Chapter 8 : Regression (7)

Chapter 8: Regression (7)

If one had the ability and the will, the door was open to anyone.

That was the inscription carved into the main gate of Arpentia Academy.

It meant they would not impose any kind of standard on those who sought learning.

In fact, there was even an imperial law in place to ensure that no one at the Academy would face unfair treatment or discrimination simply for having a different race, nationality, or species.

However, if one were to ask whether that law was truly enforced, the answer could only be viewed with skepticism.

Discrimination based on race, nationality, or species still existed openly—or subtly—even now.

For dwarves, elves, or orcs who had served in the Wolpen Knights—(only those few who possessed intellect, self-control, and could communicate fluently)—things were somewhat better.

Those who did not have such qualifications, however, had to endure blatant discriminatory stares.

Yes, for example—someone like Yuran, standing right up ahead, was a prime example.

She had come from the distant eastern lands, and we called her people the Garusol.

Garusol.

The Land Where Rainbows Rise.

A land of fierce warriors and shamans wielding strange magic.

A land that withstood the giant that was the Empire for years, and after the end of the war, became its ally.

Yet, due to the war that had occurred over twenty years ago, the citizens of the Empire still despised them and branded them as savages.

For such people, the fact that it had been the Empire that invaded first—and that the Garusol had merely defended their homeland—was of little importance.

“I! Not! Criminal!!!”

Crack!

Every time she swung her arm violently, spearheads bent as if they were toys.

Surrounded by multiple opponents, she showed no sign of faltering, even though she was unarmed.

“Why will you not listen?!”

Lancia and I, who had arrived late, stood a short distance away, watching to grasp the situation.

Of course, I already had a full grasp of the situation.

As I had mentioned earlier, her turbulent story was quite well-known.

‘She’s just being treated this way because she’s Garusol.’

Though she had arrived with an official invitation, proof tag, and admission certificate, the problem was that she had crossed paths with an extreme Garusol-hater.

In no time, most of her belongings had been confiscated, and she was accused of being an illegal entrant, forcing her to flee.

While wandering aimlessly, the only hand of help she found was from an orphanage in the slums, and she ended up half-settling there while trying to resolve the issue.

However, there was one thing she had overlooked—Garusol always stood out, no matter where they went.

Especially someone like her—young, beautiful, and carrying an air of unapproachable dignity.

Hearing of her and tracking her down, the guards tried to arrest her. Unable to endure the injustice and resentment, she resisted in her own way—but in the end, she was caught and dragged away…

That was roughly how it must have gone.

Normally, even without my interference, her supervising professor would eventually resolve everything, albeit belatedly…

But I had no intention of missing such a golden opportunity.

“Let’s go for now.”

“Huh?”

Having finished thinking, I said that to Lancia.

“If that Garusol woman is truly being wronged, we can help her. If not, then we help the other side.”

I took a breath and added,

“It’s one thing if we didn’t know—but now that we’ve seen it, it feels wrong to just ignore it, doesn’t it?”

Besides, the merciful Ilionel had also told us to help those in trouble.

Adding that, I immediately walked quickly toward them.

Lancia hesitated for a moment before following a few steps behind me.

‘As expected.’

The Lancia Jintia I knew would normally have stepped forward before I even had a chance to speak.

But she hadn’t.

It must be because of her current situation—needing to hide her power and background.

In other words, right now she was nothing more than an “ordinary Academy student.”

Which meant that smoothing over and resolving this situation was entirely my responsibility.

“Senior, could you go and bring the Sister here?”

“…What?”

“Unlike me, you could probably bring her here in time.”

After a moment’s thought, she nodded as if understanding.

As I watched her immediately turn and run off, I exhaled lightly.

‘Good.’

Slowly, but just enough so my presence would be felt.

As I approached with that intention, the guard captain turned his head sharply toward me—just as I had hoped.

His goat-like beard was quite striking.

“You there! Stop! Who are you?”

I could feel several people’s eyes focusing on me.

Before the guard captain, whose expression had turned grim, could shout anything further, I quickly spoke.

