How Can That Possibly Be Considered Middle School?

For students, Maris is a place for studies and social interactions.

Conversely, for teachers, it’s seen as a place to prove their abilities and further achieve international honor.

Then, for those above… those who control nations beyond nobility, like kings or emperors of countries, what kind of place is this Maris?

It’s a means of diplomacy beyond social interaction.

This place, considered an absolute inviolable area, acts as a deterrent to minimize conflicts while also serving as a venue for diplomatic opportunities.

If there’s a country or group they want to recruit, they enroll their successor or a member in this academy.

Using that as a pretext, they can approach, naturally build relationships, and request cooperation.

‘Student Waden. This is an extremely dangerous matter.’

And the issue involving this problematic student is a major matter influenced by none other than the current Empire’s leader, the Emperor, and his close associates.

It was too weighty to be seen as just a part of diplomacy, and at the same time, accompanied by great danger.

‘Of course, both the Empire’s officials and the tribe are aware of the dangers of this matter. If it’s judged that control is impossible in this academy, they’re considering sending him back.’

However, in this academy’s system, teachers’ interference with students is limited, and to maintain the existing system for outward propaganda, they must continuously uphold the current structure.

Even if they’re a special surveillance target, if they came with the official status of an ‘exchange student’, managing them should also be left to the students.

‘Therefore, the role of the Disciplinary Committee, including you, is crucial in managing him. Although we’ve employed professional military personnel for control, we can authorize the use of weapons in emergencies, but…’

Authorizing the use of weapons outside of clubs and specialized classes…

It was a right that could be granted to the Disciplinary Committee, if not to other students.

This academy is a place where anything can happen anytime, anywhere. Naturally, to respond to unexpected situations, the power of all Disciplinary Committee members needs to be guaranteed to that extent.

Nevertheless, the principal couldn’t hide his unease due to the newly changed policy when Waden took over as the head of the Disciplinary Committee.

‘Even so, do you intend to maintain the policy of not using weapons?’

The Disciplinary Committee no longer permits the use of weapons.

This essentially means that problems occurring within the school will be handled solely with bare hands.

Even if the problematic students cause any dangerous situations.

‘A teacher threatening students with lethal magic…’

But Waden’s conviction was firm.

‘If such a thing were to happen, do you think it could be justified to onlookers, regardless of the reason?’

‘…’

‘Yes, that’s right. Even if there’s a reason for it, on the surface, it’s a teacher showing genuine killing intent towards a student. If those who don’t know the detailed circumstances learn about it, the school’s position would surely be endangered. The public has neither the obligation nor the leisure to understand everything.’

It’s the same.

No matter how dangerous things can happen in this academy, the role of the Disciplinary Committee members acting there is to maintain the school’s discipline.

During wartime, they were allowed to possess weapons to maintain campus security in case of emergencies, but this led to the perception that the academy’s security was controlled through fear.

Even if their weapons were not directed at students, that perception itself could only be poison in a place meant for education.

In such a situation, what would happen if that perception still remained in a place that has emerged as a venue for peace?

‘If Disciplinary Committee members are seen wielding weapons after the war, students would be consumed by anxiety just from that sight.’

‘But that student is different. That clan is a being adapted to magical realms from birth.’

‘Conversely, if we show everyone that we can subdue such a student without weapons, all those watching this place would be convinced.’

If we can control even such a dangerous being to not cause major problems in this academy and successfully graduate them.

That we can make a bolder leap towards the ideals that Maris pursues.

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Yes, to complete a venue solely for education and cultural exchange by breaking down the walls of countries, races, and even social status.

Waden was someone who strived to be more faithful to such ideals than anyone else, and therefore sought to maintain existing policies even in subduing a person of special concern.

And…

“Captain, are you alright?”

“…I’m fine, take care of the other members.”

In the mountainous area located behind the main campus of Maris.

Waden, the head of the Disciplinary Committee, standing in the middle of a clearing, gazed at what was before him.

No, to be precise, should we say it’s a place that has just become a clearing?

The surroundings had been completely overturned due to the opponent’s fierce resistance, and as a result, nearby trees were broken or uprooted.

The hill in front of him was created like that.

A hill made not of soil, but of trees ruthlessly piled up.

“Problem student. Latello Den subdued…”

Waden, staring at what was buried underneath, straightened his twisted cap while breathing heavily.

All the Disciplinary Committee members following him were watching the situation.

“A-Amazing.”

Soon, those staring at the mountain-like pile of trees began to express their admiration one by one.

“I can’t believe he managed to subdue that monster-like kid with bare hands.”

Yes, the credit for creating this situation was essentially Waden’s alone.

All they had done was lure the escapee from the punishment room to the back mountain and wait for him to arrive while buying as much time as possible.

Some members were injured in the process, but after Waden, who had been on duty in the school grounds, joined, the tide of battle completely turned.

“Monster, even so, to say such a thing about a student…”

“It’s not wrong. After all, it was that child who made this forest like this.”

“So that’s what a barbarian-born is like… This is my first time directly engaging, but it was indeed brutal.”

