A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Byzantium (1)

***

As a day passed, the time to depart for Byzantium approached. However, leaving immediately was impractical.

Since we had to travel by carriage, various supplies were needed, and we might even have to camp outdoors.

Moreover, even though the roads were well-maintained, monsters or wild animals could still jump out at us.

Since the railway was not yet completed, we had no choice but to endure these inconveniences.

“Let’s see… Sleeping bags, matches, and food. This should be enough, right?”

“There are villages along the way, so there’s no need to pack too much, right? What do you think, Principal?”

“Going empty-handed would be enough.”

For reference, we sought advice from Rod, who had far more travel experience than the rest of us.

Actually, it wasn’t just advice—we had decided that Rod would join us on the journey. Thanks to that, we could avoid unnecessary complications.

“By the way, is it alright for you to leave your position, Principal?”

Luna, who was picking out supplies, asked the question. Indeed, it would be difficult for the Academy if Rod left his post.

Just because it’s vacation doesn’t mean things slow down. Instructors either return to duty or take leave, resulting in a loss of personnel.

If Rod leaves during such a time, it would be hard to deal with any emergencies. That’s what Luna was concerned about.

“Don’t worry. Even if something happens, I can be back within 10 minutes.”

“How?”

“There’s a way. But only I can do it.”

Luna didn’t press further. When someone as esteemed as the Sword Saint speaks confidently, there must be a way.

That wasn’t arrogance; it was confidence.

“Besides, I also have business at the Temple of Life.”

“Even you, Principal?”

“Yes. I plan to fully resolve my ailments there. Although my condition has been improving, the persistent cough remains.”

Rod’s poisoning symptoms have been gradually improving. This is thanks to me finding the correct herbs.

I entrusted the herbs to Ellie to avoid any rumors spreading. By now, he should be feeling much better.

However, to completely detoxify his body, visiting the temple is essential. It was the same in the Soul World.

‘Once he visits the temple, he should be able to regain his full strength.’

That takes care of one of the biggest concerns. The remaining issue is the demon’s magic circle.

One is in the stock exchange, and the other is in a somewhat more challenging location.

It’s a place that sparked much debate among users, so I plan to deal with it last.

I’ll have to brace for the aftermath. There are still six months to go.

“With me accompanying you, you should be back within three days. If needed, I can return even faster.”

“Huh? Three days instead of two weeks? That fast?”

“There’s a way. Plus, since Rize informed them beforehand, there shouldn’t be any complicated procedures.”

We don’t need many supplies, so all we really need to do is go. It feels almost too easy.

But since Rod said he has a way, we can trust him. We need to decide what to do in Byzantium.

“Sis, you’re going to visit Chieftain Gulak’s temple first, right?”

“Yeah. What about you, Luna? What do you want to do after you finish your tasks?”

“I want to visit every temple… Is that not possible?”

Luna looked at Rod as she asked. Since he had extensive experience, he would know.

Rod nodded and reassured her.

“Anyone can enter the temples. Just don’t commit any rudeness while you’re there.”

“What do you mean by rudeness?”

“Hmm…”

Rod seemed to ponder for a moment before turning his gaze in my direction.

He seemed worried that I might cause some trouble at the temples.

I wanted to assure him that I would behave, but given my track record, I kept my mouth shut.

“Just mind your manners. As long as you behave like a civilized person, that’s all that matters.”

“It feels like you were specifically thinking of Sivar…”

“It’s just your imagination.”

“I’m not stupid.”

I still had to express my dissatisfaction. Rod gave a faint smile at my grumbling.

Judging by his smile, it was likely a joke.

“Anyway, there’s a lot to see in Byzantium, so take your time and enjoy. They won’t treat you poorly just because you’re an outsider.”

“I hope so. My father said it’s a country where there’s hardly any discrimination.”

Kara said in a slightly worried tone.

She stands out more than others due to the color of her skin. Not to mention her vibrant red hair.

