A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Although Kara claimed victory with her overwhelming skills, a sparring match with me is a different story.

First off, there's bound to be a frightening difference in physical specs. From what I remember, Kara's stats are averaging around the 100s.

On the other hand, if we exclude luck and faith, all of my stats surpass 140. Especially my stamina is remarkably high, nearly approaching 150.

In the Soul World, stats from 140 are classified as near-endgame specs, while true endgame specs are in the 150s.

It's about the difference between Captain America and Thor.

‘I can see and avoid everything, so there's no need to worry.'

In the Soul World, there's a trait that allows you to predict and evade patterns. I cover that with my wild instinct.

So there's no need to learn it just yet. My stats are so good that I can see everything and dodge.

Wasn't it the same in my sparring with Elvin? Kara might be a bit faster, but it won't be much different.

‘Still, I'd probably take some counterattacks.'

You don't need technique when you have overwhelming strength, but technique is something you have to acquire when you lack power.

Otherwise, humans wouldn't have survived in this harsh world. Either way, learning techniques remains essential.

Overwhelming strength and perfect technique. These two elements need to harmonize to aim for even higher heights.

"…Really? You're quite confident."

After hearing my answer, Kara showed a deep smile that seemed to draw out more of her competitiveness. It's an expression that says, ‘Let's see you try.'

I simply replied with the truth, so I said nothing more. I just looked at her expressionlessly.

As I said before, stats in the 140s are considered near-endgame levels. The bare minimum to clear the remaining story with ease.

In the Soul World, due to the limits of the game, it's hard to show properly, but according to the setting, you could throw a boulder as big as a house.

If I were to use magic on top of that, I could exert even greater strength. All the more so because my Red Magic has a stronger output than regular magic.

"Is this also some wild instinct thing? I feel like I might understand Luna's heart."

"What heart are you talking about?"

"The fact that relying solely on instinct can lead to a big blunder. Now it's time to really see for myself."

"… …"

At Kara's remark, Luna displayed an ambiguous expression. She seemed somewhat cute, being cautious about my reaction.

She too, trying to prove my instinct wrong, suffered quite a defeat. She could be considered a kind of living witness.

‘Although it's not really instinct.'

It's not instinct but an objective judgment based on the settings I somewhat know.

While living a wild life, I might have forgotten the minor details, but I remember the important stuff.

Even if there are parts I don't remember, when I hear related things, I can recall at least a little bit.

"Umm… Sister?"

"Why? Do you have something to say?"

"Since you don't know, Sister, Sivar is really strong. Indescribably so."

"I know. He killed a Manki with just a stone ax, right? I could do that too."

"But still…"

Luna hesitated mid-sentence and looked at Ellie. Ellie was also one of the few people who roughly knew about my strength.

She had almost been killed by a Manki but was rescued by me, and she had also witnessed my battle with Porori from a distance.

"Why are you looking at me?"

"…No reason."

Of course, Ellie reacted with her bright golden eyes sparkling with ignorance. She's non-combat personnel, so it can't be helped.

"Alright then. Let's find out why you think I'll lose. What did you feel to say such a thing?"

"Strength."

"Strength?"

The terse reply of ‘strength' puzzled Kara's expression. She couldn't grasp the meaning.

I contemplated how to make it easier for her to understand. Keeping my response short, two words were the maximum.

"Maybe he replied that way because he's stronger than you, Sister?"

"Really? I haven't shown off my strength in front of him."

Even at Luna's inference, Kara still seemed confused. Certainly, she has been training in martial arts without demonstrating her strength.

Moreover, since the sandbags kept bursting, she practiced with reduced power. It would be difficult to gauge based on that alone.

"And, buddy. Relying too much on strength can lead to a big fall later on. This is a good chance to learn…"

In the middle of a sermon that wasn't quite a sermon, Kara hesitated, then frowned.

Anyone could tell at a glance that something didn't sit right with her. Ellie cautiously asked.

"Is there a problem?"

"Huh? Oh, no. It's just… my father used to say that."

Kara spoke as if it were nothing, but the discomfort on her face was undeniable. Just by that alone, one could vaguely understand the father-daughter relationship.

