Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Unprecedented New Student
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(4)
8.
The grand auditorium of Arsen Academy.
This was where the freshman entrance ceremony was scheduled for today. The first floor was filled with students, while the professors sat on the second floor, overlooking the entire hall.
However, there was something peculiar: the professors were divided into two groups. The division wasn't based on departments or age.
It was a far clearer criterion.
Nationality.
Professors from the Ruben Empire.
And professors not from the Empire.
As if to prove the poor relations between the nations, the two factions of professors didn't even glance at each other.
They merely exchanged trivial chit-chat among their own groups. Then, one by one, their gazes turned to the first floor.
The freshmen had arrived.
Among them was one who captured the attention of the Empire faction professors.
"Oh, that young man must be..."
"The eldest son of Deorg we've only heard about."
Light brown hair and green eyes.
A handsome young man with a tall, stately build. As he walked with a stoic expression, the professors exchanged various comments.
"Himmel Deorg, right?"
"Yes, that's him."
"He placed fourth in this exam. Especially strong in swordsmanship and the Grand Melee."
The Deorg Count family was a prestigious knightly house that had produced renowned knights for generations.
And Himmel was a standout genius in swordsmanship among them. It was only natural that the professors' eyes were on him.
Meanwhile, at the same time.
The professors from the opposing faction ignored Himmel entirely. Instead, their gazes converged on a petite silver-haired girl.
Dilia Arpen.
The genius mage the Principality prided itself on.
"Is that the famous hope of the Principality?"
"She looks much younger than expected..."
"Pfft, what does age matter?"
"For a mage, only magical prowess counts."
Various conversations flowed, and the professors' eyes sparkled with curiosity and anticipation.
The Empire and the Kingdom Alliance.
With the entrance of the representatives from both factions, the professors resumed their trivial talk. Or tried to.
Until Ullan appeared.
"......"
The auditorium fell silent in an instant.
Both students and professors fixed their eyes on Ullan in that moment. His presence was impossible to ignore, even if one tried.
A massive frame nearly two meters tall.
His muscular upper body exposed.
And the axe in his hand.
Wait. No, hold on. An axe?
"You can't bring weapons in!"
"Weapons are prohibited at the entrance ceremony."
The guards who grasped the situation blocked Ullan's path. Fortunately, he set the axe down in a nearby corner without resistance.
As he strode forward again.
The professors wore stunned expressions.
"Ha! Never thought I'd live to see a barbarian strutting through the academy."
"I saw one as an experimental subject forty years ago, but as a student? First time."
"A barbarian topping the exams? Something's definitely wrong! Or he cheated."
Contempt, disdain, mockery.
The professors regarded Ullan with cold stares. A rare moment of unity between the two factions.
Of course, not everyone thought the same.
"Tch, this is why old fogeys are no good."
"Exactly. Blind to real gems because of their prejudices."
Ethan and Stella from the Military Studies Department.
The two professors who had recognized Ullan's worth early clicked their tongues. To them, Ullan was far superior to Deorg's sword genius.
Moments later, the ceremony began.
Ethan yawned through the acting headmaster's perfunctory welcome. Then, spotting something, he glanced at the first floor.
Young men with blue armbands. Whispering with sly smirks, as if plotting something.
"Senior, what are you looking at?"
"Student council punks."
He replied indifferently.
Then narrowed his eyes.
"Looks like they're up to their old tricks again."
"Huh? Old tricks? What do you mean?"
"You'll see when it happens."
As his response ended.
Stella's expression shifted subtly.
"......Somehow that makes me uneasy. Shouldn't we stop them?"
"Nah. Arsen's policy is to not interfere in student matters unless it turns bloody."
As long as it didn't escalate to violence, they let students handle things themselves. That was Arsen's way.
"Besides, that guy's probably fine anyway."
Just a hunch.
Ethan grinned.
A smile laced with strange anticipation.
9.
"Once again, congratulations on your admission to Arsen Academy. From now on, you must embody the dignity and conduct befitting Arsen students..."
While listening to the acting headmaster's welcome.
The current students yawned expansively. Even the freshmen weren't exempt. Boring was boring.
Noa, however, was relatively composed.
She had to be.
This entrance ceremony was a crucial event for her, a turning point for her future.
Gazing tensely at the stage.
"Yaaawn!"
A loud yawn echoed.
Having never seen someone yawn so openly, Noa reflexively turned.
And her eyes widened.
