A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 26

To clear the Academy Collapse event smoothly, Rod’s body must remain intact.

However, a tricky condition is required here—Rod must not ‘personally’ step in to investigate.

If he gets directly involved, the demons will catch on, and the already difficult difficulty level will skyrocket.

Therefore, before revealing the presence of poison, the protagonist must go through an event of consulting with Rod to ensure a safe clear.

Afterward, they inform him about the poison in the tea and deceive the demons by consistently receiving herbs without raising suspicion.

Who would believe it if you bluntly said there’s poison in the tea? Rod would only trust it if he starts with some suspicion.

When Rod previously offered tea, I couldn’t explain it due to my inability to write, but that’s no longer the case.

The problem is, even when I wrote to inform him about the poison, he didn’t believe me. It left me at a loss.

I figured it was because I, not the protagonist Luna, was the one delivering the message, so he didn’t trust it.

“You’re not an idiot, are you?”

Anyway, how is this rat even talking?

I stared blankly at Porori, who was speaking naturally. Not just speaking, but fluently.

At first, I couldn’t grasp the situation, but upon reflection, Porori is a spirit beast. It’s not strange for him to speak human language.

‘There are spirit beasts that talk even in the Soul World…’

However, the period he’s had to learn to speak is far too short. Not even a month, let alone half a month.

While I struggle to utter even a single word, this guy is already holding conversations.

“…Damn.”

“How can I talk? That’s because I’m far more extraordinary than you.”

“Damn.”

What nonsense. A rat-sized little pest.

When I scowled and spoke menacingly, Porori crossed his arms. He even smirked.

His face was arrogant and utterly infuriating. The urge to punch him grew stronger by the second.

“And why can’t you talk? Are you worse than a rat-sized pest?”

“… …”

“Why don’t you try saying something with that open mouth of yours? Oh, wait. You have a mouth but can’t speak, huh?”

Kekekekeke!

Porori let out a peculiar laugh and mocked me to his heart’s content. His squirrel-like front teeth stood out prominently.

I opened and closed my mouth, then let out a hollow laugh. It was so absurd that I couldn’t help but laugh.

I have no idea why this guy started talking before I did.

“…Ratatoskr?”

“Why are you calling me, Miss?”

At that moment, Ellie cautiously called out to Porori. He stopped laughing and responded politely.

Just moments ago, his tone was rude while mocking me, but now it was normal.

There was even a hint of courtesy, making me question if he was truly a beast.

“Um… I have a lot to ask, but let me start with this. Do you understand Sivar’s language?”

“I understand all sounds beasts make. I even know what the sparrows outside are saying. That guy probably does too.”

“Oh… I see. Then how are you able to speak?”

“I just listened to you humans talk and imitated it.”

Porori tilted his head as if wondering why such a simple thing was beyond us. His answer made Ellie’s expression even more complicated.

Perhaps feeling his explanation was insufficient, Porori moved somewhere with the unique agility of a squirrel.

The place he moved to was none other than my body. Since I didn’t sense any hostility, I left him alone.

In no time, Porori reached my shoulder and began explaining the circumstances.

“Well, if you’re asking when I gained ‘intelligence,’ it’s simple. It was when I desperately prayed to the sky to kill this guy.”

“…To the sky?”

“Yeah. There was a time I almost died after being struck by lightning. I thought, ‘This is it!’ and begged the sky to grant me the power of lightning. Took about 100 days, I think?”

Ellie’s expression grew even more confused at his explanation. The others were no different.

Only Rod, with his wealth of knowledge and experience, managed to stay composed. Though even he seemed flustered.

“For exactly 100 days, I offered and re-offered my precious acorns. Then, on an exceptionally clear day, a bolt of lightning struck me. I fainted briefly, and when I woke up, I could control the power of thunder. That’s the story.”

“And right after that, you met us and fought Sivar?”

“That’s right. I only learned to speak after meeting you guys. You have to hear what speech is to understand it.”

