Civilization (3)
"It's okay. It's okay. That guy's not gonna hurt you. So just calm down."
The brief commotion passed, and Ellie gently soothed me. She handled me like a tamer calming a startled wild beast. Well, I couldn't deny that my reaction just now had been pretty beastly.
Having lived in the wild for so long, I instinctively react whenever someone sneaks up behind me. I usually sense their presence, but I'd let my guard down this time. Probably because this was civilization, not the wild. I could suppress desires related to lust, but this was harder. Actually, it wasn't so much instinct as a kind of trauma.
"I told you not to pull pranks like that. He's from the wild, so he's extra sensitive."
"Reminds me of the time he nearly broke my wrist doing the same to me."
"When the hell are you gonna grow up?"
Normally, they'd scold me for reacting so roughly, but not this time. All the professors chided the squinting-eyed man instead, and he looked apologetic, clearly aware of his mistake.
"Sorry. I got carried away out of curiosity..."
The squinting-eyed man scratched his head and laughed sheepishly. The professors just gave him dissatisfied looks. It wasn't that they disliked him; they simply disapproved of his childish behavior.
Veterans with real combat experience all carried similar traumas. Overreacting without thinking when someone silently approaches from behind. The professors criticized him because they each had their own such scars.
On the flip side, the squinting professor focused on theory and book learning, so he lacked a bit in that kind of consideration.
Still, he's a good guy.
The man with grayish hair and squinting eyes was Godin Erebus. At first glance, he might seem shady, like some inscrutable black boss. That squint was a signature trait. But nothing could be further from the truth—quite the opposite, in fact. Show him a little kindness, and he'd reward you more generously than even Malboro. His nickname was "pushover" for a reason.
Moreover, the magic he'd invent later would be hailed as the ultimate game-changer for humanity's victory. In the final boss fight, its presence alone could drop the difficulty from hardcore nightmare to manageable.
Of course, the road to inventing it was grim. Especially during a certain incident, when he'd take the fall for everything.
It was another magic professor who did it, right?
As far as I remembered, Godin's reputation at the academy was pretty solid. His shady looks were a minus, but he'd become a professor through sheer theory alone. He could use magic, just not with the power or efficiency of top students. Still, his ability to invent near-cheat-level spells stemmed from his personality.
"Alright, now that all the on-duty staff are here, let's decide what to do with this young man first."
With the situation somewhat calmed, Yeonhwa, the professor from the Hwan Empire, clapped her hands to refocus everyone.
Leading off from Yeonhwa, Malboro spoke first.
"For now, we know his name is Sivar. And that he lived in the wild. He can't speak or read, but communication is somewhat possible."
"You've brought us a real handful. People should live like people, no?"
Sara asked Ellie in her signature cynical tone. Apparently, Ellie had briefed them on the basics while I was washing up.
"I agree with that sentiment, but responsibility is another matter. I'm sure you understand."
"Th-that's why I was gonna teach him to read!"
Sensing the mood turning sour, Ellie spoke up urgently. But Sara was ruthlessly pragmatic. From what I knew, most folks from her nation were like that.
"You planning to room with him? Absolutely not. You saw how dangerous he is. And above all, different genders."
"I don't think Sivar would... y'know, attack me..."
As she said it, she stroked Porori in her arms. Sure enough, the moment I tried anything, Porori would intervene. But only Luna and Ellie knew he was a spirit beast. To the other professors, he was just a big squirrel.
"You're being too optimistic. Even setting that aside, there are too many risks."
"I agree, Ellie. This isn't about right or wrong—it's about facing reality."
Even Yeonhwa, who usually bickered with Sara, chimed in. I wanted to pipe up that I was harmless, but it wouldn't make much difference. With the gender issue, rooming with Ellie was impossible anyway. Even civilized folks got horny sometimes—how much worse for a wild man? Weird as it sounded coming from me, that's how it was.
"...So who'll teach him to read? I want to do it."
"What's your major, Ellie?"
"Alchemy."
"Alchemy requires memorizing tons of theory. You got time to teach someone?"
Students should act like students. Godin sounded like a nagging old-timer, but I couldn't argue. My most urgent need right now was a 'guardian.' No telling when I'd cause trouble, so I needed one with me at all times. Students had studies and training; professors were no different. There was no suitable candidate.
We could crash in the professors' dorm for a day, but after that?
"Or maybe I could..."
"Even as top student, no, Luna."