Of course, piling up the forest’s trees might seem excessive for subduing someone, but such thoughts quickly disappeared as soon as they recalled the earlier pursuit.

At first, they thought they had the numerical advantage and tried to tighten the encirclement, but at some point, it was none other than the barbarian boy who was hunting down their scattered selves.

It was closer to ‘hunting’ rather than resistance.

If the head of the Disciplinary Committee had arrived even a little later, some of the members who had gone out to track might have suffered greatly.

“Then, what does that make the captain who single-handedly subdued such a tremendous being?”

“Even decent teachers or soldiers probably couldn’t do that much. If he went to the battlefield right now, it would only be a matter of time before he achieved merit.”

“Just achievements? Without weapons, at that level, being the strongest isn’t just a dream.”

And all these conversations were reaching Waden’s ears.

After confirming that the pile of trees he faced had calmed down, he turned his back, taking deep breaths.

“No, it’s not entirely non-existent. They say there was someone who went to the frontlines of the Great War without weapons.”

“In the Great War?”

“Ah, I’ve heard about that too. But wasn’t that just a rumor? No matter how strong, going to the frontlines without weapons…”

“Silence.”

Waden immediately intervened as the conversation was heating up.

The Disciplinary Committee members began to stiffen at the fierce gaze cast from under the shadow of his cap.

“The situation isn’t over yet. Currently, the problem student Latello Den has been successfully subdued but is in a state where movement is difficult. Quickly remove the obstacles, check his condition, then put on restraints and leave the area. Of course, do not inform the school about the circumstances and proceed quietly… Do you understand?”

“Yes, yes!!”

“Then to your positions immediately!”

With Waden’s shout, the Disciplinary Committee members moved in perfect unison.

The initial confusion was just due to their shock and awe, but their actions in handling the scene showed highly professional movements.

It’s natural. Anyone entering the Disciplinary Committee must have the qualifications to deal with any danger that occurs on campus.

Of course, the current situation far exceeded that level, but even so, Waden did not regret his choice.

‘Still, it must be done.’

Although he was aware it was an unreasonable task, didn’t he manage to accomplish it in the end?

There was only one injured person due to a mistake in the initial response.

Above all, the most important thing was that there was no damage to the school grounds and that news about the problem student did not spread outside.

‘But there’s no guarantee we can handle it like this in the future, so we need to consider countermeasures. Somehow, we need to be able to handle it more quickly and swiftly with just our own strength…’

As that heavy sense of responsibility weighed on his mind for a moment.

While trying to calm his pounding heart, the conversation his members had shared began to faintly resurface in Waden’s mind.

‘No, it’s not entirely non-existent. They say there was someone who went to the frontlines of the Great War without weapons.’

Yes, just like those who achieved what they set out to do without any armament even in the most dangerous places.

If such people exist who have personally proven it, there’s nothing that he, who seeks to follow them, cannot achieve.

It’s just a lack of strength for now. If he remembers today’s mistakes and strives a bit more, surely…

“Ca-Captain!!”

At that moment, a urgent cry was heard.

His gaze, breaking from his thoughts, immediately turned towards the place where the trees were piled.

-Creak, creak.

The hill of trees, thought to be too heavy for any human body to lift.

At this moment, it was stirring.

‘Even though I subdued him forcefully, he’s enduring that?’

No, it’s beyond enduring.

Even if the other members didn’t realize, Waden, who had directly engaged in combat with him, immediately grasped this fact.

“Everyone, get back from there!!”

He shouted urgently, but it was already too late.

-Crash!

The piled-up trees were pushed away by a fierce force, and the Disciplinary Committee members who were around and on top of them were flung in all directions, unable to avoid the impact.

But there was no time to worry about them.

Waden hurriedly gathered mana, preparing to confront the being before him.

“Wh-What? How did that kid…”

“Was even that level of suppression not enough?”

Latello Den.

A boy of barbarian origin invited from beyond the Legobrick Wall…

No, even looking again, it’s doubtful whether the term ‘boy’ is appropriate.

A physique a head taller than not only himself in high school but also most adults. The bronze skin covering his entire body was filled not with fat but with solid muscle.

The bloodline of a tribe that survived in a harsh magical realm, their innate physique is on a different level from ordinary people.

“How can that possibly be considered middle school…?”

To bring such a child into this academy.

Without a practical reason for diplomacy, it would be incomprehensible to anyone.

“Behave.”

Nevertheless, Waden felt no hesitation in confronting him.

“Stay quiet until you return to the punishment room. Latello Den… Just calm your mind until then.”

-Grrrr…!

“…Has he already lost his reason?”

If it’s just a massive body, it wouldn’t be a problem.

If he’s human, words should work, and if there’s malice, we could even guide him towards rehabilitation through education.

But the barbarian boy they’re confronting now has inherited the blood of the Dendlai tribe, natives who survived in the magical realm.

That clan has repeatedly evolved to adapt in the harshest part of the continent, and one of those adaptations is forgetting the emotion of fear.

‘When they face an entity they perceive as an enemy, they lose reason and charge in.’

In other words, the entire clan suffers from ‘anger management disorder’.