Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Academy's Barbarian Hero
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Shaman Ajuh's disciple, Noa.
In truth, she harbored one secret.
A secret she hadn't told a soul and could never reveal in the future. The fact that she wasn't human from this world.
'Yumina, 18 years old. High school student.'
That was Noa's true identity.
The reason a perfectly ordinary high school girl from South Korea ended up living as a girl named Noa was none other than the game she used to play obsessively.
<Arsen Continental Saga>
A classic game with an incredibly high degree of freedom, featuring dozens of protagonist characters.
Players chose one of them to raise, then had to fend off the Lord of the Abyss and his invading monsters across the continent.
And this was the game that Yumina had poured over three full years into playing.
'So I just tried logging in like always...'
When she came to, she was in the game world.
At first, it was absurd, but now she was fairly well-adjusted. After all, it had been about eight years since she first opened her eyes in the game.
And so, Yumina had possessed one of the many protagonist characters: 'Noa Darshen'.
Character information that appeared when she blinked her right eye three times rapidly. Staring at 'Noa Darshen's status window, her eyes sparkled.
'Not a bad character.'
Noa was one blessed with 'Mana's Blessing'.
This meant she possessed tremendous talent in shamanism and magic. It was a rare trait, shared by only two characters out of all the protagonists and named ones combined.
'But her poor stamina and the hellish early-game training difficulty kept her grade at A+.'
Noa's story was truly arduous.
A character who wandered the continent as a slave, stumbled into learning magic by chance, realized her talent late, and rose to fame.
'But not this time.'
No, she didn't want that.
The reason was simple.
She didn't want to live as a slave.
So, leveraging her game knowledge accumulated over years, she deviated from the character story. And she engineered a "chance" encounter with a named character who played a significant role in the main scenario.
'The great shaman Ajuh.'
By becoming her disciple, Noa avoided her fate as a slave. After enduring eight long years, she even learned powerful shamanism.
Yes, everything up to that point had gone according to plan.
But this... she hadn't anticipated.
'Why in the world...'
Is this guy next to me?
Noa bit her lip and glanced sideways.
Rust-red hair roughly tied back.
Stubborn eyes with flame-red irises. A young man walking with his solid, muscular upper body bare even in midwinter.
The hero of the plains, Ullan.
Noa snuck another peek at him and blinked her left eye three times. Immediately, Ullan's information unfolded before her.
Ullan, the barbarian warrior character named after Mongolia's capital, 'Ulaanbaatar'. He was a pinnacle combatant among warrior characters, boasting exceptional battle prowess.
He was also one of the famous named characters in <Arsen Continental Saga>, for this reason.
'Ullan is the only one among the seven heroes who's a named character with restricted player control.'
All other heroes could be played as protagonists, but Ullan alone was off-limits to players.
The reason tied into his role in the main scenario.
It was a classic cliché: Ullan was the named character who met his end sacrificing himself for his endangered comrades.
In short, Ullan could be summed up as:
'A strong, brave warrior character with unyielding conviction, but simple-minded to a fault.'
The key word here was 'simple-minded'.
Ullan was the epitome of a muscle-headed warrior, his brain as packed with brawn as his body. Studies, magic, learning—they were all foreign to him.
'So why suddenly...'
Did he become Ajuh's disciple?
Why is he enrolling in the academy?
Is this a hidden branch? Or a butterfly effect from deviating from the character story?
Noa was plunged into confusion.
But there was one more thing troubling her beyond this.
'Arsen Academy.'
An academy was an educational institution—a school.
And Noa, or rather Yumina, had no good memories of school. Only nightmare-like recollections filled her mind.
After becoming a high schooler, her refusal to go to school and immersion in games stemmed entirely from bad experiences there.
'...Should I just run away like this?'
Noa's expression darkened.
Deep down, she really wanted to bolt.
But she couldn't.
Arsen Academy was an opportunity.
Her chance to grow stronger as a shaman.
'To survive, I need to get stronger.'
To do that, she had no choice but to attend the academy and hone her skills as a mage. To somehow survive in this game world!
Noa's eyes flashed with resolve.
Meanwhile, around that time.
Ullan, walking silently along the path, glanced at the girl keeping pace beside him.
'Noa Darshen.'
Hair black as the night sky.
Lake-clear blue eyes and a petite, rabbit-like frame. After lightly scanning Noa's appearance, Ullan narrowed his eyes.
'Time to talk to this one as well.'
Since leaving the plains, up to now.
He hadn't exchanged a single word with Noa.
There simply hadn't been anything to say. But he couldn't keep silent forever, so Ullan decided to speak first.
"Noa, was it?"
"Y-Yes? Oh, yes!"
Perhaps startled by the sudden address?
Noa jumped in surprise as she replied.
Tension seeped from her hunched shoulders and slightly quivering voice. Ignoring it, Ullan pressed on.
"To be frank, I don't know you."
He didn't know her name.
Nor that she was Ajuh's disciple.
He'd learned both only today.
So he'd spoken up intending a simple introduction. But her reaction was odd.
"Th-that's! I, uh, well..."
A face rapidly filling with panic.
Why's she like that? Was what he said really that shocking? Ullan tilted his head.
"So introduce yourself."
"...I-introduce myself?"
"Yes. Like it or not, we'll be together until we reach Arsen Academy."
A moment after his reply.
Noa let out a sigh of relief.
Once she'd calmed herself, she placed a hand on her chest and spoke.
"I'm Noa. Noa Darshen. Eight years ago, Master happened to take me in, and I became her disciple."
Alk had already told him this much.
But there was one part he hadn't heard.
"What did you do before that?"
"I don't know. I have no memories."
