A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Chapter 142:

Final Exam (4)

***

While Sivar was undergoing his impromptu test, Kara was with Luna during the self-training session in the afternoon.

To explain more precisely, they were receiving training and sparring with Gloria and Chronos.

On days designated for self-training, they usually trained with them. The trainers were well aware of the academy’s schedule.

“That’s enough. Let’s take a break.”

“Thank you for your efforts.”

Even profusely.

Her distinctive tan skin looked even more radiant, exuding a healthy glow.

“Whew.”

Kara exhaled the breath she had been holding and plopped down on the spot.

Sparring with Chronos drained her energy. His attacks were always powerful.

To counter his force, she needed to use a tremendous amount of mana, making avoidance the best strategy.

However, Chronos would exploit that fact, making him a tough opponent.

As expected of a general from the powerful Granada Empire.

‘And I was also distracted.’

In reality, Kara could have continued the sparring. But her mind was too cluttered.

Chronos, detecting her distraction, had ended the sparring session early.

‘How can I propose a condition that will satisfy Sivar?’

Kara’s preoccupation was none other than the final exam, specifically Sivar’s employment.

She usually took on the role of team leader during practicals and exams.

It was natural due to her charisma and practical experience.

Thus, she was deeply contemplating Sivar’s employment, which was crucial.

‘If I can employ Sivar, victory is assured.’

lance. Considering Sivar’s enormous appetite, it was partially true.

But Kara knew better. Employing Sivar was low risk, not high risk.

Employing Sivar could conclude the entire exam in a day.

She had seen his power firsthand and was confident in it.

‘The problem is how to employ him… Would hugging him really work?’

The issue was the contract. To employ Sivar, she had to make an offer first.

If Sivar accepted, fine. But if the other side made a similar offer, things would get complicated.

Moreover, Luna had already told her. Sivar liked human warmth, having lived in the wild.

‘And he has a strong maternal instinct…’

Thinking this made Kara’s face naturally redden. She recalled Ellie accepting Sivar’s clinginess.

If it were anyone else, they would have pushed him away, but it was understandable with Sivar. He was more instinct-driven than rational.

Besides, she had heard somewhere that men, regardless of age, liked a woman’s chest.

Considering this, Sivar’s behavior made sense. But expressing it openly was difficult in civilized society.

‘Tatars are more lenient about such things…’

The Tatars, being a relatively new nation, still retained tribal culture like ‘chastity.’

Married women muse.

This was typical in tribal societies, but Tatars were different.

They were lenient yet strict. The rule only applied to married women; otherwise, it was fine.

Of course, that didn’t mean women could act promiscuously. In any culture, such women were generally shunned or despised.

‘Hugging should be fine, right? No, that’s too forward…’

Kara, familiar with Tatar culture, had peculiar beliefs.

Wearing revealing clothes during rituals was fine, but direct contact with men was embarrassing.

Especially if she had feelings for the man. Her rational and emotional sides clashed, creating a whirlwind of desire and conflict.

‘The exam isn’t that important…’

Kara turned her head. She saw Luna training with Chronos.

Luna had grown remarkably in just a few months. She lacked technical skills but was still impressive.

But Kara didn’t mind. Luna getting stronger didn’t harm her.

‘I don’t want Sivar to cling to her…’

She was only concerned because Luna had mentioned it first. Why did Luna know such things?

Moreover, she had revealed everything without hesitation, as if it were no secret. It was hard not to be suspicious.

Suspicion breeds suspicion. Kara had discovered the reason for her muscle pains in the mornings recently but still remained cautious.

‘…Or does she really have no ulterior motives?’

Considering Luna’s naive personality, it seemed plausible. Maybe she really had no ulterior motives.

Regardless, she was confusing. Kara wanted to peek into her mind.

‘Grace is also worrying… This is such a headache.’

Kara sighed, dropping her head. It would have been better not knowing anything; it only complicated things.

She wondered if this was some advanced psychological warfare, but it was Luna. If it were anyone else, she would have dismissed it.

“Are you troubled by something?”

“…Huh?”

While Kara was lost in her thoughts, a gentle voice reached her ears.

She looked up to see a beautiful woman, reminiscent of pristine snow, looking down at her. It was Gloria, their trainer and sparring partner.

Gloria smiled at Kara with an extremely interested expression.

“I heard from someone that you seem distracted today. Is that true?”

“Well, yes. I was distracted. But why are you here?”

“I’m here to meddle a bit. You can’t focus on training if you’re troubled. But you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

Gloria said, sitting down next to Kara. Her actions were natural.

