The Academy’s Barbarian

Chapter 38: I Shouldn't Have Done That (2)

You know what to do, right?

As the bell signaling the start of the lecture rang out, Professor Dirac turned around, "Nice to meet you. I am Dirac Ormine, the professor in charge of the course 'Understanding and Detecting Mana Flow.'"

Starting with a brief introduction, his dry gaze swept over the audience as he spoke, "Some of these faces I recognize from the specialty tests, others not so much, but rest assured. I do not only favor the talented."

As his words came to an end, the room was filled with relieved sighs.

Of course, it was expected. Among Arsene Academy's five departments, the Magic Department was known for its strong favoritism toward the talented students.

However, Professor Dirac was an exception.

He didn't particularly like talented mages. The reason was simple. He didn't have any talent himself.

In other words, it was because of his inferiority complex.

Therefore, he was more accustomed to prejudice than favoritism. And this time, his prejudice was going to be directed towards Ulan, an ignorant barbarian, who didn't even know his place.

"...This is the schedule for the first semester. Any students have questions regarding this?"

After concluding his explanation about the upcoming lecture schedule, Professor Dirac scanned the room. Seeing no questions coming his way, he continued, "If there are no questions, then I'll ask. If you can't answer, I'll ask the top-ranking student."

The professor's question was unexpected and the students reacted with nervousness.

But they didn't need to be tense. The target of the question wasn't the students.

"The purpose of this course is to understand and explore the flow of mana. What do you think is the ultimate goal of such research?"

"..............."

Silence filled the classroom.

It was an anticipated response. This was a common trait among freshmen who had gone through Arsene Academy so far.

Was it due to nervousness from being in an unfamiliar environment? Freshmen tended not to answer unless they were sure of the correct answer.

"That's disappointing. Doesn't anyone know?"

With a slight twitch of his eyebrows, Professor Dirac put his plan into action, "In that case, there's no choice. I'll have to ask the top-ranking student, Ulan."

The moment he finished speaking, all eyes turned to Ulan.

"What are your thoughts? Why do you want to understand and explore the flow of mana?"

Immediately after he finished his question, he smirked inwardly.

He knew what Ulans response would be without even hearing it. Ulan would probably say it's to find the mana core.

But that's a one-dimensional answer.

An obvious answer that anyone could give, even if they didn't have to join the Academy. That's why Professor Dirac had planned the following response to counter:

Although it's not a wrong answer, it's disappointing. I'm going to give you another chance, and I want you to give me an answer that befits a top-ranking student.

From here on out, he just needed to keep asking questions. Until Ulan revealed his shallow understanding.

In other words, to show that Ulan wasn't worthy of being the top-ranking student and to reveal his lack of knowledge about magic that was Professor Dirac's intention.

'Well, answer me quickly.'

It would be your last chance.

At the moment Professor Dirac's lips twisted

.an answer came back promptly, "The Fountain of Magic, Arsen," a calm voice without a trace of hesitation; like a spring breeze on campus, the soft voice swept through the classroom.

"To accurately identify where the source of mana, gushing forth from the heart of the Fountain, is located."

Immediately after the answer came back, Professor Dirac furrowed his brow.

It wasn't Ulan, but a third party who had answered. Moreover, it was an answer that was almost close to being perfect.

......What's with her again?

Since his plan to embarrass Ulan had foiled again, his eyes flashed with a fierce light; however, the one who faced it boldly was the black-haired girl next to Ulan it was Noah.

After her answer...

the atmosphere in the classroom turned icy as if cold water had been poured in.

Naturally.

Not only had she answered the question instead of Ulan, who was supposed to answer, but she was glaring directly at Professor Dirac.

In the midst of a silent moment

Noah observed Professor Dirac's expression.

It's clear as day what your intentions are.

He holds a grudge against Ulan.

Ever since they entered the classroom, Professor Dirac had been glaring at Ulan with an unsettling gaze; perhaps he wasn't pleased with Ulan achieving an S-Grade by luck during the specialty test.

So he wanted to humiliate Ulan.

In the original game, Professor Dirac was portrayed as someone with strong pride and inferiority complex; that's why he envied talented students and despised those who challenged his own ego.

He was the epitome of jealousy.

