A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy - Chapter 26

Chapter 26 – Humiliation (2)

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

But there was a tricky condition, Rod should not ‘directly’ participate in the investigation.

If he were to step forward directly, the demons would notice, and the already difficult level would tremendously increase.

Therefore, before informing about the presence of the poison, an event where the protagonist and Rod consult should take place for a smooth clearance.

Later, you inform him that there is poison in the tea and deceive the demons by regularly receiving herbs so as not to be noticed by them.

Who would believe if you bluntly say that there is poison in the tea? It’s only likely that Rod would believe after beginning to harbor doubts first.
T h i s wa s c o pi e d f r o m k in g m tl . o r g

It was hard to explain when Rod offered tea last time because I couldn’t write, but it’s different now.

The problem was, even when I wrote to tell him that there was poison, he didn’t believe it well. It complicated things for me.

I figured he might not believe it because Luna, the protagonist, wasn’t the one telling him.

“You’re not a blockhead, right?”

But how does this rat-like creature talk?

I blankly stared at Porori, who spoke effortlessly. His speech is fluent.

Originally, I didn’t understand the situation, but on second thought, Porori is a spirit. It’s not strange for him to be able to speak a human language.

‘There are also spirits in the soul world that can speak the language… ‘

However, the period of learning the language is too short. Not even a month, let alone one and a half months.

I am struggling to use even one word, and this creature is already talking.

“Shibal.”
“How do I speak? Well, it’s because my body is simply superior to yours.”
“Shibal.”

This critter knows how to irk me. This damn rat-like creature.

Upon hearing my harsh words, Porori crossed his arms. On top of that, he smirks.

His face is both arrogant and annoying, an expression that scratches at people’s nerves. A strong desire to punch him welled up in me.

“So why can’t you speak? You’re even worse than this damn rat.”
“…”
“Why don’t you give it a try speaking with your unblocked mouth? Ah. I see. Even if you have a mouth, you can’t speak?”

Kekekekeke!

Porori makes a unique laughter sound and heartily mocks me. His front teeth, like those of a squirrel, were vividly apparent.

T hi s w a s c o p i ed f r o m k i n g m tl. o r g
I twisted my mouth and burst into a sarcastic laugh. It was so absurd that all I could do was laugh sarcastically.

I had no clue why this creature began speaking before me.

“Ratatosk?”
“What is it, young lady?”

That’s when Ellie cautiously called Porori’s name. Porori stopped laughing and spoke politely.

His voice was obnoxious when he was mocking me, but now it has returned to normal.

His politeness made me question if this really is a beast.

“Well… I have a lot of questions, but I’ll ask this first. Can you understand what Sivar is saying?”
“I understand all the sounds that beasts make. Even the sparrows outside, I know what they’re saying. Probably that guy knows, too.”
“Oh… I see. Then how did you learn to speak?”
“I just listened to the way you humans converse and mimicked it.”

Porori tilted his head, giving an expression of ‘why can’t you do this simple thing?’ Upon hearing his answer, Ellie’s expression grew more complicated.

Feeling his explanation was inadequate, Porori moved somewhere in the style characteristic of squirrels.

The place he moved to was none other than my own body. I didn’t feel anything tangible, so I just left him be.

Porori reached my shoulder in no time and explained the situation.

“Well. If you’re talking about when I acquired ‘intellect,’ it’s simple. It started when I prayed fervently to the heavens to kill this little one.”
“To the heavens?”
“Yes. I had a close call with death when I was struck by lightning in the past. Then I requested the power of lightning from the heavens. It took me about 100 days though.”

At his explanation, Ellie’s expression became even more confused. The same was true for others.

Only Rod, who had considerable knowledge and experience, managed to remain composed. He did, however, look shocked.

“Exactly, I sacrificed my precious acorns for 100 days. Then one day when I was perfectly healed, lightning struck me down. When I woke up from fainting, I realized I could control the power of thunder. That’s what I mean.”
“So, right then, you fought Sivar after meeting us?”
“Right. I only learned the language after I met you guys. I had to hear it myself to learn it.”