"I can protect myself."
"If you can kill a Monkey in five seconds, sure."
"......"
Luna quietly interjected midway but was quickly shut down by Yeonhwa. Ellie eyed her curiously. And so, with no clear solution emerging, we were stuck in an awkward spot.
"Professor Malboro! Message from the president!"
A staffer handling admin work delivered the news. A call from the president. All eyes, professors included, turned that way.
Malboro, the on-duty professor, asked first.
"What did the president say?"
"First, bring the barbarian... er, the young man to the president's residence temporarily. He'll decide on accommodations after."
"Doesn't sound good..."
Everyone fell silent at Godin's words, tacitly agreeing. The president of the United Academy was infamous as an eccentric.
From vague memories: 'Veteran sergeant major? Something like that.'
I might not remember much, but military stuff stuck. He lived like a slacker, yet untouchable. The academy president was exactly that. Immense power, absurd fame—hard to approach. The downside? No one could rein him in when he went off-script. Reason for the professors' unease.
"...Let's head to the residence first. Temporary, so not the main building—his place. Anyone want to come?"
"You're on duty, Malboro, so I'll go. Rest of you heading back?"
Malboro had to stay, so Yeonhwa volunteered. Sara spoke up first in her frosty tone.
"I'll stay here for the results. No need for everyone to pile in."
"Me too, just the outcome."
"You all scared of the president, huh?"
Yeonhwa's blunt question made Sara and Godin avert their eyes sheepishly. He was that intimidating. Yeonhwa looked at them pitifully.
"Fine, whatever. No time—let's go now. Students, follow."
"Got it."
"Y-yeah! Sivar, come on."
Ellie pointed at herself, then started walking. I silently followed right behind as she moved. Yeonhwa remarked on it curiously.
"He obeys so well, like magic? Does he really understand?"
"Maybe he sees us as kin? He snapped at Professor Godin earlier, but stayed calm after."
"Could be."
You all chatter away. I'll just use my legs.
While Ellie and Yeonhwa talked, Luna occasionally glanced at me but stayed out of it. I stared back like what? and she mumbled, dying to say something. Then she gave up and faced forward. Probably waiting till I could speak.
"So, what's the president like? I only heard his entrance ceremony speech."
The president's residence was in a separate building, not the admin one. En route, Ellie asked. Yeonhwa's face grew complicated, her voice troubled.
"You know his title, right?"
"Sword Saint."
"Yes. No one can match him in swordsmanship. Even all the academy professors charging together couldn't win."
Right, that setting. Unlike his 'veteran slacker' vibe, the president's skills were god-tier. In the Soul World, titles abounded, but the pinnacle was 'Saint ().' Not something anyone could snag like in some fantasy novel. Insanely hard. Easier to beat the final boss at level 1.
His peak technique had brutal patterns, I think.
Vague memory. Tough enough to break hacks. Meant you had to win fair and square—true strongest style.
"Even if crisis hits the academy, he'd handle it effortlessly. The 'melting pot of races' stays intact thanks to him."
"But professors seem wary of him?"
Ellie had noticed. Yeonhwa gave an ambiguous smile and nodded.
"True. Wild-born, so he's willful. Skipped out on the entrance speech, mumbling it was a hassle?"
"That was the speech?"
"Originally much longer. He shortened it on a whim."
Was there that? Kinda seemed like he skimped on the pep talk. Anyway, no ordinary guy. Hope it doesn't backfire on me.
But he's got a strong sense of duty.
Eccentric, but steps up when needed. Otherwise, no way he'd be president. Professors wary but no open complaints—shows decent prestige. Above all, he'd play a huge role in the key 'Academy Collapse' episode and branching point. Even nerfed by demons' schemes, his might was terrifying.
He dies from the aftermath, though.
Post-episode, the United Academy loses most purpose with his death. Nations balanced precariously by its existence—now it crumbles. Rot boils over; suffering begins. Major difficulty split, so clearing it is mandatory.
First, cure his poison.
Befriend him, learn swordsmanship, gift something. Find the antidote herb. Cumulative poison, so steady doses work. And I knew it. Culprit of difficulty shifts—burned into memory. Rare, tough even in Chaos Forest, but doable with effort.
Wonder if I can get close first?
Who knows. See when we get there.
Lost in such thoughts, we arrived at the residence.
"If things don't pan out, living with me wouldn't be so bad."
"...?"
I instantly understood why they called him an eccentric.