A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 10

I almost died. That was the first thought I had as soon as I regained consciousness after the bloody battle with Porori.

It’s no exaggeration—Porori had grown absurdly strong.

Until recently, I had been winning overwhelmingly, but it was almost overturned.

Even before, whenever we invaded each other’s territory, we fought as if to kill. Most of the time, it ended in a draw because we both passed out.

Before awakening my mana, Porori had a higher win rate. However, after awakening, I boasted an overwhelming win rate.

While I was at it, I didn’t forget to leave a ‘mark of victory,’ just like Porori used to do.

Don’t call it dirty. He started it first. I don’t regret it at all.

“··· ···”

Today is different. I quietly looked down at Porori, whose life signs were fading.

Normally, I would have left the mark of victory as always, regardless of who was watching.

But I came to my senses thanks to Ellie. Whatever she poured on me, it barely managed to keep my fading consciousness intact.

Even though I’ve developed resistance to potions and poisons, it doesn’t mean they’re completely ineffective. In a near-death situation, even a slight stimulus has a significant effect.

After that, it’s just a matter of recovering through ‘Regeneration.’ It consumes a considerable amount of mana, but as long as I eat well, it’s fine.

In short, I feel guilty. At least I had someone’s help, but Porori didn’t.

‘They say even hatred can turn into affection.’

It feels wasteful to let him go like this. I’d rather go down together than end it in such a manner.

With that thought, I carefully picked up Porori with both hands. He’s about the size of a large dog, so he’s a bit heavy.

Then, I passed by Luna and approached Ellie. There was something I wanted to ask her.

When I got closer, Ellie blinked briefly, then, as I held out Porori, she pointed at herself with her finger.

“You want me to take him? You’re not keeping him?”

No, you idiot.

I shook my head vigorously. Since I couldn’t speak, I had to express myself through actions.

First, to indicate the liquid she had poured on me, I pointed at myself. I specifically tapped the still-damp part of my chest.

Ellie tilted her head at my body language and then spoke in a doubtful voice.

“Potion? Are you talking about a potion?”

As she said that, Ellie rummaged through her bag. Soon, she pulled out a glass bottle filled with red liquid.

The bottle was generally round like a sphere, with a long neck sealed with a cork stopper.

A stamina potion commonly found in the Soul World. This is why Ellie is often called a potion shuttle.

She always carries potions. The longer the story goes on, the more diverse her potion collection becomes.

Since it was the potion I wanted, I nodded. Ellie then looked at the nearly-dead Porori.

“Weren’t you trying to kill him? Why are you trying to save him?”

“You absolutely shouldn’t give it to him. If he wakes up, he’ll fight again.”

Before Ellie could resolve her doubts, Luna voiced her negative opinion. She had a point.

If Porori drinks the potion and regains consciousness, he’ll likely fight again. It could even end in real death.

However, Porori is a Spirit Beast. He should understand that I’ve shown mercy, so there’s a good chance he’ll back down.

“But it’s Sivar’s request. He seems like a friend, so let’s help him.”

“Friends don’t fight to the death. Maybe if they were enemies.”

An accurate observation. I’ve never considered Porori a friend.

Still, as they say, even hatred can turn into affection. I just don’t want to end it like this. That’s all.

Swoosh—

I once again held out Porori toward the hesitant Ellie. She alternated her gaze between Porori and me.

Her golden eyes sparkled with deep contemplation.

Luna’s blue eyes, watching this, were filled with worry.

How much time had passed like that? Ellie finally made a determined expression and spoke to me.

“If I save him, he won’t fight again, right? Just tell me that.”

“··· ···”

We’ll probably fight again. It’s a question I find hard to answer.

While I remained silent, Ellie stared at me intently. It seemed like she was trying to see my eyes hidden beneath my bangs.

Of course, with them draped like curtains, it would be hard to see my face. In the end, Ellie sighed.

“Fine. I just need to pour the potion on him, right? Like I did with you earlier.”

“Ellie.”

“Don’t worry too much. Sivar will protect us anyway, won’t he?”

Ellie’s optimistic personality shone through in her response.

Of course, as she said, if Porori causes trouble, I’ll step in immediately.

Anyway, it was decided that Porori would be saved, and now it was time to act.

I gently laid down the barely-alive Porori.

Porori’s limbs, as well as his tail, were bent in unnatural directions. However, pouring the potion on him would heal everything.

He has a regeneration ability like mine. As a former ruler of the territory, his regeneration ability is certain.

Drip, drip, drip—

The red potion was poured over Porori’s body. I also fed him some by mouth, but most of it was poured over his body.

By rank, it’s a low-grade potion that a beginner might use. However, the healing power imbued in the potion is what matters.

And sure enough.

Crack! Snap!

