The Academy’s Barbarian - Chapter 78: A Changing Future (1)

April 30, Friday.

Dawn cast its gentle light, and amidst the corridors of the academy’s research building, there was someone making their way alone to the research lab. It was none other than Professor Dirac Ormine, the professor in charge of the mana detection class.

How much time had passed?

Dirac’s footsteps, which had been steadily progressing, came to a halt. He had reached his research lab. Stepping inside, he promptly took a seat at his desk.

Flick!

A candle flickered to life, illuminating the darkened lab. Leaning back in his chair, Dirac quietly opened his desk drawer.

What he retrieved was a sealed letter.

The envelope bore an exceptionally ornate seal – the emblem of Count Dermore, Dirac’s brother-in-law and one of the high nobles.

“…….”

Silently, Dirac stared at it. He recalled an event that had taken place three days ago on Tuesday. He had received an invitation to a dinner from Count Dermore after the evening lecture.

‘I couldn’t refuse that invitation.’

Count Dermore was the patron supporting Dirac’s research with the necessary funds. Thus, without a word of protest, he had headed to the mansion, the agreed-upon meeting place.

After finishing dinner, the Count revealed his purpose for inviting him.

「I have an urgent favor to ask of you. There are two items I wish to obtain, and for the life of me, I can think of no one else to ask.」

The reason the Count supported Dirac was simply because he was a professor at the Arsene Academy and Dirac knew this well, and he assumed that the items the Count was looking for were items that only a professor at the Arsene Academy could obtain.

A while later, his expectations were realized.

‘Fountain of Magic, Zone 3.’

That was where the items the Count had mentioned were located. As he had said, Dirac Ormine was the only one who could be entrusted with this task. He could enter Zone 3 under the pretext of research.

After revealing the main point, the Count revealed the identity of the items.

「I’ll tell you straight up, what I’m trying to get my hands on is ‘Phosphorus Stone’ and ‘Cryogenic Water.’」

Phosphorus Stone — this unique stone could only be found in Zone 3 and possessed a hardness comparable to steel. And one more thing.

Phosphorus stone has its own unique characteristic. ‘When light is shone on it, it glows and sticks to other minerals nearby.’ It then turns into a single mass. As if it had always been one. Because of its glowing, and attracting characteristics, it is known as Phosphorus Stone.

‘Next…’

Cryogenic Water — it was water flowing from the depths of the Fountain of Magic. It had a deep green hue as if tinged with algae, and the characteristic of containing a high concentration of mana.

Like Phosphorus stone, it could also be only found in the Fountain of Magic, Zone 3; that is because the moment it comes into contact with the fog that borders Zone 2, it loses all of its properties and turns into ordinary water.

‘Both of them aren’t difficult materials to find.’

Phosphorus stone was so abundant that it was literally lying around, and Cryogenic water could be easily found near the water. So far, he was willing to accept the request.

But there was one problem — the amount of the materials.

【Phosphorus Stone: 8kg】

【Cryogenic Water: 35L】

It was simply not possible to carry this amount alone and above all, with such quantity, it would be impossible to avoid the gaze of the golems guarding the boundaries of the Fountain.

Anything present in the Fountain of Magic was strictly prohibited from being taken out. If caught, it could lead to the revocation of professorship.

So, initially, he declined; this task was too risky.

But Count Dermore, as if he had anticipated Dirac Ormine’s answer, offered a solution.

「I’ll provide you with an assistant.」

The identity of the assistant was a student of the academy and the assistant was said to have the ability to easily move materials of that amount.

‘So all I have to do is…’

…enter Zone 3 with the assistant.

Next, secure the phosphorus stone and cryogenic water, and then hand them over to the assistant on the spot, and everything will be done.

One more thing here.

The Count added an extraordinary condition to the request. It was about the compensation he would provide when the task was completed.

「If you successfully complete this request, I promise to provide you with stable research funding until your research is successful.」

The moment he heard this, Dirac Ormine quickly accepted the Count’s request.

His research was on the verge of success at the moment, but he was unable to complete it because he didn’t have enough money.

‘If only the money problem could be solved…!’

…Dirac Ormine’s research would be successfully completed.

