Chapter 60

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on January 22, 2025

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The next morning.

As soon as the sun rose, a full-scale investigation into the White Wolf’s attack began. After completing the damage assessment, Ethan reported the casualty status.

“A total of 75 people were injured due to yesterday’s attack. Most have minor injuries, but there are about six with serious injuries diagnosed requiring over eight weeks of treatment.”

The silver lining was that there were no casualties.

Upon hearing this, Dean Berge quietly sighed in relief.

Next came reports on damage to various facilities and buildings. However, the place with the most severe damage was somewhat unexpected.

“The library?”

“Yes, half of the reading room was burned.”

Berge wore a dazed expression.

It was understandable; it was an utterly unforeseen place. Noticing Berge’s reaction, Ethan immediately added further clarification.

“The wolves broke the windows and invaded the reading room. Fortunately, they successfully defended, and no one got hurt.”

“Well, that is a relief, but…”

Still, half of the reading room was lost.

How on earth does a fight turn into that?

“That concludes the damage report.”

Just then, Ethan finished reporting.

Berge nodded silently and turned to the person standing beside him.

“Then it’s your turn.”

Diplyn Cernio.

If Ethan was responsible for assessing the damage, she was tasked with investigating the incident itself.

Diplyn was undoubtedly the top magician at Arsen Academy, the best of the best.

“So, how’s the investigation going?”

“Yes, I just finished.”

“What? Already?”

“Hehe, I’m quite capable, you know?”

Diplyn joked with a playful smile.

The only response was silence. A bit embarrassed, she scratched her cheek and cleared her throat.

“Ahem! To start with the wolves that appeared yesterday, they are legendary beasts controlled by cultists, known as ‘The White Wolf Who Hides in the Fog.’”

As soon as Diplyn finished speaking, the eyes of the three men and women widened.

“What? Cultists?”

“The Desert Order from the south?”

“Why would their beast be here…?”

The sudden mention of cultists threw them off. Diplyn nodded, as if she understood their reaction.

“I found that part strange too, so I looked into more records. The White Wolf was sealed about a thousand years ago, around the time Arsen Academy was just established.”

She neatly summarized what she found through ancient texts and materials.

The White Wolf Who Hides in the Fog.

The one who sealed it was one of the founders of Arsen Academy and its first chancellor.

With help from the kingdoms, he confronted the White Wolf and successfully subdued it. However, unfortunately, he couldn’t completely destroy it.

“Why not?”

“Records say that the wolf’s magic core was at the brink of an explosion at the time, making it impossible to collect or destroy.”

Thus, they decided to seal the White Wolf. However, they couldn’t use ordinary methods.

As a monster becomes stronger by absorbing magic over time, the first chancellor used a special weapon for the seal.

“A special weapon? What is that?”

“It’s a weapon made of Magic Stone of Devouring.”

As soon as Diplyn’s answer came, Stella and Ethan were astonished.

“What? You made a weapon with that?! ”

“Magic Stone of Devouring is twenty times more expensive than gold of the same weight, isn’t it?”

The Magic Stone of Devouring absorbs magic.

And it’s the only ore in the world with such properties.

It’s hard to get, and if you do find it, it’s so rare that it’s managed by the state, making it extremely expensive now.

“I guess it was cheap a thousand years ago.”

On the other hand, Diplyn’s response was quite nonchalant, as though she couldn’t care less.

“Anyways, the first chancellor drove the weapon into the wolf’s neck to finish the sealing.”

It was a wise decision.

Even if the White Wolf struggled to gather magic, it would just get absorbed entirely by the Magic Stone of Devouring.

“Next, there were eight sealing stakes used to seal the White Wolf. Five of them didn’t endure the test of time and completely eroded.”

“Then what about the remaining three?”

“This part is important. It seems someone has artificially pulled them out.”

As soon as Diplyn finished speaking, a calm silence fell upon the room.

“So, that means…”

“It means there was someone inside the Academy trying to break the seal on the White Wolf.”

With this information about the cultists’ sealed beast at the Academy, Berge’s eyes soon glinted with intensity.

“Could it be the cultists?”

“That possibility exists.”

While the possibility couldn’t be denied, the odds were higher. After all, the name White Wolf wasn’t well-known.

