A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Chapter 168

This world can gauge the realm of a being based on the color of its mana.

Ordinary people are blue, while those who have grasped the Heavenly Principle, like Rize or Rod, are indigo.

Beyond that are beings like the Nine-Tailed Fox or dragons, referred to as ‘Divine Beasts,’ or ‘Spirits’ that have existed since ancient times.

They are incredibly powerful entities, belonging to the tier just below the purple color, which is practically a divine symbol.

Not only can they manipulate space freely, but they also display abilities that defy common sense.

However, among them, those referred to as ‘Divine Spirits’ or ‘Apostles’ are exceptionally strong, even among the indigo tier.

It’s only natural, considering they are formidable beings who serve as bodyguards to the gods.

“You must feel wronged. Our child confessed first, but all they got was a bolt of lightning.”

“··· ···”

“But what can you do? They said they don’t like you. Honestly, I don’t like you much either. Not because of your personality, but, hmm······ for other reasons. You know what I mean, right?”

And such a being is patting my shoulder, trying to ‘persuade’ me.

To emphasize, it’s not a fight but ‘persuasion.’ They were sitting beside me on the altar, striking up a conversation.

Initially, it felt like a fight could break out at any moment. The aura emanating from the suddenly summoned Divine Spirit was no joke.

But the Divine Spirit didn’t act that way at all. They gestured for me to sit beside them with a few taps, and the consultation continued.

That wasn’t all. Even Kara was sitting next to me, listening intently to this non-consultation from the Divine Spirit.

“Uh······”

“Hmm? Do you have something to say?”

“Not that······ I don’t know your name······”

The atmosphere had shifted from what felt like an imminent fight to a consultation, and we hadn’t even exchanged proper introductions.

Kara had just been swept up in the mood and perched on the altar. Heinkes had temporarily stepped away from the summit.

“Oh, right. Come to think of it, did I mention my name?”

“No, you didn’t.”

“The name’s Reikart. Easy to remember, isn’t it?”

Reikart answered with a chuckle, his smile somewhat unassuming.

However, his appearance was anything but. With a bulk almost bear-like and a long beard, he exuded a rugged masculinity.

In truth, Reikart was a being of immense physical strength. In particular, he could wield lightning more freely than anyone.

“Reikart······ Could it be, the Thunder Lord?”

“Haven’t heard that in a while. You know me?”

“Of course I do. I read about you in a book. You’re the first human to ever wield lightning, aren’t you?”

Kara’s eyes sparkled upon learning his name. Reikart simply smiled contentedly.

As the title Thunder Lord suggests, he was once a king. A king who made significant contributions to the founding of civilization.

With the mighty power of lightning, he built a nation, and that nation quickly flourished into a powerful empire.

That nation is none other than the Granada Empire. This is why the Granada Empire adopts Gulak as its state religion.

“Anyway, let’s get back to the topic. I’ve noticed there are many women around you. You’re struggling to handle your own affairs as it is—can you really manage all that?”

“··· ···”

Returning to the main point, Reikart addressed me. His words pricked my conscience a little.

The reason I couldn’t refute a single thing he said so far was because everything he said was factual. It wasn’t coercion or anything like that.

If it had been coercion or sophistry, I would’ve immediately argued back. But Reikart, befitting a king who once founded a civilization, had an exceptional gift for oratory.

‘Didn’t this guy’s era prioritize fists over words?’

Such thoughts crossed my mind. His appearance alone looked ready for a brawl, yet his approach was surprisingly rational.

It seemed he was trying to resolve things slowly with words, knowing fists wouldn’t work. Perhaps Gulak sent him as a spokesperson, knowing this.

“Let’s be honest. You’re going to get physically involved with her later, aren’t you? Am I wrong?”

“······?”

“Uh, excuse me, Lord Sovereign? Isn’t that going a bit too far······!”

Kara was visibly flustered by the rather blunt statement. I was equally taken aback.

But Reikart remained steadfast, continuing without hesitation.

“You’re not planning to run away after going that far, are you? If you’ve become a man, you should take full responsibility. You’re not just using our child for your own pleasure, are you? If that’s the case, I’ll stop you.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Then that’s a relief. But think carefully. The moment love turns into regret, not just you but everyone will suffer.”