Her appearance clearly marks her as a member of the Tatars, a people who were despised as barbarians until just a few years ago.

“Well, it might lead to some interesting situations.”

“Interesting situations?”

“You’ll see once we get there.”

Rod’s vague answer implied that telling us would spoil the fun. Since we’d be leaving soon, it didn’t matter.

We were about to set off after finalizing our plans when—

Knock, knock, knock—

A knocking sound reached our ears. To be more precise, it was coming from the window, not the door.

Turning to look, I saw Porori standing outside the window.

Creak—

Porori opened the window with a polite knock(?). His massive, dog-sized frame was still the same.

And so was the huge acorn tucked under his arm. Where on earth did he find such a big acorn?

Crunch—

“I heard something interesting. You mentioned Gulak, the sky I pray to?”

Porori asked us while munching on the acorn like it was an apple.

It seemed he had overheard part of our earlier conversation.

“Yeah. You said you offer tributes to the altar up there every weekend, right?”

“That’s right. So, can I go too?”

It seemed Porori wanted to go to the temple dedicated to the sky, in other words, Gulak.

Since Gulak had bestowed power upon him, it was only natural for him to be curious.

But unfortunately, Porori wouldn’t be able to leave the academy.

“No. You can’t go.”

“Who are you to decide what I do?”

“Ellie’s not going.”

“Oh.”

The irritated creature quickly accepted my reasoning with an “Oh.”

Whatever else, Porori needs to protect Ellie.

After all, he has been preemptively blocking people who have unsavory intentions towards Ellie.

Especially during the freshman banquet, when something unpleasant almost happened to Ellie. After that incident, I realized the importance of Porori.

“Well, if the young lady isn’t going, there’s nothing I can do. I’d be too worried to leave her alone.”

“Should I call Ellie?”

“No. I can’t trouble her because of me.”

How can he be so human-like? If you only listened to the conversation, you’d think he was a bodyguard.

Considering his actual duties are similar to that of a bodyguard, it’s not entirely wrong.

“Then I’ll have to visit later. Is it far from here?”

“About a week by carriage.”

“What’s a carriage?”

“It’s something that exists.”

I was too lazy to explain further. Besides, Porori wouldn’t be riding one anyway.

“By the way, Ratatoskr. What are you going to do during the vacation?”

“Vacation? What’s that? Can you eat it?”

“Hey. Do you really think asking a beast such a question makes sense?”

“…I guess not?”

Luna’s typical airheadedness showed itself. She scratched her head, feeling embarrassed.

Vacations are for people; Porori will just continue living as he always does. He’ll probably keep marking his territory, too.

“Oh, right. How’s the territory expansion going?”

Rod asked. Even though he likely received reports, it’s better to ask directly.

Porori nodded at Rod’s question. He puffed out his chest proudly as he answered.

“The territory of this great being is perfect. Old man, don’t worry about anything happening.”

“That’s good to hear. Is there anything we need to be concerned about?”

“Not really. Any intruders who enter won’t be coming out.”

No one can escape the Forest of Chaos without a specially made compass.

The space itself is slightly distorted due to the overwhelming amount of mana.

To further explain, it’s like the directions start twisting at a certain point.

You might think you’re heading north, but the path bends, and you end up going south instead.

“Excellent. Keep up the good work. Is there anything you’d like?”

“Not really.”

With that, Porori said he had nothing more to say and exited through the window.

With everything roughly sorted out, the only thing left was to head to Byzantium.

To get there, we would need to secure a carriage.

“First, let’s get a carriage—”

“No need for that.”

Kara was about to speak when Rod interrupted her. His words left all of us, including me, bewildered.

As everyone’s attention focused on him, Rod gave a subtle smile and silently drew his sword. It was an extremely ordinary sword.

“Before we set off, does everyone have everything they need?”

I silently stretched out my hand. As I did, Ragnarok, which had been neatly placed against the wall, flew into my grip.