The fundamental reason behind him turning into a monster after being consumed by magic during the midterm exam was also due to this sense of inferiority.

I was planning to keep quiet until the midterm exam

But if Ulan was provoked, the situation would change.

The reason was simple.

Noah was the one who had recommended this course to Ulan. So it was only natural to minimize the damage to him it was the least she could do.

'Then again, when Professor Dirac turns into a monster, I'll have to rely on Ulan's help anyway.'

Until then, she would help Ulan as much as she could. Around the time Noah's determined blue eyes glistened...

a voice broke the silence, "Who are you?"

Professor Dirac's voice, accompanied by a scowl.

"I asked the question to Ulan, the student sitting next to you."

"Oh, I'm sorry. You asked me something easy enough to answer, so I couldnt stop myself, Noah smiled awkwardly; it was a somewhat smile. Professor Dirac's furrowed eyebrows were expected.

"My question was easy?

To the point that anyone could answer it?

A short chuckle escaped his lips. The absurdity of it all. A moment later, anger flashed in his eyes. So occasionally there are students like that.

Mostly among the freshmen.

The ones who are desperate to show off their thin knowledge, the cocky ones who try to get the professor's attention any way they can.

Wait a minute, now that I think about it

That girl, she looks somewhat familiar.

Where did he see her before? Professor Dirac tried to recall. And then, he remembered.

Thats right, Noah Darshen.

Butler Alond had told him about the black-haired girl who entered the academy with Ulan when he visited Count Dermore's mansion.

I understand now. It finally makes sense.

Ulan and Noah were from the same tribe; so it was likely that Noah, being the more intelligent of the two, answered instead of Ulan, to protect him.

Just as he concluded his almost certain guess

Professor Dirac's eyes flashed fiercely, Then, before dealing with Ulan...

First, he needed to expose that girl's background.

With the gaze of a hunter aiming at its prey, Professor Dirac nodded slightly, "Ah, I made a mistake. You're right. The question was easy enough for anyone to answer."

After meekly conceding Noah's point, without hesitation, he brought up the main subject, "Well, then, I'd like to up the ante a bit and ask a few questions that only mages can answer? Is that all right?"

"Sure, by all means," Noah accepted readily. It was what she had hoped for.

And so, the exchange of questions and answers began.

At first, the questions were about the concept of mana flow and basic theories. But as time went on, the questions became progressively harder. Some questions couldn't be answered unless you took the mana flow course. Still, Noah smoothly answered them all and she got all the answers right.

By this point, Professor Dirac also realized the situation.

Something had gone wrong.

But

However, that didn't mean he could stop. If he backed down now, it would be like admitting defeat. So, with his lips tightly pressed together, he said words he didn't really mean, "You're truly remarkable. Even as a freshman, you understand mana flow this well."

"You're exaggerating," Noah replied with a smile on her face.

Suppressing the desire to spit at that insolent face, he soon asked a counter-question, "Then, let me ask one more question."

A problem that only those who had been studying mana flow for a long time could solve, or those who were born with talent.

"Currently, there are a total of four sources of mana in this classroom. Can you identify the origin of the mana that emanates from these sources?"

The ability to read the flow of mana. Unless you're gifted enough to observe mana with your eyes, it was absolutely impossible.

Of course, there are some who can.

Someone like Professor Dirac, who had devoted his life to the study of mana flow, or Head Deflyn, who had reached the realm of an archmage, or Dilia Arpen, known as the genius magician of the kingdom, would be capable...

At any rate, with this, he was sure that he had defeated that girl.

Professor Dirac was confident. But just 5 seconds into the start of the question, his confidence crumbled.

"Behind the classroom's back door, right next to the window, the center of the ceiling, above the teacher's desk, and finally, below the left foot of the professor these are the sources."

".........!?"

His self-assured expression shattered to pieces.

Professor Dirac looked at the area around his left foot.

Concentrating his mind, he could faintly sense the mana flow and its source. This was the fifth source he hadn't noticed.

Slowly, horror flashed through his eyes.

It was only natural. Achieving such results at such a young age was beyond explanation other than talent.

The moment he realized this fact...

Ugh!

Professor Dirac bit his lip; hard enough for blood to come out. Along with it, the sense of inferiority that had been bottled up inside him gushed out.

