Chapter 27: Barbarian Bonjour, Barbarian Sénior

"Can’t you stop eating your neighbor’s food? Look at how much space you occupy!" Caelum said immediately, glaring at the two figures while Paul stood frozen.

"W-what are barbarians d-doing here?!" Paul stammered, staring at their massive physiques.

Even though the two in front of them were children, they looked like fully grown adults.

Even Caelum appeared short compared to them.

"Ha! You should be the one apologizing for crashing into this majestic body! See, Bonjour? Didn’t I tell you there’s no human child who can compare to us?" said the barbarian with golden-brown hair and large golden eyes.

The other barbarian, Bonjour, who was wearing the school uniform and casually flexing his biceps, glanced at Caelum and Paul.

"Don’t cause trouble. It’s our first day here, and we’re already late. Remember, we have a mission to complete," Bonjour said calmly.

"Wait a minute... are you sure your name is Bonjour and not Bjorn? Don’t you think you’re pronouncing it wrong?" Caelum added, completely ignoring the other barbarian’s angry glare.

A vein popped on Bonjour’s forehead as he looked down at Caelum in irritation.

"Shorty, how dare you distort my noble name? I am Bonjour, the future chief of the Utgarha Tribe," he said, placing a hand on Caelum’s head and trying to push him down.

But Caelum didn’t budge an inch, and the other barbarian looked slightly surprised.

"Let him go! I’ll call the teachers! Do you even know who he is?!" Paul shouted nervously, trying to threaten them with Caelum’s background.

Alas, it didn’t work.

The barbarians only looked at him with disdain.

"What happened? Didn’t your neighbors only give you leftover food?" Caelum said suddenly, grabbing Bonjour’s wrist and applying pressure.

Bonjour raised an eyebrow... then smiled.

But before he could react.

SMACK!

Caelum used Bonjour’s hand and smacked the second barbarian on the head.

"What?! What are you doing?!" the barbarian yelled.

"Sénior, I didn’t intend this, but... this... I challenge you to a duel of warriors!" Bonjour declared, clearly fired up.

’That human is strong... is this what Father meant when he said the waters here run deep...?’ he thought.

But by the time he finished thinking.

Caelum and Paul were already gone.

"Wait! I’ll catch that human brat!" Sénior shouted, but Bonjour stopped him.

"Forget it, we’ll deal with him later. First, we need to find our classes, I was told humans value education," Bonjour said, regaining composure.

The two barbarians turned and continued searching for their classroom.

Meanwhile, Caelum glanced at Paul, who still looked pale.

"Mate, are you okay?"

"Don’t call me mate! I am NOT okay at all!" Paul snapped, clutching his chest as his heartbeat pounded.

’How strange, there are barbarians named Bonjour and Sénior... and even a Buffalomate instead of Baphomet, maybe I will even find a Cowgirl...?’ Caelum thought. This world was really crazy.

"Come on, we’re going to be late and Paul, you don’t need to be so afraid." Caelum said pausing for effect.

"Trust me, I’m stronger than you imagine."

Then he dragged the still unconvinced Paul toward their classroom, or rather the opposite side.

***

"...so today, as your first day–"

Teacher Dorian, a young man with a strict demeanor, suddenly paused mid-sentence as two students entered the classroom.

His sharp gaze immediately locked onto them.

"You are late, Caelum Annum and Paul Johnson. To be precise thirteen minutes and forty-six seconds, now would you care to explain why?" he asked calmly.

"I-I’m sorry! I lost my way," Paul said instantly.

"Mee too! I also lost my way... because of two overgrown people!" Caelum added, glancing toward the two barbarians who had already occupied the protagonist seat near the window.

Dorian’s eyes flickered slightly as he sensed the odd tension between Caelum and the two.

After a brief pause, he sighed and gestured toward the empty seats.

"Sit down."

Anastasia was already present, seated beside Loreal, who gave Caelum an unkind look as the two latecomers took the only remaining seats behind them.

Once the class settled again, Dorian continued.

"During your Foundation Years, you will be taught various subjects. You are required to complete twelve core subjects, and if you fail to do so within three years, you will be expelled. Additionally, you must pass at least four subjects each year."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in.

"There is also an option to graduate early from this division and advance to the Intermediate Division. However, do not misunderstand, while it may sound simple, only a few exceptional students are capable of achieving this."

The classroom grew noticeably quieter.

"And I am aware that some of you are confused about the presence of our two... unique classmates," Dorian continued.

"Due to the Empire’s growing influence and a recent peace treaty with the North-Eastern Kalar Highlands, we have received two exchange students. Treat Bonjour and Sénior with respect and assist them when needed."

"Yes, Teacher!" a few overly enthusiastic students replied, causing the rest of the class to burst into laughter.

’Why do I feel like that’s not the full story?’ Caelum thought.

The Kalar Highlands lay beyond the Human Continent, marking the beginning of the Barbarian territories.

Given that the Zenith Empire was located in the north-eastern region of the continent, such an exchange sounded... suspicious.

"And I will be teaching you Mana Sensing and Magic Theory," Dorian continued.

"Also, I should inform you that this year will be... eventful. As per the Headmaster’s announcement, Practical Dungeon Diving will begin starting next month."

The moment those words left his mouth.

The entire class reacted.