“I am Lian Gwendil, a student of Arpentia Academy.”

“…The Academy? What’s a student doing here?”

At the mention of the Academy, the guard captain’s tone eased slightly, though his sharp eyes still scanned me up and down.

Most Academy students were nobles or children of powerful families, after all.

From his perspective, it must have felt like just one more nuisance added to an already bothersome day.

“I was supposed to be doing volunteer work at the orphanage today. But while I was there, I heard some commotion from far away, so I came running.”

While I answered, he blatantly scanned me from head to toe.

His eyes clearly said, “Get lost right now,” but I took it lightly and added casually,

“I thought maybe something unpleasant had happened.”

“…Something unpleasant has happened, yes. But it’s not so bad that we’d need help from a student. And it’s not something a student should get involved in.”

As he said this, he shot a glance at Yuran, who was still in a standoff with the guards.

“Maintaining public order in the streets and identifying and apprehending illegal entrants is our job. So you should just step—”

“No!”

The moment Yuran, who had been listening, suddenly exploded in anger, several guards reflexively raised their glaives.

Ignoring them completely, she pointed a finger at the guard captain, venting her fury.

“I, officially invited to learn! I have papers! But they did not believe! Got angry, said I stole! Why not listen to people?!”

Seeing my chance, I looked at the guard captain.

“She’s saying all that right now, Captain.”

“Surely you’re not suggesting we take a criminal’s word seriously? Even if she truly is innocent, everything will be resolved once she’s investigated.”

“How can a foreigner who barely speaks our language receive proper defense and undergo a fair investigation?”

At my reply, he muttered a curse under his breath toward the ground.

“…Then what are you suggesting?”

“It’s simple. If there’s a possible misunderstanding, why not clear it up first?”

He muttered another curse and glared at me.

Then, as if scraping together the last of his patience, he spoke in a trembling voice.

“Even if I did misunderstand, that woman has injured several guards and damaged weapons. That alone is more than enough reason to arrest her.”

He shook the scabbard at his waist with a clattering sound, threateningly.

It was such a low-level threat that I simply let it slide.

But apparently, he took my silence as a sign of fear.

Almost immediately, he smirked, looking down on me.

“If you interfere any further, no matter if you’re a noble or a student, I’ll have you arrested for obstructing official duties. It’s by imperial decree, so there’s no problem. But I don’t want to make this bigger than it needs to be, so step back.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

I took a step toward him.

“What?”

“Normally, I’d agree with you that stepping back would be the right thing to do. But that Garusol woman just said she was invited here. If—just if—she came here as a fellow Academy student and got caught up in trouble, then by school regulations, I am obliged to help her.”

Then I poured out the words I had prepared beforehand without hesitation.

Seeing his momentarily blank expression, I followed up with another blow.

“I’m sure you’re well aware that since this is by imperial decree, both I and you, Captain, are bound to obey this strict law. No problem there, right?”

Of course, it was sophistry.

But perhaps it was effective—because the guard captain only breathed heavily through his nose without saying anything.

The corners of his eyes twitched as if he were holding himself back, and I didn’t need to ask to know he was itching to beat me with that scabbard.

After a moment, he spoke in a forcibly calm voice.

“…That’s nonsense. Baseless speculation with no value.”

“I actually think so too.”

I smiled faintly, then turned my head toward Yuran.

Then, using one of the few Garusol words I knew—meaning “Calm down”—I called out.

Her eyes immediately lit up.

She quickly began speaking to me in surprise.

Her voice was so beautiful, like a song, it was hard to believe she was the same person who had been snarling in a sharp tone just moments ago.

While listening to her words, I nodded and responded appropriately, then discreetly pointed at the Academy insignia.

Then, in the most fluent Garusol I could manage, I said:

“(I am a foreigner.)”

“(I do not speak the Garusol language.)”

Thankfully, she seemed to understand my intention and immediately closed her mouth.

Then, as if telling me to wait, she spread both hands, reached into her clothes, and pulled something out to wave.

Even from a distance, it was clear what it was.

An admission certificate.

‘Thankfully, she kept that safe.’

