown the same courtesy. That's how Eastern culture works.

This isn't any different in the West. In a time where danger is everywhere, someone of Rod's age is generally respected.

"You'll find out soon. Do you remember the students you saw earlier?"

"Yes. Each was so unique that I remember them clearly."

"Except for the student with brown hair, everyone else is in the same class. That includes Sivar as well."

Up to this point, everything is going as expected. Sharing a class will cause Lee Yeonju's mask to slip, even if only momentarily.

At that time, I just need to observe her. Leaving Lee Yeonju with discomfort will mean success.

"What an intriguing coincidence. Then what will happen to my bodyguard Yeohye?"

The bodyguard, with an unusually sturdy build for a woman, seemed to be named Yeohye.

She appears to play a fairly important role in Dan Yerin's storyline.

It's likely that something significant will happen soon. My role will end if I intervene at that point.

"Bodyguards are not students by principle, so they cannot participate in classes. However, judging by her application to the combat division, it seems her individual combat skills are sufficient."

"One has no choice but to build strength to survive in a harsh environment."

Dan Yerin said with a faint smile. It seemed a bit self-deprecating.

As evident from her enrollment in the combat division rather than the non-combat one, she is quite skilled in combat herself.

She didn't grow her strength voluntarily; she must have been forced to.

Being ambushed nightly by assassins was a given, and she constantly faced assassination threats.

Exhausted from that kind of life and wanting to reorganize her thoughts, she fled to the Academy.

"Such things won't happen here. Even the Hwan Empire would find it difficult to intervene."

"I hope you can stay at ease during your time here."

That doesn't mean she has given up. Dan Yerin harbors great political ambition.

I could assist her from the sidelines, but it could also lead to conflict with Lee Yeonju.

It's what people often call walking a tightrope—mediating between the two while maximizing profits.

"Oh, by the way, do you have the documents I requested earlier?"

"Here they are."

Rod handed a sheet of paper to Dan Yerin. I leaned over out of curiosity to sneak a peek.

Then Rod grabbed my head and pushed it back. His gesture clearly told me not to do that, so I complied without resistance.

"Hmm... Most of them are from the mainland. Only one exception."

"We'll need to be cautious with this individual."

That must refer to Lee Yeonju. Even the Hwan Empire is aware they have many enemies.

They suppress them with innate power, but the slightest shake would cause chaos.

"Do you know anything about this person named Lee Yeonju?"

"Not at all. You'd be better off asking another professor."

"Hmm. I see. Or perhaps I should meet her directly. Yeohye."

"Yes, Princess."

Dan Yerin handed the paper to Yeohye and gave instructions in a casual tone.

"Please gather information about Lee Yeonju. She's from Joham, of all places."

"Understood, Princess."

As expected. Joham is also a place Dan Yerin keeps a close eye on.

It's one of the countries striving to break free from the Hwan Empire, even organizing independent forces.

From Dan Yerin's perspective, it's natural to be cautious. She inherently lacks interest in other nations, specifically the Federation.

'She probably thinks cutting them off would be more beneficial.'

If the story unfolds as planned, Dan Yerin will ascend to the Emperor's throne.

At this point, opinions will diverge. Dan Yerin might acknowledge the independence of other nations.

To others, it may seem like a commendable decision. But from the Hwan Empire's perspective, it wouldn't be strange for them to explode in rage.

'That's just how human nature is.'

You can see such details after the civil war is resolved. There will be differences in reactions between the Hwan Empire and other Federation countries.

For now, though, it's not something to worry about. I'll just focus on walking the tightrope between Dan Yerin and Lee Yeonju.

"I came here to rest, but I can't seem to rest entirely. I should arrange a meeting soon."

"If any issues arise, I'll handle them immediately."

"No. If it becomes a commotion, I might get expelled from the Academy. That would be the end for me."

The reason I can stay in the Academy despite causing all sorts of trouble is simple—I've never directly harmed anyone.

But if casualties were to occur, it'd be a different story. Remember the Delphoi incident? I nearly got summoned to trial then.

If an incident happens between Dan Yerin and Lee Yeonju, one of them will be expelled from the Academy.

If it comes to that, their relationship will become irreparable. In extreme terms, one of them might die.

'Wow. Just thinking about it makes it sound incredibly difficult.'

Even in the Soul World, the difficulty level was considered quite high. A single misstep in this tightrope act could be disastrous.

While I was considering future events, Dan Yerin and Rod were discussing day-to-day matters.

Topics included how to assign dormitories and how access to the Forest of Chaos was currently restricted.

They only talked about events within the Academy, which, of course, involved me as well.

"I hope you can let it slide when Sivar occasionally causes trouble. He may cause accidents, but they're never malicious."

"I don't cause trouble anymore."

"So, was it not you who destroyed all those trees last time?"

"... ..."

I had nothing to say about that. The decapitation of the Hero's Statue had some justification, so they didn't bring it up.

"That sounds intriguing. Could you tell me what sort of trouble this person has caused?"

"Princess."

"Aren't you curious? From what I hear, he's caused quite a lot of trouble. There's even a rumor that he smashed the Matra Empire's Prince's head with a liquor bottle at the Freshman Banquet."

That's not just a rumor; it's the truth. Even Crown Prince Karas was involved.

