A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 158

It was Karas’s ideology filled with the taste of red, similar to communism but different.

First of all, communism is quite distant from capitalism. It wouldn’t be wrong to say they belong to completely opposite poles.

However, the communism Karas desires is mixed with capitalism. It treats communism as an ideology, not a system.

‘The Soviet Union adopted it as a system and completely collapsed.’

Communism has clear limitations. It blatantly showed what happens when human desires are ignored.

Ideally, the state should be supported on a solid foundation, but more often than not, the power class suppresses those below.

The irony is that communism was an ideology established to overthrow capitalism. Yet, in reality, it engages in acts no different from the bourgeoisie.

‘But didn’t they say Stalin only craved power?’

There’s a famous anecdote that after Stalin’s death, an investigation revealed his wealth was only equivalent to a middle-class level.

Usually, dictators are obsessed with hoarding wealth, but Stalin only sought power.

In many ways, he was the closest existence to an “Iron Man,” but even he, being human, couldn’t overcome desire.

“What do you think? Do you understand?”

“No, I’m not interested in philosophy, so I don’t really get it.”

“Hmm. Is that so? Well, that’s fine. Just think of it as a dream to create a country where everyone can live well and eat well.”

“That’s admirable.”

Communism on Earth walked the path of self-destruction as a result of ignoring human desires.

Even in a fantasy world, human desires cannot be overcome, but it might be the closest to being realized.

Even if power is strong, if an individual’s ability itself is strong, that power can be entirely dismantled. As mentioned before, the Lord is the most suitable example.

Moreover, it’s not complete communism but an ideology close to it. If the course is slightly adjusted, he wouldn’t be Lucky Stalin but Lucky Senator.

Since it’s a mixture of various ideologies, it can be extremely confusing. However, as it’s a fantasy world, it might be a policy and ideology that could possibly be realized.

“But if you become the next emperor, will you really implement it?”

“No. First, I need to put out the immediate fires. The world has been chaotic lately.”

“The world is chaotic? Why?”

“You, as a student, don’t need to know.”

His mindset is properly grounded like that. He doesn’t just indulge in his own ideology but also knows how to read the state of affairs.

Furthermore, he’s skilled at reading people’s psychology, making him quite adept at seizing power. The reason he’s called Lucky Stalin is that he doesn’t carry out a Great Purge.

He even tends to leave those who openly oppose him alone, as long as they don’t directly strip away freedom.

‘There’s potential. There’s potential.’

Communism on Earth also considered only potential and ideals before adopting it as a system. And it completely collapsed.

Additionally, the day Karas becomes emperor is quite far off. The current emperor isn’t very old, and the timing for succession won’t come easily.

In just half a year, the Academy Collapse event will occur. What succession? There will be a mountain of immediate issues piling up.

“Then what are your thoughts? If you’ve understood my words, you’d know how precious the value of freedom is.”

“I know.”

“What do you think?”

What do I think? Just thinking about the story is already exhausting.

I wanted to say something like that, but unfortunately, I couldn’t.

Then what words should I say to make Karas understand? He’s the type to take anything positively.

‘Should I just outright criticize him?’

It’s more of a critique than an insult. No matter how feasible the ideology is, human desires cannot be ignored.

Unlike communism, capitalism can satisfy human desires, even if it’s riddled with absurdities.

So rather than criticizing the system, it seemed better to bring up a more fundamental discussion.

“I lived in the forest. I hunted, ate, slept, rested, and hunted again.”

“You were free.”

“But not here. No need to hunt. Just eat, sleep, fight, rest, play, and that’s it.”

Sometimes, I hunt, but that’s an exception. It’s more about expanding territory than actual hunting.

Karas listened to my words with a curious expression. His face showed he was wondering what I would say next.

Since I had his attention, the rest was simple. I wiggled my fingers and spoke what I wanted to say.

“But I want to eat more. I want to sleep more. I want to play more. I want to rest more. I want to play with friends.”

“Hmm······”

“I don’t know about others. But they’re similar to me. Everyone wants to be comfortable.”

All animals, including humans, tend to slack off when their stomachs are full and their backs are warm.

Originally, calories were spent while hunting and replenished through prey.

But civilization has rendered that almost unnecessary. Most things can be resolved with money.

Especially on Earth, where mechanical civilization has advanced, there’s no need to move one’s body directly. It’s no wonder obesity has become a major issue.

“Humans are greedy. They have many desires. You’re no different.”

“I’m no different?”

“Yeah. Doing what you want. That’s desire.”

“··· ···”

One of humanity’s primal urges is desire—the intense yearning to achieve something.

