A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 19

From the day after I underwent the health checkup, the full-fledged training began.

Rod started teaching me how to write. Perhaps because of this, I didn’t go outside except during meal times.

Even when I went outside, Rod always kept a close eye on me. It’s probably because of the incident where I hit the bell tower with a stone.

Sure, I threw it as a greeting, but to others, it must have looked like a crazy act. I don’t regret it.

I also casually ignored the status window indicating my faith had dropped. It didn’t matter since nothing else decreased anyway.

“Originally, there’s a penalty that reduces stats.”

Throwing a stone at a church spire for fun? That would naturally result in a permanent stat decrease.

Since it’s the Faith Stat, many users who don’t have faith-related professions throw stones just for fun.

What about me? I threw it simply because I was annoyed.

They made me end up like this, so I had to insult them at least once.

“Repeat after me. Apple.”

Anyway, Rod’s training proceeded in a fairly ordinary manner.

After the health checkup, Rod seemed to realize that I could understand speech to some extent, so he started with teaching me words.

“Damn.”

“Apple.”

“Damn.”

“Ap-ple.”

“Da-mn.”

“··· ···”

Of course, just because I could understand speech didn’t mean I could immediately grasp the language.

Setting aside the speech impairment, even learning to write was difficult. Words, in particular, were a challenge.

It was fortunate I could understand spoken language; otherwise, my future would have been bleak.

“Grammar is screwed, though.”

Words were manageable. But what truly gave me despair was grammar.

I had to put in an almost desperate amount of effort just to barely understand it.

Listening was fine, but reading and writing were tough. I could only manage to pick out a few words.

“Words can be learned with effort. Let’s try again. Do you understand what this is?”

“Damn.”

“······I’m starting to realize I’m not cut out for teaching.”

Still, as I seemed to gradually pick up writing, Rod focused more on teaching me.

He didn’t completely set aside his original tasks. He claimed he was the type to finish his work before playing.

He grumbled about how he couldn’t even relax or enjoy himself because of me, saying he was stuck teaching, something he’d never done before.

“Hello, Sivar! What did you learn today?”

“Damn (a lot).”

“Still the same, huh? But you must’ve learned a lot, right?”

After class, Ellie would come to teach me how to write, often accompanied by Porori as a bonus.

While learning from Ellie, I shifted my gaze to Porori, who was cracking open an acorn he had found somewhere.

As expected of a squirrel, he was eating the acorn with great skill. Just looking at him, he seemed plump and cute, but his temper was nasty.

“Ellie, do you even bring that spirit beast to class?”

“No. During class, I usually send him outside. But after class, he comes to me on his own.”

“Since it’s a spirit beast, I suppose there’s no need to worry.”

I wish I could do the same. I’m confident I’d return when the time comes.

When I looked at Porori with envy, his reaction was absurd.

“Kaaang (Idiot).”

Look at the way he lifts one side of his mouth. It makes me want to smack him.

But doing that here might lead to who knows what. Ellie might scold me too.

Swallowing the anger that welled up from deep within, I focused on my lessons.

“Wow. You wrote exactly what I said? You’re already this good? Sivar, you’re a genius!”

After a day, I could easily handle simple spelling and word dictation.

“You want candy? That’s not possible. Your teeth might rot if you eat too much.”

By the second day, I could write words on my own without dictation.

“It feels like we’re starting to have conversations, doesn’t it?”

“Roughly. If you just pick out words, it’s not entirely impossible.”

By the third day, I could communicate, though with difficulty.

However, forming sentences was still a challenge. As I mentioned earlier, listening was easy, but reading and writing were hard.

Still, just being able to communicate was a significant improvement.

Although the speech impairment remained, it would gradually improve, so it wasn’t a problem.

“Soon, I’ll need to tell him there’s poison in the tea.”

Whether he’ll believe me or not, I don’t know. Rod trusts the medical practitioner enough to make him his attending physician.

I didn’t think he’d believe me based on just a few words.

It’s better to instill doubt little by little than to reveal everything at once.

If that happens, Rod will naturally realize that the demons are up to something.

However, since the Academy Collapse itself targets Rod, I need to proceed slowly for his safety.

Demons, especially those at the highest level, are entities even Rod struggles to deal with.

The moment Rod investigates directly, the demons will notice, and the difficulty will skyrocket.

Even in the game, I had a hard time with this delicate tug-of-war.

“Aside from knowing words, the key is how much you understand our language. You need to grasp the meaning behind actions.”

“That doesn’t seem like something that can be solved in a short time, does it?”

“Hmm······”

While learning words was good news, there was an even more challenging task ahead.

That was teaching me the meaning of actions and basic common sense.

For a normal life, knowing common sense is essential. Without it, I’d face various difficulties.

However, even common sense might not guarantee the development of social skills.

“How about postponing understanding for now and teaching him what not to do first? Sivar still struggles to make judgments on his own.”

“You’re suggesting we start with temporary measures.”

“Yes. I read in a book that people raised in the wilderness······”

Regardless of what they were discussing, I focused on reading the book. It was a fairy tale book Elvin had brought me.