Porori explained clearly and concisely, focusing on the main points.

It’s frustrating because it’s only been half a month, and his explanation is excellent. That’s what makes it more humiliating.

“…Occasionally, there are spirits who can speak. In the east, there was a time when they were enshrined as guardian gods.”
“Have you met them, The Principal?”
“I have seen one in the east. It was living with a sage.”
“Oh? Is it a squirrel like me, by any chance? Or perhaps a female?”

Porori showed deep interest in the existence of speaking spirits.

To his question, Rod shook his head and answered.

“No, it was a tiger with pure white fur.”
“What a pity. It seems there aren’t any female squirrel spirits.”
“Shibal.”

What would you do if there was one?

When I asked that question, Porori crossed his arms and confidently said,

“Of course, it’s for reproduction! Are you asking because you don’t know?”
“…”

A beast is a beast, even if it becomes a spirit.

But I guess I’m worse than that beast? I feel like despair is crushing my head.

“Anyway, old man over there. There’s poison in those herbs, don’t eat them for a while. The poison must have already built up in your body, so you need to detoxify first.”
“… is there poison in it?”
“The herbs themselves are not poisonous. They become toxic when heat is applied. If you don’t believe me, you can check it out later.”
“Hmm…”

Rod let out a murmur at Porori’s explanation and looked at the soaked wall. The wall had been drenched with water.

Underneath it were the herbs that Porori had spat out after eating.

“So Sivar knew that the herbs are poisonous?”
T h i s was c o p i ed f r o m k in g m t l . o r g

Having grasped the situation, Luna asked with a slightly urgent tone.

I replied to her question with a nod.

Upon seeing that, Luna looked perplexed and said,

“Why didn’t you tell us sooner? Even if you couldn’t write, you could have let us know by drawing or gesturing.”

To clear Easy mode, Rod has to remain as an assistant.

If he were to conduct the investigation directly, a veritable hell gate would have opened, and Rod would have inevitably died.

I wanted to tell her all this but I couldn’t speak and I also didn’t want to. It would be more headache-inducing if I were to reveal that I knew the future.

‘In the first place, he probably wouldn’t have believed it anyway.’

Based on Rod’s reaction, even if I told him that there was poison, he would likely have just laughed it off.

For one, the biggest reason is that he trusted his attending physician, the head of the clinic. If asked who would he trust between a trusted expert and an unknown native, the answer is obvious.

“Shibal.”

I replied, infusing a hint of grumbling. “He wouldn’t have believed me even if I told him.”

Following that, Porori, who was perched on my shoulder, naturally translated for me.

He understood what I meant just by the single word ‘Shibal.’ Interesting.

“Well, but······”

Both Luna and Rod, who were directly involved, said they had nothing to say. Firstly, he wouldn’t believe it the first time and even the second time seeing it.

The moment they assumed a ‘show-don’t-tell’ attitude, Porori pat my face and said:

“You know, it seems like they trust me more than you do right? After all, animals need to communicate, right?”
“··· ···”

This guy is making fun of me. The fact that I can’t talk and the resulting frustration, he’s enjoying it for sure.

As I glared at him, Porori quickly hopped off. He unnecessarily moves too quickly during these times.

Upon landing, Porori sat back and said in a serious tone:

“Do you know, it would have been easier if you thought differently?”
“Shibal?”

What is he talking about?

As I asked that, Porori began to explain in front of everyone.

“Like the blonde lady said earlier, if you had drawn something, he may have had some doubts. An old man like him has abundant experience and hence, should conduct investigations, right?”
“··· ···”
“Why didn’t you do so? I wonder why, particularly given that you are so good at drawing.”
“Sivar is good at drawing?”

Ellie expressed her doubt at Porori’s words. I never drew anything in front of them.

It seemed like he was referring to the murals I drew in the cave. It would be awkward to mention that here.

“Oh, it could be that you ladies didn’t know! I shattered those before you could see.”
“Can you tell us what the drawings were?”
“I am not sure. The thing is too large that it’s hard for me to comprehend with my eyes.”

