Adaptation (1)
"Welcome. You've had a tough time of it."
The first impression of the president could be summed up in one phrase: a kindly grandfather. Stern yet gentle features, a sturdy build even in old age. His neatly trimmed mustache and slicked-back hair gave off a comfortable yet commanding air. His voice, gravelly and deep with the weight of years, was equally striking.
"Looks like that man's the culprit behind the weekend overtime, huh?"
The president, seated on the sofa, stirred his tea gently with a teaspoon and asked. His face brimmed with curiosity. The leisurely motion carried an inexplicable pressure.
I wasn't the only one feeling it—Yeonhwa responded in a tense voice.
"Yes. As I reported, these students brought him back from the Chaos Forest."
"Hmm."
Clink. At Yeonhwa's reply, the president quietly set the teaspoon down on the table. Then his gaze pierced right through me. I met it head-on without flinching.
His gray eyes were sharp enough to bore holes. As this subtle standoff hung in the air, the president chuckled softly.
"Well-mannered, aren't you."
"Pardon?"
"I said you're well-mannered. Most people would react to a stare like that, but you're just taking it in stride. Doesn't faze you at all."
How could I look away when he was staring me down like that? The others looked just as baffled as I felt inside. The president burst into a hearty laugh, took a sip of his tea, and spoke up.
"Just kidding. Anyway, aside from those red eyes, you're definitely docile. Most with red eyes have foul tempers—berserk or not."
"Sivar's nice, though..."
Ellie timidly pushed back. At her words, Porori down below gazed up at me steadily. His expression screamed, What the hell did you do to make her say that? I was just as puzzled and stayed silent. No clue what about me prompted that assessment. Maybe saving her from the monkey?
"Ellie. Monsters are one thing—people are different. I'm sure that's what the president meant."
"Hm? Nah, that wasn't what I meant."
The president's words left it unclear if he was joking or serious. Yeonhwa gave an awkward laugh, clearly taking it as banter. With his eccentric personality, that figured.
"Well, he's keeping it buttoned up for now, so no worries there. Name's Sivar, right?"
Not one for detailed explanations, the president rose from his seat as he spoke and approached us slowly. Up close, I realized he was pretty tall. I was no shorty myself, and our eye levels matched up about right.
"When they said they'd found a survivor in the Chaos Forest, I thought it was nonsense."
"It sounds like a lie, but it's true."
Luna answered firmly. The president looked at her and let out an impressed "Ah."
"You're the top admission this year, right? Name was..."
"Luna Estel."
"Right. Luna. Mind explaining why you brought him to the academy?"
"Yes. Well, it went like this..."
Luna began recounting the same story she'd told the professors. The president listened quietly, nodding occasionally to show he was paying attention.
"Ellie said it: Sivar's human, so he belongs with people. Humans have to live like humans."
"Living like humans... I agree with that much. So, he'll need a place to stay..."
The president trailed off, eyeing us thoughtfully. After a moment's consideration, he spoke softly.
"If push comes to shove, he could bunk with me. Wouldn't be bad."
"...?"
Was he serious? His usual relaxed expression suggested a joke, but...
Yeonhwa stammered in confusion. "Wh-what do you mean? You'd take him in yourself?"
"Who else? You lot just started and you're swamped. Handing him off to other students would look bad."
"That's true, but..."
Staying with the president was indeed the best option. Professors were busy with their duties, students with classes.
"Don't you have work to do?"
"Ellie!"
Ellie blurted out her innocent question. Luna startled and called her name. It was genuine curiosity on her part, but it came off rude to the listener. The president, unfazed, laughed heartily and answered straightforwardly.
"I live like a bum, but I do have work. Keeping the academy neutral is just tricky as hell."
Spot-on diagnosis of the academy's chronic issue amid fierce rivalries. Not just students—professors were tangled in politics too, as national reps. Dive deep, and it got messy. No wonder they'd hesitate to take on a ticking time bomb like me. Attention was the last thing they wanted; one slip, and complications galore.
"Better I handle it personally than pick and choose. Easier on everyone. You agree?"
"You're right, but Sivar's illiterate. You'd have to teach him..."
"Teach him? Piece of cake."
"Uh..."
Yeonhwa groaned at his nonchalant reply, her face screaming Is this okay? But it was a masterstroke. Any mishaps, and he could cover. I wasn't likely to cause trouble, but insurance never hurt.
"Then I'll take him in for now. Might even enroll him if the chance arises—as long as he's not totally antisocial."
"President? Can I teach Sivar to read too?"