Porori explained concisely, hitting all the key points.

It’s been less than half a month, yet his explanation is impeccable. That makes it all the more humiliating.

“…Occasionally, spirit beasts that can talk do appear. In the East, there was a time they were worshipped as guardian deities.”

“Have you met one, Headmaster?”

“I saw one once in the East. It was living alongside an immortal sage.”

“Oh, really? Was it a squirrel like me? Was it female by any chance?”

Porori showed great interest in the existence of talking spirit beasts.

Rod shook his head in response to his question.

“No. It was a white-furred tiger.”

“Eh. That’s disappointing. I guess there aren’t any female squirrel spirit beasts.”

“Damn.”

What would you even do if there were?

When I asked that, Porori crossed his arms and answered confidently.

“Obviously, reproduction! Why else would I ask?”

“… …”

Even as a spirit beast, he’s still just an animal.

And yet, I’m worse than that animal? The weight of despair pressed down on me.

“Anyway, old human, don’t eat that herb for now. It’s poisoned. You’ve probably accumulated some in your body already, so detoxify first.”

“…Is there really poison in it?”

“The herb itself isn’t poisonous. It becomes toxic when mixed with water. If you don’t believe me, you can confirm it later.”

“Hmm…”

At Porori’s explanation, Rod let out a low hum and glanced at the wall. The wall was thoroughly soaked with moisture.

Below it lay the herb Porori had chewed and spat out.

“Then Sivar must’ve known the herb was poisonous too?”

Luna, piecing together the situation, asked in a slightly urgent tone.

Hearing her question, I nodded in response.

Luna, wearing a puzzled expression, then spoke to me.

“Couldn’t you have told us earlier? Even if you couldn’t write, you could’ve drawn or gestured to explain.”

Because if Rod acted before consulting, the difficulty would’ve spiked.

Rod must remain in the role of a supporter for an easier clear.

If he personally investigates, a true Hellgate opens, and Rod inevitably dies.

I wanted to explain all that, but I couldn’t speak, nor did I intend to reveal it. Admitting I knew the future would only complicate things further.

‘They wouldn’t have believed me anyway.’

Judging by Rod’s reaction, he would’ve likely laughed it off even if I had warned him about the poison.

The main reason is his trust in the attending physician and the medical practitioner.

If asked whether to trust a trusted expert or a wildling they just met, the answer is obvious.

“Damn.”

So I replied, “You wouldn’t have believed me anyway,” with a hint of grumbling.

“He says you wouldn’t have believed him anyway.”

Porori, perched on my shoulder, casually translated.

It’s amazing how he understood when all I said was “Damn.”

“That may be true, but…”

Luna, as well as Rod, the person in question, had no rebuttal. They couldn’t deny it the first time, let alone the second.

As I adopted a “See, I told you so” attitude, Porori tapped my face and spoke.

“Why does it seem like they trust me more than you? Animals need to communicate, don’t you think?”

“… …”

This little pest is definitely mocking me. He’s teasing me because all this trouble arose from my inability to speak.

When I glared at him, Porori quickly scurried down. He’s unnecessarily fast at times like this.

Once on the ground, Porori clasped his hands behind his back and spoke in a solemn tone.

“But did you know? If you had thought differently, things could’ve been easier.”

“F*ck?”

What nonsense is that?

When I asked, Porori began explaining in front of everyone.

“If you had drawn something earlier, like that blonde young lady suggested, they might have been a little suspicious. That old human has enough experience to at least investigate, don’t you think?”

“… …”

“But you didn’t. I can’t understand why someone who’s good at drawing didn’t do it.”

“Sivar is good at drawing?”

Ellie’s question revealed her curiosity about Porori’s statement. I had never drawn anything in front of them.

It seemed he was referring to the mural I had drawn in the cave. It would be troublesome if that came up here.

“Ah. The young ladies might not know. I destroyed it all before anyone could see it.”