But Luna wouldn't know that fact. She asked after hearing Kara's words.

"By the way, didn't your father come? Did you see him?"

"I just met him. Didn't your parents come?"

Kara diverted the topic too quickly for anyone to doubt her sincerity.

"I'm too far away to come during my school year."

"I see. How about you, Luna?"

"My parents are no longer with me."

"That so… What?"

As if carried by the flow of a stream, Kara nodded at the confession and then widened her eyes in surprise.

Ellie also seemed shocked, hearing this news for the first time. On the contrary, Luna inquired with a puzzled look.

"Ellie, didn't I tell you?"

"Uh… Well, no."

"Oh, I see. Anyway, I'm an orphan. But I grew up well cared for by the villagers."

"That's… um… well, that's good, right? I don't have a mother either. Let's get along well from now on, okay?"

Kara, uncharacteristically, rambled and closed the conversation hastily. Her discomposure was evident.

Luna appeared unfazed—a clear indication that the villagers indeed took great care of her.

"Kara, Sister."

"Yes?"

"What is your father like?"

And you just had to step on a mine. At Luna's inquiry, Kara twitched below her eyes.

Since she brought up the topic herself, she didn't protest but didn't dismiss mines as just mines either.

"… He's a bit strict."

Kara answered with a forced smile, her tone trying to repress something.

Luna wasn't completely clueless and didn't press further, merely nodding her head.

Thus, the relationship between Kara and Hector is twisted and tangled. As I mentioned before, a father and daughter who are awkward expressing their love.

‘It will take a while for the misunderstanding to be resolved.'

This is one of the episodes in the Soul World that needs to be resolved over the long term.

If resolved well, it will yield great results; if not… I'd rather not say more.

"Anyway, let's stop talking about parents. Was our next sparring scheduled in three days?"

"Everyone gets a three-day rest between matches, so yes."

"Great. Then I should train until then. It would be embarrassing to make big claims and lose."

Kara said so and then looked at me. Her face was filled with anticipation.

She has been looking forward to sparring with me, and now it's about to happen soon. No wonder she feels good.

"Sivar."

"Yes."

"I'm telling you now that I won't hold back. Tatars have a habit of going all out, even in sparring matches. That's even more true if the skills are similar."

Kara declared her confidence, her skills brimming with self-confidence.

That isn't arrogance; it's confidence. Considering the actual combat experiences, she must be well into double digits.

But those actual combats will prove futile against overwhelming strength. With calmness, I stated:

"Kara."

"Yes?"

"Weak."

"… …"

Kara's expression at that moment was priceless. It was as if she thought she misheard something.

Then she chuckled incredulously and opened her mouth.

"I've never taught you to provoke. Who told you that?"

"Must be Ellie. Sivar must have learned a thing or two from observing her."

"Is that so? I need to be more careful with my words."

It's too late for that.

While I was thinking to myself, Ellie tapped me on the shoulder with her fingers.

I looked toward her, directly meeting her bright, golden eyes.

"Sivar. Just in case, don't hurt her too badly. Ordinary people won't come back to life just by spraying a potion, even if you don't know it."

Her earnest advice seemed absurd to me. But given my track record(?), I couldn't argue back.

It's ridiculous that Luna, too, seemed only belatedly aware of the serious nature, making a face as if she just realized. I'm not sure what they make of me.

"Do they think this guy was brought back from the dead?"

"Well… There's a situation. If we hadn't been there, he probably would have died for real."

"There's something that almost killed him? What was that?"

"Uh… …"

Ellie avoided the question by rolling her eyes, then quietly answered.

"… A squirrel."

"… …"

Kara looked at me with an indescribable expression.

It's not the wrong answer, but I hope she doesn't get the wrong idea.

‘I should introduce Porori to Kara.'

Since they both believe in Gulak, maybe they'll communicate well.

******

Luna's visit to the sick had ended, and time passed quickly.

After the big event, minor sparring matches continued, but nothing particularly noteworthy happened.

Since I know what's going to happen and which characters will be important, it would only be boring to stay by Rod's side. Using training as an excuse, I stayed at the training grounds.