A familiar face.
'Sword Princess, Ivela Elead.'
Unaltered by the stares, she yawned repeatedly. And there was one even more so.
Unlike the Sword Princess, who at least listened, a silver-haired girl had her head bowed, nodding off.
'Star Witch, Dilia Arpen.'
Both named members of the hero's party.
Future comrades of Ullan.
'Anyone else, maybe not, but I want to befriend those two somehow...'
Should she dye her hair first?
Noa sighed, stroking her jet-black locks. After the tedium passed, the moment she'd awaited arrived.
"Now, the student council will deliver a welcome address to the freshmen."
The student council's address.
This marked the event's start.
Slapping her cheeks to shake off drowsiness, she watched the stage eagerly.
Soon, Noa's eyes narrowed.
'As expected, nothing like the script.'
Completely different from the script Ullan had received. No worry needed, though. She'd prepared a safe, neutral response anyone could deliver.
"......That concludes the address. Welcome to Arsen once more!"
After the student council finished.
Applause erupted as if on cue.
"Next, the freshman representative will respond to the student council seniors' address. Please listen attentively."
Ullan's turn at last.
Ullan strode out from behind the stage. Then, suddenly, the surroundings grew excessively noisy.
Current students chattering openly.
Especially the third-years, rowdier. Likely in on the student council's scheme or aligned with them.
'Up to here matches the guide.'
The student council's disruptions had patterns.
This chaos to scatter attention was one. Or sabotaging the voice amplifier.
No worry, though.
'It's fine. My script's perfect.'
Just read it right, Ullan.
They'd overcome the interference, end smoothly. And catch the next student council president's eye.
But then.
The unexpected happened.
Whoosh!
Sudden flames erupted from the podium.
Hot fire enveloped it instantly.
No big issue yet.
Ullan was nearby but unscathed. The problem: the script on the podium.
'Th-the script...!'
It burned up.
Water poured from above, dousing the podium. Someone used water magic amid the fire.
Fire extinguished quickly, no injuries.
The hall buzzed in confusion.
Soon, the host bowed apologetically to students and professors.
"Sorry. Seems like an accident. But deeming it minor, we'll proceed."
Minor? The script burned!
Noa wanted to shout.
'Ugh, why this...'
Fire wasn't in the guide. Stealing the script was, but not this.
Noa grimaced.
Unforeseen variable ruined plans, plus her all-nighter script gone.
'So much work into that!'
If the culprit surfaced, she'd curse them!
Grinding her teeth in frustration.
But the problem persisted.
"What? Why's he just standing?"
"Yeah. Time's passed."
Despite resumption, Ullan stood frozen. Then third-years sneered.
"Froze without the script?"
"Haha, makes sense."
"Hard for a barbarian brain to memorize."
"I'm more shocked he can read."
Laughter roared through the hall.
Noa frowned.
"......So childish."
Definitely the 'sabotage voice amplifier' pattern.
No, not analysis time.
Help Ullan somehow. Brainstorming furiously when.
Thud! Thud!
Ullan moved.
Toward the stage center.
10.
After the student council address.
Ullan walked to the stage.
Countless gazes poured instantly. Enough to shrink anyone briefly, but his expression unchanged.
En route to the podium.
Someone popped out.
"Hey. Meet again."
Familiar voice.
Familiar face: student council exec, Mond.
"Figured first time on stage, so came to help."
He approached with his usual affable smile. Eyes unamused, though.
"Put script on podium. This crystal orb amplifies voice, so speak normally."
Ullan followed.
No tricks in front of everyone, surely.
But that assumption devoured him.
Or rather, the podium and script.
Roar!
"Whoa! Wh-what?!"
"Back off! I'll extinguish!"
With the flustered host.
Mond stepped up swiftly. Tapping his gem-topped staff, cool water doused the podium.
Whoosh!
Flames snuffed instantly.
Script ruined, though. Ullan nearby drenched like a drowned rat.
Once settled.
Mond feigned gravity.
"Who'd do this..."
But his lips twitched uncontrollably.
Obviously.
He'd done it.
'Arrogant barbarian scum.'
Simple reason.
A fringe savage dared stand here.
'Know your place.'
Top score? Rigged, surely.
Mond sneered coldly, twisting his lips.
'Embarrass yourself.'
Plenty more prepared.
Stifling laughter when.
Ullan twitched an eyebrow.
Irritation in his eyes. One reason: Mond.
