A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

The Butcher (1)

***

The outskirts of the Forest of Chaos refer to areas not managed by the academy, meaning places where monsters or beasts frequently appear.

The forest used for exams or practical training is managed by the academy, so dangerous creatures rarely appear.

Therefore, the academy has embarked on a large-scale clean-up of the outskirts. If these areas impact the exam sites, significant problems could arise.

Above all, e.

One might wonder if this makes it difficult to manage. The academy is aware of this and has deployed various facilities.

From walls that most monsters can’t penetrate, to magical barriers and machines, and even patrolling guards.

These measures are sufficient, but most creatures are drawn to the mana-rich interior. The academy has no interest in them.

However, as too many diverse creatures were being pushed to the outskirts, the academy had no choice but to be vigilant.

“Isn’t that an ogre?”

“Looks like it. But why is its skin blue?”

Among the teams spread throughout the outskirts, Luna’s team discovered traces of a blue-skinned ogre.

Overall, it looked like a typical ogre. But generally, ogres have skin tones similar to humans.

While everyone was puzzled by this unfamiliar creature, only one person identified it.

“It’s a creature from the northern region. How did it end up here?”

Serah, the only one from the perpetually cold north, recognized the type of ogre.

Her usually cold expression was filled with curiosity.

Seeing her reaction, Luna cautiously asked.

“Do ogres change color depending on the region?”

“Not just ogres, but all creatures do. Moreover, they usually possess resistance suitable for their region’s climate. This ogre is highly resistant to cold but vulnerable to fire.”

Being from the north, Serah also knew the ogre’s weaknesses well. Luna found this explanation even more puzzling.

From what she knew, the north was far from the academy. Yet this ogre had reached the outskirts.

“Isn’t the north far from the academy?”

“It is. But the story changes if it passed through the Forest of Chaos. The Forest of Chaos borders all climates except the desert.”

“Is that possible?”

“Even scholars don’t know, which is why it’s called the Forest of Chaos.”

Luna couldn’t understand why the hero chose to establish the academy here.

At least with the passage of time and the advancement of civilization, it had been managed to this extent. In the early days, countless incidents must have occurred.

Moreover, there were occasional reports of people going missing after entering the forest. It’s an undeniably dangerous forest.

“It seems it accidentally found the forest’s entrance. But being driven to the outskirts and cut in half…”

“…”

Luna quietly listened to Serah’s words. The ogre was cleanly cut in half at the waist.

Its upper and lower body were separated, spilling its guts. It was a sight that made one frown involuntarily.

For the academy.

The other students were the same. Though they grimaced, none of them vomited.

“Could the monster that killed the ogre have moved into the interior?”

“Given ht rush back to the outskirts.”

Given the name “Chaos,” it wouldn’t be strange for all sorts of monsters to appear. Serah began jotting down her findings in a notebook.

Meanwhile, Luna looked around. The forest appeared quite ordinary, perhaps because it was the outskirts.

The interior was the same. Although she had only entered it once, the interior seemed like any other forest.

Still, the fact that an ogre from the north had reached here indicated its significant influence. This puzzled Luna.

‘Can it adapt to a different environment?’

This thought crossed Luna’s mind after hearing Serah’s explanation. Monsters and animals have inherent habits.

Some prefer humid places, while others prefer dry ones.

In most cases, they don’t leave these environments, spending their entire lives where they were born.

Migratory birds are the same. They travel to various regions according to the seasons but don’t deviate from their habits.

“Professor, may I ask a question?”

“Questions are always welcome. What is it?”

“Why do monsters and beasts flock to the Forest of Chaos? Normally, they would avoid different environments.”

“That’s a good question.”

Serah closed her notebook and smiled gently, looking quite pleased.

She then gathered the students and informed them that they would leave the scene. Staying too long might attract other monsters.

“Most animals don’t leave the environment they were born and raised in, as you said. They develop certain habits.”

Luna’s team began moving away from the ogre. The ogre would soon be dealt with by other beasts.

“But the Forest of Chaos is different. Rich mana means abundant food. All animals will do anything to fill their bellies.”

“Just for food…?”

“Luna.”

“Yes?”

Serah called her name in a serious tone, sensing Luna’s disbelief.

She then revealed a harsh reality, sounding as if she wanted Luna to remember it.

“Even we humans frequently wage wars to secure food. To sustain life, food—prey—is essential.”

“…”

“ hunger is?”

“…A bit.”

Luna thought of her village, where they practiced self-sufficiency, including farming.

But during a bad harvest, food would become scarce. Although they bought food from outside, their meals would inevitably be meager.

The perpetually harsh winters of the north were undoubtedly worse. Sensing her thoughts, Serah shared a bit of her country’s history.

“Frozen was so short on food that it engaged in raids. Fortunately, numerous rare minerals were discovered, allowing the nation to be established. Had there been ample food, there would have been no need for such raids.”

“Like the Tatars.”

“Exactly. All conflicts among living beings, not just humans, stem from food. Fortunately, humans can solve food shortages to some extent through farming, but the wild isn’t the same.”

Farming is the alpha and omega of civilization. Without it, humans would live no differently from animals.

Both humans and animals need full bellies to function properly. When hungry, they become exceedingly vicious.

Thus, being drawn to the food-rich Forest of Chaos is only natural.

“This is also why predators are gathering. Predators need ample prey, and the Forest of Chaos can provide that. It goes beyond ample to abundant.”

