A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Regardless of the increase in faith, Grace's escort had been decided. Arthur detailed how the escorting would work.

Typically, an escort must stay beside their charge at all times, except when sleeping, but my case is a bit different.

The plan is to ensure not to intrude on personal time as much as possible.

It seems more like they're asking to watch over Grace until she regains her spirits rather than to directly protect her.

Getting to know Grace better wouldn't hurt me, so I readily agreed.

"I'll provide support in any way I can. Is there anything you desire?"

"Sweets."

"Dagger? Are you asking for a dagger?"

"No. Sweets. Candy. Cake. Ice cream. Stuff like that."

"…"

Arthur's expression turned complex at the request for sweet treats. He seemed to wonder if he had heard right.

Currently, there's nothing I particularly need. Money, I can earn by hunting in the Forest of Chaos.

The same goes for food. I'm not in immediate need since Rod and Kara have been supporting me.

However, snacks are a different story. While Kara does buy some for me, relying solely on her isn't ideal.

Rod flatly refuses to indulge in such things. Thus, a new benefactor is needed.

"Brother Sivar, eating too many sweets can lead to cavities. Everything in moderation is best."

"Uh… Saintess? Are we talking about the same kind of sweets?"

"Yes. Brother Sivar really loves sweets."

"Um…"

Hearing Rize's explanation, Arthur sighed, seemingly coming to terms with the situation. He appeared to question whether this was indeed correct.

I could fully understand his position, but currently, there’s nowhere else my money needs to go. It’s debatable whether I even need money.

Normally, expenses for medical treatment and potions would deplete one's funds. That's why Ellie is considered a balance-breaking character.

But, I can naturally heal. Even if my teeth were knocked out, they'd grow back, end of discussion.

"Understood. I’ll arrange the support through Grace. Is there anything else? We can provide weapons as well."

"I’m fine."

I already possess weapons that are considered endgame specs. They should be useful up until I head to Tatars.

Upon hearing my lack of needs, Arthur couldn’t hide his restlessness. Perhaps because he couldn’t find a proper way to repay me.

‘What do you do when literally nothing is needed?'

The trial concerning the violence was also dismissed through the intervention of the Berche ducal family. This was partly because the academy's interests and various factions aligned.

The house arrest will end after the weekend. From then on, I can start my duties as Grace's escort.

Therefore, there's no need for the Berche ducal family to offer anything else. I didn’t protect her expecting a reward.

"Um… I’ll think about this slowly. If you find you need anything, please contact me through Grace."

"Okay."

"I want to express my gratitude once again. Thank you very much for saving Grace."

Arthur stood up, bowing deeply as he thanked me. It was clear he had his priorities straight.

Coming from a ducal family, it wouldn’t have been strange for him to look down on me. Especially since I am, after all, a wildling with no roots.

They say the heavier the ear of rice, the deeper it bows. He fits that saying perfectly.

‘Normally, such a person of principle would have appeared in Soul World, so why haven’t I seen him?'

Could some incident erupt in the middle? My memory isn’t complete, so it’s hard to say.

Eventually, as Arthur left, the matter of Grace's escort was concluded.

What’s left is just lazing around in the dorm over the weekend. Having Rize for company means I’m not bored.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

As I was pondering whether to follow Rize for some stretching, since I had nothing else to do, someone knocked on the door about 10 minutes after Arthur had left. Both Rize, who was about to do a leg split, and I turned towards the door.

"Saintess. A student named Luna has come to see you. May I let her in?"

It was the voice of a guard stationed at the door of my dorm. I looked at Rize upon hearing him.

Come to think of it, Luna is scheduled to receive instructions from Rize every weekend. She's with me this time because of the incident.

Rize must have spoken to Luna separately. Otherwise, Luna wouldn't have come to my dorm, which is guarded.

*Boom!*

Right after the guard's words, a small explosion occurred. A giant shadow loomed within the rising smoke.

As the smoke cleared, a muscular giant appeared. Not in saintess form, but in muscular form.

"Yes, it’s alright."

"Understood."

*Creak*

With Rize's permission, the door slowly opened a little later. A very familiar face stood at the door.

Luna entered cautiously, looking embarrassed, before noticing Rize and me in the midst of our stretching.

"…What are you doing?"

"We're stretching to improve flexibility. It’s excellent for magic circulation and preventing injuries."

"Uh…"

Luna, rolling her eyes at Rize's explanation, looked at me. I was also nearly at a 180-degree leg split.

She must be wondering what kind of situation this is. But she soon collected herself.

"So, we're doing the test today?"

"Yes. Let's make it an easy pass this time."

"…I’m not sure if that’s possible."

The test, as everyone knows, consists of 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and 100 squats.

At first glance, it seems easy, something athletes could surely accomplish.

But Rize pursues perfection without compromise, especially in muscle-related matters, where she is infinitely strict.

"As I’ve mentioned before, even one sloppy repetition means starting over from the beginning."

"…Yes."

"Taking a break counts as well. You must succeed in one go."

Like that. While the number of repetitions seems normal, the standards for success are insanely high.

It's no wonder Luna complains about muscle soreness. Still, the effectiveness is guaranteed.

‘I’m glad I don’t have to do it.'

