The Academy’s Barbarian Chapter 46

(6)

12.

“It’s finally the finals.”

Two men and women meet at the training ground.

Ulan and Ibella. Ethan grinned as he looked at the two rookies. Her eyes were full of considerable anticipation.

“Ulan, it starts with you.”

This means choosing a weapon for Ibella to use.

Ulan silently headed to the armory.

After a while, what he chose was a long sword.

Although it looks ordinary from the outside alone, it was chosen with great care. Because it was a sword that perfectly suited Ibella’s body type.

“I would recommend this.”

Consideration to use your skills as much as possible.

After receiving the sword from Ulan. Ibella slashed the air several times. Then, a faint smile appeared. Like I liked the sword.

“Ibella, it’s your turn next.”

“I’ll choose this.”

Ibella also chose a long sword.

However, it was a little bigger than what she was holding in her hand. That’s because it was chosen considering Ulan’s size.

‘From the first time we met until now, Ulan has never once swung a sword.’

But that doesn’t mean he can’t handle a sword.

In the past, Ulan was well-versed in swordsmanship, enough to give advice to Ibella, who was up against a wall.

‘therefore······.’

I missed you. Ulan’s swordsmanship.

I wanted to engrave in my eyes the sword he was swinging. He also wanted to feel the extent of his level as a senior knight.

“Surprisingly. “I never thought they would both choose a sword.”

Ethan had an interesting expression.

Probably because it was their last sparring, they both chose good weapons. After finishing his guess, he immediately rummaged through his pockets.

“There’s no need to repeat the rules, right?”

No answer came back.

Ethan grinned and took out a silver coin. She then snapped her fingers without hesitation.

Binggrrrr!

Silver coins spinning in the air.

The students’ eyes turned to the silver coin, and Ulan and Ibella’s eyes turned to each other.

And soon─.

There was the sound of silver coins falling.

At that moment, Ulan and Ibella rushed towards each other without even considering who went first.

Kaang! Let’s go!

Swords clashing noisily. The blue blades thrust their teeth towards each other.

However, the struggle was brief.

‘That’s a wise decision.’

Ulan’s strength is comparable to that of a giant.

It was crazy to have a power struggle with him. The moment Bella also clashed her swords, she seemed to have noticed this and quickly released the attack.

‘If it were other guys…’

Usually, I step back at this point.

And after completing the search, we will look for an opportunity and attack again.

Ibella, on the other hand, was different.

She actually narrowed the distance. If there was no opening, she would create it and throw out her sword.

Pababababat!

Stings raining down like arrows.

Each blow was aimed at a vital point.

Ulan’s eyes sparkled at the clean, uncomplicated attack.

‘It’s definitely different from last time.’

If the swordsmanship I saw last time in the forest did not proceed properly along the sword path, now it was moving steadily along the sword path.

A much more stable sword.

It was not an exaggeration to say that we had overcome a wall.

‘But it’s still immature.’

Ulan’s eyes narrowed.

In his view, Ibella is currently devoured by swordsmanship. Because he was caught up in the formalities of swordsmanship, he was unable to demonstrate his true talent.

‘On the other hand, Geomhee of the past life…’

She abandoned all the sword skills she had originally learned.

Instead, depending on the situation, each time, a completely new sword technique that had never been seen before was created.

Creating martial arts from nothing.

This was Geomhee’s true talent.

‘Is it because of lack of practical experience?’

I searched for a reason, but could not find an answer.

Because it is not his role to find the answer. So Ulan stopped worrying. He decided not to be impatient.

‘Even if you’re inexperienced, Ibella is Ibella.’

A being who will definitely become a swordsman someday.

Therefore, Ulan did not guess her future path carelessly. Instead, a new worry ran through her mind.

‘I need to finish the sparring soon.’

At first glance, the battle looks fierce.

However, Ulan only intended it to appear that way. If he wanted to, he could end the sparring at any moment.

‘but······.’

If she made a mistake, Ibella’s will to fight could be broken due to the huge difference in skill.

So I got into trouble.

Meanwhile, did you notice this? Ibella, who was launching a fierce attack, suddenly retreated.

“······Ulan.”

A calm, subdued voice.

Her eyes flashed fiercely.

“Don’t ignore me, but deal with me sincerely.”

“sincerely?”

“huh. “I want to see everything about you.”

Eyes shining with longing.

The will to fight burns brightly like a fire.

After encountering this, Ulan realized that he had made a mistake.

‘Right.’

His worries were unfounded to begin with.

The girl in front of me is Geomhee.

He is a warrior recognized by him in his past life, and a warrior who will cut down the monster of the abyss in the future.

There was no way that a person of his caliber’s will to fight could be broken by a sparring match like this. Ulan burst into laughter.

“i get it.”

After nodding silently.

Bright red eyes flashed fiercely.

“Then I’ll show you.”