“Can you tell us what kind of drawing it was?”

“I don’t know. It was so unnecessarily big that it was hard to grasp with my eyes.”

Thankfully, it was an issue of height. I let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

“Phew.”

But why are you sighing in relief?

I found it strange as I watched Luna’s expression of relief.

I had tried to sigh quietly, but it was all too clear to her.

‘Did she see it?’

Since she entered the cave before anyone else, it wasn’t impossible that she had seen it. The only issue was how she interpreted it.

Perhaps it was fortunate that she was the only one who saw it. She wasn’t the type to recklessly talk about such things.

“Back to the main point, it’s strange that someone with such a sharp mind didn’t use it in this situation, especially after fighting tooth and nail with me.”

Meanwhile, Porori continued his explanation.

The crowd’s attention shifted to him.

“When you fought me, you used all sorts of unconventional methods. So why are you going in circles now? It’s like you’re acting as if there’s a predetermined answer.”

“… …”

Is this squirrel really a squirrel? Why does he seem smarter than me?

Honestly, I was impressed by how he casually pointed out answers I hadn’t even thought of.

Just as he said, I had been acting according to a predetermined answer. There were just minor issues in the process.

Still, as long as Rod played the role of Luna’s supporter and didn’t directly participate in the investigation, it was enough.

‘… … Come to think of it, things could’ve gone wrong.’

Looking back, things could’ve gone awry from the very beginning. Even my relationship with Kara was like that.

Originally, Luna should have grown closer to her, but instead, I ended up being the closest to her. It was something I hadn’t even realized myself.

‘I need to be more careful.’

I had been complacent because the answers were so clear. If anything, this was a warning.

For once, he’s saying something useful…

“It’s probably because you can’t speak. From what I’ve overheard, language is the foundation of civilization, right? If you can’t even do something that basic, your way of thinking is bound to be simple. Isn’t that so?”

“… …”

“All you’ve done is eat, sleep, wake up, hunt, poop, eat, and sleep again in the forest. What could you possibly know? Ogres aren’t stupid for no reason.”

“F*ck.”

This little bastard. Just because he has a mouth, he thinks he can say whatever he wants.

Unable to hold back, I strode toward him. Startled, Luna quickly stepped in to block me.

“Calm down! Sivar! You can’t fight here!”

“F*ck!”

I shouted that he was the one who provoked me first. Porori, hiding behind Ellie’s legs, smirked.

“How barbaric, just like a savage who hasn’t learned language. A civilized person would resolve this through dialogue.”

“Ratatoskr!”

Finally, Luna couldn’t take it anymore and yelled at him. Porori, however, acted as if he didn’t hear her.

“Ratatoskr. If you keep this up, I won’t give you any acorns.”

“Hmm. Maybe I went too far? I’ll apologize. Sorry.”

But he listened to Ellie’s words obediently. It seemed he considered her his benefactor.

Rod, who had been watching all this unfold, simply chuckled and let it pass.

Honestly, even if Porori and I teamed up, we wouldn’t be able to beat Rod. That composure of his came from sheer confidence.

“By the way, it’s quite fascinating that this Ratatoskr squirrel can talk. Is it truly a blessing from God?”

“That’s highly likely. He’s even incorporated language into magic to make it easier to use.”

“Then what about Sivar…?”

At Rod’s question, everyone, including Porori, turned to look at me.

If my speech impairment was really due to God’s curse… Honestly, I had nothing to say.

I had cursed them out so much that my faith had probably hit rock bottom. They were the ones who dragged me here in the first place.

“F*ck.”

But who needs language? I can overcome it without God’s help.

Even though I lost to that beast, I can start with simple words and work my way up.

Perhaps noticing my determination, Porori perked up his ears, stroked his chin, and made a meaningful expression.

“Hmm… Really? Hey, young lady.”

“Yes?”

“That guy still can’t say his own name, right?”

“He’s been saying it all along.”

“No, not that.”

