A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

When is the happiest moment in life?

When you get accepted into the academy you wanted? When you eat the food you've been craving? When you do the things you want to do?

All of those are true, but at least for Ellie, the happiest moment is now.

Doing what you love with the person you love. Just the two of you.

"Sivar. There's some here too. Let's take this."

"Okay."

"You have to be careful when picking this. If the roots get damaged, it might lose its effectiveness."

Following Ellie's advice, Sivar carefully began to pick the herbs.

A large man crouched on the ground, picking herbs. Ellie couldn't help but smile at the sight.

It wasn't about his appearance. Every little action of Sivar felt cute to Ellie.

But it wasn't as if he seemed like a child. The occasional strength he showed as a man made her heart flutter.

Wasn't that the case the first time she almost died to the monkey? He rushed in like a prince from a fairy tale and saved her.

'If Sivar hadn't been there then, I would've died, right?'

She would have definitely died. Luna was too far away, and she was paralyzed with fear, unable to move.

Maybe that's why. Ever since then, she might have grown more fond of Sivar as a person.

Honestly, his appearance didn't matter much. She only thought of him as a savior who saved her life.

And it's only right for a person to repay their savior.

'Unlike others, I have a very ordinary background...'

She was a student from the countryside, from a remote village within a remote village.

At least Luna had the title of Entrance Top Student, but she had nothing.

On the other hand, look at Grace and Kara, who are showing interest in Sivar. Their backgrounds are intimidating.

Grace is the Young Lady of Duke Berche's Household, and Kara, while distant from authority, is a princess of a nation.

Comparing herself, a mere commoner, to them was highly presumptuous. Even their appearances were attractive.

'At least my chest is big...'

Ellie glanced downward. Anyone could see the ample flesh that stood out.

It was a body inherited through genetics. The only thing she could confidently claim superiority in was this.

Knowledge about herbs? Kara's strength and Grace's wealth were far better than those.

Even their figures were all above average. They had all the qualities that men might find attractive.

'Oh well. Who cares.'

But she could let it slide. A normal person might have gotten depressed or given up quickly.

Ellie didn't. Instead, she brushed it off and didn't even consider them as competitors.

Not competitors, but good friends. Friends who happened to like the same person.

'Mom said friends shouldn't fight.'

She did love Sivar, beyond just liking him. She also wanted to have him all to herself out of greed.

But Ellie decided. Since the choice ultimately lay with Sivar, there was no point in her meddling.

In that case, she would just confirm her feelings. It didn't matter if he brought in other women, as long as she could confirm his feelings for her.

"Sivar."

"Yeah?"

"How much do you like me?"

"As much as the sky and the earth."

"Hehe."

Just like that. Ellie felt a bit of emotion in Sivar's blunt response.

She didn't fully understand the concept of love yet, but she could learn slowly.

As long as she could give that love, she would be satisfied.

"Sivar. You don't know what love is yet, do you?"

"I do."

"You know the word. But you don't really know how it feels, do you?"

"Hmm..."

At Ellie's question, Sivar showed signs of pondering. His expression remained blank, making it hard to read his thoughts.

But that was okay. Even if he didn't feel love, he probably had feelings of liking someone.

To draw out those feelings a bit more, Ellie started explaining slowly.

"Sivar. What do you think when you see a girl like me?"

"Pretty?"

"That's true, but something else. Don't you feel your heart race or get nervous?"

"I feel that when I fight."

"Hmm..."

Ellie realized that explaining it was definitely hard. In the end, she decided to give up cleanly.

As time passed, as Sivar's relationships deepened, he would naturally come to understand.

How sweet the feeling of love is, and how happy it is to have someone you love by your side.

'But having a child in a one-sided situation is not okay.'

Her parents had taught her. There are many beast-like people in the world, and many humans who take by force.

Back then, she didn't understand what they meant, but after hearing about Grace's incident, she realized. There are humans worse than beasts in the world.

At least Sivar knew that it was 'wrong.' Whether it was because he was taught or it was instinctive, she didn't know.

But as the saying goes, all men are wolves. No one knew when Sivar's desires might erupt. It was something to be cautious of.

'...Honestly, I wish he'd release it on me.'

Ellie glanced at Sivar. He was diligently gathering herbs.

Truthfully, there had been a lot of physical contact, no, more like caresses, that went beyond mere skinship.

It was to relieve Sivar's desires, but she also secretly wanted it. You could call it a kind of appeal.

'Human emotions are so fickle.'

She knew she couldn't compare to Grace or Kara. But she still wanted to make a mark.

After all, she was the first person to meet Sivar. She had claimed the sweet snack first, but it felt like it was gradually being taken away.

"Sivar."

"Yeah?"

"How many times have you practiced kissing so far?"

So, she decided to influence him little by little. Ellie asked Sivar while trying to hide her true feelings.

In response, Sivar blinked and then looked upward, deep in thought.

"None."

Then he looked back at Ellie and answered. Since the Freshman Banquet, he hadn't kissed anyone of the opposite sex.

"Really? Even though you live with Ms. Grace?"

"Yeah."

"That's surprising."

Ellie widened her eyes in astonishment. She thought he would've at least kissed Ms. Grace since they were living together.

But living in the same house, maybe he lacked the courage. Ms. Grace rarely touched Sivar.

Perhaps it was because they were physically close that she let her guard down, or maybe there was another reason. She wasn't sure.

"Then do you want to practice with me every weekend? I taught you during the banquet, but we haven't done it since."

"...Is that okay?"

"Yeah. I like you, Sivar. You like me too, right?"

"I do."

"Then kissing is fine. Like I said before, it's just practice before becoming lovers."

