A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

The brawl is famous in the Soul World as an interesting event.

Usually, team battles involve two teams fighting each other, but the brawl, true to its name, involves three teams fighting.

You might question whether this is useful for evaluation, but it is surprisingly useful. First, it has the unique aspect of chaos.

Quick situational judgment, actions to execute that judgment, and finally, improvisation to overcome crises.

Since you can even aim for "using one to control another," evaluations can be made in various ways.

This means that teams don't necessarily need to fight each other. You can just watch the other teams fight.

'It's a surprisingly profound event.'

In actual history, specifically in wars, "using one to control another" has been employed countless times.

The most serious case of this was World War I. A war that broke out in a chain of entangling relationships.

Therefore, situations like "reaping without sowing" are often staged rather than "using one to control another."

That said, if you just hide without fighting, your score will drop significantly, so it's much better to fight.

"I explained the rules last time, but I'll repeat them. In the brawl, five people are randomly selected. Also, even if you are eliminated, you have three chances in total."

Before the brawl began, Marlboro explained this to us while we were waiting in a place similar to a locker room.

The unique feature of the brawl is that there can be 1 vs 1 vs 1 battles, but you get three chances. So there's no need to hold back.

"Of course, this only applies if you regain consciousness. If you don't regain consciousness all day, your chances end that day."

"If we lose consciousness, does the protective barrier automatically activate?"

"Yes. Just do as you always have. Besides, even though it's a brawl, there's no need to worry. Everyone except our team is an enemy."

Marlboro's words were correct. There's no need to overthink just because it's a brawl.

Everyone except for my team is an enemy. If the enemies fight each other, that's good, and if not, it doesn't matter.

I just need to enjoy it slowly as I always do. The only concern is Erica, perhaps.

Of course, she doesn't have combat skills, but it's worth watching how she will provide support.

"Professor, you said earlier that the selection is random, right?"

"Yes. Do you have a question?"

"Does that mean there's a slim chance that the top five ranked individuals could all be selected at once?"

A student raised their hand and asked. It's not an entirely impossible scenario.

However, Marlboro shook his head, denying it. Even though it's random, it doesn't work that way.

"No. In the first place, lower-ranked individuals are more likely to be selected based on probability. Occasionally, higher-ranked ones are selected, but it's extremely rare. If that happens......"

"If it happens......?"

Marlboro trailed off in a serious tone. Thanks to this, everyone looked at him with tense expressions.

Just as a heavy atmosphere was about to settle, Marlboro smirked and made a joke.

"You'd have to buy a lottery ticket, what else?"

"Huh?"

"If that probability occurs, the academy would notice the issue. Whether it's truly an extremely rare probability or not. I don't want to write a report."

Marlboro's joke eased the awkward atmosphere. If that scenario actually happened, it wouldn't just end with a report.

Or maybe it would happen because of me, and Marlboro would have to write another report. Given the nature of the brawl, absurd things do occur.

Still, I plan to restrain myself. Even if I get ganged up on, I can endure it.

"Lastly, from the top five ranked individuals, one will be selected at a time, so keep that in mind."

"?"

Was there always such a rule? I tilted my head, unable to recall.

I wasn't sure, but since it wasn't a significant part, I let it go.

[The match will begin in 10 minutes. Students, please prepare promptly.]

A broadcast echoed through the locker room. It seemed like it was about to start.

When the broadcast sounded, Marlboro left a few words of encouragement and left. Now, the brawl was in our hands.

"But isn't this really advantageous for us?"

"Of course. One of us is a monster, and another is a barbarian. The answer is clear."

"Don't call her a barbarian, call her of Tatar descent. Or you'll lose your tongue."

As soon as Marlboro left, a lively (?) atmosphere filled the air. They already seemed drunk on victory.

The monster refers to me, and the barbarian obviously refers to Kara. But can't they speak a little more quietly?

At least Kara no longer flared up at being called a barbarian. She had matured mentally and let it slide.

"I don't pull out tongues. Why am I being treated like this?"

Still, she seemed to feel wronged. It seemed my impactful actions had indirectly affected Kara.

She also has the decisiveness to pull out tongues if someone speaks carelessly. It's just that she can't do so in a civilized society.

But it's unfair to be treated this way when she didn't do anything. I felt a little sorry.

"Hmm...... Maybe it's because of your image? They say you caused as much trouble as Sivar in the past."

"Ha. I'm angry, but I have nothing to say."

Kara laughed helplessly at Luna's blunt truth.

However, seeing her tightly clenched fist, it seemed she wanted to hit Luna's head or perhaps pull out her tongue.

Sometimes Luna's blunt remarks left people speechless.

"But we can't see what's happening inside, right?"

Luna looked around and asked. The locker room-like space only had an entrance.

There was no device to show the situation inside. It really only had an entrance.

"That seems to be the case. It means we'll have to see it with our own eyes......"

"Hmm? Come to think of it, where are Karas and Dan Yerin, the princess?"

While Grace was pondering, Luna finally realized something strange and looked around.

Indeed, the two were not in the locker room. The reason was very simple.

"That's because they're transfer students. Their rankings haven't been determined yet."

"Ah. I see."

"They're probably watching from the spectator seats by now."

Karas and Dan Yerin couldn't participate in the brawl because they were transfer students.