Shaking his head, Porori dismissed Ellie’s response.

“He says it in two syllables, but you and others say it in three. He says ‘Sivar,’ but others say ‘Sivar.’ Got it?”

“Uh… Sort of?”

“Start by making him say his name properly. That’s where it should begin.”

What is this little bastard plotting now? As I narrowed my eyes and glared at Porori, Ellie seemed to find his suggestion reasonable and nodded in agreement.

“That’s not a bad idea. You heard him, Sivar.”

“… …”

“Even if you’re unhappy about it, you’ll have to endure. It’ll help you learn to speak faster.”

Yeah. That’s true.

A statement that would eventually get Porori beaten up. You’re dead meat later.

I closed my eyes tightly, then opened them quietly, looking at Ellie. Up close, she really was beautiful.

And if I lowered my gaze just a little, her ample chest filled my view. I wanted to rest my head there at least once.

But staring like a pervert might lead to misunderstandings, so I focused on her face as much as possible.

“Alright. Let’s try it slowly. Si.”

“… …Si.”

“That’s right. Next is Ba.”

“… …Ba.”

“Oh!”

When I said “Ba” instead of “Bal,” Ellie’s golden eyes widened in surprise.

Even Porori, who seemed to have intended to tease me, looked genuinely taken aback. Finally, I was getting back at him.

“Well done! Want to try saying it all together? Once more, Si!”

“Si.”

“Then Ba!”

“Ba.”

“Good, good. You’re almost there now!”

She wasn’t the only one getting excited. Even I was starting to feel a bit thrilled at the thought of finally being able to speak.

Everyone else was watching with great interest. I had to meet their expectations.

“Alright. Let’s go again. Si!”

“Si!”

“Ba!”

“Ba!”

“And finally, Re!”

Now, this is the end. I just need to say those words…

“Al!”

“… …”

Ah, f*ck, seriously.

Life is really such a piece of crap.

“Kyakkyakkyakkyak! Ugh! Ugh-huh! Kyakyakyak!”

In the dead silence, only Porori’s laughter filled the air. He had completely collapsed onto the floor, rolling around.

Ellie’s hopeful eyes trembled uncontrollably, and Luna and Rod, who were watching, were doing their best to suppress their laughter.

Of all things, being mocked by Porori like that was the most despairing. To think I’m worse than that kind of beast.

“Si, Sivar? Where are you going?”

“… …”

I walked past the frozen Ellie, dragging my feet weakly.

Then, I passed by Porori, who was rolling on the floor in hysterics, and entered my room.

Inside, there was a single neatly placed bed that I used. A bed renowned for its softness.

And right now, it was the perfect refuge for me.

Flap-

I lay down on the bed and pulled the blanket over my head.

I don’t want to do anything right now. The humiliation has drained all the energy from my body.

I didn’t even feel like kicking Porori away in retaliation. I just didn’t want to do anything.

“… … It’s better to just leave him alone.”

“Yeah… I hope he’s not too hurt.”

I’m already hurt. Don’t talk to me.

I burrowed deeper into the blanket, ignoring whatever the two women were chatting about.

Honestly, everything else is fine, but the fact that I lost to Porori is what humiliates me the most.

I never thought the penalty of not being able to speak would be this severe. Should I really go to church and pray later?

‘They were the ones who started this sh*t first…’

[You have blasphemed. Faith decreases.]

Again, again with this nonsense.

Even in the Soul World, there hasn’t been a case where the Faith Stat dropped to zero.

The conditions for Faith Stat reduction are extremely rare, and there’s a limit to how far it can drop.

Swoosh-

It was around the time I was thinking about Faith.

Someone approached without a sound and gently lifted my blanket.

Thinking it might be Rod, I raised my head, but the sight that greeted me was a face so revolting it made me nauseous.

“Hey.”

It was Porori.

With a sly grin, he delivered the final blow.

“Don’t tell me you’re crying?”

“… …”

I should’ve just let him die back then.