The Academy’s Barbarian
Chapter 62.2 - It Is Not Your Decision (3)

After the duel had ended, Ulan immediately returned to his dorm.

Perhaps due to consecutively using the Transcendent Domain, his spirit and stamina were drained. Furthermore, his muscles had sustained considerable damage. Evidence of this was the substantial pain he felt scattered throughout his body.

‘At this level, I'll need at least two days of rest.’

Based on the experiences of his past life, Ulan speculated.

Ulan figured he would have to lie in bed for an additional half-day even after the two days to fully recover. With this thought in mind, he lay down on the bed as soon as he entered his dorm.

But not long afterward.

Suddenly, his body began to heat up…

'This is.......'

…and a surprising phenomenon followed.

The pain in his muscles gradually subsided, and the accumulated fatigue was washed away. He also felt his depleted stamina quickly recovering.

Huh? With a puzzled feeling, Ulan immediately closed his eyes and moved the residual spirit within him to investigate the cause of this sudden change.

And soon, he realized the reason.

‘The power surges from the Imprint.’

The Mark of a Hero on his back — it was the source of this incredible transformation. As he realized this, a memory flashed through Ulan's mind.

「The Imprint increases the strength and agility of its owner when wounded, and gives him explosive recovery when his stamina is depleted.」

Noah had explained this to him.

At the time, he had been honestly skeptical about this description.

‘Of course it does.’

He hadn't received any special blessings, and it was just a tattoo on his back. How could it increase strength and recovery?

So, he listened to her with one ear and let it go.

However, the story changed when he experienced it firsthand.

‘I can't believe it's true.’

Ulan's eyes lit up with wonder.

After spending about half a day back in the dorm, Ulan's condition had improved significantly.

The aches and pain in his muscles were gone, and his fatigue was gone. But it wasn't all good.

"...... It’s hot."

Although the explosive recovery was beneficial, his body was hot, possibly due to prolonged exertion.

Can't endure it any longer?

Ulan discarded his loose-fitting clothes.

"I need to cool down my body."

So, he immediately entered the bathroom and poured cold water over himself. His mood improved compared to before. As he repeated this process…,

Knock! Knock!

…there was a knock on the door and a familiar voice soon followed.

"Ulan, it's me."

It was Noah. Along with what felt like a stiff tone, she spoke, "Is it okay if I come in for a moment?"

"No problem."

"Okay, if you'll excuse me, then......."

Noah opened the door and stepped inside.

But she didn't finish the sentence.

The bathroom was right in front of the door. Her eyes locked with Ulan's, who stood there, naked and covered in cold water.

“……!?”

A muffled scream soon followed and Noah quickly turned her body away.

Then she shook her head hastily, attempting to erase the 'something' she had just witnessed from her memory.

"Ha, that's not good at all!" She said, her face and ears flushed red.

Then, covering her face with both hands, Noah, who had been rolling her feet anxiously, immediately shouted as if accusing Ulan, "No, more importantly, why on earth are you showering with the door wide open!"

"Because it's hot."

"Even if it's hot! First, either put some clothes on or close the door. Quick!"

Seems like she has a lot to say after suddenly barging in. Grumbling, Ulan closed the bathroom door, leaving only a small gap for barely possible conversation.

"Haa, seriously."

Noah sighed as she fanned herself, trying to cool down her flushed face. Ulan, observing her discreetly, spoke, "Your face is red."

"Because of someone."

"If it's too hot, you should take off your clothes too."

"I'm not taking them off!"

She screamed with a flushed face when Ulan asked again, "But why did you come here?"

"Uh... ...... Oh, wait, I forgot."

"You're surprisingly stupid."

"I don't want to hear it from you."

Noah, who had been gazing at Ulan, suddenly widened her eyes. It was as if she had just remembered the reason, "Oh, right. I have something I want to ask."

"What is it?"

"Ulan, did you secretly take any elixirs or anything before you came to the Academy?"

In contrast to her serious face, the content of the question itself was quite out of place. Ulan tilted his head in confusion, not understanding what she meant, "What do you mean, an elixir?"

"You know, like herbs for strength, or pills to boost your magic."

"I don't remember taking anything like that."

"Really?"

"Really," Ulan nodded. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ N0vᴇlFire(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

Noah bit her lip slightly. He didn't seem to be lying.

'No, Ulan never lies to begin with.'

He might omit an explanation or answer out of annoyance, but he never lies. This was also true in the original.

'But how did he become a Master so quickly!'

And that too, 10 years earlier than the original story!

Acquiring Kazan was an inexplicable variable. No matter how much she racked her brain, she couldn't figure out where this variable came from.

'Maybe I should just ask him?’ If he had ever faced a special incident.

However, she quickly gave up. It was an intuition she felt unconsciously. Even if there was such an incident, he probably wouldn't answer.

'...Ulan doesn't trust me.'