A piece of advice that cuts deep. In truth, such a future is highly likely.

After resolving the story and returning to Earth, will I truly be able to leave without regrets?

Of course, there’s no guarantee the gods will send me back to my original state. But I’ll struggle to find a way back, no matter what.

“I didn’t come here to fight. I came to persuade him. If there’s lingering regret, it’ll only hurt both of them.”

“There’s nothing more foolish than giving up the present for an uncertain future. If you make no effort, you cannot carve out your fate.”

“That’s true. But what if that fate is already decided? You have a rough idea, don’t you? Who he is.”

Reikart glanced behind Rize. Although Kara and I were there, he wasn’t looking at us.

Further back. That is, where the others were.

“The same goes for them. You get what I mean, right?”

“I don’t understand. I’m not a Divine Spirit like you, Reikart.”

“I never told you my name, yet you know it. And you still claim not to understand?”

“··· ···”

Rize didn’t respond. And usually, silence tends to signify agreement.

“Fine. If persuasion doesn’t work, I’ll have to force them apart.”

“That won’t do. Don’t recklessly decide the fate of the Sivar Brothers.”

“Ha, seriously······”

Reikart scratched his head as if troubled. Then, letting out a deep sigh, he spoke in a weary tone.

“I didn’t come here to fight.”

Crackle!

At that moment, faint sparks flickered in Reikart’s hand. A lightning bolt, deeper indigo than blue.

But Rize wasn’t one to back down. The moment she saw the sparks, she clenched her fist tightly and slowly raised it.

Simultaneously, Rize’s snow-white hair floated gently, and the dirt and stone fragments on the ground began to rise.

Normally, I should’ve been incredibly tense, but strangely, I felt at ease. Was it this comforting to have someone who genuinely cared for me?

“Even if dirt fills my eyes.”

“··· ···”

“No harm will come to the Sivar Brothers.”

Thump! Thump!

The moment I heard those words, my heart started pounding. It felt less like romantic attraction and more like admiration for her as a person.

How could someone be so incredible? Even if she occasionally acted eccentric, she was undeniably captivating as a human being.

And I was curious. What exactly did Rize see in me to make her step forward like this?

I couldn’t understand her fully, but one thing was clear—she was an amazing person.

“······Fine. Do as you wish.”

Reikart was the first to back down. Raising both hands as if in surrender, he responded nonchalantly.

Rize, seeing him retreat, slowly lowered her clenched fist. Thankfully, it seemed the situation would de-escalate.

“I can trust you, right? But let me ask one thing. Can you take responsibility?”

“Of course.”

“Those words—you must keep them. And you, behind her.”

Reikart looked past Rize and called out to me. It was clear he meant me and not Kara.

“M-me?”

“Yeah. Come here for a moment. I’m not going to hit you, so just come over.”

Hesitantly, I began to inch forward. In the meantime, Rize reverted to her Saint Form.

Thud!

As I approached, Reikart bent down and put an arm around my shoulders.

It was just a simple gesture, but it felt as though a massive rock was pressing down on me.

“I’ve mentioned this repeatedly, but that kid is precious not only to me but also to the Lord. So if you ever make her shed tears······ you know? Chaos or whatever, I’ll personally crush your head.”

“Y-yes!”

“Good. And don’t do anything unsightly in temples or at altars. How would you feel if your daughter was being affectionate with her boyfriend right in front of you? You get what I mean, right?”

I didn’t fully understand, but I nodded anyway. Otherwise, I felt like he might actually crush my head.

“And as for nighttime activities······ only under the condition that you’ve let go of all lingering regrets. Got it? This isn’t just me; Lord Gulak himself has approved this.”

“O-okay······”

“Good. At least you’re obedient, so that’s fine. Lastly······”

Reikart tightened his grip on the arm slung over my shoulder. Naturally, my head drew closer to his.

Just as I wondered what kind of threat he’d make this time, he whispered softly.

“Don’t trust Gaia.”

It was advice I couldn’t begin to comprehend.