Perhaps the rumor only reached high-ranking individuals like Dan Yerin. Rod, on the other hand, seemed to be hearing it for the first time.

"Was there such a rumor? This is the first I've heard of it."

"It's quite an amusing tale. It seems to have caused quite an uproar on the Matra Empire's side."

"Hmm..."

Rod stroked his mustache thoughtfully and then slowly turned his head toward me.

His expression wasn't one of reproach or scolding, more like simple confirmation.

Since it was a clear fact, and the guy was trying to do something horrible to Ellie, I didn't feel guilty at all.

"Sivar."

"Yes."

"Did you really do that?"

"No."

But I had to lie. I didn't want to get scolded by Rod.

Rod nodded at my clear answer and replied briefly.

"Alright. Let's do well."

"Yes."

"Aren't you trusting too easily?"

In the smooth-flowing situation, Dan Yerin asked with a slightly incredulous voice. Well, it was true they trusted too easily.

Rod shrugged his shoulders as if he was aware of that and answered nonchalantly.

"If he says it wasn't him, how would I know? Besides, while Sivar may cause a lot of accidents, he doesn't harm people. And even if he did, there would be a clear reason for it."

"Is that so? Hmm..."

At Rod's words, Dan Yerin looked at me intently. She had a curious expression.

However, there was one person who clearly didn't like me, and that was the bodyguard Yeohye. She slightly frowned and advised Dan Yerin.

Princess, it would be better to avoid getting involved with him as much as possible.

"Why do you say that?"

"As you know, there's a high probability that he is still immature. That's probably why there are so many bad rumors about him."

Judging from her words, it was not the common language but the language of the East. And I understood all of it.

Dan Yerin was also likely aware that I could understand her words. She was undoubtedly doing this on purpose.

"He might end up causing harm to the princess. It's better to be cautious."

"Thanks for your advice. But are you aware of this?"

"Yes?"

"The things you've been saying just now, Sivar knows all of them."

At those words, Yeohye made a very flustered expression and looked at me. Her reaction asked if it was true.

I had no intention of denying it, so I nodded. Even if they insulted me openly, everything they said was factual, so I had no rebuttal.

"I'm not harmful."

"Uh, huh?"

"Not asking."

Still, I should at least make an appeal. At the very least, I don't harm people without reason.

Maybe my appeal worked. Dan Yerin covered her mouth and laughed demurely.

"This is amusing. In some ways, you might have better conversational skills than Yeohye."

"P-Princess?"

"You must admit that you're not exactly entertaining yourself, no?"

"...Apologies for my lack of conversational skills."

Yeohye blushed and apologized. However, it seemed Dan Yerin wasn't satisfied with that apology.

"You should apologize to him, not me. You insulted him openly in front of everyone."

"Well..."

At Dan Yerin's admonition, Yeohye rolled her eyes and started looking uneasy. It seemed she really didn't want to apologize to me.

Pride aside, based on her reaction, I could roughly guess how she evaluated me.

She probably thought of me as a half-formed beast. To her, it might feel like apologizing to a monkey.

'People from the Hwan Empire are generally very prideful.'

Being the dominant force of the East, their pride was exceedingly strong. They wouldn't lower their heads easily.

But still, what can a bodyguard do? As Yeohye hesitated, Dan Yerin called her firmly.

"Yeohye. It's not just me; even the Sword Saint is watching you."

"...I apologize. I will be more careful in the future."

"It's fine."

This kind of thing has happened more than once, so I'm used to it now. At least she apologized, which was something.

Anyway, she's someone who will lose interest in me soon. Honestly, it would have been better for me if she hadn't apologized at all.

"Anyway, is there anything else you want to ask?"

"Just one thing. I heard there are other transfer students besides me."

"...What?"

Hold on. Other transfer students besides Dan Yerin?

This was the first time I heard of this, so I couldn't help but be dumbfounded.

Normally, Dan Yerin should have been the only transfer student. No matter which route was chosen, that part of history never changed.

Knock, knock, knock—

Just as I was getting flustered and my thoughts became tangled, someone knocked at the door at a perfect moment.

When everyone's attention turned in that direction, Rod was the first to stand up.

Since Dan Yerin and Yeohye were guests, it would have been odd for them to be the ones to go greet.

Clatter—

"Hmm? Oh! You look just like a Sword Saint! It's an honor to meet you!"

A cheerful voice came from behind the door.

And that made me even more uneasy. That voice shouldn't be heard at the academy.

At most, it should be heard in places like the Imperial Palace or high society gatherings.

"A guest has arrived... Wait, what?"

Following Rod, the owner of the voice entered. The moment he saw me, he was visibly startled.

In the meantime, I locked eyes with the man. His gray hair and unusually radiant eyes left a strong impression.

"Why are you here?"

"I should be the one asking that."

The Crown Prince of the Matra Empire, Karas, had enrolled as a transfer student. Why on earth was he here?

Just as I was left bewildered by the completely altered course of history, a message appeared before my eyes.

[Faith Increases!]

Chaos spoke. He said it smelled like great fun was about to begin.

From my perspective, it was only giving me a headache.

"Anyway, nice to meet you! There wouldn't happen to be a liquor bottle nearby, would there?"

"... ..."

This bastard is definitely crazy.