With utmost respect.

The level I have reached today.

After making a firm decision.

Wooooow!

I activated all the spirits in my body.

Of course, I heard that using mana is a foul play, but that is none of Ulan’s business.

Because that’s not what’s important right now.

‘For future comrades.’

For warriors who crave strength.

Showing off everything that has been accumulated so far.

That was the only thing that mattered.

Wow! Pop!

Spirit spreading throughout the body.

Soon his body was strengthened to the limit.

‘to the next······.’

gained momentum.

From the experiences I had in my past life.

War, struggle, living, etc.

When all kinds of power were highly concentrated, the master’s unique momentum was finally completed. This was fully reflected in Ulan’s sword.

Everything is ready.

Ulan took a step forward.

Damn it!

From now on, this is the master’s domain.

Those who have not reached the level of master are not even allowed to see it.

And now, here.

No one saw Ulan’s movements.

Not even one person.

“······!”

Ethan, who was watching the sparring, widened his eyes.

It’s not just that. The other students, without exception, also opened their eyes wide.

A training ground filled with silence.

A time when I even felt the illusion that time had stopped.

Ethan barely spoke.

“what happened······.”

I don’t remember blinking my eyes.

I never lost sight of him, and I never took my eyes off Ulan in the first place.

‘······But, why?’

Ulan is over there, right?

In just one second, or even less, I was eight steps away from Ibella?

That wasn’t all that was surprising.

Clink!

A piece of sword fell on the floor.

It was Ibella’s long sword.

The cut edge of the long sword cut in half was as clean as if it had been cut with a sword.

‘That means…’

The sound of Ulan swinging his sword.

But Ethan didn’t see it.

That’s why he approached Ibella. He also swings his sword. He also cut down Ibella’s sword. He didn’t see any of it.

Eyes that fluctuate wildly.

After swallowing dry saliva.

Ethan’s face was as hard as stone.

A movement that he, who has reached the level of expert, cannot follow with his eyes. Because these results mean only one thing.

‘······Master’s domain.’

With an incredible realization.

A murmur arose among the students.

“what? “Why are you still?”

“So who won?”

Ibella holding a broken sword.

Ulan put his sword down on the floor without saying a word.

When everyone was tilting their heads at this strange situation, Ulan spoke.

“I passed out.”

“What, what?”

“It means Ibella lost her mind.”

Just like the answer, Ibella lost consciousness while standing upright. The proof was that when I touched her body, it collapsed.

‘I guess…’

It seems that it was still not enough to handle the master’s sword. After helping Ibella, who was falling helplessly, Ulan looked back at Ethan.

“I’ll take you to the nurse’s office.”

“······uh? Uh oh. okay.”

Ethan nods his head blankly.

But even for a moment.

Ethan hastily corrected his words.

“no! There is no need to come back. “Today’s lecture will end here anyway.”

“I understand.”

Ulan nodded and walked away.

This also applies to Ethan.

He ended the lecture in a hurry and turned around with a still stern look on his face. The place he wants to head to is the headquarters building of the Military Studies Department.

‘I must hurry and report this to Your Excellency.’

In addition, existing information must be significantly revised.

He is not just a heir to the barbarians, but a monster who has reached the realm of master at the age of seventeen!

And that evening.

The imperial military was shaken.

13.

Central headquarters of the Leuven Empire.

In the deepest part of this place, where there are so many general-level executives, there is a place that even generals cannot enter without permission.

The central commander’s office.

Here was the empire’s only five-star general, the pinnacle of the military, and a magnate who held all command of the imperial army.

General, Barka Erkazan.

He, the current head of the Duke Erkazan family, hummed with excitement.

“Hmm, hmmm hmmm.”

There were two reasons.

One was because it was almost time to get off work.

The other reason was that at the end of last year, my youngest daughter, who had been commissioned as an officer on the Eastern Front, returned home on leave for the first time.

“There are now 30 minutes left.”

In my heart, I want to go home right away.

But Barca held back. Because an urgent report may come up within 30 minutes.

Of course, that won’t happen.

But no way, he caught Barca.

“This······.”

Barca’s eyebrows twitched.

What he currently holds in his hands is a report. To be exact, it was a report about a level 1 management target from Arsene Academy.

After reading all of this.

He crumpled the report.

“That’s not even a funny joke.”

After bursting out with sarcasm, as if he was shocked.

Barca asked, glaring at the adjutant.

“The barbarian who was designated as a level 1 management target last week was actually a strong person who reached the realm of master? “Are you telling me to believe this now?”

“I had similar thoughts as you, Your Excellency.”

Finally, a calm answer.

The adjutant pointed to the end of the report.

“Until I saw the seal.”

“······.”

A blue seal stamped on the report.

It is the seal of ‘Bergé Erkazan’, the former commander-in-chief of the Imperial Military Department and currently the Dean of the Department of Military Studies at Arsene Academy.

