The Academy's Barbarian

Chapter 72: You Are a Prophet (6)

Meanwhile, at that time

Dilia had a dream; it wasn't a particularly pleasant one.

It was a memory from her childhood, a time so scarce with happy moments that they could be counted on one hand.

You are destined to become a Archmage.

Everyone is expecting great things from you.

You alone are the hope of Arpen.

From being born as the one who was Blessed by Mana, she carried the expectations of both her family and the royal court. Simultaneously, she faced strict standards that were imposed upon her.

The Kingdom of Arpen was a small country with neither a Master nor an Archmages and that made Dilia the only hope and future of such a small nation.

As the years passed

the accumulating expectations turned into burdens. They weighed down her shoulders, pressed down on her chest, and made each day unbearable, almost to the point where even her breath couldn't flow freely.

And then, during that time, she found solace.

'Rudine.'

The ninth princess of the Arpen Kingdom and Dilia's half-sister.

The presence of the child, who always greeted Dilia with a smile, was as comfortable and cozy a place as any in the royal court.

'But.......'

The sweet time was short-lived.

Rudine was learning magic from Dilia's mentor at the time, Deflyn, when her mana suddenly went haywire.

Though she narrowly escaped with her life, Rudine became a cripple overnight.

In the aftermath of the runaway, she lost both her eyes, her voice disappeared, and her legs became useless.

And shortly after receiving the news of the accident, for the first time in her life, Dilia pleaded with her father. For the first time in her life, Dilia begged her father to find a way to make Rudine whole again.

However, the response that came back was cold.

We don't have the resources to repair a defective product.

It was not worth spending time and effort on something that was impossible. And from that day forward, Rudine was relegated to the abandoned tower in the northern part of the prosperous royal court.

And there was only one reason for this.

It had been reported that Dilia was visiting her every day, and that it was distracting her from practicing her magic.

The day her only sanctuary was taken away, from that day forward, Dilia had become less talkative.

It was a natural consequence.

The person she could confide in was gone. Gradually, her expressions and emotions diminished, ultimately leading to her current stoic demeanor.

As time passed, at the age of seventeen, on the brink of winter, Dilia left the kingdom to attend the Arsene Academy; however, she felt no particular enthusiasm.

It wouldn't be much different from the Kingdom anyway.

But, contrary to her expectations, on the day of the entrance exam, when she visited the academy for the first time, Dilia attracted numerous gazes. Most were similar to the ones she received in the kingdom.

If there's one thing that's different.......

Envy and jealousy had been added to the usual gazes.

Other than that, it was all the same. So, inwardly, she thought, It seems like it will be a monotonous three years.

However, it was not the case.

During the specialty test, Dilia encountered a type of person she had never seen before.

'Ulan.'

The first time she saw him, the emotion Dilia felt was surprise.

One moment he was strolling through the school with an unbuttoned uniform, claiming his brute strength was magic.

It wasn't just that.

Ulan's gaze was different from everyone else's.

His eyes held a certain wistfulness and a strange longing. When she recognized it, her surprise quickly turned to curiosity.

Interesting.

Someone who rescued her from a crisis and declared they would be together in the future.

So, she suddenly felt curious.

What was his intention in saying that, and was her guess correct? And after a few verifications, the guess turned into certainty.

'That person has feelings for me.'

The moment she realized it, Dilia's heart stirred slightly.

It was the first time. Ulan was the first person who had been so interested in her and didn't hide his feelings of liking her.

The one who was Blessed by Mana; but the one who has never received any love other than mana.

Someone who made her feel what it was like to be loved by someone for the first time.

The one who made her feel for the first time what it was like to be loved by someone.

Right after she thought of him

'I want to see Ulan.'

Dilia willed herself to wake up from her dream. And after unremitting efforts, she felt the world getting brighter from the dark; her vision gradually cleared and soon, she saw an unfamiliar ceiling. Perhaps the ceiling of a hospital room. She blinked once more, and suddenly heard a loud noise.

"That, you shouldn't do that!"

"Be a little more gentle!"

The voices belonged to a nurse and a doctor.

A group of four or five people, anxiously watching someone's behavior.