“What about the related investigation?”

“The Special Operations Division is currently conducting it. I told them to report right away if they find any traces.”

Quick response. Berge nodded with his mouth shut, indicating he would leave the matter in Diplyn and the Special Operations Division’s hands.

“However, there’s no record left about why the White Wolf appeared here or what its purpose is.”

“So in the end, it’s an ancient monster, huh?”

A simple and clear conclusion was reached.

The purpose of a mere beast is pretty obvious. It’s to harm people and absorb their magic.

“But wait, are we sure the White Wolf was actually eradicated?”

“Yes. I searched the entire forest, but I couldn’t even find a trace or echo of the beast.”

If Diplyn’s answer was that certain, then it was reliable.

She’s better at detecting traces of beasts than anyone in the Academy.

“Got it. Then I’ll compile both your reports and submit a final report to the Principal.”

“Wow, really? Phew, thank you!”

Diplyn squealed with joy.

Berge looked at her incredulously.

“Aren’t you being a bit too obvious with your excitement?”

“Of course! Honestly, it’s always awkward talking to that person. I always feel like my innermost thoughts are being read.”

Diplyn shuddered with a grimace.

After a hearty laugh, Berge stood up from his seat.

“Then that’s it for today’s meeting.”

“You’ve worked hard!”

With her cheerful response, Diplyn was the first to leave the Dean’s Office. Stella followed suit, and Ethan was about to leave as well.

But then.

“Professor Arnoff.”

Suddenly, Berge called him.

“When do you plan on convening the committee?”

The committee he mentioned refers to the disciplinary committee that would discuss Ulan’s punishment again. Realizing this, Ethan immediately bowed his head.

“The meeting has already been called. It is scheduled to start right after lunch.”

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes, it’s all taken care of.”

This time, all the professors attending the committee were pro-Empire faction.

In fact, more than half were from the military department.

“The inspection team has also secured adequate evidence, so we should be able to void the previous punishment.”

“Good. I’ll leave that to you.”

“Yes, leave it to me.”

After a loyal reply, the two left the room and went about their respective duties.

In the afternoon, a figure arrived at Ulan’s room. A man with a blank expression, the inspector in charge.

“Your punishment has been overturned.”

He stated abruptly.

Ulan tilted his head, asking, “So my testimony was accepted?”

“In a sense, yes. We were also lucky enough to secure additional evidence, making things easier.”

“Additional evidence?”

“This.”

He pulled out a large orb.

“It’s the Video Recording Device that the professors of the Magic Department set up to record the second match. It had a considerable storage capacity, so it even captured your conversation with Himel Deorg.”

As a result, Ulan’s testimony was recognized as all true and accepted. Thanks to that, the committee was convened ahead of schedule, and the punishment was overturned.

“First, the warning of expulsion has been canceled. We secured evidence that Himel Deorg tarnished your and your classmate’s honor.”

That cancellation was quite a relief, Ulan thought to himself.

“Next, the suspension period has been reduced from 30 days to 20 days, and the probation restriction has also been lifted.”

“So now…”

“You can’t attend lectures, but you may roam freely in the areas permitted for freshmen. Interacting with others is just as permitted.”

That was the best part.

Most importantly, being able to freely go to the dining hall was excellent. It meant he wouldn’t have to go to the forest to pick fruits anymore.

“However, the ban on participating in tournaments and matches will remain in place for a while. It’s a fact that you made Himel Deorg look like a ragdoll.”

Ulan was indeed lacking in self-restraint. There were also plenty of risks involved.

This decision stemmed from a consensus reached at both the first and second committees. In other words, it was under the pretext of preventing the same damage from happening again.

Although the real reason was different.

‘This decision favors the Empire.’

If he participated in international events like mock battles, he would attract the attention of other kingdoms. Which would mean Ulan’s true strength could get exposed.

‘That’s not what the military wants.’

That’s why they decided to keep the ban on participating in tournaments.

“That’s all for the announcements.”

As if he were done speaking, the inspector turned his body. Just then, Ulan slightly bowed his head towards him.

“Thank you for your help.”

“It’s nothing worth thanking. I was just fulfilling my assigned duties.”