Just like with me, Porori began to recover at an incredible speed.

His broken arms, legs, and tail returned to their original state, and even minor wounds were completely healed.

However, the claw marks on his chest remained as scars. Severe wounds like that don’t heal easily.

The small scars on my body also remain for the same reason. Most of those scars are from my time as prey.

“Kiiiing······”

Once his body was fully healed, Porori slowly regained consciousness. Worried he might lash out upon seeing me, I took a few cautious steps back.

Luna, too, carefully stepped away like I did. As a result, Ellie was left alone near Porori.

“Ellie. Step awa······”

“Are you okay? Are you awake?”

Before Luna could tell her to step away, Ellie asked Porori about his condition.

Both Luna and I were startled. Luna, with a pale complexion, whispered urgently to Ellie.

“What are you doing?! Step back now!”

“Looks like you’re awake. Are you hurt anywhere?”

To put it nicely, she’s optimistic; to put it bluntly, she lacks situational awareness. That’s my assessment of Ellie.

For some reason, a nearly forgotten memory popped into my head. Ellie’s lack of awareness is why she’s part of the death squad.

It’s like she has a passive skill for being oblivious to danger. She’ll say she’s fine and then die in the most absurd ways.

It seems like now is one of those times. Without a word, I began gathering mana while wiggling my fingers.

Just as red mana began to flicker in my hand, I witnessed something that made me doubt my eyes.

“Kyaang······?”

“You’re really cute when I look at you like this. Are you the same squirrel from earlier?”

Ellie wasn’t just quietly holding Porori—she was stroking his cheek as if he were adorable.

Porori, too, seemed dumbfounded, wearing a bewildered expression. Still, he didn’t seem to dislike it.

“Whine. Whimper.”

No, not just not disliking it—he burrowed deeper into her arms. Does he think he’s an actual puppy now?

The ill-tempered Porori was gone, leaving behind a docile squirrel. Maybe he hit his head during the fight.

Regardless, Ellie gently patted Porori’s head and smiled brightly. Admittedly, he does look cute from the outside.

“It seems like he thinks of me as his lifesaver.”

“······Indeed.”

Luna looked dumbfounded, and so did I. This was the same creature that used to defecate on my face whenever it had the chance.

As I quietly adjusted my mana, the creature nestled in Ellie’s arms perked up its ears. Instincts don’t lie, after all.

Then, startled, he turned around and locked eyes with me.

“Kyaaaang!”

Crackle!

That’s the rat I know. The moment Porori met my gaze, he leapt out of Ellie’s arms and braced himself defensively.

Judging by the sparks faintly crackling around him, it’s definitely him. But something feels off.

Standing in front of Ellie with his arms spread wide, he looked as if he were protecting her.

Judging by his resolute expression, he seems to be treating her as his lifesaver, just as Ellie said.

‘That rat?’

I was so dumbfounded that no words came out. Honestly, I wanted to shout, “Stop messing around and just come at me!”

Meanwhile, Ellie shouted at Porori, who was crackling with lightning and on high alert.

“Don’t fight! You two were just fighting like you wanted to kill each other! Why are you trying to fight again?”

I didn’t do anything. That rat was the one who started it.

Although I felt somewhat wronged, it seemed Ellie’s scolding had an effect. Porori’s wariness had softened.

“From now on, don’t fight. Can’t you two get along?”

“Damn?”

“Kyaang?”

Ellie’s nonsense prompted simultaneous reactions from both Porori and me. The nuance was clearly, “What is this woman even saying?”

It was fascinating to be on the same page with him for the first time, but it only highlighted how absurd Ellie’s words were.

Wait. Before that, can Porori even understand human speech? Judging by his wide, round eyes, it’s almost certain.

“When we return to the Academy, you won’t even be able to fight like this. So make up and live peacefully, okay?”

“…Wait a minute. Ellie, you’re not seriously planning to take this squirrel with you, are you?”

“Yeah. Why not?”

“Do you even know what this thing is?”

“A cute thunder squirrel?”

“… …”

Luna’s expression made it clear she had no idea where to even begin explaining.

And for good reason—Porori had evolved into a spirit beast. If this fact were to spread, the entire Academy would be turned upside down.

“Kyaang.”

“?”

Just as Luna began explaining to Ellie, Porori boldly approached me on two legs and called out.

Though still somewhat wary, he didn’t seem hostile. As Ellie said, it didn’t look like he came to fight.

“Kyaang. Kyeng.”

Porori pointed at Ellie as he spoke. Even though it was just beast sounds, I understood everything.

He was asking me if I was going to follow Ellie. I glanced between Luna and Ellie.

“It’s a spirit beast, a spirit beast! Just having it around could put you in danger!”