It seemed unfair, but it was actually better this way. Otherwise, it would be problematic for the other side.

Dan Yerin would have been fine. However, Karas was a candidate for the next emperor of the Matra Empire.

In many ways, it would be troublesome to touch him, so it was better to exclude him.

"At least it'll be entertaining. I wonder if teamwork will be possible."

"Probably difficult? Honestly, it's hard for classmates to unite."

As Grace said, it would be hard for classmates to unite. They would likely fend for themselves.

Until recently, each person was a competitor. Now they're supposed to unite?

Logically, it didn't make sense. However, there were still some concerns.

'Unintentionally, Kara might draw attention.'

This was something that happened in the Soul World. Kara's appearance and skills naturally drew attention.

Moreover, unlike our class, other classes still regarded her as a barbarian.

Therefore, it wasn't impossible for all forces to focus on Kara.

'It's just racism.'

It's nothing but racism. They probably just want to deal with the skilled barbarian first.

I wonder if it will unfold that way this time as well. Ideally, I'd prefer the attention to be on me.

Even if it doesn't, it's fine. If Kara ends up being mobbed, the academy will impose sanctions.

'After the brawl, perspectives on the Tatar descent will improve.'

Racism is a tragedy both from afar and up close. And soon, we'll see that scene vividly.

I want to prevent that. If history flows as it originally did, Kara will be deeply hurt.

No matter how mentally mature she is, a wound is a wound. Even strong people are often vulnerable to emotional wounds.

Beep!

[The match will begin in 5 minutes. The selected order is......]

It seemed the match was about to start. Those called stood up and began warming up.

Fortunately, neither I nor my acquaintances were called. Starting from the beginning is tough.

[The match is starting.]

Eventually, the closed entrance opened, and the selected participants stepped outside. With only five people leaving, the room didn't feel empty.

"We go out every 10 minutes, right?"

"Yes."

"Then let's warm up until then. It'll be troublesome if we cramp up."

Following Kara's suggestion, we decided to warm up until it was our turn. I didn't particularly need to, but I quietly got up.

When we started warming up, others hesitated but eventually stood up as well. It wasn't really necessary, though.

That was when we finished warming up after 10 minutes.

Beep!

[Next participants, please enter. The ranking is......]

There was still no one from the top ranks yet. But I should stay alert since I don't know when I'll be called.

Especially since my chances of being called are higher than Kara's. Based on rankings, Kara was first place.

[Next participants, please enter. The ranking is first place.]

Never mind. How could the first place be called right away?

As everyone knows, Kara is the first place in our class. She's overwhelmingly first, with no incidents causing any issues.

"What? Me? Really?"

"Seems so."

"If our side sends out the first place, does the opponent also send out their first place?"

"Not necessarily. It's completely random."

"Ah, geez. I'll be back."

Kara, looking reluctant, stepped outside with the other participants.

[Next participants, please enter. The ranking is fifth place.]

"?"

But I was called right after Kara. I checked the ranking again.

I was definitely fifth place. It's the rank I got after losing as many points as I gained.

"We won."

"We won."

"We won."

People seemed to think we had already won just because I was called.

I felt they were overestimating me, but given what I had shown so far, I let it slide.

As I stood near the entrance with the others, Luna quietly spoke from behind.

"Sivar."

"Hm?"

"Don't do everything by yourself. Otherwise, others won't be able to earn points."

"... ..."

Is she worried about me, or is she worried about the points?

Knowing Luna's personality, it's probably the former, but it's fascinating how she always says things that can be misunderstood.

Even though it was a bit baffling, I let it go since she meant well. Right now, the brawl is what's important.

I wonder what's happening inside. Kara is strong, but no one can win against a group attack.

'It should be fine for now, right?'

I walked quickly toward the exit. The closer I got, the louder the noise from outside the exit became.

As I stepped out of the dark passage, I realized something belatedly.

'Ah. Right. My weapon.'

I had forgotten to bring my weapon. Normally, it would be in the locker room.

It felt awkward to go back now, so I decided to just proceed. I can handle this barehanded.

As I reached the exit and stepped out, I looked around. The surroundings seemed to be a rocky area.

'Where is Kara......'

I stopped looking for Kara and froze.

"Come on! Come on, you bastards! Come on!!"

"Hey! What are you doing, not going in?"

"You go first! Why are you pushing me?"

Kara was reenacting the elevator scene from a certain movie all by herself.

Just as I feared, she was cornered against a rock wall and being attacked by a group.

From the looks of it, Kara's display of skill had drawn all the aggro.

She must have caused such a commotion that the other teams even teamed up to launch a group attack.

Although there were some racist remarks mixed in, it seemed more like they were trying to provoke Kara.

"Hmm......"

I blankly watched the scene and pointed my finger.

Kara didn't know, but the enemies were perfectly clustered together. I decided to lower the power output as much as possible.

Wooooong-

Just as I was about to shoot the red mana gathered at my fingertip.

"No!!"

"?"

Someone shouted at me, as if they had sensed it beforehand.

Startled by the voice, my aim went off.

Boom!!

The Death Beam hit somewhere else and caused a grand explosion.

"... ..."

"... ..."

A dead silence fell over the arena.

I unintentionally drew all the aggro.