In other words, the mere existence of this official seal significantly increases the credibility of the report.

Barka let out a low groan.

“Okay, it’s true that it’s my father’s journeyman, but even so, I’m still a seventeen-year-old master…”

I still couldn’t believe it.

Currently, there are only five masters belonging to the empire. Moreover, even the youngest Master is well over 30 years old.

But a barbarian who grew up on the border became the youngest person in the history of the empire to become a master?

Barca couldn’t admit it.

At that time, the adjutant opened his mouth.

“In addition, we have attached supporting documents from Arsene in relation to this report.”

“Evidence?”

“Yes, would you like me to read it to you?”

If there was such a thing, you should have said it a long time ago.

Barca nodded. Soon the contents of his material flowed out of the mouths of his adjutants.

“First of all, on the day of the entrance ceremony, the target seriously injured about 100 students and faculty while giving a speech as a representative of new students.”

“······what?”

“And that’s just a simple shout.”

what is this sound?

Barka looked blank. On the other hand, the adjutant continued reading with an expressionless face.

“Next, on the same day, while the subject was touring the Fountain of Magic, he and two of his classmates were swept away by a torrent and disappeared.”

“Si, missing?”

“yes. The subject succeeded in escaping by passing the ‘Hero’s Trial’, an ancient ruin hidden in the fountain of magic. And it is said that they encountered a ‘blood golem’ here.”

Blood Golem.

The moment he heard these words, Barca’s face became as hard as stone. After a while, he massaged his furrowed eyebrows and asked.

“Is the blood golem you just mentioned the one I was thinking of?”

“If you are thinking of weapons created by desert pagans, then you are correct. It is said that the target killed the golem alone.”

“······.”

Barca closed her mouth.

Having once fought in the desert, he knew very well what a terrible weapon the blood golem was, and how difficult and powerful it was.

“Finally, the testimonies of Professor Stella Natalia and Professor Ethan Arnoff are also attached.”

Stella and Ethan.

These are people who once served as capable soldiers.

In particular, Ethan is a top talent that Barca also covets. There is no way for a person of his caliber to misunderstand the state of the subject.

When we put all of this evidence together.

It was as if the answer had already been found.

“······I guess it’s real.”

Barca’s eyes turned fierce.

After a while, he unfolded the crumpled report again. Then he looked straight at the last sentence.

『Based on the previously attached proof materials, the Department of Military Studies has determined that Ulan Bator has entered the domain of the Master, and is requesting an upward adjustment of the management level granted to the subject.』

Ulan’s current management level is level 1.

And for those subject to level 1 management, their every move is monitored by agents dispatched by the Imperial Military and Intelligence Department, and every minor action is written into a report.

‘However, if it is judged that the target’s force exceeds certain standards…’

The grade is upgraded. From level 1 to level 0.

Subject to level 0 management.

From this point on, all surveillance of the target will cease. Because the only thing that can monitor a master is the same master.

‘That’s why the investigation is conducted not on the target, but on people who came into contact with the target.’

In other words, it means collecting information indirectly.

Therefore, much more manpower was needed than to monitor level 1 management targets. Because we literally have to investigate ‘everyone’ who came in contact with him.

‘Plus, I have to report to the imperial family…’

It’s all full of troublesome work.

As Barka’s face became more and more wrinkled, the adjutant asked with a cautious look.

“Your Excellency, what will you do?”

“What is the time now?”

“It’s 5:50 PM.”

Getting off work early is a breeze.

Barka sighed and immediately stood up. It was nice to meet her beloved youngest daughter, but work came first.

He was the general of the empire.

“As of the current time, the target’s management level is raised from level 1 to level 0. “Please communicate any changes to the relevant departments.”

“yes! All right.”

“Additionally, convey this to the intelligence officers. “All the information you investigated has become useless, so investigate properly from the beginning.”

“I will deliver it right away.”

After saluting, the adjutant left the room.

10 minutes before leaving work on time. It was the moment when the all-night overtime work of the Imperial Intelligence Department was confirmed.

interlude. a silent feast

One.

Immediately after leaving the armory.

Ulan went to the nurse’s office carrying the unconscious Ibella. After a simple examination, the results of the treatment came out soon after.

“Breathing and pulse are normal. Oh, and I checked just in case, and my eardrums were okay.”

A doctor wearing a white coat.

She looked over the medical certificate with a tired look on her face. Then she let out a long yawn as if it was no big deal.

“Haaam! “To conclude, you just passed out, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

“Thank goodness.”

Ulan was frankly relieved.

I was worried that some kind of problem might arise because I received the master’s momentum from the front.

At that time, I sighed in silence.

“Hey.”

Suddenly a doctor spoke up.

It was accompanied by a strange eye smile.

“Are you Ulan?”

“That’s right. “Do you know me?”

“of course. “Because it’s very famous.”