Right after podium ignited.
As Mond raised staff to quench, burning smell from it.
Mond burned the script. Insult to Ullan. He glared icily.
'Crush his skull?'
If pre-regression seventeen-year-old Ullan, yes. No axe needed.
'But...'
No.
Trouble would follow.
Ullan swallowed rage, regained calm.
Retribution later.
"Sorry. Accident. Minor, so proceeding."
Ceremony forced on.
New issue.
"Huh? Worked fine morning."
Voice amplifier dead.
Mond muttered troubledly.
"What now? Replacement takes time..."
Inwardly different.
Even stoic he'd panic now.
Mond inwardly roared laughing.
But prediction missed.
Ullan's response too plain.
"I'm fine."
"Huh?"
"Don't need it."
Finishing, he surveyed hall.
Despite stage chaos, rowdy mess. Professors unconcerned.
Then familiar faces.
Worried Ivela.
Sleepy Dilia.
Sinisterly grinning Noa, like finding curse target.
Amid chaos, those three watched him. Ullan voiced first line of Noa's script.
"Hello."
Weak voice.
Obvious: awkward.
Sorry Noa, but formal script lacked heart.
Ullan recalled first hunt speech lifting warriors' spirits. Father said:
'To move hearts, shout with sincerity.'
This won't do.
Resolved, he stepped forward. To stir all.
"Wait."
"That's not the spot..."
As host and Mond reached.
Ullan reached center. Inhaled, raised foot slowly.
Slammed down hard.
Crack! Boom!
Stage collapsed roaring.
Instant silence like ice water.
Rowdy students, indifferent professors. All eyes on Ullan.
"Finally looking."
Meeting every gaze.
Ullan grinned.
Prep done.
Activated Spirit. Circled body swiftly, condensed in throat.
Skill from past life.
'Warrior's Roar.'
'Fix highly condensed Spirit in throat, maximize volume.'
With killing intent, intimidates foes. With Spirit, restores allies' mana or encourages.
Now, one thing.
Sincerity to move hearts.
And loud voice.
Deep breath.
Ullan roared with heart.
"Nice to meet yooou─!"
Resonant shout echoed.
Rumble! Crash!
Invisible shockwave swept hall.
Insane power. Hall shook. As greeting washed like waves.
Screams erupted.
"Aaaah! Ears...!"
"Wh-what?"
"Can't hear suddenly?"
What? Can't hear?
No. Ullan eyes flashed.
To shout louder.
"I am─! Plains warrior─! Ullaaan─! Batooor─!"
Successive roars.
Shattered rowdy chaos. But more broken.
Crack! Shatter!
Glass windows bursting one by one.
Large voice partly, but Spirit truly.
"This time─! Freshman─! Represen─tative─!"
Not just windows.
Nearby students, exposed second-floor professors hit. Bleeding ears proof.
"Kyaaah!"
"Professor, wake up!"
"Get a stretcher!"
"Pull that bastard down first!"
Grasped severity?
Guards rushed.
But couldn't stop. Immersed Ullan roared veins bulging.
"Friends─!"
Resonant cry.
Hall pandemonium. Clutching ears writhing, fainted students.
Biggest victim separate.
Closest: Mond.
"Guh! Graaah!"
Mond rolling on stage, ears bleeding. Deaf since first greeting.
Not all.
Head pounding, nosebleed.
Death near?
Trembling hand gripped staff. For protection spell.
Problem.
'What spell blocks this?'
Silence magic, but pain fogged mind.
Then.
Ullan inhaled deeply.
"......!?"
Bad feeling.
Mond eyes bulged. Flailing, shouted.
"N-no...!"
Shut up please!
Voice drowned in roar.
"Get along─!"
Rumble!
Hall shook like quake.
Surviving windows shattered. Mond unsurvived.
"Gack! Grrk!"
Mond collapsed, eyes rolled back, foaming.
Bombed hall. Ullan bowed.
"That concludes my response."
Gentlemanly, but no one cared.
Not the time.
Forty-eight ruptured eardrums.
Including fainted students/professors, over hundred injured.
Total mess.
As Ullan stared blankly.
"He shut up!"
"Grab him!"
Ropes bound him.
Historic ceremony ended.
Ullan dragged to student guidance.
Interlude. Unprecedented New Student
1.
As Ullan dragged to guidance.
Dermore Count sipped freshly brewed tea. Report killed mood.
"What? Failed?"
