The Academy’s Barbarian

n awkward smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

She appeared to be hiding something.
But Ulan didn’t bother to inquire.
He didn’t bother asking because has a story or two they can’t tell.

Ulan was no exception.

“But I think my last few memories are good, just rolling around in the woods, picking up berries and mushrooms and stuff.”

Noah responded bluntly, bringing up more stories from her past.
About how she’d spent the previous eight years, what she’d learned as an Azur disciple, and so on.

Ulan realized after a while of listening.
Why has he never heard the name Noah? Why doesn’t he recall her existence?

“I see.
I understand.” 

“Huh? What?” 

“You are not from the grasslands clan.” 

Ulan’s eyes softened. 

Noah said.
She said that she had spent the previous eight years living in Azur’s cabin.
It is said that the number of people who have visited her village is so few that she can count them. 

‘So, of course, I don’t know.’ 

Because Ulan had never stopped by Azur’s cabin in his last life either.
And above all, Noah was different from the other clan in appearance. 

She looked more like a human from the outside world rather than from the clan of the grassland.
Meanwhile, Noah nodded her head in affirmation of Ulan’s words. 

“Right.
Master often said something similar.
I am not from the grassland, but from outside the meadow.” 

Noah laughed softly. 

It was a bit of a wistful laugh.

“However, she told me that I am also a clan member of the meadow as long as I became Master’s disciple and as long as I live while receiving the grace of the meadow!”

But that too, for a moment.

As if wondering when she’d looked so wistful, she replied in a cheerful tone.
If Azur is the case, then it must be so.
When she quietly nodded her head. 

“Is there anything else you’d like to know?”

“Nothing.” 

“I suppose that concludes my introduction, then.”

Noah smiled brightly. 

As if to say it was Ulan’s turn next.

Ulan had gotten the hint, so he began to introduce himself just as Noah had.

“I am Ulan Bator.
A warrior of the clan in the grasslands, and I passed the Trial of a Hero half a year ago.” 

After the introduction, Ulan closed his mouth. 

And the silence returned again. 

After a few moments, Noah asked bluntly.

“Is that it?”

“That’s it.”

What else do you need?  Ulan looked at her with his imposing eyes. 

Meanwhile, Noah had an awkward expression on her face. 

“Um, can I ask you a few questions, then?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you.
From what I heard, you’ve been studying with Master for half a year, and I was wondering what you’ve learned thus far.”

“I learned basic common sense and academics.” 

For the past half year.

Ulan rattled off a list of things he’d learned.

In particular, when he said that he could do addition and subtraction of more than two digits without a finger, he had a strong sense of pride. 

On the other hand, Noah had a subtle expression. 

‘Ignorance is the same as a game…’ 

She wondered if he’d lost his ignorance setting, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. So, why do you really want to study? She was even more confused.

“Is there any problem?” 

“Oh, no! it’s nothing.” 

Noah waved her hand in surprise. 

Immediately after she got out of her thoughts, she let out a short cough and asked a second question. 

“Hmm! Next, have you ever been outside the grasslands? I mean not for hunting or exams, but more like visiting a village or something.” 

Of course, he has.
However, that was a memory of his past life. 

The sixteen-year-old Ulan has never left the grasslands.
He hesitated, unsure of what to say, and then shook his head. 

“No.” 

“Hah, I thought it was the case.” 

She sighed as if expecting it.

Noah said in a serious tone. 

“Then I need you to promise me a few things!”

“Promise?” 

“Yes.
Because out here, unlike the grasslands, the laws and regulations are clear.
So there is a clear distinction between what to do and what not to do.”

Noah held up three fingers.

To summarize the three things she wanted to say, it was roughly this. 

First.
Do not use violence recklessly. 

Second.
If you ever need to use violence, the first thing to do is to ask Noah.
If Noah is not there, then think carefully and decide. 

Third.
Don’t steal other people’s things. 

“There’s a lot more, but for now, I need you to promise me these three things.
Then there will be no trouble at all.” 

Ulan nodded at Noah’s request.
They were things he already knew.

“Are you familiar with the world outside the grasslands?”

“Not as familiar as I’d like to be, but I’ve traveled with my master from time to time, so I have some basic common sense.”

There’s a hint of pride in her voice.

Then she returned to the point.

“Anyway, can you promise me that?” 

“I get it.
I promise.” 

“On your name of a warrior?”

“Yes, I swear on my honor.”

Name, Honor, and Oath. 

Noah looked relieved at the mention of those words, and she smiled brightly, letting out a short sigh of relief.

“Thanks for your cooperation, Hero Ulan.” 

“It’s Ulan.” 

“Huh?”

“It’s just Ulan.
Since you are a peer of mine, I will allow you to call me by my first name.”

Noah’s eyes widened.
As if she had heard the unexpected. 

After a moment, she blinked in confusion, then smiled softly.

“Yes, I understand.
Ulan.
Then please feel free to call me Noah.” 

“Okay, Noah.” 

Finally, an agreement.

At the same time, the mood lightened. 

Noah looked more relaxed and pointed down the road.

“Well then, hurry up.
One more hour and a blizzard will come.” 

“Hmm? How do you know that?” 

“The smell.
When the scent of the icy powers intensified, it usually rains snow.” 

She sniffled. 

That’s the only way you know when it’s snowing? Seeing Ulan look at her curiously, Noah smiled sheepishly. 

“Anyway, we’d better find a cave or something before it snows, although the best thing would be to spend the night in town——“

Noah trailed off.

She had a slightly troubled expression on her face. 

“Is there any problem?” 

“No matter how fast we walk to that village, it will take more than half a day.
The road is rough.” 

Noah pointed to the village below the cliff.

Ulan looked towards the village.
Then he asked again in a dry tone. 

“Can’t we just get there in an hour?” 

“Um, yes, but…….” 

“Okay.
Then let’s go.”

“······Huh?” 

Just as she asked the question blankly, Ulan grabbed Noah’s arm and pulled her away.
Pulled by an immense force, Noah stammered.

“What, what are you going to do?” 

“I thought this high might be enough.”

Enough for what?

Then an ominous thought flashed through her mind.
Noah made a hopeful expression. 

“Ah, no.
You are not thinking what I think, right?” 

“What are you thinking?” 

“The crazy idea of jumping off a cliff.”

Noah answered honestly. 

Ulan chuckled. 

“I guess you’re a shaman after all.”

“Huh? What do you mean……” 

“I’m surprised you can read my mind so well.”

“···············!?” 

Noah’s face turned pale. 

And at that moment, Ulan’s muscular arms wrapped around Noah’s slender waist.
A force so powerful it took her breath away.

Ulan whispered softly. 

“If you don’t want to fall, hold on tight.” 

“No, wait! hey! Aaaaah!”

At the end of her feeling of body stiffening.

Noah’s scream echoed loudly.