"Impressive. Truly impressive," he said, with a voice that struggled to suppress emotions as he glared at Noah as if he wanted to kill her, "However, there's still a question in my mind."

"Huh? A question?"

"With your talents, you don't seem to need to attend my course. If you came here to show off your superior knowledge and talent, you might as well..."

He thought about telling her to leave.

But Noah's words were a step ahead of him, "I am still lacking and have a lot to learn."

"What? Lacking?"

"Yes, that's why I applied for the courseto receive more in-depth instruction. Professor, you must be far more accomplished than I am. Isn't that right?" Noah asks, smiling broadly.

At that moment, Professor Dirac realized with a sinking feeling,"I've been.had."

He felt his blood run cold.

It was only natural. If he denied Noah's words here, it would be tantamount to admitting that he was inferior to her. However, agreeing with her meant that he wouldn't be able to handle the situations that were about to unfold.

But his dilemma didn't last long.

His pride, which had been consolidated with the blood-rushing sense of inferiority, pushed him to forcefully retort, "Hmm! Ahem! Of course, that's only natural," With a fake cough, Professor Dirac nodded his head.

He was putting on a grand show while struggling to hide his deeply flustered state, "Very well then. I'll make sure to provide you with the in-depth instruction you desire."

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it," Noah smiled with a satisfied expression.

It was the smile of someone who had achieved what they wanted.

After a stormy passage of time

a familiar bell rang out.

The signal that announced the end of the class. Professor Dirac looked at the students and began to speak, "That's it for today's class. From the next lecture onwards, we will follow the schedule, so make sure to bring your textbooks properly. That is all."

As he finished speaking, he quickly left the room, as if escaping. Once Professor Dirac left, all the gazes in the classroom focused on Noah.

Discomfort. Annoyance. Wariness. Jealousy, and more.

Eyes filled with various negative emotions and voices murmured in complaint.

"It must be nice to know so much."

"Did she really want to show off that badly?"

"Tsk, acting like a barbarian she is?"."

"I guess she never learned her manners."

Voices of blatant disgust and jealousy.

At that moment, Noah's body shuddered; after a while, she lightly bit her lips and buried her face into Ulan's shoulder.

"Noah?"

"........I'm sorry. I'll just be like this for a moment."

Her small hand tightly gripped his arm and beneath that grip, Ulan felt a slight tremor. With a puzzled tone, he asked, "What's wrong? Does something hurt?"

"No, it's just... I'm not used to receiving so much attention from others."

In her trembling voice, an unknown fear lingered. He didn't know why the gazes of others frightened her this much, but at least he understood one thing.

Noah's reaction was caused by the gazes of the other students.

Well, then removing the cause should solve the problem.

Immediately after he made his decision, Ulan's gaze turned fierce the gaze of a warrior who had roamed battlefields for decades.

It was not something mere students could handle.

"...............!?"

A shiver ran down her spine.

And the result

the students who had been glaring at Noah hastily rushed out of the classroom with pale faces.

As soon as all the causes disappeared...

Noah finally regained her original state, "Phew, thank you. I'm feeling better now."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, look, it's fine, right?" Noah pointed to her arm with a smiling face.

Indeed, the trembling had completely stopped. It seemed that removing the cause had worked to some extent.

On the other hand, Ulan tilted her head, "I'm not asking about that."

"Huh? Then what is it?"

"I'm grateful for your help, but if you do something like that and end up making the professor dislike you..."

"Oh, it's okay. I'm used to being disliked," Noah grinned.

It was a smile that felt somewhat sad. But she quickly shrugged it off, as if it didn't matter, "More importantly, we made a promise, didn't we? If anything troublesome happens to Ulan, I'll help you."

Come to think of it, something like that had happened.

During their visit to the Fountain of Magic for their field trip, Ulan had helped carry Noah's luggage when she was struggling and that backpack helped him later on.

Thinking back to that time, Ulan bowed his head, "That certainly helped. Thank you."

"It's nothing, really."

As she finished her answer with a smile, suddenly, a loud noise reached their ears.

Grumble! Grumble!

It came from Ulan's stomach; an alarm signaling that it wanted something to eat.

"Well, it's just about lunchtime. How about we have a meal together before the next class starts?"