I felt relieved that the height issue spared me. A sigh of relief escaped me inwardly.

“Phew.”

But why are you sighing in relief?

I felt perplexed seeing Luna’s relieved expression.

I somehow managed to sigh in secret, but Luna noticed.

‘Did she see it?’

It is possible because she went into the cave first. The issue is not this but how she accepted.

It is a relief that possibly only she saw it. She doesn’t seem like the type to casually spill it.

“Returning to the topic at hand, isn’t it weird you couldn’t use your extraordinary brain although you went through a big fight?”
In the meantime, Porori continued explaining.

The attention of the people was concentrated on him as a result.

“I do not get why you go round and round yet you used bizarre methods when fighting with me. It’s as if you act according to a predetermined answer.”
“··· ···”

Is this guy a squirrel? It seems like he is smarter than me.

I admired him as I watched him casually bring out the answers that I was not aware of.

As Porori said, I acted according to a predetermined answer. Just there was a minor problem in the process.

Even then, it was quite sufficient that Rod held a dual role with Luna and responded directly to the investigation.

‘······Now I see that it could have gone wrong.’

Looking back, it could have failed from the first chapter. For instance, the relationship with Kara.

In the original, Luna should have been closer, but I was the closest to her. It was something that I was not even aware of.

‘I have to be careful.’

I was being careless because I had the answer key. It was almost like he was giving me a piece of advice.

Why is he giving helpful advice all of a sudden…

“Well, he can’t communicate, right? As far as I have heard, language is the cornerstone of civilization, isn’t it? His way of thinking is bound to be simple if he cannot do even that much, right?”
“··· ···”
“We just eat, sleep, get up, hunt, fight, eat, and sleep in the forest. What would we know? Just because Ogres are stupid for a reason.”
“Shibal.”

This filthy little runt is dwelling on recklessly because of his loose mouth.

Unable to stand it, I walked furiously over to him. Luna, taken aback, tried to stop me desperately.

“Calm down! Sivar! We can’t fight here!”
“Shibal!”

He was the one who provoked me first, I yelled. Porori, who was hiding behind Ellie’s leg, chuckled.

“Exactly like a barbarian who can’t even learn a language. Civilized people should resolve issues with conversation.”
“Ratatosk!”

Unable to watch anymore, Luna shouted at him. Porori pretended like he didn’t hear her.

“Ratatosk. If you keep this up, I won’t give you acorns.”
“Hmm. Did I go too far? I apologize. I’m sorry.”

But Ellie obediently listened to his words. She seems to think of him as a benefactor.

Rod who had been observing the entire situation just passed it off with a dismissive laugh.

Honestly, even with Porori on my side, we cannot beat Rod. His composure stems from his self-confidence.

“Anyway, it’s rather strange that this squirrel named Ratatosk can speak. Is it really a divine blessing?”
“It’s highly likely. The language of magic was further incorporated to make it easier to use.”
T h is w a s cop i e d f r om k i ng m t l .o r g
“Then Sivar······”

In response to Rod’s question, everyone, Porori included, looked at me.

If my language impairment is truly the curse of a god… honestly, I’d be speechless.

After cursing all the time, my faith had plummeted to zero. Initially, they were the ones who dragged me here.

“Shibal.”

But that crap language, I can surely get rid of it without the help of the gods.

Although I lost to a beast like him! I just need to get used to simple words first.

Did he notice my determination? Porori perked up his ears, stroked his chin, and wore a meaningful expression.

“Hmm······okay? Look here, miss.”
“Um?”
“He still can’t say his name, can he?”
“He’s been saying it continuously.”
“No, not that.”

Porori shook his head at Ellie’s reply.

“He says two syllables, and you and others say three. He says Shibal and everyone else says Sivar. You get it?”
“Uh······ somewhat?”
“Let’s make him say his name first. We should start from there.”

I wonder what scheme this rascal is cooking up. Just when I was glaring at Porori narrowing my eyes.

