A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Drink Up (1)

***

Alcohol boasts a history as long as humanity itself.

Many ancient brewing methods have survived for thousands of years, and the production process is largely similar across cultures.

In the past, due to the scarcity of clean water, people often drank alcohol instead. It brightened moods and elevated atmospheres.

However, as the saying goes, “Too much of anything is bad.” Drinking excessively often leads to mishaps.

Even those who are usually composed may act out, and in severe cases, crimes can occur.

Thus, alcohol plays various roles in human civilization, both positive and negative.

“Hmm?”

“You seem a bit drunk. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Is he really okay? Luna thought as much.

She had been aware of Sivar’s arrival at the banquet hall. She was simply late in greeting him due to mingling with various people.

During a brief moment of respite, Kara had approached her, asking her to look after Sivar as she needed to meet others.

Initially, Luna didn’t understand why, but upon spending time with him, she realized.

“It’s delicious.”

“Aren’t you drinking too much?”

“I’m not drunk. I’m fine.”

Sivar was drinking an alarming amount, enough to make onlookers worry.

After finishing one glass, he’d refill it in no time, chat a bit, and then drink again.

The banquet offered a variety of drinks, but Sivar chose only the sweet ones.

He claimed he disliked the bitter kinds. Luna was also drinking but not nearly as much.

“Isn’t he going to get really drunk at this rate?”

“I don’t know… I’m a bit worried.”

Ellie voiced her concern as she approached. Luna agreed with her.

Regardless, Sivar was holding a bottle in one hand, occasionally pouring into his glass.

Sometimes, he would even try to drink directly from the bottle, which Luna managed to prevent.

With rumors about him being a wildling, people might overlook it, but he still needed to maintain some decorum.

“You drink too. Here.”

“Oh… thanks.”

“And you too, Ellie.”

The amusing part was that he wasn’t just drinking alone; he was sharing with others.

With a tipsy face, he offered drinks, looking adorably funny. Ellie laughed and accepted.

“Luna, is this your first time drinking?”

“I once secretly drank some after seeing the adults do it. I had a terrible headache the next day. What about you?”

“It’s my first time. So, I’m trying to drink moderately. My mom said if you get drunk at places like this, you always wake up in bed the next day.”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“With a man.”

“…”

Luna was taken aback. She immediately understood what Ellie meant.

After all, that’s the nature of alcohol. It excels at drawing out one’s true feelings and desires.

Moreover, Ellie is not only beautiful but also has a great figure. Surely, some would approach her with ulterior motives.

“Hello, beautiful ladies. May I interrupt for a moment?”

Just like now. Luna looked at the man who approached them out of nowhere.

His cheesy line and appearance suggested he was a noble.

His expression was as pleasant as he could muster, but Luna knew. His gaze was fixed on Ellie.

‘His focus keeps shifting.’

While it’s natural for men, it was too obvious. Knowing Ellie was a commoner, he was probably plotting something.

Moreover, he blatantly ignored Sivar standing there. Did he think he was better than Sivar?

Just as Luna was about to politely decline, Sivar intervened.

“Leave.”

“Pardon?”

“Just go.”

Sivar bluntly issued a dismissal. His flushed cheeks hinted he was slightly drunk.

With his already pale skin, it stood out even more. There was a strange vibrancy to him.

“…Excuse me, but what right do you have to say that?”

“Her chest.”

“What?”

“You’re staring at Ellie’s chest. Go away.”

While he might not know about other things, this was certain. Sivar was indeed a bit drunk.

Normally, he would have spoken calmly, but now his voice was slightly elevated. It meant he was gradually losing control.

Perhaps due to this, Sivar’s loud voice began drawing the attention of those around them.

The man, visibly flustered, looked around before scrunching his face and leaving.

It seemed he decided it was best to avoid trouble with a lunatic in the area.

“Imagine waking up the next day in the same bed as that guy… how horrible would that be?”

“Yeah. I should drink in moderation.”

“Tastes good.”

Regardless, Sivar poured himself another glass. Although it’s considered poor manners to pour directly from the bottle, no one minded.

It was starting to become a concern. No matter how resilient Sivar might be, drinking too much would inevitably get him drunk.

Furthermore, the alcohol wasn’t weak. No one typically drank an entire bottle alone.

“Sivar, shouldn’t you really stop now?”

“No.”

“Let’s just let him be. We can take him back if he collapses.”

