Chapter 61

The conversation in the middle of the night went on for quite a while. After all, Kara, being a Tartar, was quite talkative.

They really do have the reputation of being chatterboxes. Even during a duel, they couldn’t help but talk about all sorts of things.

Kara even explained to me the reason behind it: due to the characteristics of their terrain, Tartars don’t have much to do, so they need to talk a lot just to fill the silence.

Even when meeting strangers, they engage in all sorts of trivial chit-chat. So, it’s no surprise that the Tartar people are subtly sociable.

“But still, they’re considered barbarians, so that’s that. Honestly, we brought this upon ourselves and can just let it slide. But I hope they don’t treat ordinary people like that,” she said.

“Yeah.”

“I came to the Academy to change that perception, but… it hasn’t been easy. They smile and chat in front of me, but talk behind my back, calling me a barbarian. Now they even openly insult me, and it’s hard to hold back. I’d rather not use my fists if I can help it.”

Kara, true to her Tartar nature, prefers to solve things through force. But she doesn’t do it blindly.

It’s just that the Academy has pushed her to a breaking point. After holding back for so long, she finally exploded.

“Sivar. No matter what, don’t ever speak ill behind my back. If you have complaints, just confront me directly. Talking behind someone’s back is a betrayal. Got it?”

“Yeah.”

Kara’s case is similar to mine; she was also an incoming student after a period of adjustment. As I mentioned, she entered the Academy two years ago.

During that time, she gradually adapted and built friendships, but then she overheard someone talking behind her back, and that’s when her trust started to shatter.

Gossip usually brings a tremendous sense of betrayal. And the Tartars, including Kara, absolutely detest betrayal.

In an environment where life hangs by a thread, betraying someone means your life is over. That’s why they’re meticulous about their finance too.

“In the game, if you get caught gossiping about Kara, it’s instant doom.”

No matter how high you raise your favorability, it means nothing. As soon as you get caught gossiping, you hit rock bottom.

After that, no matter what you do, you can’t raise your favorability. That’s when your relationship with Kara is effectively over.

“This conversation only happens when favorability is high.”

That’s why I was surprised. It was when I thought, “I’m so glad to be her friend.”

That kind of statement comes only when Kara’s favorability is at a high level. In other words, it means that Kara has a high favorability towards me.

The ongoing conversation is the same, conveying how terrible betrayal is, including gossip, or warning not to do it.

Originally, raising Kara’s favorability is quite difficult. Just like how others have their prejudices, she also has her own set of biases.

That is, she thinks civilization is rude. But I am far from being a civilized person, so I have no prejudices and can naturally become closer to her.

Rustle—

Just then, a sound came from the nearby makeshift tent. Kara and I turned to look at the same time.

Grace and Lee Yeon-joo were still sound asleep. When had they complained about not being able to sleep on the hard ground?

‘Did they wake up during the night?’

Both Grace and Lee Yeon-joo seemed to be in a conscious state. I couldn’t tell if it was because the bedding was uncomfortable or if they woke up from our conversation.

Lee Yeon-joo, being an incredibly skilled assassin, is naturally sensitive to even the smallest sounds, so I understood that.

But I couldn’t figure out why Grace was awake. Although she pretended to be sleeping, I could sense that she was fully aware of my presence.

In the wilderness, there are sometimes creatures that play dead, so distinguishing between the two isn’t too hard.

I was wondering how much of our talk she heard when—

“…But are you keeping watch all by yourself?”

“Yeah.”

“Please don’t tell me you’ve taken it all on yourself?”

Kara glanced at the two and asked me. The slight squint in her eyes made it clear she was a bit displeased.

I immediately shook my head. Besides, I couldn’t even sleep properly because of my wilderness instinct.

So, I decided to take it upon myself to keep watch. Moreover, there’s no way Grace could handle the night watch anyway.

‘Sure, she said she’d volunteer, but…’

It was obvious that she would doze off until morning. Didn’t she get embarrassed before in the Soul World for doing that?

Why not take it upon myself to keep watch from start to finish; it seemed the much better option.

“So why? Isn’t it tough to keep watch all alone?”

“Used to it.”

“You’re used to it? Ah…”

Realization hit Kara with that remark. In the wilderness, you have to risk your life even just to get some sleep.

Because of that, some respond by taking shallow, long naps, while others use unique methods.

I’ve read in books that some creatures sleep standing up, and others alternate sleeping half of their brain at a time.

I’m more of the type that takes long, shallow naps like ordinary animals. So whenever any stimulus occurs, I wake up immediately.

‘When was the last time I had a deep sleep?’

Aside from the times I fainted, I don’t think I’ve ever had a deep sleep. Damn wilderness instinct.

Fortunately, I didn’t feel tired or anything. My unusually fast recovery speed might have contributed to that.

*Tap! Tap!*

I tossed some firewood onto the dwindling campfire. Afterward, I turned my head without hesitation and asked Kara.

“What about you?”

“Huh? Me?”

“Aren’t you sleeping?”

It was a polite question. Given that Kara was more like a guest, there was no way she could sleep soundly.

Realizing my intention, she chuckled and replied.

“No way. How could I sleep while you’re here? I’ll just chat until morning.”

“Yeah.”

“By the way, look at you, showing some consideration now. Just keep it up like this.”

While saying that, Kara pinched my cheek casually. I didn’t resist and just stood there.

With others, it might be awkward, but I don’t really mind light physical contact with close friends. In fact, I prefer it.

Having survived alone in the wilderness until now, I’ve grown quite used to it. It’s something I can only attribute to instinct.

