Chapter 85

In the end, I got an earful from Eli. Apparently, women are sensitive about their age, so it’s better to call them “noona” or “nuna.”

Of course, Rize said she didn’t mind. She claims she’s long since given up on living as a woman.

The reason she just stiffened up was that it had been ages since she heard the term “grandmother.”

“Seems like you were a bit flustered by it, though?”

“It’s just been so long since I heard that title. I haven’t heard it once since experiencing the reverse aging.”

“You’re not angry, right?”

“I can honestly say I’m not. It’s true that I am older.”

In terms of age, Rize is actually older than Rod—by more than ten years, mind you.

Though Rod seems older at first glance, he’s surprisingly young.

He’s just been through a lot of hardship while wandering the world, plus he looks older due to the natural aging that happens to Westerners.

And let’s not forget his bushy mustache, making him look even older. But he doesn’t care at all.

“But you might want to watch what you say. Sometimes, words can be more dangerous than violence.”

“Speaking of which, Sivar has become quite articulate, hasn’t he?”

Kara raised an eyebrow and looked at me. Others turned their gaze toward me as well.

As she said, Sivar is able to talk a bit now. But he still has a long way to go.

“I talk a lot. Like this.”

Something like that. He’s never spoken much and can’t form words properly.

It’s kind of like someone who learned English but mixes up the grammar all the time.

Moreover, he often mixes up words he doesn’t know yet, but he plans to study steadily.

“You’ve really improved a lot, huh? Do you have something you want to say right now?”

“I want candy.”

“Is that so?”

“No way.”

Rod firmly denied it in a strict tone. Despite the commendable effort, it seems candy is off the table.

Given how much trouble he’s caused so far, it’s no surprise.

All I can do is grumble about it.

“Why not?”

“Respectful language.”

“······Why not?”

“Think about it with your hand on your heart.”

I did as he instructed. I put my hand on my heart and pondered.

Usually, that phrase is a metaphor asking if you don’t feel guilty. However, they likely think I wouldn’t know that.

After thinking for a while, I quietly took my hand down and said boldly.

“I’ve thought about it. Give me candy.”

“Ha······ I must have misspoken.”

Rod’s frustration made others chuckle softly. In the end, he seemed to give up and handed over some candy.

It’s been ages since I had that sweet, crunchy candy. When Kara secretly gave it to me, it was apple or grape flavored.

At this rate, asking Rod for candy might be my last chance. I’ll be assigned to a personal dormitory soon.

“Rize, I’m telling you in advance, don’t indulge Sivar too much. It’ll spoil him.”

“You don’t need to worry. After all, all food might taste as sweet as candy.”

“······?”

What does that even mean? It sounds quite unsettling.

I wasn’t the only one questioning; others looked puzzled too.

Usually, food doesn’t taste sweet unless one has suffered physically or mentally.

“Are you thinking of training Sivar while living together?”

Luna was the first to voice that question. She trains every weekend for the sake of her “body.”

I suppose she was wondering if I would undergo a similar process after one training session myself.

“Yes. While you primarily focused on the body, I plan to emphasize the mind with Sivar. I’ll combine what I learned in the Eastern Empire with my experience to teach him.”

“Just controlling the Berserk mode seems insufficient.”

“That’s right. It’ll be similar to the Eastern legend where a bear turned into a human after eating mugwort and garlic.”

Surely, she’s not suggesting I eat mugwort and garlic. I hope not.

‘Probably just means she wants to cultivate patience.’

The legend Rize mentioned emphasizes patience. The difference between humans and beasts is interpreted as patience.

She might have concluded I lacked patience based on how I whined for candy.

Honestly, I can endure almost anything, but not delicious food. That’s a side effect of entering civilization.

“The method itself is simple. Sivar?”

“?”

“Please stand up and come over here.”

What’s this about? I raised an eyebrow but followed her request and stood up.

Then, I walked quietly to the spot she pointed out and stood still in silence.

“Now, just stand there and do nothing for five minutes.”

“······?”

Is that really it? I gave a look questioning if that was all that was needed.

It seemed others felt similarly, as a few began to express their doubts.

“Uh… Saintess. I don’t think Sivar is too distracted to manage even that.”

“You seem to be underestimating him too much…”

That was Eli and Kara speaking. They’re right; standing still isn’t really that hard.

After all, I’ve earned the ability of ambush to successfully hunt. Staying still and quiet is like eating a piece of cake.

However, Rize’s approach was different. She smiled gently and slowly rose from her seat.

Bang!

As soon as she got up, she entered a mode that exuded Gwonseong energy. Her muscles looked like they were chiseled from rock, especially her pectorals.

With Rize suddenly switching into that stance, the atmosphere changed bizarrely.

I felt like taking a step back, but barely managed to hold myself still.

