Next to Ulan was Ivella.
She suddenly struck up a conversation.
“You’re talking about Delia, right? The one who faced Noa in the selection match? I saw her at the dining hall last time.”
“Yeah, that’s her.”
Ulan nodded immediately.
Ivella raised an eyebrow slightly.
That’s her go-to expression when she’s feeling off or not particularly pleased about something.
A moment later, she asked again.
“You seem to know quite a bit about her, huh?”
“What do you mean?”
“About Delia.”
As soon as she finished her sentence, Ulan nodded once more and replied with a face that suggested it was no big deal.
“Well, I visit her every day.”
“…Every day?”
At that moment, her expression changed.
It stiffened a bit, but soon enough, Ivella spoke in a slightly teasing tone.
“Are you two that close?”
“Yeah, we are.”
Ulan answered without hesitation.
It was the truth after all.
Maybe it’s just a feeling, but it felt like they had gotten closer much faster than in his previous life.
‘These days, she smiles a lot too.’
In his past life, Delia didn’t show much expression. She’d just say the necessary things with a blank face.
But lately, she often smiled and chatted about trivial stuff. Of course, it was only to Ulan.
‘That must mean we’ve become that close.’
Ulan silently nodded to himself.
Meanwhile, as he finished replying, Ivella said, “Hmm, I see.”
All of a sudden, her gaze narrowed.
With an inexplicably cold voice.
Did she sense some subtle change?
Ulan quickly asked back, “Is there a problem?”
“Nah, it’s nothing.”
Ivella shook her head.
Trying to act like it was no big deal.
Still, she couldn’t hide her sulky expression, looking kind of pouty.
Seeing that, a sudden thought crossed his mind.
‘Oh, maybe she wants to get close to Delia too?’
It was a valid guess.
In his previous life, they seemed as close as sisters. Ulan must have hurt her feelings by visiting Delia alone.
‘I should arrange a gathering soon.’
After all, Delia had expressed wanting to thank Noa as well. It would be nice to set up an occasion where everyone could come together.
Ulan smiled contentedly.
A little while later, the three arrived at the Student Dining Hall.
Since it was just the start of lunchtime, the dining hall was relatively empty. Just as he was about to walk in without hesitation…
“Hey there, you guys.”
A suddenly halting voice reached them.
It was a cheerful, bright voice.
The one who called out was a female professor with green bobbed hair and yellow eyes.
“Sorry, but could I borrow Ulan for a bit?”
Professor Stella of Practical Hunting pointed at Ulan with a beaming smile.
There are three main types of dining halls at Arsen Academy.
First is the Student Dining Hall, primarily used by the students.
Next is the Staff Dining Hall, used by faculty and employees, including the Arsen Knights.
Finally, there’s the Professor’s Dining Hall, which is only for professors.
Of course, exceptions exist.
Once a month, a student who receives a professor’s permission may visit the Professor’s Dining Hall.
And today, a student who would experience such a privilege was there. A barbarian student, specifically Ulan.
“This place is huge.”
It was a much more comfortable setting than the Student Dining Hall.
The walls and ceiling were filled with exquisite decorations and crafts, and the atmosphere was very calm. It was completely different from the raucous Student Dining Hall.
“And the variety of food is amazing.”
The variety of food in the Student Dining Hall was diverse too. They even made dishes that weren’t on the menu if you provided the ingredients.
But it was nothing compared to the Professor’s Dining Hall.
Just looking at the list of offered dishes made it feel entirely different from the Student Dining Hall.
It felt like they had gathered all the delicacies from around the world. While he expressed honest admiration about it, Stella shrugged her shoulders.
“That’s because the chefs here are different.”
With a proud expression, she added, “The Dean is quite the gourmet, you see. He’s gathered chefs with over 20 years of experience from renowned restaurants across the countries.”
There were over a hundred of those chefs!
Perhaps that’s why? Out of all the dignitaries visiting from outside, nine out of ten wished to dine at the Professor’s Dining Hall.
“So, you can pretty much eat any decent dish. Although the prices are steep.”
Stella sighed.
The Student Dining Hall was the only one that offered food for free out of the three mentioned.
But that was brief.
Stella quickly brightened up with a smile.
“But today, don’t worry! I’ll treat you, so go ahead and eat to your heart’s content.”
“To my heart’s content?”
“Yeah, you can eat whatever you want!”
She said that confidently.
At the same time, Ulan’s eyes sparkled. Like a starving beast who had just found its prey.
“Understood. I won’t hold back then.”
He had something he wanted to try anyway.
So without hesitation, he started ordering food. Stella watched with a satisfied look on her face.
But that didn’t last long.
As Ulan continued to rattle off dish names, and the order list grew longer, her expression paled.
The moment she realized something was off.
Stella quickly raised her hand.
“Wait, hold on!”
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
“Are you really going to eat all of that?”
“Just this isn’t quite enough.”
“…Not enough?”
He’d already ordered ten servings so far!
She asked back with a dazed expression, but no reply came. Ulan continued with his orders.
They were mostly expensive meat dishes too.
How long had it been?
“I think this should be enough.”
“Got it. I’ll prepare it soon.”
The server politely bowed.
Then, he headed to the kitchen with a scroll of the lengthy order.
At that moment, Stella wore a blank expression.
‘Goodbye, my wallet.’
And rightfully so.
Just with Ulan’s order, the amount equivalent to Stella’s entire salary had vanished.
As tears were welling up inside, the ordered dishes soon came out.
A magnificent feast laid out.
Ulan immediately started eating.
Chomp chomp! Slurp!
It was truly a combative meal.