Noah had many secrets herself.

That's why Ulan said this.

As long as you have so many things to hide, and as long as you don't tell your companions, it's difficult for me to share ‘my own secret’ as well.

'At that time, I thought it was just a casual remark.'

Thinking about it now, it wasn't.

It wasn't a general secret, and the moment Ulan uttered the words 'my own secret,' it meant he was hiding something.

Returning to square one in his dilemma, when she sighed in frustration…,

Knock! Knock!

…suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

A new visitor had arrived.

"I'm from the Surveillance Unit. Please excuse me."

It was Ulan's dedicated Inspector.

He entered the room with his trademark expressionless face, but the moment he saw the sight before him, his expression changed.

"What's going on with ......?"

Ulan, showering with his clothes on.

And Noah, sitting on the bed, watching Ulan through the slightly open door.

The Inspector quickly realized what was going on.

"Voyeurism is a disease."

"Uh, no, that's, that's a misunderstanding!"

"It's also a demerit."

"It's a misunderstanding!" Noah protested, looking indignant.

Then came the voice of salvation, "What brings you here today?"

It was Ulan.

The Inspector then turned his gaze away from Noah and informed Ulan his purpose for visiting, "Count Deorg has awakened."

"Already? He's recovered surprisingly quickly."

"Because he drank so many potions. Anyway, the Count expressed his desire to meet you. He said he has something to apologize to you for."

The promise made before the duel began; presumably to take responsibility for all the wrongdoing and apologize on Himmel's behalf.

"Of course, if you're tired, you can refuse."

"No, I'll go see him," Ulan shook his head. If it had been right after the duel, it might have been difficult, but now he was feeling very refreshed.

"Very well, then I'll wait for you on the first floor."

Having finished speaking, the Inspector turned around. As he was about to leave the room, he glared at Noah who was still looking towards the bathroom, "Noah Darshen, you have been demerited."

"What? No! Why, why?!"

"For sneaking into a classmate's room and peeking while they're bathing, that's quite audacious."

"I told you it's a misunderstanding!" Noah shouted in frustration, as if she was really innocent.

However, as if saying 'I've made my decision,' the Inspector finally left the dorm after actually issuing the penalty points. After the commotion, she sighed, her shoulders slumping, "Ugh, I guess I'll go now...."

She came to check when Ulan had become a master, however, she received nothing but an unjust penalty.

So, as she was about to turn her body with a somewhat powerless feeling…,

"Noah."

…a voice that stopped her reached her ears; it was Ulan's voice, "I have a favor to ask you."

"Huh? A favor?"

"Could you bring Ibella by any chance?"

It was a somewhat abrupt request, but Noah understood the context as if she had caught on to it. Then, summarizing Ulan's intention, she asked, "Uhm, so you're asking me to bring her to the room where Count Deorg is?"

"Exactly."

Ulan smirked.

She was good at catching on quickly.

"Is there anything else you need to tell me?"

"Nothing. That's it."

"Okay. I'll do that."

With that, Noah left the dorm and Ulan finally came out of the bathroom. Perhaps because he had poured cold water over himself, now he felt quite cool.

His body had become much lighter. Smiling contentedly, Ulan hastily prepared to leave.

Just then…,

[Grrrr!]

…a sudden imposing shadow appeared; followed by a familiar voice behind. It was Bai Lang's voice. Ulan immediately turned around, his eyes widening slightly.

"It's gotten so big."

Like he said, Bai Lang's size had grown even larger than before, surpassing that of a wild horse.

Then it dawned on him; the white wolf grows its body by absorbing mana. As soon as he realized this, Ulan asked with a worried look, "Did you absorb everything that was there?"

The mana stones on the shelf in Deflin's cabin.

Recalling the dozens of top-grade mana stones, Bai Lang bared his teeth and laughed.

[Grrr! Grrr!]

It was an affirmation.

If he grew this much in such a short time, there was no other answer. Ulan nodded his head, but soon a troubled expression appeared on his face.

"But, it will be difficult to stay together like this."

Just sitting takes up half of the available space. It would be difficult to stay together like this, so it might be better to send him back to the forest.

As he was about to convey this to the creature…

Swoosh!

…the white wolf suddenly turned into mist.

After a few moments, Bai Liang returned to its original small size. Ulan, feeling surprised, asked back, "Can you change your body size freely?"

[Grrrr!]

"That's a convenient ability."

This changes the story.

Ulan smirked. He patted Bai Lang's head roughly and turned away, "I'll be gone for a while, then, so you can rest."

There was no reply.

As usual, the creature curled up into a ball, and soon fell asleep.

Perhaps a full stomach, fueled by mana, had lulled him to sleep. Smiling broadly, Ulan left the room, leaving Bai Lang behind.

At the same time…

…Deflyn's screams echoed from the cabin in Zone One, the Fountain of Magic.

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

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