You might wonder why I’m bringing Ragnarok, but the reason is simple.

I plan to spar with Rize while we’re there and test a few things.

‘I need to see if this is truly the magical conch shell.’

I’m curious to find out if it can distinguish followers of Chaos, like the magical conch shell.

There should be plenty of followers of Chaos in Byzantium. That’s why I’m bringing it along.

Bzzzt!

“Ouch! What are you doing?!”

“Testing.”

First, I needed to test it on Luna. When I brought Ragnarok close to her arm, blue sparks flew.

Naturally, she jumped back in shock, her face full of disbelief.

‘Why didn’t it choose Luna?’

Based on her behavior, you’d think she was definitely a follower of Chaos. Especially with that mouth of hers.

Yet, it didn’t select her, so there must be a reason. I should be able to find out once we reach Byzantium.

After a brief commotion, we finished our preparations. Rod surveyed us one last time before drawing his sword.

‘Why the sword?’

That thought must have crossed everyone’s minds, not just mine.

But it didn’t take long for us to understand why.

Srrk!

Rod lightly swung his sword. Immediately, a very fine crack appeared.

Srrk! Srrk!

He didn’t stop there. He sliced horizontally, once above and below. Finally, he made one last vertical cut.

The final shape resembled a rectangle, longer vertically. The faint crack became more pronounced.

Rod then sheathed his sword. It seemed he was done.

“It’s time to go.”

As we all looked on in confusion, Rod said that. He then reached out his hand towards the space he had cut.

Flick—

The moment he touched it, the space peeled away like a sheet of paper. It was where Rod had sliced earlier.

Beyond it, a strange landscape unfolded, one that was difficult to identify by sight alone.

“What are you all standing around for? Let’s go.”

“…Could that be?”

“It’s near a checkpoint in Byzantium. It should take about 10 minutes to reach the checkpoint.”

As expec that.

After briefly marveling at Rod’s skill, we began walking through the space he had sliced open.

The opening was large enough that we didn’t need to duck our heads. Rod entered first, and I was the last to step through.

Once inside, I realized we were in a forest. It seemed to be near the checkpoint.

“If I remember correctly, it should be this direction…”

“When was the last time you visited Byzantium?”

“About three years ago.”

That’s recent enough to trust his memory. I was about to follow him when I paused for a moment.

The space Rod had sliced through had not yet closed. I suddenly became curious.

‘I wonder what would happen if I just left my hand in there.’

This wasn’t something I saw in the Soul World.

The ability to manipulate space at will is rare, and the limitations of the game meant you could only do so much.

Pretending to follow the group, I snuck back and slipped my hand into the slowly closing space.

I inserted it just up to my wrist. The temperature difference between this side and the other felt strange.

“Oh, right. Sivar. Your weapon—what are you doing?!”

Just as the space was about to close completely, Rod’s voice rang out in my ear.

Startled by his sudden shout, I realized my hand was still in the other space.

Rod quickly tried to act, but the space closed completely before he could do anything.

Snip!

“Huh?”

And with that, my hand was cleanly cut off. To clarify, my hand was severed at the wrist.

My wrist was so neatly severed that you could see the bone. Suddenly, silence filled the air.

Kara and Luna gaped in shock, while even Rod stood frozen. None of them had expected this.

“Ro-Rod…”

I called out to Rod in a slightly trembling voice, showing him my severed wrist.

I’ve had my limbs cut off quite a few times in the Forest of Chaos. If I reattach the severed part, I can heal it with regeneration.

Regeneration is a passive skill, not an active one, so that’s doable. But I’ve never tried it without the severed part.

So, I looked at Rod with pleading eyes. He was the only one who could retrieve my hand.

“Can… Can you get my hand back?”

“For goodness’ sake… Really…!”

It was an ominous start from the very beginning.

End of Chapter

THIS CHAPTER UPLOAD FIRST AT NOVELBIN.COM