A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy
Chapter 77: Gulak (1)

That’s a relief. I didn't destroy the wrong thing.

To tell you the truth, I was a bit confused whether the commemorative tower model was related to the devil or not.

While I can clearly remember the clock in the training ground, there were far more items in the historical archive than I expected.

So when I accidentally destroyed it due to my inability to control my strength, I genuinely became alarmed. I was too flustered to even apologize.

Fortunately, based on Luna’s reaction, it was clear that the model was definitely related to a demon's magic circle. I saw her discreetly taking it with her.

‘I should have just kept quiet and spoken when no one else was around.'

But my catastrophic lack of discretion remained intact. Despite knowing very well that Kara was watching me closely, I blurted it out openly.

The fact was that I had responded accordingly when Luna questioned me last time, but this time Kara naturally got involved.

In the end, as lunchtime concluded, our group joyously chatted and played in the café.

Grace even bought me a cake in the midst of it all – it was really delicious. I should visit more often.

"Remember only two things about Lord Gulak: offerings and sincerity. With just these, anyone can become a follower of Gulak."

The afternoon is designated for visits to the respective churches or altars of different orders. Those who favor Gaia would head to the church, while Gulak's followers would go to the altar.

Today I’m set to follow Kara to Gulak's altar. I’ll have a chance to visit Gaia's church another time.

Initially, I was supposed to spend this time with Luna, but since our plan fell apart, accompanying Kara isn’t so bad.

Luna seemed to have half given up too and quietly went along with Kara. Grace and Yeonhwa joined as well.

"Can, can I just not go?"

"No, we're on the same team, aren't we?"

Yeonhwa seemed eager to escape, but Grace persistently took her along like a cherished plush toy.

In the Soul World, Grace tended to stick close to the first person she befriended.

Though her character changed every time, this time it appears Yeonhwa was the chosen one.

Being the quiet person that she is, it must be quite the ordeal for Yeonhwa. But her personality isn’t unpleasant.

"But Sister, why does Tatars worship Lord Gulak?"

Half resigned, Luna threw a question at Kara while on our way to Gulak's altar.

Kara paused for a moment with her arms crossed, seemingly pondering, as if the details were hard to recall.

"Well, I don't know the specifics, but what I do know is that it began with my father. He performed rites to unify the fragmented tribes. It was only later that we realized they were meant for Lord Gulak."

"It reminds me of the rain ceremonies the old folks performed."

Not Luna, but Grace commented. She was referring to the famous Native Indian rain dance.

A rite that goes on until the rain comes, with near 100% success rate. It also signifies relentless determination.

"That's different. That goes on until it works. But I believe with that much sincerity and perseverance, Gulak would also bestow blessings. Bear in mind, it's tough to bring rain even with a rain ceremony."

"Isn't it harder to bring down lightning on a person?"

"Obviously not. Lightning has a lesser impact on direct life. Rain, on the other hand? Just think if your country suffered a drought. It would be chaos, right?"

Rain is water, and water is the foundation of life. Rain falling from the sky is akin to sowing the seeds of life itself.

Even on Earth, despite dams and reservoirs, the land still cracks open without rain. This world is highly dependent on rain as well.

Especially in the current era, a little hunger can quickly lead to riots. The higher-ups, too, pay close attention to the threat of droughts.

"To perform a true rain ceremony, a national effort would be necessary. Tatars is fine since our focus on trade mitigates the desert conditions, but it would be a different story elsewhere."

"I see. So when does Tatars normally hold such nation-wide rites?"

"We hold them during our national festivals. That’s when I personally take charge of conducting the rites."

Grace and others looked amazed at Kara's explanation, which could match any priest's.

In fact, no separate guide was needed. Kara herself boasted an extensive knowledge of Gulak.

Moreover, just as she said, Kara holds the position of a ‘shrine maiden'.

In some cultures, ceremonies are conducted with shrine maidens dancing at the forefront. The way it's done here is similar.

The reason is simple: her late mother was a shrine maiden.

"You all didn’t bring any offerings, did you?"

"No."

"I haven’t brought any either. How about you, Sister?"

"I have this."

Kara rummaged through her pocket before revealing an item.

It appeared to be a sharp tooth resembling that of a fierce beast. Judging by its size, the creature must have been quite large.

"I caught a decent beast over the weekend. I'm intending to offer this."

"Which kind of offerings does Lord Gulak prefer?"

"He favors things closely related to life. Elaborately crafted weapons or jewelry aren't bad either."

At her words, I understood why Gulak might have blessed Porori.

Acorns are central to Porori's diet and closely linked to his life. Besides, Porori is an animal driven by instinct.

If such a creature, suppressing its instinct to survive, offers acorns directly related to its life, wouldn't it be regarded as remarkably noble and worthy of blessing?

‘No use for me though – Chaos’s interference would prevent it.'

As I’ve mentioned before, once chosen by Chaos, no other gods can be chosen.

To be precise, it's the other gods who reject us. There's no response to prayers or rites – just silent indifference.

"Sivar, you could try too… Ah, being a follower of Chaos probably wouldn’t work, right?"