“You’re right. Sivar has lived in the wilderness and has great patience. However, the heart also needs to be cultivated. It’s an essential part of forming character.”

“··· ···”

“What I teach Sivar during our cohabitation won’t block his path. I’ll fulfill whatever he desires.”

That’s a relief. I was a bit worried Rize would disrupt my plans.

Someone like Rize would be capable of a full-on restriction rather than just putting me on a leash.

Although I suppose it would be more like putting shackles on my ankles and sentencing me to house arrest than actual hanging.

“But I will help Sivar to make human-like judgments. Instead of always enduring or getting angry, he should learn to endure sometimes and get angry at others. That’s the heart I’m going to teach him.”

It’s unclear whether I should do what I want or think and make judgments—very vague indeed.

It sounds like a training method appropriate for someone as chaotic as Rize. On second thought, would it even be considered training?

What on earth does Rize want? It’s perplexing to figure out her mind.

“Sivar, what do you want to do right now?”

“······I want to sit.”

“Alright then. Just sit back down.”

Is that really the end? I quietly returned to my place after hearing her say that.

Once back, I instinctively leaned against Eli. My racing heart calmed down.

“Keep this in mind, Sivar.”

Rize maintained her Gwonseong mode as she looked at me.

“The true difference between humans and beasts is in the heart.”

Those words resonated oddly in my chest.

******

Some time elapsed after it was confirmed that I’d be living with Rize.

We decided to adjust the school uniforms slowly, but first, we needed to check out the dormitory where Rize and I would be staying.

“The size is pretty much the same as a personal dormitory.”

“Well, it was already big from the start.”

I had seen it in the Soul World, but the dormitory was larger than I expected. You could almost believe it was a four-person room, not just a personal space.

There was a kitchen for cooking, a shower room, and even some basic exercise equipment.

Since it’s a place where nobles also reside, it’s clear they paid attention to detail. I should be able to live comfortably here.

“What? We’re staying here from now on?”

While we were looking around the dormitory, Porori came to visit us, likely following the smell.

It wasn’t strange for him to show up, considering he always trailed Eli.

“Yep. We’ll be living here from now on.”

“Oh? Your speech has improved quite a bit! Still lacking compared to me, though.”

“Will you hit me?”

“Go ahead. I dare you.”

As soon as I made a threatening move, Porori dashed towards Eli. That annoying behavior never changes.

But since he’s protecting Eli, I can’t do much but let it slide. After all, we’re in a truce.

“There are two beds, and nothing seems too concerning. Cooking should be manageable.”

“Sivar’s okay, right?”

“Yep.”

No problem at all. Except for the fact that I’ll be living with Rize.

If only she weren’t here, I could be a bit freer, but I guess I’ll have to deal with it.

“Then we’ll be off now. See you tomorrow.”

“Be nice to the Saintess.”

That was Kara and Eli’s farewell. They just had to say their piece before heading out of the dormitory.

The only one left was Luna. She hung back last, saying she had things to discuss with the Saintess.

“Do we have to take a test this weekend too?”

“Yes, indeed. If you want, you can even take it here.”

“Really? Is Sivar okay with that?”

“Yep.”

It doesn’t bother me. The dormitory is spacious enough anyway.

Once I gave her the nod, Luna beamed a big smile. She looks a bit silly.

‘She can be a fool sometimes.’

While I was absorbed in my thoughts, Luna began to grin even more.

What on Earth is she thinking? I’m genuinely curious.

“See you tomorrow! I’ll see the Saintess on the weekend!”

“Goodbye.”

With Luna’s cheerful farewell, it was just Rize and me left in the dormitory.

A man and a woman left alone in one room. No matter how you see it, an awkward atmosphere was inevitable.

“I’ll go wash up first.”

“······Okay.”

Even saying things like that feels strange. Rize said that and headed straight to the shower room.

This was when I noticed something odd: the shower room has translucent glass walls.

That means I can see Rize’s shadow from behind. Why on earth was it designed like this?

Whoosh—

As the sound of the shower turned on, Rize’s outline became clearer.

It looked like she was washing her long hair, as I could see her head tilt back.

Due to her size, certain shadowy parts were particularly pronounced.

‘Wow······ is that even a human body······?’

Her figure could match Eli’s. Watching her shadow in awe was truly something.

Strangely, there was no sense of indecency to it. I quietly admired the perfect physique.

Bang!

Suddenly, a small explosion-like sound changed the image of her shadow.

The smooth outline transformed into a rugged one in an instant. Rize struck her signature muscular pose right after.

[Hmm, I guess her Divine Power has increased.]

I murmured quietly, but it reached my ears. She’s probably looking at herself in a mirror right about now.

‘Wow······ is that even a human body······?’

I quietly admired her perfect physique for a different reason.

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