Ellie raised her hand shyly and made her timid request. Her voice lacked its usual confidence. Why so persistent? Luna voiced the same doubt.
"Why, Ellie? The president's taking him."
"Still... I want to teach him letters..."
Ellie glanced at me cautiously as she spoke. Maybe she felt she owed me. But with the president involved, fat chance.
"Do as you like."
"President?!"
"If he wants it, why not?"
The wildcard was his eccentricity. His good-natured response drew varied reactions: Ellie beamed, while Yeonhwa and Luna wore indescribable expressions.
But he wasn't clueless—he cautioned Ellie. "Just come when you have time. Leisurely and free aren't the same."
"Yes! Got it!"
"Hoho. Bright and cheerful—you'll make a fine teacher."
The president chuckled warmly, pleased. Luna, meanwhile, looked conflicted. Ellie teaching me letters wasn't a bad call. Language clicked through talk, after all. Beyond the president's lessons, she'd be great company. My guess: I'd pick it up quick.
Swish.
"...?"
Then the president pulled something from his pocket and offered it to me. I eyed the brown round candy on his palm.
No way he wanted me to eat it.
"Try one. Tasty stuff."
At the sudden offer, I alternated glances between the candy and him. He just smiled. Hesitating, I gingerly picked it up, brought it to my nose. Nutty, with that sweet candy scent.
Still clueless on the intent, I looked at him again.
"Sivar, he wants to get friendly. Give it a go."
Reading my caution as suspicion, Ellie chimed in. Too optimistic much? But a madman wouldn't poison candy. With that, I popped it in.
Sweetness flooded my mouth instantly, nutty aroma as chaser. Saliva exploded—it stimulated glands into overdrive. A flavor impossible in the forest. I chewed eagerly.
"What flavor?"
Yeonhwa asked curiously as I munched happily. The president shrugged.
"Nurungji candy."
"...Why that?"
"Figured he was from the Hwan Empire."
"Even there, only elders eat it..."
Tasty was tasty. No such treat in the woods. I savored till it melted fully. Salivating like this on a full stomach? First time.
"Your face says you like it. Want more?"
"You'll rot his teeth. Don't overdo it."
"Clean choppers for a forest survivor. Candy won't wreck 'em."
I'd wondered that myself. No brushing setup, so decay seemed inevitable. But nothing stuck, even after fights knocked teeth loose—they regrew. Did Soul World humans regenerate teeth? Note to self: check later.
"Anyway, housing sorted. Yeonhwa."
"Yes?"
"Head back. Got things to discuss with these kids."
"...Yes."
Yeonhwa shot a worried glance but left. Now it was us, plus one squirrel. Awkward vibe brewing—till the president glanced down. Straight at Porori, who tilted his head back.
"Not just any stray human from the wilds."
"Ratatosk? He's just..."
"Never thought I'd see a spirit beast waltz into the academy alongside a wildman."
The president chuckled. Casual remark, heavy implications. Luna and Ellie stiffened. He'd pierced Porori's true nature on sight—missed by other profs.
Luna glanced at Ratatosk, then asked cautiously. "...You knew?"
"Seen plenty in my time. The aura, the vibe—far from ordinary."
He explained, strolling back to the table for his steaming tea. Then, sipping, he asked us:
"Story seems cut short. Care to fill in? I can brew more tea."
"No need."
"Good. Sit."
At his invitation, we lined up on the guest sofa: me, Luna, Ellie. Porori in her arms. He watched me sit with keen interest. I ignored it. Probably thinks I'm a mute antisocial type who obeys nicely. Clearing that up now? Nah.
"Shall I explain now?"
"Go ahead."
"Understood. What happened was..."
Luna revealed parts skipped with the profs. Secrets? Just me and Porori's brawl. The aftermath was the issue: full-power clash razed the surroundings. In academy bounds? No "accident."
"I asked them not to fight. Haven't once on the way here."
"Fascinating. Controls lightning, and listens to pleas? True spirit beast."
"Can I keep raising him?"
Ellie asked anxiously, hugging Porori tight. He looked even more comfy. Squirrel enjoying the plushness?
Blissful, yeah. Pocket-sized luxury.
Wild habits kicking in with weird thoughts. Suppress.
"Once a spirit recognizes an owner, trouble's off the table. Loyal to the end."
"Ah. What about Sivar?"
"Ellie. Sivar's human, not a spirit. After saying that?"
Ellie, who'd pegged my docility to that. Luna's scolding left her sheepish. The president laughed at her innocence.
