Chapter 5
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Towards the Academy
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(2)
3.
The center of the world and the continent's only neutral zone.
The place where the Mana Spring, Arsen, exists.
This place had long been home to the greatest educational institution, renowned for producing countless talents since ancient times.
Arsen Academy.
The destination Ullan had set his sights on.
Though his heart raced at the invitation arriving far sooner than expected, he quickly regained his composure.
There was one nagging worry.
"I am still lacking."
Ullan knew his own level all too well.
So he sensed it instinctively. That if he took the entrance exam now, he absolutely could not pass.
"Honestly, I have no confidence in passing the entrance exam. I appreciate the offer, but it would be better to challenge it after I've gained more knowledge..."
"Don't worry about that."
Ajuh cut him off abruptly.
"The recommendation letter I mentioned earlier is the document required for admission to Arsen Academy. With your status, even taking the entrance exam itself would be difficult."
She added further explanation.
Arsen Academy allows anyone to apply. But that applies only to the 'citizens' of the kingdoms and empires beyond the plains.
Ullan, on the other hand, was merely a barbarian.
Thus, through normal channels, not only admission but even sitting for the entrance exam was impossible.
"However, with a recommendation from a great noble, things change. Submitting it guarantees your status and exempts you from one of the exam's major hurdles: the written test."
No written exam.
Ullan's eyes widened at those words.
But only for a moment. A new concern seemed to surface as he asked,
"But would someone like Count Dermore write a recommendation so easily?"
"No need to worry about that either. Ullan, have you heard that I left the plains and wandered the world?"
Of course he had.
Ullan nodded.
"Back then, I happened to save a brat's life. He was a diligent one. Hard to believe he carried noble blood."
Her expression turned distant, as if reminiscing on fond memories of the past.
"Anyway, in return for his life, he formed a vow contract with me. Someday, when he inherited his house, he would grant any one wish within his power."
"Then that brat was..."
"Yes, Count Dermore."
Once the hidden tale concluded,
Ullan grasped the general situation. His face took on a subtly conflicted look as he asked,
"But is it really okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"Using your one wish on me..."
"It doesn't matter. Better to spend it nurturing a budding sprout than propping up a weed about to wither."
Ajuh appeared to have already made up her mind. The conviction in her voice was proof.
"Ullan."
Ajuh addressed him once more.
"This world is far wider than the plains."
She pointed her staff toward the sky.
And grinned.
"Leave the plains. Go out into the wide world, see much, and learn much. Devour every bit of knowledge you encounter to expand your own world."
After Ajuh finished speaking,
Ullan finally understood the significance of her attire. Today marked the end of half a year of instruction. In other words, it was farewell day.
The moment he realized this,
he dropped to his knees and bowed his head.
"I am grateful for your teachings all this time."
This was the deepest gratitude, respect, and honor a single warrior could offer. As Ullan rose and turned to leave the hut,
"Take these."
Ajuh's voice stopped him in his tracks.
What she produced was an axe and a single book. Ullan eyed them curiously, and Ajuh explained patiently.
"An axe forged from the Monster Bloodstone found in the cave. The more blood it drinks, the harder it becomes."
Monster Bloodstone was the ore shamans used as a medium for their spells. He knew it was valuable, but to think she'd craft an axe from it.
Ullan swung the axe lightly.
The weight felt perfect, the length ideal.
Of course, it paled in comparison to the axes he'd wielded often in his past life, but it would serve well enough for now.
"As for this book, it contains the lessons I didn't have time to teach you. Until you reach Arsen Academy, study it diligently in your spare moments. Don't slack off."
"I'll accept it gratefully, Ajuh."
He made no effort to hide his joy,
flashing a bright smile. Ajuh nodded wordlessly and gazed out the window.
"It's late today. If you're leaving, wait until the blizzard dies down. You'll need to bid farewell to Alk and the other warriors too."
"I will."
Ullan nodded readily.
Moments later, he stepped out of the hut.
A fierce blizzard whipped around him savagely, but Ullan pressed on steadfastly. As though vowing never to yield to whatever trials lay ahead.
4.
A long while after Ullan departed.
As the raging blizzard momentarily eased,
crunch crunch!
Along with the sound of footsteps sinking into the soft, piled snow,
a visitor arrived at the hut.
A girl clad in thick furs.
A girl of mysterious beauty, with hair black as the night sky and eyes of striking blue.
She knocked on the hut's door.
Knock knock knock!
Exactly three times.
Then she announced herself.
"Master. It's Noa."
Her voice clear and crystalline, like shattering ice.