"I'll say it again. Even if you knock your opponent out, do not kill. Understood?"

"Yes."

"Not yes, you should answer yes, sir."

"Yes, sir."

"Good."

Rod seemed pleased at my correction. It seemed he was more concerned with my casual language than the actual sparring.

I checked my armor, which was hardly anything special. A one-handed axe and a spear, just like in my sparring with Elvin. I didn't even wear any armor.

‘It wouldn't make a difference if I wore it.'

The trait ‘Steel King' makes my body inherently tough. Most attacks would have no effect on me.

I'm not sure about sharp weapons. Even an ordinary person can get cut by paper.

I checked my equipment several times, then turned my head forward. There was the sparring grounds and the exit beyond.

In a little while, an announcement will ring out, signaling it's time to enter. I admit, I'm a bit nervous.

"I'll emphasize again, maintain your rationality. You must not kill, or even cripple your opponent. You receive bracelets to prevent that, but just in case."

"Yes, sir."

He worries too much. It's understandable, but it's a bit much.

I have no grudge against Kara and won't attack her as though I intend to kill.

If I did, Hector would kill me. I want to live longer.

[Contestants, please enter the arena.]

An announcement rang out from the resting area. It was time to enter the arena.

Hearing the announcement, I looked at Rod. He nodded and gestured as if to say ‘hurry on'.

"It shouldn't be hard for you to win the match. The main concern is how much you get hurt."

"Yes."

"Ha! It feels good to hear you speak so respectfully."

That man is really something else. Why is it that everyone around me is so strange?

I shook my head and began walking towards the exit. It wasn't long before I arrived at the expansive sparring grounds.

‘I'm a bit nervous.'

Could this be how a gladiator felt stepping out into the Colosseum? The place was much larger than a normal sparring ground, and my heart raced.

I hadn't thought much of it during my spar with Elvin, but now it's different. Perhaps it's because more people are watching me this time.

[Please take your seats as the match will begin shortly.]

Familiar announcements sounded, and I looked forward. Kara was walking towards me from the other side.

But her armament was different. When she fought with Luna, she had a curved sword and an axe, but this time, she’s got a spear instead of the axe.

The Tatars are knowledgeable in weapon techniques and use a variety of weapons, so it's not strange for Kara to be wielding a spear.

‘Is she trying to measure distance?'

Considering the characteristics of a spear, that seems about right. Or it could be for control.

[The combat environment will now be set up.]

With that announcement, the dirt floor of the sparring ground gradually began to change.

During Luna’s match, it had been a mere plain, but this time it was different.

There were a lot more things emerging from the ground, and the terrain had become more colorful and diverse.

All of these things had mass and were tangible. Being close up, I could appreciate the ty of it all.

[The environment setup is now complete.]

And the transformed sparring ground was…

[The combat environment is forest.]

[The match will begin shortly.]

This was an environment all too familiar to me.

Towering trees reaching into the sky, dense shrubs, and even scattered boulders.

Although I couldn't do anything about the lack of smell, all these elements were real. Meaning, I could touch them.

"Geez. What, do we have adaptation advantage here or something? Would it have been so bad to be in the desert?"

Kara grumbled, shouldering her curved sword. It's an environment that's undoubtedly to my advantage.

Before the match started, I touched one of the towering trees. The texture was almost similar to something copied like a 3D printer.

The shrubs probably felt near real as well. It's quite a fantasy-like artifact, suitable for a fantasy realm.

[…1. The sparring match will now commence.]

While I touched the tree, the match began. I listened to the announcement and looked ahead.

Kara, despite hearing the match had started, smiled leisurely. Just like with Luna, she was unchanged.

"Shall you charge in first, or shall I?"

"… …"

To Kara’s suggestion, I simply moved forward without replying.

As I approached, she casually set down the curved sword she had been carrying on her shoulder.

Thud-thud-thud.

In the silent sparring ground, only the sound of my footsteps faintly echoed.

Even as I came closer, Kara did not take any action; she just watched. She must be ready to counter if need be.

"…Would you care to respond?"

Yet to that inquiry, I kept walking resolutely. My steps were calm, as if this all meant nothing.

