The Academy's Barbarian-Chapter 57.1 - The Visit (1)

It was the last week of March, on a bright Friday afternoon.

The sun hung high in the sky as Ulan returned to his dormitory after a rigorous training session. His mind drifted to the lunch appointment he had scheduled for noon.

Sssplash!

After finishing a shower with cold water,

as he was drying his body with a dry towel, his attention was drawn to something near the window.

[Grrr. Grrrr]

There, basking in the sunlight, lay a wolfnone other than Bai Lang, the white wolf.

Its presence in the room had become a consistent occurrence since its unexpected visit two weeks ago, a behavior that Ulan found increasingly peculiar.

As Ulan quietly observed the white wolf, he recalled several facts he had learned during the past fortnight.

'I guess it's because it's a spirit beast.'

The white wolf sustained itself on mana. While it did consume regular food like fruits, bread, and meat, its true preference undoubtedly lay in mana.

It was three days ago that Ulan realized this

when Noah visited his room.

It's a Mana stone distributed during the magic detection class. I've taken your share as well.

Observing the flow of mana inside the Mana stone and submitting a report were part of the task. In other words, it was an assignment. However, Ulan could not complete the assignment normally.

As soon as Noah left, the white wolf suddenly swallowed the Mana stone. As quickly as a child puts candy in his mouth.

'And then, changes occurred.'

First, its physique grew slightly.

It was a subtle change, nothing significant. Its fur also gained a shine, and its teeth and claws grew a bit.

These changes didn't happen when the white wolf ate fruits or meat. Based on this, Ulan concluded that mana was its primary source of nutrition.

'However.......'

It seemed that Bai Lang could not absorb the mana that was lingering in the air like the Axe of Gluttony, Gula. As he reflexively looked at Gula.

[Grrrr! Grrrrr!]

Suddenly, the white wolf stood up.

Its fur bristled and it growled ferociously. Its crimson eyes turned to the axe Ulan had been looking at, the Gula.

'Of course, it was only natural.'

Because Gula was embedded like a thorn in the nape of the white wolf's neck, and if Ulan himself were the white wolf, he would have broken it in anger.

But Bai Lang didn't do that.

It would be more accurate to say it couldn't.

Because Gula had the power to absorb mana, and rash contact would result in losing mana instead.

Whether the white wolf growled or not, Ulan grabbed Gula and strapped it to his waist. Then, he looked at the wolf and said, "Alright, I'll be back."

Normally, Bai Lang would respond with a yawn or a nod, but today's reaction was different from usual.

Slither!

The white wolf suddenly turned into a pale white mist; then, the mist, as if it were alive, writhed and melted into Ulan's shadow.

"It's always a convenient ability," Ulan laughed.

As it turned out, Bai Lang could turn into mist at any time, and when it did, it could pass through walls and seep into certain places.

This is also one of the facts he had recently learned.

"Well, do whatever you want."

After speaking in a casual manner, he headed straight for his destination.

After a while, Ulan, who arrived at the cafeteria, searched the interior of the cafeteria, cutting through the bustling crowd.

As if looking for someone.

And then.

"Ulan. Over here."

A familiar voice called out to him.

A girl of a fairly small build; with tousled silver hair and golden eyes as still as a lake Dilia Arpen.

"Were you here first?"

"Huh, yeah. I didn't wait long."

A faint smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

However, when Ulan tried to sit across from her, Dilia said with a pout, "There, no."

"......?"

"Here, sit."

Right next to Dilia.

Ulan tilted his head, "Why?"

"Food. Ordered in advance."

The white fingers tapped on the table.

On the table was a menu. The food would be served to the number indicated on the menu. And the menu was attached to her seat next to her.

"What did you order to eat?"

"Ulan, favorite, meat."

"How much?"

"Ten servings," Dilia held up ten fingers as she said so.

Perfect. Ulan smiled.

It wasn't difficult to move seats, so he immediately sat down next to her.

Dilia smiled in return.

As if she was finally satisfied.

"And, this, take it."

"What is this?"

"Lecture, listened to, summarized."

The next thing she handed him was a notebook.

It was crammed to the brim with cute little handwriting. It almost made him dizzy for a moment, but he managed to withstand it.

"Thank you. I will accept it gratefully."

"It's nothing."

Dilia extended her hand.

"Also, there's another message."

"What is it?"

"A practice hunt, in ten days."

More precisely, it was on the second Monday of April.

They were planning to go out of the academy to hunt real monsters in the nearby forest.

"So, we're going to make a two-person team."

"Are they testing our teamwork?"

"Yeah. That's right."

She nodded again; her gaze darted downward, then she twitched her fingers and muttered, "I, I want to do it with you."

A mosquito-like voice accompanied her; her golden eyes moved carefully.

"......What, you think?"

"I agree. It's even what I wanted."

Ulan answered without hesitation.

He and Dilia had a pretty good combination in their past life. If they were to test their teamwork, she was an ideal partner.

"Okay, then, I'll apply for it."

Did she like the unhesitating answer?

Dilia's complexion brightened.

Later, as the conversation was coming to an end, she heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Ulan! We're here."

"Well, well. You arrived first, I see."