It’s the foundation of civilization and the driving force of progress, but it’s also a dangerous element that can lead to destruction.

As I said earlier, communism is a remarkable ideology both religiously and ideally.

It can be said to be the closest to a utopia, but to achieve that, everyone must be “satisfied.”

Can a country that satisfies everyone truly exist? For that to happen, humans would have to be free from all desires.

“We are not free. We cannot be free. We get hungry, we need to sleep, we need to rest. These are instincts.”

“Then to achieve true freedom?”

“Impossible.”

As long as one is born as a living being, they cannot be free from death.

If you starve, you edge closer to death. If you don’t sleep, you edge closer to death. The same applies if you cannot relieve stress.

“······So, in the end, freedom never existed for us in the first place. For all beings born as life.”

“Probably?”

“If gaining freedom is impossible and realizing ideals is difficult, then what remains?”

Was he somewhat convinced by my words? Or did he want to deny them?

Karas erased the smile he had been wearing and spoke to me. His voice sounded slightly cold.

Perhaps he felt as though the beliefs he had firmly held were shattered like glass. It’s unfortunate, but this is reality.

Humans, being confined within the framework of civilization, prioritize reason over instinct. But outside, everyone is the same.

“What remains? There is something.”

“What is it?”

“Progress.”

That’s why humans can endlessly progress. You could call it the pursuit of ultimate efficiency.

Karas widened his eyes at the word “progress.” It was an answer he hadn’t expected at all.

“Hunting was hard for me too. But I made an effort. I got stronger, made axes and spears. Thanks to that, hunting became easier.”

“··· ···”

“It’s the same for others. Everyone progresses.”

There are very few people who are strong from the beginning. We usually call that talent.

Even Rod wouldn’t have earned the title of Sword Saint from the start. The same goes for Rize.

“The starting points differ for everyone. The endings differ too. But the start and end are different because of progress.”

“I see. For living beings, freedom equates to progress, does it?”

I wasn’t sure about that, so I just shrugged. I only said what I could.

At this, Karas nodded and briefly seemed lost in thought. Judging by his gaze lowering, it was clear.

“Sivar. Where did you hear something like that?”

“From a book.”

“A book? What kind of book?”

“I don’t know. I forgot.”

“Hmm······ Was there such content in a book? I thought I only gave you fairy tale books and novels.”

Ellie tilted her head, expressing doubt. The best course of action here was to keep my mouth shut.

Saying anything unnecessary would only cause confusion. I couldn’t exactly mention Das Kapital.

[Faith Increases!]

Wait. Why is faith suddenly increasing?

I blinked as I stared at the message displayed before me. Did someone elsewhere say something strange?

“······So that’s what it was.”

At that moment, Karas muttered softly. Ellie and I turned our gazes toward him.

“So that’s what it was!”

“?”

No, damn it, what are you talking about.

Watching Karas spread his arms wide and shout, I was left speechless.

The surrounding scenery was gradually darkening, but it felt like Karas alone was brightly glowing.

Even his expression was unusual. It was the kind of look people have when they’re completely high.

All I did was share what I experienced, yet he was making a fuss all by himself.

“I’ve been overlooking human desire! You’re absolutely right! Human desire is something that cannot be restrained, even if one wishes to!”

I didn’t say anything like that. What kind of mental process did he go through to arrive at that conclusion?

While I was too dumbfounded to speak, Karas suddenly grabbed my hand.

Normally, I’d have shaken it off, but the moment our eyes met, I flinched.

His eyes were so bright they seemed to sparkle. It was the kind of gaze overflowing with madness.

“For others, it might not matter, but you’ve lived in the wilderness! Hearing such words from you makes it even more convincing!”

“··· ···”

That’s a hasty generalization error······ or maybe it’s just that there aren’t many people like me.

Something······ something was happening, but I was too flustered to react. That’s how overwhelming Karas’s madness was.

“Wonderful! I’ll personally make sure to listen to your words carefully! No, I’ll keep learning from you in the future!”

“······Me?”

“Of course! Who else understands primal desire better than you? If it’s about that, you can definitely help me!”

How, exactly. How am I supposed to help you with that?

I couldn’t understand at all, so I just blinked. I was beyond flustered—utterly bewildered.

Meanwhile, Karas let go of my hand and confidently walked into the banquet hall, waving cheerfully as he went.

“Well then, see you later! If you wish, I’ll invite you to the Imperial Palace!”

“··· ···”

I wasn’t sure what to make of it, but since he was leaving, I waved back lightly. Ellie, caught off guard, waved her hand like I did.