Relieved, I looked at the guard captain.

“Unless my eyes deceive me, that appears to be an Academy admission certificate.”

“…And where’s the proof it’s not forged?”

Though his words said otherwise, I caught the brief flicker in his eyes.

I shrugged.

“Then why not check it right now? How long would it take to confirm if it’s forged? An hour? Two?”

Looking around at them, I continued slowly.

“But you see, Captain…”

I deliberately paused for a beat.

Hearing approaching footsteps, I let a faint smile curl my lips.

“…It just occurred to me—if it turns out we’re in the right, what kind of punishment would you face, Captain? I mean, if word got out that you treated an Academy affiliate like this without proper procedure.”

The surroundings fell silent for a moment.

The guard captain’s lips twitched.

This time, it wasn’t solely out of anger.

“Just in time—someone who can help us with that has arrived.”

In the distance, Lancia was approaching with Sister Roberta.

When the guard captain saw her wearing the Academy insignia, his face immediately twisted.

It was the expression of someone who had just realized things had taken a serious turn for the worse.

I gave him the same crooked smirk he had given me earlier.

“If you’re unlucky, you might even get reassigned to some far-off backwater.”

And I was certain that was exactly what would happen to him.

“I have received a favor. I offer my thanks.”

Once the matter had more or less been resolved, Yuran lowered her head deeply toward us, speaking in a whisper.

Her voice was as firm as a blade, yet soft as the wind.

“My people do not forget debts. A favor is repaid threefold, a grudge sevenfold. I will repay this favor. Threefold.”

“All right, but for now, please lift your head.”

She slowly raised her head to look at me.

Her eyes were black as the night sky, yet glittered like starlight.

‘Huh?’

Black?

‘They’re not red?’

While I was momentarily taken aback by this difference from my memory, she introduced herself.

Her tone was much more fluent than before, as if she had practiced many times.

“My name, Yuran. ‘Yuran who seizes the goat’s horn with the morning star.’ Just call me Yuran. Benefactor, what is your name?”

“I am Lian Gwendil.”

“Lian Gwendil…”

Yuran nodded slowly.

“Remembered. Lian Gwendil. I will repay this favor.”

She also bowed to Lancia Jintia and Sister Roberta.

“Thanks to you as well. I have received a favor. In this place, you are the second kind people I have met. I will repay you too.”

“I’m glad this was resolved well.”

Sister Roberta let out a sigh with a troubled expression.

“To think something like this would still happen… I will formally report this matter so it never happens again. And I will make sure they pay the price for it.”

Muttering in a cold tone, she turned to Yuran.

“By the way, you said your name is Yuran, correct? Would you come back to the Academy with us?”

At her offer, Yuran tilted her head as if she didn’t understand.

Seeing her reaction, Roberta realized the problem and slowly, enunciating clearly so that Yuran—who was weak in the common tongue—could understand, repeated what she had just said.

“I have not greeted my benefactors yet. It is proper to greet those who helped me before I go.”

Yuran shook her head.

With a look of reassurance, she showed Roberta and us the temporary ID and admission certificate she had obtained with Roberta’s help.

“I have this, so no worry. And classes have not yet started. That is good. I was very worried.”

“In that case… I understand.”

Roberta smiled kindly.

“Then, could you at least come visit me someday, even just once?”

Yuran gladly nodded.

Then she looked at Lancia and me—more precisely, at me—and spoke.

“Once again, my thanks. Here, I have met few kind people. I am truly grateful.”

With those final words, promising she would repay the favor, she departed abruptly.

Watching her retreating back, I quietly clenched my fist.

‘…Got her.’

I had succeeded in making contact with Yuran, the demon hunter.

And in a very positive way, too.

The upcoming dungeon collapse incident.

The sense of relief that I had secured at least a minimal insurance policy for that moment made me let out a small sigh.

‘Still not enough.’

There was still much to be done.

Only two days remained before the Academy resumed classes.

Only a single month remained before the dungeon collapse incident would occur.

‘One month…’

An extremely tight schedule.

But still, enough to manage.