Soon, a cough echoed from within—a sign it was safe to enter. Pushing open the door, she stepped inside, and Ajuh spoke at once.
"...Ullan left?"
"Yes, he's completely gone from the forest."
Noa nodded.
Ajuh visibly relaxed, slumping into her seat with a sigh.
"Phew, finally free!"
A smile bloomed across her wrinkled face.
Laughter laced with pure delight.
Meanwhile, Noa looked as though she had a mountain of questions. After a brief hesitation, she ventured carefully,
"Um, Master."
"What is it?"
"May I ask why you want to get him into the academy?"
"What? You're asking that because you don't know...!"
Ajuh flared up suddenly.
But her anger faded quickly.
"...Well, you might not. You just finished your exam, after all."
The girl's name was Noa Darshen.
About eight years ago, an orphan Ajuh had stumbled upon and taken as her disciple.
After imparting every shamanic art and scholarly pursuit, the girl had left to take the shaman's trial proving her mastery—and had only just returned today.
Regaining her composure, Ajuh let out another sigh and muttered,
"That guy's hopeless."
"...Pardon?"
"No blockhead that thick-headed exists. I could teach a ten-year-old from the tribe, and they'd grasp it better than him!"
Ajuh shuddered visibly.
As if it gave her chills.
"Of course, not everything's a disaster. His focus and memory are decent enough. But strip those away, and the rest is all subpar."
What's the point of good memory if it takes forever to commit things to it?
And it wasn't just that.
Comprehension, reasoning—everything.
All below average.
No, utter bottom of the barrel.
"The one silver lining is that he knew his limits and handed the chieftain's seat to Alk. If that fool became chieftain..."
The tribe's future would've been grim indeed.
There had been a time when she'd pinned hopes on Ullan. Believing that with his blend of strength and wisdom, he could conquer not just the plains but the entire continent.
But it was a fool's hope.
She'd realized all his talents skewed toward raw power and battle. So she'd used the Arsen Academy admission as an excuse to boot him from the plains.
At minimum, keep him wandering the world until Alk solidified his rule as chieftain.
Once her tale wrapped up,
Noa wore a puzzled expression.
"But if it's just to chase him off, why bother sending him to the academy? He couldn't keep up with the classes anyway..."
Wouldn't it just waste the wish?
That was Noa's thinking.
Ajuh saw it differently.
"Ullan's capacity as a hero is immense. Among the famed heroes of the world, he'd rank at the pinnacle."
She freely admitted his warrior gifts.
Noa nodded in agreement, sharing the sentiment.
"But his capacity for knowledge is pathetically small. That's why I want this chance to make him realize just how vast his true potential is."
"Ah! Now I get it."
Noa's eyes went wide.
"So what Master really wants isn't for him to pursue scholarship, but to focus solely on his duties as a warrior and hero?"
"Exactly."
Ajuh nodded with a smile.
Noa breathed a sigh of relief.
"Phew, that's a relief. I was worried he might shirk his hero's duty..."
"But Noa."
"Yes?"
"What exactly is a hero's duty?"
"Why, obviously stopping the lords of the abyss—ah, no! N-nothing! Hehe."
As if catching her slip too late,
Noa fumbled through an awkward deflection.
Ajuh furrowed her brow and cocked her head but let it slide. There were more pressing matters to discuss anyway.
"Noa."
"Yes, Master."
Noa replied deferentially.
Ajuh met her gaze, then drew a pristine white envelope from her bosom and handed it over.
"Congratulations on passing your exam."
"Master, this is...?"
"The same kind of letter Ullan took."
A letter requesting Count Dermore's recommendation. As Noa's eyes bulged upon receiving it, Ajuh pressed on.
"You go to Arsen Academy too."
"...!"
Her face went rigid in an instant.
She'd grasped Ajuh's intent. In a trembling voice, Noa cried out,
"B-but I'm still not ready! I want to learn more at your side...!"
"No, you've already learned everything."
Her tone rang with genuine sincerity.
Ajuh spoke with a kindly expression.
"So go hone your skills at the academy and return. You're part of the tribe's future too."
"...Master."
She bit her lip fiercely.
For she felt it subtly.
Ajuh had already resolved the matter.
After a long while passed,
Noa nodded with resolve etched on her face.
"Yes. I'll heed your words, Master."
"Good. Wise choice."
Ajuh smiled warmly.
Yet even as time ticked by, Noa showed no sign of rising. She simply stared at Ajuh with bright, eager eyes.
Everything that needed saying was said—why wasn't she leaving? Ajuh tilted her head in confusion, about to inquire,
when Noa spoke first.
Her face utterly serious.
Chapter 2. Towards the Academy