Kara stood her ground too, without stepping back. Eventually, the distance between the two of us steadily closed.

Thud.

And so, I boldly arrived right in front of Kara's nose. We were close enough to look into each other's faces.

Close enough to touch if we extended our hands. I looked into Kara's green eyes and spoke.

"Punch."

"What?"

"Punch."

As I repeated the word, Kara's face grew more complicated. I simplified my explanation for her.

"Fist."

Indicating my clenched fist.

"Punch."

Pointing at the face. I was asking her to punch me in the face.

Taken aback by my request (?), Kara widened her eyes and stared at me.

She then cautiously asked in disbelief, "Do you realize we are in the middle of a match?"

"Yes."

"Then why?"

"Confirmation."

"Confirmation?"

Repeating the word confirmation, I nodded and clarified.

"Strength."

"… …"

"Confirmation."

"… Alright."

Finally grasping what I meant, she let out a hollow laugh. Her face was a picture of disbelief.

No wonder. Who would understand being asked to punch someone in the face to check their strength?

But it's a necessary step. Through this, I can adjust my own strength.

Unlike Elvin, there's a high chance Kara will come at me seriously. I need this process to prevent any accidents.

"Are you underestimating me too much? Did you really learn this from Ellie?"

"Yes."

"Sigh. I really need to be more careful with my words in the future."

Thud!

While saying this, Kara drove her curved sword into the ground. She then maintained a refreshing smile and told me.

"Bite down on your back teeth. That way they won't break."

Kara clenched her fist and slowly drew her arm back. It looked like she intended to give it her all from the start.

I waited for the impending pain. Hopefully, she hit as hard as she could.

Whish!

Soon, along with the sound of the wind being cut…

Thwack!

Kara's fist struck my face precisely. Instead of a direct jab, she threw a punch like a hook.

A proper punch using rotation from the waist and shoulders, just as she had been taught.

"… …"

But it didn't have any effect at all. My head simply turned; I did not fall.

I slowly turned my head back and looked at Kara again. She still wore a smile on her face.

"How about that? Did it jolt your senses?"

"Weak."

I knew it was hardly enough. So I repeated.

"Weak."

Perhaps the taunt had an effect. The smile vanished from Kara's face for a moment.

It returned quickly, but even this much was a large achievement. It meant I had kindled her anger.

"Ha… Alright."

Hearing my answer, Kara exhaled deeply as if she wished the ground would swallow her up. Then she slightly backed off.

As she took her stance, I remained motionless, just looking at her expressionlessly.

"Don't regret this, you brought it upon yourself."

Her tone now a bit colder, Kara went through her steps in sequence.

She pushed off her left foot as if planting it ahead, and with a swift rotation of her waist, gathered strength.

The arm that gained power shot out like a gun, and her fist plunged precisely at its target.

Crack!

The punch, several times stronger than the one before, hit my face squarely.

It was so strong that it wasn't just my head turning; my entire body nearly collapsed.

It was a punch with all of Kara's might. If Luna had been hit by it, she would've lost a few teeth.

"Now will you fight seriously?"

"Yes."

But not me. Perhaps thanks to my ‘Iron King' trait, it didn't really affect me.

It was a bit numb, but my mouth wasn't torn, nor were there any teeth damaged. They were intact.

"Kara."

"What?"

I slowly rose and addressed her.

"Weak."

And with that…

Boom!

In an instant, my fist struck her face.

Bang! Crash! Thud!

Kara's body flew off into the distance and hit a tree. Unlike my mere fall, the situation was utterly different.

Anyone could see the stark difference in strength. And I had even held back.

"Cough! Cough! Ugh."

But the experience from various real fights she'd been through didn't go away, and she quickly came to her senses.

Considering her face was intact, she must have managed to muster her magic for defense in that brief moment.

I approached Kara, who was slightly dazed.

"…Haha."

Kara saw me approaching and cracked a smile. Blood trickled from her mouth—apparently, it had split open.

Feeling the difference in strength yet still burning with fighting spirit. I wonder how she will fight now.

One thing is certain, however.

"You."

This match, no, this fight…

"Will. Lose."

I'm going to win.