"Wouldn't it be fine? If a follower of Gulak can pray to Gaia, it shouldn't be an issue, right?"

"Is that so? Then I guess I can try it too. You all brought offerings too."

After lunch, Kara presented each of us with bones or teeth from the beast. She must have fetched them during a brief trip to the dorm after lunch.

I received a thigh bone, so large that its length was about the size of my torso.

"What kind of beast did you catch? Its size alone seems extraordinary."

"A wild boar. Quite a massive one, the size of a house, no less."

Boars dwelling in forests or mountains boast nearly house-sized stature, a bit of an exaggeration perhaps. Moreover, the nearby woods are rich in magical power.

Magic power, deeply tied to life, affects growth directly. The reason why the creatures of the Forest of Chaos grow large is due to this. Read Web Novels Online Free - NovelFire Novel Fire - novelfire.net

The academy also boasts warm temperatures all year round. Thanks to this, even bugs and insects are as big as human palms and plentiful everywhere.

‘I'm just glad there was plenty to eat.'

If winter did exist, my time in the forest would have been miserable. It was a fortunate misfortune.

After receiving our respective offerings, we followed behind Kara towards Gulak's altar.

Gulak represents ‘the sky', thus the altar is placed as close to the heavens as possible.

"Do we have to hike?"

"Huh? Oh, are your legs still hurting? You don't have to come if it's too hard."

Which means it’s located high up on a mountain peak. There are mountains near the academy, and the altar is situated on their summit.

After pondering for a moment, Luna heaved a deep sigh and began to trek up the mountain. She seemed to have adopted a ‘let’s give it a try' mindset.

Then, one by one, our group started climbing the mountain slowly. Kara, having visited the altar several times before, led the way briskly uphill.

Everyone else also possessed more stamina than the average person. The problem was that the mountain was much higher than expected.

"Huff… Huff… Phew…"

"Is it tough for you?"

"No… I'm okay…"

Grace, as a mage, was panting heavily due to her relatively weaker constitution compared to the others.

Grace knew how to manipulate magic power and was considered to have decent stamina, but the slope was too steep.

It looked like Grace would wear out first at this rate. I stepped in front of her as she struggled and sat down quietly.

"Sivar?"

"Get on."

"What?"

"Climb on."

I motioned with my hands for her to get on my back. Although she didn't see it, I felt her hesitation.

I turned my head slightly to ask her.

"Don't want to?"

"No, it's not that! I—I’ll just, excuse me for a moment…"

Grace carefully began to climb onto my back. Under normal circumstances, she’d have refused due to noble pride.

Yet the mountain was so taxing physically that such thoughts were the furthest from her mind. Who cares about dignity when you’re this exhausted?

Once Grace was mounted on my back, I slowly stood up. I could feel her soft presence against my back, but it didn't bother me.

‘She's definitely big.'

With an unnecessary thought, I continued towards the summit. Initially hesitant, Grace quietly wrapped her arms around my neck.

This must be her first experience being carried since becoming an adult. Truthfully, this was also my first time carrying someone since arriving here. Googlᴇ search NoᴠᴇFɪre.nᴇt

I had never even given Ellie a piggyback ride – Grace was the first.

"It's broad…"

"…"

"And sturdy…"

Grace mumbled something from behind me. I let it pass through one ear and kept moving towards the summit.

I wonder how long we climbed when the high incline made it seem as though we reached the peak sooner than expected.

Moreover, there were steps installed from midway onwards, facilitating an effortless ascent.

"Ah, Sister, you've arrived. Have you come to make an offering?"

Upon reaching the top, a female priest greeted us by what seemed like a gateway.

She appeared to be well-acquainted with Kara.

"Yes. These friends and I have come to offer together. Has anyone arrived before us?"

"No, everyone else went looking for Gaia since this is up on the mountain."

That's a somewhat bitter fact. From the discussions I recall among users in the Soul World, I know such sentiments have been expressed.

"The layout on the mountain peak is so idiotic" or something along those lines. That’s the sort of complaint that arises when teleportation isn't an option.

As Kara chatted with the priest, I gently set Grace down. She blushed slightly and thanked me.

"Oh, and you might find a squirrel there in the place of a person."

"A squirrel?"

That caught me off guard, unable to ignore the priest’s words. Not just me, but Luna also spun her head quickly upon hearing it.

With Kara querying what that meant, the priest explained with a gleeful smile.

"It’s the same animal that followed Sister Kara when she left last time. It arrived boldly with acorns slung over its shoulder."

"And then?"

"It placed the acorns on the altar and bowed deeply. It was quite a fascinating sight."

Anyone would be 100% sure it was Porori. It looks like he followed Kara and happened across the altar by chance.

I wonder if he’s alright, not to reveal himself as a spirit. Perhaps the priest, being a follower of Gulak, thought it safe enough to trust.

With Porori’s unusual actions rendering me speechless for a moment –

Rumble!

An ominous sound echoed from above.

Bam Boom!

A blue lightning bolt struck down.

Right above my head.

"…"

No, Shit, why?

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