An awkward smile bloomed on her lips.
She seemed to be hiding something. But he didn't pry. Everyone had their secrets.
Ullan was no different.
"But memories from back then don't matter. I was probably just tumbling through the forest, scavenging fruits and mushrooms to eat."
With a nonchalant reply.
Noa delved a bit more into her past.
About her life over the last eight years and what she'd learned as Ajuh's disciple.
While listening for a while.
Ullan suddenly realized why he'd never heard Noa's name. Why she wasn't in his memories.
"I see. Understood."
"Huh? Understood what?"
"You're not of the plains tribe."
Ullan's gaze softened.
Noa had said she'd spent the last eight years only in Ajuh's hut. Visits to the village were rare enough to count on one hand.
'No wonder I wouldn't know.'
In his previous life, Ullan had never once visited Ajuh's hut. Moreover, Noa looked different from the tribe—more like outsiders.
At Ullan's words, Noa nodded in agreement.
"Right. Master said something similar sometimes. That I'm from beyond the plains, not born here."
Noa gave an embarrassed smile.
It somehow felt a little lonely.
"But since I became Master's disciple and live receiving the plains' grace, she said that makes me one of the tribe too!"
But that lasted only a moment.
As if the loneliness had never been, she replied briskly. If Ajuh said so, then it was. As Ullan nodded silently.
"Anything else you're curious about?"
"Nothing in particular."
"Then that's my intro done."
Noa beamed.
As if it was Ullan's turn next.
Ullan wasn't oblivious, so he began his introduction the same way.
"I'm Ullan Bator. Warrior of the plains tribe, and half a year ago, I passed the Hero's Trial."
With that, Ullan closed his mouth.
Silence returned.
A moment later, Noa ventured.
"That's it?"
"That's it."
What more was needed?
Ullan met her eyes squarely.
Meanwhile, Noa looked awkward.
"C-can I ask a few things?"
"As many as you like."
"Thank you. I heard you trained under Master for half a year—what did you learn?"
"Basic common sense and academics."
Over the past half year.
Ullan listed what he'd learned.
Especially when mentioning he could do double-digit addition and subtraction without fingers, pride shone through.
Noa, however, wore a subtle expression.
'Still as simple-minded as in the game...'
She'd wondered if that trait was gone, but no. Then why pursue studies? She couldn't fathom it.
"Any issue?"
"Oh, no! Nothing!"
Noa waved her hands frantically.
Snapping out of her thoughts, she cleared her throat and asked her second question.
"Ahem! Next, have you ever gone beyond the plains? Not for hunting or trials, but visiting villages or such."
Of course—in his past life.
But sixteen-year-old Ullan never had. He hesitated on what to say, then shook his head.
"No."
"Phew, I kind of figured."
Sighing as if she'd expected it.
Noa spoke in earnest.
"Then promise me a few things!"
"Promise?"
"Yes. The outside world isn't like the plains—laws and rules are strict. So the line between what to do and not do is clear."
Noa held up three fingers.
Summarizing her three points:
First, don't use violence recklessly.
Second, if violence is unavoidable, ask Noa first. If she's not there, think carefully before deciding.
Third, don't steal others' things.
"There are more precautions, but promise these three for now. You should avoid most trouble that way."
Ullan nodded at her plea.
He already knew them.
"Are you familiar with the world outside the plains?"
"Not that familiar. But I've gone around with Master sometimes, so I know the basics."
Her voice carried subtle pride.
Back to the point.
"Anyway, can you promise?"
"Understood. I promise."
"On your warrior's name?"
"Yes. I swear on my honor."
Name, honor, oath.
At those words, Noa finally relaxed. She let out a brief sigh of relief and smiled brightly.
"Thank you for cooperating, hero Ullan."
"Ullan."
"Huh?"
"Just Ullan. You're my fellow disciple, so I permit you to use my name."
Noa's eyes widened.
As if hearing something unexpected.
A moment later, blinking dazedly, she soon wore a soft smile.
"Got it. Ullan. Then call me Noa casually too."
"Understood, Noa."
The introductions finally concluded.
The mood lightened accordingly.
Noa pointed down the path with a much more relaxed face.
"Alright, let's hurry. A blizzard will hit in about an hour."
"Hm? How do you know?"
"By the smell. When the ice mana scent thickens, snow usually pours."
She sniffed with her small nose.
She could predict snow like that? As Ullan stared in wonder, Noa smiled sheepishly.
"Anyway, best to find a cave before it dumps. Ideally, overnight in a village, but..."
Noa trailed off.
With a troubled look.
"Problem?"
"Even rushing, that village is over half a day away. The path is rough."
She pointed to the village below the cliff.
Ullan looked that way, then asked dryly.
"As long as we arrive within an hour?"
"Well, yes, but..."
"Good. Let's go."
"...Huh?"
As she blinked blankly, Ullan grabbed her arm and pulled. Dragged by immense strength, Noa asked, stunned.
"Wh-what are you planning?"
"This height should suffice."
Suffice for what?
Then an ominous premonition flashed. Noa paled with a hunch.
"No way. Not what I'm thinking, right?"
"What's that?"
"Jumping off the cliff like a lunatic."
Noa answered honestly.
Ullan chuckled.
"Shamans are shamans, I see."
"Huh? What do you..."
"You read my mind perfectly."
"...!?"
Noa's face drained of color.
In that instant, Ullan's muscular arm wrapped her slender waist. A grip tight enough to choke breath.
Ullan whispered flatly.
"Don't want to fall? Hold tight."
"Wait, no! Hey! Kyaaaaah!"
With the sensation of her body lifting.
Noa's scream echoed loudly.