“Can’t I just say I found a squirrel in the forest? The Academy allows pets, doesn’t it? Some people even fight alongside animals.”

“Where in the world is there a squirrel the size of a large dog?”

“In a place where gorillas the size of ogres exist, it’s not that strange, is it?”

“That’s a monster! What I’m saying is…”

Luna, you’re really going through it. Judging by the atmosphere, taking Porori along is already a done deal.

I’ll probably end up going too. Ellie wants it, and I’ve lost my home anyway.

It’s obvious I’d struggle to find another hideout, and I’m sick of the forest. I’m dying to reconnect with civilization.

“Kyaang.”

When I nodded in agreement, Porori crossed his arms and spoke solemnly. It meant he understood.

Seeing him cross his arms like that, I seriously wondered if there was a human soul inside him.

“Kyaang. Kang.”

Next, he pointed at Ellie, who was still arguing, then at himself as he spoke.

Judging by his actions, it seemed like he was saying, “That female is mine!” But that wasn’t it at all. He was declaring, “I’ll protect her, so don’t even think about interfering.”

‘Ridiculous.’

What could a rat possibly protect? I almost burst out laughing.

It seemed he had firmly decided Ellie was his lifesaver. Becoming a spirit beast had turned him into some kind of knight.

“Kang.”

While I was thinking that, he extended his hand toward me. It was a kind of truce negotiation.

If I were to go to the Academy, I’d have to stop fighting with him. This truce would be effective.

So I bent my knees slightly and reached out to shake his hand. Shaking hands with a squirrel felt oddly surreal.

“Ha! I don’t care anymore. Do whatever you want. I’ll help you with Sivar since I’m curious about him too, but that squirrel is entirely your responsibility. Got it?”

“Yep! Got it!”

“Sigh. Why do I always get dragged into things like this…”

Right on cue, it seemed Luna and Ellie had finished negotiating their opinions.

Of course, it wasn’t really a negotiation. Luna just couldn’t break Ellie’s stubbornness. Ellie is notoriously headstrong, after all.

Anyway, with the truce with Porori established, the only thing left to do was follow them out of the forest.

“Alright! Let’s head out now. But first, what should we name this guy?”

“You’re the owner, so you should name him.”

“Hmm… Since he’s a squirrel, how about Daramyi? Daramyi?”

Ellie called out to Porori with a bright smile. At the same time, Porori’s face twisted in disgust.

For the record, he’s male. Giving him a girlish name like that was enough to ruin his expression.

“Huh? You don’t like that name? Then what should I call you?”

“Shouldn’t you be amazed that he understands speech in the first place?”

“If you don’t like Daramyi, how about Ratty? Chuchu? Ratatouille?”

“What even is Ratatouille?”

Ignoring Luna’s scolding, Porori shook his head vehemently, rejecting all the names.

As Ellie pondered deeply over his reaction, I chuckled softly and muttered under my breath.

“Damn.”

It was meant as an insult. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind just calling him an idiot.

“Kyaaaang!”

Understanding my words, he bared his claws and lunged at me.

What kind of logic is it to propose a truce and then attack first?

Though baffled, I responded in kind. Judging by the lack of lightning, he wasn’t serious.

“Hey! Why are you two fighting again? I told you not to fight!”

“Kyaang.”

Porori protested indignantly at Ellie’s scolding.

It seemed like he was saying, “But he started it.” Honestly, he had a right to feel wronged.

Of course, there was no way Ellie could understand him. She simply warned him sternly.

“If you fight again, I’ll call you Daramyi from now on. Got it?”

“Kkiing…”

Serves him right. I laughed at him inwardly.

And so, after all the commotion, Porori’s name was officially decided as ‘Ratatoskr,’ based on Luna’s suggestion.

Frankly, Porori was the most fitting name, so it was a shame. Originally, Porori was just a nickname among users.

His real name, as given by Luna, was Ratatoskr.

I’ll just keep calling him Porori.

‘But they call me Sivar just because I kept saying damn.’

I feel discriminated against. If I’d gone around grunting like a caveman, would they have called me Ugar?

While I was lost in such pointless thoughts, Ellie, who had finished preparing to leave, called out.

“Alright then, let’s go back! The Academy is a super fun place, so you’ll both love it!”

“Shouldn’t we buy Sivar some clothes first?”

“Oh, right. And while we’re at it, let’s tidy up his hair too.”

I didn’t mind the hair, but I really didn’t want to shave my beard. I grumbled silently to myself.

And so, the long, arduous life in the forest came to an end, and I could finally step into the world of civilization I had longed for.

‘First, I need to study how to write.’

The future still seemed bleak, but…

At least I knew what was coming, so it should be fine.

‘…It’ll be fine, right?’

I believe it will be.