A smile formed on her lips.

“The terrorist who knocked out more than a hundred people at the entrance ceremony.”

“I didn’t mean to.”

“know. I also heard why. “I heard your original intention was just to say hello?”

“exactly.”

I nodded silently.

Actually, I felt a little bit unfair.

Ulan only said that we should get along, but the window broke and people fell to the ground without permission.

“Hehe, it’s just as I heard.”

Who did you hear it from?

The doctor burst into laughter again.

“Anyway, next time, please greet me a little more gently. “It’s a bit difficult when patients come in all at once like last time.”

“I understand. “Keep that in mind.”

“okay. See you later then.”

She turned around and said goodbye.

As I was looking at the fluttering white gown, I suddenly saw a clock on the wall.

5:45 PM.

Immediately after checking the current time.

“ah.”

A promise I had forgotten came to mind.

I was supposed to have dinner with Delia.

Immediately after remembering this.

Ulan immediately looked back at Ibella. If he woke up, he would have said hello and left, but he had not shown any signs of waking up yet.

“I can’t help it.”

I had no choice but to leave a note.

It would be nice if I had something to write down. Unfortunately, there was no paper or pen in the hospital room.

Then, a wall suddenly caught my eye.

For some reason, when Ibella opens her eyes, it looks like she will come into view right away.

“It would be nice here.”

Ulan stretched out his finger. He focused the spirit on his index finger and pushed it into the wall.

Sooooo!

The fingers entered so naturally.

Some time after that.

Ulan’s note was written on the wall.

『I go first. (Ulan)』

This should roughly be enough.

Ulan smiled contentedly. Then she turned around with her mind feeling lighter.

It was to head to the restaurant.

2.

Meanwhile, around the time Ulan was in the nurse’s office.

Noah returned to the dormitory tired. She moved from building to building to attend lectures, and this was because she had reached her physical limits.

Eventually, after arriving in front of the door.

“huh?”

Noah tilted his head.

A note attached to the door.

It said that the letter was kept in the supervisor’s office and that I should come pick it up.

‘A letter arrived? To me?’

I don’t have anyone in particular to send it to? Who is it?

Azuch came to mind for a moment, but she is not a person worth writing a letter to.

Curiosity growing steadily.

Noah headed straight to the supervisor’s office. And after a while, the identity of the person who sent the letter was revealed.

『Demuel Ron Dermore』

Commonly known as the Earl of Dermore.

He is the one who wrote letters of recommendation for Arsene Academy to Ulan and Noah.

The content of the letter was nothing special.

All I wanted to do was congratulate him on being admitted to the academy and say that we would continue our friendly relationship in the future.

However, there was something I realized through this.

“It looks like I’ve been chosen as a candidate too.”

A cynicism formed at the corner of Noah’s mouth.

The Count of Dermore has a purpose.

Bringing back to life my daughter who passed away from an unknown illness about three years ago. Of course, it wasn’t possible using normal methods, so I ended up resorting to taboo.

And the result.

Succeeded in securing the soul.

‘With just the soul…’

Can’t last long.

The human body was a vessel that protected the soul from wear and tear. So, I plan to find a suitable vessel, a body, and transfer my daughter’s soul.

This is the Count’s purpose and plan.

‘That’s why I build friendships with wizards of similar age to my daughter and claim to be their sponsors.’

The count’s daughter was a sorceress.

Therefore, the body also had to be a wizard of a similar age. Or, it didn’t matter if it was a job that deals with mana.

In any case, they regularly receive letters from the Count and small donations.

Just like Noah right now.

Tuk!

A gold coin rolled out of the bag.

Noah caught it as quickly as the wind and put the gold coin in his pocket.

‘Even if it comes from someone with a scheming plan, the money itself is not guilty at all.’

Above all, the more money you have, the better.

Noah looked at the Count’s letter again.

‘There are two main things the Count needs.’

One is a candidate for a body that will become a vessel.

The other is the material used in the process of transferring the soul to the body. And some of this material exists in none other than the ‘Fountain of Magic’.

‘That’s why I borrow Professor Direk’s power.’

As a professor in the Department of Magic, he can enter the Fountain of Magic at any time in the name of research.

Professor Direc, who receives research funds from the Count, cannot refuse his instructions and ends up entering the fountain of magic to obtain materials.

‘and······.’

This is the midterm exam period.

In other words, the fundamental reason why Professor Direc is swallowed by magic and turns into a monster is because of Count Dermore’s instructions.

After thinking about the original story.

Noah’s eyes grew cold.

‘I have no intention of being taken advantage of.’

She knows the Count’s intentions well.

I know very well what the Count is aiming for, and that in the process of achieving his goal, the door to the abyss opens ever so slightly.

‘그러니까 매달 꼬박꼬박 지급되는 금화만 받아 챙기고, 나머진 무시하자.’

