The Academy's Barbarian

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Meanwhile, around that time, Ulan also noticed the unusual occurrence.

"Laurea has disappeared."

The woman who had been kneeling before him just a moment ago had vanished without a trace; he had an inkling of what might have happened. Probably, she had used the 'Bridge of Light'.

The moment he realized this, Ulan scanned all the sunlit areas in his sight. He then recalled the most likely destination for Laurea.

"Has she gone to the base?"

The hut on the hilltop.

There was no shade on the path leading to Arsene's stronghold. This meant that there was a risk of the flag being snatched away. However, he wasn't particularly worried.

"Noah is currently at the base."

Noah, the most powerful shaman he knew. She would be more than enough to deal with Laurea. And Even if she couldn't defeat her, she could at least stall for time.

"So, I need to get there first..."

Heading to Eloden's base would be the best course of action. This was also somewhat fortunate for him, as he was not particularly keen on fighting Laurea. After completing his thoughts, he turned his gaze forward again.

"First, I will take down Ian."

With a clear objective set, he was about to approach Ian when something suddenly blocked his path.

"...Protect us."

PAAHHHHHH!

As soon as the students' prayer ended, a silvery veil unfurled around them. This shimmering barrier enveloped the students and Ian.

Ulan murmured, seemingly familiar with the sight. "A holy shield?"

"Surprisingly. You seem to know about it," Theron said, impressed.

Of course, he would know, as this was a divine spell that Ian and Laurea had used countless times in their past lives.

However, Theron, unaware of this, chuckled and said, "Yes, that's right. This is Eloden's renowned holy shield, an impenetrable protective barrier. No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to break through!" Theron exclaimed triumphantly.

On the other hand, Ulan shook his head, as if to correct something. "No, you're mistaken."

"...What?"

"It's not an impenetrable barrier."

That was the truth.

In his past life, when he fought the Frost Dragon that had completed seven moltings, even a Rank-9 divine shield couldn't stop its breath; to be precise, it was because of the dragon's unique ability to freeze the surrounding mana.

'Of course, the Frost Dragon is no more now.'

Just as he was about to dismiss the thought, something suddenly crossed his mind.

'Hmm? Wait a minute.'

Then couldn't it be considered practically impenetrable? After all, among the Rulers of the Abyss, the Frost Dragon was the only one that had pierced the Rank-9 holy shield.

While contemplating this with a serious expression, a shout soon interrupted his thoughts, "How dare you insult Eloden!"

"Then prove your claims!"

Some of the students, angered by Ulan's statement about the holy shield, shouted angrily.

Ulan nodded in acknowledgment. "Very well."

As he approached the silvery barrier, the Eloden students, including Theron, smirked with a sense of triumph.

Provoking him to charge at the shield was part of their plan. The prayer they had recited was not just for the holy shield, but also for a divine spell that would activate the moment Ulan touched the shield.

'When he approaches the shield...' The pre-prepared spell would be triggered, capable of momentarily immobilizing even an Expert.

As they were calculating the timing.

Ulan finally made contact with the shield.

The moment this was confirmed.

Clank! Clank! Clank!

Along with the sound of chains scraping against the floor, another divine spell was activated.

『Chains of Judgment』

Pure white chains of light that sprung from the illuminated areas, binding Ulan's arms and legs in the blink of an eye.

"Now!"

"Attack everyone!"

Led by Theron, who drew his sword, the Eloden students all charged at Ulan at once.

Except for Ian.

The reason for his inaction was revealed shortly after.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Despite having his path blocked by the holy shield and his limbs bound by the 『Chains of Judgment』, Ulan's footsteps showed no sign of stopping.

"Uh, uh, uh?"

"What, what?! The shield..."

The shield was distorting.

Unable to stop Ulan's advance, it began to stretch and eventually started to crack.

And soon enough—

Crack! Clang!

—the holy shield shattered completely into pieces.

And the students who were about to charge at Ulan froze in place like statues.

"H-how did the holy shield..."

"What trick did you use?!"

In response to the confused student's question.

Ulan replied calmly, "I just walked through it."

To be precise, he had forcefully pushed through.