Noah Darshen and Ibella Elearde.

They both approached Ulan with smiling faces.

But that was only for a moment. As soon as they met Dilia's eyes, their smiles disappeared and

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

an instant of sudden silence swept over them.

Noah seemed embarrassed, her gaze faltering, while Ibella wore an oddly uncomfortable expression.

Of course, the strongest reaction came from Dilia. The moment she laid eyes on Noah, she sharpened her gaze like a sensitive cat on high alert.

As the awkward atmosphere lingered,

"I called everyone here."

the reason for this meeting was revealed.

The three girls' gazes turned to Ulan in unison, and he responded with an indifferent tone, "I'm leaving the dorm for a week from today. So I thought I'd say goodbye in advance."

As soon as the words were out of his mouth

the questions started flying.

"What? What does that mean?"

"A week, you're leaving, where?"

"Aren't you supposed to be out of suspension in three days?"

Ibella, Dilia, and then Noah the three of them looked surprised and asked their own questions.

Ulan answered Noah's question last.

"It's a separate matter from the suspension."

"What is it?"

"You know I was swept away by the waves in the Fountain of Magic in the past, right? They started an investigation into it, and they said they needed my help."

The call came two days ago.

It was through the supervising Inspector.

The one who requested cooperation was Berge Erkazan, the Head of the Military Studies Department. In exchange for Ulan's cooperation, he promised something in return.

'He said he would give me credit for all the lectures I missed during the suspension period.'

That wasn't all.

Head Berge also said he would accept the assignment as submitted, regardless of the outcome of the investigation, just for cooperating for a week.

Not a bad offer. So he accepted it.

And one more thing, there was another reason why he readily accepted the cooperation.

'He has the gaze of a warrior.'

A strong and upright gaze.

Unlike Head Deflyn, who maintained a poker face and revealed nothing of her true intentions, Berge had a completely different demeanor.

In other words, he was trustworthy.

Thus, Ulan disclosed all the details, including the fact that he would stay at the Fountain of Magic and the reward promised by Head Berge.

"That's good that you're getting credit for attendance."

"That's right. If they didn't, Ulan would have definitely received a warning from the Head."

"Really, I'm so relieved."

The three breathe a sigh of relief.

Ulan smiled silently at the sight of them worrying about him as if it were their own business.

At that moment,

Thunk!

the cafeteria suddenly fell silent.

The students, who had been bustling around, all froze, and the murmurs quickly died down.

There was only one sound that reached their ears the sound of heavy footsteps.

Clop! Clop!

Soon, a red-haired young man appeared.

Dressed conspicuously in a white coat and hat, he drew attention. The young man's gaze then fixated on Ulan, the barbarian seated in the center of the cafeteria.

"Ulan Bator, is that you?"

"Yes, that's me."

"I am Rodeil Urbakan, a member of the Special Operations Unit. I've been tasked with escorting you to the first zone of the Fountain of Magic."

As soon as he answered,

the cafeteria was immediately in an uproar.

"What, Special Operations Unit?"

"If it's the Special Operations Unit, then surely..."

"One of Dean Deflyn's soldiers?"

Before the murmurs could fully subside,

Rodeil's gaze fiercely flashed.

"How ......dare anyone speak ill of our commanding officer's honor?"

With an intimidating momentum,

the cafeteria was once again enveloped in silence. Meanwhile, having heard Rodeil's words, Ulan tilted his head and asked, "So you're saying I have to move now?"

"Yes," Rodeil nodded.

Ulan furrowed his brow, "I heard it was in the evening."

"Circumstances have arisen. I ask for your cooperation."

"What circumstances?"

"I cannot tell you that."

A firm answer came back.

However, there was a hint of urgency in his voice. It seemed that it would be troublesome if he didn't hurry up.

Of course, that was not something Ulan had to worry about.

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that."

"......what?" His eyes trembled with agitation when...

Ulan replied calmly, "I have an emergency too."

"What is it?"

"My meal hasn't been served yet."

An answer that was completely unexpected.

Rodeil laughed in disbelief, "Don't worry. Your meals will be provided by the Special Operations Unit."

However, Ulan's reaction was indifferent. Of course, if he had to choose between a meal that would come out later and a meal that would come out soon, the latter would be the obvious choice.

At that time, Rodeil added an explanation, "We will provide you with food that is much tastier than what you usually eat at the student cafeteria. So, for now..."

He was about to ask for Ulan's cooperation to go with him.

But the next moment, Ulan was gone.

What happened? Where did he go? As he was looking around in confusion,

Ulan's voice soon came from the entrance of the cafeteria, "What are you doing? Why aren't you guiding me?"

"......."

Rodeil looked dumbfounded.

At that moment, a cheerful laugh was heard.

"Pfft! Haha."

"Phew, that's so Ulan."

It was Ibella and Noah.

Dilia also smiled, covering her mouth.

After a while, the three girls waved to Ulan without hesitation.

"Take care, Ulan."

"See you in a week."

"Later, see you."

With warm farewells, Ulan turned around.

He then followed Rodeil, who had finally come to his senses, out of the cafeteria. He was headed to his home for the next week, the Fountain of Magic.

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

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