Was it because the formal business was finished?

The inspector smirked. His blank expression softened naturally.

“However, this incident made me reassess you a bit.”

“What do you mean?”

“I wondered why you left your room yesterday.”

His gaze turned serious.

“Could it be that you did it to prevent harm to the students? For a moment, I feel embarrassed for having had other thoughts.”

The man touched his forehead and let out a sigh.

What on earth was he thinking?

Ulan was curious but thought it unnecessary to ask. The inspector answered for him.

“I also suspected that I didn’t provide enough food, causing you to leave.”

“……”

“Well, it wouldn’t make sense for you to go out for such a reason, even if you are a barbarian. Anyhow, I apologize for the misunderstanding. Rest well.”

After patting Ulan’s shoulder, the inspector left the room, unaware that his assumption was spot-on.

“What a sharp guy.”

Ulan murmured softly as he reached under his bed. After a while, in his hand, he held a gray axe.

The Axe of Devouring, Gula.

However, the moment he grabbed the axe’s handle, a sudden sticky sensation enveloped him.

This was the same feeling he had when pulling out the stakes from the forest yesterday. Gula was trying to siphon off its owner’s magic.

“It fits so well in my hand.”

Meanwhile, Ulan, unaware of this fact, only wore a satisfied smile. He slowly examined the appearance of Gula.

Then he discovered a few peculiarities.

“It shrank compared to when I first saw it.”

When it was drilled into the White Wolf’s neck, Gula was smaller than a two-handed axe but bigger than a standard hand axe. However, now Gula was about the size of an ordinary hand axe.

“Did I swing too hard?”

Ulan speculated he might have mishandled it too much during the taming process, causing it to shrink. Nevertheless, it wasn’t a big deal—having the size of a normal hand axe wasn’t inconvenient.

And one more thing.

He found another oddity.

“The blade has returned to its original state.”

As mentioned earlier, Ulan had damaged a significant part of the axe blade while taming Gula. It was unusable without grooming.

However, now Gula had restored about half of its blade. This was surely because it absorbed the magic in the air like he had read in a book last time.

“That means I won’t need to ask for help.”

Originally, Ulan planned to go to Noa or Delia to obtain some magic. But Ulan smiled contentedly.

While he was busily observing Gula, Ulan suddenly caught a whiff of a smell.

It was a scent he didn’t usually smell.

It was the smell of beasts, akin to that of a wolf. While trying to find the source of the scent, he soon pinpointed the cause.

“You are….”

He quickly located the culprit—a white furball sitting by the window. It was indeed the White Wolf he last saw in the cave.

“How did you find your way here?”

Ulan squinted his eyes.

But no answer came back.

Of course, a wolf couldn’t speak. Even if it was a spirit.

“Did you follow me?”

At that moment, the White Wolf nodded.

While it couldn’t speak, it could understand human language, it seems. Ulan scratched his head and spoke to it.

“If you’re looking for a hunting ground, you picked the wrong place. There’s nothing here for you to eat.”

As soon as he finished his sincere advice, the wolf suddenly dropped something from its mouth.

It was the fruit Ulan had eaten yesterday. Ulan cocked his head in confusion.

“Are you telling me to eat it?”

Once again, the White Wolf nodded.

There was no particular reason to refuse. He was feeling a bit hungry anyway.

Ulan chomped down on the fruit.

Meanwhile.

With a leap, the White Wolf jumped down from the window.

Since it held no ill intent, Ulan let it be. The wolf quickly climbed onto Ulan’s shoulder.

It should have felt heavy, but oddly enough, there was almost no weight. Just the sensation of fluffiness and softness.

Then the White Wolf moved to Ulan’s back—specifically, to the area where the Hero’s Enchantment was inscribed. It began to rub its head against that spot.

[Grr, grrr!]

It let out a sound reminiscent of a cat.

Ulan couldn’t help but chuckle at this unexpected behavior.

“What a peculiar little fellow.”

After consuming the fruit completely, Ulan fully opened the slightly ajar window.

So that the White Wolf could return to the forest. The issue, however, was that it showed no signs of wanting to leave.

“Go back to the forest.”

He tried urging it, but the White Wolf just stared at him blankly.