아까도 말했듯이 돈은 죄가 없으니까.

앞으로의 행동 방침을 정한 뒤.

노아는 편지를 구겼다. 그러고는 대충 쓰레기통에 던져버리려던 찰나.

“저, 저기······!”

의외의 인물이 나타났다.

잿빛 머리카락에 안경을 쓴 소녀.

노아와 같은 반인 ‘시르피 루드릭’이었다.

그녀는 노아의 손에 들린 편지를 가리키며, 조심스러운 투로 말을 이었다.

“죄송한데 그 편지요. 혹시 저한테 온 편지가 아닌가 해서······.”

엥? 그럴 리가 없다.

왜냐면 편지의 서두는 분명 ‘친애하는 노아 다르셴에게’라고 적혀 있었으니까. 뭔가 착각이 있던 모양이라 대답을 해주려던 순간.

“혹시 실피 학생인가요?”

사감실에 있던 직원이 불쑥 다가왔다.

한 손에 편지 봉투를 든 채로.

“학생에게 온 편지는 이거예요.”

“······!?”

시르피의 눈이 큼지막하게 변했다.

화들짝 놀란 얼굴.

안절부절못하던 그녀는 편지 봉투를 받아든 뒤, 노아에게 연신 머리를 숙였다.

“시, 실례했습니다!”

이후 도망치듯 사라졌다.

빠르게 멀어지는 뒷모습을 바라보면서.

노아는 눈매를 가늘게 좁혔다.

시르피가 자리를 떠나기 직전, 그녀가 들고 있던 편지 봉투 때문이었다.

‘잘못 본 게 아니라면 그건 분명······.’

데르모어 백작가의 인장이다.

또 직원에게 진짜 편지를 받기 전, 그녀는 노아의 편지를 자기 것이라고 착각했다.

그럼 과연 ‘무엇’을 보고 자신에게 온 편지라고 생각한 걸까? 답은 하나뿐이었다.

‘시르피도 그릇의 후보라는 뜻.’

푸른색 눈빛이 낮게 가라앉았다.

덩달아 여러 의문이 솟구쳤다.

원작에선 이름조차 언급되지 않았던 시르피가 언제 데르모어 백작과 인연을 맺었는지.

‘그리고 시르피는······.’

일반학부 시험을 통과해서 들어왔다.

하지만 백작이 원하는 그릇은, 마법사나 마나를 다룰 수 있는 인물.

‘알면 알수록 수상하네.’

눈을 가늘게 뜨던 순간.

문득 예전에 묻어놨던 의문이 새록새록 떠올랐다.

‘카잔 루드릭.’

고대 사막 왕국의 대전사.

울란의 등에 새겨진 각인의 원래 주인.

그와 시르피는 성이 같았다.

잊고 있던 의문을 떠올린 노아는, 곧 호기심이 깃든 눈동자를 반짝였다.

‘이따가 도서관에 들러야겠어.’

카잔 루드릭에 관한 정보를 수집하기 위해서였다. 그와 관련해 조사하다 보면, 뭔가 알게 되는 게 있을 테니까.

상념을 끝마칠 무렵.

꼬르륵!

돌연 배에서 소리가 났다.

음식을 달라고 항의하듯이. 노아는 홀쭉해진 배를 문지르며 중얼거렸다.

“······일단 밥부터 먹자.”

도서관의 개방 시간은 오후 10시까지.

반면 식당은 8시면 문을 닫는다.

그래서 식당으로 향하던 도중.

익숙한 얼굴과 마주쳤다.

“어라? 울란?”

성큼성큼 길을 걷는 울란.

그도 노아를 봤는지 자리에 멈췄다.

“어디 가는 길이에요?”

“식당에 간다.”

“앗, 정말요? 그럼 저랑 같이 가요. 저도 이제 막 식사하려던 참이었거든요.”

노아가 방긋 웃었다.

혼자 먹기엔 적적했는데 마침 잘 됐다.

한편 울란은 노아를 물끄러미 보더니, 짧게 중얼거렸다.

“한 명 정도는 늘어도 상관없겠지.”

“네? 한 명이요?”

“아니다. 가자.”

울란은 다시 걸음을 재촉했다.

그로부터 얼마 후.

식당에 도착한 노아는 그제야 울란의 중얼거림이 무슨 의미인지 깨달았다.

3.

아르센 아카데미의 신입생 식당.

이곳에는 학생 식당과는 별도로, ‘특별실’이라 불리는 공간이 따로 존재한다.

최대 스무 명까지 수용 가능한 공간.

원래는 외부에서 아카데미를 찾아온 방문객이나 면회객을 위해 마련된 곳이다.

하지만 면회가 허락되지 않는 시기에는, 종종 학생들에게 개방하기도 한다.

‘물론 그림의 떡이지만.’