“Do you know what a desert is like, Sivar? A desert is an environment made entirely of sand, right…?”

“Yeah.”

“When the sandstorm hits, it can be a real headache. Oh, this reminds me of a time with my father…”

She continued with her usual lengthy chatter. I can see why there’s a saying that sometimes it feels like your ears are bleeding from listening too much.

Kara might be a bit too talkative. Even with my half-hearted replies, she wouldn’t stop talking.

And thus the dawn arrived, and we chatted until morning. The fact that time flies when you’re with a chatty person is absolutely true.

“Ugh… I’m tired…”

“So am I…”

The next morning.

Grace and Lee Yeon-joo trudged up with faces that looked like they were on the verge of death.

Both resembled people who tossed and turned all night. Anyone who saw them would think they had been on watch.

“You guys look a mess. Didn’t you sleep last night?”

“I slept, but… wait, why is Kara here…?”

“I happened to find out you two were here. You’re not going to fight, right?”

“No… we don’t have the strength to fight…”

And just like that, Kara naturally joined our team.

******

I hadn’t slept a wink. One of the main reasons was Grace, who was exhausted.

Setting aside the hard ground, I couldn’t help but wake up here and there due to the drastic changes in the environment.

Each time, I’d check whether Sivar was keeping watch well, then reassured, I’d fall back asleep.

But even that routine didn’t last long. I overheard Kara popping in and chatting with Sivar.

‘They really are friends, right?’

Grace turned her head as she popped a piece of leftover roasted boar into her mouth.

Where she turned her head, Sivar and Kara were shoving something into their mouths. It was a snake, no less.

They had apparently found a snake somewhere, skinned it, and were roasting it over the campfire.

Just looking at it made my stomach churn, but those two seemed to be enjoying it to the fullest.

“The snakes back home are mostly venomous and dangerous. Sivar, have you ever been bitten by poison?”

“Many. Painful.”

“Right? It hurts like hell. I barely survived being bitten by poison.”

They even spoke well to each other. If you just looked at that, calling them ‘friends’ seemed to fit without question.

But Grace’s perspective was a bit different. She had been sleep-deprived the previous night and had naturally eavesdropped on their conversation.

Most of it was filled with Kara’s chatter, only interrupted occasionally by Sivar’s replies, but the essence was one.

‘Are they really friends?’

The relationship between Sivar and Kara seemed more solid than expected. Even during practice, there was no hint of wariness between the two.

You wouldn’t see such a situation unless they were quite close. Just look at how they happily munch on snake meat together.

Outwardly, they appeared as ordinary friends, but remembering what I witnessed at dawn made it all feel different.

‘Such playful interactions like pinching each other’s cheeks are quite uncommon between males and females. This could just be a Tartar cultural thing…’

I had been up for quite a bit, observing many details. My anxiousness about being spotted was one of the reasons I hadn’t slept well.

Usually, it was Kara making the first move, with Sivar playing along. That playful interaction often included pinches and touches.

Given how many novels I’ve read, it was hard not to see it as anything other than a relationship beyond friends.

Sivar might seem indifferent about it, but Kara was clearly exhibiting affection.

‘Friends, huh…’

Grace began to tire of the roasted boar meat. Being fatigued made it impossible for her to properly appreciate the taste.

‘In some ways… I’m a bit jealous.’

A barbarian and a wildling. Oddly, they made a good pairing.

Moreover, Kara, despite being a despised barbarian, was quite polite and had a good nature.

Contrary to the rumors, she doesn’t resort to violence unless provoked first; according to my own investigation, it’s the other party that initiates.

‘Making friends at the Academy isn’t easy. Especially for someone like me.’

In the past, yes, but the Academy has long been engrained in strict competition.

Noble families and countries alike were rushing to send their best, and Grace was no exception.

Thus, making friends becomes impossible. Especially for Grace, who is a noble daughter of a Duke’s family.

Her status creates a rigid barrier in forming relationships. On top of that, her piercing beauty adds to the challenge.

Due to her striking resemblance to her father, even when she approaches someone with kindness, people often misconstrue her intentions.

With her background, most would naturally bow to her.

She was desperate to clear up any misunderstanding, but more often than not, she was simply shut out.

Every time she tried to voice her thoughts, it led to yet another misunderstanding, exhausting her more and more.

‘What am I even thinking? Get a grip.’

At that moment, Grace felt a brief wave of melancholy wash over her but quickly shook it off. This was United Academy.

She shouldn’t be indulging in fairytale-like thoughts. Especially not the ‘fairytale’ she had been carrying in her heart.

Separate reality from fiction. It was a saying her father often repeated.

‘Sivar will probably become just like me once he gets used to civilization and understands status. That much is certain.’

Watching Kara get close to him made her mind wander, yet reality remained firm. That’s how Grace felt.

Right now, it was better to focus on our practice. She had originally intended to gradually bond with Sivar through their assignments, after all.

Although a massive wall of status stood between them, Kara was, after all, a Tartar princess.

Taking things slow was just fine. Gradually moving forward might eventually lead to friendship…

“No. No. No. What the hell am I thinking…”

“?”

Grace shook her head, muttering to herself. Lee Yeon-joo looked at her with a somewhat perplexed expression.

In that moment, Grace mentally corrected herself. ‘Even if I find someone I can call a friend, it’ll be hard to reach a level where I can truly open up to them.’

‘Sure. A friend would be nice, I guess.’

That was the little solace she gave herself.

With a somewhat bitter tone, she whispered to herself quietly.

‘Although it’s probably impossible to become like a knight…’

The innocent heart of the child she harbored deep inside was momentarily retracted.

---