A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Drink Up (2)

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Social status is a system that existed even before civilizations were established.

Before humanity united, when people lived in tribes, there was always a leader, known as the chieftain.

After building civilizations, countless statuses emerged, creating various power structures.

Those with high status are few, while most people live as commoners.

Even if the class system collapses, another will inevitably form, as history has shown.

However, it’s undeniable that the class system inherently demonstrates ‘discrimination.’ Status is status, regardless of its form.

If a commoner hurls insults at a noble, it’s as good as a death sentence for the commoner.

In this context, Sivar’s proposal to the Hwan Empire princess could be considered highly ‘rude.’

“…Did you just offer me a drink?”

The Hwan Empire princess asked, looking bewildered. Her surprise was evident.

Luna, witnessing this, had her mind momentarily freeze. She was well aware of the implications of social status.

One could interact informally like with Grace, but crossing the line could lead to social ruin.

In the worst case, it could lead to bodily harm, although that’s a worst-case scenario.

‘This is bad! Sivar probably doesn’t understand the class system…!’

For Luna, and the common populace, this was a very ‘common sense’ social concept.

However, Sivar was different. He likely didn’t understand general common sense, let alone social norms.

Even after several months in civilization, experiencing it firsthand was different.

Even the highest authorities like Grace, Kara, Rod, and Rize were close to Sivar.

From Sivar’s perspective, he might think he could befriend those of high status.

No. He probably thought that’s why he offered a drink, even to a stranger.

“I-I’m sorry! Sivar! How could you offer a drink to someone you don’t know?!”

“Is it bad?”

“Of course, it’s bad! She’s a high-ranking person and it’s your first meeting! Apologize quickly!”

“No, it’s quite alright. In fact, a drink sounds appealing.”

At that moment, a woman’s voice reached Luna’s ear. It was a slightly deep yet elegant voice.

Since it came from nearby, there was no need to wonder who it belonged to. Luna turned to look in that direction.

“Just when I was feeling troubled. There’s nothing like alcohol to soothe a troubled mind.”

The lady to whom Sivar had offered a drink responded with a smile. It was more of a wry smile.

She then raised her glass to Sivar, signaling him to pour her a drink.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to pour it? You wouldn’t refuse after offering, would you?”

“That’s not it! Sivar, go ahead.”

“Okay.”

Upon hearing that, Sivar began pouring the drink into the woman’s glass.

The wine, like her attire, was a deep black. When poured, the glass was barely visible due to its dark hue.

“Hmm. Normally, you’d use both hands. It seems you haven’t learned that yet.”

“Both hands?”

“Yes. When serving someone of high status or an elder, one should pour with both hands.”

The woman gave Sivar a gentle reminder as she took a sip from her glass.

Despite her delicate appearance, the wine vanished from the glass quickly. It was quite refreshing.

“Sigh. It’s a good taste. Thank you. My troubled heart feels a bit more at ease.”

“Th-thank you?”

“You don’t have to be so stiff. I’m not someone who cares about such things.”

“Aren’t you a princess? That’s what I heard.”

With her attire, demeanor, and even her refined speech, she seemed unmistakably like a princess.

There were rumors about a princess from the Hwan Empire visiting, which reinforced this perception.

“A princess… I suppose that’s correct. Have you heard of the phrase ‘treated like cold rice’? It’s an Eastern expression.”

“Uh… no?”

“Look it up later. Then you’ll have an idea of my situation.”

While Luna didn’t know what being ‘treated like cold rice’ meant, she sensed it wasn’t good.

Feeling somewhat awkward, the woman, seeming to have remembered something, spoke up.

“I forgot to introduce myself. I am Dan Yerin, the fifth successor of the Hwan Empire.”

“I-I’m Luna Estelle.”

“Luna Estelle. I heard you were the top of your class. And you are…?”

The woman who introduced herself as Dan Yerin paused. Sivar continued drinking as they exchanged introductions.

His face, already slightly red, had become noticeably flushed.

Luna, noticing this, felt anxious, but fortunately, Sivar realized it.

“…What’s your name?”

“Me? Call me Sivar.”

“Not ‘call me,’ but ‘please call me.’”

“No, it’s alright. I have a rough idea of who he is. We should be understanding.”

Fortunately, Dan Yerin seemed to be a broad-minded person. Luna let out a sigh of relief.

It felt as if her life was on the line during that short exchange. The added stress of alcohol heightened her tension.

“If you know who Sivar is… you must know he’s from the forest.”

“Of course. Rumors about him are quite widespread.”

“Has the rumor reached the Hwan Empire?”

“It had to. I heard he caused various incidents here.”

“…”

That was a reason Luna could understand. She felt bewildered.

With the academy gathering talents from all over the world, it naturally drew attention, and Sivar’s antics were no secret.

Moreover, since the academy acts as a kind of defensive mechanism against war, high-ranking officials would be interested too.

“But it’s odd. Did I speak in the common language? How did you understand me?”

Dan Yerin asked Sivar curiously, wondering how he understood her earlier words.

Luna, also curious about this, turned her gaze to Sivar. His response was succinct.

“Hmm? What?”

“I asked how you understood my words.”