No etiquette or decorum in sight.
Is that why?
Other professors from different departments frowned and shifted tables.
Of course, Ulan didn’t care in the slightest.
A while later, he finished his meal as quickly as a crab disappears into its shell.
Afterward, he patted his now full belly and laughed contentedly.
“Thanks to you, I had a great meal. It was really delicious.”
“Ha, haha. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
She never thought he’d actually finish it all.
It felt like watching a magic trick where all the food disappeared. Just as she was nodding along in astonishment…
“Well then, let’s get to the reason you called me.”
Ulan suddenly chimed in.
“Hmm? Reason?”
“The fact that you called me out separately means you must have something important to say.”
His expression turned serious.
At that, Stella collected herself.
Remembering that Ulan had indeed been called for a specific purpose.
After a moment, she slapped her palm on her cheek and cleared her thoughts.
Then she nodded.
“You’re sharp. Right, I called you out today because I have a few things to share regarding the recent Abyss Worshipper incident.”
Stella’s gaze turned calm.
Like Ulan, her eyes grew serious. Soon after, she brought up her first point.
“First, I’ll let you know the practical exam results, which you’re probably curious about. Since this exam ended early, survival metrics were excluded from grading. We evaluated only the loot acquired through hunting.”
Stella paused for a moment.
The server returning confirmed the meal was over and then brought out dessert.
Cake accompanied by coffee and fruit.
However, Ulan didn’t seem interested in dessert, asking back instead.
“So who came in first?”
“Well, it’s without a doubt you and Delia who came in first. You two have long surpassed student level, and your cooperation works surprisingly well together.”
Ulan had reached the Master level.
Delia was a High-ranking Mage.
With the two of them forming a team, the outcome was a foregone conclusion.
And as if to prove that point, the loot they gathered was truly overwhelming.
It was many times more than all the loot combined from the other students.
“As promised, you’ll be exempt from the written exam.”
“That’s a relief.”
Ulan smiled.
It was a deeply satisfied grin.
He felt like he had solved one of his problems. Meanwhile, Stella’s expression darkened a bit.
“Next, I have something to apologize for.”
“Apologize?”
“Yeah, about how your merit for defeating the Abyss Worshippers has gone to the Special Operations Division instead.”
Oh right, she did say that.
As memories flooded back, Stella suddenly bowed her head.
“I’m sorry. It was indeed your achievement, but the investigation team made such an announcement…”
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t the investigation team’s fault.
This decision was made directly by the head of the Military Department, Berge Erkazhan.
However, since it wasn’t feasible to lay the facts of Ulan’s scheme on the table, Stella shifted the responsibility to the investigation team.
But it was true she felt guilty.
So, she set aside her pride and bowed her head to Ulan, doing it sincerely.
Yet, Ulan responded as if it didn’t matter at all.
“I don’t mind.”
“…What?”
“It wasn’t exactly a formidable enemy to begin with. You don’t have to worry about it.”
Ulan said firmly.
As if it really didn’t bother him.
Of course, it made sense. For him, who had battled countless Abyss creatures in his previous life, the Abyss Worshippers were mere minions.
‘If one were to brag about achievements, then at the very least, it should be something like the Lord of the Abyss.’
A few hundred or thousand worshippers wouldn’t even be worth mentioning.
Arguing over who defeated them would be a waste of time.
“……”
Meanwhile, Stella had a strange expression.
According to the report submitted by the investigation team, the Abyss Worshippers consisted of five high-ranking mages and one sorceress.
Yet, he called them not that formidable?
‘Seems like a master is indeed a master.’
And beyond that, she couldn’t help but admire his lack of desire for recognition.
Unlike the hunters who were quick to boast about their achievements for defeating monsters, Ulan was different. Because of that, Stella’s gaze toward him changed slightly.
“Anyway, thanks for understanding.”
Stella bowed her head again. This time, it was a salute of gratitude, not an apology.
After their conversation wrapped up, she opened her mouth again.
“Lastly, I have something to relay. I heard there’s an exam you couldn’t attend due to giving testimony to the investigation team. Is that right?”
“Yes.”
Ulan nodded.
Tracking Techniques and Mage Battle.
He had received a suspension last month, so he could only attend each class four times. A real unfortunate situation considering he lacked the necessary attendance to take the exams.
‘But…’
He definitely wanted to take the exams.
Because he had been told both subjects would be conducted as practical exams.
Since Ulan struggled with written tests, he needed to secure a high score here to help offset his future written exams.
‘But now it’s too late.’
With the testimony investigation having made him forget about the exams, he was half ready to give up when unexpectedly, a reply came back.
“Don’t worry. I’ve coordinated with the professors to arrange for a re-exam opportunity.”
“Is that for real?”
“Yep. It’s an unavoidable circumstance due to your cooperation with official duties. I’ve received the Dean’s approval, so you’ll be able to take the exam properly.”
Ulan’s expression brightened.
What he thought was over had turned around favorably. However, Stella’s expression darkened slightly.
“But there’s a minor issue…”
“Issue?”
“You see, because of the schedules of the involved professors, the exam date was set pretty tight.”
Stella replied hesitantly.
How tight? Ulan looked at her with a questioning gaze, prompting her to awkwardly smile and extend two fingers.
“In two days?”
That should be enough time to prepare.
Generally, it would seem like a tight schedule, but since this exam was fortunately practical, he thought there probably wouldn’t be much extra preparation required.
So, he was about to reply that it was fine when Stella shook her head.
As if his assumption was off. Then, with an awkward smile, she responded.
“…In two hours.”
The moment her words ended, a heavy silence enveloped the area.