“Hmm…”

Ellie wondered if she could manage to take a thoroughly drunk Sivar back.

She didn’t believe Sivar would do anything strange to Ellie. She could accept him leaning on her.

Of course, Ellie would struggle to take him alone, so she planned to help later or ask someone else.

‘Though I doubt he’ll collapse.’

His body was so robust that he’d likely sober up quickly even if drunk.

Right now, he was drinking more than he was losing, but a little rest should be enough.

‘There are so many people here.’

Luna glanced around the room, holding a glass of wine. Despite being a freshman banquet, many people attended.

Among them, some particularly stood out. Specifically, Kara in her ceremonial dancer attire and the high-ranking officials visiting from the Hwan Empire.

While Kara’s attire was expected, those from the Hwan Empire wore traditional garments instead of dresses.

Their outfits were predominantly black with red accents. The waistbands were gold.

Lastly, flowers adorned their hair. It was an appearance as eye-catching as Kara, but for different reasons.

‘Wasn’t she said to be a princess from the Hwan Empire?’

That’s what the rumors said. Only someone from the Hwan Empire would wear such eastern-style clothes.

talents.

It wasn’t something Luna needed to concern herself with.

‘Master also wore clothes like that…’

Suddenly, she recalled the master who had taught her. She remembered them wearing a similar type of clothing.

Though she never saw their face due to the smiling mask they wore, the clothes were clear.

She fele.

“Oh, it’s all gone.”

“…What?”

It was around the time she was idly watching the Hwan Empire princess.

Sivar had finished an entire bottle without her noticing.

While she and Ellie had barely had a glass each, he had drunk the entire bottle alone. How much had he consumed?

“I want more.”

“Maybe you should stop now…”

“No.”

One of Sivar’s traits: sheer stubbornness. Especially when it came to food.

Luna sighed, watching Sivar walk off with a bottle in hand.

If left unchecked, he might cause a scene, which would be troublesome. Especially since many attended this banquet.

An embarrassing incident would be mortifying, and opinions of Sivar might worsen.

“Ellie, stay here for a moment. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay. I’ll just visit the restroom.”

Luna hurriedly followed Sivar as he headed straight for the drinks.

As she followed, she noticed the nearby Hwan Empire princess, who didn’t seem to pay much attention to them.

‘But where’s her escort? Is she alone?’

Usually, princesses are accompanied by guards. But perhaps it was because they were at the academy.

There seemed to be no one around her who appeared to be a guard. There was one person, but even they were distant.

For a moment, Luna doubted if she was truly a princess, but her attire, simple yet luxurious, confirmed it.

‘Well, it’s not my concern.’

Luna watched as Sivar arrived, picking up a bottle from the table.

Since it was still sealed, it was corked. He’d need an opener.

“Sivar, you’ll need an opener for that…”

Pop!

But Sivar simply pulled it out with his hand without using an opener. Luna was momentarily speechless.

They say if you’re strong, your brain doesn’t need to work hard, but how would one even describe this?

While Luna momentarily paused in thought, Sivar poured the drink into his glass.

The reddish hue of the drink made Sivar’s mouth water just by looking at it.

“Just finish that and stop. Okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Now… what’s he looking at?”

Fetching the drink was fine. But Sivar was looking elsewhere.

If he were looking at Kara or Grace, it would make sense, but he wasn’t. Instead, he was fixated on an unexpected figure.

Following Sivar’s gaze, Luna turned her head. There stood the Hwan Empire princess she had seen earlier.

‘When did she arrive?’

Was she here for a drink? Luna was a bit taken aback.

The Hwan Empire princess bit her lip and muttered softly.

“Hah, damn it. I can’t stand this crap.”

“…?”

She muttered in the eastern language, so Luna couldn’t understand.

Being from the Matra Empire, Luna only knew its language and the common language.

Even uages were fundamentally different.

“Is it crap?”

“…Huh?”

“Hmm?”

But Sivar was different. For some reason, he understood every word the princess said.

It would’ve been fine if it ended there, but the more dangerous part was that he spoke to her.

At that moment, not only the Hwan Empire princess but also Luna turned to look at Sivar.

“Want a drink?”

“What?”

“Drinking makes you feel good.”

Sivar confidently offered her a drink.

“Hehe.”

His face had a silly grin, slightly intoxicated.

End of Chapter

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