Chapter 155

Social status was a system that existed even before civilizations were established.

Before humanity united, there were still tribal leaders, referred to as chieftains.

After the construction of civilizations, countless social statuses emerged, along with various power structures.

Those with high status are extremely few, while the majority live as commoners.

Even if the hierarchy collapses, another form of social status inevitably arises, as history has proven.

However, it cannot be denied that the class system distinctly shows ‘discrimination.’ Even if the form changes, status is still status.

The moment a commoner insults a noble, the commoner’s life is effectively forfeit.

This is assuming there is no backing, but that’s the nature of the class system.

In that light, Sivar’s suggestion to the princess of the Hwan Empire was quite “rude.”

“…Are you suggesting I drink now?”

The princess of the Hwan Empire responded in utter shock, her confusion clearly visible.

Witnessing this, Luna’s thought process momentarily froze. She understood very well what the social hierarchy entailed.

While she could be informal with Grace, crossing the line would lead to social ostracism.

In the worst-case scenario, it could even result in physical harm. But that would be the worst case.

‘This is bad! Sivar probably doesn’t understand the class system…!’

For Luna and commoners, this was a very “common sense” societal notion.

But not for Sivar. He likely didn’t understand even basic social concepts.

Months may have passed since entering civilization, but experiencing it directly is a different matter.

Even the four highest authorities—Grace, Kara, Rod, and Rize—aren’t particularly close to Sivar.

From Sivar’s perspective, he might think that people of higher status can still become friends.

No, that’s probably why he abruptly suggested drinking, even though it was their first meeting.

“I’m s-sorry! Sivar! How could you offer a drink to someone you don’t know?!”

“Why not?”

“Of course it’s not okay! You’re a high-ranking individual and we haven’t even met before! Apologize quickly!”

“No, I’m fine. In fact, I would like to have a drink.”

At that moment, a woman’s voice reached Luna’s ears. It had a slightly lower yet graceful tone.

Since it was coming from nearby, she didn’t have to think about who it belonged to. Luna turned her head to look.

“Just as I was feeling quite troubled. There’s nothing better than alcohol to soothe a troubled mind.”

The woman, whom Sivar had awkwardly offered a drink, smiled in response. It was a smile almost bordering on bitter.

She then raised her glass toward Sivar, signaling for him to pour her a drink.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and pour! You wouldn’t simply say that without giving it, would you?”

“Uh, I didn’t mean to! Sivar, please serve her.”

“Okay.”

Upon hearing this, Sivar began to pour the drink into the woman’s glass.

It was a wine as dark as her attire. Its richness made it almost impossible to see through the glass.

“Hmm. Typically, one should pour with both hands. It seems you still don’t know this.”

“Both hands?”

“Yes. When pouring for someone of high status or an elder, you must respectfully use both hands.”

The woman gave Sivar gentle advice while taking a sip of her wine.

Despite her somewhat delicate appearance, the wine in her glass soon vanished, quickly and efficiently.

“Ah, this tastes good. Thank you. I feel like my troubled heart has calmed down a bit.”

“T-thank you?”

“Hehe. You don’t need to be so stiff. I’m not of such high standing and I don’t really mind.”

“Aren’t you a princess? That’s what I heard.”

Given her attire, demeanor, and even her old-fashioned speech, she resembled a true princess.

In fact, rumors about the princess visiting from the Hwan Empire had been circulating, making it hard not to think that way.

“A princess… I suppose I should say I’m correct. Do you know the expression ‘being treated like cold rice’? It’s an Eastern metaphor.”

“Um… N-no?”

“Look it up later. Then you’ll have a rough idea of my situation.”

Luna wasn’t exactly sure what this ‘cold rice treatment’ entailed, but it seemed to have a negative connotation.

Just as Luna was feeling a bit uneasy, the woman suddenly realized something and exclaimed, “Oh! I’m late to introduce myself. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Danyerin, the fifth heir of the Hwan Empire.”

“I’m Luna Estelle.”

“Luna Estelle, huh. I heard you were the top student upon entrance. So you…”

The woman who introduced herself as Danyerin paused briefly. During the exchange, Sivar was still drinking.

How much he had consumed, no one could tell, but his face had turned noticeably red.

Seeing this, Luna felt dizzy, but fortunately, Sivar noticed.

“…What’s your name?”

“Me? Just call me Sivar.”

“You should say ‘please call me’ instead.”

“No, I’m fine. I already have a rough idea of who this person is. You should understand.”

Fortunately, it seemed Danyerin was quite open-minded. Luna sighed in relief inwardly.

In a short time, her life had felt incredibly precarious. Being slightly tipsy only heightened her nerves.

“If you know who Sivar is… then you must also know he came from the forest.”

“Of course. Rumors about this person spread quite widely.”

“Did the rumors reach the Hwan Empire?”

“Of course they did. I’ve heard he is the main culprit behind all sorts of incidents here.”

“……”

That made a lot of sense. Luna felt a bit dazed.

As the academy gathered talent from around the world, attention was bound to be drawn, and Sivar’s antics were likely exposed.

Moreover, his actions served as a sort of defense mechanism against potential wars, so high-ranking officials would probably be paying attention.

“However, it’s strange. Did I just speak in the common language? How did you understand me?”

Danyerin asked Sivar, looking curious about how he had comprehended her previous statement.

Luna seemed curious about this point too and turned her gaze to Sivar. His response was very simple.

“Huh? What about it?”

“How did you understand my words?”

“Oh. It was the thing about being a pain?”

