Chapter 198

Normally, community service is all about doing stuff like helping out at welfare facilities, rural areas, disaster recovery, or cleaning up.

The Academy is situated close to a city centered around educational institutions. So, there are plenty of places in need of volunteers.

When a community service order drops in the Soul World, you can pick your time slot. As I mentioned before, it could be early in the morning or right after classes.

I don’t need much sleep, so I chose the early morning. I mean, it’s just an hour earlier than usual.

The assignment was at the warehouse responsible for supplies for the Academy. Essentially, I just had to manage the goods there.

“Ah, so you’re the new student who’s showing up this time. Let me tell you how to classify these. First, they’re broadly categorized into combat and non-combat roles…”

The guy showing me around was super nice. He probably sees students like me all the time, so he was laid-back about it.

Plus, I was only doing this for 10 hours. They probably thought I just had a little brawl or something.

“Should I put this here?”

“Yeah. You’re doing great.”

There were quite a few other students volunteering, too. With it being so early, everyone looked exhausted.

Some had faces that screamed unfairness, but I figured they all had their own stories.

‘So, Kara did this for 100 hours?’

That must’ve been boring as hell. She probably volunteered not just in the early mornings, but also after classes.

It’s surprising that she managed to fill all those hours. It must’ve been during her gap year too.

Maybe getting into the Academy was a miracle in itself. 100 hours of community service is basically the equivalent of getting suspended.

“Thanks for your hard work, everyone. Now, let’s head to class.”

After finishing up a rough cleanup, I headed straight to the classroom.

Before entering, I glanced at the faces of the people I worked with.

‘They’re all strangers to me.’

Given that I don’t even vaguely remember them, they probably aren’t very important.

More like background extras, if anything. I moved directly toward the classroom.

“Is that him? The guy who cut off someone’s tongue?”

“Yeah. He’s totally crazy, so let’s ignore him.”

From behind, I heard whispers as I distanced myself, and it seemed like news had spread quickly in such a short time. It was definitely an impactful event.

Sure, a simple assault could maybe slide, but cutting off someone’s tongue? That’s a whole different level.

Throughout history and across cultures, cutting a tongue is usually considered a horrific punishment or injury.

Losing the very language that’s fundamental to human civilization must instinctively spark fear.

‘So why say things carelessly?’

Among all forms of violence, verbal abuse is a type that only humans can inflict.

It can leave deep scars on others, but it can also lead to one’s own downfall.

It’s truly a double-edged sword. In the Soul World, its effects would likely be even more pronounced.

Especially since magic is invoked through language, I can only imagine how serious verbal violence could get in that realm.

‘Looking at that, Luna is really something else.’

She has an oddly impressive way with words.

Her speech can really prick at someone’s nerves, yet it somehow carries no malicious intent.

Hearing that there’s no malice makes it hard for anyone not to feel put off; it’s almost laughable.

One wrong move, and you could end up tongue-less yourself, so I’m surprised she holds up so well. Must be her pretty face or something.

‘In the Soul World, her way of speaking seems fairly normal, I guess?’

Luna is the Protagonist, so I can kind of guess how she talks in the Soul World.

She doesn’t say it outright, but there must be options available. Even if I can’t recall, maybe there was one for her.

‘But she’s a nice person, at least.’

If Luna had been malicious, I wouldn’t have gotten close to her at all. Now, she’s just the kind of friend who’s good for teasing.

Plus, she was enduring hardships in her own way, so there was no way I could truly hate her.

A bit of quirky speaking can be brushed off as character. As long as there’s no malice in it.

Screech—

Before I knew it, I arrived at the classroom. As soon as I stepped in, the noisy chatter died down in an instant.

Simultaneously, countless pairs of eyes fixated on me. I had just pulled something crazy yesterday, so that response was to be expected.

Oh, and also, normally there’d be whispers, but now it was completely silent.

It seemed everyone had realized I understood another language. So they’re trying to tread carefully.

‘I just have to avoid saying anything weird.’

I don’t care if they belittle or insult me. I can just brush that off easily.

But I can’t tolerate anything said about my friends or Rod. If they could just keep it to that, I’d be grateful.

I scanned the quiet classroom and walked over to my usual seat. Sitting next to it was Kara, wearing a sweet smile.

She rested her chin on one hand, and whatever she was thinking must’ve pleased her, as her expression was content.

“You’re here?”

“Yeah.”

“Was community service okay? I bet it was just organizing supplies early in the morning.”

“It was easy.”

Sure enough, the experienced ones here knew all the ropes. She was well aware of what tasks needed to be done during each hour.

After classes, the students would be busy tidying up the chaotic supplies due to dueling and various training sessions.

I preferred the early morning over post-class, so I figured I’d stick with just organizing supplies since time was limited.

“Did anyone badmouth you? Because whenever there was a chance, they were talking trash behind my back.”

“Not really.”

“Really? That’s a relief. Must be because you cut off their tongue? I should’ve done that too.”

If that happened, Kara, instead of community service, would probably end up with a suspension.

Nah, back then, considering it was a gap year, there’s a good chance her admission could have been revoked.

Honestly, just getting in at all felt like a miracle. Or maybe that whole violent incident was blown way out of proportion.

‘Rumors do tend to distort the truth.’

Even I heard that I had chopped off someone’s tongue instead of just pulling it out.

The difference between pulling and cutting is huge. Pulling it out can kill a person right off.

