Chapter 61

(1)

1.

Last week of March, Friday.

The sun was blazing overhead.

Ulan, after finishing his training, returned to the dormitory, reminded of the lunch appointment.

Whoosh!

After a brisk shower with cold water.

While drying himself off with a towel, something suddenly caught his eye.

[Grraar. Grraar―.]

A wolf lounging by the window, basking in the sunlight.

It was none other than the White Wolf.

A peculiar creature that hadn’t left his room since it appeared two weeks ago.

As Ulan watched it quietly, he recalled a couple of things he learned over the last fortnight.

‘Must be because it’s a mythical creature.’

The White Wolf feasted on magic as its main diet.

Sure, it also ate fruit, bread, and meat, but what it genuinely craved was undeniably magic.

He realized this three days prior.

When Noa dropped by his room.

“This is the magic stone they handed out in the Magic Detection lecture. I got one for you too, Ulan.”

He was told to observe the flow of magic inside the stone and submit a report.

In other words, it was a homework assignment. However, Ulan couldn’t handle the assignment properly.

As soon as Noa left, the White Wolf suddenly devoured the magic stone, as quick as a kid downing candy.

‘Then things changed.’

For starters, it had grown a bit.

Well, it was barely noticeable. Its fur shone more, and its teeth and claws had subtly lengthened.

Changes that had never happened when it ate fruit and meat. Based on this, Ulan concluded its main food was magic.

‘But…’

It seemed it couldn’t absorb the suspended magic like the Axe of Devouring, Gula. Just then, as he absentmindedly looked at Gula—

[Grraarrr! Meow!]

Out of nowhere, the White Wolf sprang up.

Its fur bristled, growling fiercely. The bright red gaze was directed at the axe, ‘Gula’, which Ulan had just been looking at.

‘Well, it’s not surprising.’

Gula had been deeply embedded in the nape of the White Wolf. If Ulan were in its position, he’d probably smash it out of sheer frustration.

Yet the White Wolf didn’t do that.

It couldn’t, to be precise.

Because Gula possessed the power to absorb magic, and coming into contact carelessly might’ve led to losing its own magic.

Regardless of the White Wolf’s growling, Ulan snatched Gula and strapped it to his waist. Then he turned to the beast to speak.

“Well, I’m off.”

Usually, the White Wolf responds by yawning or nodding. But today, its reaction was different.

Swish!

Suddenly, the White Wolf transformed into a mist.

The mist then squirmed as if it had a life of its own, merging into Ulan’s shadow.

“Such a convenient ability.”

Ulan chuckled softly.

This way, the White Wolf could turn into mist any time. And in mist form, it could pass through walls or seep into specific places.

This was another fresh bit of knowledge he had gained.

“Alright, do as you please.”

After tossing those words over his shoulder, Ulan made his way to his destination.

Not long after, upon arriving at the dining hall, Ulan scanned through the bustling crowd inside.

As if looking for someone.

Just then.

“Ulan. Over here.”

A familiar voice called out.

It was a rather petite girl.

With sparkling silver hair cascading down and calm golden eyes like a still lake.

Delia Arpen.

“Were you here first?”

“Yeah. I didn’t wait too long.”

A faint smile blossomed on her lips.

But as Ulan tried to sit across from her, Delia made a pouty face and said,

“Not there.”

“……?”

“Sit here.”

Right next to her.

Ulan quirked an eyebrow.

“Why?”

“I ordered food in advance.”

Her white finger tapped the table.

What lay there was an order slip, indicating food would be served at the particular number. And the slip was next to her.

“What did you order?”

“Meat, your favorite.”

“How much?”

“Ten portions.”

Delia spread her ten fingers wide.

Perfect. Ulan couldn’t help but grin.

Shifting seats was no big deal, so he promptly sat next to her.

Delia smiled back, looking utterly satisfied.

“Also, take this.”

“What’s this?”

“I summarized the lecture.”

Next, she handed him a note.

It was filled with cute round handwriting, packed on every side. For a moment, it nearly gave him vertigo, but he held on.

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

“It’s nothing.”

Delia waved her hand.

“And there’s another thing to pass on.”

“What is it?”

“In ten days, practical hunting.”

Specifically, on the second Monday of April.

They were planning to hunt actual monsters that inhabit the nearby forest after leaving the Academy.

“So, we need to form pairs.”

“Is it testing our teamwork?”

“Yep. Exactly.”

After nodding in agreement,

Her gaze fell downward. Then she wriggled her fingers and muttered.