In that case, he could finally obtain the coveted ‘magic talent.’ Just the thought made him ecstatic, and Dirac broke into a wide smile.

At that very moment…,

Knock! Knock!

…the sound of a polite knock reached him, breaking his reverie.

“Excuse me.”

With a delicate tone, the door opened and a girl with ash-colored hair appeared.

Upon seeing her, Dirac raised an eyebrow. It was because he hadn’t seen her before.

“Who might you be…?”

“I’m here on behalf of Count Dermore.”

At that moment, Dirac realized.

This girl was undoubtedly the assistant Count Dermore had mentioned. The girl, who had come to the lab for the first time, courteously introduced herself, “My name is Sylphie Ludhina, and I will be accompanying you to the Fountain of Magic as your assistant for the day.”

With the girl’s introduction concluded…,

…the last day of the midterm exam period dawned.

* * * * *

With the gradual ascent of the morning sun, Ulan’s eyes snapped open.

The first sight that greeted him was the pristine white ceiling. Soon after, he felt the firm texture of the floor, realizing he had fallen asleep on the ground despite the presence of a perfectly good bed.

“Yeah, I was reading and…”

His head had overloaded, leading to a loss of consciousness. With the memories of the yesternight flooding back, Ulan smiled. A triumphant smile, laden with a sense of accomplishment, adorned his face. The reason was simple.

“I’ve read it all now.”

A textbook spanning an impressive 70 pages. Over the past ten days, he had successfully crammed every piece of information within it—an achievement he had never managed in his previous life. The pride in his accomplishment was palpable.

‘Now, there’s only one thing left.’

To challenge and triumph in the written exam. He felt no anxiety; the preparations were already flawless. While stretching his groggy body, the clock suddenly caught his eye.

“I should start getting ready.”

The time was now 7:00 AM and the exam was scheduled to begin in an hour. It was the final test of this midterm exams — Mana Detection.

And this time, he heard that the exam was being held inside the Fountain of Magic.

‘So, at the latest…’

…he had to be there by 8:00 am. There was no time to waste.

After clearing his mind of all distractions, Ulan swiftly prepared himself. Just as he was about to exit the dormitory, he unexpectedly encountered someone near the entrance.

“Noah?”

With black hair and azure eyes, the girl had a delicate figure. It was as if she’d been waiting for him all along, and as soon as she saw him, she shuffled over.

“You don’t look well.”

“Yeah, that’s actually…”

“Is it about that dream again?”

“…….”

Noah sealed her lips, then nodded with a stern expression.

Two days ago, she suddenly said something meaningful.

She casually mentioned a dream she had been having for three consecutive nights—a continuation of the dream about a monster emerging from the Fountain of Magic that he had vaguely heard about ten days prior.

It was an ominous premonition.

Noah could see the future through her dreams. In other words, today’s visit to the Fountain of Magic could turn her dream into reality.

“It’s okay. I’m fully prepared.”

On the contrary, Ulan remained indifferent.

He was already fully prepared; the proof was the pair of axes he had attached to his waist.

Noah’s face was still hardened, however.

“……But my dream was a little different today.”

“How was it different?”

“In the dream, you were there, Ulan.”

“Me?”

“Yes, and while fighting the monster, you found its weak spots one by one.”

The monster had three weak spots — the head, waist, and buttocks. She also added that if these parts were not destroyed first, they would continue to regenerate.

“In the process of finding them, I saw you getting seriously injured. That’s why…”

She felt uneasy. That was what Noah was going to say. But before she could say anything, Ulan spoke up, “Don’t worry.”

A large hand stroked her head; then Ulan chuckled, “As long as I know the enemy’s weaknesses beforehand, I won’t be hurt.”

The reason he had struggled so much in his previous life when fighting the Rulers of the Abyss was because it took him time to find their weaknesses. It was a different story when he knew their weaknesses and where they’re coming from. Ulan smirked and answered confidently, “I’ll win.” The answer oozed confidence.

Did Noah feel it too? Her hardened expression slowly began to soften, but then Ulan suddenly bowed his head gently, “Thank you.”

“Huh? What’s wrong all of a sudden?”

“Your foresight always helps.”