I need to know how to use muscles, not develop them like Luna.

Though I follow Rize for light exercise daily, it’s merely for maintenance.

Even I would lose muscle mass if I didn't exercise, a fact reflected in Soul World.

"Then… start!"

"Hup!"

Luna started with push-ups first. Her form was proper, and her pace clean.

She’d been preparing all week, so passing should be easy. Even if she fails midway, she'd stubbornly persevere.

"Again. Your form is sloppy."

"Yes!"

I quietly observed from the side. Luna's forehead was soon covered in sweat droplets.

The sweat rolled down her sleek nose and dropped. The floor began to dampen with her sweat.

"Again."

"Ugh…"

It was a pity this time. Just after reaching 90 reps, she had to start over.

Rize advised her to use chest muscles as well as arms for it to count as one rep. By the way, using magic is allowed now.

Even with magic, she was struggling. That shows how strict the standards are.

"99… 100! Whew!"

"Well done."

About 30 minutes had passed. Finally, the 100 push-ups were completed.

As soon as she hit 100, Luna collapsed as if her body gave out. Her face was drenched in sweat.

"Now, let's move on to sit-ups."

"…"

Of course, completing push-ups didn't mean the end of all exercises. Upon hearing Rize's words, Luna got up wearily.

Her face looked utterly exhausted, but her eyes were still shining.

Despite appearing frail, she’s quite stubborn. Her perseverance is impressive.

"Sivar doesn't have to do it?"

She's sneakily trying to drag me into this. Is she upset because I've been watching from the side?

While I internally expressed my astonishment, Rize looked at me. Being in saintess form made even her glance somewhat intimidating.

"Brother Sivar is fine. He only needs to learn how to use muscles, his body is nearly perfect."

"…"

"Would you like to try touching him?"

"Yes, yes, yes?!"

Luna was momentarily dumbfounded by Rize's suggestion, then startled. It must be surprising to suddenly be asked to touch me.

"Of course, with Brother Sivar’s permission."

"That… it’s fine! I’ve seen Sivar’s body before…!"

Luna vehemently refused, waving her hands. To an outsider, her words might seem ripe for misunderstanding.

What she referred to must be from my days living in the wild, wearing nothing but a piece of cloth.

Hearing her explanation, Rize looked slightly surprised, then smiled and nodded.

"So, that's the relationship. Understood."

"What?"

"Nevermind. You’ve had enough rest, let’s move on to the next exercise."

Another misunderstanding seemed to pile up, but Rize promptly proceeded to the next exercise.

Luna, momentarily disturbed by her expression, started the sit-ups and began to groan.

"Heave… Heave…"

"Well done. You’ve improved significantly since last time."

After about an hour, all exercises were finally completed.

Luna collapsed on the floor, gasping for breath as soon as the physical training ended.

Her entire body was soaked with sweat, and her T-shirt clung to her, revealing her curves.

"Judging by your breathing, you still have energy left."

"Heave… Is that… so…?"

Did she mean she had fainted before? Probably half-certain.

Then, Luna slowly sat up, somewhat recovered.

Sweat streamed down her hair and face. It’s good to see her working hard.

"Shall we check your flexibility now?"

"…Excuse me? It's not over?"

"Just a quick check. Watching Brother Sivar earlier gave me the idea."

Luna’s ordeal wasn’t over yet. Rize gestured for her to start with a leg split.

Hesitantly, Luna began to split her legs. Being in workout clothes, splitting itself shouldn’t be a problem.

"Wow."

I couldn’t help but admire Luna’s flexibility. It was truly remarkable.

Her legs wouldn't spread more than 100 degrees. That level of inflexibility is serious.

"We also need to develop your flexibility. My mistake."

Rize hadn’t considered Luna’s dismal flexibility. Her expression couldn’t be more serious.

Luna seemed to know her flexibility was disastrous, showing a slightly embarrassed expression.

"Brother Sivar, could you assist Miss Luna? Mutual help is beneficial here."

"Okay."

If that’s what she wants, I ought to kindly oblige. I approached her as she wished.

First, we faced each other and began to split our legs. Meaning, I would help Luna with her leg split by using my two legs.

"Brother Sivar, you just need to push with your feet. Miss Luna, if it hurts, please say so. Understood?"

"Yes."

I held Luna’s hands and positioned ourselves. Her face was intensely serious, probably bracing for pain.

‘Should I play a trick?'

After all preparations, I started exerting force on my legs. Luna’s legs began to spread slowly.

Luna frowned, seeming to endure the pain, but eventually spoke up when it became too much.

"Wait, wait. It hurts…"

Just before Luna could say it hurt, I pretended to slip, applying more force.

Her legs almost reached 150 degrees. Still far from enough.

"Aaack!"

Instead of saying it hurt, Luna screamed. But I stubbornly maintained the position.

"Let go, let go! Let me go!!"

"You didn’t say it hurts."

"It hurts! It really hurts! Let go now!"

Finally, I released Luna. As soon as she was freed, she clutched her sore groin and writhed.

Seeing Luna in pain was somehow amusing. I felt the urge to tease her.

"Ugh…"

"Does it hurt?"

"Get away. You monster…"

Maybe I should leave her alone for a while.

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m