According to Ellie, it was a story about a hero defeating the Demon King.

Since in actual history, a hero did defeat the Demon King, you could say it’s practically a history book.

I could only piece together the context by combining the words I knew here and there, but I read it with a mindset to study.

“Sivar.”

While I was engrossed in reading, Ellie called me. I turned my head toward her.

My eyes met her softly glowing golden eyes. Her cheerful smile was captivating.

“From now on, I’ll teach you what you mustn’t do. You’ll follow along well, right?”

She emphasized this by extending her index finger. Unlike Rod, who treated it as a duty, she seemed to enjoy it.

I wasn’t sure whether to pretend I didn’t know anything or just obediently follow along, even though I already knew it all.

Still, there was no harm in getting closer to Ellie. Even if she was fragile, she was like a walking potion.

Besides, with Porori around, my safety was assured.

I turned my body as if to say, “Let’s hear what you’ve got.”

“First, you mustn’t hit people for no reason. Especially since Sivar is strong, you need to control your strength. Got it?”

I nodded to show I understood her explanation.

Unless someone insulted or provoked me first, I had no reason to use force.

Even if I did use force recklessly, Rod would immediately subdue me. That’s why he keeps me around, considering such factors.

“Great. And also······ Oh, right! You mustn’t steal. Do you know what stealing is?”

Ellie continued to enthusiastically list the things I mustn’t do.

Things like not saying hurtful words carelessly, not acting on impulse, and so on.

Most of it was related to morality, so I didn’t particularly need to hear it. Still, I listened.

She explained it so earnestly. For some reason, she seemed to feel a sense of responsibility.

It made sense since she was the one who brought me here, even persuading Luna, who had been reluctant.

Thanks to her, I escaped the tedious forest, so I felt the need to repay her in some way.

“Hmm… Is there anything else we might need here, Headmaster?”

“Speak.”

“By any chance, have you given Sivar sex education?”

“··· ···”

Her excessive enthusiasm even managed to fluster Rod. It was decided that sex education would be taught gradually.

From then on, I listened attentively to lessons ranging from basic morality to simple common sense, all for quicker adaptation and story involvement.

Since I already knew most of it, I just pretended to understand, and everyone seemed pleased.

About a week had passed since I started receiving education from them.

“Repeat after me, Ellie.”

“Damn.”

“El-lie.”

“Damn.”

Although I steadily picked up words, there seemed to be no sign of improvement in my speech impairment. No matter how hard I tried, it just wouldn’t work.

Ellie found my lack of progress in vocabulary quite puzzling.

“That’s strange. The book said consistent conversation would fix it.”

“What kind of book is that? I’m curious about its contents.”

“It’s a story about a man born in the wilderness who grows up among a group of monkeys and later meets an explorer from civilization.”

At first glance, it sounded exactly like Tarzan. However, judging by Rod’s reaction, it seemed Tarzan didn’t exist in this world.

“Perhaps it varies from person to person. Still, as long as he understands speech, teaching him properly shouldn’t be an issue.”

“Entering the Academy is still out of the question, right?”

“It’s still difficult to admit him… but if he listens well, it should be fine…”

Rod trailed off and looked at me. I met his gaze as well.

How could I reassure them? It seemed they were hesitant about my admission due to my speech impairment.

In that case, I’d have to express myself in writing while also making a request.

With that in mind, I carefully began writing on a piece of paper with a pen.

I then showed the completed sentence to Rod. What I wrote was this:

[Give candy. Follow quietly.]

“······Haha.”

Rod let out a hearty laugh after reading my sentence. His face showed a mix of disbelief and amusement.

My goal was story involvement, not candy. I merely guided them to misunderstand.

“That’s what he says. Can we proceed now?”

“Of course not.”

“Damn?”

Why not? You said he’d listen well if given candy.

Just as I was taken aback, Ellie also seemed surprised by Rod’s refusal.

Rod tugged at his neatly groomed mustache and explained with several reasons.

“Sivar needs to adapt. What if we admit him recklessly and he fails to adjust? That would be troublesome in many ways. For now, he’ll go through a field experience adaptation period.”

“Adaptation period? That exists?”

“The Princess of Tatar went through it once. She officially enrolled this year.”

Oh, right. That was part of the setting.

Kara is about two years older than the other characters, and it’s because of the reason Rod mentioned.

The adaptation period only lasts a month, and Kara managed to pass it without issue, allowing her to enroll.

Although she’s been causing various troubles since her enrollment, her nature is kind. As long as you don’t provoke her, that is.

“Originally, the Princess of Tatar was supposed to enroll last year. She postponed it due to some matters in her homeland.”

“Then, does that mean Sivar can enroll if he successfully completes the adaptation period?”

“There will be more discussions than with the Princess of Tatar, but if he listens well with just candy, it should be fine.”

“I thought everything would work out with the professor’s recommendation…”

“Only in special cases do we require an adaptation period. Sivar happens to be one of those cases.”

So, I’d have to get through the month successfully. Honestly, it felt ambiguous.

I had no idea what the criteria for adaptation were. Plus, I planned to commit a few eccentric acts here and there.