Ellie, seemingly agreeing that his words made some sense, replied as a natural thing.

“That wouldn’t be a bad idea. Did you hear that, Sivar?”
“··· ···”
“Even if you’re dissatisfied, you have to endure. That way you can learn the language faster.”

Alright, his words make sense.

Porori, you are gonna get beaten up severely later. You have it coming.

I tightly closed my eyes and quietly opened them to look at Ellie. She looked pretty up close.

And, with just a slight lowering of the gaze, there was a full, round chest. I wanted to lie down on it once.

But if I keep staring like a perverted fool, Ellie might misunderstand me. So, I focused as much as I could on her face.

“Here. Let’s try it slowly. Shi.”
“······Shi.”
“That’s correct. Next is ‘bar’.”
“······bar.”
“Aha!”

As soon as I said ‘bar’ instead of ‘bal’, Ellie’s golden eyes popped wide open.

Even Porori, who had intended to tease me, looked unexpectedly surprised. Finally, I’m getting back at that guy.

“Well done! Would you like to try it in succession? Say ‘Shi’ again!”
“Shi.”
“And then ‘bar’!”
“Bar.”
“Good, good. We’re almost there!”

It wasn’t just her who was excited. I, too, was slightly thrilled with the anticipation of finally being able to speak.

T hi s wa s cop i e d fr o m k i n g m tl . o r g
Everyone else was also showing deep interest. I should live up to their expectations.

“Alright, let’s go again. Shi!”
“Shi!”
Th is w a s c o p i e d f r o m k i n g m tl . org
“Bar!”
“Bar!”
“Lastly, ‘al’!”

T h i s wa s c o p i e d fro m kin g m t l . o rg
This is the last step. All I have to do is say that word…

“Al!”
“··· ···”
Th i s wa s c o pi e d f r o m k i n g mt l .or g

Ah, Shibal, seriously.

Life is a bitch.

“Kakkakkakka! Uheuk! Uheok! Uhkakkakka!”

In the silence as dead as a doornail, Porori’s laughter filled the space. He rolled around on the ground, laughing uncontrollably.

Hopeful, Ellie’s eyes trembled remorselessly; Luna and Rod, who had been watching, tried their best to hold in their laughter.

Above all, it is the most desperate that Porori mocks me like this. I’m less than a creature like him.

T h i s was c o p ied fr om k i ng mtl . o r g
“Shi, Sivar? Where are you going?”
“··· ···”

I passed by the stunned Ellie and walked away, weakly.

I then passed by Porori who was rolling around on the ground, overcome with laughter, and went into my room.

Inside the room, there was a neatly arranged bed that I used. It was a bed with exceptional softness.

And for now, it is the perfect escape for me.

Flutter-

I lay in bed and pulled the blanket over my head.

Right now, I don’t want to do anything. My body feels powerless due to the humiliation.

I didn’t even feel like kicking Porori right now. I just don’t want to do anything.

“······It’s better to leave him alone for now.”
“Yeah······ I hope he isn’t too hurt.”

The damage is already done. Please don’t talk to me.

Regardless of what the two women were chattering about, I dug myself into the blanket.

It made me feel humiliated that I lost to Porori, of all people.

I didn’t think that not being able to speak would lead to such severity. Maybe I should go to the church and pray.

‘Those bastards started it first······’

[You have blasphemed against the gods and your faith has decreased.]

Yeah, you’re still going on about that.

There has never been a case in Soul World where the faith score has dropped to 0.

This is because the conditions for decreasing the faith are very rare and there is a limit to it.

Swoosh-

That’s when I started to think about faith.

Someone approached without a sound and abruptly lifted my blanket.

Thinking it might be Rod, I lifted my head, but a sight that would instantly make anyone want to throw up came into view.

“Hey.”

It was Porori.

With a face stifling a laugh, he dealt the final blow to me.

“Don’t tell me you’re crying?”
“··· ···”

I should’ve let him die back then.
Th i s w a s co p ie d f rom k i n g m t l .o rg