"Yes, so heard."
Butler chief Alond bowed. Silent count laughed coldly.
"Haha, overestimated brother-in-law. Can't handle this."
Request to Professor Direk simple.
F-grade barbarian out.
Direk proctor, easy. Yet failed. Count chuckled at incompetence.
"Reason given."
"Reason? What excuse?"
Curious now.
Contempt in eyes. But Alond's reply hardened face.
"Deplin Chernio intervened."
"......What?"
Eyes widened.
Unexpected name.
"Her? Why?"
"No details."
Apologetic bow.
Count clamped lips, stared window.
Deplin Chernio.
Magic Department dean.
Infamously bad blood with Dermore Count. Most mid-tier mages knew.
As count pondered, Alond ventured.
"How handle?"
"Leave it. No gain drawing mad mage's eye."
Frowned.
No desire tangle with Deplin over one barbarian.
Easier ignore.
"How's Noa girl?"
"Passed confirmed."
"Send congratulations letter."
Noa Darshen.
Future asset to plans. Maintain ties.
"What tell Direk Baron?"
"Want boot now, but..."
Deplin explains twist. Count tsked.
"Few gold coins back. Call soon, meet then."
"Understood."
Not empty. Need him soon. Alond left, count sat.
Sipped cold tea.
Pulled photo from drawer.
Golden hair like his, brown-eyed young girl.
"......Yurpe."
Tender gaze.
Stroked photo, longing face, whispered.
"Prep almost done. Wait little longer. Father find way save you."
Whatever it takes.
Eyes burned quietly.
Decades single goal: obsession.
2.
Noa dreamed.
Missable world's unwelcome sight.
Meteor doodles on desk. Upside-down bag, rotten milk stench.
Middle school memory.
Bullying days.
Nightmare locked her room three years.
Realizing dream, Noa thrashed.
To wake.
Soon.
Eyes snapped open.
Unfamiliar ceiling.
Hospital-like. Surveyed.
'Where?'
Sealed curtains, antiseptic sting. Busy footsteps, noisy.
Realized: infirmary.
Memory hit.
'Right. During ceremony...'
Last sight: Ullan smashing stage, roaring. Recall shook head.
'......Nightmarish.'
Shaking hall.
Falling screamers.
Hellscape. Noa shuddered.
'Curious council scheme response, but this?'
Better fall to scheme.
Too big now.
Unfixable.
Heavy sigh.
'Classroom first.'
Post-ceremony class assignment.
Year-long friends; avoid spotlight.
Black hair doomed notice. Still, better check class vibe than lie.
Rose from bed.
Or tried.
Blanket stuck. Huh? Tilted head, saw side.
Not alone.
Light gold hair messy by pillow. Child gripping blanket?
"Um, sorry, blanket?"
No reply.
Asleep.
No choice. Gently pulled.
Glanced face, startled.
"......! S-Sword Princess?!"
Blurted loud.
Clamped mouth, blinked wide. Sword Princess beside?
Calming shock.
"Mm."
Future Sword Princess, Ivela stirred.
Awakened by voice.
Soon eyes open, groggy scan.
"Huh? Why bed...?"
Mumbling sleepy.
Gazes met midair.
"......"
Silence.
Ivela startled, turned. Back to blank instantly.
Seeing this.
Recalled [Arsen Continent Chronicles] character story snippet.
『Ivela Elead's school days lonely. Distrusted all, always alone.
Wore expressionless mask. Lasted barely a year.』
Blank face defense.
Hard to approach. Then Ivela spoke first.
"If not rude, what happened?"
"Huh? Oh, uh, well..."
Flustered unexpected.
But soon composed.
To explain hall events.
Soon, Ivela blanked stunned.
'Makes sense.'
Few faint from roar.
Ivela lips clamped.
Twitched suppressing laugh.
Failed.
"Pfft! Ahahaha!"
Roaring laughter, tearing up.
Noa shocked.
What? Laughable in story? Sword Princess laughs like this?
More shocking.
"So like that guy."
Wiping tears, muttered knowing Ullan.
Noa panicked.
Reasonable. They shouldn't know each other yet.
First meet battlefield, 16 years later. Not academy.
'Yet...'
Why act acquainted? Exam meet? Doubts budding when.
Swish!
Curtains parted.
Bobbed woman in white coat. Haggard, spoke.
"You two. Up? Time go."
Third party, Ivela reverted. Rose, slight bow.