“I want to partner with you.”

With a voice as tiny as a mosquito.

Her golden eyes moved cautiously.

“……What do you think?”

“I’m all for it. It’s what I hoped for.”

Ulan answered without hesitation.

He’d always had decent synergy with Delia in past lives too. If it was about testing teamwork, she was the perfect partner.

“Great, I’ll sign us up.”

Did she like his prompt answer?

Delia’s face brightened.

As their conversation wrapped up, a familiar presence suddenly registered behind them.

“Ulan! We’ve arrived.”

“Is that so? I didn’t expect you to get here first.”

Noa Darshen and Ivella Elea’ad.

The two approached Ulan with smiles.

But that moment was short-lived, as their smiles vanished the instant their gazes met Delia’s.

“……”

A brief silence fell.

Noa appeared flustered, her eyes flickering, while Ivella wore a strangely displeased expression.

Of course, Delia had the most intense reaction. The moment she laid eyes on Noa, her gaze sharpened like a wary cat.

Just as the awkward atmosphere stretched on.

“I called everyone together.”

The reason for the gathering revealed itself.

All three girls’ attention landed on Ulan, who replied in a blank tone.

“I’m leaving the dorm for a week starting today. Just wanted to say my goodbyes.”

The instant those words left his lips,

Questions erupted like fireworks.

“What? What do you mean?”

“You’re leaving for a week? Where to?”

“Weren’t you supposed to have your suspension lifted in just three days?”

Ivella, Delia, and Noa—each voiced their surprise with their own questions.

Ulan answered last, addressing Noa.

“It’s unrelated to the suspension.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you remember when I got swept away by the waves at the Source of Magic? They’ve started an investigation regarding that, and they need my help.”

He received the summons two days ago.

Through the inspector in charge.

The one requesting cooperation was Berge Erkazhan, the head of the Military Department. In exchange for Ulan’s cooperation, he promised to give him equivalent benefits.

“He said the attendance for classes I missed during the suspension would be granted.”

And not just that.

Berge also stated that any assignments would be considered submitted. Merely for agreeing to cooperate for a week, regardless of the investigation results.

Not a bad deal, so he accepted it.

And there was one more reason he gladly agreed to help.

‘He has the eyes of a warrior.’

Honest and straightforward gaze.

Completely contrary to Diplyn Cernio, who always lied and hid his true intentions.

In other words, trustworthy.

Thus, Ulan disclosed that he would be staying at the Source of Magic and all the promised benefits from Head Berge.

“It’s good to know the attendance will be recognized.”

“Exactly. If not, Ulan would have definitely faced academic probation.”

“Such a relief.”

The three let out a sigh of relief.

Their concern for him felt almost personal, making Ulan smile silently.

At that moment.

Thud!

Suddenly, the dining hall grew quiet.

The bustling students froze in place, and the chatter faded instantly.

The only sound heard was one.

Heavy footsteps.

Clomp! Clomp!

Soon entered a youth clad in a striking white coat and hat. He fixed his gaze on Ulan, the barbarian sitting in the center of the dining hall.

“Ulan Bator, is that you?”

“Yeah, that’s me.”

“I am Rodel Urbakan, affiliated with the Special Operations Division. I have been ordered to escort you to Zone 1 of the Source of Magic.”

His words sent ripples across the dining hall in an instant.

“What? Special Operations Division?”

“Special Operations Division? That’s definitely….”

“Isn’t that the personal soldiers of Head Diplyn?”

Before the whispers could die down, Rodel’s eyes flashed dangerously.

“……Who dares to mention the Head’s name so casually?”

A fierce reprimand swept through the hall.

With an aura of intimidation, silence reigned once more. Hearing Rodel, Ulan tilted his head in confusion.

“So, I need to move now, right?”

“Correct.”

Rodel nodded.

Ulan frowned.

“I heard it was dinner time.”

“Circumstances have changed. I must ask for your cooperation.”

“What circumstances?”

“I can’t disclose that.”

The response was firm.

But a hint of anxiety seeped into his voice. Like there was an urgency in not being late.

Of course, it wasn’t something Ulan needed to worry about.

“Sorry, but I can’t just leave.”

“……What did you say?”

His eyes shook in surprise.

Ulan replied calmly.

“I have my own business.”

“What business?”

“Dinner hasn’t even been served yet.”

That was an unexpected response.

Rodel chuckled in amusement.

“Don’t worry. The Special Operations Division will ensure your meal is provided.”