If others, especially Grace or Kara, had seen this, they would've told her to stop talking nonsense.

But they weren't here now. In this forest, only Ellie and Sivar remained.

Moments alone like this were rare. Ellie took Sivar's silence as consent.

She then quietly approached him, carefully holding his face with both hands, and spoke.

"You're going to hear this a lot from now on, so be prepared."

"What?"

"I like you."

With those words, Ellie stood on her tiptoes. Slowly, she leaned her face toward Sivar.

If things went as they were, she would have a sweet kiss like before. This was what Ellie wanted too.

Swoosh-

But what on earth was happening? A situation completely different from Ellie's expectations unfolded.

Normally, Sivar would have accepted it without hesitation, but he subtly pushed her away. A clear sign of rejection.

"...Sivar?"

Ellie blinked and looked at him. More than shock, it was curiosity that came first.

Why did Sivar push her away and express rejection? The atmosphere had been good, no doubt.

"Not now."

Sivar spoke firmly. His voice was resolute, too resolute.

Ellie, feeling increasingly uneasy, opened her mouth. Her voice trembled from considerable shock.

"Why, why? Do you not like me anymore?"

"No. I like you too, Ellie."

"Th-Then?"

"I'm eating something."

"......?"

Sivar's answer that he was eating something made Ellie tilt her head in confusion.

Could it be that he had picked up and eaten a bug while gathering herbs? She asked with suspicion.

"Did you eat a bug? I don't mind. I like Sivar's lips more."

"No, it's not that. I ate a mushroom."

"......Wait. A mushroom? What kind of mushroom?"

Ellie had extensive knowledge of herbs. Mushrooms, too, can be used as a kind of medicinal herb.

Naturally, her expertise in mushrooms had also grown, and Sivar's words made her uneasy in a different way.

Meanwhile, Sivar hesitated to speak, rolling his eyes, then extended his hand. In it was a small red mushroom.

"Red with white spots... Oh no!! Spit it out! Spit it out right now!!"

"But it tastes good."

"This is a poisonous mushroom!! Even a single bite could kill you!"

Ellie, startled, rushed toward Sivar. Hadn't he fallen ill last time after eating a bug?

Remembering that incident, she couldn't help but react strongly. Of course, Sivar didn't listen at all.

"This tastes good. It has a strong, tangy flavor."

"That's all poison! Spit it out quickly!"

"No. I eat this often."

"Ugh, seriously......"

In the end, she gave up after clinging to him. It was impossible to overpower Sivar physically.

"Just wait until you collapse later. I won't let it slide then."

"In what way?"

"I won't let you touch my chest. Ever again."

Those words were highly effective.

"Ptooey! Ptooey!"

Sivar immediately spat out all the mushroom remnants in his mouth. Not only that, but he also discarded all the remaining mushrooms.

Seeing his reaction, Ellie made a peculiar expression. But soon, she realized.

Sivar really likes my chest, huh?

"Yeah."

"Then... do you want to touch it now?"

"Later. My hands are dirty."

"Good boy. Good boy."

Truly, Sivar had a way with words. Ellie smiled softly.

Was this all thanks to her training? Or was it Sivar's innate nature?

Whatever the case, one thing was certain. Sivar was undoubtedly kind.

"Sivar."

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"... ..."

Perhaps this was why she was falling for him even more. Ellie confessed her feelings impulsively.

When Sivar gave her a dazed look, Ellie playfully tapped his nose with her index finger.

"This is practice too. You'll hear it a lot from now on."

"...From who?"

"From me."

"... ..."

Sivar's lips shut tightly. He couldn't bring himself to meet Ellie's gaze and kept avoiding it.

Was it because she found his reaction adorable? Ellie grabbed Sivar's arm and pressed it against her chest.

The kind of act women often call "playing coy." But Ellie was completely unaware of it.

It was closer to an instinctive action. The instinct to cling to someone she liked.

"How is it? Feels good, right?"

"...Yeah."

"I'll do it a lot more in the future. It's a bit much to do in front of others, so only when we're alone like this. Got it?"

It didn't seem that it was necessarily only for such occasions.

Thus, the two enjoyed their sweet time in the forest.

They didn't separate for even a moment, and it lasted until they returned to their residence.

"... ..."

Meanwhile, the hunter silently observed them.

Through their conversation, he could gather information about his target, but one thing was still missing.

'It's unfortunate that I couldn't confirm the presence of red mana... I should return for now.'

He melted back into the darkness.

*******

The hunter returned to the base and reported everything he had observed.

Where Sivar came from, what he was doing, how strong he was, and so on.

The Navy-Colored Demon nodded as he listened to the report. For some reason, he seemed pleased.

"And the red mana... Unfortunately, I couldn't confirm it. My apologies."

"No, it's fine. There's something more important... Did you say he had a girlfriend?"

"Yes. Anyone could tell she was his girlfriend."

From the hunter's perspective, it was evident she was his girlfriend. In fact, there were other women, but only in the forest.

The Navy-Colored Demon nodded again at those words. A smile still lingered on his lips.

Then, he asked a question that left the hunter slightly flustered.

"Children?"

"Pardon?"

"Does he have biological children? Or did their conversation hint at the possibility?"

"Hmm... From what I heard, there was no such indication."

"I see."

The Navy-Colored Demon genuinely seemed disappointed at those words.

"What a pity. Make sure to report again next time."

"Ah, and..."

The Navy-Colored Demon added an order.

"Don't touch the human woman presumed to be his girlfriend. Understood?"

"Yes. I will obey."

"As much as possible, just observe. If necessary, ask questions in a non-threatening manner."

Surprisingly, he was quite gentlemanly.