For a Rank-7 or higher divine spells , which were among the highest level of divine spells, it might not be possible, but lower-rank ones could be simply torn or broken with brute force.

As silence lingered, one student noticed something.

"The chains of judgment are still intact!"

"Julia! Create an opening!"

Recognizing that the chains still held Ulan, Theron issued an order to the young girl closest to him.

And Julia immediately sprung into action.

"O Holy Spirit!"

Leading the charge, Julia was followed by three other students, including Theron, who furiously swung their swords.

However, even this time, Ian did not move.

The reason was the same as before.

Crash!

The chains disintegrated uselessly. And Julia's eyes widened.

"...Huh?"

Why were they breaking?

Just as she was thinking this to herself—

Grip!

—a massive palm seized her face and her world flipped upside down.

"What the..."

That was all she managed before—

Boom!

—a thunderous impact and vibration rocked the ground. The blonde girl who had been about to attack Ulan was now slammed back, creating the sound.

【Julia Medica: Dead】 ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

【Remaining Eloden Forces: 7】

Was it because of the shock that was strong enough to knock her out? Julia was knocked out of the battle with one blow.

Meanwhile, the students who followed her hesitated for a moment.

"W-what do we do?!"

"Oh, Holy Spirit! Please grant your servant..."

The silver-haired girl cried out in panic, while the brown-haired boy calmly began chanting a prayer. However, unfortunately, the boy's prayer was cut short.

Crash! Boom!

Their fates mirrored Julia's.

【Cecilia Rolben: Dead】

【Bailon Tarmel: Dead】

【Remaining Eloden Forces: 5】

Three people were eliminated in an instant.

Theron swallowed a groan. He couldn't believe what he was seeing with his own two eyes.

In particular, Bailon Tarmel, who had just been defeated, was a skilled swordsman who was on the verge of becoming an intermediate-level knight. He was a strong swordsman who would reach the level of an advanced-level knight within a few more months.

Yet Ulan had subdued him in a single stroke.

'Am I really...'

Facing an Expert?

Ulan's performance was so overwhelming that he couldn't help but think that. Then he suddenly remembered what Ian had said before he came here.

「So I suggest you all start praying as well. Pray that the monster doesn't break free from the base before this mock battle ends.」

'Monster.' That word fits perfectly.

Feeling that there was no chance of winning—

"Whew."

—Theron exhaled heavily. The moment he realized that he was not Ulan's opponent and accepted it, his heart suddenly felt at ease.

A moment later, he saw Ulan, who had suddenly approached him, and spoke casually.

"There's something I'd like to ask."

"What is it?"

"About the students you've taken down."

Gesturing to the three figures, impaled like totems, Theron inquired curiously.

"Why did you do that to them?"

"Because they were chanting prayers and it was annoying."

"............"

Just for that?

Theron was momentarily lost for words.

On the other hand, this was a tactic that Ulan had come up with after much thought.

To prevent the opponent from chanting prayers, he had to cover their mouths, and in that case, it was easier to simply slam the opponent's head into the ground.

Immediately after his questions were answered, Theron put on a serious expression, “……I promise you.”

"What is it?"

"I won't recite any prayers." No matter what happens; he spoke with a solemn face, “Do you know what that means?”

Ulan nodded silently.

Theron let out a relieved sigh; maybe because he thought he wouldn't be slammed into the ground. He looked very relieved.

Sometime later —

Boom!

Theron was slammed upside down.

Just like the other students.

【Theron Schlagen: Dead】

【Remaining Eloden Forces: 4】

After brushing off the dust on his palm,

Ulan muttered softly,

"I don't trust the words of my enemies."

Perhaps due to his head being buried in the ground, there was no response.

Having taken down all the students, Ulan finally turned his attention to the last remaining opponent.

A comrade from his past life - Ian Marcus, the Paladin.

And as soon as their eyes met —

"Wait, wait a moment!"

—Ian suddenly stretched out his hand, as if he had something to say.

"May I make a proposal?"

"A proposal?"

"Haha, yes. Regarding this battle."

After an awkward chuckle, Ian tentatively spoke up.

"Why don't we just call it a draw?"

"What are you talking about?"

A draw?

They hadn't even fought yet.

