The next morning, Felix woke up, and for the first time, he was in no hurry to rush out of his room. After blowing up at Eugene, he didn’t look forward to seeing anyone. Not to mention that he was completely out of things to try. He could go back to the Ways and spend the day dying over and over again, but he didn’t feel mentally ready to jump back into it just yet.

  Even with the Ways reducing the trauma, the day took its toll. He even had trouble sleeping. Dreams of his painful deaths kept replaying in his mind, even if, as he experienced them, he knew they were nothing like the real thing.

  The day just seemed impossible to face.

  ‘What am I going to say to Lara and Aster? Or Agrona, for that matter? Will Eugene try to show up for lunch again?’

  ‘Ugh, I was so stupid, why’d I have to do that?’

  Eventually, the force of habit and an empty stomach dragged him downstairs. Every day, he’d come downstairs to an empty common room, and Agrona would be reading a strange book by her counter. So when he spotted something different, he froze. Lara sat in his normal spot, waiting for him.

  Just as he was considering slinking back to his room, Agrona nodded her head in his direction. He paused, one foot still in the air as he backed away. His eyes met Lara’s across the room. The look in her eyes told him exactly how things would go if he tried to avoid her.

  Resigned to his fate, he made his way downstairs.

  “Uhm, good morning?”

  “Felix Noverin, did you really just try to avoid me after I woke up so early to speak with you?”

  “Uhm, no?”

  She crossed her arms, clearly not amused. Her eyes directed him to the seat next to her.

  “Sit.”

  Felix didn’t even consider disobeying. He only paused to look at Agrona, hoping for some support. The usually helpful dwarf was clearly delighted at the show she was getting this morning, making no attempt to hide her amusement. Knowing he wouldn’t get any help from her, he slowly sat down.

  “Do you know why I’m mad at you?”

  “Because of what I said to Eugene?” He said in a small voice.

  Lara nodded, then frowned, looking at him.

  “I don’t want to hear you talking about yourself like that ever again!”

  Felix looked up, confused.

  “That bit at the end. ‘You’ll be nothing, just like me.’ That’s what you said. I don’t want to hear you speaking like that ever again! You promised me you’d get into the elite class with me. So why are you saying that? You can’t just give up.”

  She stared at him with determination in her eyes, but he could see the frustrated tears trying to escape from her bloodshot eyes. One look told him she hadn’t gotten any sleep last night.

  “I’m sorry, I– I haven’t given up. Yesterday was just hard. I tried to clear my gate, but… I died. I kept trying until I couldn’t anymore, but every time I did, I just... Died. Then, when I just wanted to have lunch with you to recover, Eugene was there with Marvin and… well, you know the rest.”

  Lara jumped up from her seat and wrapped him up in a hug. Felix just held her.

  “I’m sorry for making you worry, I promise I’ll keep trying, you have to keep going too, ok?”

  She nodded into his shoulder while he stroked her back.

  “Did it hurt?”

  He pulled back a little and looked at her.

  “Did dying hurt?”

  He hesitated but ultimately just nodded.

  “It was hard.”

  Eventually, they calmed down enough to let go. Agrona had kindly prepared the two something to drink while they were having their moment. For a while, they just sat in companionable silence, letting the stress of the previous day and their restless night go.

  Eventually, Lara broke the silence.

  “Uhm, while I was upset about what you said about yourself, you know you were wrong for what you said to Eugene, too, right?”

  Felix frowned, trying not to show his frustration.

  “Look, I know he was out of line, he promised to help, and instead he basically ignored you the day before yesterday and then brought Marvin along the next day. That wasn’t alright, he owes you an apology.”

  She waited for Felix to nod.

  “Still, what you said was… harsh. I don’t blame you for standing up for yourself, but that was over the top. You’re dealing with a lot, but it’s not ok to let out your frustration on him.”

  Felix sighed. She was right. He didn’t like it, and remembering that smug smile Eugene had as he told him to give up still made his blood boil. That doesn’t mean Eugene was trying to be an ass.

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  “Fine, I’ll say sorry next time I see him.”

  Lara smiled, which soon turned into a yawn.