왜냐면 특별실의 이용료가 터무니없이 비싸서였다. 시간당으로만 계산해도 어지간한 호텔의 숙박비를 뺨칠 정도였으니까.

그런데 오늘.

노아는 처음으로 특별실에 들어왔다.

울란과 함께 식당을 방문한 순간, 대뜸 직원들이 달려 나오더니 예약된 곳으로 모시겠다며 안내를 해줘서였다.

이때부터 뭔가 이상하다는 걸 느꼈다.

‘돌아가는 상황을 보니······.’

왠지 누군가와 약속이 잡힌 느낌이었기에.

그런데 울란 주변에 특별실을 예약할 만큼 돈이 많은 인물이 있었나? 고개를 갸웃거리던 때, 어느새 특별실에 도착했다.

잠시 후, 문이 열렸고.

노아의 눈은 큼지막하게 변했다.

“······!”

그럴 수밖에 없었다.

예상치 못한 인물이 있었으니까.

━━━

[이름]: 딜리아 아르펜

[나이]: 17세

[등급]: SS

[특성]: 마나의 가호

━━━

상대는 일곱 용사 중 하나.

장차 마법의 정점이라 불리는 강자이자, 노아가 꼭 친해지리라고 다짐했던 존재.

바로 ‘별의 마녀’였다.

한편 문이 열린 순간.

딜리아의 안색은 환히 밝아졌다.

“울란.”

기다렸던 이가 도착했기에.

하지만 그것도 잠시.

그녀의 표정은 급속도로 굳어졌다. 초대하지 않은 손님을 발견한 탓이다.

차갑게 물드는 황금색 눈동자.

곧 건조한 목소리가 흘러나왔다.

“······옆에, 누구?”

“노아다. 노아 다르셴.”

“이름, 물어본 거, 아니야.”

애초에 궁금하지도 않았고.

딜리아는 눈을 가늘게 떴다.

“당신이랑, 무슨 사이?”

“동문이다.”

“동문?”

자그마한 머리가 갸웃거렸다.

뜻밖의 관계 때문이리라. 그때 노아가 재빨리 대화에 끼어들었다.

“저랑 울란은 같은 스승님께 가르침을 받았거든요. 그래서 동문이라고 한 거예요.”

“그럼, 당신도······.”

“네! 초원의 부족 출신이죠.”

방긋 웃으며 대답하는 노아.

뭐야. 같은 부족이었구나.

딜리아의 눈빛이 한결 누그러들었다.

대강 상황을 이해한 것처럼.

다만 표정만큼은 여전히 뚱했다. 눈치 빠른 노아는 그 이유를 단번에 알아차렸다.

‘아마 긴히 할 말이 있던 거겠지.’

그것도 울란과 단둘이서.

특별실을 예약했다는 것만 봐도 충분히 예상할 수 있다. 이곳은 방음이 잘 되니까.

‘원래는 자리를 비켜주는 게 맞지만······.’

이번만큼은 그럴 생각이 없었다.

왜냐면 이건 기회였기에.

딜리아와 안면을 트고 대화할 기회. 그러니 어떻게든 대화를 이어나가서 친분을 쌓자.

그리 다짐하던 무렵.

“주문하신 식사 나왔습니다.”

문이 열리면서 다양한 음식이 들어왔다.

테이블 위로 차려지는 온갖 요리들. 울란을 생각해서인지, 육류가 대다수였다.

“처음 보는 게 많군.”

“우리나라에서, 유명한, 요리야.”

아르펜 공국의 전통 요리들.

그중에선 모두의 시선을 사로잡는, 특이한 요리도 존재했다. 바로 벌레 요리였다.

‘응? 저건 딱 봐도 번데기탕인데?’

번데기로 가득한 국물 요리.

노아는 눈을 반짝였다.

물론 기존에 알던 번데기탕과는 맛이 달랐지만, 어느 정도는 비슷한 부분이 있었다.

순간 향수병을 불러일으킬 정도로.

그래서 정신없이 흡입하던 무렵.

딜리아가 노아를 바라봤다.

“그거, 의외로, 잘 먹네?”

“헤헤, 많이 먹어봤거든요.”

노아가 멋쩍게 웃었다.

왠지 느낌이 좋다. 이대로 쭉 대화를 이어나갈 수 있을 느낌이 들 만큼.

하지만 이를 마지막으로.

거짓말처럼 모든 대화가 뚝 끊어졌다.

“······.”

“······.”

울란도, 딜리아도 말이 없었다.

다들 저마다 식사에만 열중할 뿐.

그야말로 침묵의 만찬이었다.

‘으으, 체할 거 같아!’

식사가 끝나고 후식까지 나왔는데도, 여전히 아무도 말이 없다. 참다못한 노아는 결국 먼저 대화를 시도하기로 했다.

‘마침 조만간 이벤트도 하나 있고.’

아르센 아카데미의 연례행사.

