I Got a Fake Job at the Academy

Chapter 770 - Side Story 43: The Girl of Flames (1)

Beastkin tribes fundamentally live nomadic and hunting lifestyles. They have no choice but to raise sheep, cattle, and goats on wide pastures, and naturally, the reason is that there is no farmland.

The land itself is barren, and the annual precipitation across this vast territory is truly minimal.

As a result, the beastkin's architectural style had no choice but to focus on convenience.

'I understand they normally pitch temporary tents made from bison hides.'

The concept of buildings didn't exist for them. At least, that's what Rudger knew.

However, seeing the actual landscape of the village visible beyond, it seemed that wasn't entirely the case.

'I can't even call it a village. Isn't that scale more of a city?'

It wasn't that there were no tent-style houses as commonly known. But the reason he felt it was a city was because of the houses built with bricks standing tall on the ground.

A form that completely departed from the architectural style that beastkin tribes normally built. He thought it might just be the exterior appearance, but upon actually arriving at the city, he realized that wasn't the case at all.

'It's a more developed city than I thought.'

The city was divided into districts and the interior was filled with shopping districts. And while most of those walking around were beastkin with animal ears, among them were other races mixed in, such as humans and dwarves.

"Amazing, isn't it?"

Perhaps because he was staring intently at the city's scenery, Rudger nodded at Aidan's question, asked with a smile.

"Yes. Rather than a tribal confederation, it's close to a single nation." 

"I know what you're thinking, Teacher. The beastkin tribal villages commonly known to the world were mostly tents for nomads. But as you can see now, this place has changed a lot too."

The beastkin tribes that always wandered have now settled in one place and built a city there.

That's right. They formed a single nation and created a capital here.

"Hah. Most humans still don't know. That we too have faced great change and are adapting to the changed world."

Luina, who was guiding Rudger, spoke with a voice full of pride.

"In the past, most tribes were indeed closed off, but we now understand too. How important it is to become one and unite." 

"That's surprising. I heard beastkin value tradition."

"We actually did value it. And even now, the forces of those who insist on tradition are not few. But even they can't deny that we cannot navigate this world with tradition alone."

The beastkin also experienced the race war that occurred 100 years ago. Perhaps the damage they suffered was far greater than any other demi-human race existing on the continent.

This was because there are many underground resources in this vast wilderness, and humans invaded on a large scale targeting them.

A full-scale war against those armed with firearms and gunpowder was virtually impossible. The place where they lived was plains without any cover. Fighting in such a place inevitably became a full-scale war of strength against strength.

And when it came to full-scale war, no race could beat humanity, which had gone through countless wars and battles.

Dwarves could hide in earth, cliffs, and mountain ranges, and elves could use the forest terrain. But how could beastkin fight in this vast place without even space to hide?

They were born warriors and could inherently handle spirits. However,

'Humanity has not only guns and gunpowder but also magic and aura.'

That's right. Especially in places where there's nowhere to hide, the side with mages was overwhelmingly advantageous.

As a result, the beastkin couldn't help but suffer the greatest damage in the race war.

They had sufficient reason to hate humans. But 100 years had already passed since then.

While elves remember everything from that time due to their long lifespan, the beastkin underwent generational change as their lifespan is similar to humans.

At the same time, they gained enlightenment from the humans they had painfully lost to.

"I haven't experienced war, so I don't know how terrible it was at the time. I only know from transmitted documents that it was serious. But our beastkin race realized one important fact from that war." 

"What is that?" 

"Learning from defeat."

There wasn't a hint of hesitation in Luina's voice.

"We are born warriors. And warriors don't fear defeat. Do you know why?" 

"Because they accept even defeat."

It was Aidan who answered instead. The corners of Luina's eyes curved like crescents.

"Right. A true warrior isn't one who doesn't experience defeat. A true warrior is one who doesn't collapse even after experiencing defeat and instead uses it as nourishment to rise up."

As Luina said, after the war, the beastkin apparently studied humans extensively. The weapons they handle, their way of life, even their troop operation methods.

Of course, applying all of that as-is involved considerable difficulty. But they calmly engraved the techniques of the race that had handed them defeat.

"Even so, there must have been considerable opposition."

Tradition isn't tradition for nothing. Sometimes excessive tradition even blocks development. And in Rudger's view, the beastkin held very strong beliefs in tradition.

"That's also right. In reality, things didn't change that drastically. But there was a decisive incident on this side too." 

"A decisive incident?" 

"Yes. Things happened when the one who should have become the next tribal chief stepped down."

At that moment, Rudger thought of Iron Mask Rotheron, 6th Circle Lexer-grade mage Rotheron. No, Tenaron O’Valley.

Iona's half-brother and the man who would have become the next great chief if things had followed their original course.

"When Tenaron disappeared, the tribe fell into chaos. Overnight, the successor to the next great chief vanished. Because such a thing happened without any warning, there were even stories that he might have been assassinated by someone."

It couldn't be helped. Until then, Tenaron had been living his life without incident, but suddenly disappeared—what beastkin wouldn't be surprised?

However, from Rudger's position knowing the truth, he couldn't help but feel somewhat peculiar.

He knew why Tenaron had stepped down from his position as the next chief.

"However, that wasn't what became the catalyst for change. The clear catalyst was definitely the incident from three years ago."

Three years ago. Not when the holy war had just ended, but a story from much earlier.

"Ah, during summer vacation."

Aidan nodded as if he knew. The biggest catalyst for change was during summer vacation.