And at the moment

"Is this how it's supposed to be done?"

she heard the voice she wanted to hear.

Ulan's voice, which meant he was here, too. Dilia's eyes lit up at this realization.

Crack!

The sound of something breaking echoed and the doctor's scream followed.

"No, don't break it!"

"I held it gently."

"Then why did it break!"

"It must have been old," Ulan answered in a nonchalant tone.

And then the scenery beyond the hospital came into view. The examination equipment that was completely destroyed and rolling on the floor, and the doctors and nurses with desperate expressions.

The moment she saw it, she realized what was happening.

Ulan must have destroyed all the equipment during the examination. With the thought that it was somehow like Ulan, she let out a faint laugh at the time when she heard a familiar sound of footsteps.

She turned to look and saw Ulan standing beside her, and as soon as he made eye contact with Dilia, he spoke, "Are you finally awake?"

"......Yes."

"How are you feeling?"

"It's okay. Except for the fact that I'm a little weak."

She sounded like she was dying.

The next thing she knew, she was feeling an intense thirst.

But she held it in. There was something she had to say to Ulan, now that she was awake, "Thank you, Ulan." For coming to my rescue. And for giving me the opportunity to meet again. Dilia was truly grateful for that.

Ulan, meanwhile, waved his hand. Like he didn't really care, "It's only natural."

"Why, of course?"

"Because you're destined to be with me in the future."

The words she'd heard when they first met.

Dilia burst out laughing. After a moment, she quenched her thirst with water and leaned her head back against the fluffy pillow, pursing her lips, "You know, I had a dream."

"What kind of dream?"

"Just, an old dream."

Starting with a faint murmur, Dilia began to tell Ulan about the past memories she saw in her dream; there was no particular reason for it. She just wanted to talk about them for some reason.

How much time had passed?

After a short period of time had passed, the long story came to an end.

"...... This, when I was a kid."

All about learning magic from Deflyn, all about her half-sister Rudine.

When she was done, she felt so much better. It was something she hadn't said to anyone in a long time.

"Did I, tell you the reason, by any chance?"

"What reason?"

"Why I, be an Archmage?"

If it's that reason, Ulan knew. He heard it from Dilia in his last life.

But she never told him in this life, and so Ulan shook his head. In response, Dilia drew in a sharp breath and opened her mouth.

"I'm, you know. I'm, going, to, become, an, archmage, to, restore, my sister's body, to, original state."

Of course, it was the same; the same reason he heard in his last life.

But to make a long story short, Dilia in her past life did not achieve her goal; her sister passed away earlier than expected.

But even after that.......

Dilia did not give up and continued her research.

After a considerable amount of time had passed, on the brink of opening the Gates of the Abyss, she finally succeeded in creating a cure for the condition.

When she saw a mage who had been crippled by the mana runaway regain his powers, Dilia fell to her knees, and burst into tears.

'That was the first time.'

It was the first and last time Dilia, who was usually as expressionless as a doll, had ever shown so much emotion; that was why it was so memorable.

While he was silently reminiscing about the past, Dilia spoke up, "You don't think it's weird, do you?"

"Weird?"

"The reason I want to be an archmage."

When she first told her father this, he said this

Don't attach strange reasons, just become an Archmage for the sake of the kingdom. That is your mission and the purpose of your existence.

It wasn't just her father; her mother, her other siblings, everyone said the same thing. So all this time, Dilia had thought her reasons might be strange.

'But.......'

Ulan's reaction was different.

After hearing all the stories, he didn't show the slightest sign of seeing anything strange.

Soon enough, he replied, "It's not weird at all."

"I mean, really?"

"Yes, it is. You're doing this for your family. That's your goal. What's wrong with that?"

Ulan answered without hesitation; as if stating the obvious.

At the moment of the returned answer, Dilia's eyes widened.

"Your reason is not strange at all. What's strange is actually Diflenn and the King of Arpen."

"......Huh?" Dilia blinked.

After a moment, she said awkwardly.

"You know, Ulan?"

"Huh?"

"The king of Arpen is my father, right?"

"Yeah. Your father is weird."

A prompt response without any hesitation.

After a moment of stunned silence, Dilia burst into laughter. Who in the world could criticize the King in front of the princess?