Ulan’s reaction was nonchalant.

When asked to choose between a meal that would later be served and one that was just moments away, he’d naturally opt for the latter.

Just then, Rodel added.

“I assure you, the meal will be far tastier than what you typically ate at the Student Dining Hall. So for now….”

He was about to request cooperation in traveling with him.

But when Ulan blinked once, he was suddenly nowhere to be seen.

What? Where did he go?

As Rodel looked around in confusion,

Ulan’s voice rang from the entrance of the dining hall.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and lead me.”

“…….”

Rodel stood there, expression blank.

Just then, cheerful laughter erupted.

“Puhaha! Hahaha.”

“Phew, that’s so typical of Ulan.”

It was Ivella and Noa.

Delia also smiled with a hand covering her mouth.

Moments later, the three girls waved to Ulan simultaneously as if they were in sync.

“Take care, Ulan.”

“See you in a week.”

“Catch you later.”

With warm farewells, Ulan turned his body.

And then he followed behind the now-recovered Rodel, leaving the dining hall to head towards the Source of Magic, where he would stay for the next week.

2.

Meanwhile, at that moment.

Count Deorg, having arrived at the Academy, headed straight for the Military Department’s infirmary.

For one reason only.

To check on the condition of his son, Himel Deorg, who was hospitalized. Soon enough, he was able to ascertain Himel’s state.

“……”

Beyond the large glass window.

Himel was moving about with crutches. Nurses were helping him take steps.

“As you can see, recovery is going smoothly. Rehabilitation therapy is progressing quickly as well.”

At that moment, someone approached the Count.

It was Himel’s attending physician. He continued to explain with a smile.

“However, during the competition, he suffered a severe blow to the head, resulting in temporary amnesia. Ah, it’s not severe, of course.”

“……”

“Aside from that, everything else is within normal range. At this rate, he should be able to be discharged by next month.”

The doctor was rattling off the explanations.

But the Count offered no answers or replies. He simply stared at Himel with a desert-like dryness in his eyes.

Was the silence uncomfortable?

The physician cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Ahem! Now then, next…”

“The sword?”

“Pardon?”

“Any issues with wielding a sword?”

An oddly unexpected question.

But it clicked quickly. The Deorg family was known for being a martial family. The physician nodded.

“Likely not. He hasn’t suffered serious injuries aside from his head. Though for precise understanding, testing would be…”

Count! C-Count!?” the physician gasped, surprised.

Understandably so; the count had suddenly barged into the rehabilitation room.

For the doctor’s unplanned actions, Himel was the one who was considerably startled.

“F-Father?!”

His eyes widened in shock.

His face showed a mix of surprise and confusion. Soon after, a peculiar emotion surfaced in his gaze.

A strong sense of fear that was seldom seen between normal parents and children.

“W-When did you get here…? Choke!”

Himel winced in pain.

Out of the blue, the Count snatched the crutches and struck his stomach. The abrupt attack didn’t stop there, as the Count continued to pound him with the crutches all over.

“Ugh! Gack! Aaaah!”

The screams echoed repeatedly.

Nurses beside Himel, taken aback, shouted out.

“W-What are you doing right now?!”

“Guard! Please, intervene!”

The guards were equally taken aback.

Unlike the nurses, the soldiers recognized who the Count was.

One of the five masters of the Empire.

How on earth could they possibly stop him? While they floundered, Himel finally sank to the floor.

“Ugh! Hu-wha—”

With loud retches,

Afterward, Himel trembled before promptly falling unconscious. He had lost consciousness.

“Himel! Patient! Stay awake!”

“Someone get a stretcher!”

The nurses cried out in a frenzy.

The Count looked down at Himel’s unconscious form with an expressionless face, then swiftly tossed the crutches aside. He returned to the physician and said,

“Please process for discharge.”

“But he’s still injured…”

“Don’t worry. Treatment will continue at the Count’s estate.”

He ended with a firm tone.

And then the Count turned around swiftly.

But just then.

“You can’t do that!”

A sudden protest came.

Turning his head, the Count fixed an intense stare on the physician. An oppressive vibe emanated from his eyes. However, the physician remained undaunted and cried out.

“This is Arsen Academy. Even if you are a parent, you cannot take an Arsen student without permission!”

“Then I will withdraw from the Academy.”

“……What?”

The bombshell revelation dropped.

Staring blankly at the physician, the Count spoke in a dry voice.

“This shouldn’t matter, right?”

“No, that’s impossible.”