When Ulan asked back in a confused tone, Ian suddenly raised the corners of his mouth. Then he put his hand to his mouth and whispered as if he were speaking softly.

"I know your secret."

"What? Secret?"

“Yes. If you step back here, I won't reveal your secret.”

A secret of mine?

Ulan tilted his head, puzzled.

The only thing he could think of was the story of his past life that he had recently shared with Laurea.

'But...'

Laurea had clearly stated that the tale of their past life would remain a secret between the two of them for now. So Ulan ruled out that possibility and thought about it again and again.

But he couldn't come up with anything.

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play dumb with me."

Furrowing his brow, Ian swiftly closed the distance - about three steps away. Not close enough to feel each other's breath, but close enough to whisper to each other in a small voice that only the other person could hear.

And at that moment, Ian's lips moved.

"You're not really an Expert, are you?"

A different tone from his usual self.

Speaking in a soft voice audible only to Ulan, Ian continued.

"My eyes can't be fooled, even if you deceive others."

"........"

“I don't know why someone who has reached the realm of a Master is pretending to be a student, but I guess it must be a secret that would be embarrassing if it got out.”

His green eyes sparkled like stars.

As if he had uncovered a remarkable secret.

"So just give up and withdraw quietly, and I won't ever divulge your secret. I swear on the Holy Spirit. How about it? Not bad, right?”

Ian smiled smugly, confident in the outcome.

On the other hand, Ulan let out a light chuckle.

"You're mistaken about something."

"You're still denying it..."

"I've never hidden my true strength."

"...What?"

"My comrades already know."

Ulan responded calmly, as it was the truth.

And in fact, it was true.

After all, the fact that he was a Master was known to Ibella, Dilia, and even Noah.

On the other hand, maybe because the result was different from what he expected? Ian couldn't hide his embarrassment.

“Ha, but the other students thought you were an Expert……”

“That's their own opinion. I've never said I'm an Expert.”

After finishing his reply confidently.

Ulan drove a strong wedge to nullify Ian's proposal itself.

"More than anything, I don't really care if it's known that I'm a Master. It's not about making up something that wasn't there, it's just about revealing the truth.”

".........."

Ian shut his mouth tightly.

This was because he realized two things — first, that everything Ulan said was true, and second, that the proposal itself had become meaningless.

"If the questions are answered, then let's fight."

At those words, Ian grimaced, pleading with his eyes.

"...Do we really have to fight?"

"Of course."

“Maybe if I surrender……”

“Then I'll do the same to you.”

Ulan gestured to the four human totems.

There was no way to avoid the battle.

Letting out a heavy sigh, he clasped his hands together respectfully and looked up at the sky, muttering to himself.

"O’ Holy Spirit. Why are you doing this to me?"

There was no answer.

Ian sighed again and distanced himself from Ulan. Then, with his shield in front of him, he raised the holy power of his whole body to the limit.

And as a result—

Whoosh!

—a dazzling silver glow enveloped Ian's entire body. The shield turned snow-white, and pure divine power was concentrated on his longsword.

The mark of a Paladin in the realm of a Master- the divine aura.

At the same time, a temporary domain was unfolded.

Just a single step, but it was undoubtedly the domain of a master. With all preparations complete, Ian pointed his sword at Ulan and spoke.

"I am Ian Marcus, a disciple of Paladin Master Sanctius and a Paladin of Eloden."

"Ulan Bator. Just a barbarian."

After a very simple introduction.

He also activated the spirit of his whole body. Soon, as if to prove that he had never hidden his strength, a crimson mana enveloped his club.

The symbol of a Master, Aura.

Ulan's domain then unfolded.

Whoosh!

The three spirits he had mastered by defeating the Frost Dragon, Glesia, combined with the experience from his past life, caused his domain to expand explosively.

'Thirty-nine steps.'

A domain almost twice as large.

There was no need to step on it separately.

Ulan's domain swallowed Ian's domain, and the battle began and ended at the same time.

A mere instant of conflict.

The only ones who would remember what had transpired were Ulan and Ian, the two within the shared domain.

Sometime later—

Boom!

—Ian was slammed down, headfirst.

End of Chapter. . . . . . . .Thanks for Reading. . . . . . . . .

Translator's Notes:-

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