“……”

Sivar’s words were quite direct, even shocking. Even Danyerin, with her calm demeanor, looked taken aback.

Luna felt a similar worry. She was anxious that Danyerin might get angry.

“……It seems you understood. At first glance, with black hair, I would assume you’re from the East, but your appearance is different… Are you perhaps of mixed descent?”

“Th-that’s something even Sivar doesn’t know, and no one else does either. Other than the fact that I’ve spent time in the forest.”

“Hmm. That’s strange. Even though you’ve just entered civilization, you can comprehend the language of the Hwan Empire. Then how about this? I am Danyerin.”

The latter part was neither in the common language nor in the Hwan Empire’s language. Moreover, it wasn’t in the Matra Empire’s language either.

For Luna, it was a completely new language. Well, occasionally Antonio had spoken something similar before.

“I am Danyerin? You introduced yourself already.”

“Oh. So you even understand the Langradan language. That’s so fascinating.”

“How do you understand it?”

Speaking of which, I remember a similar incident from before. When Kara muttered in Tartar’s language.

Sivar understood that. He even pronounced Ragnarok accurately.

At that time, I had thought Kara must have taught him. But experiencing it myself felt different.

‘Moreover, even during our first meeting, it seemed like he was catching on, right?’

That implies he was able to comprehend since their first encounter.

He could listen but not speak. It felt like something was missing.

“Don’t know? I just understood. Is it important?”

Sivar, in all honesty, seemed to think little of it, his face flushed from drinking.

Danyerin seemed to find Sivar’s attitude amusing, as she laughed lightly. Covering her mouth with her hand, she looked quite beautiful.

“I suppose that’s true. Right now, it’s not that important. Plus, just because we can communicate doesn’t mean we can hold a conversation.”

Danyerin’s words held a profound meaning, sharply defining what a civilized person truly is.

“You drink quite well. Thanks to you all, I feel like my troubles have lessened a bit. Let’s meet again later.”

“Ah, yes. Take care.”

“See you later.”

“Hehe.”

As Sivar waved his hand, Danyerin smiled gracefully and walked away.

Luna sighed heavily as she watched her departing silhouette, feeling as if a storm had just passed.

‘Thank goodness. Nothing happened.’

It seemed she would have to inform Sivar about the class system soon. But with so many high-ranking people around, she wondered if it would go smoothly.

Just as Luna was lost in thought, Sivar moved with a bottle of alcohol in one hand.

Having almost caused a major incident not long ago, Luna hurriedly asked.

“Where are you going?”

“Bathroom.”

“Ah.”

Well, he had drunk enough to need to go urgently. Luna nodded.

“Okay. Just don’t do anything weird while you’re gone. Got it?”

“Yeah.”

Surely, nothing strange would happen while he was just going to the bathroom. Luna thought so.

‘…No, what if he collapses on the way?’

She was already anxious just by his normal behavior; being drunk wouldn’t help at all.

Her judgment had slowed a bit due to the alcohol. Finally, Luna decided to follow behind Sivar.

Of course, she had no intention of following him into the bathroom. She wasn’t a creep.

‘But why is this place so complicated?’

It had been a while since she last came to the Auditorium instead of the Training Hall, and she was getting lost.

Other than during the entrance ceremony, she had no reason to visit the Auditorium. If there were, it would only be for training.

But even training was done in the Personal Training Room, not in the Auditorium. Plus, the layout was confusing.

‘Sivar must be a little lost too. He probably has no clue at all.’

Since things were this way, it wouldn’t be so bad to find the bathroom herself. Memorizing the route would be convenient later on.

And it was while Luna was looking to find Sivar that she heard a loud noise.

Crash!!

It sounded like something made of glass was breaking.

People are sensitive to the sound of breaking glass. Hearing it, Luna turned her head.

‘What is that? What’s going on?’

Since she was lost herself, there was nobody in the corridor. But the sound came from nearby.

Luna moved towards the direction of the sound. She intended to check it out quickly.

And then…

“……Huh?”

“Are you okay?”

“I-I’m fine.”

What lay before her eyes was a scene of violence, not murder.

For reasons unknown, there was Eli pressed against the wall, and Sivar was looking concerned for her.

Eli’s face was quite pale, but upon seeing Sivar approach, she looked relieved.

Considering just that, it would seem as if they were lovers enjoying a secret meeting. But that changed when one glanced at the ‘man’ on the floor.

“W-wait, that person isn’t dead, right?”

“I don’t know.”

There lay a man on the floor. A gray-haired man.

Next to his head were broken glass shards, alongside a shattered bottle in Sivar’s hand.

It appeared Sivar had struck the man on the head. Given his strength, it was no wonder the bottle shattered.

‘What the heck… is happening?’

She couldn’t make effective judgments due to her tipsiness. At a glance, it looked like Sivar had just saved Eli from danger.

That would indeed be commendable. However, Eli’s next words were utterly shocking.

“You mustn’t not know. That person declared he was a prince. Whether it’s true or not is another matter.”

“A prince?”

“Just assume he’s someone of extremely high standing.”

Sivar had just smashed the head of someone claiming to be a prince. How did it even come to this?

Not long before, he was suggesting a drink to a princess and now he was smashing a bottle over someone’s head. This was a spectacle for the ages.

“What on Earth is going on? Hmm?”

However, she didn’t have time to ponder that. A man approached Luna silently.

He had the same hair color as the man lying on the floor. He looked around at the fallen man and the surrounding situation.

“What is this? A murder scene? Why is my brother lying here?”

“……”

His reaction was truly abnormal.

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