"Not impossible. Docile after pure wild life? Makes sense."
"See? President agrees!"
"Haa..."
Luna sighed deeply at Ellie's smugness—laden with meaning. Her trials lay ahead. Go get 'em, I thought.
"You and Sivar staying here from now on?"
"Yep."
"Ah, so this is the dorm."
"Not quite."
Hold up. Something off. Others tilted heads too. He laughed his hearty laugh and gave the wildman fitting reply.
"I like wandering. This is just for sleeping."
"Uh... so..."
"You'll adapt fast. Just a new bed."
His naturalist vibe floored me, but the explanation clicked. Not real office—temp residence. Shower, kitchen, all set. Academy president played final defense, not admin drone. No reports up-chain with all nations involved. Lock for neutrality.
Not a figurehead—final authority rested here.
"Called you here, not main office, for that. Never go weekends."
"Past presidents bunked here too?"
Luna asked. Her simple-to-wildman lifestyle begged questions.
"Just me. Predecessors had dorms. No family, wanderer—that's me."
"Not inconvenient?"
"No reason to be."
Self-sufficient setup—no dorm needed. His wild streak, though. Fine for crash-pad cohabiting.
Housing done—time for them to scatter.
"Got it? Obey the president even without us. You're good, Sivar—you'll do fine."
Ellie gripped my hand, imploring. Her pale golden eyes swam with worry. Living here meant parting. She fretted like it was forever. She'd visit plenty.
"Heard? Answer."
"Shibal. (Got it.)"
"Good boy."
She smiled satisfied. I'd keep promises—for now. Future's unpredictable. No plans to hole up. Academy brimmed with items, secrets. Demon sabotage setups for collapse—dismantle early for permanent stat boosts, lower future diffs. Bonds with Godin et al. needed too. Can't sit.
Sneak out when he's not looking.
Memory fuzzy—time sink. Collapse arc far off. No rush. Scout, jog memory till then.
"Cough. Cough."
"President?"
"Ah. Don't worry. Old age."
He waved it off. Looked like age ailment. But poison built in his body—slow, imperceptible even to him. Fix ASAP. His condition swung difficulty.
"Cough."
While Ellie nagged, Porori called from below. Farewell wish? Return it.
"Shibal. (Take care.)"
"Kyaaang. (You too.)"
Telling me to take care. Nice change.
Ellie's nagging dragged, but Luna cut it. Still, worried glances lingered. I just stood blankly.
"Take good care of Sivar. I'll visit often."
"Leave some lessons for me!"
"No worries."
With his farewell, they left. Luna's parting look was pointed—brushed off.
Now, president and me alone in the office. Awkward as hell.
"Sivar."
He called my name. I looked, questioning. He tugged his mustache, murmuring intrigued.
"Understands words, but comprehends? Like that spirit beast?"
"......"
I get it all, damn it. Playing dumb best—lips sealed.
He stared long, then smiled mysteriously. scheming something good.
"Parentless brat."
"...?"
Sudden low blow. Too absurd—froze.
"Beggar. Orphan. Barbarian."
"......"
What now? I squinted, irked. Human too—baseless insults stung. Not picking fight.
He looked sheepish, apologized quick. "Ahem. Sorry for the insults. Just get the vibe."
"......"
"Name's Lord Sherman. Try it: Lord Sherman."
Post-apology intro, pointing to self. Lord Sherman, huh.
"Shibal."
"Lord."
"Shibal."
"Lo... Nah. My bad."
Got the name, not speech. He realized, waved it off.
"First, tour the place. Follow."
Pointing self again. Silent trail behind.
Hard to buy "temp residence"—but kitchen et al. legit. Explained kindly, demo over words.
"Try it. Good herb brew."
In kitchen post-shower, even brewed tea. I eyed steaming cup and his smile.
Awkward—take it. Grabbed easy one-handed.
"Ah. Hot—grip here."
Warning I'd grab wrong, pointed handle. Complied, brought to face.
"...?"
Good herbs, right? Sniff—nope. Instinct screamed don't drink.
Come to think... Memory: his tea had poison. Tea lover—steeped earlier too. Fix before antidote hunt.
Slam!
Shattered on floor. Clear don't drink. Speechless—actions only.
He startled, eyed spill puzzled. "Hmm... Didn't like it?"
"......"
Poison! Gestured wildly: point spill, mouth, shake head.
Watched intently, then laughed firm. "Not asking for candy already? No good."
"...Shibal."
Rough road ahead.