But strangely, she didn't feel bad.

Rather, it was refreshing. So refreshing that it felt exhilarating.

After laughing for a long time, after wiping away the tears in the corners of her eyes, Dilia stared at Ulan with an earnest gaze.

'I don't know why, but...'

When she was with Ulan, she could laugh more.

Or more accurately, she was more honest with her feelings. She felt relaxed, even comfortable. Just like she did in the cave on the first day of the exam.

'What is it?'

She felt like she could be herself.

She felt like it was okay to be Dilia, a first-year student at Arsen Academy, not the princess of the Kingdom of Arpen.

'Somehow, Ulan seems like...'

she felt like he would accept her as she was.

The moment she realized thisDilia's eyes suddenly widened, as if she had just realized something.

'Ah, that's right.'

The first time she saw Ulan

she felt surprised. Then she developed curiosity, and then interest.

And now

she finally realized her feelings.

'I like Ulan too.......'

She swallowed hard and her ears flushed slightly; her golden eyes deepened. And a hard, pounding heartbeat.

"Dilia?"

Ulan leaned in a little closer; his tone was concerned.

"Your face is red, do you have a fever?"

"...... I don't have one, but I think I might."

"What?"

"Ulan," That's when Dilia called Ulan's name; with a very serious face. "There's something I want to tell you."

"What is it?"

Dilia clenched her fists tightly. Then she spoke, her face still serious, her voice thin and trembling, "Do you mind if I stay by Ulan's side?"

"Um? You're with me now, aren't you?"

"I, don't, mean, that."

You idiot. She let out a small grunt and looked at Ulan again, "Anytime, anywhere."

Not just now, but in the distant future. No matter what.

"I'm asking if I can be next to you."

That should have been enough.

Having said her piece, Dilia waited nervously for Ulan's response, but then he shook his head abruptly.

"I'm sorry, but that's a bit of a problem."

"......what?"

For a moment, her thoughts stopped; she felt her heart was sinking.

She hadn't expected to be rejected. But just as quickly, Ulan spoke again, "Because you're important."

"I-important?"

"Yes. More important than anything," He nodded in silence and pointed to his back, "So stay behind me, not beside me."

"......!"

"So that I can always protect you."

Just like he had in his last life. Ulan smiled. Immediately after his answer, Dilia looked a little dazed. For a moment, though, she felt her face flush. More important than anything, protecting her.

The unexpected words caught her off guard. She reflexively pulled the blanket over her head. Meanwhile, Ulan immediately sat up, "If you're sleepy, get some rest."

"......Wait, wait."

That's when Dilia grabbed his wrist; a white, tiny palm. After a moment, she poked her head out from under the covers, "Then, I'll, correct, my words." Still blushing, Dilia looked up, "Can we, still, be, together, in, the, future, too?"

"By all means."

This time, there was no hesitation.

Ulan grasped Dilia's hand and held on tight; a large, firm hand. Dilia smiled faintly at the warmth she felt beyond it.

"Then, I'll, continue to, take, good, care, of, you."

With a smile as faint as starlight, relief washed over her.

Just then

"Student Ulan!"

she heard a distant call for Ulan.

The doctors and nurses who had disappeared earlier.

"Hurry back to the examination room."

"This equipment won't break."

"Let's have a proper examination!"

It seems that they brought sturdy examination equipment.

At this, Ulan immediately turned around

"If you'll excuse me, then."

"Yes. See you, tomorrow."

and Dilia waved. She hated to let him go, but it was okay.

She'll see him again tomorrow. So she bid farewell to Ulan, swallowing her regret.

Some time later

Crack! Crash! Thud!

the sound of shattering examination equipment echoed, followed by the doctor's screams once more.

Dilia chuckled softly.

"Already, I miss you."

She muttered.

She was taken aback by the sincerity that spilled out of her, so she coughed unnecessarily and turned to gaze out the window.

A cluster of stars that adorned the dark night sky.

It was her favorite view, but for once, she wished that the night would end early and the morning would come.

I hope tomorrow comes soon.

With such small wishes, Dilia smiled at her bashfulness.

(End of Chapter. . . . . . . .Thanks for Reading. . . . . . . . . )

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