  “Good, don’t worry. I’ll be sure to give him a piece of my mind and make sure he apologizes as well. Friends should help each other when we’re down, not fight each other.”

  Felix gave her a wry smile.

  “You’re right, why don’t you head back up to bed. If you don’t get some sleep, Aster will kick your butt in sparring again.”

  Lara let out an indignant scoff.

  “What do you mean again? I’ll let you know it was a draw last time.”

  Felix said nothing, only raising an eyebrow at her, causing her to let out a little giggle.

  “Fine, I’ll head up to bed. Goodnight, Felix. I’ll see you at lunch. Goodnight, Agrona, see you later.”

  She gave Felix a quick hug before heading upstairs.

  After she went upstairs, Felix turned to Agrona, looking sheepish.

  “Uhm, Agrona, about–” She held up a hand to stop him.

  “You’ve got someone else to talk to first. I’ll go get you breakfast.”

  Felix looked around but didn’t see anyone. Agrona ducked into the kitchen, so he just sat there drinking his tea, wondering what she meant.

  After a while, he heard someone coming down the stairs again. Looking over, he was surprised to see Aster walking down the stairs.

  “Good morning, Aster.”

  She gave him her customary nod of greeting and sat down next to him. Instead of saying anything, she started fidgeting with her hands.

  “Is everything alright?” He asked, looking at her with concern.

  “Uhm, if it’s about yesterday, I’m sorry, Lara already chewed me out and I know–” He stopped as Aster emphatically shook her head.

  “I’m sorry.” He looked at her, clearly confused.

  “When we first met, I thought you were taking advantage of Lara. I’m sorry.” Her fuzzy ears twitched in discomfort. Even with her tanned skin, he could see a blush forming.

  “Ah, that’s fine, you didn’t say anything wrong. I really did mess up, I’m just grateful that you were there to take care of Lara.”

  She shook her head again, still fidgeting in discomfort. Felix couldn’t help but marvel at how the usually stern girl could be awfully cute when she’s embarrassed.

  “I’ve seen you trying to improve as fast as you can just so she wouldn’t have to be alone. Even if things would be easier for you, if you slowed down. You really care. I– I’m going to do it too, I’m going to clear my last gate in six months.”

  She still didn’t look up, but he could see her clench her fists.

  “I’m not going to let you guys leave me behind.”

  Felix smiled and patted her on her arm. The gesture nearly scared the nervous girl out of her seat. Not wanting to make her feel any worse, he coughed and pretended he didn’t notice.

  “I’m sure you can do it! Thank you for taking care of her.”

  She nodded, still not quite meeting his eyes. After the silence became awkward it became clear she had something else to say.

  “Aster–”

  “I– I think I found something that can help you.”

  Felix’s eyes widened. He did his best to tamp down his excitement. He’d experienced too many disappointments to really believe her. Still, he leaned forward in his chair. At this point, he’d take anything he could get.

  “Uhm, I’m not sure it will help, but I think if you speak to instructor Grendel… from the gym, before it gets busy, he can give you advice on training.”

  Felix frowned.

  “I don’t see what–”

  His sentence cut off as, for the first time, his affinity for mind mana showed its full effect. The next second felt like it lasted an eternity. He suddenly made connections with past conversations he’d never made before.

  His head snapped over to Agrona, who stood in the doorway to the kitchen, smiling at him. She’d mentioned not being able to tell him more than the Ways would allow. She’d told him that he’d find a way if he kept looking.

  “The limit on what you’re allowed to say! It’s different for each guide!”

  Agrona gave him a hearty laugh.

  “Glad you finally figured it out.”

  He jumped up and wrapped Aster up in a hug, lifting her from her chair in the process.

  “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You have no idea how much help you’ve been.”

  Felix had a hard time holding back tears of joy as he hugged Aster. Combined with her earlier embarrassment, her blush deepened from the rosiness of her cheeks to her whole head, looking like a tomato. As soon as he let go, she squeaked out a hasty. “You’re welcome.” Before she dashed up the stairs with all the speed she’d gained from her training.

  Felix was so happy he nearly rushed out the door, only to be stopped by Agrona.