이를 떠올린 노아는 헛기침을 내뱉었다. 고요한 분위기를 환기하기 위해서였다.

“흠흠! 그나저나 두 분, 선발전 준비는 잘 되어가고 있으세요?”

“선발전?”

“네, 사흘 뒤부터 시작이잖아요.”

“그게 뭐지?”

울란이 고개를 갸웃거렸다.

이에 대답한 건 딜리아였다.

“아르센, 아카데미의, 연례행사야.”

“맞아요. 신입생 가운데, 총 10명의 실력자를 선발하는 시험이죠.”

“선발되면 좋은 게 있나?”

“그럼요. 가산점도 받고, 또 다음 달에 있을 모의전(模擬戰)의 출전 자격도 얻으니까요.”

모의전? 그건 또 뭐야?

울란은 어리둥절한 표정을 지었다.

딱 봐도 모른다는 반응. 맞은편에 있던 딜리아는 의아한 투로 되물었다.

“안내 책자, 안 읽었어?”

“읽고 있다.”

“······아직도?”

당황한 듯 되묻는 딜리아.

동시에 노아의 대답이 돌아왔다.

“음, 간단히 말하면, 선발전에서 최종적으로 뽑힌 10명의 신입생끼리 파티를 만들어서, 2학년 선배들을 상대로 싸우는 거예요.”

물론 이때 출전하는 2학년들도 상위 10인의 강자로 구성된다. 즉, 각 학년의 상위 랭커끼리 실력을 겨루는 셈이다.

반면 설명이 끝났는데도.

울란은 여전히 이해하지 못했다.

“왜 싸워야만 하지?”

“그야 모의전은 선발전과 마찬가지로 아르센 아카데미의 연례행사니까요. 그리고 굳이 다른 이유를 찾자면······.”

“투자할, 인재, 발굴.”

“투자?”

“네, 모의전에는 각국의 귀족들이 참관해요. 방금 딜리아 양이 말한 것처럼, 투자와 후원을 통해 인재를 선점하기 위해서죠.”

귀족들은 장래가 유망한 인재를 미리 확보할 수 있어서 좋고, 투자를 받는 학생은 금전적으로 여유가 생겨서 좋다.

‘물론 딜리아에겐 해당하지 않지만.’

그녀는 아르펜 공국의 왕녀.

돈이라면 차고 넘친다. 당장 특별실을 빌린 것만 봐도 알 수 있었다.

“또 승패와는 상관없이 모의전에 참전하는 것만으로도 장점이 많아요. 참가자에겐 다양한 특혜가 주어지고, 참관하러 온 귀족들에게 눈도장도 찍을 수도 있거든요.”

“명성을, 떨칠, 기회야.”

딜리아도 대답을 덧붙였다.

친절한 설명에 울란은 그제야 고개를 끄덕거렸다. 대강 이해했다는 뜻이다.

모의전에 관한 대화를 나누던 도중.

똑똑!

정중한 노크 소리가 들렸다.

“곧 특별실의 이용이 종료됩니다.”

“연장하시려면 말씀해주십시오.”

어느새 이용 시간이 끝난 모양.

그때 딜리아가 울란을 힐끗거렸다. 하고 싶은 말이 있는 것처럼. 이를 목격한 노아는 별안간 자리를 박찼다.

“아앗! 시간이 벌써 이렇게 됐네요?!”

짐짓 놀란 얼굴과 함께.

그녀는 시계에 시선을 고정한 채, 울란과 딜리아를 향해 고개를 숙였다.

“죄송하지만 저는 먼저 일어날게요. 도서관에서 빌릴 책이 있어서요.”

일단 소기의 목적은 달성했다.

딜리아와 안면을 트고, 대화도 나눴으니.

이제부턴 최대한 딜리아의 심기를 거스르지 않고, 호감을 사는 게 중요했다.

아니나 다를까.

노아가 자리에서 일어서자마자 딜리아의 안색이 밝아졌다. 정답을 골랐다는 걸 직감한 노아는 방긋 웃었다.

“식사도 잘 먹었어요. 감사합니다!”

공손한 인사를 마지막으로.

노아는 곧장 방을 나섰다.

잠시 후, 그녀의 기척이 완전히 사라질 무렵. 울란도 자리에서 일어났다.

“나도 이만 실례하지.”

식사도 끝났고, 후식도 먹었다.

이곳에 더 머무를 이유는 없었기에, 기숙사로 돌아가고자 했다. 하지만 그때, 쪼르르 달려온 딜리아가 앞을 가로막았다.

“······안 돼.”

양팔을 활짝 펼친 뒤.

딜리아는 뚱한 얼굴로 말했다.

“할 말, 있다고, 했잖아.”

아, 그러고 보니 그랬다.

뭔가 할 말이 있다고 했지?

울란은 고개를 끄덕였다.

“말해라. 들어주마.”