And so, only Ellie and I were left on the terrace. It felt like a storm had just swept through.

“······He’s gone.”

“Yeah.”

“What should we do now?”

“Not sure.”

Since it was just the two of us left, maybe it was time to head back. That’s what I thought as I started to move.

Grab-

But I couldn’t take another step. Ellie had gently grabbed my wrist.

I looked at her with a puzzled expression. When our eyes met, Ellie flinched slightly before giving a bashful smile.

“Um······ Sivar.”

“Yeah.”

“I’d like to talk a bit more······ Is that okay?”

I didn’t mind. Having a one-on-one conversation sounded like a good idea.

When I turned around to show my approval, Ellie smiled brightly. Her face was as beautiful as ever.

She then moved to the edge of the terrace and looked down at the lower floor. Many people were enjoying the banquet below.

“There are so many people. Right?”

“Yeah.”

“Sivar, do you dislike crowded places?”

“If I don’t know anyone.”

If I didn’t know anyone, even a crowded place felt lonely. It was even more noticeable after experiencing human warmth.

If I hadn’t lived in the dormitory with Rize, I probably would’ve felt lonely. But from the next semester, I’d have to live alone.

“You’re just like me. I also feel uncomfortable if there are no familiar faces in a crowd.”

“··· ···”

“Then, how do you feel when you’re with me?”

As soon as I heard that, I looked at Ellie. Her gaze was fixed on the first floor, but her face wasn’t.

As she spoke, her face grew redder and redder. I could roughly guess what kind of situation this was.

“I like it.”

“How much do you like it?”

“Hmm······”

“So much that you can’t even put it into words?”

She giggled as she made what sounded like a joke but wasn’t really one. Since she wasn’t wrong, I just nodded.

Ellie smiled warmly at my affirmation. At the same time, her face turned an even deeper shade of red.

“Then······ more than Kara Unnie?”

“Hmm······”

That’s a tough choice. I furrowed my brows in thought before answering.

“I like both.”

“You like both······ Sivar, you’re so greedy. That’s why I like you even more. If you can choose both, why not take both? Don’t you agree?”

“Yeah.”

“Then, if you date Kara Unnie, will you also date me? And include Grace too?”

Is she asking me to juggle multiple relationships? It was a bit overwhelming.

Maybe it’s because she’s a commoner, or perhaps her upbringing was unusual, but she seemed very open about this.

“Think about it. There’s no need to pick just one, right? In a place where you can date multiple people if you’re capable. Oh, or maybe Sivar doesn’t understand romance yet?”

“A peck?”

“A peck can be between parents and kids or even friends. Here, let me see your face for a moment.”

Following Ellie’s request, I leaned my face toward her. Her face moved closer to mine.

I almost let my gaze drift to her chest, which had an overwhelming presence, but I managed to suppress the urge.

“Even in this situation, your eyes wander to my chest. How cute.”

Damn it. It seems like a man’s instincts can’t be beaten.

Just as I was feeling embarrassed, Ellie closed her eyes and slowly leaned in.

Peck!

A light kiss followed. Ellie smiled brightly as she spoke.

“This is a peck. Friends can do this too.”

“··· ···”

“And this is······”

Ellie leaned in for another kiss. Just like before, her eyes were closed.

Smooch!

But this time, it wasn’t a light peck. Our lips pressed together deeply, almost covering each other.

And it didn’t stop there. Something moved inside Ellie’s mouth and soon entered mine.

I realized what it was as it brushed against my tongue. I flinched for a moment but instinctively moved my tongue.

“Sluurp······ Hah!”

“··· ···”

Unfortunately, it didn’t last long. Just as our tongues began to entwine, Ellie pulled away hastily.

The tingling sensation in my chest left me feeling slightly disappointed. It must have shown on my face.

“Hah······ Hah······”

Ellie was panting, her face red as if it might burst. Saliva glistened at the corner of her mouth, threatening to drip down.

She quickly wiped her mouth and gave a sheepish smile, as if trying to brush it off.

“Th-this is what lovers do. Normally, you’d mix tongues and make it last longer······ but not yet. This was just practice. Got it?”

“What kind of practice is this supposed to be?”

Just as Ellie was making her excuse, a familiar voice interrupted us.

Startled, I turned my head to see Kara standing confidently. She was holding a glass of wine in one hand.

She alternated her gaze between the frozen Ellie and me, then snorted and spoke.

“Then, can I practice too?”

[Faith Increases!]

“And for the record, I’ll be using not just my lips but my body as well. For. Practice.”

[Faith Increases!]

You’re finding this amusing.