But hey, with far fewer people talking trash about me, my mental state felt way more at ease. For a while, I think I can live comfortably.

“Hello, sister. Hi, Sivar.”

“Hey.”

Shortly after, Luna came in and naturally took a seat. As always, her face was almost expressionless.

As soon as she sat down, Luna glanced at me and quietly opened her mouth.

“How was community service? Was it okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Were there any weird people?”

“Nope.”

I was probably the weirdest one there, so if there were any, it wouldn’t be a problem, anyway.

“Well, you were probably the strangest. So it’s not like it would’ve bothered you.”

“…”

Should I hit her? It’s amazing how someone can talk like that.

What’s even funnier is that it just makes me chuckle out of sheer disbelief. If this is a talent, then it surely is.

Luna wasn’t even being sarcastic; she just stated facts in such a calm manner. That’s what made it sting even more.

“Hello, everyone! Another beautiful morning!”

“You seem quite cheerful today?”

“Hohoho.”

Before long, Grace walked into the classroom. I have no clue why, but she looked notably cheerful.

Kara asked her the reason, and she even gave a sinister smile. With her appearance, it made her seem even scarier.

“Sivar.”

“Yeah.”

“Did you perhaps get your bags ready in advance?”

“Bags?”

I tilted my head at the mention of bags. In my dorm, I only had clothes.

Plus, there’s the Ragnarok and the Bloody Greatsword. I do have some food supplies, but they’re easy enough to move.

“No. I don’t have much.”

“Great. Then once class ends, please pack your bags. I’ll come to collect them later.”

“What? Are you serious?”

Kara voiced her disbelief while I had the same thoughts as her.

There aren’t many reasons for Grace to be so happy. Not to mention, telling me to pack my bags like that.

“Yes. As of yesterday, I’ve been officially authorized. From now on, Sivar will need to stay by my side as my escort.”

“Hey, is it okay to say that so casually? Everyone can hear you.”

Kara looked around worriedly, as Grace’s voice had been a bit too loud.

Maybe that’s why other students were either sneaking peeks or whispering so they wouldn’t be overheard.

Fortunately, it wasn’t as blatant as yesterday when people openly talked trash. If it had been, I would’ve glared at them.

“It doesn’t matter. Aside from being my escort, it’s also about surveillance.”

“Surveillance?”

“Yep. Yesterday, the committee laid down some conditions for me. I’m to cohabit with you while keeping an eye on Sivar.”

I guess because I caused such an uproar yesterday, the committee is now watching me closely.

Not that it matters; they’ll just get ignored in front of Rod anyway. Granting Grace permission for cohabitation must be a way to lower the odds a bit.

Though, honestly, it doesn’t mean much. The moment I revealed my objective, the meaning of surveillance essentially evaporated.

Grace is just satisfied with living with me now. That’s why she said it so openly.

“Sivar. So, I’ll be counting on you to accommodate me moving forward? I’ll help make you an even cooler person.”

“You said you’d teach me etiquette, right?”

“Yep. And a variety of cultures must be included too. Who knows? You might have some hidden talent.”

“Speaking of which, I hear I’m good at sculpting.”

I’m pretty confident with my hands, thanks to my high dexterity level.

I do all the cooking myself, so you can imagine how good I am at other stuff too. It would just depend on how well Grace teaches.

Honestly, she doesn’t need to be an excellent teacher. Just chatting with her will make time fly.

“I can’t wait for class to end. My ideal is slowly becoming a reality.”

“What’s your ideal?”

“That’s something I can never share. Kara, would you be ready to reveal your dream at once?”

“I can, though.”

During our chat, a familiar male voice cut in. It was right from behind us.

Everyone turned, surprised, including not just Grace but also Kara, who blinked in confusion. So did I.

“If you wanted to, I’d tell you, but would that be alright?”

It was the Crown Prince, Karas. When did he even get to the back of us?

As we were all taken aback, Grace quickly pulled herself together.

“Uh… Karas? I believe everyone knows your dream already. You most likely don’t need to state it again.”

Though the words were that way, her true thoughts were different. Once you reveal your dream, everything goes haywire, so best to stay quiet.

Karas wasn’t dense enough not to catch on and just shrugged. Yet his curiosity didn’t wane.

“So, what about you, Sivar? What’s your dream?”

“…I don’t have one.”

Dreams and all can wait; the story ahead is more important. Honestly, I doubt I can even dream properly.

“I see. Well, dreams can always be thought out slowly. Although, the case of the noble lady Verche is rather peculiar.”

Karas treated it as no big deal. He surprisingly displayed a rather normal side.

Perhaps he’s plotting something strange even now. He’s definitely an opponent I can’t let my guard down around.

“Ah, right. Sivar.”

“Yeah?”

“I heard some rumors about you… and they’re rather intriguing.”

Intriguing, huh? There are so many I couldn’t possibly pinpoint any.

When I tilted my head in confusion, Karas asked me directly.

“I heard that you’ve been sweeping through the stock market… is it possible for you to give me a recommendation?”

“…What for?”

“What do you mean, what for?”

Karas said with confidence.

“To increase the national treasury.”

“…”

That guy’s totally about to do something crazy.

“Oh, Crown Prince. I know of a few stocks you might want to consider…”

“Wait a second. Let me tell you.”

Antonio, you’re not in this one. Who’s making who rich here?

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