Just by looking at the recent incident with the Abyss Worshipers’ attack, it was evident. And perhaps Noah’s prophecy would be a significant help once again this time.

Fighting monsters, especially magic beasts, armed with prior knowledge of their weak points provided a significant advantage.

“Ah, don’t worry about it.”

Noah, meanwhile, waved her hand dismissively at Ulan’s expression of gratitude.

“You’ve helped me a lot too, Ulan.”

“I did? When?”

“You protected me when we left the grasslands and came to the Academy, and if anything dangerous happens today, you’ll protect me, right?”

The last statement sounded somewhat peculiar. As if, in the event of an emergency, she was requesting him to safeguard her. Nevertheless, Ulan nodded without much thought.

“Of course. I’ll protect you.”

“Hehe, that’s all I need.”

Did Noah like Ulan’s immediate answer? She giggled. Then, she immediately grabbed Ulan’s hand and said, “Well, let’s go soon. We’ll be late for the exam.”

Now, there was only 30 minutes left.

Ulan and Noah hurriedly walked away.

…toward the Fountain of Magic, the examination site.

* * * * *

At 7:50 AM, with just 10 minutes until the start of the exam, the two arrived at the entrance of the Fountain of Magic.

Noah, stretching her tired body, recalled the conversation he had with Ulan just now. ‘I’ve told you all the information you need.’ From the appearance of the monster to its weaknesses. In addition, she made sure to make a strong appeal to protect her if something dangerous happens.

‘Now all that’s left is…’

…the matter of defeating Professor Dirac, who turns into a monster, and obtaining the reward. That’s what she thought until she got to the Fountain of Magic.

‘But…’

A new problem had arisen.

It was the fact that a variable that did not exist in the original had entered. And it was a pretty big variable.

‘…Why is she here?’

Noah looked at Ulan with narrowed eyes. Or, more accurately, the silver-haired girl who had taken his side.

It was Dilia Arpen.

At first, she thought Dilia was just here to see Ulan, but as she listened to their conversation, she realized otherwise.

‘Substitute exam.’

Due to unavoidable circumstances, she couldn’t take an exam in one of her subjects, so it had been replaced with the ‘Mana Detection Exam.’

‘Probably because of that incident.’

The incident of the Abyss Worshipers’ attack. Dilia had been hospitalized for a long ten days due to that event. During that time, she missed an exam, and as a substitute, the Mana Detection exam was chosen.

‘But…….’

This didn’t happen in the original story.

Originally, on the last day of the midterms, only Professor Dirac and the students of the Mana Detection class entered the Fountain of Magic.

That’s why she used the word variable.

‘Still, it should be fine for now.’

Although Noah was momentarily taken aback by Dilia’s sudden appearance, the outcome itself would not change.

Moreover, with the addition of a named character, it would be even easier to subdue Professor Dirac. Dilia possessed skills close to a mage’s level.

Just as she was beginning to regain her composure…

…the clock finally struck 8:00 AM.

“Looks like everyone’s here.”

A dry voice resonated simultaneously.

It was Professor Dirac Ormine, in charge of Mana Detection and the supervisor for this exam; accompanied by five men and women, presumably assistant supervisors, Professor Dirac swept his eyes over the assembled students.

“From now on, we will enter the Fountain of Magic.”

With these words marking the start of the exam, the assistant supervisors began to move busily.

“Get into formation, everyone!”

“The formation is in order of your student ID!”

“Those taking the substitute exam, go to the back!”

Ulan and Noah positioned themselves near the front. On the contrary, Dilia found herself in the back row.

Observing this, she pouted her lips. As if she was dissatisfied with this arrangement. But since she couldn’t defy the instructions of the supervisors, she obediently distanced herself from Ulan.

“Ulan, I’ll see you later.”

With a tinge of regret, Dilia moved to the back. As soon as she separated from Ulan, she returned to her expressionless face, as if she hadn’t been smiling for a long time.

A while later…

…once the students formed their lines, the assistant supervisors took their designated positions.

“It seems everyone is ready.”

Finally, after all preparations were completed…,

…Professor Dirac led the way, and a total of twenty-six students entered the Fountain of Magic.

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

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