"Sure, let's do that."

As they headed towards the cafeteria

Noah suddenly seemed to remember something and asked. "Oh, by the way, what is the class about?"

"Practical Hunting."

Stella's Practical Hunting course.

Surprisingly, the location was the eastern forest.

"Oh, and what's the next lesson?"

"Practical Hunting."

Professor Stella's practical hunting lecture.

The location was unusually the eastern forest.

The freshman dormitory, known as the Spring Hall, was located at the center. To the east, there spread a vast forest so extensive that one might believe it to be a miniature version of the giant jungles. This forest was mainly used for hunting, tracking, and mock battles.

After finishing lunch, Ulan arrived at the eastern forest. However, despite it being the time of class, the professor in charge was nowhere to be seen.

"Why isn't the professor here yet?"

"Maybe the class is canceled?"

"Oh come on, would they really cancel on the first day?"

"Maybe she's just running a little late."

Students were throwing around various speculations. On the other hand, Ulan wasn't too concerned.

Thats because Stella, the professor in charge of Practical Hunting course, had been nearby long before the bell rang to start the class; to be precise, she was atop a massive tree, lying down and observing the students.

What's she doing up there?

Ulan wondered with a puzzled expression, even noticing Stella's neatly hid presence.

At that moment, their eyes unexpectedly met.

"............!"

Stella was taken aback, her surprised expression evident. After a moment, she smiled sheepishly and covered the bridge of her nose with her index finger a silent signal to be quiet.

I don't know what her intentions are, but

Ulan thought, Stella must have a reason for acting like that. So, he decided to ignore her and believed she would appear when the time was right.

But just as he was looking around, a familiar voice whispered into his ear.

"Ulan," a quiet, softly spreading voice.

Ulan turned his head without saying a word and in his sight was a girl with silver hair and a broad-brimmed hat. The moment she saw Ulan, she broke into a faint smile.

"I see, you've applied."

Dilia Arpen.

Her appearance took Ulan by surprise and that too for a simple reason it was unexpected for a mage like Dilia to register for a Hunting course.

In fact, Dilia was the only one among the students wearing a mage's robe.

"Why would you.."

register for the Hunting course?

Ulan took a step forward, wanting to ask her the reason.

But then it happened.

Sasasasak!

Dilia quickly stepped backward.

What's going on? Ulan moved closer to her. However, the result was the same as before, "Why are you running away?"

Ulan tilted his head.

Fortunately, Dilia quickly responded this time, "Because of something that happened yesterday."

"Something that happened?"

"I'm still embarrassed about it."

A faint blush appeared on her otherwise pure white cheeks. Dilia seemed to realize this and covered her face with her hat.

Ulan, meanwhile, wore a puzzled expression.

As far as he remembered, there was nothing from their conversation yesterday that would make Dilia feel embarrassed, Is there something I don't know?

Ulan thought and began to recall their conversation from yesterday.

Scrunch!

When, suddenly, a few leaves fell from above.

At the same time, Stella, who had been hiding her presence, jumped down from the tree, "Phew, looks like everyone's here now."

"...........!?"

Was it because she appeared unannounced? Her sudden appearance startled everyone.

"Pr, Professor?"

"You've been up there all this time?!"

"Yeah, I had a little too much to drink last night," Stella let out a yawn as if she was hungover.

The students, on the other hand, had bewildered expressions. They couldn't figure out what her hangover had to do with being up in a tree.

"And, I was waiting to see if anyone would notice my presence. But as expected, no one did."

At this, the students awkwardly chuckled.

Well, that's natural.

Stella Natalia. She was once the best hunter in the Eastern Jungle, and her feat of defeating a 7-star monster with a single arrow became a legend.

How could a mere student possibly notice the presence of someone of her caliber?

So, they likely thought she was joking when Stella flashed me an eerie smile, "Except for one person." Her light yellow eyes looked at Ulan.

The students, confused, turned their heads, but they couldn't figure out who Stella was referring to since Ulan had acted so calmly.

"So, shall we begin the class for today?"

After diffusing the tense atmosphere, Stella smiled cheerfully.

(End of Chapter. . . . . . . .)

Translator's Notes:- Did you click? I hope you did.

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