“알겠어. 대신······.”

그녀가 주변을 두리번거렸다.

“······여기 말고, 밖에서.”

하긴 곧 이용 시간도 끝난다고 했으니.

울란은 납득했다. 그러고는 딜리아와 함께 식당을 나섰다.

4.

식당을 나선 둘은 숲으로 향했다.

물론 숲이라고 해봐야 식당 뒤편에 불과했지만. 그래도 늦은 시간이어서인지, 주변에선 어떠한 인기척도 느껴지지 않았다.

사아아아아!

숲 너머에서 불어오는 바람.

선선한 밤바람을 맞으며, 울란은 말없이 딜리아의 입이 열리기를 기다렸다.

그렇게 얼마나 지났을까?

기다리던 목소리가 들려왔다.

“······울란.”

“그래.”

“나, 많이, 생각해봤어.”

딜리아가 그를 올려봤다.

사뭇 진지한 표정.

달빛을 받아 반짝이는 황금색 눈동자와 함께, 그녀는 자그마한 주먹을 꽉 움켜쥐었다.

“당신의, 진심에, 대해서.”

“진심?”

의아한 듯 되묻는 울란을 보면서.

딜리아는 고개를 끄덕였다.

특기 시험에서 처음 봤을 때부터.

도서관, 모의 사냥에 이르기까지.

울란은 거듭 진심을 전했다. 그래서 딜리아는 생각했다. 이 진지하고 올곧은 고백에, 어떤 식으로든 대답해줘야만 한다고.

“솔직히, 처음이거든.”

이성에게 그런 말을 들었던 것도.

순수한 진심과 맞닥뜨렸던 것도.

전부 처음 겪는 일이었다. 그래서 밤잠까지 설쳐가면서 고민을 거듭했다.

“하지만······.”

딜리아가 슬쩍 말을 흐렸다.

그녀는 꼼지락거리던 손가락을 뒤로 숨겼다. 이후 다시 울란을 올려보며 말했다.

“우린 아직, 서로, 잘 모르잖아.”

첫 만남은 특기 시험 때.

같은 조가 되면서 처음 알게 됐다.

다음으로는 도서관에서, 이후 실전 사냥에서 만난 게 전부다. 즉, 알고 지낸 것 자체가 얼마 되지 않았다는 뜻.

“Of course, it doesn’t mean you don’t like it.”

Delia is not good at expressing her emotions.

This is because from a young age, she was called the hope of the principality and was forced to act like an adult. He learned to hide his emotions before showing them.

Is it because I always remain expressionless?

There was no one by her side.

No one came near and no one wanted to stay.

‘But Ulan was different.’

When I thought of him honestly conveying his sincerity, my pure white cheeks turned a little red.

So, which one is it?

Delia also has a crush on Ulan.

‘but······.’

I couldn’t decide whether this was a feeling I had as a person of the opposite s*x or just as a friend.

Like I said before.

Because she’s not good at dealing with her emotions.

“So, I mean.”

The small lips pursed.

As if hesitating whether or not to say the words that came to mind. After a moment, she pursed her lips with determination on her face.

“Can we start with friends?”

“friend?”

“Well, rejection is not a thing!”

She shouts urgently.

Delia’s eyes widened, as if she was even more surprised by the rather loud voice. She then muttered with a bright red face.

“Still, just a little more…”

Since I don’t know my own feelings yet, I want to get to know them slowly rather than making a hasty decision.

I was originally going to say this.

But my voice rarely comes out. After struggling for a while, Delia ended up blurting out her words, unable to express her true feelings.

Meanwhile, around that time.

Ulan stared at Delia.

As if it was a little unexpected.

‘Friend…’

He suddenly said he had something to say, so I thought he had something to say, but I never thought he meant to be friends.

Ulan had a new expression on his face.

‘It’s much faster than my last life.’

After returning from the brink of death.

The time he knew Delia was only about fifteen days.

It was so fast that it couldn’t even be compared to our past lives, when we were finally recognized as friends three years after our first meeting.

‘If this is a change, is it a change?’

Ulan burst out laughing.

It felt a little different from the future he remembered, but it wasn’t a bad feeling.

So I nodded willingly.

“i get it. “Let’s do that.”

“Really? Still, are you okay?”

“Of course.”

We will become colleagues someday.

There is no harm in becoming friends early. After finishing her thoughts, Ulan held out her large hand.

“Please continue to take good care of me, Delia.”

“Ugh, it’s me, please.”

Delia held her hand with an embarrassed expression.

After completing a new handshake.

A bright smile appeared on her face. As if he was relieved that his troubles had been resolved.

A day when many stars appeared in the night sky.

Delia has a friend for the first time in her life.

Three days after that.

All freshmen gathered in one place.

To select the top 10 strong players to participate in the mock battle to be held next month.

Chapter 14. What does it matter?

fantasy,