  “Now, now, I’ve already made this lovely breakfast for you. It’d be a shame to see it go to waste. I’m sure you have plenty of time before the grounds fill up.”

  Felix looked at the stack of ordinary-looking waffles Agrona had placed in front of him.

  Struggling to contain his energy, he forced himself to sit down again. He wasn’t fooled. There was definitely something strange about the waffles. Agrona wouldn’t waste an opportunity to experiment when it was presented. He’d heard her complain about the boring requests she receives almost every morning.

  Felix tried his best to enjoy his breakfast without squirming.

  “I must say, I didn’t expect you to be so bold with the ladies, young man.” She raised a brow and smirked at him.

  Realising what she meant, his cheeks quickly turned an even deeper shade of red than Aster’s. He was so used to hugging Lara and so excited that he hardly realised what he’d done until she brought it up.

  The rest of breakfast passed quickly with their normal banter and some light-hearted teasing from Agrona. Felix tried to apologise for nearly causing a scene in her dining hall, but was brushed off.

  Agrona insisted it was normal. With the stress of coming to the Crossroads and the rapid changes their body underwent after coming into contact with mana, tensions tended to run high. Agrona called it ‘hyper-puberty’. As much as she insisted that conflict was common and would become more common as the year continued, he was sure his compliments over the waffles helped his case.

  It turns out he was right, the waffles weren’t normal, though the real surprise came from the syrups Agrona served with them. When he poured a vibrant green syrup over his waffle, only for a miniature garden to grow out of it, he nearly fell out of his chair.

  No amount of praise of the dish was enough to stop Agrona’s relentless teasing, though. By the time he finished breakfast, he’d developed an uncontrollable blushing that would spring up every time he thought of Aster’s little twitching ears.

  Felix had a hard time keeping his mind off the events of the morning as he made his way to the gym. He’d woken up wishing the earth would just swallow him. Only a couple of hours later, he walked out of the hall with a newfound purpose and a warm feeling in his chest, thinking of the support from his friends.

  He didn’t think that he’d find any real answers from the gym’s guide. He’d been disappointed too many times to put any real faith in it. Still, he had a way forward. Even if the gym didn’t work out, he’d find another guide. Someone would be able to help, and if no one could, he’d just have to find another way.

  If he could find a way once, he could do it again, as many times as it took to move forward.

  Hey! Please rate and follow if you liked it. The story is pushing the Rising Stars lists. Your support would mean the world right now! o(〃＾▽＾〃)o

  by Darth Artickus

  Andrew never asked to be a barbarian, yet he chose it!

  A soldier, a leader, a survivor. When war and death tore his old world apart, he woke in another, reborn with a system that offers you power. Strength without control. Rage without clarity. A class despised, feared, and dismissed as primitive.

  Yet survival has always been his weapon. In this new land of guilds, nobles, and monsters, Grimar learns to bend the system the way he once bent battlefield chaos—with discipline, cunning, and scars that will never heal. Each stat gain carries weight, each skill is a choice between life and death, and every fight drags him deeper into a world that judges him by the savagery he refuses to embrace. Or does he?

  But there is no retreat. To carve a place for himself and perhaps to find the answers about his comrades from the life before, Grimar must turn anomaly into advantage. A barbarian in name, a tactician at heart, he will face assassins, dungeons, and gods themselves to prove that survival is not only brute force but also the mastery of turning scars into strength.

  The Barbarian Anomaly is LitRPG stripped to the bone—tactical, brutal, and unflinchingly human.

  What to expect:

  Grounded Progression—every stat, skill, and level-up is earned, with weight and consequence.

  Visceral & Tactical Combat—brutal, soldier-realistic battles where strategy decides survival.

  Psychological Depth & Past-Life Shadows—trauma and discipline from Andrew’s former life bleed into Grimar’s every choice.

  Unforgiving World & System Immersion—dungeons, assassins, nobles, and stats woven seamlessly into the fabric of survival.

  Hidden Professions, Secret Classes & the Anomaly—power that doesn’t fit the rules, mysteries that defy the system itself.

  Chapters are released Tue/Thur