Earlier, it seemed to understand perfectly well.

As Ulan squinted his eyes, the White Wolf leaped onto the bed.

[Grr, grrr.]

It replied with an unintelligible response.

It snuggled into the blanket.

Why is it doing that? Ulan wondered but couldn’t quite wrap his head around it. Then a thought suddenly struck him.

‘Is it like a temporary base?’

The White Wolf had just returned to its spirit form from being a beast. So, it might think of finding a resting place to recuperate its condition before setting off.

After finishing his deduction, Ulan nodded willingly.

“I understand. Make yourself comfortable.”

Since he had just gained Gula, providing this creature a resting spot wouldn’t be too much to ask. Immediately after Ulan granted permission, the White Wolf slowly emerged from under the blanket.

[Grr.]

As if to say everything is going according to plan.

With a satisfied smile, the White Wolf snuggled closer to Ulan and curled up, closing its eyes. It was the first peaceful expression since awakening from its seal.

After the White Wolf incident, time passed, and soon it was the end of March.

Spring had arrived at the Academy.

Just like the harsh northern winds had transformed into a warmer breeze, changes were also happening in the Academy. The most significant change was that visits were now allowed.

A full month had passed since the entrance ceremony.

This weekend, all freshmen were allowed visits from their parents. So today, a considerable number of parents visited the Academy.

“Please keep your order!”

“We will enter in order!”

At the front gate of Arsen Academy.

Guards moved efficiently, organizing the queue. Even for a parent visiting their child, they had to go through the proper procedures to enter Arsen.

First, identification documents were checked, and any items that could potentially be used as weapons were confiscated by the guards for safekeeping.

Next, they had to complete a form detailing the purpose of their visit, duration, and accommodation. Only after receiving approval could they enter.

Perhaps that’s why?

Entering Arsen Academy was notoriously time-consuming.

As crowds filled the waiting line today, a parent was called forward.

A blonde man in a black coat entered. He had a remarkable three peculiarities.

First, he appeared significantly younger than the other parents; second, he came alone without any attendants; and third, he had a longsword strapped to his waist.

The soldier, Durik, responsible for attending to the visitors, secretly sighed. He had a feeling this visitor would take quite some time.

“May I see your identification?”

“Here it is.”

Following the instructions obediently, the man handed over his ID.

Durik immediately started filling out the paperwork.

Well, that was the intention anyway.

“……!?”

However, the moment he checked the name, he looked aghast, staring at the man before him.

At that time, the man suddenly spoke up.

“That’s quite a large scar.”

As he said, there was an unsightly scar over Durik’s left eye. The spot where his eye should be was just a hollow hole.

As soon as the man finished his sentence, Durik grinned and replied.

“Haha, it’s a big source of pride for me. I traded my eyeball for taking down thirty Desert Cultists! It’s a lifetime’s worth of stories.”

Desert Cultists.

At those words, the man’s gaze shifted.

“Were you on the Southern Battle Line?”

“Yes, although I retired six years ago.”

“Where did you get the scar?”

“During the Red Desert battle. The cursed cultists charged at us with bombs, and it was pure chaos.”

Once Durik finished his reply, the man nodded silently. It seemed like he was recalling old memories.

“That was a fierce battle. Half the new recruits fled for their lives and ended up dead.”

“That’s true. It was horrendous.”

“But thanks to the soldiers who held their ground to the end, we were able to secure victory. Oh, by the way, there was a soldier who fought beside me back then.”

Suddenly of mention, Durik’s right eye twitched.

“……What soldier?”

“There was a soldier who lost his left eye after being given a retreat order but kept fighting till the end. He laughed, saying he had taken down quite a few cultists, just like you.”

“Well, it’s because he fought alongside legends.”

Durik burst into laughter.

It was a smile filled with relief, satisfaction, and a hint of emotion. After that conversation, Durik immediately shouted towards the gate.

“Paperwork is complete! Open the door.”

“Huh? Already done?”

“Yes, I’ll let you in.”

With Durik’s answer, the iron gate opened.

Receiving back his identification, the man nodded slightly with a faint smile.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“It’s nothing.”

With a smile to match, Durik responded cheerfully.

As the man proceeded further into the Academy, a booming voice rang out.