"Pardon."
Dry tone unbelievable recent laughter. Ivela vanished swiftly.
Noa dawdled intentionally.
Questions.
"Um, sorry."
"Hm? No worry. Eardrums mild damage, potion applied. Fine soon."
"No, that. Ullan status?"
"Ullan? Who?"
How explain.
Pondered, spoke.
"Cause this."
"Ah, terrorist?"
"T-terror?"
Flustered, accepted.
Infirmary view, plausible.
"Probably guidance interrogation. Motive unknown, but not overlooked. Maybe expulsion."
Darkened face.
Expulsion possible.
'Can't...'
Ullan absence unsettling.
Anxiously window-gazed.
Prayed safe.
Hands clasped.
3.
Arsen had affiliates. Student guidance under admin, one.
Role simple.
Guide, correct rule-breakers.
Head Phillip Ernoc, 20+ years veteran.
Handled many delinquents; presence sufficed usually.
This one different.
'Ullan Bator.'
Fringe barbarian origin.
Sensed big trouble. Reports piled, face grotesquely crumpled.
"......Fainted hundred including students professors, smashed all windows partial stage during ceremony?"
What did he do?
Guards present, why let escalate?
Questions surged.
Soon calm.
Task: probe motive.
"Didn't expect ceremony stunt. Balls swollen."
Small dim room.
Single candle lit. Gray walls, thick iron door.
Corner guidance room for grave offenders.
"Why? Motive?"
Phillip stared.
Ullan thick ropes bound. Hands back, legs/head free.
Answered probe.
"Just speech."
"What? Speech?"
Phillip eyes bulged.
Absurd.
"Auditorium major repairs your fault. Over hundred hospitalized!"
What speech causes this? Slammed table.
"No thoughts?"
Piercing glare.
Expected apology. Unexpected.
"All seem weaklings."
"......What?"
"Train bodies."
Shameless extreme.
Phillip face twisted. Held calm. Sighed, sat opposite.
"Not grasping yet. Reported up."
Real threat.
"Order comes, expulsion plus international trial. Life ruined."
"......"
"Cooperate, leniency possible. Why first."
Should get it.
Plight, how mitigate.
Phillip unaware.
Ullan thick-headed.
'International law? Leniency?'
Gibberish.
Change topic.
"When out?"
"Out where!"
"Class assignment soon."
"Irrelevant now!"
"Why?"
"Aaaah!"
Phillip lost calm.
What guy?! Feigning dumb extreme!
Wanted smash head wall. Rule stopped.
Wasting time when.
Clank! Creak!
Iron door opened sudden.
Phillip frowned.
"What? Told no open till done..."
Snapped, stopped.
Man's uniform: military-like, silver star chest. Eyes trembled.
'......Military department inspector.'
Identity: Arsen five deans.
Second power post-headmaster. Each direct agency.
This from real No.2 Berze Dean's inspectorate.
Thud! Thud!
Unhindered entry.
Glanced Ullan.
"Ullan Bator?"
"Yes."
"Released. Out."
"Wh-what?!"
Phillip shocked. Abrupt release.
Inspector unmoved.
"Class assignment ongoing. Lion's Den 2F, follow orders."
"Wait! Who auth..."
"Upper command."
Protesting, shoved paper. Clear seal: Berze's.
Phillip tense read.
How long?
Face hardening.
Soon, bit lip.
"......Untie ropes."
"But..."
"Untie. Immediate release."
Reiterated to guards. Ullan rose.
"No need."
Ended.
Binding ropes snapped threads.
Force-ripped thick ropes?
All stared absurdly.
"Lion's Den where?"
"Big building auditorium side. Lion statue front, easy."
"Auditorium where?"
"......Follow. Guide."
Sighed inspector turned.
Would lost otherwise. Ullan followed out.
Watching depart.
Guards questioned.
"Letter say?"
"Why easy..."
"Empire military related."
"......Huh?"
"That terrorist?!"
Phillip nodded silent.
Recalled enclosed note.
『Ullan Bator's ceremony act no malice, no punishment.
He's military 《Grade 1 Supervisee》, report military first if reoffends before arrest.』
Grade 1 rare.
Brass deems vital figures only.
Phillip ex-military, knew.
'Military goal unknown, why supervised...'
Eyes narrowed.
"......Arsen noisy this year."
Various ways.
Gazed Ullan gone. Felt soon meet again.
Chapter 9. Mana Spring