Kara didn’t feel uncomfortable with her presence. On the contrary, she felt a sense of camaraderie.

They had sparred and learned techniques from her during self-training, growing closer over time.

“What’s troubling you? If I can help, I will.”

“It’s nothing. Just… the exam.”

“The exam? Oh, right. The final exam?”

“Yes.”

“But Kara, you don’t usually worry about exams, do you?”

Gloria seemed puzzled. She knew Kara didn’t usually stress over exams.

Kara had enrolled as the face of the Tatars. Reputation was more important than exams.

Doing well in exams would boost her reputation as a warrior, but it wasn’t significant.

“That’s true. Exams aren’t my priority. But this one is complicated.”

“Complicated? In what way?”

“Is it okay to talk about it?”

Kara asked with an expression seeking permission. She wanted to follow the rules.

Gloria waved her hand nonchalantly.

“The academy doesn’t mind such things. Just avoid spreading strange rumors.”

“Really? Well, the thing is…”

Gloria’s sharp observation made Kara widen her eyes.

Training had revealed Gloria’s keen insight.

Like earlier, when Kara said reputation was more important than evaluations, Gloria had seen through her.

“You’re right. What happened is…”

Kara decided to be candid. She explained the final exam and Sivar’s employment.

Gloria listened quietly, and one thing became clear.

The focus wasn’t on the exam but on Sivar. The exam details were glossed over.

Kara had tried to avoid unnecessary details, but that emphasized the point.

“In summary, you’re worried about losing Sivar?”

“Losing him sounds weird, but yes, I’m worried about that.”

“Hmm…”

Gloria appeared calm but was smiling inside. This was getting interesting.

She turned to look at Luna, who was focusing on training.

“This is fascinating.”

“What is?”

“You don’t care about the exam, but you’re worried about losing Sivar, the key to the exam. Isn’t that contradictory?”

“Uh…”

Gloria’s sharp observation made Kara’s mind go blank. It was true.

Employing Sivar would ensure victory in the exam. But Kara didn’t care much about exams.

“Let’s be honest. You don’t want Sivar to go to Luna, do you?”

Gloria asked playfully, like a mischievous child sensing an opportunity.

Kara stammered, her feelings exposed.

“Th-that’s not it.”

“Really? Can you swear to Gulak that you have no interest in Sivar?”

“…”

She couldn’t do that. She could swear, but she wouldn’t betray Gulak.

Kara’s silence made Gloria nod in satisfaction. This was getting juicy.

“It’s okay. I had a feeling.”

“…Was it obvious?”

“I’m not sure. I’ve had similar experiences.”

Similar experiences? Kara tilted her head.

She didn’t know Gloria and Chronos’s relationship.

She was clueless about romantic relationships, so it couldn’t be helped.

“Anyway, why do you like Sivar? Because he approached you without prejudice?”

“…Do you also predict the future?”

It was astonishing. Gloria’s words were spot on.

Kara looked at Gloria with a baffled expression. Gloria, proud of herself, raised her chin.

“If that’s the reason, it’s a solid foundation. But did you know Sivar likes you for similar reasons?”

“W-what?”

Of course, she wasn’t always right. This time, she hit the mark.

But it was a huge miss. Kara was so surprised her eyes widened.

“Do you remember? Initially, only Sivar and Luna were to join this training. But Sivar insisted on including you.”

“Well, I remember.”

“That’s when I realized Sivar liked you. He insisted on including you.”

“…”

Gloria’s words were highly convincing. The process made perfect sense.

Approaching each other without prejudice had increased their mutual affection.

Like a king swayed by a cunning adviser, Kara was drawn into Gloria’s story.

“So you don’t need to be scared. You should be assertive. You do have competition, right?”

“…Competition? You mean Luna?”

“I can’t say. It’s a secret.”

It’s Luna. Though Gloria didn’t explicitly say, Kara figured it out.

She glanced at Luna, who was resting after training.

‘No wonder she revealed the secret so openly.’

Luna had a knack for confusing people with her words.

Despite this, Kara didn’t feel uncomfortable. Instead, she felt competitive.

This final exam would clarify who Sivar would choose. That was certain.

“…I need to try harder.”

“Good luck. I support both of you.”

While Kara was feeling competitive…

‘What should I have for dinner?’

Luna was blissfully unaware.

Meanwhile, elsewhere…

“Perfect. This plan is flawless. With this, Sivar will… hehehe.”

Someone was plotting a truly dangerous scheme.

End of Chapter