The incident that thwarted Victor Dreadful's plan and ended the conflict between humans and beastkin.

At that time, Aidan and his friends had achieved great merit, but it wasn't just them who were active.

There was also Pantos, the beastkin warrior who wore a mask while hiding his identity. And above all, Iron Mask Lord Rotheron was also there at the time.

"Who could have predicted that not only did Tenaron, whom we thought was dead, return alive, but that he had actually learned the magic used by humans?"

And surprisingly, the beastkin all seemed to know that fact.

According to Luina's explanation, after revealing his identity, Tenaron directly proposed species innovation to the great chief.

Tenaron even stepped forward to actively support Iona as the next great chief.

Of course, Iona also learned magic at Theon and held the position that the beastkin must change.

With the two of them joining forces, how could things not change?

'Of course, in the process, they must have faced truly countless oppositions. There must have been difficult matters.'

But looking at the landscape unfolding now, he could see that their efforts were by no means in vain.

Compared to cities where humans lived, there were still many lacking parts, both in terms of scale and the height of buildings.

But even so, they had changed. They chose change and accepted the flow. While still not completely ignoring tradition. A relationship of developing while harmoniously resolving things together.

The beastkin were creating such an ideal flow and moving toward the future.

"I see. I've heard the general historical story well."

Perhaps this change too was a result of the cage breaking. The elves changed, the beastkin changed. And humans would be the same.

In the end, everything changes. That was an undeniable truth.

Some robust beastkin approached and took away the plunderers that Luina had captured. They said those people wouldn't escape punishment under the strict rules within the beastkin tribes.

"Aidan. More importantly, is Leo here?" 

"Iona is here too. We're actually heading there now. Come to think of it, you haven't seen them since that day, have you, Teacher?" 

"Hmm. I'm curious how much those children have grown." 

"However, you can't meet them right away. Since the occasion is what it is, time is needed to prepare for a meeting. So until then, how about looking around the area? This is your first time here too, Teacher, isn't it?" 

"That's right."

"Ah. Then I'll guide you."

Luina volunteered to be the guide. Since she had captured the plunderer group that had been the biggest headache in the area, her work for today was essentially done.

"Is that okay, Luina? Shouldn't you rest?" 

"When I can help a friend, is there anything bothersome?"

In Luina's eyes as she said that, goodwill toward Aidan was abundantly evident. Anyone could see it was favorable feelings toward the opposite sex, but Aidan seemed to purely think she was helping as a friend.

"Thanks! Luina!" 

"Fufu. If you're grateful, repay me separately later."

Rudger quietly watched the conversation between the two.

'This guy, Aidan.'

Why was it that every time he saw that scene, a subtle uneasiness arose in one corner of his heart? He had previously thought inwardly that he wouldn't particularly interfere, but he had a feeling that if left alone like this, trouble would arise.

So he ended up touring the city with Luina's lavish guidance.

"It had no name before, but it got a name after becoming a city. This city is now called Kiuwa." 

"It means 'origin' in the beastkin language."

Since it was the core capital of the tribal confederation, it was a fitting name. At Rudger's words, Luina's eyes widened.

"You know about our race's language?" 

"Well, enough to communicate basically."

When he wandered around the southern continent, there was no direct contact with beastkin, but just in case, he had studied their language and culture.

"That's amazing."

Luina seemed quite intrigued by that.

"Ahem, Teacher is amazing." 

"I don't know why you're bragging."

Rudger threw a small rebuke at Aidan, who was boasting on his behalf.

"Anyway, the capital is divided into several districts. And this place right now is the market where the most people come and go."

Indeed, befitting the name market, the district Luina introduced was filled with bustling people. Most were beastkin, but as seen at the city entrance, the number of humans was not few either.

"There are quite a lot of people."

"Right? Most are corporate people who came to trade resources produced here."

This vast plain has various underground resources. Until now, the beastkin didn't know how to utilize such resources, but the story changed after accepting change.

They began mining resources in earnest and started active exchanges with humans.

Seeing their lively appearance made him realize anew that peace had returned to the world. It was when Rudger was looking at that scene somewhat proudly.

"Oh! Isn't that Aidan?" 

"Aidan! Long time no see!"

While passing through the market, several beastkin who recognized Aidan approached him. The common point was that they were all female and quite beautiful.

"Mm. As expected, a good scent. Hey Aidan. Won't you marry into my family?" 

"Hey. Don't touch Aidan carelessly. He's mine."

Moreover, they were blatantly throwing flirtations at Aidan. It was natural that Luina's eyes, who had been guiding Aidan, lit up with intensity.

"Are you all crazy?"

Seeing them growl at each other with their ears and tails standing on end, Rudger's head began to ache.

What was even more absurd was that even while watching that scene, Aidan didn't notice their favorable feelings.

'He doesn't understand even when they say it so openly?'

Given Aidan's personality, he clearly truly believed that was a sign of friendship as friends.

'Is it fortunate that Tracy Priad isn't here? If she were, it truly would have been a disaster.'

The moment Rudger thought that, he felt chills run down his spine. The cold air blowing from somewhere was chilling enough to bring frost even in the height of summer.

Rudger's eyes turned toward the source of that cold air and he could see a red-haired woman glaring at Aidan with a terrifying expression. 

Although her appearance had changed quite a bit over three years, Rudger could recognize her at once.

After graduation, Tracy Priad rebuilt her family and became the head of Priad—she had come to Kiuwa, the capital of the beastkin.