It was unavoidable to smoothly clear the first major event, the Academy Collapse.

‘I’ll have to act as normal as possible.’

I was making that resolution internally when it happened.

Rod looked me up and down, nodded, and opened his mouth.

“For now, it’s confirmed that he’ll take on a combat role. We need someone to watch over him closely…”

That well-known person was soon summoned to this place.

“I understand the top student, but why me…?”

Elvin, who would become my excellent shuttle in the future, was also brought along.

He looked confused, as if he didn’t understand why he was here. He probably thought this was something Luna would handle.

“You’re the one who knows Sivar best, aren’t you? It seems Student Luna alone would have a hard time managing Sivar. Don’t you agree?”

“··· ···”

Luna, who had arrived first, didn’t respond and merely gave an awkward smile.

Unlike Elvin, she didn’t look clueless, as if she had anticipated this.

She glanced at me briefly, then replied with a wry smile.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Good, good. And you, Elvin?”

“······I’ll follow orders.”

Rod alternated his gaze between Luna and Elvin, smiling contentedly.

It was like watching a senior officer assigning tasks to junior soldiers. Quite a sight to behold.

“If you successfully complete the adaptation period, I’ll personally teach you both a valuable technique. How about that?”

“Is there anything else you need?”

“I’ll do as instructed.”

Still, they couldn’t resist that. Both of them answered in disciplined voices to Rod’s proposal.

I almost burst out laughing at the comedic sight.

“Now that we have guardians to watch over him… we need a professor to receive reports…”

“Can’t the Headmaster handle the reports?”

“I’m not always free, you know. We also need to consider times when I’m absent. Who would be suitable…”

Rod looked up at the ceiling, lost in thought. It seemed no professor came to mind.

“How about asking Sivar?”

“Hmm?”

“Wouldn’t it be easier if it’s someone Sivar knows, even a little? Professor Marlboro even bathed him once.”

Ellie brought up a reasonable suggestion at just the right time. It was a decent compromise.

Rod seemed to agree it was a good idea, as he immediately looked at me. At the same time, everyone’s gaze turned toward me.

“You heard them, right? Which professor would you choose?”

“Doesn’t Sivar not know the professors’ names?”

“Even if he doesn’t, he should remember their faces.”

I knew them well. Their faces were so distinctive that I couldn’t forget them.

Upon hearing the suggestion to choose a professor, I pondered briefly. This was an opportunity to build rapport with a professor.

‘Obviously, it’s Push-Over—no, Godin.’

A professor who gives more rewards than expected for even a little kindness. I was about to write his name on the paper but hesitated.

As Ellie mentioned, had I ever heard the professors’ names? I wasn’t sure.

It would’ve been hard to describe other professors, but Godin had a clear characteristic.

I put down the paper and pen, then placed my index fingers at the corners of my eyes.

Stretch—

To mimic Godin’s characteristic “squinting eyes,” I pulled at them. By now, I should look quite close to squinting.

“Uh…”

“Hmm…”

“··· ···”

But the reaction was strange. Rod, as well as everyone else, looked utterly horrified.

Sensing the atmosphere, I lowered my hands. What on earth was the problem?

In the strangely tense atmosphere, it was Elvin who spoke first.

“······It’s a relief that there are no Easterners here.”

Next was Ellie.

“······But isn’t Sivar basically an Easterner? His skin may be pale, but his facial features are closer to an Easterner’s.”

Finally, Luna scolded Ellie.

“Ellie. This isn’t about race or anything like that—this is something you simply shouldn’t do. If nothing else, racism is something we must address properly.”

Ah. Right. Racism exists here too.

It wasn’t implemented in the game due to potential controversy, but I remember it being mentioned in the text.

If someone were to make a slant-eye gesture at an Easterner? It wouldn’t be surprising if it led to a life-or-death situation immediately.

Moreover, there’s even a separate racist gesture directed at Westerners, or those from the West.

“Sivar. You must never do something like this to people like us. Here, watch.”

Ellie placed both hands on her cheeks and pulled them downward. Her once-cute face turned into something ridiculous.

Unlike Easterners, whose faces show little change due to slower aging, Westerners age more quickly.

That gesture mocks that characteristic. It’s truly absurd.

I quietly listened to Ellie’s warning, then wrote down what I wanted to say on a piece of paper and showed it to her.

[Racism. Hit. Possible?]

Since “racism” was a new word to me, I couldn’t write it properly. Still, as long as she understood, it was fine.

Ellie read what I had written, nodded, and answered energetically.

“Of course. Someone like that deserves to be hit.”

“Ellie.”

“What? People like that don’t deserve to attend the Academy. Don’t you agree, Headmaster?”

At Ellie’s question, Rod shrugged and replied.

“I’m not sure if Sivar will understand, but I’ll allow it to that extent. Racism leads to immediate expulsion anyway.”

“You heard that, right?”

“Haa······”

Luna let out a deep sigh. She must have instinctively felt that trouble was brewing.

I, too, wouldn’t cause a scene unless provoked first.

As long as they don’t strike first, that is.

‘······This is going to be tough.’

I couldn’t agree more.