“Oh, the ‘can’t stand this crap’ part?”

“…”

Sivar’s blunt words left his mouth. Even the composed Dan Yerin was momentarily taken aback.

Watching this, Luna was worried Dan Yerin might get angry.

“Seems you understood. I thought you were Eastern with black hair, but your appearance says otherwise… Are you mixed?”

“That’s… even Sivar doesn’t know, and neither does anyone else. Other than living in the forest.”

“Hmm. That’s peculiar. He’s just entered civilization, yet understands the Hwan Empire’s language. Can you understand this? I am Dan Yerin.”

The latter part was neither common language nor the Hwan Empire’s language. Nor was it the Matra Empire’s language.

To Luna, it was a language she had never heard before. Although, Antonio sometimes used similar words.

“I am Dan Yerin? You introduced yourself earlier.”

“Oh. You even understand the language of the Granada Empire. Truly fascinating.”

“How do you understand?”

Come to think of it, there was a similar incident before. When Kara had muttered something in the Tatar language.

Sivar had understood. Even his pronunciation of “Ragnarok” was accurate.

At the time, Luna thought Kara must have taught him. But experiencing it now, something felt off.

‘And when we first met, he seemed to understand then too?’

Does that mean he could understand when they first met?

He could understand but not speak. It felt like there was a missing piece.

“Don’t know? I just understood. Is it important?”

He seemed utterly unconcerned. Aside from his heavily intoxicated face turning red.

Dan Yerin found Sivar’s demeanor amusing and laughed lightly. Her laughter, hidden behind her hand, was quite beautiful.

“You’re right. It’s not important now. Moreover, just because we understand each other doesn’t mean we can communicate.”

Dan Yerin’s words were profound, reflecting the nature of civilized beings.

“You seem to drink well. Thanks to you both, I feel a bit better. Let’s meet again.”

“Ah, yes. Take care.”

“See you later.”

“Hehe.”

Perhaps it was Sivar’s wave that she found endearing. Dan Yerin moved with a graceful smile.

Luna watched her retreating figure, sighing deeply as if the ground would swallow her. It felt like a storm had just passed.

‘Thank goodness. Nothing happened.’

It seems she should teach Sivar about social hierarchy soon. But with so many high-status individuals around, it might be challenging.

As Luna pondered, Sivar, still holding a bottle, began to move.

Since he had just narrowly avoided a major incident, Luna quickly asked.

“Where are you going?”

“Restroom.”

“Oh.”

Given how much he drank, it was understandable. Luna nodded.

“Alright. Just don’t do anything weird and come back, okay?”

“Yeah.”

Surely, nothing would happen on a trip to the restroom. Luna thought so.

‘…No, he might stumble on the way.’

It was nerve-wracking enough when he was sober, let alone when drunk.

Momentarily, Luna’s judgment was slow due to the alcohol. Deciding to follow Sivar belatedly, she made her way behind him.

Of course, she had no intention of following him into the restroom. She wasn’t a pervert; there was no need to go that far.

‘Why is this place so complicated?’

It had been a while since she visited the auditorium and she was confused about the directions.

Apart from the entrance ceremony, there was no reason to visit the auditorium. If anything, it was for training.

But training usually took place in personal training areas, not the auditorium. The layout was also complex.

‘Sivar might get lost too. He wouldn’t know the way.’

Given the situation, finding the restroom wasn’t a bad idea. Memorizing the way would be convenient later.

As Luna followed Sivar towards the restroom, a loud noise reached her ears.

It sounded like glass shattering.

The sound of breaking glass is sensitive to humans. Luna turned her head upon hearing it.

‘What was that noise?’

As she was lost, the corridor was empty. Yet, it came from nearby.

Luna decided to head in the direction of the sound, intending to quickly check it out.

And then…

“…Huh?”

“Are you alright?”

“I-I’m fine.”

It was a scene of violence, if not murder.

For some reason, Ellie was cornered against the wall, comforted by Sivar.

Ellie’s face was quite pale, but she seemed relieved as Sivar approached.

Anyone just seeing this would think they were lovers in a secret meeting. But seeing the ‘person’ on the ground told a different story.

“But, he’s not dead, right?”

“Don’t know.”

A man lay on the floor. A man with gray hair.

Near his head were broken shards of glass and a broken bottle in Sivar’s hand.

It seemed Sivar had struck the man’s head. His strength was enough to shatter the bottle.

‘What on earth…?’

Due to the alcohol, her judgment was clouded. It seemed Sivar had saved Ellie from danger.

It was commendable. But Ellie’s next words were truly shocking.

“You can’t not know. He said he was a prince. I don’t know if that’s true.”

“A prince?”

Sivar had cracked the head of a prince. What on earth had happened?

Earlier, he offered a drink to a princess, and now he broke a prince’s head with a bottle. There was no spectacle quite like this.

“What’s going on? Hmm?”

But there was no time to think. A man approached silently beside Luna.

His hair color matched the man lying on the floor. He observed the fallen man and the surrounding situation.

“What’s this? A murder scene? Why is my brother lying there?”

“…”

It was an incredibly abnormal reaction.

End of Chapter

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