“Then…”

Luna thought for a moment. It wasn’t surprising that strong predators became stronger.

But for prey, especially weak animals like squirrels, it was puzzling. How did Ratatoskr become strong?

At least Sivar had the high growth potential of a human, but Ratatoskr’s case was unknown.

“Can prey become stronger too?”

“It’s possible, even outside the Forest of Chaos. The Forest of Chaos just has a higher frequency. There’s an old story of a squirrel defeating a bear.”

That’s not a rumor but the truth. But it seems so unbelievable that it’s treated as a rumor.

“In the wild, it’s not the strong who survive, but the survivors who are strong. Just as people grow stronger by overcoming crises, animals do the same. The Forest of Chaos provides enough energy for this. If repeated, prey can become predators.”

“I see. In the end, food is the most important thing.”

“You grasp the point well. Sivar must have become the top predator through this process too.”

It seemed the professors also attributed the chaos in the Forest of Chaos to Sivar’s absence. In reality, it was the absence of both Sivar and Porori.

With not just one but two entities missing, each having divided territories, their absence created a huge butterfly effect.

“However, it’s a bit odd. Just because one predator disappeared, it shouldn’t cause this much chaos. The competition for food is unusually fierce.”

“You mean it wasn’t this bad before?”

“It’s not uncommon for monsters to be pushed to the outskirts. It used to happen frequently, though it has been quiet for the past few years. But according to records, this many were never pushed out.”

Even just the traces Luna’s team found have exceeded ten times. Various monsters and animals, including ogres.

They found them so often, about every five minutes. There are far too many monsters being pushed to the outskirts.

‘It really seems to be because of those two.’

The territory, originally split in two, merged into one with the kings’ absence. And now, the opportunity to monopolize this unified territory has arisen.

Who could resist this? It’s a golden opportunity to claim a vast territory.

“Perhaps before Sivar arrived, someone had already dealt with the predator just below him. I should ask about that later.”

“…”

There was once a rival squirrel, not a predator. That squirrel is now a spiritual being and is with us.

Luna barely swallowed the words that rose to her throat. If this report goes in, Rod would immediately notice.

For now, entering the Forest of Chaos seems difficult. Going deep inside is out of the question.

“Huh? What’s this?”

“Yeah, it’s an unfamiliar beast.”

Luna smirked .

Luna and Serah turned to look. Three of them were huddled together, looking at something.

“Kuuu…”

“Does anyone know what this is?”

“No idea. It looks really tough.”

“Just in case, let’s step back a bit.”

It was about the size of a calf, with a tough outer shell that looked hard.

Its four thick, sturdy legs supported its heavy body like pillars.

Lastly, two blade-like appendages sprouted from the area connecting its head and torso.

It looked like a giant monster from a sci-fi movie.

“Get back quickly! It’s a baby Usk!”

“Huh?”

The students hesitated at its unfamiliar appearance. Serah, who noticed it late, urgently shouted.

The students heard her shout but couldn’t react in time.

“Roaaar!”

Unfortunately, the beast called a baby Usk was already agitated.

Instead of charging immediately, the baby Usk roared towards the sky, as if calling someone.

Serah’s face turned pale at the roar. A rare reaction for someone who usually showed little emotion.

She quickly composed herself and instructed the students.

“Everyone, return to the academy! Don’t look back, just run…”

Serah couldn’t even finish her instructions.

-ROOOOARRR!!

In response to the baby’s cry, a massive roar echoed through the forest.

The sound was so loud that birds in the forest flew up in a panic. It sounded like a ship’s foghorn.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

After the roar, the ground began to shake as if an earthquake had struck. Luna was quite startled by the trembling.

The ground was shaking just from someone’s approach. How big and heavy could it be?

But now wasn’t the time to evaluate. Hearing Serah’s instructions, running was the best option.

Crunch! Crack! Crash!

The problem was the baby Usk’s mother was approaching even faster. Hearing the trees breaking, Serah immediately drew her sword.

Meanwhile, the baby Usk ran towards its approaching mother. Despite its heavy-looking appearance, it was quite swift.

Crash!

When Serah gathered the students, the baby Usk’s mother appeared, breaking through the trees.

“W-What is that…”

“Can a sword even pierce it?”

“Hmm…”

It was much larger than the baby, with even longer blades. Unlike the cute baby, it had a fierce appearance.

It looked more like a monster than a beast. Just getting crushed by those thick legs would be fatal.

“Kuu! Kuu!”

“Grrrr…”

Fortunately, the mother, having found her baby, didn’t attack recklessly. She seemed to prioritize her baby’s safety.

Serah gulped nervously. She knew it wouldn’t be easy to deal with an Usk.

She whispered to the students.

“Usks don’t attack unless provoked first. Retreat slowly.”

“Is it impossible to hunt it?”

Luna asked. Although its exterior looked tough like armor, it didn’t seem entirely impossible to hunt.

But that was a big mistake. Serah rarely scolded her, explaining the reason for their retreat.

“If you want to end up like that ogre cut in half, go ahead. Besides, it’s nearly impossible to cut through that outer shell. Only someone like the Principal could do it.”

“…”

“So retreat before we suffer any losses…”

Before Serah could finish her words, her guard.

But then something happened that heightened her alertness.

Crash!

An axe flew swiftly and embedded itself near the mother Usk’s head.

It was an axe imbued with red lightning. There was only one person who could have thrown it.

“That crazy…!”

Serah cursed under her breath at the sight.

End of Chapter

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