At that moment, an unexpected guest interjected the conversation.

One could understand how a series of interruptions could be annoying, yet the Count’s face remained expressionless.

A moment later, the Count identified the sudden guest and immediately saluted.

“General Erkazhan.”

“Not anymore. I retired long ago.”

Berge Erkazhan, the head of the Military Department, returned the salute and began to speak.

“That aside, let’s get back to the main issue. To withdraw from the Academy, one must spend at least one semester here. That’s the rule.”

Upon hearing this response, the Count looked noticeably displeased. Yet surprisingly, he didn’t rebut. Instead, he skillfully shifted the conversation.

“Well, how fortuitous.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

“I can guess, but what is it?”

As soon as the question left his mouth,

The Count’s eyes subtly shifted toward Himel, who was being carried away on a stretcher.

“I heard that he was turned into that by a barbarian. Is that true?”

“Hmm, it is true. However, there are circumstances…”

“Where is that barbarian?”

Without waiting for Berge to finish, he asked.

Though it was rude, Berge didn’t take offense. Right now, there were more important matters at hand.

“If you find out, what will you do?”

“I have some business with them.”

“Let me just ask: you’re not planning to take them on in a brawl, are you?”

“Can’t guarantee that.”

“Then I cannot inform you.”

“General.”

“This is Arsen. And as the head of the academy, I’m obligated to protect the students. I will not tolerate violence or retaliation.”

Berge’s glare intensified.

Determination and stubbornness were spelled out in his eyes.

There was no sign he would back down.

“Huh, understood.”

The Count shrugged slightly.

Then with a sigh, he muttered.

“Then I’ll find him my way.”

“Istan!”

“Excuse me.”

The Count didn’t flinch even at Berge’s shout. Instead, he respectfully bowed and promptly exited the infirmary.

“…… As I suspected.”

Watching the retreating figure grow distant

Berge sighed.

“Ugh, there’s no helping it. From this point forward, I’ll have to leave it to Head Cernio.”

Deorg Count’s handling would be the responsibility of Diplyn Cernio and the Special Operations Division. They had agreed to that way back, two weeks ago.

‘And…’

There was one more insurance policy taken.

Just in case Diplyn fails to confront the Count and the worst-case scenario arises where Ulan and the Count meet.

Of course, the best-case scenario would be to resolve the situation without having to use the insurance.

That is why Berge prayed quietly.

That everything would go smoothly.

3.

After leaving the Military Department’s infirmary,

Count Deorg headed straight for the Magic Department.

There was someone there he had connected with on the battlefield in the past and could request help from.

But that was brief.

The Count stopped in his tracks as a man suddenly blocked his path.

“It’s been a while, Your Excellency.”

A young man with a friendly demeanor.

The Count recognized him immediately.

“Roen Philoud?”

“I’m honored you remember my name.”

He was the deputy chief of the Arsen guards.

Also, a soldier who fought alongside the Count against cultists six years ago on the Southern Battle Line.

“It’s been a while. Do you have any business with me?”

“Not particularly, I came to provide information that may pertain to the barbarian you’re searching for.”

The Count closed his mouth tightly.

Then he looked at Roen, urging him to continue.

Realizing this, Roen quickly jumped into the main point.

“He is currently at the Source of Magic.”

“The Source of Magic? Why there…?”

“To prevent contact with you.”

At the conclusion of his response, the Count raised an eyebrow.

“Are you implying that a specific faction is involved in this matter?”

“Exactly.”

“Who is it?”

“The military of the Empire.”

“……I’d like to hear more details.”

The Count’s expression turned serious.

In response, Roen detailed the objectives and reasons behind the Empire’s military targeting Ulan, while including that Head Berge was involved in this plan.

After the explanation concluded,

The Count frowned.

“Where did you hear this information?”

“I have a useful informant. Regardless, you’ll be able to find the barbarian who harmed your son nearly at the Source of Magic, Zone 1.”

It seemed Roen was not keen on revealing the informant’s identity.

The Count didn’t pry further. After all, what mattered was finding the barbarian’s whereabouts. So, he nodded and concluded the discussion.

“I understand. I’ll remember this for today.”

“Thank you, that would be greatly appreciated.”

Roen bowed his head.

A smirk crept onto his lips.

An odd sense of satisfaction radiated from that smile. Somehow, he seemed in a good mood.

Armed with this new information, the Count resumed his stride. He headed towards the Source of Magic, where the Empire’s military was hiding the barbarian.

Chapter 17: The Visit